Hobento Politeama In Palermo

I'm a Japanese person living in Northern Italy. I visited with a friend on vacation in April 2024. I visited after seeing a photo of ramen, but ramen was not currently on the menu. Instead, I had takoyaki and my friend had curry udon. If I were to evaluate it based on Japanese tastes and taking into account the perspective of Japanese food eaten in Italy, I think the curry udon was too sweet. The takoyaki seemed a little overcooked. That said, there are only a few restaurants where you can eat Japanese cuisine, so I hope they continue to do their best.

Hobento restaurant is a true hidden gem that left me speechless. Its charming and authentic atmosphere, with just two tables and a counter, made me feel as if I had been transported directly to one of those traditional Japanese restaurants. What makes Hobento unique is its authentic Japanese cuisine, which is notable for not including sushi on the menu. Instead, the focus is on traditional Japanese dishes, which were presented impeccably and deliciously. One of the most interesting features of the menu is the possibility of ordering trays, called "boxes" in the menu, which allow you to taste a variety of typical Japanese dishes, excluding the classic sushi. This option is perfect for those who are unsure about what to order or who want to try a little of everything. Every dish I tasted was an explosion of authentic and genuine flavours. The care and attention to detail in the preparation of the dishes was evident in every bite. The delicious flavor of the dishes particularly struck me, but one that really left its mark was the Katsu Curry, with its unique combination of crunchiness and softness, accompanied by a rich and enveloping sauce. The Hobento restaurant offers a gastronomic experience that goes far beyond a simple meal. While I am aware that the price is slightly higher than average, I can confirm that every penny spent is more than compensated by the quality of the ingredients and the culinary experience provided. In conclusion, Hobento is much more than just a Japanese restaurant. It's a culinary journey through the gastronomic traditions of Japan, with an authentic atmosphere and delicious dishes that will satisfy even the most demanding palates. If you're looking for a memorable dining experience without sushi, Hobento is the place to visit.

Tried it for the first time, was happy and satisfied with both the food and the service and environment! We will return with pleasure

Everything excellent! Really nice, friendly and quick service. You feel really at ease and it's like you're in a little corner of Japan. It's really a shame that the place is so small but it doesn't bother you at all, in fact, perhaps this is also a nice feature of it.

Fast service, excellent food (spicy sweet and sour chicken which is out of this world) small flaw is the few seats inside. Highly recommended.

Very small and intimate place, typical Japanese style, with few seats. However, the food is good and you can find particular dishes, both Japanese and Korean, which in Palermo are difficult to find in other places. I love okonomiyaki 😍

It is a place where I often go, warm and welcoming, undoubtedly characteristic. The staff is knowledgeable and courteous, I feel very comfortable

Cibo molto buono, ma personale sgradevole, scontroso con me e le persone con cui ero, e poco cortese.

Locale che ricorda molto quelli orientali, dove si effettua take away (bento, Che indica un pasto da asporto in un box) qualche posto a sedere, con la possibilità di poter anche consumare lì. Pulizia e cordialità. Personale qualificato che nonostante l’arroganza di una cliente a pranzo, si è comportato professionalmente.

Il locale è caratteristico, unico nel suo genere in tutta la provincia. Il menu è sfizioso e soddisfa la curiosità di chi, come noi, ha sempre fissato con l'acquolina in bocca i piatti dei suoi beniamini giapponesi. Unico appunto: il dehors all'esterno è arrangiato alla bell'e meglio e non solo contrasta con la cura degli spazi interni, ma... lascia in piedi i clienti!