Jared R.
Yelp
Cocoro has been a Stockton staple since I was a teenager but it had been a good long while since I'd been back after moving. The whole place gives off a great vibe with the lighting and interior all dialed in just right for the perfect ambiance.
Since it had been a while I wasn't sure what to expect but I have to say cocoro exceeded my expectations on all counts. Looking at the menu, things were actually priced very reasonably, and I was also pleasantly surprised with all the portions.
Wifey and I started with the pork belly and Brussels sprouts appetizer. Not going to lie, I often skip the appetizers cause at most places they're hit or miss but this was one I was very impressed with. The pork belly is cooked sous vide to get that perfect texture and then fried after for a crunchy exterior. If I had one suggestion to the kitchen it would be to fry it a little longer to get it crispier but either way it was very good. Served with pickled onions and sesame mayo it was a great start to the evening. Portion was generous and I'd order again. 8/10
Looking at the options for entrees I was really at a loss because everything sounded so good. I've had and enjoyed their sushi before but since my wife is pregnant we decided this wouldn't be a sushi mission, but we did order a spider (soft shell crab) roll for a little crunch. 7/10
Wife got the spicy ramen which we'd had before and knew wouldn't disappoint. They have an option with wagyu that I allllmost went with, next time! As far as flavor goes the ramen is delicious, though not quite as complex as some dedicated ramen houses. Upgrading to a ginger/soy marinated egg instead of a plain egg would be an easy way to elevate this as well. Overall still a great bowl of ramen that we'll continue to order, 8/10
Took me a while to decide on an entree for myself. It is almost always my habit to choose beef over other proteins but the chicken katsu sando really caught my attention and I felt I could feel and see the chef's vision. When our order arrived it was clear I made the right choice with the katsu sando. Holy- that thing is impressive! Biting into it, it was exactly what I was hoping for and then some. Wonderfully crunchy, a little sweet and tangy, juicy chicken thighs. Yes. I ended up asking for extra katsu sauce on the side which really just completed the experience making this sandwich a perfect 10/10. Loved it.
Overall wife and I were super impressed with the menu, food, and service we received at Cocoro. We live in Lodi with no shortage of great Japanese cuisine, but I'm sure we'll be back within a week or so for more!