As soon as I stepped in, a chef in the back immediately greeted me, as did the cashier. Two people were eating as I walked in. As I looked around, the space was average sized, not too small nor big and the exterior had a warm feeling. It had features of bright yellow and orange lighting, with walls that created a sense of warmth, accompanied by greenery and plants around the entrance that resembled Japanese culture styles. I looked at the menu for a minute before the cashier asked whether I had been to their original location. I had not, which did not give me any certain expectations. They described what the purpose of the new location was and how it served as a more convenient place for the public that enjoyed the original space.

The cashier gave me an introduction to their new menu and elaborated on how there were a few items from their original location that got adapted to their new menu. She recommended their Chicken (Jidori) Katsu Bento ($21) and a light appetizer Japanese Style Spaghetti Noodles ($5). Taking her suggestions into consideration, I ordered them.

The wait time was around 10 to 15 minutes. It was not a long wait even as more people started to place their orders. During the wait, the server handed me miso soup and a box of cabbage. The aroma of the soup immediately hit my face. As I took my first sip, it was as savory as I would have expected with a subtle taste of sweetness. There were little bits of tofu that were the size of pebbles. I had hoped for bigger chunks of tofu, but the general serving size was as expected, no complaints there. 

The first selection that I tried was the Japanese Style Spaghetti Noodles. I received it with the miso soup and cabbage box. There were a few bits of carrot, thin bell pepper slices and pork bits on top. The portion size was what I expected, not too big or small. What I did not expect was how it was served cold. As I took my first bite, it was cold and the noodles were a bit dense, but chewy. I did not expect it to be cold, but it was okay. The taste of umami and soy sauce immediately hit as I continued chewing. As I went in for my second bite, I tasted bits of ginger that added flavor. It was a good appetizer to start off with, however, I would say that it did not blow me away. For the price, I have no complaints as it was just $5.

The second selection that I tried was the Chicken (Jidori) Katsu Bento. As I received it, the server explained what was included in the bento and asked if I had any other questions. I did not expect a full elaboration of the bento, which surprised me the most during my time as not many restaurants would take their time to explain their dishes. For the portion, the price was not bad. As I took a bite of the chicken katsu, it was perfectly crispy. It had a light golden brown panko coating that was perfectly crunchy and not overly greasy. The chicken was tender and full of flavor. I dipped it in the katsu sauce that was included, which complemented the flavor of the chicken, mildly sweet and tangy. I soon paired it all off with rice and the vegetables that were included such as tomato, broccoli, potato and edamame. The aspect that caught me off guard was that the spaghetti appetizer was already in the bento, but just a smaller amount. Though, it tasted the same as if it was served on its own. For the price, I have no complaints as it seems a reasonable price. 

While the menu resembled common Japanese restaurants, my experience at Ton Ton Katsuya Express was delightful. The overall service was outstanding and every staff member was friendly and considerate. The food was excellent quality,and  everything I tried was full of flavor. All in all, I would recommend Ton Ton Katsuya Express and say that it is worth the visit to explore a more convenient on-the-go menu.