Dallas · Izakaya · a la carte
WAYA Japanese Izakaya
Japanese ramen & izakayaJapanese-ownedLakewoodEast DallasBest ramen
WAYA Japanese Izakaya is a Lakewood gem owned by Japanese chef Daisuke Mori, offering award-winning ramen and a full izakaya menu in a cozy historic East Dallas residential setting.
- Price
- ¥¥
- Area
- Lakewood / East Dallas
- Since
- 2019
- Chef
- Daisuke Mori
Plate № 55
About
Opened in November 2019 by Japanese chef-owner Daisuke Mori — who spent a decade at high-end restaurants in Hawaii before relocating to Dallas — WAYA has become one of the most beloved Japanese-owned dining spots in East Dallas. Named by D Magazine as one of Dallas's best ramen restaurants (all six noted as founded by Japanese chefs), WAYA's menu spans ramen, izakaya small plates, and an extensive sake selection. The restaurant is tucked into a quiet, historic residential area of Lakewood, giving it an intimate neighborhood character unlike Dallas's more commercial Japanese restaurants. Mori's philosophy of Japanese comfort food executed with precision has earned WAYA loyal regulars from across the DFW area.
Neighborhood & visiting
WAYA Japanese Izakaya sits in Lakewood / East Dallas, one of Dallas's neighborhoods where authentic Japanese kitchens have taken root. The house does not publish an online booking link; call ahead to secure a seat, especially on weekends. Check the posted hours before you go — traditional izakaya restaurants often close between service periods.
Why it's on Washoku Guide
- Japanese owner-chef Daisuke Mori, with a decade of high-end Hawaiian restaurant experience
- D Magazine-recognized among Dallas's best ramen — all founded by Japanese chefs
- Full izakaya menu with sake alongside award-winning ramen in a cozy Lakewood setting
- Intimate neighborhood character in a historic East Dallas residential setting
Confirmed authentic: Owner-chef Daisuke Mori is Japanese.
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Frequently asked
About WAYA Japanese Izakaya
- Is WAYA Japanese Izakaya an authentic japanese ramen & izakaya restaurant in Dallas?
- Yes — WAYA Japanese Izakaya is featured in Washoku Guide because it meets our authenticity standard for japanese ramen & izakaya in Dallas: a kitchen grounded in Japanese technique, ingredients and preparation consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused izakaya format.
- Where is WAYA Japanese Izakaya located?
- WAYA Japanese Izakaya is located at 6334 Gaston Ave, Dallas, TX 75214, Dallas, USA in the Lakewood / East Dallas neighborhood.
- Do I need a reservation at WAYA Japanese Izakaya?
- WAYA Japanese Izakaya does not publish an online reservation link. Walk-ins may be possible, but for popular izakaya restaurants in Dallas we recommend calling ahead.
- What is the price range at WAYA Japanese Izakaya?
- WAYA Japanese Izakaya sits in the ¥¥ price range — typical for japanese ramen & izakaya of this format in Dallas.
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