"Tim Cushman's rock-and-roll izakaya turns robata yakitori and cold sake into the loudest, most joyful group dinner in the Fenway."
About Hojoko
Hojoko occupies the ground floor of The Verb Hotel, a restored 1960s motor lodge a block from Fenway Park, and it makes no apology for the volume. Vinyl spins, the neon glows red, and the room fills with Red Sox crowds, music-industry regulars and groups who came to eat with their hands and drink cold sake.
It is a Cushman Concepts project — the same Tim and Nancy Cushman behind the two-Michelin-star tasting counter O Ya — which is why the cooking is sharper than the punk-rock packaging suggests. Think of it as the izakaya foil to Boston's quieter Japanese rooms like Cafe Sushi.
The Kitchen
The robata grill anchors the menu: skewers of chicken thigh, crispy chicken tails dusted with black-truffle salt, and charred vegetables come off the coals in quick succession. The kitchen's calling card is the Hojoko wagyu cheeseburger ($22) — chuck and wagyu short rib, American cheese, dashi pickles and a brick of fries — alongside ginger-soy karaage fried chicken and a deep roster of sushi and maki.
Plates run $7 to $25, built for sharing across a crowded table. The sake list is one of the most serious in the city, a Cushman signature, and the cocktails lean tiki-loud to match the room.
The Room
The design is maximalist Tokyo-basement: concert posters, warm low light, banquettes that seat six without complaint. It is emphatically not a hushed room — conversation happens at a shout and that is the point. Sit at the bar for solo speed, grab a booth for a birthday, and expect the energy to climb as the night goes on.
Best for a birthday or group night
Hojoko is built for a birthday or a team night out: shareable robata, a riotous soundtrack and sake that keeps the table loose. For Boston's other high-energy group rooms, compare Coppa and Little Donkey, or browse the city's Japanese guide.
Not for
Not for a quiet anniversary or a conversation that needs to stay below a shout — the music and the crowd are the whole personality.
Frequently Asked
Who is the chef behind Hojoko?
Hojoko is a Cushman Concepts restaurant from Tim and Nancy Cushman, the team behind the two-Michelin-star O Ya. It opened inside The Verb Hotel in 2015.
What is Hojoko known for?
Robata-grilled yakitori, an extensive sushi and sake list, and the Hojoko wagyu cheeseburger. The atmosphere — neon, vinyl and noise — is as much the draw as the food.
How much does dinner cost at Hojoko?
Most small plates run $7 to $25, with the wagyu cheeseburger at $22. A full shared dinner with drinks typically lands in the mid-range per person.
Where is Hojoko located?
At 1271 Boylston Street, on the ground floor of The Verb Hotel in the Fenway, a block from Fenway Park.
Do I need a reservation?
Reservations are recommended, especially for groups and on game nights. Bar seats are kept for walk-ins.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Hojoko
Book groups directly through Hojoko; bar seating held for walk-ins.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
Address1271 Boylston Street, The Verb Hotel
NeighbourhoodThe Fenway
CuisineJapanese izakaya
PriceSmall plates $7–25; Wagyu cheeseburger $22
Dress CodeCasual
SeatingBooths, bar and counter; walk-ins welcome
ReservationReservations recommended for groups; walk-ins at the bar
