Japanese cuisine has become extremely popular over the past few decades. Sushi has become so popular worldwide that in America alone, there are 4000+ sushi restaurants. But, when I was looking for the best Japanese restaurant near me, I could not find diverse options. That’s why I’m making this list to help food lovers like me to find the place they are looking for.
Now, it does not mean that Japanese restaurants are all about sushi. They are famous for Unagi, Tempura, Sukiyaki, Yakitori, Ramen, Sashimi, Soba, etc. So, if you are a foodie, I’m sure you will love these options on our list today.
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What Are The Best Japanese Restaurants?
There are plenty of Japanese restaurants all over the world. So, how should we judge the best ones amongst them? Of course, the food presentation must be clean and should be served on small plates. But, just because the quantity is small, that doesn’t mean the food won’t taste amazing.
Fish is also a significant food item to judge the authenticity of a Japanese restaurant. If it is vibrant in color, you know you’ve come to the right place. So, let’s take a look at the best Japanese restaurants.
1: Komuro
It would have been weird not to include something authentic from the country itself if we were talking about Japanese restaurants. Komuro is situated in Tokyo, Japan. The Restaurant has 2 Michelin Stars. Mitsuhiro Komuro opened the restaurant in 2000, and it has become one of the best sushi places in the world.
The menu here is quite traditional. It starts with an appetizer, soup, sashimi, boiled dish, grilled fish, rice, and dessert. The Hassun platter is probably the best delicacy of this place. The slow-cooked octopus, kuruma shrimp, and pike conger pave the way to any food lover’s heart. They serve sushi in a tea ceremony style, which is another tradition of Japan.
2: Akira Back
Another one of the best Japanese restaurants on our list is the Akira Back Restaurant of Singapore. With one Michelin Star attached to its name, this restaurant infuses a wave of modern Japanese cuisine. Chef Akira Back has been crowned the best chef of Las Vegas, so you can only imagine the amount of creativity he brings to each platter.
He presents the traditional Japanese dishes with slight modifications inspired by his Korean heritage, and honestly, we love the idea. My favorite was the AB Egg dessert which looked like an egg on a bird nest. But, it was a mango passionfruit floating on vanilla foam, encased in an edible eggshell. Surprising, right? Pay a visit here yourself, and you will find more wondrous things.
3: Akiko’s
The next best Japanese restaurant lands straight from San Francisco on our list. One of the best sushi places that can make our stomachs crave more and more is this restaurant. You can order from a large variety of sushi platter and sake dishes to fill your appetite for the night.
This family-owned restaurant has been serving the market for 30 years. They pride themselves on one thing: they prepare all dishes with the best sustainable, local, and organically produced items. Eclectic seafood items alongside the craft Japanese beer is something to look forward to when you enter this place.
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4: Sushi Sora
We have another addition from the land of the rising sun, and that restaurant is the Sushi Sora. We got lucky when we visited this restaurant because we booked reservations earlier. If you do that, you can sit at the bar and see how the chefs are preparing your food.
My personal favorite in this Japanese restaurant was the Mixed Tempura, Jalapeno Bomb, and Tonkatsu Ramen. Even the Tempura Ice Cream is also a must-try. You will be surprised to see how such an ice cream does not melt even at room temperature. Try this, and you will have the expert chefs to thank for.
5: Masa
When I first started looking for the best Japanese restaurant near me, I came across the name Masa in NYC. With a 3 Michelin Stars, this restaurant is a must-place to check out as a Japanese eatery. If you love sushi, you won’t mind spending $650 per person in this food heaven owned by Chef Masa.
I know the price seems ludicrous. But, trust me, when you take one bite of your sushi, it will be worth the money and wait. I loved the beef dishes. And, the best thing is the excellent knowledge of the waiters who can help you pick the right menu.
6: Miku
Miku is one of the best Japanese restaurants in the world, which is located in Canada. If you are looking for sushi places with a tinge of diversity, this is your option. This restaurant specializes in preparing sushi with the Aburi technique. You can taste the excellence of Chef Kazuhiro at every bite you take of that sushi.
The Aka Miso Duck Salad was so mouth-watering that I order it whenever I get a chance to visit here. However, if you are a sushi fan, I recommend you trust your waiter’s opinion. When they advised us of the Ebi Oshi Sushi, we were indeed taken aback.
7: Narisawa
It will be wrong if we don’t end the list of the best Japanese restaurants with their origin, right? So, our final recommendation will be the Narisawa restaurant in Tokyo with 2 Michelin Stars. The restaurant will shower you with the authentic experience of mountain village cuisine.
You will start your food with a time-ritual glass of sake. When we went to dine here, we found the clear seafood soup to be something heavenly.
Even the thyme ice cream was another personal favorite. If you are confused about what to order, don’t worry, the staff will help you at every step.
Best Food Items To Try While Visiting A Japanese Restaurant Near You
If you have found the best Japanese restaurant near you, you must know what to eat there. Here, I have curated some of the best Japanese dishes I frequently have at restaurants.
Udon
Do you love Japanese noodles? Udon is one of the most delicious noodles variety from Japan. So, if you are hitting a restaurant for dinner today, choose Udon. I love udon noodles because of their thickness and the chewy texture they offer.
Another great thing about this dish is that you can have it with a lot of variations. For example, you can have it with stir-fries. I find the combination of udon noodles and stir-fried broccoli out of the world.
One more option you can try with this dish is the combination of tentsuyu soup and udon noodles. It’s served cold and is very delightful in taste.
Sushi
How can you miss sushi when you are visiting the best Japanese restaurant near you? Since its introduction in the USA in 1868, the popularity of this dish has only seen a rise.
Sushi finds its distinct taste from Japanese rice seasoned with rice vinegar. Makizushi is one of the most popular types of sushi you can have in a restaurant, and it is a combination of Japanese rice and nori seaweed.
Another variation you can have if you love sushi is the nigiri sushi. These sushis come in bite sizes, and they are shaped well for the convenience of eating. The specialty of these dishes lies in the coating of sliced raw fish at the top.
If you are not a great lover of raw fish and sushi, you can have inarizushi. These sushi variations have pockets made of inari or a type of tofu. The tofu pockets are seasoned and fried well with Japanese rice stuffed inside.
Tempura
It’s hard to avoid the lure of tempura when you are at a Japanese restaurant. You can have your choices in tempura. You can go for slices of vegetables, meat, or fish, according to your preference.
These slices are dipped into tempura, a special type of batter. The slices are then fried deeply. After frying, these fries become crispy and flaunt a pale golden color.
Tempura can be a standalone dish. It can also be served with a rice or noodles bowl for that extra crunch and texture.
Conclusion
If you haven’t tried these Japanese restaurants so far, I recommend you add these to your bucket list. Trust me; you won’t be disappointed. I have also suggested some of these restaurants to my friends, and they have given me some beautiful reviews.
As a foodie, I think you must let your tongue explore the versatility of different cuisines. So, if you are thinking of starting with Japanese cuisine, go for these options.
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