50 Best Japanese Restaurants in Philadelphia

“I am very pleased with my experience here. I went with a group of 5 and ordered sample tasting, so we got to try a lot of different options they have. They have standard and an upgraded option (for just $10/person); it is well worth it to pay for the upgrade. I liked most of it. But what was exceptional is the liver goose, the duck scrapple, the wagyu and the sea bass.They do a nice show (at the bar) with some of their drinks as well. In this video I recorded them making my double knot Manhattan. They fire some cinnamon and fill your cup first with the smoke. It actually gives it a nice taste.“

“Pretty good experience! There was a little bit of a mix up with what we ordered but they instantly took care of it and got us the rest of our food. Some of the food was hit or miss. The broll, Bloc party, Hijiki, and e I shumai was great but I didn't really like the chashu because it was a bit gummy and the wings were not my favorite. But other than that, it was all great. I will definitely come back soon to try more things :)“

“The best sashimi and I have ever had. Stopped in here 3 years ago by chance -- looking for food before a concert at Gloria Dei Old Swedes Episcopal Church. I was able to get a few things, not a set menu. They did not put soy sauce or anything on the bar or tables -- they said they were preparing it just as it should be prepared. And it was so! Looking forward to coming back.“

“We love the food at Umami Steak and Sushi Bar. The fish is of the highest quality and Yontem has amazing skills. There is a wide array of interesting and delicious items to choose from. We haven't tried the steak, but we have seem others order it and it looks fabulous. The service is also great. We highly recommend this wonderful sushi and steak restaurant.“

“I had the best sushi omakase experience here. It’s quality sushi put together right in front of you. You are served 15 pieces of gourmet sushi, one piece at a time. I especially enjoyed the smoked salmon, wagyu sushi, raw shrimp, and the oyster. They were outstanding. The edible gold sprayed onto the sushi was special. It’s BYOB so bring your favorite beverage with you. Enjoyed and savored every piece of sushi.“

“We had a wonderful experience.  I read an article about its opening  in December and was intrigued, so I made reservations for my birthday in March.We arrived about 20 minutes early for our seating (minimum required is 10 minutes early).  When we entered we were greeted very warmly.  The space is very serene and inviting, soft lights and very intimate. We were invited to have a seat in the lounge area and were each given a lovely complimentary mocktail and encouraged to relax for the short wait until our 8pm seating.We are new to Omakase. The concept and flow was explained to us in detail as well as how certain types of sushi are meant to be enjoyed (i.e., nigiri is a single bite of balanced flavors and you pick it up with your fingers).  The education ahead of time was super helpful. I did not know this. The evening was a beautiful presentation of courses, carefully prepared and explained. Each piece of sushi had a unique flavor, which I believe is due to the high quality of fish and the perfect balance of wasabi and sushi rice.  The fish was so fresh and flavorful and not what you typically experience when you go for sushi, even in upscale establishments. Most of the fish I was trying for the first time  - some from Japan, some from Spain and other regions.  All wonderful!We ordered the sake and whiskey pairing, each drink chosen to match the specific dish. We were given the origin and tasting notes of each, which really helped educate us for the future.  I thought I didn't like sake, but now I have three bottles on my "to purchase" list.The service was very attentive without being intrusive. The front of house staff was knowledgeable and you could tell they truly wanted you to have a wonderful experience.  It was very, genuine - kind people generous in sharing their knowledge.  The chef interacts with you throughout the meal, explaining the ingredients and the preparation process, making the experience educational as well.For us, this experience was about more than just food; it gave us an appreciation for art, tradition, and craftsmanship.  There was a ceremonial aspect to it and I came away feeling like I learned something valuable as well.  We are definitely coming back.  The value for what you receive is excellent.“

“A fantastic hidden neighborhood gem. Service was excellent - welcoming, knowledgeable, and great conversation at the sushi bar made our experience a memorable one - great insights and recommendations. Food is expertly prepared with fresh ingredients. The robatayaki was SO good. We will be back!!“

“Kind of overrated in my opinion. We got 2 house rolls, 1 specialty roll and 1 regular roll and I was still hungry after. Sushi was delicious, but not for over $150. Dessert took a long time to come out and was a little bit loud for my liking.“

“Delicious, fantastic vegan options, had a matcha bun and the grandma tofu which was great! I'm looking forward to being in suburban station again so I can try more menu items.Vegetarian options: Bao and other options for vegetarians and vegans are great and definitely not boring!Dietary restrictions: Nice vegan and vegetarian options!“

“Amazing time. Food was fast and delicious. my roommate and I went to celebrate 6 months living together and were greeted by amazing staff and the most friendly chef who took the time to chat with us and make us feel welcome. The whole place was clean and modern and it's safe to say my roommate and I will both be coming back again and bringing all our friends!“

“Came here for dinner during Wrestlemania 40 weekend. Excellent service and the sushi was amazing! Especially the fried sushi with smoked salmon. Also got the shrimp tempura and sweet potato rolls. Wish had more room to finish it all. Pretty small place, so was lucky enough that it wasn't so busy. Highly recommend!“

“Kiku is our neighborhood spot for takeout sushi. All of their classic rolls are good, but our favorites are the spicy rolls - they actually have a kick to them! They also do a solid job on the basic rolls, like tuna avocado and the Philadelphia roll (their smoked salmon sets this roll apart). We ordered the Valentine (my personal favorite) and the Temple signature rolls this time but our other go-to special rolls are the Tasker the Kiku rolls. Overall, the quality of the fish is consistent, the price is reasonable, the food is always ready super fast (we don’t need delivery since we live around the corner), and the people who work there are always very nice!“

“This place is great! This place is byob and it's really cool that they have a chiller in the back just in case you want your sake cooled down. The waitress was amazingly animated which I loved. She was so insane as well that she thought my sake bottle I brought was so interesting so she took a shot of it without even asking (LOL I have to say that was a first). The waitress definitely gave us good recommendations for dishes to try out. We shared the 5 Spice Pork Bun. While eating it was a bit difficult, I really liked the buns. The buns were more fluffy than the usual pork buns I try. The waitress also recommended the Kani kappa salad. Usually, I think it is weird to not get a classic ginger salad at a Japanese restaurant but I thought I'd try something new. This salad is 100 percent worth getting. It had the consistency of cold slaw but didn't have the bitter taste that is typically associated with cold slaw. I think the crunch pieces on top were a nice addition as well. I ended up trying the Annie and let me tell you that the Asian pear really added this crispiness to the rolls that I haven't ever experienced before. The balsamic on top is a nice touch as well. The place also has lunch specials which I am dying to try out.“

“We love SavoriBowl as our go to spot when we're a bit too lazy or busy to cook, great poke bowls, good flavor, and the owners are super sweet. The last time my husband went in to pick up, they recognized him and recommended their favorite sauce combinations which we will surely try next time. Their poke bowls are solid, ingredients have been fresh and solid, and I like how easy it is to modify and create your own bowl here, and you get a loyalty discount if you use their system. My only comment is probably not a popular one - it's almost too saucey sometimes - but my husband for example, loves the over sauce and he loves their sauce. For me - I generally love ingredients as is, so sometimes the sauce feels like it overpowers the natural flavor of the vegetables or ingredients - but I do agree that the sauce is delicious! My guess it he majority of people like a very saucey bowl, and I'm the exception. We have also tried their chicken katsu - which was very well made, well fried, to perfection. I hope for the best success of SavoriBowl and will continue supporting them“

“I recently ate here on Saturday. This restaurant was my second option because I was running too late to my first. When I tell yall I'm so happy it turned out this way!! I took my nephew who loves ramen.Food: I eat at a lot of asian restaurants (Japanese, Chinese, Korean). THIS EASILY IS ONE OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN THE CITY. Asian food or not. Very fresh, very clean. And surprisingly extremely affordable. We ordered 1 hibachi meal, 2 ramen (one with (2) extra toppings), 6 soft drinks, 3 appetizers PLUS 20% tip all came to $100!!! My nephew completely ate every bite of his ramen plus broth, which was why we came to this restaurant. There were NO leftovers as it was absolutely delicious and I WILL return.Service: Only one woman who I didnt catch name but the receipt said "BOSS" and even though I was skeptical at first she is very prompt and was pleasant to be around. I was very happy to leave a large tip and I highly encourage it for others to do so as well. She is obviously very hard-working.Atmosphere: Its small but you can tell a lot of the decorations were made by (i believe) the daughters of the owners. It was very homely, cozy, and very cute decorations.Overall 5/5 I highly recommend every single thing.“

“Just visited with my wife, this is an absolutely amazing place and I HIGHLY recommend you take the walk or drive to come here. Service is FLAWLESS the people are warm and friendly, the food is to die for.The fact they do not charge you a ton of money is insane. The homely quality of this place alone could be enough to charge more, but they are incredibly fair and kind. The way all businesses should be“

“This is a good place to eat sushi and ramen. Personally, I ordered the miso soup ramen and I loved it: both the decoration of the dish, as well as the quantity and flavor, were in harmony; For starters we ordered gyozas, which were delicious. My companion ordered a shrimp tempura roll which, on the other hand, although it had a delicious flavor, the quantity was small in relation to the price. The atmosphere is cozy. The staff treated us very kindly, which made us enjoy the experience even more.“

“It was my birthday and I was craving sushi. I looked around at a few places and I decided to try this place. I looked at the menu before going and they had a lot of great choices. The staff was amazing. They were very nice and helpful. We had no wait for a table either. The food was very delicious, definitely worth coming here to try. I was very amazed that it came out on a boat like that too. I loved it. These were the rolls we ordered. Eagle Roll, Lobster Roll, Tiger Roll, Dancing Shrimp Roll, and King Dragon Roll.“

“Not the greatest place to sit down and have dinner at, it’s a bit loud and small; better suited for quick to-gos or a lunch spot to grab food quickly. But the food is excellent and affordable, and there is seating if it’s not too busy!!!“

“1st time ordered lunch take out today. The staff is very friendly and answered all questions. Great selections of Sushi, Sashimi, also Hibachi. Reasonably price with prefect portions, specially the Sashimi is so fresh and yummy!!! Will definitely come back to this place!“

“If you're looking for a Japanese style crepe, whether it is savory or sweet yet not too sweet but it is overpriced, but at least it comes out quickly and is quite fresh - in Chinatown in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, then you have found the place.We spotted this place and decisively entered it and enjoyed a crepe together. We recommend it as a way to spend a little too much money and kill some time in a fun little place that also has a good bathroom.“

“Stopped in Saturday night. Spur of the moment decision. And so glad we did. Loved the food and the experience. First off, the service was very friendly and efficient. We felt very welcomed despite the spur of the moment drop in and no reservations. The menu offered many options beyond the usual sushi fare, good for a party of two where one is a great sushi fan and the other who likes her food cooked. The sushi menu offered creations we had not seen before and every thing ordered was fresh and delicious. The bento box offering had a taste of everything and each was delicious. The sashimi roll, no rice was amazing, very fresh and so good. We also loved the avocado/peanut roll which Had never seen before. Wonderful seaweed salad as well! We will be back.“

“Amazing Japanese food - fish was as fresh as could be, creative dishes, beautiful presentation, welcoming staff, top-tier experience. Chef/owner Matthew is extremely nice, knowledgeable of his craft and accommodating; he's willing to curate unique dishes for his guests, treated us like family.“

“Just two focused homies making the best quick sushi, sashimi, nori etc. it’s a counter with maybe 8 seats and it feels so informal but right to the point. I got the valentines roll and the fresh red tuna was so buttery soft. I loved it. Also don’t skip the sashimi platter!! Great place for any quick satisfying meal. Lots of people come through for takeout so it’s incredibly busy but they are efficient. Order at least 30 mins ahead so you’re not waiting too long - They are very busy on Friday nights.“

“Took my daughter here for a lunch date. Overall the food was good. We both agreed that the gyoza was the best part of the meal. I had teriyaki salmon and she had beef ramen which were both good. The service was great and we didn’t have to wait long for our food.“

“Poke Buri is my go to for order out poke bowls. You can order on line at yelp which I do then pick up. They have a lot of options the price is great. The Poke Burri gives you lots of protein too which each bowl. I have never eaten in house but I have had excellent service with my take out orders. When I get home and sit down to enjoy my poke bowl everything is like I ordered it“

“The food is really good. I loved the kimbob and the steamed pork dumpling is very good too. I would love to go to this place regularly. Although they need to update their online menu and the prices because the prices i saw on here google menu isn’t what they have in the restaurant. Might have adjusted due to inflation - understandable. but recommend to the owner to update on google menu too.“

“I came in as they were starting to close up but I had a roll and sushi entree that were amazing. The shashimi was falling apart in my mouth and the roll was an awesome take on different salmon prep. Everything was amazing. Excited to go back.“

“Loved this place been here a couple of times and the food and service is the best you could get. Refills water periodically, takes trash off table for you, packs your food to go if you don’t finish it. The boba is good here the balls are really soft and chewy. Must get the karaage chicken def a good portion size. The decorations here is so cute too love the vibe this place gives.“

“Our favorite sushi place- EVER. There aren’t enough good things to say about this place. Every single dish is always so fresh & just delish.Maggie, the server, host & everything in between is absolutely AMAZING. Such a sweetheart & gives the best recommendations.I could not recommend Tsuki more than we already do. A lowkey, MUST try if you’re in the Rittenhouse area.“

“we really enjoyed it. we are from DC, visiting the city. Zama is unlike the sushi spots in our area. Zama had more creative flavors and presentation. Also the buns were delicious. Staff was knowledgeable and helpful. And the space wasn't so large that the staff would forget about you.“

“Delicious as always. My baby’s favorite spot our favorites are the kalbi, skirt, and hangar steaks ? the drinks are pretty good too! Staff is very professional, polite, hospitable, and friendly as well. 10/10Kid-friendliness: This is my seven year olds favorite restaurant“

“So grateful to have a local sushi spot that i LOVE! I have converted several people to sushi lovers with this spot alone so that tells you how good it is! I love the 3 roll lunch specials, but oh how i wish they also allowed it on sundays :( some of us work monday-saturday, but alas still excellent sushi!“

“Fuki quickly became a favorite place for me and my loved ones to go. The staff are all so attentive and friendly, the food comes out so fast, and the atmosphere is extremely calm and relaxing. On top of all that, the sushi is always fresh and tender and I love the ramen on cold days. I have nothing bad to say about Fuki!“

“It's like walking into a home. You know exactly what you're going to get. It feels home-y. Nothing fancy. Nothing mind blowing. Just great classic udon and katsu. You know exactly what it taste and what your getting. Fair price. Great portions. Cute little shop.“

“You can't go wrong by coming here! If you do, make sure you get the three meat option. That's the one me and my girl got and we were so happy with it. They really make those burritos FAT. Lol, it was low-key falling apart as we were eating it. I feel like the quality of their food is pretty good. You're gonna want to come back after trying your first burrito. The service is pretty solid. The people here make your burrito right in front of you, and they're pretty quick with it. Come check this place out!“

“The sushi was incredible! Our server was so sweet and knowledgeable and helped us decide between all the options. I definitely recommend this place if you’re a sushi fanatic.Parking: There’s plenty of parking during the weekday evenings but weekends are a pain.Wheelchair accessibility: Plenty of space. No stairs.“

“Unfreaking-real!!! Elisa M Hoffman and I could not be happier with this AMAZING birthday experience. Of course being huge foodies we were not going to pass up the opportunity to visit one of the most famous and admired chefs restaurants. What we didnt expect was a world class experience and the nicest, most attentive staff i've EVER seen. Not only was the Omakase (chefs selected dining experience) out of this world our server Richard was top notch and we had the pleasure of speaking extensivly with one of the managers Coco who astounded us by going above and WAY beyond to make us feel special and make this birthday dinner one i'll NEVER forget. So amazing grateful. 敬慕する“

“This sushi place is located below the Comcast center in Philadelphia. It's a in a food court so no waitress service. I visited a few time and each time the food was fresh. There was a staff member by the food making sure it's rotated and organized. The food was tasty and there were plenty of options I'll be back.“

“I went here with a crew of 6 to celebrate a special day, and it was a really good experience! By no means am I a sushi expert, but I am not a newcomer either and to me it was pretty great experience, especially the tempura shrimp on the mango shrimp roll.. We ordered the Party Platter D which came with 64 pieces total comprised of Alaska roll, tuna avocado roll, california roll, spicy tuna roll, sweet potato roll, tiger roll, mango shrimp roll, and creamy crab roll. The mango in the mango shrimp roll was also a welcomed change of flavors. Lots of options. We ended up getting one of the family meals that really satisfied our group's stomachs and wallets. Generally it is a little expensive, but it's a local establishment that also doesn't have a liquor license to bring in easy revenue. On that note, this is a BYOB restaurant, which is pretty neat, allowing you to save even more on your overall price if you plan on drinking. I wonder if they would be willing to warm your sake for you? My only food recommendation (which I communicated to the open and friendly guy at the counter, is that the spicy tuna wasn't very spicy. Maybe now it will be spicier if they've had similar complaints since the time I went--probably 5 months ago at this point. Otherwise, my only other complaint is just that it's a small place--about 8 spots at the stylish wood sushi bar, and two picnic style tables that can seat 5 if you pull up a chair, so it might be a little tough to find a spot if you're going out with a crew.“

“This is my go-to place for special occasions, like getting an A (or even a B+) in my Penn Law courses. CONGRATULATIONS to the owner for an incredible four years! I've been enjoying Kaseiki's sashimi bowls since the start of the pandemic and have always had wonderful experiences with them. The ingredients are always fresh and even the basic bowls, like their signature Anniversary Bowl, are very artistically done and taste great. I highly recommend the Second Anniversary Bowl, an upgrade that includes delicately prepared scallop, the sweetest shitake mushrooms you've ever had, and mouth-watering, delicious O-toro! The prices are high, but the quality is also high, so it's definitely worth it! Looking forward to enjoying a Chirashi bowl in person someday.“

“Me & my fiancé really love Drunk Crab that yum yum sauce brings out there delicious fresh food. The staff is extremely friendly and well organized. The Hibachi meals are good. The crab ragoon is a delicious appetizer. We loved our drinks as well. The Mango juice & The homemade ice tea. Ummmmmmm good.“

“Worthy of the hype! We came without a reservation for happy hour, and they were able to squeeze us in, but looks like a reservation is a good idea. The happy hour sake was good, and the U-Maki were fun and delicious. Looking forward to coming back with a reservation for the omakase!“

“Great little spot for a quick dine-in or takeout. Good food at good prices. I had the chili oil wontons, which were great, and a lunch special order of chicken pepper and onions. Additionally ordered a lychee jelly green tea which was awesome! All made for a nice lunch.“

“I can’t say enough about this place. I understand everyone has different experiences. However, when I took my son there for his Birthday. Im so happy that I made the right choice to make reservations there. From the time we entered to the time we left nothing but the best service we had in a very long time. The Asian food WOW the best that me and my family tasted. You got to try their sizzling hot plate pork chops!!! Oh my Goodness!!! This place has been there for 8 years. I also meant the Chef and complimented him for a wonderful meal. The food taste so fresh and made with love. A huge difference when cooking food. I’m the biggest critic when it comes to great restaurants b/c my Dad was a great Chef. Hands down I will be returning very soon!“

“This is my go to happy place!! The food and ambiance are great! What makes Aki even better is the amazing staff!! Jordan, Gina, Phil and owner Frank always make me feel at home when I stop in!! This place also has one of the best happy hours!! Definitely a place to check out!“

“Cool spot! We visited 1225Raw with a friend after visiting the Philly Flower Show nearby and had a good time. Prices were a tad high, and they were out of some options we wanted to try, but overall service was fast and the food solid. Would come back.“

“Exceptional cuisine! Awesome environment (built by my friend Ben Workerman!) and friendly/ informative service. We love the circle front door and warm interior. We went with the sake pairing which we enjoyed and went will with our omakase. Loved crunching down on the soft shell crab little bite. A bit pricey, but worth it! Will definitely return. I rank it a 3 out of 3 drink review (coke, beer, sake).“

“Fat Salmon Sushi in Philadelphia is a delightful dining spot that offers a modern twist on traditional sushi rolls. The ambiance is chic with a lounge feel, perfect for a casual lunch or an elegant dinner. Guests rave about the sushi’s quality, presentation, and the creative variety, including vegetarian options. The service is friendly and attentive, ensuring a pleasant dining experience. While some find the prices a bit steep, the generous portions and the unique experience of sushi served on a decorative boat make it worthwhile. Overall, Fat Salmon Sushi is a great choice for sushi lovers looking for quality and a touch of innovation in their meal.“

“You can tell it is more a grab and go type of place for the college folks but our dine-in experience was great nonetheless! Staff was so kind, attentive, and food came quickly. Sushi was amazing and amazing, I enjoyed my miso soup, and my husband and I shared some edamame.Definitely would recommend for anyone looking for some sushi in the neighborhood! Mango Tango and Holiday rolls were my favorites!“