10 Best Japanese Restaurants near Fultondale

“My husband works out of state, and wasn’t able to be home for his birthday. He was able to meet up with a cousin for dinner at Stix. I called from FL and spoke to Ellie (sorry if I spelled your name wrong, darlin’) and explained I wanted to do something for him since I couldn’t be there with him. Your rockstar hostess with the mostest, Ellie, helped me figure out where he was seated and promised to make sure a birthday song was done for him. She made it happen, and made sure he knew I was the one that called. Thank you so much for going above and beyond to help me do just a lil something special for my hubby who was 500 miles away from home for his birthday! Small gestures make a huge difference 🥳🥳“

“Johin’na is a dazzling new gem in Birmingham’s vibrant culinary scene! From the moment you step through the door, you’re immersed in an atmosphere that promises a truly unique and unforgettable experience. The decor is a breathtaking fusion of creativity and elegance, unlike anything else in the city—every detail is thoughtfully curated to spark wonder and delight. The staff’s warmth and hospitality take the evening to extraordinary heights. We were incredibly fortunate to have founder Chef Amber step out of the kitchen to serve as our guide for the night. Her deep knowledge of the menu and infectious passion for the dishes made our choices effortless and exhilarating. Her expertly recommended pairings perfectly complemented our tastes, transforming each course into a culinary adventure. Adding to the magic, we had the privilege of chatting with founders Executive Chef Ashley and Shun Love, whose vision and warmth made us feel like family. We’ve never felt more welcomed in a restaurant! Beyond their culinary genius and gracious hospitality, the sisters and their mother are absolutely stunning, radiating charm and grace that elevate the entire experience. Every dish we savored was a masterpiece, bursting with bold, innovative flavors that showcase the creative spirit of Johin’na’s kitchen. The meticulous attention to detail in both presentation and taste was impeccable, leaving us eager to return and explore more of the menu. Johin’na isn’t just a meal—it’s a soulful experience that lingers long after the last bite. Birmingham is beyond lucky to have this treasure, and I can’t recommend it highly enough!“

“Awesome food and service! We had a large party and everyone loved their food, including the vegan!“

“I pulled a non-Karen today and asked for the manager. I explained to her how amazed I was at their food and how utterly fantastic it is. I ordered an unagi poke bowl and a salmon Maki roll via GrubHub, then I went there in person and ordered the unagidon and salmon roll, and today I ordered the steak teppanyaki, salad, seaweed salad (OMG - seriously? BEST I'VE EVER HAD), and got the tonkotsu ramen with menma. She remembered me from my order today and when I was there last week. Let's talk about the salmon roll - absolutely fresh and filled with thick pieces of salmon and perfectly cooked sushi rice. The rice was a compliment rather than the main to the roll. The steak? Chef's kiss. perfectly seasoned and tender with amazing veggies. Serving size? Goodness, well deserved of the price. The seaweed salad? OMG. usually, I'll get a teensy bit for the same price. Here, you get a good chunk of it but it's served over romaine lettuce with chopped cucumbers. It's definitely a true salad. Now, let's talk about the tonkotsu. The chasu pork is seared perfectly and absolutely delectable. It's also served with green onions, an excellent half of a shoyu egg, and I added menma (bamboo shoots). The broth is excellent and you can tell it has been carefully taken care of (a tad garlicky, but that's fine with me), silky, and says "I'm your comfort food" over and over again. Lastly, the service shows how much they care about their food and their customers. Like I said, I pulled a Non-Karen and spoke to the manager and sang praises for their food and service. I now have my favorite Japanese spot now that I'm back in Birmingham. PS. their unagidon is on fire! Yum!“

“wonderful sushi burrito, salsa and fresh chips“

“Everything is wonderful including the staff.“

“Super clean establishment! Fast friendly service and love the specials! 😍 Always something new here to catch my eye.“

“I have been coming to Sushi Village Gardendale location for many years now and it is always a 10/10 experience! Friendly Staff and the service is excellent. 100% recommend that you stop by this restaurant.“

“excellent Nigiri and Ramen! We will definitely be coming back!“

“My friend and I went by last night on a whim, we were just exploring around, and we happened on this shop. The atmosphere is so chill from the second you walk in the door and the whole place has an amazing Japanese vibe. The sake was great, but more importantly the hospitality was impeccable. The bartender, John, was a pleasure to talk with. I had a somewhat unconventional food order and the owner, Adeeba, came out to make sure everything was all good. Overall a wonderful experience, I highly recommend.“