27 Best Japanese Restaurants near Mountain Brook

“My office loves catering Maki Fresh! The ingredients are always fresh and is always a hit, honestly it is hard to not want Maki Fresh EVERY time we get food. They are always timely and kind and I have never had an issue with an order from their store. I have had an issue through Uber while ordering Maki Fresh but their staff was extra accommodating, kind, and supportive throughout the whole process! Very thankful for their kindness and cannot recommend them enough!!! Thank you!“

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

“Their food is amazing So are their employees Larry helped me so much !! Tonight was my first time“

“Our food was amazing, and the service was great! Even our picky kiddo loved it!“

“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!“

“If Google got rid of all the reviews more than a few years old, this place would have a perfect five-star rating. Clean. Simple aesthetic. Japanese caliber service and respect from staff. Great portions. Incredible value. Had sashimi, sushi rolls, rice, and soup. Five stars on every single item. Even the vegetables were incredibly fresh alongside the other food items mentioned. Nothing frozen. I will be back, and I will be back often. They even have an incredibly good little menu for kids. So glad to find traditional Japanese food and culture so close to home in Hoover and Bluff Park.“

“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!“

“Food was good. My husband really enjoyed the sushi with the exception of the 'white tuna'. Not sure that was actually tuna. My husband stated the texture was a little off so maybe it was the fake tuna, the escolar. But other than that, all the other fish he had was excellent. I had the steak bento box and I guess I should have expected this with the rise in beef prices, but it did seem like there was way too much broccoli hidden under the steak pieces. The vegetable tempura was perfect. The young man that waited on us was super nice and the service was excellent. I think my biggest complaint was how the staff started sweeping up around us as we were trying to finish our food. We arrived about 8 PM which was an hour before they are scheduled to close. They turned the televisions off and started cleaning and sweeping about 8:45. Yes, we were the last people there, and I realize they wanted to leave and get home to their families, but imagine trying to eat while people are stirring up dust all around you by sweeping. We were finished and out the door at about 8:55.“

“We never have a bad experience at RNR Trussville, and it’s always our go to spot for sushi. The crab wontons were on point as usual and the sushi rolls tasted super fresh. Also, our server tonight, Britney, was super sweet and attentive to our needs. We will continue to keep visiting this location!“

“wonderful sushi burrito, salsa and fresh chips“

“Everything is wonderful including the staff.“

“Every experience at this restaurant has been fantastic! My family has been dining there since they opened. Their customer service is unbeatable! I really think Linda could teach a course on how to run a business. As a vegetarian, they have delicious options. Our son and daughter who are not vegetarian both love the angel roll! Okinawa is a fabulous restaurant!“

“Rock & Roll Sushi 🎸🍣 Went with a classic, go-to choice along with the Headliner lunch special with Crowd Surfer roll and an egg roll—everything was delicious and hit the spot. Sometimes you just can’t beat the tried-and-true favorites! Service was great and super fast, making it a perfect lunch stop when you need something quick but still really good. Definitely a solid choice every time 🙌 #RockNRollSushi #LunchSpecial #SushiTime #ClassicChoice #FoodieFinds #FastAndFresh #GreatService 🍣🔥“

“Food was amazing! Staff were wonderful! Definitely recommend!“

“Always a great experience. The food is fantastic. The tiger roll is the best!“

“We love eating here because of the great food, great service, and good prices...“

“Went for lunch with a new friend today and the food was SO delish!! Our server, Payton, was super friendly and attentive! All around great lunch. We’ll be back!“

“This place was amazing just what I needed before some shopping“

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

“Awesome service for fast food! Great amount for the lunch special. Good and fresh food!! Clean. Clean. Clean!“

“Hostess service was extremely slow. So I was worried the rest of the experience would be bad too.
Once you get seated at the Hibachi grill everything was phenomenal!!
The Chicken and Scallops were perfectly cooked and the fried rice was second to none! Best rice I've ever had. Portion sizes were impressive. I haven't stopped craving Stix since I went. Definitely planning multiple trips back. Best restaurant in Hoover in my opinion“

“It was delicious food our family enjoyed. It was fresh and hot food. We will definitely be back.“

“We stopped impromptu on a road trip with twin 1 year olds. The staff was super friendly and accommodating. Our babies have egg allergies and they made sure there was no cross contamination. We always make a mess wherever we go so I try to clean up after ourselves and they refused, saying they just wanted us to have a good time. Great food and excellent service!“

“Excellent service would definitely recommend“

“Fabulous! My only complaint used to be and I mean used to be is the food came out slow! Not anymore!! They have stepped their game up tremendously! Always great food and friendly service!“

“This was my second visit at the restaurant and I enjoyed it both times, the experience watching the chef in action in his craft was amazing and entertaining and the waiter was very very attentive and kind, not an easy job dealing with people for sure. The food was fresh and seasoned to perfection just like I like it. I will come back. Great job!!!!!!!“

“My friends and I went to SUMO sushi to celebrate a birthday. We were met with such personable staff members. Joy, our waitress, was so precious and often met our comments with an enthusiastic "yes." The food was delicious and the value for quantity was wonderful! An entree meal included a protein, a salad, a soup, noodles, vegetables, and rice for around $24. Thank you SUMO for the wonderful experience!“