26 Best Japanese Restaurants in Boston

“Some of the highest quality fish I've had in the Boston area outside of Uni and Oya. The only thing they need to fix is the pace (one person shouldn't get multiple rolls at once and the nori should always arrive crisp) and order (leanest to fattiest)“

“Early at 1230pm Sunday, place was quiet which typically crowded later the same day! I see this nori tacos, unusually crispy seaweed? I had to try!! Ordered $20 for 2, spicy tuna and mushroom tacos. Interesting, yummy with spicy tuna(not spicy but a little to taste) and the mushrooms with sweet heavy taste of teriyaki are scumptious. Great for light meal. I have to say, based on many other reviews given, this go go ya is not a typical type of takeout fast food. I can get mexican tacos cheaper and I had paid high price for same mexican tacos. But a japanese nori tacos? Its an experience to see new ideas to be recreate from maki version of sushi, but better with added bits of flavorings. And you dont need chopsticks!! The comparable size of each Japanese tacos are larger than the mexican tacos large or small. I think the restaurant had chosen a good location to be part of an extraordinare European style food hall. Given Timeout Magazine great credentials to bring chef-inspired into food court dining!!

Wheelchair accessibility: ramps, elevators, restrooms and seating areas“

“Absolutely amazing!! I can’t wait to go back.“

“Celebrating Father's Day. Food was wonderful drinks was great and our waitress was very attentive. Loved it!“

“Awesome Dumplings!! Great Service!☺️“

“This restaurant experience was refined, very pleasant, and tasty the whole way through. We were sat immediately even without a reservation and treated to complementary edamame mousse which was unique and light. We then ordered a few delicious sushi rolls with the highlight being the Waygu Beef - which even makes my mouth water now thinking about it. We really enjoyed the ambiance and the staff was incredibly tentative and kind. Perfect for a date night!“

“Oh Somenya~

Saturday night was my first time dining in. Line got out the door quickly by 5:30! But I love how the hostess took down me and my friend’s names the second we got inside, rather than keeping us guessing for the wait time.❤️ Fortunately there was a table of two available shortly after and we got to skip a few bigger groups ahead of us.

Inside there is a beautiful ambiance and it felt so cozy! We were quickly given glasses of water and menus at our table.

We started off with their Hiya Yakko Japanese Cold Tofu. So delicious and perfect size for two. I highly recommend the Beef Sukiyaki with Soba Noodles! My friend got their Curry Beef Udon. Both were DELICIOUS and the perfect hot temperature for a rainy day in Boston.

Would I come back? Yes!?

Thank you Somenya waitstaff and kitchen for your hard word and hospitality.???“

“Mind-Blowing Culinary Experience at UNI Dining at UNI is nothing short of extraordinary. Chef Take's talent is truly remarkable, turning every dish into a masterpiece. The sashimi is unbelievably fresh, each slice practically melts in your mouth, showcasing the incredible quality and craftsmanship that UNI is known for. One of the standout dishes was the Foie Gras sushi with pop rocks and strawberry. The combination of flavors and textures was nothing short of genius—a perfect balance of richness, sweetness, and a playful pop that left me in awe. It’s a daring creation that speaks to Chef Take’s innovative spirit. My personal favorite, though, has to be the Toro topped with caviar. The buttery, luxurious texture of the Toro paired with the briny burst of caviar is an experience I won't soon forget. It's the kind of sushi that dreams are made of. The service at UNI is also top-notch. The staff is attentive, knowledgeable, and makes you feel like a VIP from start to finish. They are well-versed in the menu and make excellent recommendations, ensuring that your dining experience is seamless and memorable. UNI is, without a doubt, a dining destination that should be on every food lover’s bucket list. Chef Take’s talent shines through in every dish, making it an unforgettable experience.“

“Incredible experience. High quality ingredients. Creative and beautiful presentation. Service is impeccable and informative. It is a bit traditional and on the serious side, so just be aware. The music though....... Overall this this place is master class and worth your hard earned money and worth your time. If youre a serious sushi lover come here ASAP!!!

Tip:
Do yourself a favor and get these add ons:

Black bass
Sardine roll
Auction uni“

“Deluxe Sashimi Platter ⭐️ It was great! It's really fresh and there are a lot of varieties, except for the sea urchin, which is a bit fishy Octopus Carpaccio ⭐️ The seasoning is very refreshing and the octopus is very chewy, I love it Torched Japanese Scallop ⭐️ It was very light, I couldn't really taste the seasoning, but it was very tender Unagi Don ⭐️ A friend ordered this. Gyu Don + Onsen Egg ⭐️ The beef is very juicy and the onsen egg is very flavorful“

“Came here around 6-630 on a Friday night and was able to get a seat without waiting. Ordered some takoyaki and edamame for starters which were pretty solid. For udon, we ordered the pork kimchi udon and the sukiyaki udon. Both were really good and I would recommend both. At the end, the waiter poured my leftover noodles in the takeout cup perfectly and I was in awe. Coming earlier around 6 is perfect on a weekend night because when we left there was a line out the door waiting for a table. Definitely would come back again for a hot giant serving of noodles.“

“Sleeper gem!! I had the sushi deluxe and my friend had the crispy salmon and toro truffle roll. Rare to find a good deal, fresh fish, attentive service and sushi rice done right in Boston :)

Also a cozy atmosphere inside, for a relaxing meal in comfortable surroundings. They have gluten free soy sauce and can note an allergy when preparing your meal.

Dietary restrictions: Gluten free“

“Great atmosphere, excellent food, unique drink menu, fabulous music, great vibes“

“Came here for a late night meal. Staff was friendly and helpful. We grabbed a few items. The Tokyo style ramen, dope yolk , & crispy heirloom potato. All was pretty good. The ramen was hearty and the pork belly was crispy. Dope yolk was a different.all the texture just went together. All they have a decent food. I would be back“

“I am simply amazed at the quality and presentation of the dining selections at this wonderful addition to Kenmore square. The service is top notch. You'll only be a stranger here once.“

“I enjoyed everything I had here. Only thing mid was the pork katsu. Kaarage chicken, takoyaki and sweet potato tempura were hits, along with the mango cake.

Service was great--attentive and friendly.

I'd go back.“

“What a fantastic little sushi spot. I've lived all over Cambridge, Brookline and the South End and no sushi spot can compare to this one. Joe, the owner, is super friendly. Sushi is REALLY good here, fresh and delicious. Most of the bad reviews here are for non-sushi items. If you stick to the sushi, this place is a gem. They are also amazing about allergies. Highly recommend!“

“Food was solid high quality sushi with creative preparation and freshness. Menu can be overwhelming so I’d advise having a look before you go there. Our server was lively and informative. Prices are generally high but acceptable for the occasional visit or event. The decor was modern and comfortable.

Parking: We lucked out finding parking a few blocks away but it would have taken a while had we not happen upon the space. Make sure you leave enough time to park.

Kid-friendliness: Perfectly acceptable for kids as it’s not a quiet environment, but you probably wouldn’t want to as it is upscale and everyone is seated.“

“Excellent sushi and pretty good wine. Would go again. Would I do a 30+ min detour just to dine here? Probably not, hence 4 of 5 stars. So if you are in the area: good choice.“

“We are vegetarians. We ordered three different kinds of ramen noodle soup(one of them substituted with rice noodle)The best one was curry tofu ramen noodle. The sea salt rice noodle was also good. The soybean sauce ramen was a bit bland. However, we did enjoy the food because we didn’t need to wait in line to be served especially when we were hungry.

Vegetarian options: A good restaurant for vegetarian options“

“Fantastic from start to finish! We arrived 20 minutes early to our reservation for 8 and we were seated immediately. Our server/bartender, Niles, was amazing, patient with our group and very knowledgeable, and helped us choose some great drinks. Apps were delivered to the table in a timely manner while dinner took a bit longer but it was before a concert so not a big deal, and it was nice to not feel rushed. Most of the table ordered ramen for dinner and it did not disappoint. Rich flavors and the perfect amount of spice with a good noodles/toppings to broth ratio. Between all of us, we tried a good amount of items of the menu but my favorites (for now) were the: Morimoto Daiginjo sake (do yourself a favor and order the 10 ounce) Karaage small plate Spicy Tan-Tan ramen“

“It's almost the only Mazesoba restaurant in downtown Boston, and the rolls and Mazesoba are delicious!! However, the inside of the store is small and there is a long line on weekend evenings, so you have to wait outside and it is very cold in the winter.“

“Love them. Highly recommend the spicy eel coconut maki.“

“Located near gate C19, it’s a great place to grab a quick meal during layovers. I got the Shojonator Burger with Fries and it’s pretty good. The portion isn’t huge but that’s a good thing (specifically in this case) because it wouldn’t make you feel too bloated during your next flight.“

“I really enjoy dining at Yamato II and usually get the All You Can Eat Sushi. You get appetizers and desert included with this option. The menu is more than sufficient and the food is always fresh and the service is quick. All sushi is made after you order. Great place for a date or to sit at the bar and enjoy a nice drink with sushi.“

“25 years I have been charged mine here. In all that time, never any less than fabulous!“