50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Melrose

“While they aren’t set up for dine in, they go above and beyond for their customers. Let me tell you as it is, one of the best places in the area. We came hungry after a game of tennis and the moment we came in, the owner’s upbeat greeting made us feel so welcomed. Cannot describe how happy we feel during and after the meal. Please support this small business that’s doing everything right.“

“Steak Fried rice is their Top 5 for me here !! Tried multiple times and it’s never a miss ! Good portion , Wings is pretty decent . Sushi Is also great taste fresh 🍣 and great price as well, even got a complimentary spring roll ♥️ they have some Matcha icecream in little containers that they be giving complimentary sometimes and it’s so good too !! Support small business, they are super sweet always 🫶🏻 especially the lady in the front taking the orders“

“This is my favorite sushi place, bar none. The food is a great value given the quantity and quality, and the customer service couldn't be better. They recognize me when I come to pick up lunch despite only going about once a month, and the staff is always so friendly. I recommend it to all my coworkers, and always look forward to my lunches from there.“

“Delicious Enmi ramen! First time seeing a citrusy yuzu-based ramen on a menu, and it was yummmy! Our server Justin was also so warm and welcoming, subbing the broth out for a vegan one. And the atmosphere is so cozy and intimate, will be back the next time we're in Boston for sure!“

“Very tasty food, great service. No reservations, first come first serve. Prices are not super inexpensive but it is worth the cost. We were only grabbing a snack as we had some commitment afterward. Only pitty is that it is difficult to share bites if you are like me and want to try it all. I guess we will have to come back! 😜
My favorite was the shrimp tempura, but the eel was great too.“

“Decided to go out for dinner with a few friends and it was delicious. I liked the citrus dressing on the avocado salad. The filet mignon was tender and flavorful. For dessert, green tea ice cream is a must!“

“As close to an authentic omakase experience as it gets outside of Japan. The quality of the food (texture + flavor) as well as the presentation were all mind blowing. Service was also great. Dan was very polite and knowledgeable about the menu, being able to give a detailed description about each item he was asked about. I’m definitely coming back!“

“José and his crew always serve beautiful, fresh, delicious sushi with innovative flair! The newly designed space is stylish and comfortable.“

“レベル高いうまさです“

“This was one of the BEST omakase experiences I have ever had. The attention to detail was extraordinary. I ate at several two and three star Michelin restaurants last summer in France and I was happier with my dining experience at Umami. The quality of ingredients is absolutely stellar and it is truly a treat for all the senses. Go!!“

“Kenzoku Mazesoba is a great eatery for comforting, brothless ramen (mazesoba). The interior is bright and the staff are accommodating.

The meal started with three warm Kurobuta sausages that were topped with pickled red cabbage and a mustard-based sauce over fresh greens. Overall, a well-rounded appetizer with a nice balance of textures, richness, and acid.

Next, the torched Hamachi roll had fresh fish slices laid on a roll and then torched. The hamachi was then topped with black tobiko and complemented with fresh ginger and wasabi. The roll was light and tasty.

The Yuzu Shio Ramen was the standout and featured braised pork chashu and a delicious poached egg. The medium-bodied noodles were a pleasant to chew with the toppings.

The vegetable mazesoba (vegan) included tofu soboro, mix of corn, quinoa, red pickles, and other goodies. It was a lighter flavor and we appreciated the opportunity to order the truffle oil on the side.

Overall, recommended for a casual and pleasant dinner among family and friends. The food quality and atmosphere make this hidden gem a great choice.“

“Visiting Boston, I stopped here because I wanted to come back and have lunch in Chinatown. The place was empty besides another couple of friends that were sitting parallel to me. The service was excellent, and the food was excellent. I had some shrimp tempura and a ribeye soup bowl. I recommend visiting for a quick solo or friends lunch.“

“We had a wonderful dinner a Mai during their soft opening. The foods good. The service amazing and overall a great night out. We tried a variety of hand rolls and some apps. The fish is definitely high quality in the hand rolls. Our favorites are the Akami, toro, Salmon, spicy tuna and the Duck Foie Gras“

“Run don't walk to Pagu for absolutely scrumptious food that weaves together Japanese and Spanish Basques Cuisines! A must order is the Tuna Collar - I've never had anything like it - it's huge, great for a crowd, bone-suckingly good (literally have done that) served with rice and nori! Also make sure you don't miss Tracy Chang's homemade nonalcoholic sparking teas - my favorites are the genmaicha and the hojicha - again I've never tasted a drink like this anywhere else. And then you have to end the night with a Basque Cheesecake - I particularly love when Pagu makes a seasonal Matcha or Ube Basque cheesecake! Pagu's dishes and drinks are across the board innovative but also welcoming and absolutely delicious!“

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

“I love their food jun our server she is great“

“I was lucky enough to be able to host a private event with 311 for my birthday and they exceeded my expectations! Chef was able to create an incredible menu with a diversity of dishes and flavors. We were also fully enveloped in an extremely high level of service. The attention to detail on plating, quality of the bites and table management were unmatched. Having dinner here is an experience not to be missed!“

“only downfall too warm. heat rises. otherwise great time and great staff.“

“Staff very friendly and attentive, we did have to ask about part of our order was as we had everything else for a bit of time just not our veggie we had ordered. Overall food was so good, service was great, very attentive and super nice. Highly recommend this place!!!!“

“Overall ingredients + service + ambiance, I give it 3 stars 🌟🌟🌟 (Hawaii's is a bit better 😆🌺)“

“Definitely some of the freshest and tastiest seafood and innovative sushi and asian food I've had in a while, very fresh and tasty!“

“Chiharu House Roll! Almost too pretty to eat. Almost.“

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

“We were seated and ordering before the restaurant told us that half the menu was out of stock. The lobster roe pasta and black sesame dessert also didn’t live up to the hype. Overall, had an average experience here, but bumping it up a star because their baby cauliflower was actually a pleasant surprise“

“Great food and great service“

“Great food and service. Will go back.“

“For $99, this meal offers excellent value, as the quality of the food is genuinely good. The fish, aged for a few hours, was fairly fresh and tasty. Furthermore, the main chef was highly enthusiastic during the introduction of each course, which was a welcome highlight.

However, the experience as a whole failed to deliver what I would consider a high-quality omakase. The core issue is the scale of the operation: accommodating 10 guests at the counter plus an additional 6 or 7 at surrounding tables, all served the same meal, makes the interaction with the chef minimal.

This approach detracted from two key joys of the omakase format. First, the fish was pre-prepared and cut away from the counter, denying guests the traditional experience of watching the chef prepare the full course in front of them. Second, there were two apprentices beside the chef, who appeared to be learning basic hand-roll techniques and even inventing their own methods right there. As a place striving to establish itself as true omakase, this awkward, visible training significantly affected the overall professional presentation and appearance.

While the food is good and the price is right, the structure and execution prevent this establishment from achieving an authentic or intimate omakase dining experience.“

“Great experience! Staff and food was amazing“

“Great food as always, and the staff are really nice once you walk into the restaurant they always say hi to you“

“Love the food but their delivery is getting worse and worse. If you order before 5 p.m. it is nice if it can be delivered by 6:30 pm (especially if that is the window they promised). Did all we can to keep this place open during the pandemic but may need to start looking elsewhere for our family's sushi fix. VERY disappointed about their service.“

“The uni udon was one of my favorite meals in Boston! Noodles were chewy and the uni, crab and roe made it a decadent meal. Super pleased with the quality, taste and service. I came around 5 pm on a Sunday and did not have to wait. Recommended if you love seafood and udon!“

“I literally think this is the best sushi in Boston. Better than all the top fancy places. Take out is great but sitting there is always so pleasant as well, great service and they always get you in even when they are busy. The sushi is top notch quality!“

“Ordered teriyaki chicken, rice, edamame and spring rolls. Everything was delicious! The spring rolls were extra yummy. 😋“

“The sweetest Japanese couple runs this place! Only four tables and they cook right at the counter. Strongly recommend the katsudon, everybody at my table ordered a second portion to take home

I think the whole set with miso soup was 14.25$“

“The food is fresh and sooo yummy, just incredible! New favorite lunch spot! Definitely recommend!“

“Fresh and tasty! Great meal option.“

“We live in Winchester, and we have ordered takeout at Umi Sushi twice now. The sushi, the entire order has been extremely fresh, well-packaged, and just delicious. Umi Sushi will be our 'go-to' going forward. The staff are all friendly and responsive. It's a home run for people who love fresh sushi and a local setting.“

“PaPa Sushi is AMAZING! Went here a couple nights ago with some friends. Everything we ordered tasted SO good and so fresh. Service was great, too—never had to ask for waters refilled, and our server even flagged us down when we nearly forgot our takeout. Very calm atmosphere, perfect for relaxing and eating sushi until your heart’s content. They even have a jukebox so you can play your favorite songs. 10/10 would recommend!!“

“We catered an event with Nagomi Bento and ordered inarizushi and onigiri. I only got to try the miso negi onigiri because everything went so fast and it was delicious! I also loved working with them as they were responsive, timely, and professional. I would cater from them again and hope to eat at the shop soon!“

“No longer cash only! This tucked away eatery serves delicious curries and chicken cutlets. Feels like a legit Japan-style restaurant where you can get a comfortable, familiar meal, by yourself or with friends and family. Delicious sesame salad and miso soup! The red pickled radishes with the curry were best. Attentive service and dishes are served at just the right pace. Plus enough for two meals!“

“Tres velar experience!! Top chef!“

“Excellent salmon bento box!“

“Great small plates, gyoza, soft shell crab, maki is excellent Mt Fuji a favorite. Delicious drinks, fried green tea ice cream hard to find in New England!“

“Every city, county, town I visit I must try the sushi! This place had your typical sushi choices. I just felt there were so many choices and without pictures it can be hard to choose. Some items were the same but had 2 different names because one ingredient was different.“

“Wow wow wow wow wow wow wow.
Tip: get there early, right when they open, and you (hopefully) won’t be waiting in line.

We have offices in Japan, and we have had sushi all over the world, and this was so very very fresh. We took the bus all the way from Cambridge just to eat dinner here.

I had the Hamachi and the scallop and the Toro, all very reasonably priced and all very fresh. Really surprised at the price of the Toro, because it’s more expensive even in North Carolina! Great value for such a fresh fish.

Six dollars for a Sapporo and $11 for a carafe of hot sake was also a great deal.

We also tried the Buta Barra Kaku-ni (which was the Japanese raised pork belly). And it was outstanding! We have a lot of pork belly in the region where we live, and this interpretation of it was so tender. It just melted in your mouth!
We also tried the umaki, which was the egg and the eel combo. It was good, but I don’t think I would get that one again when there are so many other fabulous menu options. But I’m glad I tried it.

Great selection of sake as well.
We will be back when we are in Massachusetts!“

“Awesome Dumplings!! Great Service!☺️“

“Very good ramen bowls and great service“

“Cozy place with window seating, I can't wait to eat here more often! I got the brisket noodle soup and, while it wasn't piping hot as I'd liked, the brisket was tender, there was soybean curd, and the perfect combination of 5 spice, crispy garlic, and peppers. Very worth the promised 15 minute wait - they should add another crew member because that phone was RINGING so you know people love this place!!
Chewy boba - it was a divine eating experience“

“Great food ! 🧡✨ quick responses“

“This sushi spot is more of a take-out place than a dine-in restaurant, though they do have a few small tables if you want to eat there. The focus is definitely on the food, and they do it really well. The rolls are fresh, and nicely put together — easily better than what you’d expect from a casual take-out place. Prices are fair for the quality, making it a solid value. If you’re looking for a quick sushi fix without the full sit-down restaurant vibe, this is a great option.“