50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Needham

“Cute place with a good selection expected at a Sushi restaurant. Nice atmosphere, quick and friendly service. Plenty of parking around the restaurant as well

Vegetarian options: Vegan dishes are clearly marked on the menu, and the menu has an okay amount of them to appease the vegans in your party.“

“Our take out dinners tonight were SO good! The filet was absolutely delicious and the goyza was best I’ve had. Everything was cooked perfectly everything was packed so nicely and obviously tons of effort went into each detail. You guys did a fantastic job.“

“My favorite hand roll place. Overall great food and speedy service. The handrolls are super fresh and come out quickly so everything stays fresh and flavorful. We ordered salmon mango, foe grais, miso butter cod and spicy scallops and all of them are really good. Highly recommend the spicy scallops. Our server Stelle are friendly, efficient, and keep things moving without rushing you. Easy spot for a really satisfying meal.“

“The food was delicious and the atmosphere was nice, but the waitress with red hair, who wasn't Asian and was wearing a Harley Davidson bomber jacket, was very rude. She had a judgmental and unhelpful attitude while we were choosing our meals. She suddenly brought the check even though we didn't ask for it, as if she wanted us to leave.“

“This was our second time dining at Ebi Sushi, and just like our first visit, everything was fantastic. The food is fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared every time. Our server, Amanda, was wonderful friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed without ever feeling rushed. It’s service like hers that really adds to the experience. Jose, the owner, has truly outdone himself with this place. You can tell he takes great pride in what he’s built from the quality of the dishes to the amazing team that brings it all together. We’ll definitely be back again before the new location opens, and we’re looking forward to visiting that one as well. Ebi Sushi has become one of our favorite date night spots consistently great food, great people, and a great vibe. 🍣❤️“

“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!“

“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!!“

“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!“

“We sat at the bar and were assisted throughout the evening by Zenish who was a great tour guide for our evening. Every recommendation he made was spot on. We eat sushi regularly but it is still in a lot of ways new to us, having help on what to choose and the order in which to choose it was just amazing.

The food was spectacular in every respect. This will be a regular spot for us.“

“レベル高いうまさです“

“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.“

“My adult daughter and I had a FANTASTIC dinner. It was my first time, my daughter had told me how wonderful it was so I already had high expectations, but it completely surpassed them. The mushroom appetizer was spectacular, but honestly, we loved everything and one of the highlights was the delicious swordfish plate. A sauce to die for!  The pork fried rice was also exquisite. It was a particularly lovely treat to meet the owner at the end of our visit. What a charming and warm individual, so clearly committed to creating a fine dining experience with so much loving care. Cannot wait to go back and bring more friends and family! Highly recommend.“

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

“This is a true gem. This is our first time but will not be the last. The sushi is made to perfection. We had sushi, super fresh, udon with beef and chicken katzu. Dessert was fried ice cream!!! The place is small so reservations are recommended.“

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

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

“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$“

“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.“

“A really pleasant experience. The food was fresh, nicely prepared, and full of flavor. The staff were friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere was calm and comfortable. It’s a great spot for enjoying Japanese food, and I’d be happy to come back again !“

“Absolutely my favorite place for sushi when adding together freshness, service, and timeliness. After moving to Massachusetts from Florida, there has barely been any place with real flavor up here. After checking the reviews I saw this place might have some potential for a good price. It’s a small restaurant with a few tables, and the perfect hominess. We wanted to go out somewhere for Valentine’s Day with our baby, not somewhere too crowded considering she’s in her chaotic phase, and we went here. We got a maki party platter for us and a chicken teriyaki for the baby. It’s an adult portion so we decided to have something for her to have lunch and dinner with the next day. The sushi came out and it was so amazing and honestly super fast too. Then came the babies plate, it comes with a miso soup so we were able to get her to try it and she loved that. Then we cut up her food into bite size pieces and as we were preparing it, even though I personally hate chicken, it was SO FLAVORFUL!! We had to keep going back to her plate for tiny bites because it was delicious, the chicken was NOT dry and it felt so clean and refreshing each bite. Then when in regard to the service, WOW the waitress was absolutely the sweetest ever, was so interactive with our baby and attentive to us. Our new regular place for sure.“

“We got some good sushi rolls and for a very reasonable price, considering the area. I’m not entirely sure what the theme/aesthetic they are going for is in terms of interior decor but that doesn’t take away anything really. It’s a neighborhood joint so don’t expect a fine dining experience. But it’s good food, nice people, and decent prices. Will definitely go back!“

“Outstanding and delicious!!!!“

“Underrated!!
Service is so friendly and communicates very well on ETA on food and expectations.
I got the shrimp stirfry udon and my wife got the crazy maki, both incredible.
The udon is fresh and flavorful, and has a generous amount of small shrimp throughout the dish, no tails!! A lot of similar places around here give you maybe 4-5 medium shrimp, tails on. This was perfect and exceeded expectations. I'm not sure why I can't find how to add the photo I took of it to my review, once I do I'll add it asap.
The crazy roll was perfectly wrapped and presented well even for a ToGo box, and was delicious as well.

Definitely regret not finding this place sooner. A new favorite for us ♡“

“Great food and great service“

“Excellent food, service and ambience, highly recommended!“

“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.“

“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!“

“Yama in Wellesley is one of those places that quietly steals your heart. Warm, family-friendly, and refreshingly unpretentious, it’s the kind of restaurant that makes you slow down, relax, and actually enjoy your meal.

First of all—bring your own wine. Not only is it welcomed, but they’ll open and serve it for you at no charge, which already feels like a small act of hospitality magic. 🍷

Now, the food: the Fire Dragon is a must—bold, flavorful, and just the right amount of exciting. The noodles are excellent, perfectly cooked, and comforting in that “I’ll be thinking about this tomorrow” kind of way.

One of the hidden charms of Yama is the seating at the back of the restaurant, where tables are carved into a cozy nook. It feels intimate and inviting, like you’ve discovered a secret corner meant only for those in the know. A perfect spot to linger, talk, laugh, and enjoy truly good food.

Yama is a hidden gem for locals, elegant without trying, fun without being loud, and consistently satisfying. A place you return to not just for the food, but for how it makes you feel—welcome, relaxed, and already planning your next visit. 💫“

“Tres velar experience!! Top chef!“

“Food was phenomenal. Prices were excellent.
The solo waitress was a beast… she did a fantastic job. The seating situation is far from ideal, but I love that they are working with what they got in the best way. Definitely a comfort type restaurant.

We ordered shrimp dumplings - Crispy Shumai (see photo) - excellent.
Chicken Tatsuta- original (photo) - cooked perfectly, moist.
And Yaki Don (photo) - great meat /rice ratio!

This place is worth a wait. We lucked out and didn’t have a wait, but I can see a wait happening frequently. I will be happy to wait next time I’m in the neighborhood!“

“Fantastic service, food was phenomenal and the atmosphere is perfect.

Soup dumplings, crab Rangoon, the sauce that came with the crab Rangoon and the maki exceeded my expectations and I will be coming back here whenever possible.“

“I ordered food from here by pickup late at 10pm. Both of these things typically cause food to generally be worse in my opinion.

However, the food was amazing! The miso soup and shrimp tempura maki were really good.

I also got the chicken katsu, and it was absolutely delicious! Not only that, but it was a very generous portion size too! Given how much chicken there was, I would've liked a little more katsu sauce, but it was so yummy.

Can't wait to go back!“

“The best sushi!! Great quality super tasty 10/10 friendly staff I recommend!!!!!“

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

“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!“

“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 sushi, particularly liked the Around the World roll if you’re in to salmon tempura.“

“I had the Sukiyaki Udon here and it was absolutely magnificent! The udon's broth was rich and flavorful, and all the ingredients were distinct, fresh, and perfectly balanced. The portion size and price point were both very reasonable, as it’s not “cheap,” but the quality thoroughly justifies the cost.

More than just food, what stood out most to me was the level of hospitality. The servers in this place were passionate and attentive, frequently checking in to make sure everything was going well and even refilling my water without me having to ask. It made this whole dining experience feel warm and welcoming.

If I could suggest one thing, I’d love to see a bit more East Asian ambiance, by maybe having some popular background music to match the amazing udons.

Overall, a wonderful experience! I highly, HIGHLY recommend Futago Udon if you’re looking for a cozy, comfortable, and tasty Japanese dining place in Boston!“

“I love Takara in Medfield. The staff is wonderful. I eat here almost every week. Even during COVID, my family did take out weekly. This is my go-to restaurant. My wife takes me there as a reward!! The food is wonderful and well prepared. I think that I have tried almost everything on the menu over the years. My favorite meal is the spicy tuna avocado salad! The rest of my family enjoys the sushi, sashimi, and various maki rolls which I always help them finish. Korean inspired food is a nice twist on typical sushi. Great place with great service. Great bar and wines too!“

“japanese asian tapas, sushi, and full Japanese cooked meals. alcoholic drinks are very tasty and they actually pour in alcohol. VERY tasty. fairly priced. this place is a must try. and you can tapas out at the bar. the menu is 8 pages. unique andyummy.“

“Open til 1am. sushi is decent. i got the red sox maki and the unagi with rice. got free edamame with my purchase. it's a very small place, so take out is better. i got a spot on the street right in front so parking wasn't an issue. it was 9 pm.“

“favorite cafe in the area! the ambiance is conducive for studying so i come pretty often- it's quiet, sunny, with a fixed playlist that is very jazzy compliments the interior decor well.

their green tea is bright in color and is super smooth. it's not bitter after seeped in water for a while compared to the higher grade green teas i own. the matcha tea and latte are great as well- both vibrant green and a perfect level of sweetness. the matcha used is very good quality & remind me of the matcha i had in japan :,)

as for food- i haven't tried much of the options yet but the spicy salmon, tuna, shiitake onigiri is yummy and rice usually fresh and soft. also the taiyaki and other deserts are light, not too sweet

overall, i'd definitely recommend! the workers are kind and super attentive. there's a very detailed list of allergens which was so helpful for me, and my sibling who has allergies to wheat (no soy sauce), among other restrictions“

“Sushi Today, is by far my favorite place to order form during quarantine. I ordered from them before quarantine whenever I would babysit for my neighbors. Even though a lot of places are busy and haven't gotten my orders wrong, sushi today has not disappointed me yet. Sushi Today is the only place I will ever order sushi from. They make eel avocado rolls, which are surprisingly rare and hard to find when looking for take-out. Overall the accuracy, taste, and packaging of my orders from Sushi Today have been awesome.“

“Very good ramen bowls and great service“

“The yakitori here is authentic and delicious. Great flavor and you can really taste the smokiness from the grill. Beef tongue, steak and pork belly were my favorite. The chicken yakitori is basic and I would pass next time. Their rich shio ramen is very good also; broth is very flavorful and I drank the whole bowl! The “Delicious Shochu” cocktail was so good! It was strong, but you couldn’t taste the alcohol. Highly recommended for people who like refreshing, fruity cocktails. Unfortunately the thing that will prevent me from coming here often are their prices! You have to order a lot of skewers and apps to feel full. Their yakitori is double the price of “Izakaya Ittoku” in Cambridge! At $5-$7 PER skewer here, that’s really pushing it. Don’t get me started about the prices of their sushi and rolls. If they want to brand themselves as a higher end Japanese restaurant for locals in Watertown, that’s fine. But know that they will lose out on a lot of Boston Asian clientele that flock towards restaurants that offer more affordable, casual dining. I will save this spot for only when I want to splurge.“

“I made a custom order for my anniversary with my wife. Lavender honey is flavorful and yet not too sweet. Tamy is friendly and makes the ordering process so easy!“

“Great food ! 🧡✨ quick responses“

“The kushi yaki beef is really good. Would recommend trying.

Tonkotsu ramen was fine, but didnt taste how I expected a tonkotsu ramen to taste. It tasted more like a vegetable pork soup. On the flip side, not too salty compares to other ramens so I drank a lot of it. Lastly, the egg tasted weird...it wasnt bad per say but I liked the eggs from other ramen places a lot better.

Overall solid place. Worth a try.“

“Take out food ready at the expected time. Everything was wonderful! Fresh ingredients, well presented, followed our allergy restrictions exactly as requested, and really friendly staff who remember us from pre-pandemic days. Highly recommend.“