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.“

“Only reason 4/5 for atmosphere is that they turned down the lights drastically at around 7 PM weekdays, it was too dark to see your meal properly.

However by then my meal was finished.
Ramen is delicious, I didnt ask for chili oil as broth was sufficient alone.

Ordered one sushi and it was one roll but loosely wrapped in seaweed.

Service is quick, I would be surprised if anything takes more than 10 mins.

If you with a group, get a table. Two or a pair can share side by side bar/top seating.“

“Matsunori is a comfort spot I keep going back to. Boston is definitely lacking in terms of handroll places, so the opening of this spot was a win, for sure. The fish quality is pretty good and each handroll is crafted with care (in terms of ingredients pairing). I personally really love the OG miso cod, Eel with foie gras, Mango salmon, and Spicy tuna. All the ingredients mesh perfectly together without overpowering the ⭐ of the show (the fish).

While they don’t offer reservations and are usually super busy (weekdays&weekends), today we got there around 7pm (on a weekday) and there was no wait, which was nice. Our server, Duc, was so attentive and helpful. Rolls came out super quick, as always. Definitely recommend checking this place out!!“

“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 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. 🍣❤️“

“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!!“

“This mazesoba was the best meal my family and I had on our short trip to Massachusetts!! The bowls themselves were gorgeous, and the noodles were perfect to match. The decor of the restaurant is also very beautiful and inviting. The vegan mazesoba is amazing, a must try if you’re in the area and looking for a filling meal!“

“レベル高いうまさです“

“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!“

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

“First-class dining right in Chestnut Hill. I’m so glad I discovered this place.

I visited during a tasting event, which offered a great opportunity to sample several dishes from across the menu. The fish was beautifully prepared and expertly seasoned throughout. The standout was the black cod, perfectly balancing savory richness with just the right touch of sweetness.

The shiromi ususukuri — Japanese white fish sashimi — was delicate and refreshing, with candied quinoa adding an unexpected and satisfying crunch. On the meat side, the pork belly bao bun was superb: melt-in-your-mouth pork tucked inside a pillowy, perfectly steamed bun.

Every dish felt thoughtful and polished without being fussy. Hands down one of the best meals I’ve had in the area. I can’t wait to come back.“

“I’m truly impressed by the thoughtfulness and quality of food given the price point. This is better than those expensive omakase in Boston I’ve ever tried.

One comment - the sauce for eel hand roll is way too sweet & heavy - and it covered the natural umami flavor of the fish. Besides this, great experience!“

“Wow. Judy's Bay has been around for 5 years, and it's my first time! What a shame as it is a fantastic gem of a restaurant! It has a very Japanese feel, but the menu is a fusion of Asian dishes. Ma po tofu, tuna hand rolls, scallop crudo, and a side of Kim chi were all so tasty and intensely flavorful! Then we had a lobster roe pasta that was the star and absolutely delicious amd mouth watering! I am definitely going back with a group of friends to share this amazing experience!“

“Great food and great service“

“I really like sukiyaki and mentaiko udon, and I always want to try them out, but the portions at their restaurant are too big. The service is also excellent and very attentive. I've seen someone drop their chopsticks, but before I could even react, the staff had already brought new chopsticks over.“

“We tried a variety of items. The miso soup and the mushroom and onion soup were both delicious. I ordered the Philadelphia and the OMG roll. The Philadelphia comes with smoked salmon which is hard to find. Both rolls were hands down the best sushi I have had in the Greater Boston area! We also ordered the Sakura fried rice and beef with onions and peppers. They were pretty much the same you can get anywhere else. The sushi is the stand out here! The service was great. The food came out quickly and the server was very friendly. I will be more than glad to drive out of my way to come here again!“

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

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

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

“Being a white dude I got fried gyozas and shrimp tempura maki. Both were fantastic. I feel like a lot of gyozas taste the same but these had a great fry to them with a flavorful filling. Maki was really nicely sauced and the Shinto tempura beautifully fried.“

“Cafe Mami is a neighborhood gem. We've been coming here for years to enjoy their variety of Japanese comfort food. They have probably the best curry in Boston. Love the depth of great fruity curry flavor with their pork and chicken katsu and hamburger. Their gyudon has crispy sliced beef and beansprouts. Couple of our favorites are the Nininku chicken and beef tofu sets. Sauces are great and free refills on rice. They offer great value and quality. Staff is friendly and efficient. So happy they are still in the neighborhood after all these years.“

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

“M&J Teriyaki is a cute restaurant which I highly recommend if you’re in the area! They offer both dine-in and takeout and have, frankly a very nice atmosphere. The food too was really amazing (I recommend the chicken in particular) and the drinks are also very nice. I enjoyed the flavor of the strawberry smoothie.

I personally went right after having visited the MFA and so, if you’re on the lookout for a bit to eat after a museum visit then please consider it!“

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

“fish amazing but also blown away by vegetable roll!“

“It's a nice little restaurants serves Japanese and Chinese food

I thought it was just average. Not exceptional. I had salmon shrimp noodle hot iron plate 4 stars

The green onion pancake 2.5'stars

Rolls were ok 3.5-4 stars“

“Best authentic Sushi I had in the US! They brought Sushi chefs from Japan! 🇯🇵“

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

“Genuinely don’t understand why this place is empty save for my family when we come in - The waiters are attentive, and the food and milk tea are both spectacular. They offer a lot more options than most sushi restaurants as well! Seems like a really lovely family business and I would definitely recommend.“

“Outstanding and delicious!!!!“

“Thank you to Chef Jon for allowing us to pick up a package of frozen dumplings during our visit to Artifact on Memorial Day. Cooked them up tonight and they were delicious, as was the edamame salad!!“

“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!“

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

“Unique, delicious pastry. Best croissants and sourdough bread. Nice people. Can sit inside or outside.“

“This well-known gem is worth the wait and will give one an experience rarely found in Greater Boston.
The dishes are unique, tasty, and well prepared. You need to have your entire present to be seated and they do not take reservations as there are few tables. The larger group I saw about six people. It's not a large place and has a very minimalist feel with the decor.“

“Tres velar experience!! Top chef!“

“We ordered from this place for the first time today, and we absolutely loved it! The service was excellent , everyone was very kind, fast, and attentive. And the food… truly amazing! The sushi is incredibly fresh, delicious, and beautifully prepared. The portions are generous, and everything tastes fantastic. This spot definitely became one of our new favorites in the area. Totally worth it! 🍣💛“

“Must-try the sashimi here!! We ordered the Sakura box with miso soup, sushi, sashimi, scallops, octopus, and crabmeat salad for 2 people. The fish was so fresh with a variety of different kinds which makes it fun to try!! They also have bento boxes, rolls, and ramen. I love the cozy atmosphere here and friendly staffs that highlighted our experience“

“Tried it for the first time at the farmers market, it was super delicious. I will absolutely be buying it again.“

“Very good fish. Fatty tuna was incredible, salmon was pretty good. One disappointment was that they only gave wasabi and ginger with the appetizer, but the maki roll came with none. And I ordered two items was given two soy sauce packets. Will probably go back at some point. If i’m paying over $30 for a small paper bag of food i think those sides could be improved.“

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

“the lunchbox meal was delicious! reasonable prices“

“Good for friends get together. Be sure to get there early - no reservations and always a line“

“I've done both dine-in and takeout, and have eaten a variety of their mains, apps, and hand rolls. Their food is all excellent, and the miso cod (available as a main or as a hand roll) is good enough on its own to justify a visit. The prices are also extremely reasonable for the quality of food.

Edit: came back again and everything was amazing. Thanks Flora!“

“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.“

“Had a really nice experience here. I purchased the strawberry and Oreo shaved snow. Both were excellent.

My party also had a few children with us who weren’t the easiest to tame. At one point, a kid dropped all of our water cups. They offered to come and replace all of them. Even though we declined, the thought was very nice. Additionally, a kid dropped some of the dessert on the floor. They were very kind and treated us well.

I definitely intend to give this place more business. Great establishment and great food.“

“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.“

“Tori Jiro at Arsenal Yards is an awesome addition to the neighborhood for authentic yakitori and Japanese comfort food. The grilled skewers are executed well with great flavor, and the rest of the menu features a solid variety of small bites, ramen, and drinks that make for an enjoyable meal. The modern, sleek setup inside creates a lively vibe whether you are stopping in for lunch or hanging out in the evening, and the staff keeps service moving along smoothly. A fantastic, flavor-packed spot to hit whenever you are visiting Watertown.“

“Looking for Japanese resturant and was recommended by one of my colleague
Here is my feedback
1. Very nice ambiance
2. Settings are good
3. Hot pot was nice
4. Food was great and light.

Cons
1. For first timers it is little difficult to understand the process
2. Menu is not self explanatory
3. Service was bit slow though there were hardly two sets of customers“