Sugidama Soba & Izakaya
234 Elm St, Somerville
(617) 764-5770
Recent Reviews
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Really really good food, but I rarely go because it is too loud to have a conversation. The absolute least possible sound dampening.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 4
Fantastic hot soba, great sushi, nice range of authentic Japanese food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
I always enjoy dining at or getting takeout from Sugidama! The dragon ball, purple sweet potato tempura, passion fruit cocktail, and inventive sushi are highlights. I hope they continue to have outdoor seating! (I haven't walked by recently to check if it's out this summer)
Great food, efficient service, and a good range of sake, what more could you want in a neighborhood Izakaya? I went on a Sunday afternoon, so it might have a lot more atmosphere at the busy times.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing food and presentation
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The toys came alive
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Did not eat in, but the food was delicious. Would definitely eat there again! Lived in Japan for three years and as close to that as I’ve had since I left.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
i really like it here, great for a nicer meal! i called to ask for an immediate 9 person table and they had one for me in the next 30 minutes.
the fried appetizers are delicious, like the karaage and soft shell crab. sadly they were out of uni! i was excited to try the uni tacos.
i got the hokkaido don but with tuna instead of uni. my one issue is the rice to meat issue. so much rice! but this seems to happen everywhere. it was still delicious
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Torch Toro roll is really good! Agedashi tofu is so flavorful. Most of the signature rolls are really great too! Service is amazing, servers are really attentive. Ambiance is calm and peaceful.
We had 10 people- 8 adults and 2 small children. They were super accommodating. Will definitely come back to visit often!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
No matter how fancy or how exclusive a restaurant tries to present itself, what truly matters in a dining experience comes down to three things: taste, price, and customer service. Unfortunately, this restaurant falls short across the board.
We visited on a Saturday afternoon, hoping for a memorable Japanese dining experience. From the start, the host was dismissive and rude, setting a poor tone for the meal. Thankfully, the rest of the waitstaff were courteous and attentive, but the first impression lingered.
The food? Completely average. The flavors were plain and uninspired—nothing that justified the high-pricing. When you pay a premium, you expect your taste buds to be treated to something special. Instead, it felt like style over substance.
If you’re craving a rich, authentic Japanese meal, this isn’t the place. For me, it was a one-and-done visit. There are far better options out there where quality, hospitality, and value actually align.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
The food here is delicious, fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The small plates had that perfect balance of comfort and creativity. However, the service left much to be desired. Our check was dropped on the table before we even took a bite of our dessert, which made us feel like we were being rushed out. It took away from an otherwise great dining experience. I’d still come back for the food, but I hope the staff can offer a more relaxed and thoughtful approach to service next time.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
Sugidama Soba & Izakaya welcomes you with a warm, inviting atmosphere—tasteful decor, friendly staff, and a genuine sense of hospitality. Though their specialty is clearly soba, I found the noodles didn’t quite live up to the hype.
On the upside, the seared squid was outstanding—easily the highlight of the meal and one of my favorite dishes ever. The rest of the menu offered solid, if unremarkable, fare that paired nicely with the cozy surroundings. Service was polite but a bit uneven, which kept the experience from being flawless.
All told, Sugidama Soba & Izakaya delivers a pleasant dining experience with standout seafood and a welcoming vibe. I’d happily return and would rate it 4 out of 5 stars.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
High quality sushi, but waiter failed to mention last order causing disappointing halfway lunch
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 1
Really wonderful Japanese restaurant. Excellent soba as well as sushi selections. We were a little worried when there were so many options, but our server was great and helped us choose. Everything we had was delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The Ebi Kakiage Hot Soba was pretty good, especially the vegetable and shrimp tempura on the side. The tempura was shaped like a bird’s nest and it was really tasty. However, the mini shrimp in it were a bit underwhelming; I wish they used larger shrimp. The broth was really good, but a bit one-note, and the soba was overcooked.
The Torch Saku and Torch Toro rolls were great, but the fish in the Torch Saku tasted like baked fish as it wasn’t properly torched. The Torch Toro was tastier and way more flavorful. For appetizers, the fried baby octopus 🐙 was really tasty!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
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