50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Waltham

“We had a wonderful experience at Sakura. The food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. One of the highlights of the meal was the sushi boat, it arrived looking like a work of art and offered a great variety of sushi and rolls, all incredibly fresh and well prepared. It’s perfect for sharing.
The shrimp fried rice was also excellent, perfectly cooked with great flavor and generous portions.
The ambiance is just okay, but the overall service was very attentive and friendly. Sakura is a great spot for delicious sushi and a relaxed casual dinner.“

“Loved the food, the service, great place 🙌🏼“

“My boyfriend and I love it here! When the staff learned it was his birthday they went all out with taking care of us. The staff are so kind and want you to enjoy the experience. I highly recommend this restaurant.“

“Cozy spot and can have a long wait time, but it’s well worth it. Miso butter cod was one of the best things I’ve had in the city. Service was good, waiter explained everything and answered any questions we had. Definitely a spot I would return to Boston for.“

“The additional noodle option was very worth it (nearly doubles the amount) and the soup base for the Umami Ramen is delicately seasoned and has a rich taste. Crew was also extremely friendly and helpful, a flawless experience for the price point.“

“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.“

“I recently visited this omakase restaurant and was truly impressed. The quality of the fish they use is exceptional, and I enjoyed every single dish they prepared. The presentation of each course was beautiful and thoughtful, adding to the overall dining experience. The atmosphere in the restaurant is cozy and inviting, and the service was excellent—attentive, friendly, and professional. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a top-notch omakase experienced! 10/10“

“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.“

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

“レベル高いうまさです“

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

“We enjoyed our meal at Judy’s Bay. We got the scallop crudo, the gochujang mussels (great flavors), the lobster roe pasta (good), the oyster mushrooms (relatively plain), and the stuffed hake (very good). For the price, I would have expected the dishes to be a little more complex. We were a group of three and it was a full but light meal, and we paid about $55 per person including tip. The servers were very good - they gave unhurried advice on the menu, they were unobtrusive when refilling our water glasses, and they always preemptively brought clean dishes when we needed them.“

“Great food and great service“

“This small Japanese husband-and-wife business, which has been running for 34 years, is closing down this June due to retirement, so I rushed over for a meal.

Pork Cutlet Curry: The restaurant specializes in fried foods, with the pork cutlet being their absolute signature dish. Although the cutlets were on the thinner, leaner side, each one was fried to order, resulting in a crispy exterior and tender, juicy interior, fragrant but not greasy. The breadcrumbs were especially fluffy and light, bursting with flavor on the palate, which was incredibly satisfying. The curry was authentic Japanese curry—rich, mild, and slightly spicy with a distinct fruity aroma, perfectly suited to my taste. Unfortunately, I forgot to ask for a runny egg for the $2 additional egg; otherwise, it would have been even better. And at only $15 a serving, including a salad/miso soup, it's incredibly good value for money, perfect for lunch.

Fried Oysters: Also crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the oysters were fresh and juicy. The lemon juice and salad dressing were refreshing. I felt they were even more delicious than the pork cutlet.

The place is located in Lesley University's Main Hall and has only four tables, so you may have to wait.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

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

“Great sushi Great service“

“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.“

“This place has been here forever and for good reason. The have The Best Japanese Curry you're likely to get outside Japan. Several of the other dishes are winners as well (Hamburg steak) and everything is good. The hostess/waitress is also very pleasant, but wow, she is working hard.“

“Everything we had was tasty, and the prices weren't too crazy. The sashimi was great, edamame was tasty, and I liked the specialty roll we got, the Hawaii roll. The only caveat is the chicken teriyaki was a bit overcooked, but it was a good portion.“

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

“I would've added photos but everything was delicious. 10/10 will always recommend and this is now my go to in Brookline for lovely sushi with a quaint atmosphere. Plenty on the menu to try!

Update 4/11: After trying all of the House Rolls my review is still the same, there's an attention to detail and commitment to quality meals that you can only get from Kamiza. 10/ 10 will be back“

“Tres velar experience!! Top chef!“

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

“I had an outstanding experience at Yama in Wellesley. From the moment we walked in, the customer service was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. The food was incredible — fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. You can really tell they care about quality and consistency.

The atmosphere was just as impressive — clean, comfortable, and perfect for both a casual meal or a special night out.

Thank you to the entire team for such a great dining experience. We will absolutely be back!“

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

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

“Delicious food and clean environment and friendly people here“

“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“

“We love this restaurant! The food is delicious, the service is incredible and the experience is fun. Great sake menu. Highly recommend it for a fun night out. If you have the chance to participate in the tuna cutting event, it is spectacular!“

“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.“

“Cafe Itadaki is having their soft opening until August 4th.

I tried the Omurice. The server brings it out to you and cuts it open as well, resulting in the signature pour seen with omurice. I thought the dish was very good, not much to elevate it but the sauce included tastes decent with it.

I also tried the original omurice, which was pretty good as well. It only includes ketchup as a sauce, but the included meat and rice was good.

We also tried the onigiri, which had good portions and was affordable for what they offered.

Not sure if the price will change when they do open, but the prices here lean a bit cheaper than other places, and the portion size here is decent.

I definitely will want to try and go back once the restaurant opens.“

“Excellent Poke bowls. Lots of options to choose from including diced mango and avocado is included! Great addition to the Burlington food scene.“

“Very good ramen bowls and great service“

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

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“

“Absolutely wonderful experience with Chef Mike Monaco at Akame Nigiri. Totally humble sushi master who has the in depth knowledge of fish crucial to being a top tier sushi guy. My wife and I celebrated our 10th anniversary and it was exactly what we wanted— world class omakase but humble low key and very comfortable.

Chef Mike makes you feel at home with a buddy who just happens to deliver the tastiest morsels! We will be back, thanks again!!“

“On our Wednesday Night Culinary 🧑‍🍳 Travels we ended up in Roslindale Village at The Village Sushi & Grill🥢. We sat outside on the Patio and were Greeted by our Waitress who was Welcoming and Helpful with Menu choices. She took our Drink and Appetizer orders for the 😋Tempura Starter, 😋Chicken on Skewer, 😋Don Shumai (deep fried), 😋Scallion Pancake, Sushi Starter, 😋Miso Soup,😋 Unagi (Eel) Sushi and an Entree of Bui-Go-Ki 😋. Everything was 😋 Delicious and Tasty. 😋 The Drinks were Ice Cold 🍷🍻. The Service was Excellent 👍.
Highly Recommend Village Sushi & Grill . ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“

“This has been my favorite Chinese restaurant for a decade. It’s convenient, fast, and immaculate. The sushi is made right in front of you and has always been fresh and delicious. I’ve gone there on date night and I’ve had office parties there and it’s always been awesome. As good as the food is, the staff is better. Especially Tiffany who does everything here including cooking, taking orders, bartending, and making everyone feel like their family. The first time I went there she waited on our table. 6 months later I came back for the second time. She it only remembered my name, she also remembered every dish we’d ordered the first time. I wish I could give Tiffany and Sei Bar 10 stars.“

“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!!“