35 Best Japanese Restaurants near University City

“I tried the chicken katsu, the bento box was huge with a variety of small bite to eat. The chicken was fantastic and cooked to perfection. The salad dressing was delicious. I ate almost everything but the seaweed salad. It wasn’t bad, just not something I’d normally eat. It was prepared quickly and hot and fresh. This was my first time trying. I will definitely be back, and telling my friends about this gem.“

“I’m a Japanese. The foods are little bit different from Japanese restaurants but I actually feel Japanese Izakaya atmosphere. I’m satisfied with good restaurant employees.
If you can prepare draft beers and highballs, your restaurant should be more authentic Japanese restaurant. I’ll come back again.“

“The best omakase and the most beautiful restaurant!!“

“Tried the soy braised spicy noodles at the VegFest, Oct 6. It was so good, I had to find their page to see where the restaurant location was! Highly recommend trying them!“

“Lovvvvvve the sushi here!! Dining experience is a total vibe!“

“Food was amazing, and staff were very knowledgeable about selections and cuts available (shoutout to Jim). The Chongqing spicy broth added a great but not overbearing heat, while the sweeter Sukiyaki style broth paired perfectly with the beef we received. The course came with a plentiful amount of vegetables and other sides, with complementary additional spices and flavorings. Perfect place to grab a warm meal in the winter, at a great spot.“

“AMAZING food and incredible service. Jeff, our server, was very friendly and welcoming. He took his time walking us through the menu and answering all of our questions. The sushi here is next level and unlike anything I’ve experienced anywhere else. My wife and I cannot stop talking about our experience here! We will definitely be back!“

“Usually order online. Food is always hot and ready. Reasonably priced. Friendly staff. Totally recommend!“

“This neighborhood restaurant is a hidden gem! While the atmosphere is simple, it’s clear their focus is on delivering high-quality, delicious food. Every dish we tried was fresh and flavorful, showcasing their dedication to quality. The menu offers a great variety, so there’s something for everyone, and the prices are very reasonable, making it an excellent value. The staff was friendly and attentive, adding to the overall experience. If you’re looking for a place that prioritizes great food over unnecessary frills, this is it! Highly recommend for a casual and satisfying dining experience.

Kid-friendliness: Should be a great spot for kids.“

“Delicious and fresh! The staff is nice.“

“Eating here is a must if you visit St Louis. My boyfriend and I went two days in a row. The service was amazing, the sushi is very high quality, it comes out quickly, and the cheesecake tempura is divine. 10/10“

“The Eggplant Katsu and Strawberry Sandos we had were great, but the Peach Boi was FANTASTIC. Amazingly tender and flavorful peaches with a bold cinnamon note, perfectly soothed by the generous portion of whipped cream. Thank you for the fun food IZUMI!“

“Great service and great food“

“Eating here is a must if you visit St Louis. My boyfriend and I went two days in a row. The service was amazing, the sushi is very high quality, it comes out quickly, and the cheesecake tempura is divine. 10/10“

“Still the same chicken teriyaki experience from years ago from the food court and that's a good thing! Crisp steamed vegetables with fried rice and good chicken made right in front of you. They always ask if you want sauce and ask for a second ladle of it.“

“Would recommend it’s very good“

“We were in town visiting our son and found Sushi Koi in a Google search and decided to give it a try. We were not disappointed. John, our server, was great! The food was AMAZING! We had several rolls, sashimi soup, and fried tofu. The fish portions were very generous and the appearance of the plates was top notch! We will definitely go back home we are In town!“

“Absolutely love this place!“

“The best all around staff in Kirkwood. Thank you for helping to make a wonderful birthday dinner for my daughter! Can’t wait to see you all again!“

“Great food and fast service!“

“food, staff, outdoor dining :)“

“great food and fast and friendly staff“

“The food was delicious and the atmosphere was inviting. Loved it �“

“Great fresh food! Reasonable“

“Love the food and the management but the servers not all but some are confrontational and rude. Made my daughter cry 😢 all because they gave us the wrong food and confronted us. I respect the management team because they stepped in right away and apologized. I love the food but they definitely need better professional servers.“

“I was pleasantly surprised to find such fresh sashimi, especially since it’s not an expensive omakase spot. We had salmon, toro, eel, all incredibly fresh and impressive. They also offer uni from Hokkaido and California sometimes, which sell out fast because they’re so fresh. The scallop sashimi was a delightful first for me—so sweet! The rolls are amazing too; the lobster roll had an entire lobster in it. The chef is top-notch, and they have a great selection of Japanese sake to complement the food. This place truly exceeded my expectations for an affordable sushi restaurant.“

“One of the BEST ramen bowls I've ever tasted. The broth was so delicious and the chashu was made right, you can taste the mirin used to make it. Even better than when I made it at home. Whenever I pass through St Louis, I'll be eating here again.“

“Dear ichiban, you are truly the most amazing Japanese restaurant in St. Louis. One time, we came here four nights in a row and the owners didn’t even judge us. They are always nice to us. It is so good I love the udon and yellowtail sashimi.“

“Literally the best chicken fried rice I've ever had in my life. I would eat here every day if I could, but we're a drives out. Regardless, its absolutely worth eating here. Its better than going to a hibachi restaurant, and far cheaper, too. The only downside is that I don't have a bigger spoon to scope more rice into my mouth at once.“

“4½ to 4 Stars – A Decent Thai Spot With Room to Improve

I recently tried Thai Nivas Cafe after hearing mixed reviews from friends, and overall, it was a decent experience — but not without its flaws.

The flavors in most dishes were authentic and vibrant. The Pad Thai had a nice balance of sweet and tangy, and the Eggplant Curry had a rich, sweet texture with just the right level of savoury. The staff were polite and tried to be helpful, even though they seemed a bit overwhelmed. The ambiance was homely but felt a bit dated, and the lighting could use a softer touch for a cozier vibe.

The portion sizes were medium for the price, but the presentation was attractive. Their Chilli sauce was good.

All in all, Thai Nivas Cafe is worth a try if you're craving Thai food in the area, but it's not somewhere I’d rush back to. With a bit more quantity, it could easily become a local favorite.“

“Try the Ocean Pyramid it’s amazing!“

“Wonderful food. Elegantly presented sashimi, sushi, takoyaki, gyoza, udon, don buri (bowls of food), and other Japanese options. Many many types of sushi rolls. In total, there is not only more than standard Japanese fare, but it is also delicious, high quality, and beautifully presented. Many different sakes, mixed drinks, and Japanese beers along with international Gin, bourbon, tequila, rum options. They even have Japanese soda pop. Friendly and helpful staff. Lovely decor with exquisite hand painted scenes. I had been there once before and couldn’t wait to go back for seconds to show my adult son who also, this day enjoyed his food immensely.“

“With excellent flavor, great sushi, but with a very slow service!“

“From out of state while my mother was in the hospital, I ordered online and went to pick up my order. I mistakenly placed the order at the wrong location. Rebecca, the manager, was so helpful and understanding. She was very professional, as was Ana, the hostess. I will be back. Thank you.“

“This is one of my favorite restaurants. It has a wonderful Mongolian barbecue along with an incredible assortment of Asian foods. Their hot and sour soup is one of the best I’ve ever had. The sushi is very good and the service is always been polite and very attentive to clear plates. I have never been rushed as I enjoy talking endlessly to friends while eating here. The bathrooms are elegant and very clean however, I think the bathroom doors are very heavy. I believe that is why they are usually blocked open. They also have very quiet hand dryers. The lobby is also elegant , the doors are hard to open because there is a very strong air handling system that keeps fresh air circulated I enjoy bringing friends here For a relaxing meal and conversation. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a good place to eat.“