50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Elmwood Park

“Love this place!!! Everything was fresh and super tasty—especially the sushi, poke bowl, and Teriyaki. The sauce on the teppanyaki was so good! Definitely ordering again!“

“Wonderful and friendly staff. Delish food.“

“My favorite omakase place in the city that I have been to the most often. Not crazy fancy, but the fish selection and quality just special enough that it’s not a commodity either. I also appreciate the approachable selection of sake. Perfect omakase bar for a quarterly visit :-)

Chef and hosts are all very nice and kind to share stories and experiences.“

“Our 1st omakaze experience & def not the last! I love the smallness of the place, it makes it special! Everything melts in your mouth! The best Christmas gift ever!“

“There is absolutely no reason to go over the Hudson for one of those fancy, overpriced omakase experiences. Butterfish in Rutherford was a 15 out of 10.
JoJo took hospitality to another level, making our entire family feel so special... especially my daughter on her birthday.
And the food? Course after course, it just kept getting better. The name Butterfish couldn't be more fitting because every bite was so fresh it literally melted in your mouth!!

Bravo, JoJo & Team !!
We'll be back. Highly, highly recommend.“

“My friend took me here, it was so delicious especially the uni mentai pasta and the tuna carpaccio. So good that I dipped everything in the carpaccio sauce! The atmosphere is very comfy with the dimmed lights and soft sounding music. Service was very attentive, nice and made exceptional by our server, Yuto. 10/10 recommend and I will be coming back!“

“Wow. This place is incredible! The portions are very good for the price. Awesome presentation. Fast service. Tasty… SUPER tasty. A+ all around.“

“When I eat out, most restaurants are a one and done for me, but this ISN'T one of them.

I've been back multiple times and always leave soo content. The omakase is fantastic, and Frankie is an artist at what he does. Every course is a delightful experience of perfectly paired flavors.

Beyond the food, Frankie and his staff make the experience. I always enjoy sitting at the counter, visiting and watching him craft each course.

Sushichii is one of my favorite places in the city, and a very easy five stars!“

“Best sushi / sashimi / poke / boba & everything else on the menu on this side of the Mississippi, actually probably both sides of the Mississippi honestly.
I’ve eaten at many similar style places all over the tri-state area, nothing beats Poke Express

Gina & Tony are the best“

“the quality if the food was great, and the value was also good. very nice staff. if they would allow more time the experience would match the quality of the food. felt very rushed and would pay more for a relaxed pace. the space is quite tight and removing plates required constant contortions..also the extras and alcohol are not as good a deal as the food.“

“Great authentic Japanese plus modern inclusions. Options for the whole family“

“A friend recommended this spot and it did not disappoint! Lily was so kind and helpful with guiding us through the menu and giving her advice. We got the shisito peppers, vegetable tempura curry, and Hanabi roll per her suggestion. 10/10 thanks lily!“

“Ordered via GrubHub for a late Friday night dinner when the sushi craving hit. I ordered a tuna bowl, and hubby had a salmon bowl. All of the sushi bar bowls come with edamame, miso soup, seaweed salad, kani salad, regular salad (in this case, it was arugula), and avocado. The fish came in huge chunks, lightly marinaded, and tasted fresh. No complaints. I’d order again and try some actual rolls next time. I saw on their menu a pretty good deal for lunch - $12.50 for three regular rolls, so I’ll have to check that out.“

“Sushi and food is pretty good overall but the service at this place is really hit or miss. There are two (I believe) revolving servers/people who answer the phone. The younger server is very polite and friendly. However the other is incredibly rude, on the phone, and in person. I ordered from this place very often in the past but I will no longer be ordering from here. His attitude makes it not worth it for me. Overall if you’re just looking for good sushi this place is fine, but don’t expect good service.“

“Second to none! The ingredients are fresh and chef skills are world class.“

“Love love love this place! The staff is amazing and the food can’t be beat! My absolute favorite place in Ridgewood!“

“Wow. The price and the food was immaculate. We ordered the roll for 3 and the love for 2 combo. The server was really polite on getting my drink and i was very pleased with the welcome. Then, we received our food, and then when i tell you it was DELICIOUS AND HIGH QUALITY. I mean it. Please come to Sushi Koshi as a way for family dining or casual dine, it is worth every penny and it is very affordable and good quality“

“Came here for a quick lunch and was pleasantly surprised. They offer a solid selection of fish sourced from Japan and other countries, resulting in fresh, high-quality sushi.

You can tell the team is striving for top-notch quality. My only suggestion would be to put a bit more emphasis on the presentation—slightly more artistic plating would make each piece even more memorable and photogenic.

I did my best to capture the sushi in photos, but they honestly don’t do it justice. Overall, it was a good escape from the busyness of NYC.“

“Had their sushi courses for a couple of times while visiting NYC for a week. Quality of food is excellent. Service is good. Our sushi chef served us at a perfect pace. Their sushi courses are well worth the money. Highly recommend! Would go again if in town next time“

“Sushi was amazing. My daughter is allergic to soy and our waiter was very helpful! Service was very good.“

“The people are the best! We have been coming here for years and enjoy the food and amazing service.“

“This is my favorite place ever. The best sushi, the best ramen, the best edamame. I’ve never had better than in here. Every time the food comes quick and it’s absolutely amazing. The servers are also so nice. I’m always happy to come in. Thank you Kinya!“

“Great service and really yummy food.“

“So good!! I went in with my boyfriend around 9:30 and got the chicken katsu curry. The food was so delicious and came out fast. The lady who served us was so nice and helpful! She didn’t rush us at all we will definitely be back :) and the music is very nice“

“Definitely one of the most overwhelming and beautiful places that I’ve ever been to try sushi in my whole life, there’s no way to describe how good it was.
We wait a little more of what we expected.
But wait was worth it food was fresh, homemade and delicious, attention it’s def a 1000/10 you feel that you’re in your home, my 5yo daughter mentioned that she was being treated like her grandma treat her (so you can have an idea of how good they were) well, not many words to add.

Definitely coming back even when I have to drive 21 miles to go there“

“Nam's Sushi is quite simply the best! Sherry is a great lady! I go there at least once or twice a week! The food is excellent. If you want some great sushi, please go to Nam's Sushi! The food is incredible and the people who work there are so friendly! I love Nam's so much!“

“I ordered take out from here for the first time and I will definitely be back ! I got the 2 roll all day special, spicy shrimp and yellowtail avocado roll. The seafood is super fresh, they don’t use a lot of rice which I love. Miso soup was also delicious.“

“Nigiri is the best Franklin Lakes has to offer for sushi. incredible quality and a friendly atmosphere from all the staff. Julie is wonderful and clearly takes pride in how clean the restaurant is.

make sure to include how many people will share an order to make sure you have proper quantities for everyone.

will be returning in the future“

“The mackerel plate and agedashi tofu were PHENOMENAL and portions were perfect for us. Relatively inexpensive too but tasted VERY high quality. The staff was so kind and gave us plenty of time to order and we didn’t feel rushed in the slightest. They even offered to charge my aunts phone. The food came out super fast as well and it was very pleasing to the eye. The atmosphere was beautiful and quiet and the wooden utensils and cups were a great touch. So was the adorable tea kettle and matching cup. I highly recommend coming here and I hope they’re here forever.“

“Love this restaurant. Surprised not full for lunch. Guess too many Japanese options in vicinity.
Still reminiscing Bourdain Cooper YouTube now more than decades ago.

Of course, ordered Kawa as well as more yakimono. Tofu must. Takoyaki as well.
Lunch special Unagi don now tamago good idea for portion, keeping prices reasonable.

Annie our server staple and favorite.“

“Service was wonderful and sushi was excellent!“

“Excellent food, in a casual setting.“

“Awesome vibe and creative dishes!“

“I had the salmon teriyaki and my cousin had the chicken katsu sandwich. They were both delicious. The rice is so good. Dear reader, don’t ask why I’m complimenting rice, just go try it. My cousin, who is a picky eater, did not leave a crumb behind for her meal. Lots of good stuff available in the market as well.“

“just delicious!!“

“Fresh and delicious! The sweetest people too. I bring my 10 year old daughter four out Mama and Me dates and she LOVES it so much. Please give them a try. You won’t be disappointed!“

“I love this restaurant so much! I first visited for a Saturday lunch with my coworkers. We all work in NYC, but since everyone lives in NJ, it felt a little different from our usual work atmosphere, which made it even more enjoyable.

The food was absolutely delicious, so I decided to come back a second time with my family — and I’m so glad I did!
Not only was the food excellent again, but the restaurant was also incredibly friendly and welcoming to my children (ages 1 and 3). As parents, dining out with little kids can sometimes feel stressful, but the staff made us feel very comfortable, and it was such an easy place to visit as a family.
I really appreciated the warm atmosphere, great food, and family-friendly environment. I will definitely be coming back again!“

“It's hard to find great food near Carnegie Hall that does not cost an arm in a leg. But looking online we saw how reasonably priced this place is. Little did we know that the place would be absolutely gorgeous and the wait staff would be so friendly, quick and efficient, despite being extremely busy. And the food was outta sight! Fresh and delicious. Definitely a keeper. I will go even if I am not on my way to Carnegie Hall!!!“

“Love Curiosity! Delicious, fresh and well priced food. The garden provides a great atmosphere. The staff is so friendly and the owner treats you like an old friend as soon as you walk in. Highly recommend Curiosity for your dining experience.“

“Simply superb. The fish and shellfish are pristine. The chefs are skilled and approachable. The servers are helpful and gracious. While not “inexpensive,” I believe it’s a value for what is delivered. I’ve been three times—just last night for the first time, I’m sorry to say, since COVID—and each time was exquisite. Beyond highly recommended. A treasure.“

“We love Ninja Sushi! It’s our go-to sushi spot in the area. The food is always so fresh, professionally prepared and the staff is super friendly. Try the OMG roll, because…. OMG, the presentation says it all! It’s where sushi meets comfort food. Delicious.“

“Sushi by Sea omakase experience was impeccable from beginning to end. Every detail was thought filled, from the warm, fun welcome and attentive service to the exceptional fish selection. Chef Chris created a superb, creative menu. Each bite felt intentional, highlighting the freshness of the fish with subtle details of house made sauces and garnishes that were exceptional.
What makes Sushi by Sea so special isn't just the extraordinary food, but Jay and Chef Chris' genuine hospitality and personal connection that make you feel like old friends at a dinner party.
Arrive as strangers, leave as friends~ truly captures the spirit of this incredible hidden gem.
Bravo, Jay and Chef Chris!!“

“We love Tempura Place! We go probably weekly and often order platters for parties. They know us by name and are very friendly with us. We have friends of friends who rave about the party platters we bring. The food is fresh & delicious!“

“Absolutely love this place! I’ve been going for about 4 years now and I love the food! Anytime we have guests visiting I always take them here for a unique experience!“

“Don’t judge a book by its cover for this one. The outside looks like a dark bar, and a dive bar inside. Don’t be deterred. The food is exceptional and beautifully presented. We ordered a tuna tartare, which came in a tower shape, and the oysters were top quality. The toasted striped bass was also awesome. Food is ordered by using a QR code that’s on the table top. Very reasonably priced relative to the quality. Check it out!“

“This is our local go-to for sushi and hibachi. The food is excellent, staff is friendly and efficient. We mostly order to go, but the restaurant itself is small but cozy with tables and a sushi bar. I'll also add that, in 7 years of ordering from them, they have not gotten a single item on any order wrong. Definitely worth trying.“

“Excellent experience from start to finish. The service was stellar, so warm and welcoming. The food was absolutely delicious (highly recommend the spicy tuna tartare), and the omakase was outstanding. This was truly one of the best dining experiences my partner and I have had in New Jersey.“

“This is the best hibachi in Bergen county. If you are near montvale or saddle river you need to come and try. The atmosphere was beautiful and all staff were extremely helpful and lovely. The sushi is incredibly fresh and the owner is a very nice person. Would definitely come back again.“

“Really nice people and excellent sushi! Cute little place for a date and its byob“

“Top notch service.

Let me start here - the wine glasses are shaped similar to wine bottles. I asked when I tried two wines before deciding one on the different glasses and they mentioned that.

Food wise, they have vegetarian options.

Loved the truffle hand roll, neat looking and tasting. The tempura looked great.

Mushroom fried and the miso soup were usually. Eggplant appetizer was great - tender and well seasoned.“