50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Highland Park

“For those that know me, there has been a legend I’ve spoken of many times. Once upon a time, there was a place which provided me with some of my best culinary memories ever. This legendary place was called Mr. Pi’s Sushi Restaurant in Metuchen, NJ. Almost ten years of amazing experiences I had accumulated there. However, one day this place of legend had eventually relocated and, in the years that followed, I spoke of, and daydreamed of, this legendary place quite often. Then, over a decade later, I accidentally find out that they have relocated back to the area near me. My sheer joy, the smile from ear to ear, the absolute excitement, was so intense it was practically palpable. Speaking of palpable… in their journey before returning to Middlesex County, in Highland Park this time around, they have made their menu even BETTER, which seems almost impossible for a place so legendary, but it’s true. They are the best version of themselves they’ve EVER been! If sushi restaurants have a glow up era, they most definitely are at the summit of it, and will most certainly remain there, as legends do. Welcome to Mr. Pi’s 3.0! Placing a restaurant into legendary status is neither something I do easily, haphazardly nor willy nilly. For, you see, I have quite literally tried sushi all over the world. I’ve had sushi in Europe, the UK, the South Pacific, Australia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and yes, Japan. I’ve had sushi in (almost) every one of the 50 states, except for those states in which I just didn’t feel like risking my health by trying the sushi. Of all these places I’ve been to, all over the world, NOWHERE compares to Mr. Pi’s! They are the truest of diamonds, valuable beyond imagination! In an area of NJ where you can barely walk a block without finding yet another sushi restaurant, Mr. Pi’s OUTSHINES every single one of them, by far! What makes a place so legendary? Their food, first and foremost, is TOP TIER, ALWAYS FRESH, HIGH QUALITY, and BEAUTIFULLY, quite STUNNINGLY, PLATED! Great food alone, although amazing, does not grant legendary status. This next part is where many restaurants sadly fall short these days. SERVICE and HOSPITALITY are an art form that not many have mastered the way owner Jeannette and Sushi Maestro Pi have perfected it. They welcome each and every guest with the warmest of greetings, most genuine of smiles, and truly heartfelt interests in giving their customers a PREMIUM experience. How they are able to remember so many people by name is a talent so challenging it’s practically pure magic in and of itself. After even just a second visit, you will already feel like you are home when you dine here. Our server, Cindy, made sure we always had hot tea in our pot, drinks in our glasses, and our every need anticipated and catered to. She truly excelled in her attention to all the details of our dining experience! The atmosphere is a delight, with so much space that they have multiple dining areas and a banquet room that could easily accommodate 50, possibly even 75, people. They also have (a new territory for Pi’s), a full bar with a variety live music certain nights of the week. In this massive space which was once occupied by a Charlie Brown’s of decent proportions, they have managed to retain all the charm embodied in the sushi restaurants of their prior incarnations. Plenty of space, comfy seating, delightful decor, and a bar as well, make this yet another amazing quality this legend has taken on! Of course, one can not dub a restaurant a legend without discussing the food. In the only three times I’ve been in since discovering it’s reemergence locally, I have been dazzled by the displays of sushi some plated with dazzling miniature ice sculptures, as they’ve floated by my table onwards to their destination where I am sure there were patrons in absolute delight. On the menu you can find many of the usual items found in sushi restaurants, but there is quite a list of items that you will find only at Pi’s. Their special rolls have taken creativity to a new level of transcendence. In additi“

“Got take out here. Eel cucumber roll and California roll were super yummy. They offer combos for two and three rolls at a discounted price which was really awesome. Interior looks nice for dining in, so I definitely plan on coming back again.

Outside area around is walkable and has many tables and benches as well to eat outside, which is what I opted to do after picking up my food. Overall nice sushi spot in a nice area worth checking out.“

“I recently visited Sultan Wok for a quick meal and was amazed. Their half chicken fried rice and boneless spare ribs were not only delicious but also served remarkably fast. The perfect balance of flavor in every bite and the swift service made my dining experience outstanding. Sultan Wok is definitely the go-to spot for anyone seeking great Chinese food without the hassle of waiting!“

“Place has great food and very friendly service, the portions are big and the prices are good they also give free samples from time to time which is unheard of these days and they have mind twisting games to play if you want to feel dumb. I'm a regular now and would recommend this place to anyone, actually I don't want to recommend it because I want it all to myself 😜“

“This food does not disappoint! Highly recommend the Bento Box dinners! It’s literally enough for 2-3 meals or if you can agree on the 2 choices definitely enough to share. Sashimi is fresh and delicious, sushi rolls are creative.“

“We used to come here very often over a decade ago. Read the reviews online and decided to give it a try since it said it’s under new management and things have improved. It is definitely brighter in here and better decorated than before. Fast service, very fresh fish, nice presentation, tasted good. Our server was very attentive.“

“What a gem! I was blown away by the quality and meticulousness of their nigiri and maki. Stunning fish, very carefully, simply and artfully prepared. Their traditional items were On par with some of the more reputable omakase I’ve had, truly an authentic, unadulterated sushi experience. Their more innovative offerings were fun and exciting and delicious, while still subtle and not overstated. Definitely coming back!“

“We love Aoi! It’s the best sushi and Japanese cuisine around.“

“Have been there so many times with friends, families and my kids. My kids love the traditional Taiwanese noodles, and I love their Japanese rolls. The cozy ambiance and friendly staff add to the overall dining experience, making it our favorite go-to restaurent! Love this place.“

“Run don’t walk to this Ramen spot. As a POC, they are so nice to me when I come in. I believe they have a daughter who’s usually at the register and the mom assists.

They actually give you meat! They aren’t stingy!

I ordered the beef ramen today, ordered the Tonkostu like 8 times before and they just opened a points reward system.

10/10 recommend!“

“Good Date night me the wifey!“

“I don't understand how they have the ratings they do. Their sushi and milk teas are amazing!!! The workers are quiet and to themselves, but they're not rude. They do an excellent job at providing what you need. And they're fast. I come here a few times a month. Def worth coming here!!“

“As always, delicious food and great staff!“

“Food was delicious and looked beautiful, service was excellent and the atmosphere was lovely. I had the hibachi steak and my husband had the shrimp and vegetable tempura. I was pleased with the size of the meal and the flavor. For dessert we had the banana tempura. A delicious treat and only $4. We hope to come back again!“

“I had the honor privilege and luck of being the very first customer to be served at Kanpachi Sushi during their grand opening on 4/29/2022. The very first think I noticed was how friendly and inviting the staff is, they make you feel welcome the second that you step into their establishment. The second thing I noticed was the how the new renovation which makes you want to come in and have a seat at a table or sit at the sushi bar to watch the sushi master construct your order before your eyes. I am impressed with the addition of this new business to Amboy Ave. The food is fresh, top-quality ingredients prepared by a world class chief and sushi master. I had lunch there yesterday and today. Oh, and did I mention that Kanpachi is a BYOB establishment? Sushi steak and Hibachi lovers, do yourself a favor and get over there. I am making this my go to spot for lunch or dinner, I give Kanpachi 5 stars. Thank you for picking Amboy Ave to open your sushi house.“

“I was craving good Japanese food close to home so I went to Teriyaki 1. I got the Chicken Bento box with a Shrimp roll, Angry Dragon roll and a Cucumber and Avocado roll. It was absolutely delicious that was my first time trying the Angry Dragon, and I enjoyed it. My food was fresh and full of flavor. The only room for improvement is that the spring rolls that came with my Bento box was too oily, I had to blot it with a towel to absorb the oil. Other than that the food was great and I highly recommend it to anyone, and would definitely go back. 👌🏾👍🏾“

“This is usually my favorite sushi spot but unfortunately service was extremely slow this time. My first order never came out and I had to flag down the server after waiting a long time. He said he forgot to put it in. Several times he never brought back the menu to continue ordering, even though the menu is supposed to be kept at the table. The sushi took a long time to come out each time and the server barely checked on my table. Disappointing but hopefully next time is better as this is one of my favorite sushi places.“

“The place is small but the food is AMAZING!! Love the ninja theme they put around the place. Will definitely come back more offten.“

“This place was wonderful. The atmosphere was quiet and homely. The lady behind the counter was very friendly. The food was not only presented beautifully, but it tasted even better.The brined egg was super tasty. The prices are fair overall. I highly recommend and I will be going back.“

“Outstanding food and very friendly staff ~ highly recommend!“

“It’s a takeout joint - small- but it is so worth the trip! Fresh and delish! Anything from sushi to ramen .. Hard working friendly staff. I give them 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Humble as the place may appear, the food and the service are one of its kind. God only knows why New Brunswick deserves such a spot. Why doesn’t Chef Ge have a Michelin star? It’s not open to the public and there’s no open sesame. Legend has it that chef Ge shall find you in your dream should you wish.“

“chicken bowl was so good and great sushi“

“Great food !! Amazing service!! Absolutely loved it !“

“Best Chinese food in the area. I've tried others, but have been coming here consistently for about 10 years (they were closed for a bit due to a fire in the shopping mall). Call ahead for takeout and the wait time is never long. Great portions and the food is always hot and ready. Not really a place to dine-in; maybe one or two tables.“

“Amazing sushi! I would definitely recommend coming here to eat, especially the dinner for two.“

“Great experience at KURA!“

“Lara put on a great show and the food was very tasty for my moms birthday. Thank you Lara.“

“Food is good and reasonably priced. NOTE: Their website was hacked and they have not been able to get control of it back. If you order on their website it is a 3rd party that delivers and charges add’l delivery fees. It happened to me a few weeks ago and when I called the restaurant they explained what’s been happening. Call to order instead of online“

“Perfect Sunday night take out!“

“The best sushi place in NJ! We have been eating sushi for a long time in different places across NJ but none of them can beat Sushi O. The food is absolutely delicious and fresh. The atmosphere and the people working there are also the best! LOVE THIS PLACE!“

“I have been coming here for years. The newer owner, Leon, has a passion for the place. Great sushi, great atmosphere; a place to come eat, or hang out in the lounge on Fridays for awesome Karaoke. Highly recommend. A serious good time with great food“

“Hibachi Express in Colonia was a great find! The service was super friendly, and my food came out quickly without sacrificing flavor. Everything was tasty and cooked just right. Perfect spot if you want delicious hibachi without a long wait!“

“We decided to try V Create and were very pleased with how delicious the food was. The staff is also very kind. My husband had a burrito (two spoon), we also ordered Cajun fried chicken and two Mongolian bowls. Everything was devoured and we look forward to ordering again.“

“Quickly seated, drink and app order taken. Solid menu of sushi and cooked dishes. Edamame was served nice and hot along with my green tea. Salad was nice and fresh, ginger dressing just right. The sashimi was beautifully plated and tasted great. My glass was never empty and service kind. Absolutely recommend and would return.“

“Love their Bento boxes!!!“

“Everything they sell is an absolute highlight and would highly recommend it!!“

“Tried eating here for the first time. If you love good Japanese food...you MUST eat here. Out to go order included tempura green bean appetizer that was perfection on a plate. Next we got the shrimp and vegetables tempura that had 5 large delicious shrimp and pieces of sweet potato, broccoli, and onion. Crispy and tasty. We also tired the teriyaki chicken and the teriyaki salmon, both with salad, soup, and veggies. The salad come with a citrus ginger dressing (really good). The portions of chicken and salmon were just right and the flavor was one of the better teriyaki we have had in a long time. Overall, 5 out of 5. This may have been out first time, but it will not be the last! Eat here... you can thank me later.“

“Great place for sushi and poke. The fish is fresh and cut for each poke bowl, sushi roll, and sushi burrito. The workers are really nice and its really close to rutgers. Theres not a whole lot of seating but most people get take out anyways so there will most likely be a seat if you wanna eat in. They have self ordering too. The fish is fresh and clean. It might be a little wait for you food but thats honestly fine because it just shows the food is fresh.“

“Had a nice time celebrating my birthday. The food was great & so we’re the drinks. 😁🍹🧉“

“Amazing restaurant, Chef Jun locks it ⬇️, can't wait to come back. "FAT CUP", for the win, check out his awesome menu.“

“Top sushi restaurant in East Brunz; service and quality of dishes are top shelf. You won’t be disappointed!“

“The owners are the best they stay open 1 more hour after closing time & sushi 🍣 was great 🍣🥰“

“I came here during lunch to pick up before I headed back to my job.

Takoyaki: The takoyaki here has improved and the inside has more squid pieces.

The fat cup: It is still delicious and really filling when you eat it.

The Staff: They are friendly here and very patient when taking the orders.

Green Apple Tea: This is a little too sweet and they could add a little more ice to eat to dilute it a little.

Spam Musubi: This was good except the rice falls apart when you try to take a bite out of it.“

“20250712::for $34.99 its not bad. the rice was a bit over cooked and mushy. BUT the MACKREL was the best, because it was lightly pickled and didnt have the acidity taste to it. the YELLOW TAIL was second best becuase it was soo smooth and melted as i ate it. yummy. there was a second huge dining room to accomadate more people and a second set of bathrooms too.“

“never really had anything that tastes bad“

“First time. New to town. Got a no-rice roll, a spicy tuna roll and seaweed salad. A strong 4 stars. Very good, but different from what I'm used to...Somerville, NJ. Staff was 100% on point. Friendly and service was fast. I will definitely go back and try more.“

“soooo good definitely recommend coming here if you're a sushi lover“

“I’ve been eating at this place for a while. It’s pretty good standard Chinese food oh and the sushi is always good. The reason I’m writing this review is because of their delivery driver. An older gentleman came to my door with a smile very friendly. After he handed me the bag he extended his hand for a hand shake and said happy new year. You don't see that type of kindness/friendliness every day. Give panda house a try good people work there“

“Great hibachi dinner experience, dining in is cozy but not crowded on weekday night, great to have conversations for two.Meal certainly filling for dinner, the hibachi shrimp lives up to the "The most flavorful shrimp you'll ever taste" Description.Service was quick and pleasant.“