50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Rutherford

“We had such a wonderful experience! Marilyn took amazing care of us.
she helped with the wine and made sure our order was perfect. Leo was so friendly and kind, and Ryan kept checking in to make sure everything was going well. The food was absolutely delicious..especially the sushi, which was incredibly fresh and flavorful!
The cozy atmosphere made everything even better.
Thank you all so much for such a lovely night!“

“Food was fresh and served very fast.
Personally for me there were too many options with deep fried crab/shrimp inside rolls.
Salads are good tho!
Definetly worth trying!
There was no waiting at a dinner time and the stuff was very friendly and attentive.“

“Overall it was pretty good! Yamada is a cute little sushi spot in Rutherford with unique antique decor I would say. I’ve tried couple different things and it was good, I can test the freshness from all the dishes I’ve had. The service was great and the prices were affordable. Will be back again.“

“Japanese Italian fusion? Something I obviously had to try!
I appreciate Kimika’s creative menu with plenty of vegetarian options. Our waitress Kara/Cara was so friendly and helpful. I started with a Spritz that I think could’ve used some more bubbles, but the flavors were on point. The food was good but I felt like there could’ve been a bit more flavor. We tried the Truffle Carbonara, Soy Butter Bigoli, and Eggplant Katsu - I think the Bigoli was my favorite (think elevated lo mien). For dessert, we tried the lava cake, matcha French toast (would get it with ice cream if I were to over come again) and the Nutella Bombolocini (very creative - think mochi stuffed with Nutella).
Overall, I loved the concept of Kimika and the service, but I think there could’ve been just a tad more flavor in some of our dishes. Definitely a place to try once!“

“Just awesome. Fast. Efficient. Great.“

“Great Service and the foods was delicious. Will come back here again.“

“Ended up here accidentally on a layover: Hands down, the best ramen I’ve ever had (springy, slurpy perfection), amazing cocktails (if you like gin the Japanese 75 is a must try!), and whatever the whipped cream, creme brûlée’d banana dessert was tasted like heaven. I even ordered another tonkotsu ramen to go (all the way to Florida) to bring back to my fiancé. They separated all of it, packaged it so it wouldn’t leak, and wrote directions on specific timing for heating up each item! Very impressive service. I’ll be back again!“

“Great sushi spot for a quick, easy-on-the-wallet kinda dinner! Everything we ordered looked and tasted amazing! Staff was so warm and fast with service. The vibe here was almost lounge-like comfort with great music, lighting, and space. Great overall experience! Will come back!“

“The best homemade udon in town , strongly recommended“

“#組長極力推薦 #響紐約可以食到呢個level嘅質素就已經算係禾地嘅福份 😆 😆#紐約食食 #omakasetempura #係我響紐約食過最好食嘅天婦羅“

“We went to Shogun Omakase in New York yesterday for lunch. My son loves sushi and it was his birthday present (our first time experiencing Omakase). We were blown away! Seriously the best sushi experience (and to be honest, one of our top restaurant experiences) ever. Chef Ryan was an amazing chef and artist, and provided top notch customer service. We highly recommend Chef Ryan and Shogun Omakase to anyone who loves sushi and appreciates fine cuisine. ❤️🎉“

“Wonderful and friendly staff. Delish food.“

“Best sushi we’ve ever had! Chicken gyoza was so good. Udon bowl was incredible. Spicy tuna, avocado roll and yellowtail scallion were top notch. Service was amazing. What a find for a meal prior to a concert at Terminal 5. Fantastic pricing as well! Highly recommend.“

“The meal is fast, the food is delicious, and the links are elegant and warm.“

“I usually don’t leave reviews, but Sushi Yolo definitely deserves one!

I decided to treat myself to celebrate the end of my doctorate program. It was a totally spontaneous decision, so I didn’t spend much time choosing a place. I opened Resy, typed “sushi midtown,” picked one of the top-rated spots, and honestly—I’m so glad I chose Sushi Yolo.

The food was great, but what really made the night special was Alex, the host. He was incredibly attentive and welcoming. I ended up having such a fun and meaningful conversation with him and another guest, Jerry—which is rare for me since I don’t usually talk to strangers. We talked about all kinds of things, and the vibe was just so easy and genuine.

Alex also kept pouring complimentary sake on the house, which was such a generous and thoughtful touch. This is one of those nights I’ll definitely remember—the atmosphere, the food, the conversations, and the company.

Thank you, Alex, for the amazing hospitality and real conversations. You and Jerry truly made my night.

I’ll definitely be back to this lovely restaurant soon.

Wishing you all the best on your journey with your husband!“

“Perfect Food, Great Service, Nice Atmosphere“

“Exquisite Omakase experience with attentive service and a lovely atmosphere. Superb fish and interesting flavor combinations which are of course seasonal / varying, but for instance we enjoyed truffle, saffron, various herbs... Just excellent all around.“

“The omakase experience was really great! We enjoyed every dish. They have a little booklet for the fish intro which was very nice too. All fish are fresh and tasty, sushi were absolutely delicious. My fav was the otoro and uni pieces, definitely heavenly“

“Incredible date night at Torien! This is easily the best yakitori experience in NYC.
The omakase journey was flawless—each skewer was grilled to perfection over binchotan charcoal, with that unmistakable smoky aroma and juicy texture. A few highlights were the chicken oyster and the liver, both were melt-in-your-mouth tender.
The atmosphere is intimate, dark, and sophisticated, making it the perfect spot for a special occasion with my girlfriend. The service was impeccable and attentive throughout the night. It truly felt like a piece of Tokyo in the heart of NoHo. Can’t wait to return!“

“We had an absolutely fantastic experience at Fushimi Restaurant! The food was delicious, from the appetizers we ordered to our main course. Each dish was expertly prepared and bursting with flavor. We also enjoyed a couple of drinks, which perfectly complemented our meal. What truly made our visit exceptional was the incredible service provided by our waitress, Ohmie. She was attentive, friendly, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the evening. Her warm demeanor and professionalism truly elevated our dining experience. We strongly recommend Fushimi Restaurant, especially because of the outstanding service we received from Ohmie. We’ll definitely be back!“

“Ramen is good ! Soup is good not so oily Yakitori good with Asahi Beeru !“

“Before I start my review I just want to add a tidbit about actually finding Kono. It's in a dimly lit, long, but narrow corridor, similar to streets you might find in Japan. If you think you found it you're probably right. It took me a minute to venture down this little alley.

Let's start with the atmosphere, it was a small venue but despite that you could easily have your own conversations. If you're sitting on the side like myself, you're in for the pleasure of watching them prepare all the food over the charcoal grill. Who doesn't love dinner and a show.

All of the food was fantastic and midway through you can even order some Alla carte items that may have not been on the chefs selection for that experience. Everything was cooked and seasoned to perfection. I really appreciated they also took the time to explain each cut and which seasoning or none may go with it.

All of the staff were not only friendly but just very professional and helpful. The hostess at the front was also extremely kind and friendly.

I would totally recommend this spot for a date, taking a client, or even just solo dining. Truly a hidden gem, I'm shocked this flew under my radar for so long.“

“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!“

“Party of eight and we all enjoyed everything we ate and drank. 👍 for the kitchen staff on doing everything perfect and quick. The staff was amazing and service was great. I highly recommend the burger 🍔. Will definitely go back.“

“Fantastic food, great ambiance. I throughly enjoyed the Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen and Chicken skewer, the broth was thick and bold full of flavor, the pork was sweet and salty and very tender, and the noodles were cooked to perfection. I would come here every day if I lived in New York.“

“So happy to have Mikado in the neighborhood!
Came for lunch over the weekend and had such a great experience. The hand roll set and the Super Bowl are a must. The portions were generous and the fish was incredibly fresh. Everything tasted amazing.
The decor is beautiful, the space feels clean and inviting, and the service was immaculate from start to finish.
Will definitely be ordering again and dining in soon. Highly recommend!“

“If you have not experienced Omakase before, or are always on the lookout for high quality fish, you should stop by here! The flavor combinations were absolutely fantastic. The chef is very educated and versed in anything sushi, as well as other cuisines. There was a large selection of sake, and we were guided on what pairs well with certain types of fish. The team members are very sweet, it was nice to connect with them and have a real conversation over a great meal. Can’t recommend this place enough! We will be back :)“

“Takumi Omakase is hands-down one of the best $89 experiences you can have in the LES. I came here with my best friend on a Monday night and every single one of the 15 courses was fresh, unique, and genuinely delicious.

The vibe is amazing too: great playlist, attentive staff, and the kind of sushi that makes you do a little happy food dance without realizing it. We also got a bottle of Dassai 39 which paired perfectly and made this random weeknight feel even more special.

Between the quality, the service, and the price point, this spot is an absolute gem. Can’t wait to come back!“

“Randomly decided to dine here before a show at Webster Hall. Every single thing we ordered was absolutely delicious. Teppen gyoza, kimchi beef fried rice, dynamite roll, and mango martini. Definitely plan on returning.“

“Great place with a decent price. I’m biased towards scallop so that’s always great. The Amberjack was better than most places here and their Wagyu piece as well! It completely melted off my tongue. I only dock one star because the Uni was a bit unfresh as we were getting the last few pieces from the box, so it may have been older.“

“Ikigai delivers an intimate, high-end experience without the usual NYC chaos. My partner & I went for Valentines Dinner and loved it.

The room felt serene, the pacing was perfect, and each course was beautifully executed with clear intention. The not-for-profit mission adds real depth, and the service makes you feel genuinely cared for.
It's a Fort Greene date-night spot worth the splurge.“

“THE BEST BIRTHDAY DINNER WE’VE EVER HAD !!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥🇮🇩🇺🇸👍“

“My wife and I go here for our birthdays every year as a special treat and we truly love it. We always are given a big welcome by the chef and Tri, the sushi is fantastic, and the atmosphere is even better. The sake pairing is worth getting once but Tri makes some incredible cocktails. Tip well because they deserve it! Worth the price!“

“Just awesome. Fast. Efficient. Great.“

“We were casually strolling through the streets of NYC and stumbled upon Juban, and it turned out to be one of the best dining experiences we’ve had. From the moment we walked in, the entire staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming. The owner was especially warm and took the time to answer all our questions, sharing insights that made the experience even more special.

The ambience is fantastic cozy, inviting, and thoughtfully designed. Their sake selection is excellent, and every dish we tried was absolutely outstanding. The food was truly unforgettable.

Overall, Juban is a must-try in NYC. An unexpected find that turned into a memorable experience—we can’t wait to come back!“

“I may be a little biased being from Arizona and it being harder to find great sushi but the food was so fresh and well prepared. Great lunch menu and a nice quiet annd relaxing atmosphere to go with it. Highly recommend coming in and giving Otani a try.“

“Thank you to Sylvia and the rest of the Ume team for such an unforgettable experience. We will remember this (early) Valentine’s Day for years to come! The tasting menu was beautifully curated, and being able to experiment with different seasonings, and build your own perfect bite was unlike anything we’ve ever had.
From the moment you walk through the door you’re instructed to take your shoes off and wash your hands. You’re escorted past the chefs and you catch a glimpse of the delicious food coming your way. Even in the middle of winter, sitting in the courtyard is a perfect place to sit and enjoy your meal.
Our server, Sylvia, went above and beyond throughout our time there to make us feel welcomed and special. We were surprised by how kind, attentive and thoughtful our server was on numerous occasions.
We can’t wait to come back!!
-Marta and Ben“

“I’m from Chicago my son and his girlfriend attended your lovely restaurant. We had dessert. The Parfait which I had the Presentation was actually how I seen it instagram it was Delicious and They had the ice cream they also enjoyed it.“

“It was such an amazing experience from our welcome into the sit down and leaving. Not only was the food fantastic and the servers suggestions enigmatic, but they also had a heated fan directly pointed at us as we enjoyed our meal. My favorite server was Jenny. She was the kindest and sweetest person. I truly felt as if she enjoyed assisting in being kind to me.😚🫶🏿“

“I loved this restaurant! It has a calm and pleasant atmosphere, the food is delicious, and the meats have an exquisite flavor. The dessert was amazing, and the prices are excellent. I will definitely be back soon! Plus, the service from the staff was outstanding.“

“Best place and value for this cuisine. Very authentic and best value in NYC. Owner is amazingly friendly and you can both feel and taste the love. Highly recommended.

This place closes on Sunday as owner needs to rest and attend Sunday worship.“

“Great Omakase It will make you fell, that you are in Tokyo“

“OK last night we ate at BBF or as it's now called Oi bozu. We used to love BBF. It had an amazing menu and great staff - just an awesome place that I used to come with my daughter and my wife to eat in our neighborhood. They served clean amazing Japanese food. So I was surprised a few months ago when I met the owner and he told me they were closing down to reopen...

Some background: BBF always had a problem The problem was never the food The problem was always that it was hidden. There was no way to know it was a restaurant and there was no marketing. There wasn't even a sign on the door it was just a glass front where you could see a bar. It was only by chance that we found it because we live in the neighborhood. So when the owner told me he was shutting down to relaunch the restaurant I was excited. I thought maybe he would do some fantastic marketing. But I was much disappointed last night when I went in to find that the only change that they had made was to completely change the menu. And I don't think they made an improvement on the menu it's still good but the old one was better.

What they really need is a sign outside of the store on the street that says THIS IS A LAPANESE RESTAURANT. Hang a Lantern or two. The tiny etched glass 12 feet off the sidewalk tat says japanese tavern is way too subtle. If the owner reads this: You just need some signage and some marketing The food is amazing!“

“I was starving before I got here. My stomach was growling so loudly it could be heard in LA. My friends and I picked the diamond tier, half spicy miso and half house broth. Spicy miso wasn't thaaaat spicy but I liked the flavor a lot. The staff is attentive they bring you more food super quickly. I got a strawberry cocktail IT WAS SYRUP. no alcohol in it , or at least I didn't taste it. I had one sip and I thought j was drinking FABULOSO cleaning agent !!!!! Obviously don't wear clothes in here that you don't want a scent trailing after you . You will be craving meat all day. I liked the shoulder it was the least fatty. However I went to my doctor and they said I have a cholesterol issue so I can't come here often otherwise I might x__x“

“This restaurant is a true hidden gem, offering one of the best omakase experiences I've had, with incredibly fresh, high-quality fish and creative, unique dishes that keep me coming back constantly. Chef Frankie's thoughtful approach to the menu and overall customer experience truly shines through, showing genuine care for every detail of the meal. Highly recommend!“

“Great Sushi, absolutely fantastic, well done guys.“

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

“Exceptional goods/services from EXCEPTIONAL people.

It makes me very happy that this exists in a town/area that means a lot to myself and many others.

I encourage everyone reading this, whether you are in the mood for food, milk tea, or other treats, they have you covered here and with a smile and great conversations.

Bless the owners of this establishment that have spent their lives making the lives of others better via their hard work and tasty recipes!!!“

“Visited this place the day after Valentines day, and its true what they say about wait times! My friend and I waited for a little over two hours, but since we cleared our schedules to be there, we had no issue and was worth the wait! We shared cucumber with miso and the cod roe udon. We also had lychee martinis and she ordered a float (cant remember which one..), everything was absolutely incredible! The jazz, the service, the food! We'll be back on our next visit to NYC!“

“Consistently one of the best omakase’s I’ve had in NYC. (And I’ve been to a lot!). The quality of fish, rice, and ingredients is top tier. Fish is seasonal, comes from Japan, and sourced by Chef Mark himself. You can tell chef cares about his craft—he even makes his own soy sauce. Incredible value.“