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!“

“We have been dining at Yellowtail Rutherford regularly since last year, and it has become one of our favorite spots for sushi. The sushi is consistently fresh, beautifully prepared, and absolutely delicious, which keeps us coming back time and time again.

The location is convenient, with easy street parking available nearby, making every visit hassle-free. Beyond the outstanding food, what truly sets Yellowtail apart is the exceptional service.

A special thank you to Ellie, who always greets us with a warm smile and makes us feel genuinely welcome from the moment we walk through the door. Her friendly and attentive service adds so much to the overall dining experience.

We would also like to recognize the entire staff, who work tirelessly to ensure every guest is well looked after. Their professionalism, hard work, and dedication never go unnoticed and contribute to the wonderful atmosphere of the restaurant.

If you're looking for delicious sushi, excellent service, and a welcoming environment, Yellowtail Rutherford is a place we highly recommend.“

“This is truly the best sushi restaurant in East Rutherford!! The food is delicious and the owner is so kind. I’ve tried a lot of sushi restaurant and have never had a more consistently pleasant experience than at Yamada!!! Highly recommend“

“Just awesome. Fast. Efficient. Great.“

“Wonderful and friendly staff. Delish food.“

“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!“

“The best homemade udon in town , strongly recommended“

“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!“

“#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“

“Perfect Food, Great Service, Nice Atmosphere“

“We were very lucky to have found Sushi YOLO after a last-minute decision to extend our evening in the city. It was an incredible experience all throughout: a homey vibe with great attention to detail from Chef and the entire team and, of course, delicious courses!

We plan to come back to Sushi YOLO when we are in the city again.“

“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 red snapper I had here last night was the best I’ve ever had. Each piece of omakase was incredible and top notch. The sushi chef is a master of his craft clearly. The fish quality is insane. About $100 for 12 piece and $135 for 17 piece omakase which includes more premium offerings. I did the smaller while my husband did the 17 piece and he chef still gave me the wagyu with truffles alongside my husband so we could enjoy together.
Really spectacular!“

“Food was very well prepared and quite tasty, but nothing blew me away, and that's ok. This was my 3rd yakitori restaurant, and though I almost never comment on price, I did feel like the meal was overpriced. TBH, I'd just as well go to a place like Yakitori Toto and have almost as good of an experience.“

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

“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“

“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!“

“we had a great experience celebrating a birthday, the staff was attentive, and the atmosphere feels very intimate and bonding. this was our first experience having AYCE omakase and it was a 10/10. at the end of the course, they offered to repeat any of the courses we prefer. we even got a small gift for the occasion“

“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.“

“Walked in here on a whim and was BLOWN away. Each dish was so unique— the “tuna sandwich” or “corn ribs” were a clever word play but more importantly a wildly delicious creation that you would never get anywhere. Matt took care of us and gave us great recommendations on what to order.
I don’t say this lightly- I CANT WAIT TO COME BACK.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“

“Very affordable, and Mary was amazing!! Our server pointed us in the right direction for sake/wine, even offering samples. Celebrated my 21st here, Sushi was amazing, Coursed out perfectly, and amazing hospitality. Will be coming back in the future.“

“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!“

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

“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.“

“I like how wonder solves all roommate problems. No more fighting over which cuisine to choose. We can just mix qnd match and get Chinese with pizza. Yummy and quick deliver. And the best: free delivery. Also every single wonder stsff i have met during any pick up, it was very willing and prompt to help.“

“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.“

“I had a great experience at Juban Japanese Izakaya. The dishes were flavorful and well-executed, with a nice variety of classic izakaya options. Everything felt fresh and thoughtfully prepared. The atmosphere is lively but still comfortable, perfect for a casual night out. Service was friendly and attentive throughout.“

“Place is small, and also they have shareable tables just fyi, that threw us off, staff is super friendly and kind. We order some ramens and gyoza which was super flavorful, all their ramens were good, I forgot to take a picture of my husbands but his was spicy and had pork like chicharron (crispy pork) on top, which was to die for, my son didn’t like his beef miso ramen because the meat was minced and also had a sweet flavor so I switched it with mine and then he was happy, my miso pork ramen was delicious, savory and had a little quick since they decorate with what looked like chili oil, delicious but a little spicy. I was super happy with this place, glad we found it and would definitely try it again. Yum“

“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.“

“This is a great sushi spot in Midtown! I had been ordering takeout frequently—their poke is my absolute favorite—but finally came in to dine in, and it was a fantastic experience.

The atmosphere is really nice, featuring cute Japanese decor and umbrellas that make the space feel nice. They have a great Happy Hour deal, and the Hamachi kama was surprisingly delicious. The sashimi quality is consistently good as well. Whether you're grabbing a quick lunch or sitting down for a meal, it’s a solid choice in the area.“

“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.“

“This is a 2nd floor Japanese-Thai speakeasy in Alphabet City where the food menu leans toward Japan while the drinks are Thai-inspired with the menu designed by veteran NYC bartender and Phetchaboon native Sayparn. Her and her partners opened 11 Tigers in 2022 (year of the tiger which symbolizes success). The staff do an excellent job of mixing food and entertainment.“

“Upon arrival, the chef himself greeted me and made my family feel welcomed. He made our NYC trip experience so much better than what it already was. Food is amazing too and I loved the tonkatsu & bentos. I came back for the second time as the food & service was exceptional!“

“Had a great time and great food I went here when it first opened after getting 3 stars in the times years ago , now my friend told me chicka from chickalicious is working there on fri and Saturday after retirement from her dessert bar so I went and enjoyed“

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

“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!“

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

“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!“

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

“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“

“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!!!“

“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.“

“the drink was amazing. That butter crab sushi is so amazing like really really good. Best sushi I ever had. I am making this comment after literally finishing it too so that how good it is. I even ask the bartender guy if they make bulk order of that sushi but sadly they don’t. But this is worth the visit.“