50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Watchung

“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 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“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.“

“Great service , good attention and fresh food“

“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.“

“Good Date night me the wifey!“

“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!“

“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!“

“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“

“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.“

“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.“

“As always, delicious food and great staff!“

“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.“

“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. 👌🏾👍🏾“

“Had a nice experience at the hibachi. Yen was very friendly.“

“My favorite Japanese restaurant! The food and service are exceptional!“

“This was my first visit to Blue Wazabi I Loved It!! Large menu selection and wonderful food and portion size. Definitely, will visit again.“

“I have been coming here for dinner with my friend since 2016.
The food is consistently excellent. We normally get two or three different types of sushi & a hot dish. Favorites include -seaweed salad, gyoza, tropical roll and chicken /beef/ shrimp teriyaki. 🍣“

“I wish I could give 4.5, my sushi rolls were fantastic and beautifully displayed. My husband's dish, beef soba noodles, was great but not excellent. Staff were very friendly and the food came out very quickly Overall wonderful experience!“

“Loved their lunch box with chicken teriyaki. Wife had several rolls, and liked all of them. Became our favorite Asian restaurant in Bernards/Warren area. It may be crowded during the evening hours. Recommend to order take out rather than waiting to be seated.“

“I get poke here after all my afternoon hikes and it’s definitely one of the best in NJ. Ingredients taste fresh and the portions are fair and filling. Theres so many different combinations. You get up to 2 protein, 5 topping, 3 crunchy toppings, and 2 sauce. Everying else is a bit extra. Really yummy and I’ll continue to eat here“

“Definitely one of our go to places to eat in Westfield but then again can’t fault any restaurant. Food is always amazingly fresh, service is friendly and welcoming and the drinks free flowing….“

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

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

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

“chicken bowl was so good and great sushi“

“Had a wonderful experience here! The food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The staff were welcoming and attentive without being overbearing. The atmosphere was cozy and perfect for a relaxed meal. Everything from the appetizers to the dessert exceeded my expectations. Definitely a place I’ll be recommending to friends and returning to myself“

“We always enjoy Yuki Hana. Since pandemic we've only ordered take-out, but look forward to dining in-person soon. Favorite dish, besides sushi, is katsudon. Delicious!“

“I’ve been getting food from hibachi express with my family and friends since they opened about 1.5 years ago and have never had a bad experience. The food is always amazing and the service is always great! I 100% recommend trying hibachi express!“

“The food was quite delightful. When we came in we were seated immediately. Our orders were taken within 2 minutes and the food came out just 5 minutes later. The atmosphere was warm and cozy. The authenticity was also quite marvelous. Definitely coming back!

Dietary restrictions: Not sure I don’t have any.

Kid-friendliness: Pretty kid friendly. I saw that there were high seats for children and small kids enjoying everything.

Wheelchair accessibility: You have to get up stairs to go here so it might not be the best option but if you manage to get up, there is quite a lot of space for a wheelchair“

“We love coming to Fujiyama Mama for our sushi Family day! Food is delicious and service is great as well.“

“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!“

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

“This place is one of our favorites and we've been coming here for many many years. Great sushi, reasonable price, good service and just 10 mins from where we live.The special rolls are great, but there are times I just simply enjoy their no-frills spicy tuna and salmon rolls on the go!We have also taken out their party trays for family gatherings and such multiple times; all our friends and family love them and they never disppoint!“

“This is a brand new, recently opened restaurant and wow did they deliver for first impressions. Food was absolutely incredible. The sushi was fresh and made quickly. I had the volcano roll and the Naruto rainbow row, it was beautiful and delicious. Very good quality cuts and tasted fresh Really impressed by their milk tea as well. We got the original and Taro milk tea and it was fantastic. Staff was also very friendly and helpful in deciding what to order. Would definitely be coming back the next time I’m in town!“

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

“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.“

“The experience in kura sushi was spectacular, the host was able to answer all our concerns before we started the ordering process. Michael was able to accommodating m, we didn’t have signal on our phone to get the $10 off voucher but he still gave it to us.

Food : the rolls/nigiri quality was decent. The ramen was above average. I just wish the conveyor belt had more variety. There weren’t that much when we went?

Atmosphere : my family and I had fun eating at kura, especially with the robot delivery guy

I would recommend kura for the experience.“

“The food and the service was incredible. I have two little very talkative girls and the team there showed them all the attention they needed. Not sure how long they have been open for but we’ve been living in scotch plains for 8 years and just finally visited. Everyone that walked in was greeted with a hug so they clearly have a lot of repeat customers that they take care of. This is the place ?“

“Perfect Sunday night take out!“

“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.“

“delicious..great lunch specials!!“

“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!“

“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.“

“We ordered delivery late on a Sunday night and impressed at Go Sushi’s hours. They must have took our call, immediately started rolling and then brought it to our apartment because wow, that was a super fast delivery. But it was all great, salmon avocado, spicy tuna, and the yellowtail sushi pizza. Great stuff ! Order here.“

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

“I dined her the other night around 7 pm with a party of 7. Overall the food was excellent, service was acceptable, and the atmosphere felt comfortable. I was pleased to see the family photos in the entryway, as it gave the establishment a feeling of warmth and welcoming. The dinner menu is typical of what I’ve come to expect at any sushi restaurant, however I was surprised to see that they did not have any special roll combos as part of dinner. This did not take away from the quality of the food or the dining experience but just something that stuck out to me.“

“It was a special day for my son and he loved it. We had a little of everything and he truly ❤️ 'ed it! From the Wonton Eggdrop soup to the Stir Fried dishes, everything cooked to perfection...and our main menu at the register...very patient to go over every one of his 20 questions in detail - it was bliss!“

“I ordered Singapore Mai fun with shrimp & chicken extra sauce / fried cheese wonton with a shrimp egg roll - I’m very happy everything is seasoned well - not dry , very fresh . Yes , alil pricey but SO worth it . Thank you ! ♥️🤗“