50 Best Japanese Restaurants in Brooklyn

“Lovely food lovely variety of japanees food“

“Excellent!!! Food, service, atmosphere 👍👍“

“Walked into this place on a whim because the ratings were so good. I was not disappointed. Every piece of fish was super fresh and delicious. You could tell the chef was excited about his craft and very knowledgeable. The entire staff was very friendly and helpful as well. The chared otoro was a highlight as well as the engawa.

I was a little worried that it would be overpriced but I'd gladly pay again.“

“The duck shio soba was very tasty. The broth was rich yet not too thick. The buckwheat sprouts add a great texture. Duck was a bit chewy though.

The black truffle curry soba was moderately spicy. The truffle really enhances the curry flavor and the sprouts as a great texture. The broth is rich, thick, and oily. Duck was a bit chewy though.“

“Really great sushi and great atmosphere, the staff were very friendly and it felt like having a meal with friends. The pieces you know will be great (toro, wagyu, etc.) were great but they also had the best scallop I’ve ever had with delicious black garlic. I’ll be back.“

“This place is very, very special. Having visited a lost count of Omakase counters in NYC, it’s often a real risk choosing a new one, even when you do the research and read a million reviews.

My wife and I took the risk on LUYA when taking a friend to dinner a couple weeks ago and it may have been our biggest surprise in NY dining in at least a few years. There are way too many things praise worthy at this place to list them all so I’ll highlight a few and let the rest speak for itself when you go try it…

- The staff is beyond top tier. Not only are they all friendly, kind, observant and attentive, but they’re also fun to be around! Never intrusive, never annoying, always the right amount of conversation.

- The fish is some of the best, and most outstandingly fresh I’ve ever had anywhere, not just in NY. The sourcing must be incredible because every single piece is truly punching WAY above its class in terms of price, taste, and presentation.

- The natural wine bar and perfectly curated selection of sake and Japanese spirits is such a welcome surprise. The cocktails are wonderful, and the bartender (somm??) is super knowledgeable about everything there.

Just come here, you won’t regret it. Best kept secret in the city.“

“Came for brunch and absolutely loved it!! Was so fun to show my parents (visiting from Tokyo) this innovative take on Japanese food :) particularly enjoyed the fresh salads and the miso pancake. The restaurant itself is so beautifully decorated and made for the perfect morning meal ~“

“Went to TORA NYC recently and decided to order takeout, but even from that short experience the hospitality stood out. While we were waiting, they offered us water and were really welcoming, which already left a good impression. The space itself looks beautiful modern, intimate, and definitely feels like the kind of place that would make a really nice date spot.

We ordered three dishes: the Yokan Roll, Negichutoro Don, and Gyudon.

The Yokan Roll was a really nice example of how modern sushi rolls balance texture and richness. Inside was spicy salmon and cucumber, and it was topped with lightly seared salmon, mentaiko sauce, tempura flakes, and tobiko. The seared salmon added a gentle smokiness while still keeping that soft buttery texture salmon naturally has. The mentaiko sauce, made from seasoned pollock roe that’s widely used in Japanese cuisine, brought a creamy, briny umami flavor that paired really well with the fish. Tobiko added those signature little bursts of saltiness, and the tempura flakes gave a light crunch that balanced the richness of the sauce and salmon. It was a well constructed roll where each topping actually had a purpose.

We also got the Negichutoro Don, which had minced medium fatty bluefin tuna over rice. In sushi terminology, tuna is categorized by fat content akami being lean, chutoro the medium fatty section, and otoro the richest cut from the belly. Chutoro tends to be the sweet spot because it has enough fat to be buttery while still keeping that clean ocean flavor. The texture here was incredibly soft and almost melt-in-your-mouth. Negitoro as a dish traditionally mixes minced tuna with scallions, since the word “negi” literally means scallion. The tuna quality here was great and the texture was amazing, but I do think it could be elevated slightly. If the scallions were minced and mixed into the toro instead of sitting on top it would distribute the flavor more evenly. A little shredded nori could add some aroma from the sea, and honestly avocado would pair really nicely with the richness of the tuna.

The Gyudon was probably the most comforting dish we ordered. Gyudon has a long history in Japan and became popular in the late 19th century as a quick, affordable rice bowl. Thinly sliced beef is simmered in a sweet savory broth that’s very similar to sukiyaki sauce, usually made with soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sometimes dashi. The beef absorbs that slightly sweet umami flavor as it cooks. Here it was served over rice with scallions, sesame seeds, and an onsen egg. Once everything was mixed together, the egg yolk coated the rice and beef and brought everything together. The sauce, beef, and egg created that rich silky texture that makes gyudon such a comforting dish.

Even though we only ordered takeout, that level of service was noticeable.

Overall the food was really good and thoughtfully prepared. The fish quality was great, the bowls were comforting, and the hospitality stood out even in a quick takeout experience. The restaurant itself looks like a really nice place to sit down and enjoy a meal, so we’ll definitely be coming back to dine in next time.“

“Excellent Sushi ! Would highly recommend. Only wished they had Saki.“

“A very interesting menu. Great food and service. A must for every local and tourist.“

“อาหารอร่อย สะอาด การบริการดี รวดเร็ว“

“This place is a dashi store, but it also has a small restaurant (teishoku). Their variety of fish was great and you are able to choose your side dishes and a drink. Their tea was also so good. Strongly recommend if you like authentic japanese. They have an omakase too and I would be trying that when I am back in the area.“

“Enjoyed our meal.

I had several sushi options, some of the apps an a craft cocktail . All excellent. Server was extremely helpful. I cat rember the name of the app but it was a bakes rice item with sauceand it was amazing . It was on the happy hour list of Apps .

They do have “ plain “ rolls if you’d like they just are not listed on the menu.“

“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 food here is incredible - some of the best Japanese food in Brooklyn. However, the service can be quite slow depending on the night and the menus are a bit complicated to understand at first. There is a lot going on in the menu and the formatting is not consistent which leads to a lot of back & forth when navigating the menu.

The first time I visited last year there were absolutely no issues and I had a fantastic experience. However when I visited again a few weeks ago, I had to wait over 20-30 minutes just to place my food order and another 15-20 minutes for the food to arrive (but this is understandable given it is a small kitchen dealing with many orders).

The restaurant was busy but there were still several empty tables, but there was only 1 server. The server helped me to my seat quickly, but then started cleaning and doing other random tasks and chatting with others for a long time before even coming to me to ask me what I would like to order. Maybe it was just busier night than usual or this server was a new hire, but it was quite frustrating having to sit and wait for so long before even getting to place my order. The server seemed to be more concerned with cleaning tables for potential customers (who did not even show up) instead of the paying customer waiting right in front of him for so long. I even saw another customer literally have to get up from her table and walk up to the server to ask him to come to their table and place their order.

Anyways, the food was still really incredible and I had no issues once it came out, but the server seems to have completely different priorities instead of the paying customers who are actually at the restaurant. Maybe if he had some more assistance or if I came on another slow night he would not be so unfocused. But to his credit, he was apologetic about the wait at the end once I paid my bill.

I would definitely recommend the food here (the Veg Croquette Curry, Fried Garlic Chicken, and Chilled Ramen were fantastic), but this is not a place for a casual dinner as you will likely spend over an hour here.“

“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“

“Musha Sushi is such a great spot in Brooklyn! I came here recently and everything was super fresh and delicious. The sushi rolls were made perfectly — great texture, clean flavors, and the ingredients tasted high quality. The presentation was also beautiful and looked like something from a higher-end restaurant.

The staff was friendly and the place felt cozy and welcoming. Prices were very reasonable for the quality. If you’re in the area near Sterling Pl, this is definitely a sushi spot worth trying.

Highly recommend and I’ll be coming back again!

📍 Musha Sushi – 863 Sterling Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11216“

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

“Just go. Love this place.

“I think I’ve never had real wagyu before because that was amazing”
-Me (last time I was there)

I have not yet gone there without being blown away by one thing or another. It’s not exactly classic but I think the technique is solid.

Just go. I want this place to live on and thrive.“

“I had a fantastic 5-star experience at Osaka Fusion BBQ & Sushi! The atmosphere was the absolute highlight, earning a full 5-star rating for its wonderful vibe. The service was also great at 4 stars, and the food was a solid 3-star quality. Overall, it's an excellent spot for a meal with a perfect environment!“

“Solid spot right by Barclays Center! I highly recommend their udon, since that's what they're known for. I DONT recommend the Salmon Don. It was very plain and it came with flavorless seaweed. It comes with a small dish of dipping soy sauce. While the portion size was plentiful, it was mostly tasteless.

On the other hand, I enjoyed the apps! The Yakitori Skewers, especially, were soft and melted in my mouth! The Salmon Tartare and Vegetable Tempura were also good.

Attentive + kind staff. Plenty of seating. Overall, great, convenient spot for a pre-Barclays meal.“

“The atmosphere was wonderful, the staff was very nice and tended to our table very well

The food was delicious, we ordered the Konoha Yakitori Mix as well as numerous other Yakitori skewers, as well as one of the ramens and Sushi deluxe, everything was prepared very well and came our in a reasonable time

I also highly recommend the Chu-Hi's, the fuji apple and peach drinks were both wonderful and I would definitely get them again“

“Visited Don Neo Fusion Restaurant and it was such a cute spot. All the food tasted delicious.
The staff were amazing—very friendly & attentive, which made the whole experience even better. I posted photos of what I ordered and everything was great. Definitely a place I’ll be coming back to.“

“Some of the best ramen we've ever had. Wish we could have tried them all!! Fantastic.“

“We wrapped up this foodie trip with Tonchin, and it truly lives up to the hype. We got in during happy hours so we got a couple oysters, a chashu rice ball, and 2 ramens: Spicy Tan Tan and Smoked Dashi. The foods were very delicious, ramen are both with tonkotsu broth, so if you are into Ichiran ramen, you will love it. The staff were also courteous; they sorted us out with a situation and we were happy about it. Definitely recommend to check out this location.“

“Esta delicioso la comida ramen“

“Place is cozy food is great healthy choices🥙🥗🥘🍣“

“I really did like this! Great Portion! If you are Carnivore don't eat the Rice! Excellent Staff! The food was delicious! 5 stars for the food! The Service was also TOP NOTCH! Maybe I should've given this place 5 stars? I don't give any place 5 stars! This place is very close to getting 5 stars!“

“Tasty, imaginative cocktails, great atmosphere, nice food.“

“FOOD FOR THE PEOPLE
(Read in voice of @japaneats)
This is no fancy restaurant. It’s your run of the mill local shop that resembles home-style cooking. And it’s great. [insert jokes]. Jokes aside, it’s a place you can eat often. The food isn’t too decadent and the bill certainly won’t break the bank either“

“Went here for Valentines day and the vibes were so great! Loved the food, and the atmosphere was superb (great lighting, beautiful table settings, and nice music). Great vegan/vegetarian options. And the staff were all so nice as well. Our server Kyle was so helpful and all of our food came out so quickly. The manager Angelica also came to check on our table and was very hospitable and kind. Amazing and innovative cocktails and delicious meal ending in a lovely dessert. Cannot recommend this restaurant more if you are looking for an excellent evening out in Bed-Stuy!“

“The outside is unassuming compared to the beautiful garden in the back. It’s a perfect spot for a date or a cozy dinner with friends. The drinks were all hits (I loved the lychee sunrise although it is very sweet). The banh xeo and bun bo hue are definitely the most worth ordering of what we got. I’d probably skip the lemongrass beef summer rolls and try some of the other ones. The only reason for 4 stars is because the service was slow to get our order in and we were waiting for awhile, but they are very kind!“

“Had the best steak.. very tasty!“

“The food is amazingly delicious. The staff is so friendly. I am totally going back“

“The service was great. Vanessa, the manager treated us very well and we felt at home. The chef Wanda gave a well performed hibachi dinner. We enjoyed his humour and the food was amazing. Our experience was great as always. Will come back soon.“

“Service is also very good, very patient attitude is also very good, we eat after also sent us ice cream really very nice“

“i had just discovered this local pokebowl place last month, and it is my absolute favorite spot to order/get takeout from! their bowls are always fresh, the proportions are so generous, and the variety of drinks are tasty. the staff are always kind and ready to help you immediately. although i’ve never dined in, it is very pleasant and nice inside the store every time i walk in for takeout.

i always get a sushi rice bowl with salmon, cucumber, corn, tamago, lettuce, shredded seaweed, cilantro, spicy mayo, and teriyaki sauce, with a lemon iced tea or watermeon lemon tea. ᵕ̈“

“SORA is one of the most original and fantastic omakase experiences my wife and I have ever had. We had high expectations from the reviews we’ve read — like the one I’m writing right now! — and thought it’s “probably just pretty good.” How much could a place down the block from fast food spots be?

Well, the second you walk in, you’re instantly transported to a tranquil, inspired, artful, timeless, rarefied omakase den.

Calvin, who greeted us when we walked in, was a perfect guide throughout. We felt like we’d known him for years in just a few minutes. We also appreciated his clear, unpretentious direction through the sake list.

The sushi itself was exceptional. Beyond fresh, we had items we never had before and were completely won over. The boldness of serving shirako (look it up… or maybe don’t! If they have it, just eat this sweet, custardy delight.

Each item we were served was remarkably better than the last. Though if we had to choose a favorite, the barracuda and the mackerel were a tie. Also, the salmon was like any we ever had; silky, flavorful, and like everything at SORA, ineffably delicious.

One last thing: we thought the bill would have been at least double what we were actually charged.

But forget how relatively affordable SORA is, forget that it’s not surrounded by high-end boutiques and luxury apartment buildings. Just know that it is simply one of the best omakase experiences anywhere. (And yes, if you think it can’t live up to this hype, if you go, I’m sure you won’t believe how much you loved it either.). Thank you Calvin and everyone at SORA who gave us such a spectacular night!“

“Lezzetli 👍 Güler yüzlü servis“

“The best ☝️☝️☝️“

“Brought here by a friend who had nothing but good things to say. Like the concept and the portions are healthy—enough for leftovers if you’re not famished, but the pricing feels close to sit-down style restaurant (and here you are doing most of the service yourself). The quality and freshness was excellent and everything cooked well. For me, taste wise was a tad bland but I’d rather that than doused in obnoxious sauces. Went at a busy time and felt a little squished with a packed line at the bakery/register/store section (trying not to knock into things or people) and then a little wait for a table to free up. Got some pastries for the road which were delicious even cold.“

“everything was fresh and so good. the prices are absolutely amazing. me and my family of 4 got 6 appetizers to share, our own entrees, and 2 drinks each plus a glass of wine all for $154. our waiter was also very friendly and accommodating, he made jokes with us and was super patient. we are definitely going back. this place is the perfect size for solo dinning and small groups.“

“Had a wonderful meal last night at Soboku! Comfortable seating, great waitress, amazing food. Looking forward to returning soon!“

“Good service , fresh sushi , best food quality around .“

“Beautiful spot, held my bridal proposal here and all the girls loved it. The food was amazing , the drinks were delicious and beautifully presented. Vibrant energy all around. Love the DJ playing live music. Would definitely recommend and will be coming back.“

“Food is amazing every time“

“Cute space and you can tell they care about the food that comes out. Everything smells great and beautiful plating. In talking with the team it’s nice to hear it’s becoming more farm to table - you can definitely taste the difference from other places in the area. Loved the heirloom tomatoes dish- definitely feels like summer in a dish with the pink tangerines! (Pictured ) they also have a cool looking bar hidden in the back that was packed. Would highly recommend if you’re in the area - worth the visit 🙌🏼“

“It was very tasty , the sushi was very good and delicious also the Japanese soda was amazing .“

“Visited here on several occasion. Minimalist decor, dimly lit providing a cozy and intimate ambiance , cute for a date night without feeling over the top. We've had Dawa as our waitress couple times and she is very attentive and personable. Gave us great tips on what to order

The spicy yuzu margarita is my go to drink .Well balanced, strong, not too spicy which i liked. For food, I have really enjoyed their eel roll and salmon teriyaki. Recently tried their Omakase and it was very tasty . The sushi was so fresh, the salmon sashimi was melts in your mouth. The dragon roll was also a great addition. The portion was plentiful, felt very full by the last bite. Overall, really impressed by the quality of their sushi. I look forward to sampling the ramen on the menu since so many people have raved about it.“

“I was intrigued by the high ratings of this restaurant and made a point to visit for a weeknight dinner. Having eaten there, I am puzzled. The service was attentive and quick. No notes there. The shop was a standard-issue corner restaurant, basically undifferentiated from the Mexican restaurant that was there years before. Not a place you’d select for ambiance or date night, but it was clean and well-lit. The food was quite average. I had the pork belly mazemen and agedashi tofu. My partner had seaweed salad, vegetarian roll and yellowtail roll. Of all these dishes, mazemen was the tastiest. The noodles were overcooked, but the pork and egg combo compensated. All the other dishes were unremarkable, poorly seasoned or weirdly textured. Fortunately, dishes are reasonably priced so our exploration did not set us back too much. Overall, it’s a fairly average neighborhood restaurant with moderate prices.“