50 Best Japanese Restaurants in Brooklyn

“This Thi restaurant in Brooklyn was so delicious if you like Thi give this a go. Wednesday 40% off wine. It'scalled Lingo. The food was so exciting and balanced flavors! Their bold original menu reflects a deep love of flavors as well as an educated chef who pulls off their amazing flavors. Can't recommend enough!“

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

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

“This is by far the best sushi restaurant we have been to, and I would dare say it’s better than some Michelin star places. Not only is each course extremely unique and full of flavor, from sea urchin, to Wagyu, the service is extremely attentive. The chef that was serving us has been preparing sushi for 30 years and it shows. We were so delighted by our experience - it was truly a huge highlight for us. Skip the hype restaurants and try Ishi instead. We will be back.“

“Very nice setting, cool bar! It gets a bit noisy inside, though. Addictive cabbage was good! Kaarage chicken was okay, the coating had too much seasoning on it for our taste. The wagyu beef dish as the star of the show. Sadly they were out of chocolate cake. Nice spot, friendly service, great menu!“

“DASHI OKUME is a hidden gem in Brooklyn! The moment you walk in, you’re greeted with the calming aroma of quality Japanese ingredients and a beautifully curated space that feels like a slice of Tokyo. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about dashi, and they take the time to walk you through the different varieties and combinations based on your taste preferences.

The custom dashi blends are a game-changer—deep, umami-rich, and incredibly fresh. You can really taste the difference compared to store-bought broth. Whether you’re making miso soup, noodle dishes, or even just sipping it on its own, the flavor is next-level.

They also carry a great selection of premium Japanese pantry staples, and everything is presented with care and attention to detail. DASHI OKUME isn’t just a shop—it’s an experience. Highly recommend to anyone who loves Japanese cuisine or wants to elevate their home cooking!“

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

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

“Lezzetli 👍 Güler yüzlü servis“

“Went inside on a whim and so glad we did. The handrolls were incredible. The fish was great quality and creativity was next level. Our favorites were the xo scallop (must get), tuna poke, salmon serrano, aka ebi, toro scallion, and spicy lobster. Not as big of a fan of cooked/fried fish in sushi, but tried the coconut shrimp and spicy crab dynamite due to the many recommendations, and thought they were just okay. Also didn’t think the caviar starter was anything special.“

“The BEST dining experience of my life. I commend the chefs for being able to create an incredible experience out of a cuisine that emphasizes purity. They are truly masters of their craft, and it shines through with each and every bite. I also want to thank Brandon, and the entire staff, for delivering on just above and beyond service even for a Michelin star restaurant.

My full review of each aspect of the meal:

Food:
We booked the Gentei Omakase experience and loved every bite. I had very high expectations for the rice with how much they talk about it on the website, and even those expectations were exceeded. The rice is spectacular. When it comes to the fish, it was a wonderful mix of classics like Otoro, and an introduction to new favorites of mine like the Kinki. Each piece tastes delicious and came with the perfect amount of freshly grated wasabi. Understanding the selection was seasonal, the mix was just perfect. There were cuts of perfectly springy texture, melt-in-your-mouth buttery sweetness, and delicate umami flavor. I can’t really put into words how the food had changed my view of sushi forever. NOW, let me talk about the sake pairing. My sake experience was H-Mart sake, so maybe I’m not the expert. That said, this sake pairing has completely changed everything I thought sake could be. Brandon, our sake expert, was kind of enough to dumb down the explanations of all the sake to us, giving us a history lesson on each bottle and helping us learn tasting notes to look out for. I felt like it was like someone showing me a whole new world that I didn’t know existed. If you are reading this, best of luck on the exam next year! I want to thank you for making our evening so special.

Service:
I may not have the 20+ Michelin meals the other reviewer had, but of the few I have had, this one stands out as by far the best. They were able to blend together an intimate dining experience and a show. It was food with a little showmanship to curate to those who wanted pictures of every piece and those who wanted to just sit and eat. The chefs were attentive, asking questions on taste and consistently giving context to what we were eating. They gave a thorough explanation on the origins of the rice, and even gave context about seasonality of the fish. I felt like I was in a masterclass, being taught by two of the best to ever do it. Then the rest of the wait staff was just absolutely fantastic. They came by with phone rests, and even cleaned up small drops of sauce on the serving plate, to assure it did not compromise the flavor of the next piece. The level of attention was perfect without being over the top.

Atmosphere: Simple. Just the way it should be.“

“Lovely food lovely variety of japanees food“

“Lovely! This was a perfect birthday dinner celebration. The staff is gracious an inviting from the second you ring the doorbell. The space is beautiful although the enclosed garden was a little bit hot. I'm glad it wasn't hot or out and I'm sure it would be perfectly cozy in the winter.

The food was beautifully presented, deeply delicious and thoroughly explained. Even the chawanmushi, which looks deceptively plain, was a delicate swirl of flavor layers.

We had 12 courses and never felt rushed.

Would highly recommend for a special occasion meal.

Plus, it's a nonprofit, so they're doing good work in the food world!“

“I had been wanting to try HOUSE for a while now, being a regular shopper at Dashi Okume. However, had been wary of fine dining experiences in Greenpoint after trying 2 so-so places that privileged novelty over flavor. Well let me tell you, HOUSE did not disappoint.

Picture this. You arrive in a quiet street in Greenpoint, with the typical warehouse-y yet clean, modern and minimalist vibe. You see the interior through giant bay windows of a dimly lit store with Japanese products and ceramics. You see people waiting inside and other patrons dining at the café. By then the store is closed, so you ring the intercom to get in. You wait to be called to the HOUSE, in the back of the store. It feels like you are at your friend's house, and your friend is a sophisticated person with a beautiful house and he cooks for you. The atmosphere is quiet but elevated. There are 10 seats. And you are hosted by 4-5 people. It feels luxurious. You may start the dinner as perfect strangers, but you certainly make friends along the experience.

And the food is incredible. Your friend is an amazing cook. From start to finish, the story is coherent, with subtle development and transitions that never miss a beat or take you somewhere uncomfortable. Flavors are predominantly Japanese forward with some international ingredients and techniques. Noting for example the Monaka filled with ricotta and corn or the french tuile on top of a burrata with berries, reminiscent of Scandinavian flavors.

The highlight of the menu for me was the noodles. With a fragrant Dashi and rich egg noodles covered in egg yolk and fish roe, the final dish on the meal is an unmistakably Japanese grand finale, with an explosion of flavors.

Fantastic experience. Thank you team.“

“My partner found a hidden gem in Williamsburg. We tried the seasonal omakase set. The fish was fresh, each piece was delicious. Also, enjoyed that when each piece came out, the hostess would show us a photo of the fish we’re eating. Chef Leo is really knowledgeable with the food, so don’t be afraid to ask for information. Will definitely come back!“

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

“My boyfriend secretly booked Ume for my birthday/our anniversary celebration, without even knowing I’d been dying to go.

The garden seating is beautiful despite being a bit too shiny. The whole ambiance is so zen and relaxing which makes it perfect for a special occasion.

Huge shoutout to the impeccable service: we were 30 minutes late stuck at traffic, but they still graciously held our table. They even surprised us with vanilla gelato with honey and kinako on the house, easily one of the most delicious scoops I’ve ever had.

＊Sushi Set $78 pp
It was such a fun and interactive experience making our own hand rolls from a sashimi platter. We loved being able to enjoy everything at our own pace, customizing each piece with a variety of dipping sauces and special salts. It really encouraged me to slow down, savor every bite, and fully appreciate each piece.

＊Literally Everything Don $60
We were greedy to try more so we got one more kaishindon. Expensive but you get what you pay for: uni, ikura, scallop, toro, a5 miyazaki wagyu, caviar, and more. Every bite was pure luxury and satisfying. I only hoped I could only get this don as I was too full after finishing the sushi set, but they require at least one sushi set per person.

＊King Salmon Nigiri
To be completely transparent, my bf found a small bone in his sashimi. He was given a completely new set, and they even treated us to king salmon nigiri. We really appreciated how proactive and thoughtful they were so it didn’t affect our overall experience at all.“

“It doesn’t get better than this! Been to countless restaurants and Uzuki stood out for its next-to-none craftsmanship, amazing food, and lovely atmosphere. Check out Bon Appetit’s video on Uzuki (“A Day Making Some of the World’s Best Soba Noodles”) to see how much skill and artistry goes into these noodles. We got the tofu, salmon ikura cold soba, duck soba, and soba ice cream and every bite of each dish was incredible. Was truly worth every cent! The ceramics they use are also full of character and actually made by the chef himself!“

“Esta delicioso la comida ramen“

“Our waiter walked us through and explained everything to us as we are sushi novice. This was a well recommended place for sushi and sashimi and I highly recommend it!“

“Best Omakase I’ve ever had 😊“

“อาหารอร่อย สะอาด การบริการดี รวดเร็ว“

“Wow… Their shrimp tempura rice ball was absolutely amazing, and I don’t even usually like sushi. The young lady working the cashier was so sweet and friendly. She even put on gloves and helped teach me how to properly open my rice ball. Don’t miss out on this little hole in the wall- I’ll definitely be back!“

“Loved everything we had - karaage, tempura, chashudon and gyudon. Everything tasted fresh and was cooked well. The chashu had amazing flavor, and the rice was so good. I haven’t had well-cooked rice in a very, very long time. It was quite special!“

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

“How amazing! So nice and professional. Mai is an amazing server. Super clean and fresh“

“Chef Joe's menu was delicious. I don't usually enjoy traditional style omakase but I was happily convinced otherwise this time around. Definitely a more unique menu compared to another traditional style, Mido Omakase Rooman, yet not as traditional as Sushi Uesgui at Industry City. My boyfriend and I plan on returning.

The staff was attentive and it seemed like they were still in training - nothing wrong with that to me, we are all always learning.“

“Food was so authentic. It took me back to some of my favorite spots on St. Marks back when Japanese Restaurants were kind of hole in the wallish and actually owned and prepared by Japanese. Tonkatsu was super crispy and moist. Udon was clean with a true Japanese flavor not flavor packet garbage some restaurants are passing off these days. The curry udon was amazing. Chirashi was delicate, flavorful and fresh. Great staff. Loved it all. Will be back and soon.“

“Omg this is probably the best place in all of NYC! Where do I even start? The service is 10/10. The bartender JC is amazing. I went for restaurant week with my cousin and we left wanting more. It hasn’t even been a week since we went and we are still thinking about the nigiri. I forgot the name but it’s the one piece with almonds and mushroom omg it was such an acquired taste. The drinks are phenomenal and neat. Everything paired beautifully. The only thing missing was the DJ but we were too busy enjoying our food and conversation. Very intimate space. We had the best seat in the house right across the chef. Deff coming back for more.“

“Wonderful experience at this bar last night. It has a beautiful and intimate atmosphere, with great staff, food and drink. This was my first time at a Japanese spirit focused bar, and Cap the bartender kindly explained the menu and suggested how the spirits could be served. Thank you Cap! We will definitely be back.“

“Had the best steak.. very tasty!“

“Food is amazing every time“

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

“This place is a gem. My partner and I went for happy hour, it was lovely! The staff is very attentive and intuitive, they were checking in on us and anticipated our needs before we even requested anything. The Tokyo banana was the star of the show, but the ramen, chicken wings, and the potatoes were epic! We will definitely be returning. Thank you.“

“Best restaurant in the area by far! Always great service and inventive and flavorful menu, with always a nice surprise from Chef Jason. Go team Yoyo! Don't hesitate to give them some love, you will get plenty in return. I am a fan (obviously!).“

“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“

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

“This is our go-to sushi place. I spent most of my college years as a server at various sushi restaurants so I'm typically picker about the sushi and sashimi I order and I can attest to the quality and breadth of their selection. Their traditional Japanese appetizers like Hamachi-Kama are excellent as well. The staff are extremely welcoming of our young children (which not all restaurants in NYC are) and know them by name. Needless to say we hope Bushniwa is here for the long haul so we always have our favorite sushi spot!“

“This is a great restaurant and I highly recommend eating here“

“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.“

“Came here with my sister for lunch and had a wonderful. The cafe is so cute and the menu is quite extensive (there’s just so many options, you’ll have to come back!). Our waitress was the sweetest and answered any questions/concerns that we had. I got the hamachi don and my sister got the katsu. Both were delicious and the portions are filling! I will definitely come back.“

“Oh my god! We had a great dinner at this place. The food was amazing, service was great and the place looks cool. It was our first time trying this place but we'll definitely go back. It will be in our favorite restaurant list for sure. I'm so happy to have this place in our neighborhood. it's just 20 min walk. Awesome!! We'll be a regular!“

“Friendly staff Nice food Not cheap though“

“As a Japanese person, I have high standards about sushi. Let me tell you, Uotora is a hidden gem and the best sushi restaurant in NYC- you will get the same quality sushi as those $$$ sushi spots in Manhattan. I came here for my birthday and had the omakase. Can't wait to come again!“

“Great! Fried oysters, beef roll, everything awesome!“

“I tried the cold ramen at Wanpaku and it was such a unique experience—unlike anything I’ve had before! I expected it to be more like cold dipping soba, but it actually felt closer to a poke-style ramen with cuts of salmon, tuna, cucumber, octopus, ikura, etc; on top of ramen noodles and then you pour the sauce over the dish yourself — mixed with the radish, seafood/mint topping, it was really refreshing and flavorful.

The ingredients could have been a bit fresher, but overall I enjoyed the nice interior, the food was refreshing, and the staff were friendly and welcoming. Definitely worth trying the cold ramen for something different!“

“깔끔하고 깊은 맛이 좋았습니다.“

“We were out walking and I wanted a quick snack, so I got the salmon salad. It was perfect for a quick pick me up and not too heavy, tasted fresh, and the quality felt decent for the price (an expensive snack).

Service was brisk but we only ordered takeout so we didn’t see much of it“

“Tuna cutting ceremony was a thrill in all respects… great staff here !“

“A friend recommended us to try it, so we came with 8 friends. We had reserved a table. When we walked in, we were surprised by how cozy and comfortable it was. If you want to chat with the chef, you can also choose a seat at the bar. Highly recommended! We will definitely come back soon“