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“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“Lovely food lovely variety of japanees food“

“This is a review specifically about the Ikura don. I love ikura so was super happy to see that they have ikura don on the menu! I also got the chirashi don, which was great. But as for the ikura... why is it so sweet? The ikura is marinated in a very SWEET sauce.... that I could hardly taste the special taste of the ikura itself. I just wanted to let the management know that that marinade sauce for the ikura is WAY too sweet!! Please highlight the taste of the ikura itself. 🙏🙏🙏“

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

“A Hidden Gem in Brooklyn – Freshness, Creativity, and World-Class Wine

Luya Omakase and Wine Bar is a true standout — easily one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in Brooklyn. Every bite of the omakase menu bursts with freshness and balance. The fish is immaculate — you can taste the quality and care in every piece — and the chef’s creativity shines through with thoughtful flavor pairings that go well beyond the traditional. Each course feels like a small, artful surprise.

What truly sets Luya apart, though, is the wine program. The selection of natural wines is nothing short of incredible — bottles from China, Japan, North Carolina, France, Italy, and beyond — curated with intention and discovery in mind. It’s rare to see such a diverse and adventurous list executed this well.

Owner Irvin ties it all together. His passion and deep knowledge of wine elevate the entire experience — he doesn’t just pour; he guides you through each pairing, weaving stories and flavor notes that make every sip more meaningful.

Between the pristine ingredients, inventive omakase, and world-spanning natural wine list, Luya is a must-visit for anyone who loves food, wine, and genuine hospitality. An easy 5 stars.“

“Went to celebrate an anniversary and had an excellent experience! The food is fantastic, the space and ambience is really lovely, and the price point while expensive is commensurate with the dish construction and quality of ingredients you get (fish flown in from Japan that same day). We loved that the restaurant operates as a not-for-profit, donating proceeds to fight food waste. I’ll be recommending to friends for an upscale date night or a special celebration.“

“Had an amazing experience at Mido Omakase Room with my two friends! We were a party of three, and our host, Richard, made the evening unforgettable. He was super funny, welcoming, and really added to the overall vibe of the place. The food was top-notch—each course was a masterpiece and the flavors were spot on. The service was impeccable, with the staff making sure we had everything we needed. Highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a great omakase experience!
Will definitely be coming back!“

“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.“

“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!“

“new fav place by home. cocktails were perfect. waitress with the lil nas x shirt was lovely. blonde shaggy hair dude was full of personality and so funny. u guys rock. will say that the sushi rice was pretty firm in the rolls but no complaints with the whole experience“

“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“

“Delicious udon in a chill environment. Good for hanging out or date lunch! You can have a conversation and hear each other.

I ordered a cold udon, and my noodles were a little bit al dente for my liking, but it was delicious otherwise.“

“Best Omakase I’ve ever had 😊“

“TLDR: If you like hambaggu - probably one of the best versions in New York. The catch is it's also one of the priciest. If you are a light eater and value quality - this is the place.

I came on the weekend because there's no way I wasn't going to try the NYC hambaggu shop. On the weekends they only sell the sets which are $35 and come with rice, a soup, pickles, sides and potato salad.

The patty is a 50/50 American/Japanese wagyu blend, you have the choice of three sauces. We got the demi-glace which was deliciously rich and velvety with a strong wine flavor. The grated daikon and ponzo was also tasty. We didn't get the pomodoro but I'd imagine it would be a bit brighter.

The patty is well-seasoned but the blend is a bit leaner than I'd expect. If you've tried Hikiniku to Come, this is juicy but not as fatty or soft.

The portion size was a bit small even for my wife who doesn't eat much. I found myself taking comically small bites so I didn't exhaust my patty too quickly.

The sides themselves were very tasty but I wish there was more of it. A la carte is supposedly served during the week. If I could have gotten an extra patty a la carte or larger portions of the sides - it might have been okay. Between two drinks and two sets, we spent around $100+ and left hungry.

It's early days so we'll see what happens. It also gets incredibly crowded so come early and its a small team so you'll wait a bit for your set too.“

“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!“

“อาหารอร่อย สะอาด การบริการดี รวดเร็ว“

“Delicious food and reasonable prices! Businesses like this deserve more attention. I would definitely be back. Tommy my waiter was so kind and welcoming. I had the rainbow roll and the miso shrimp eggplant. Definitely want to repeat that miso shrimp eggplant dish. I requested the rainbow roll have white rice substituted with brown and for them to be light on the brown rice and they graciously complied.

Definitely recommend! Leave the trendy online spots alone and support smaller owned businesses. 💥“

“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.“

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

“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.“

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

“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.“

“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“

“Food is amazing every time“

“Had the best steak.. very tasty!“

“This was the first Omakase place I went to. The place was awesome and the service was great. Every dish tasted delicious and I enjoyed every single bite. The fish was very fresh and doesn’t have the fishy taste to it. I really loved the add-one that they let you add towards the end. The uni hand roll was 30$ and it was so worth. They fill it up with uni. The sweetness of the uni burst into my mouth when I took a bite. The dessert that they served was delicious too. However this place is expensive but it’s worth every penny. I would definitely come back to this place! I went back here for my birthday and there was a new chef. I’m even more happy with my second visit here, the whole menu was delicious.“

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

“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.“

“This casual izakaya was perfect for our friendly dinner. The food was fire and affordable, and their staff were friendly and attentive. The guy I went with who I was visiting moved into the neighborhood recently, and was very happy to find this spot and said he would be frequenting this place often. 🫶🏼“

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

“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!).“

“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.“

“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!“

“In a city where most Japanese cafes charge you $10 for an egg sandwich or a latte, it’s so nice to have an affordable yet authentic Japanese spot. Conohen is the one. I love the onigiris 🍙 are all handmade and the yakisoba is the flavor I remember from Japan. Their egg sandwich is only $6. The owner is very friendly and that’s what small businesses are about: making you feel welcomed and belonged.“

“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!“

“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!“

“Friendly staff Nice food Not cheap though“