50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Forest Hills

“Another amazing dinner from Katsuno. Our favorite authentic Japanese restaurant in NYC came through for us once again, this time with take-out. Tonight we had the Tuna Avocado Salad, Nigiri Sushi, Pork Hirekatsu, and Tempura Udon. All served with a refreshing can of Funaguchi Kikusui Sake. Everything was fresh and delicious as always and served curbside in a safe no contact manner. Thank you Katsuno!“

“I had a truly excellent dining experience here. The pork teriyaki lunch special was tender, well seasoned and plated more elegantly than any lunch special I ever had before. The service was prompt and excellent and the hostess a wonderful person. This should be your go to place for Japanese Food in Forest Hills.“

“Enjoyed the hospitality and the food was very fresh. Thank u , mark and saeed“

“Fresh sushi, little place, quick service“

“Love this spot! It has become my go-to sushi place within Forest Hills. I have placed both small and big (like platters) orders with them. Their food is fresh and delicious, with plenty of options. Equally importantly, their service is always wonderful and prompt. Can't wait to have sushi from them again soon :)“

“I’ve loved this place for years, but I just catered from them for the first time, and everything was perfect. The sushi was delicious, they kept the sushi with gluten in a separate container, they have party platters and party trays, and they sold me the perfect amount of food without being pressured to buy too much. The price was reasonable- actually incredible considering how delicious everything was, and everything came on time. I will definitely cater from them again.“

“We love this place. Been there twice on the last month. I had a wonderful and plentiful sashimi. The fish was very fresh and delicious. My wife had the eel. The atmosphere is casual but super friendly. It's BYOB! Highly recommend this restuarant.
My wife says she loves that there is NO music which makes it a peaceful space. She also appreciates that there is a roomy feeling. It's not overcrowded.“

“Lovely atmosphere, delicious and generous portions, and quality service“

“great atmosphere and service. The food was amazing!“

“Delicious fresh food and amazing drinks! Celebrated my friend’s bday there and we had a 12 course menu! Great atmosphere and the DJ was a great touch! Had a great time at Kaizen.“

“Good food and good service 👍“

“Beautiful atmosphere and delicious food! Came across this place and was not disappointed at all! Super good. Everything was a bit more expensive than my go-to place in Kips Bay but 100% worth it. The ramen was so good. Broth tasted amazing. Everything we got was perfect! Calamari, sushi all great.

I was a big fan of the seating area too. The paper cranes on the ceiling were a cool addition! Staff was also very nice. For a Saturday Lunch, there was no wait.“

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

“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!“

“#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“

“We came to Shogun Omakase to celebrate my birthday. It’s not our first time having Omakase but this was certainly the best experience. Chef Nick took such amazing care of us with a carefully curated menu to suit our preferences and explained not only the source of the fish but also some of the tweaks he made to bring out the flavor profiles of each piece. Some pieces just melt in your mouth and all the flavors are very well balanced. I wish I had more pictures to share but we were so immersed in the conversations and the tasting that time just flew by. It was truly a top notch omakase experience. Thank you Shogun Omakase! You are truly a gem!“

“Wonderful and friendly staff. Delish food.“

“I usually don’t leave reviews, but Sushi Yolo definitely deserves one!

I decided to treat myself to celebrate the end of my doctorate program. It was a totally spontaneous decision, so I didn’t spend much time choosing a place. I opened Resy, typed “sushi midtown,” picked one of the top-rated spots, and honestly—I’m so glad I chose Sushi Yolo.

The food was great, but what really made the night special was Alex, the host. He was incredibly attentive and welcoming. I ended up having such a fun and meaningful conversation with him and another guest, Jerry—which is rare for me since I don’t usually talk to strangers. We talked about all kinds of things, and the vibe was just so easy and genuine.

Alex also kept pouring complimentary sake on the house, which was such a generous and thoughtful touch. This is one of those nights I’ll definitely remember—the atmosphere, the food, the conversations, and the company.

Thank you, Alex, for the amazing hospitality and real conversations. You and Jerry truly made my night.

I’ll definitely be back to this lovely restaurant soon.

Wishing you all the best on your journey with your husband!“

“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.“

“Fantastic speakeasy sushi joint. Very small, no more than an handful of people may join the omasake style bar where 3 talented (and cool) chefs serve you the best crafted sushi you can get. Definitely going back soon.“

“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 ~“

“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. 🙏🙏🙏“

“อาหารอร่อย สะอาด การบริการดี รวดเร็ว“

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

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

“How spoiled am I to have this little shop of delights a few blocks from my front door? Onigiri, Masubi, and Katsu o my. I’d advise coming hungry or bringing a friend the portions are generous and amazingly paired with a genuinely warm and welcoming staff. Also amazing merch, really can’t say enough positive things about my local mini mart :)“

“Mikado sushi in Lexington Avenue is my favorite sushi spot for lunch! They have amazing specials including sushi rolls like Wagyu, spicy crab ans scallops! 4 rolls for $20! They also have hot food dishes. The prices are so great and what I love about this spot is the service. I highly recommend eating here. There is also a great selection of sake, cocktails and tea!“

“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.“

“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.“

“I'll try to keep this to the point —

I gave Food/Service/Atmosphere 5 🌟 because they were on par for me. For a local spot, this really took me by surprise.

What I ordered:

Miso Soup:
Standard Miso Soup, nothing groundbreaking, but very tasty. Would have loved a tad more tofu & scallion, but that's just me.

Salmon Avocado Hand roll:
Not the hand roll I expected meaning it wasn't in the cone shape I'm familiar with, but it came presented like a taco with the seaweed as the shell. Salmon cuts were huge, and with great colour, avocado was bright & ripe, coupled with the perfect amount of rice. Everything tasted clean, and fresh.

Yellowtail Jalapeno Nigiri:
I messed up with this, originally I wanted a sushi roll, but my brain flubbed. Great mistake though, because the yellowtail was delicious, practically melted in my mouth, topped with a delicate cut of jalapeno on top.

Love Milk Tea:
Honestly, just a really delicious milk tea topped with osmanthus flower. It was light, refreshing, and not too sweet thankfully.

Wagyu Tataki:
Tataki is meant to be briefly seared on the outside, but the center remains raw. Was this seared to the degree I wanted? No. But, was it delicious? Yes. And the meat was incredibly tender, flavour of the sauces really complimented everything on the plate.

I finished off with a matcha cheesecake to go, I'm sure it'll be good.

With tip, I spent $67

Again, for a local spot in Richmond Hill/Kew Gardens, I was thoroughly impressed and satisfied. Personally, with slight adjustments, these folks would do great in midtown. I spent a little under what I would spend at a restaurant in the city, and got an incredibly satisfying meal, and left full.“

“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!“

“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.“

“Lovely place we enjoyed it it was very cool“

“Takumi Omakase is hands-down one of the best $89 experiences you can have in the LES. I came here with my best friend on a Monday night and every single one of the 15 courses was fresh, unique, and genuinely delicious.

The vibe is amazing too: great playlist, attentive staff, and the kind of sushi that makes you do a little happy food dance without realizing it. We also got a bottle of Dassai 39 which paired perfectly and made this random weeknight feel even more special.

Between the quality, the service, and the price point, this spot is an absolute gem. Can’t wait to come back!“

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“

“THE BEST BIRTHDAY DINNER WE’VE EVER HAD !!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥🇮🇩🇺🇸👍“

“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.“

“If you rated this place low, you a hater. Like first off, they make you wash your hands before you even step foot in their establishment, so you already know what time it is. They don’t play about hygiene. Plus you have to take your shoes off. Love it, real method of them. The floor is immaculate too. Alright, so you made it in, the sushi chef’s are LOCKED IN. They got the sets READY. The way the platter looks is immaculate. It’s beautiful. You already wanna snap a photo and flex on your friends like yeah, this the life I really live. Then they got an array of seasonings from around the world that you can pair with any piece of fish, like how fun. That is so creative, so fun, so interactive. Like how big brained is that? Plus every time I’ve been here, the servers are so kind & soft spoken. They explain everything so thoroughly and their lil’ uniforms are so cute. I need to make a reservation soon, I usually feel extra bad & boujee this time of year.“

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

“Came to New York, felt like I was in Tokyo! The quality of the sushi was fantastic. There was a variety of choices with bamboozling tastes. There was gut friendly spiked ginger. We could hear extremely well the server which is uncommon in Japanese restaurants (maybe too much sake). The deserts looked amazing and the decorations were immersing us into anime culture. They have goku, pikachu, floating fish reminding us of a Japanese garden. The sky decoration comes to life when the New York breeze enters the Japanese chambers. There was a wind blocking curtain which made it gentle and soothing. (A bit cold too, but the warmness of the server made it ok). This place is a true hidden gem! The deserts were less breath taking. Would love to keep it niche but they deserve more visibility.“

“thanks for the fab service Rei!! amazing drinks and food“

“Love this place! Excellent service, great food, wonderful environment! I’m going back. Love the moctels!!!!Great experience!“

“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.“

“Went looking for sushi in the neighborhood and stumbled on this place.

Small unassuming shop with a few seats.

We (2) ordered three rolls (eel avocado / shrimp tempura/ spicy salmon) and the chirashi.

Everything came out presented very nicely - see photos

I was very impressed with both the quantity of food and the quality of the fish. Everything was very fresh.

The only thing I did not like was that the spicy salmon roll and these small crispy bits in them. This is likely a personal preference but I would maybe ask to have them prepare it without next time.

Price / value on this place is excellent.

We will be back and already recommended to friends“

“Reasonable price and hidden gem in queen. I tried sushi rolls and salad.chicken avocado is really good but only a little avocado.sushi rolls are big and u can order combo for lunch time too .but I feel like spicy one gets unfresh but still okay.I will try Chinese cuisine next time“

“Please open wynwood Miami Florida next location very very very soon next location they want this please plan a location this year finding a location thanks please plan to find a location this year the sooner the better so you have the location ready to go please or next year start 2026 finding a location for Miami Florida next location wynwood“

“We went on a random weekday and had to wait in line for an hour to get in. But the food, music and atmosphere were all worth the wait. The music was amazing, very old school jazz with lots of improvisation. They have different artists every day so the experience is probably different. The music is not very loud and you can easily have a conversation. The menu is extensive, lots of interesting food and a separate section listing all their vegetarian options.“

“Omakase Shiro is an absolute gem for sushi lovers. Every bite feels like a little masterpiece. The fish is incredibly fresh, and the flavors are perfectly balanced especially the Wagyu, o-toro, and the red snapper belly (if I got that right). The richness of the Wagyu, the melt-in-your-mouth o-toro, and the delicate, buttery snapper belly… honestly, I could go on forever.

The ambiance adds to the experience—cozy, elegant, and intimate, making it feel like a special occasion even on a regular night. The staff are attentive, friendly, and really make you feel taken care of, while the chef’s skill and creativity shine in every plate. From presentation to flavor, it’s clear a lot of thought goes into every detail.

The only small thing I’d note is that I mentioned it was my friend’s birthday when making the reservation, so a little candle on the dessert would have been a nice touch—but it didn’t take away from the incredible experience.

If you love sushi and omakase, this place is a must. I left full, happy, and already planning my next visit!“