50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Howard Beach

“Cool place for celebrating anything with friends and family“

“I loved the place - best sushi and rolls in entire NYC across all the boroughs. Not sure why people are complaining about the price - it is decent for NYC. People have to make money not give the food for free folks.Service- super fast. Ty?For all the negativities- look at the pictures they post- the food look good. Some pictures are just blurred proving pretty much nothing about the quality they complain about.“

“Food and service never disappoints.“

“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.“

“The food is genuinely good! Try their new lunch bento box, it’s only $14 and salmon one is $16 so pretty nice price in town🫶 I recommend the chicken bento, you can get rice onigiri 🍙 , chicken, soba salad and miso soup coming together!! Their matcha tiramisu and matcha ne drink is so delicious as well, must-try, not too sweet, but fresh grassy feeling!“

“Wonderful and friendly staff. Delish food.“

“Good food and good service 👍“

“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 went to Shogun Omakase in New York yesterday for lunch. My son loves sushi and it was his birthday present (our first time experiencing Omakase). We were blown away! Seriously the best sushi experience (and to be honest, one of our top restaurant experiences) ever. Chef Ryan was an amazing chef and artist, and provided top notch customer service. We highly recommend Chef Ryan and Shogun Omakase to anyone who loves sushi and appreciates fine cuisine. ❤️🎉“

“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.“

“We were very lucky to have found Sushi YOLO after a last-minute decision to extend our evening in the city. It was an incredible experience all throughout: a homey vibe with great attention to detail from Chef and the entire team and, of course, delicious courses!

We plan to come back to Sushi YOLO when we are in the city again.“

“I brought my dad here when he was visiting from out of town to experience an Omakase restaurant. We had a blast! The service, food, and ambience were spectacular. I highly recommend coming here for a special occasion, or just a nicer dinner. The quality of the fish was also incredible, and well worth the price, especially for New York City - will definitely be coming back.“

“Food was very well prepared and quite tasty, but nothing blew me away, and that's ok. This was my 3rd yakitori restaurant, and though I almost never comment on price, I did feel like the meal was overpriced. TBH, I'd just as well go to a place like Yakitori Toto and have almost as good of an experience.“

“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.“

“The meal is fast, the food is delicious, and the links are elegant and warm.“

“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.“

“We had an absolutely fantastic experience at Fushimi Restaurant! The food was delicious, from the appetizers we ordered to our main course. Each dish was expertly prepared and bursting with flavor. We also enjoyed a couple of drinks, which perfectly complemented our meal. What truly made our visit exceptional was the incredible service provided by our waitress, Ohmie. She was attentive, friendly, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the evening. Her warm demeanor and professionalism truly elevated our dining experience. We strongly recommend Fushimi Restaurant, especially because of the outstanding service we received from Ohmie. We’ll definitely be back!“

“we had a great experience celebrating a birthday, the staff was attentive, and the atmosphere feels very intimate and bonding. this was our first experience having AYCE omakase and it was a 10/10. at the end of the course, they offered to repeat any of the courses we prefer. we even got a small gift for the occasion“

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

“อาหารอร่อย สะอาด การบริการดี รวดเร็ว“

“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.“

“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.“

“Walked in here on a whim and was BLOWN away. Each dish was so unique— the “tuna sandwich” or “corn ribs” were a clever word play but more importantly a wildly delicious creation that you would never get anywhere. Matt took care of us and gave us great recommendations on what to order.
I don’t say this lightly- I CANT WAIT TO COME BACK.“

“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 :)“

“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.“

“Was very good meat and the atmosphere nice .“

“Our 1st omakaze experience & def not the last! I love the smallness of the place, it makes it special! Everything melts in your mouth! The best Christmas gift ever!“

“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.“

“Mr sushi always treats us so well. Excellent white fish complimentary which is a lovely way to begin this exquisitely delicious culinary experience. The staff is sensationally kind and the music just tops it off so well. I would reccomend anyone to come here.“

“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.“

“So happy to have Mikado in the neighborhood!
Came for lunch over the weekend and had such a great experience. The hand roll set and the Super Bowl are a must. The portions were generous and the fish was incredibly fresh. Everything tasted amazing.
The decor is beautiful, the space feels clean and inviting, and the service was immaculate from start to finish.
Will definitely be ordering again and dining in soon. Highly recommend!“

“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.“

“Lovely place we enjoyed it it was very cool“

“If you have not experienced Omakase before, or are always on the lookout for high quality fish, you should stop by here! The flavor combinations were absolutely fantastic. The chef is very educated and versed in anything sushi, as well as other cuisines. There was a large selection of sake, and we were guided on what pairs well with certain types of fish. The team members are very sweet, it was nice to connect with them and have a real conversation over a great meal. Can’t recommend this place enough! We will be back :)“

“On our first visit, we had the Yakijake (grilled salmon). This time, we finally tried the Kinka Saba (mackerel), which had previously been unavailable. The fish is excellent—rich, fatty, and sourced from Ishinomaki Fish Market.

When I asked about sourcing, the staff mentioned they receive shipments from Japan roughly once a month.

The service is reserved. Staff were polite but not particularly engaging, and questions were answered without much enthusiasm. The overall experience feels very focused on the food rather than hospitality.

It’s a solid option if you’re craving a specific taste of Tokyo without getting on a plane. Overall, it leans a bit overpriced for what's presented.“

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

“Went to Nozomi for dinner last night and already plotting my return.

The omakase was excellent, super thoughtfully curated, beautifully executed, and paced perfectly (because nobody wants to leave either hungry or questioning their life choices after course 17). Every dish felt intentional and the portioning was spot on.

A special mention to Max, the culinary director, who made the whole experience even better. He was welcoming, funny, incredibly knowledgeable about literally everything, and he also managed to make everyone feel like regulars. You can tell he genuinely loves what he does and that energy carried through the entire night.

Also pleasantly surprised by the value for the quality of the food, attention to detail, and overall experience, the price felt more than fair and honestly exceeded expectations.

Amazing food, great vibes, zero pretentiousness. Come hungry, leave happy.“

“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.“

“My wife and I go here for our birthdays every year as a special treat and we truly love it. We always are given a big welcome by the chef and Tri, the sushi is fantastic, and the atmosphere is even better. The sake pairing is worth getting once but Tri makes some incredible cocktails. Tip well because they deserve it! Worth the price!“

“I like how wonder solves all roommate problems. No more fighting over which cuisine to choose. We can just mix qnd match and get Chinese with pizza. Yummy and quick deliver. And the best: free delivery. Also every single wonder stsff i have met during any pick up, it was very willing and prompt to help.“

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

“Great experience ! Food was good and service great . The food was so flavorful I had the oyster crunchy rice bowl and loved the crunch and flavor and my partner had the curry udon which was also flavorful . Food came out pretty fast the server was knowledgeable helpful and friendly. Definitely go!“

“Our server timed every dish perfectly and explained each one very carefully. She was lovely. The sushi was amazing...we all swooned and cannot wait to return. The only disappointment,for two of us out of five, was the hand roll . It was very quiet, and a very lovely room. It is a resent to be missed!“

“This is a great sushi spot in Midtown! I had been ordering takeout frequently—their poke is my absolute favorite—but finally came in to dine in, and it was a fantastic experience.

The atmosphere is really nice, featuring cute Japanese decor and umbrellas that make the space feel nice. They have a great Happy Hour deal, and the Hamachi kama was surprisingly delicious. The sashimi quality is consistently good as well. Whether you're grabbing a quick lunch or sitting down for a meal, it’s a solid choice in the area.“

“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“

“This is a 2nd floor Japanese-Thai speakeasy in Alphabet City where the food menu leans toward Japan while the drinks are Thai-inspired with the menu designed by veteran NYC bartender and Phetchaboon native Sayparn. Her and her partners opened 11 Tigers in 2022 (year of the tiger which symbolizes success). The staff do an excellent job of mixing food and entertainment.“

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

“Great Omakase It will make you fell, that you are in Tokyo“