Goen Japanese Restaurant

This place is great, I ordered their Red Dragon Roll and Takoyaki, and both were amazing, one of the best sushi places I have ever been to, plus the staff was really nice and attentive!

I genuinely don’t like writing harsh reviews — I understand the importance of supporting local businesses, and I know some people might enjoy this spot. But based on my experience, there are some things that really need improvement.

The service was lovely — polite and attentive, which I truly appreciated. Unfortunately, the sushi itself didn’t meet basic expectations. The rolls were overly stuffed with plain, slightly warm rice that lacked any real seasoning. Sushi rice should be made with at least rice vinegar and a touch of sweetness or salt — here, it just tasted like warm, gooey rice. The rolls were falling apart, overly large, and missing that clean, balanced bite that makes sushi enjoyable.

I’m not here to tear anyone down, but I do think Sushi Goen would benefit from improving the rice preparation and tightening up the portions for a more refined experience. It has potential — especially with their kind staff — but the food needs to match the care.

いただきます。
We had a fantastic dinner experience at this Japanese restaurant. Everything we ordered was truly delicious and felt wonderfully authentic – a rare find these days! It was particularly special to see that everyone working there was Japanese, which added another layer to the authentic atmosphere. The sashimi was a definite highlight, incredibly fresh and melt-in-your-mouth soft. The location was also excellent, and the restaurant itself was spotless, feeling very clean and welcoming. The staff were not only kind and polite but also incredibly efficient; our food arrived surprisingly fast. And you must try the hot sake pomegranate – absolutely delicious!
ごちそうさまでした。

Local and decent food.

I visited for the first time with a friend last night and had the tuna and veggie poke bowl. Comes with salad and miso soup with seaweed. I was very satisfied with the taste, atmosphere, and service of the staff. BGM of nostalgic Showa songs. I will bring my family to eat there again! I'm glad I was able to find a relaxing and delicious restaurant. I often passed by it and was curious about it, but the glass was black and I couldn't see inside, so I wondered what it looked like. That's what I thought. It was more affordable and delicious than I expected.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I decided to try this new spot based on the positive reviews, and ordered the Red Dragon and Black Dragon rolls. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed. The Red Dragon roll was overly saucy, and both rolls didn’t taste as fresh as I had hoped. On a positive note, the staff was very friendly and helpful.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Roll

Goen has great food, value, and service.

The bento box gives you a nice variety of food if you are like me and can't decide what to order.

The sushi was amazing, best I had for a long time and not expensive at all. The server was very patient and humble

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Miso Soup, Roll

Very friendly staff. Casual or dressy. Good service. Very reasonable prices and good food.

The service here is really really good! The atmosphere is nice and calm. And the food! The food is amazinggggg ! Fresh sushi, delicious and worth the price.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

I absolutely love this Japanese restaurant in St. Clair West! The service is always top-notch, especially with May, one of the staff members, who is incredibly friendly and welcoming. The food is delicious, from the freshest sushi to the flavorful ramen. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, making it a perfect spot for a relaxing meal. I find myself coming here almost every Friday night, and it never disappoints!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Miso Soup, Roll, Spicy Salmon

Sushi was excellent. Service was good. I highly recommend it.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I ordered take out vegan sushi and got sushi wrapped on fish skin instead after being told they were vegan.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

The restaurant was exceptionally clean, which made for a very comfortable dining atmosphere. The service was top-notch—friendly, fast, and extremely accommodating.
I requested a California roll without rice, wrapped in rice paper, and it was absolutely delicious! A perfect low-calorie option that didn’t sacrifice flavor. I highly recommend this spot for anyone looking for a fresh, healthy sushi option with great service!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Roll

i didn’t like this

Dietary restrictions: the food wasn’t good

Food: 2

Recommended dishes: Miso Soup