25 Best Japanese Restaurants in Columbia

“The highly rated reviews are well deserved. The food is delicious, comes relatively quickly, and is authentic. I’ve been to Japan several times, this food is amazing and the price is phenomenal, I’ve driven past this place several times and now I regret it.“

“This is the best sushi around. I have been going to Inakaya Watanabe for 20 years and it’s always that best.“

“Friendly service and tasty food! 10/10 would come back!“

“In town for a baseball series and found this gem to take my son, who loves sushi. The ambience was great, from the music, to the decor and the waitress dressed in a kimono. She was very attentive and charming. Loved that the meal started off with tea! My husband who is kind of a sushi snob and likes his place, also said it was good, so it must have been. I had shrimp teriyaki and it was very good. When in town again, I would definitely go back. Highly recommend.“

“This was my first time ordering from here. But, I will definitely be back very soon! I ordered the express plate, which included steak, chicken, and shrimp. I also ordered a pork egg roll.

The pork egg roll was delicious! The express plate was seasoned to perfection! The service was good, and the ambiance was great also.

I posted a pic of the Sushi side menu. So if you love Sushi they definitely have plenty of options.“

“Inakaya Japanese Restaurant in Columbia, SC, is a local favorite for good reason. The moment you step inside, you’re greeted by a spacious, Japanese-inspired interior featuring traditional decor and even a display case of antiques. Whether you choose to sit at the sushi bar and watch the chefs in action or relax at a cozy table, the ambiance strikes a balance between authenticity and comfort. Service here consistently earns high marks—staff are friendly, attentive, and quick to offer helpful recommendations, making both first-timers and regulars feel right at home.
Spicy Tuna Rolls
Start your meal with the spicy tuna rolls, a menu staple that showcases Inakaya’s commitment to freshness. The rolls are generously filled with high-quality tuna, and the spice level is just right—enough to deliver a kick without overwhelming the delicate flavor of the fish. The rice is well-seasoned, and the construction of the roll is tidy, though some diners have noted the rice can be a bit chewy at times. Still, the overall freshness and flavor make this a must-try for sushi enthusiasts.
Seafood Ramen
Inakaya’s seafood ramen is a comforting bowl that highlights the kitchen’s skill with both broth and seafood. Expect a savory, well-balanced broth brimming with shrimp, crab, and other fresh seafood, complemented by springy noodles and crisp vegetables. The portion size is satisfying, making it a great choice for a hearty lunch or dinner. The dish is a testament to the restaurant’s ability to deliver more than just sushi—ramen lovers will appreciate the depth of flavor and generous seafood portions.
Fried Tempura Vegetables
For a lighter, crispy option, order the fried tempura vegetables. Inakaya’s tempura batter achieves the ideal texture: airy, crisp, and not overly oily. Common vegetables include sweet potato, kabocha squash, mushrooms, and bell peppers, all fried to golden perfection. The tempura is served with a classic dipping sauce that enhances the natural sweetness of the vegetables. This dish is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for sharing or as a starter to your meal.
Tips for the Best Experience
• If you enjoy watching your food being prepared, opt for a seat at the sushi bar.
• Ask your server for recommendations—they’re knowledgeable and happy to guide you, even steering you toward house specialties or away from less popular items.
• For dessert, consider skipping the mochi ice cream in favor of the fried cheesecake, which comes highly recommended by staff and diners alike.
• The menu is extensive, so don’t hesitate to try something new—special rolls and sashimi platters are particularly popular.
Final Thoughts
Inakaya Japanese Restaurant stands out for its consistently fresh ingredients, attentive service, and inviting atmosphere. Whether you’re craving classic sushi rolls, a warming bowl of ramen, or perfectly fried tempura, you’ll find something to love. Prices are reasonable, portions are generous, and the overall experience is one that keeps guests coming back. For anyone seeking authentic Japanese cuisine in Columbia, Inakaya is a top choice.“

“Always amazing! Excellent dining- atmosphere leaves a bit to be desired �“

“Frank was amazing. Very friendly and high energy. We came at 9:15 and were the only ones seating in the hibachi area. He came out and gave a show like it was a full room. Very friendly and not too much. Allowed us space to talk and enjoy dinner as well. He made our night. Food was amazing and fresh. Tried this different style of noodles and was pleasantly surprised.“

“I love this place in Sandhills! My family love to eat here every weekend! Always great tasting Ramen and quick service! Thanks Jordan B!“

“Delicious so much food always have some to take home“

“Amazing fast hibachi! When you haven’t eaten all day but don’t want any of the traditional burger fast food options, this place fits the bill perfectly. Great customer service and no problem with the meal. Generous portions, as others have noted! The white sauce is really good- not heavy and oily like some others it was light and had great flavor! Definitely will be back!“

“Went to Boku for lunch after Jack’s graduation 🧑‍🎓. We had the kindest and most amazing server, Justice! Food was delicious and atmosphere is stellar. Highly recommend Boku! I will be back for sure.“

“absolutely amazing owner and service, u don't even sing and had a great time.“

“My partner and I celebrated our annual "unbirthday" with dinner at Lotus and had a fantastic experience Excellent quality dishes, generous portions, and above all a fast, attentive and KIND wait staff. We will absolutely be back!“

“Very good food! The only hibachi I like to eat around here! Sometimes their phone doesn’t work, so you have to come in and order and wait for your food. Other than that they have pretty good service. They switched from the bigger portions of the white sauce to smaller portions. Atmosphere is pretty good. They will modify your order perfect for you, if you’d like.“

“Always delicious, I have had everything on the at least once!“

“Had dinner with a friend last night and this place was amazing! I’ll definitely be coming back asap! Our waitress Claire was a delight and made everything perfect! The Fuji roll was awesome!“

“It's not that service is bad. The young girl and guy that's always at the counter stays on the phone... every time I've been in there and it's alot. . Both have ear buds in and talking. That should be a big no when dealing with customer“

“I used to visit at least once a week, but It's been a year since my last visit, so I was expecting things to be the same and they were in a positive way.A friendly greeting was offered time I stepped in. The service was quick and the food was hot and the ingredients tasted fresh.Fried rice, broccoli, and Hibachi shrimp on this trip. My only grip is portion size.I guess I'm greedy ? the Yum Yum sauce is delicious ?“

“Food, service and accommodation for our food allergies were great! It was just difficult for the older members of our party to sit at the tables due to having to step down into the seats. Still great food!

Dietary restrictions: Accommodate for food allergies, very friendly and helpful.“

“Tokyo Grill is a fast casual restaurant that features a Hibachi style menu. You can get all the standards you’d expect like steak, shrimp, chicken, fried rice, and all the sides.

One of my favorites are their bowls which are layered with fried rice, your choice of protein, and veggies. Price wise Tokyo Grill is hard to beat, and the quality to price is absolutely there.

If you’re in the mode for a quick fix and don’t have time for the sit down experience Tokyo Grill really hits the spot if you’ve got a craving for Hibachi.“

“Loved my food and experience here I’ve done both take out and dine in and as you can see they are consistent with the portions. The food was amazing. hibachi was a 10/10. The Chef was amazing I did not catch his name but he is in the pic I will be requesting him the next time I come. Zach the general manager was awesome and a really big help my car battery died and he helped me jump my car which he didn’t have to do. Zach I appreciate you! And I will be back soon!“

“very fresh. you order then they make it. àll you can eat anything you like as much as you like.. lunch price is less than dinner. but same menu. Love it there! nice decor. comfy seating. friendly attentive staff.“

“I have been to several different locations. This was my first time going to this location. They had a drive thru which really intrigued me.i ordered my food through the drive through. I ordered the chicken and shrimp teriyaki. It came which vegetables and fried rice. The chicken was very flavorful drenched in teriyaki sauce. It was fresh.the shrimp was really good. Steamed with flavor. The vegetables were fresh aswell from zucchini to broccoli. It literally took me five minutes to get my food. I was happy about that being that i went through drive thru i anticipated a longer wait time. The overall experience was good. I can’t wait to go back and order from them again. Due to their speedy service and fresh food items. The meal also came with 2 white sauces. The silverware was in the bag so i didn’t have to ask for any additional items. Can’t wait to go back“

“I stopped in the Mall today to see what new types of food places they had in the food court. I tried a sample of 2 different types of chicken from this 1 place, I think it was Thai, not sure though. Both samples tasted great! Because of the price I decided to go with this 1 instead. I got the Chicken, Shrimp, White Rice and Veggies. The workers their are fantastic employees! They know how to cook and know how to answer any questions. They even make drumming noises with thier cooking utensils; cooking or ?! Once I got what I ordered, went & sat down had not a problem at all, the only thing was my taste buds where still overwhelmed from the Thai food!! The food was still good and great, but I really think that they over cooked the rice, for the price! And it's like they say you only get what you pay for!“