50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Mercer Island

“Good food and good staff. Thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Will be back!“

“It's very quick for a lot of food and the service here is beyond excellent. I was honestly surprised with how nice the staff is here. I was indecisive with how much of an amazing selection they have since they have a lot of options but I definitely recommend anything with chicken. Their noodles were also excellent. I ended up getting this to-go and there was so much food that I had some leftovers for the following day which was still great.“

“Island Pho – Mercer Island’s Hidden Gem for Comforting Pho

If you’re craving a warm, flavorful bowl of pho, Island Pho on Mercer Island is an absolute must-visit. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with a cozy, welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel right at home.

The star of the show is, without a doubt, the pho. The broth is rich, aromatic, and clearly simmered with care—deep layers of flavor that hit all the right notes. Whether you go for the classic beef combo or the tender brisket, each bowl is packed with generous portions of meat, fresh herbs, and perfectly cooked noodles. The balance is just right—nothing overpowers, and everything comes together beautifully.

The staff is friendly, the service is quick, and the portions are more than satisfying. It’s the kind of spot that makes you want to come back the next day for another bowl. For pho lovers, Island Pho is a comforting, delicious standout on the island.“

“Delicious sushi!! Modern, bright and clean. We will definitely be back!!“

“Exactly what you want out of Seattle Style Teriyaki. Portion is good, food is timely, meat juicy and not over saucy. Spicy chicken spice level is perfect. Salad was crunchy and not soggy. dressing was more tangy then Im used to but I dont mind.
Service was great. Folks complaining of the atmosphere or service are just sheltered“

“I love Sushi Kappo Tamura and Taichi!! I have a hard time eating sushi anywhere else.“

“A very nice experience today with nice service and nice ambience. I'm not a big sushi fan but there are many other nice options too here. 5 out of 5.“

“One of my favorite Japanese restaurants (not to mention the oldest in Seattle) and it has never disappointed me. The food is delicious and the service is friendly and warm. It’s a difficult time we are in with the pandemic of 2020, but Maneki has transitioned to take out, which it never did before, and is so organized that it blew my mind when I saw how clearly labeled each item was when I got home. I could easily tell which was part of the teishoku 定食 or “set meal.” Support this small business because it needs us now more than ever. 01 DEC 2020.“

“Fantastic sushi and people. Casual, kind and some of the best service and fish around.“

“Visiting Washington and on our Seattle day wanted sushi. Looked at a ton of places on line and saw this set away from downtown with great reviews, gave it a shot.

This was one of the better meals I’ve ever had, happy hour gets you a $1.50 off select items and drinks.

Got the fried pork gyoza (amazing)
Garlic green beans (best I’ve ever had)
Chicken karage (excellent, really good sauce)
A lemon salmon roll (can’t remember the name, but also incredible)

Very reasonably priced, friendly and prompt service, great atmosphere. I can’t say enough to let people fully understand how happy I was with this dinner. Go now!“

“Nice place,good service,good food“

“Best sushi. Joe is an exceptional sushi chef. His support staff are incredible. Vintage stereo equipment and vinyl records on the walls. Don’t miss out.“

“Service is ON POINT !!!! Food is amazing and our waitress is amazing ! We had to bring our little one last min because child care wasn’t available. But they kindly accommodate my little one and gave her some cooked sushi !!! We really appreciate it ! We definitely will come back for a different menu because their menu changes every month ! I recommend anyone coming over to try it if they want an authentic Japanese meal in Seattle !!!“

“This was, without a doubt, the best sushi I have ever had in my life. I would go here every day of my life if I could.“

“excellent sushi! everything was fresh and delicious! highly recommend checking them out!“

“Grilling is n art Issian has mastered . This is why we- my family and friends- love this place.“

“I went in for the first time today for lunch after a pretty far walk from work. They are super nice, friendly and chatted with me a bit and explained their different menu options. They suggested the samurai which I got and it is very good to say the least. It’s super vibrant looking and very flavorful. I definitely highly recommend and will be coming back again“

“The ramen selection is so unique! Went there with friends, there was wait even though it was past peak lunch hour. The waitlist goes fast but expect to wait 5+ mins to get seated.

Service was prompt and fast but nothing personal to note for. Their ramen was great!!
Original tonkotsu was super flavorful but not too heavy, and their seafood ramen was amazing too!! Can’t wait to go back to try their pesto and black sesame!“

“This is by far the most authentic Katsu Curry I’ve had in Seattle. 2 weeks removed from visiting Japan and dealing with post trip blues, this was an incredible meal that checks every box. The fried Shrimp (Ebi) was incredible. The Pork Katsu curry set was fried to absolute perfection.“

“This place is next level! Best tempura I’ve ever experienced. Will definitely be back.“

“Had a Great Experience. Would definitely Recommend.“

“Foodies, this is a must try if you are ever in the area. Most sushi houses have a hard time getting Uni, but we had 4 dishes with fresh Uni in it. You won't regret it.“

“I have been craving Seattle style teriyaki for 25 years. (I lived in Seattle from 2001-2003) And I finally made it back to Seattle with my family this time. Okinawa Teriyaki was close to where we were down town, we walked from Pike Place Market. Very friendly service, and the teriyaki was just as I remembered it! So delicious! Thanks so much for the food and letting me share this memory with my wife and children!“

“I ordered the katsu bento, and the tonkatsu sauce was missing from the box. Since the sauce is a key part of the dish, the meal didn’t taste the way it should. The yaki niku fries were the best part—they were seasoned well and actually enjoyable.

When a dish is missing an expected component, especially a signature sauce, customers rate the meal as less satisfying and less worth the price. That’s exactly how this order felt.

I might come back for the fries, but I wouldn’t order the katsu bento again unless the sauce is included.“

“Such a gem this place. We ordered sashimi, sushi candy, magma roll. The sake menu is delightful. Fish quality was good, service was great, cute cozy spot. Next time we will be back for the omakase special. Our server Angie was so welcoming, love restaurants like this.“

“My favorite sushi restaurant hands down. Been coming here for years and it never disappoints. Well worth the drive to get there.“

“So good!! The onigiri were huge and delicious. We really liked the California and spicy tuna. Agedashi tofu was a delightful surprise too. Lychee iced tea was on the sweet side but also very refreshing. So glad to have visited! The wait for 2 wasn’t bad at all, and there’s a nice outdoor waiting area.“

“Area is for the most part a restaurant desert. Parking lot is small. If you don't live nearby, please leave room for nearby residents by parking at Husky Stadium.“

“Finally visited the new location! Their udon is so good! The owner remembers me from the original Kirkland location 5 years ago!“

“Great food, broad Japanese food menu and saki options. Good flawless service. Tiny space plan for it. Also bring your Covid vaccine card or recent test.“

“daily specials are awesome. delicious food that’s so worth checking out“

“Had a tasty lunch! Thank you!“

“the sashimi cups are to die for, the portions aren't big but they are delicious!! only complaint is that the cashier will ask you if you want spicy mayo and they will not tell you that it costs extra :( so there will be an extra charge added to your account“

“It was a great experience for my family. We highly recommend Sai Sushi & Sake!“

“One of the best sushi restaurants I’ve been part of!“

“Best place ever!! 5 stars!! The food is incredible, best vietnamese I’ve ever had. Not only is the food incredible, but the servers are so kind! Overall a great experience and would highly recommend!!“

“Delicious food, great vibe“

“We had the sashimi and some offerings from the chef... to. die. for! Presentation was a work of art, and flavors matched!“

“The Salmon Bara-Chirashi Bento was quite literally the most phenomenal bento box I’ve ever had. The vibe of the restaurant was great, Japanese music, great decoration, and just felt perfect. The flavor of the rice combined with the soy sauce and salmon all summed up the perfect bowl. Totally would try again and recommended to anyone who loves themselves a good taste of Japanese cuisine.“

“My husband and I chose Towa to celebrate our birthdays, and we were truly impressed. The presentation, service, and freshness of the ingredients were all exceptional. If you are seeking a refined fine-dining experience for a special occasion in Redmond, this is a fantastic choice.“

“I’m staying at the hotel just across the street, and I couldn’t resist stopping by this gem! Let me tell you, it was an absolute thrill! I ordered the Chicken & Katsu along with a side of egg rolls, and wow, did it blow me away!

The chicken was cooked to absolute perfection! Instead of drowning in teriyaki sauce, it had this fantastic coating that gave it an incredible sweet teriyaki flavor while keeping it moist and packed with that delicious wok taste.

And the katsu? Oh my goodness! It was breaded to perfection, delivering that legendary Katsu crunch in every single bite! The in-house-made Katsu sauce added just the right touch of sweetness, making it an unbeatable combination.

As for the egg rolls, they were pure bliss! Crispy, crunchy, and bursting with flavor, they absolutely hit the spot!

I can’t recommend this place enough! You have to check it out!“

“Sooooo yummy, I highly recommend! I was really craving the onigiri that I had in Japan, so I found this place in seattle and am so grateful this place exists! Dedicated gluten free, delicious food (the potato salad is amazing and of course the many different onigiri to choose from), and most importantly the lady (owner?) is always sooo incredibly kind, thoughtful, and very nice (it makes you want to support local businesses because there is so much care in the food and overall experience). If I lived closer, I would regularly go there. Definitely check it out!“

“We had an amazing experience at this place. Our food came out very fast, which was a big plus, and everything was absolutely delicious. The rolls were incredibly fresh, the fish was tender, and the avocado was perfectly ripe. The flavors were well balanced, not too heavy on sauces, just really enjoyable. You can tell the chefs care about quality. We honestly loved every bite and will definitely be coming back. Highly recommend!“

“Excellent sushi. Great and fast staff with easy menu on app ordering.“

“I think the ownership has changed recently and honestly, the food tastes even better now! The chicken is perfectly grilled, the teriyaki sauce is richer and more flavorful, and the portions are still huge. Everything feels fresher and more balanced than before. The new team seems to be doing an amazing job. Definitely my favorite teriyaki spot around! 🍱🔥“

“This has got to be the best small time sushi and teriyaki joint in washington. They are better on the budget and the appetite than anything around. Normally in the city you have to pay an arm and a leg to eat. Not here. You get a huge, well cooked, flavorful meal that doesn't hurt the wallet. Really hard to beat that. Even tacobell is expensive in Seattle. Not koibito. Its owned by a humble, quiet, and ridiculously kind family. They are like a mom and pop joint that secretly is way better than its humble appearance. I couldn't recommend koibito more. Anytime im in Seattle I make sure I stop by for food and service. They are wonderful people. And I hope more of you give them a try. You won't regret it.“

“Best fresh fish (sashimi) and an incredible environment for food & fun“

“This is A+++ sushi. It's always fresh and delicious! We always get the charasi bowl, karaage and recently the chicken katsu. The food always comes out quickly and beautiful! It's also very reasonable given the portions and freshness of the fish.“

“I Highlight recommend this place. I tried their Beef Bibimbap and it was really authentic and delicious. Don't underestimate the simple look of the small restaurant. They are giving a very good quality/price ratio.“

“My friends and I went to Shinya Shokudo today and has the best time ever! Crystal our server was absolutely amazing and was very sweet! We had a million questions and every single time she was willing to answer. Our food was always very on time and even when splitting up the check she dealt with our request with no issue! 10/10 would recommend!“