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.“

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

“An excellent out-of-the-way Vietnamese restaurant located next to where the old Rite Aid drug store used to be! I ordered the spicy chicken teriyaki and it was delicious! Service was very polite and prompt! For just under $20, the chicken was very flavorful and tender, and the spiciness was perfect! The portions were very generous,too! The two sides of steamed rice and a salad were excellent as well! If you have a craving for excellent teriyaki, this place is a must-try!🎸🌴👽🇺🇲🇸🇪🎵👻😎😃🤘“

“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.“

“Great rolls and sake. I had the red dragon and little tokyo and they both were delicious. Also had the shrimp tempura appetizer which was also great. The server was very attentive and patient. The chef was a master at rolling, the dishes were art pieces you can eat. I will be back here soon.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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 !!!“

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

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

“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!“

“Tried the pork katsu curry and chicken karaage at this Japanese spot. The portions are pretty big, and the curry tasted really good and rich and comforting.

Just a heads up, you can only order once, so make sure to get everything you want. Overall, a solid meal!“

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

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

“Had a Great Experience. Would definitely Recommend.“

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

“The fried rice was really good, and the spicy beef was also flavorful and satisfying. The salad was just okay, and the portions felt a little humble for the price, but the food overall was decent and enjoyable. The restaurant is very close to Seattle Wheels Bayfront, which is convenient, though parking is tough and street parking is hard to find. Price-wise, it feels fair for what you get.“

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

“I found this place wonderful, not only were the waiters there so kind and INCREDIBLY warm, the food was transcendent! I recently went with my dad, and we both have been to japan, and at Izakaya, we both agree it took us right back to Osaka! The menu was incredible, we ordered the beef udon which had a broth that was so 3 dimensional and smokey, duck, chicken, and wagyu yakitori (ps order the wagyu it's worth it) which were cooked perfectly- and you can tell, with an expensive charcoal! As well as The udon carbonara- which was also fantastic, although personally I found it was very hearty and filling- which was great, but with the amount of food we had on the way, I couldnt eat much. But I think what was truly the star of the show we're the desserts, I tried the yuzu cheesecake and WOW! It was delicious! My dad agreed it was probably the best cheesecake he ever had! It had such a light and sweet yet tart and rich flavor, and let me tell you, I left feeling like a million dollars afterwards! One other thing I would like to point out is how quick they were- (we ordered a lot more I didn't mention) and it came out progressively I'd say by the time we were seated to the time it was in my mouth... 10 minutes? The service was great, the atmosphere was great, the food was great, and overall the next time I come back to Seattle this is the first place I'm heading!!! And you should too!!“

“Nestled in a quiet neighborhood, this unassuming restaurant offers high quality sushi and sashimi dishes.

My favorite is the Sushi Candy, fish wrap around crab meat salad and torched to get a smokey flavor. The standard one uses imitation crab meat. Definitely ask to substitute with real crabmeats.“

“Delicious food, great vibe“

“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.“

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

“Everything was perfect at this restaurant! We loved the food and service was quick. I would recommend coming a little before the rush because the place is small. We got onigiri and some appetizers. I loved mentaiko and tuna. They also had a unique selection of Japanese beers. Would definitely come back!“

“Had a tasty lunch! Thank you!“

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

“A fantastic 8-course meal! Delicious, fresh, authentic Japanese food with the highest quality ingredients & unique presentation! Service & atmosphere was very pleasant and welcoming ... The entire omekase experience was One of the best we experienced in the States (or in Japan).
Chef Nori Morita is meticulous & very talented. Is was a joy for us to just watch him work. He & the entire team are very dedicated to providing the highest quality & a beautiful experience for all guests.
I wouldn't be surprised if this restaurant earns their first Michelin star in the next couple years“

“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.“

“Definitely freshest and highest quality fish in the Fremont area. Skip Fremont Bowl and come here. What especially stands out (and gives me a sense of how much they care about the food) is that the surimi, seaweed salad, and egg omelette have that homemade taste.“

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

“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.“

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

“We catered food from Yamada Teriyaki and were blown away. The samosas were perfectly crispy and flavorful, and the House Special Fried Rice was a total hit, generously loaded with tender meat, shrimp, and vegetables, all seasoned to perfection.

Everything arrived fresh, hot, and beautifully packed. The portions were generous, and the quality was outstanding. The service was smooth, friendly, and reliable. For the price and portion sizes, the catering option is absolutely worth it.

One thing I also really like is that Mandalay Deli Mart is right next door, so it is super convenient to grab drinks, snacks, Burmese goodies, or quick deli items all in one stop.

Highly recommend Yamada Teriyaki for catering, authentic flavors, great presentation, and excellent value. We will definitely be back for more.“

“Server/ Owner was very nice and kind, food was great… very warm and comforting. I recommend the ume konbu onigiri and miso soup…as a celiac I had no problems and that’s very hard to find in places nowadays … and it’s vegan too! No complaints, very grateful celiac here. Thank you.“

“Just went there for the Gyudon and it exceeded my expectations. It was very delicious and on the spot. Down side is nothing to do with the restaurant but parking. It is hard to find a good parking spot. However will be coming back but probably picking up the food rather than dinning in.“

“What they lack in space they make up for in freshness, flavor and presentation. Tried lots of different rolls and the chicken teriyaki w gyoza and it was all amazing. P.S. komorebi is a Japanese word for light peeking through the leaves of trees and casting patterns. Perfect name for a such a little spot with such beautiful food.“

“I was at Kenmore Air looking for a quick bite to eat. This place was a short walk away. It’s a very unsuspecting as I thought it was take out only but they have a little indoor seated area. The entrance is small, there was a party of 4 ahead of me ordering from the kiosk blocking the rest of the place then the chef came out from the kitchen and explained the options of ordering and showed me seating. You order, pay, then sit and wait for your meal if you’re eating in. I ordered the assorted poke bowl. It was fresh, flavorful, crisp salad, warm & fluffy rice. I was delightfully impressed as the initial appearance was unassuming. They were very kind & polite. Priced fair for their quality of food. I would definitely come back.“

“I can’t believe I have not frequented this place before. It’s fantastic!“

“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! 🍱🔥“

“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.“

“This place is truly a hole in the wall, but don’t let that fool you—the food was absolutely delicious and tasted incredibly fresh. We’re so glad we decided to give it a try because it ended up being a great find. You honestly can’t beat the prices for the quality and portion sizes. Definitely worth stopping by if you’re looking for great food without the hype.“

“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.“