The 12 best Japanese restaurants in Boston

What is it? Named by the James Beard Foundation as a 2023 semi-finalist for Outstanding Restaurant, Chef Tracy Chang shines at this Cambridge hot spot. Translating to "pug" in Japanese, it’s a super playful take on tradition and offers up a fun neighborhood vibe.

Why go? Start with a Japanese-inspired cocktail or sake, then try the Japanese Hamachi crudo and braised pork belly bao, before bellying up to the suckling pig or roasted local tuna collar (both of which serve up to six people).

We love: Her famed 2011 Guchi’s Midnight Ramen (featuring flavorful broth, pork belly, umami oil, nori and a six-minute soy egg) is on the menu alongside modern Japanese-fusion small plates. The dessert menu offers unique treats such as matcha cookies and yuzu basque burnt cheesecake.

Address: 310 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

Opening hours: Thu-Sat 5-10pm, Sun-Wed 5-9pm

What is it? In the heart of Davis Square, Tsurumen’s pride and joy is its steaming bowl of Osaka-style ramen (straight from the city itself). The intimate restaurant typically accrues a line, but it’s worth the wait.

Why go? Tsurumen opened in Boston with the goal to only operate for 1000 days, however, in July 2021, the team announced it was here to stay, with a new goal: to become “the King of Ramen shops.” Success achieved.

We love:  Fresh ramen, tender pork and flavorful broth anchor each bowl. Try the Classic Shoyu Ramen or get spicy with Spicy Paitan - with house chili oil, hand squeezed wavy noodles, slices of pork chashu, and bamboo shoots. You can even sub out wheat noodles with Tsurumen’s house gluten-free noodles, if you desire.

Address: 420 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02144

Opening hours: Tues.-Sun. 11:30am-2:30pm and 5-8:30pm

What is it? This swanky South End sushi spot is high-concept and high-priced, but its luxe interpretations of Japanese specialties are worth it. Creative sushi rolls feature ingredients such as truffle, caviar, microgreens and delicate sauces.

Why go? Entrées includes teriyaki ribeye, lamb chop, seafood risotto and Chilean sea bass, while noodles are bathed in luscious sauces or hearty broths.

We love: Put your faith in the chef for the six- or nine-course tasting menu, with optional additions of wine or saki and truffled Japanese A5 Wagyu steak. There’s also more than 50 sakes and cocktails, including the smoking “Yuzu Spirit,” made with ginza suzume soju and liquid nitrogen. They're also now open for brunch. 

Address: 1166 Washington St #110, Boston, MA 02118

Opening hours: Tues.-Thurs. 4:30-11pm; Fri. and Sat. (brunch served 1-4pm) 1-11pm; Sun. 1-9pm

What is it? Clear out your bank account and then clear your weekend, because o ya’s singular dining experience is one to be savored.

Why go? Owners Tim and Nancy Cushman set a new bar for special-event dining with o ya’s opening in 2007; but even today, the restaurant regularly wins accolades as one of the best restaurants in all of New England.

We love: Settle in for the nightly omakase, a chef’s choice menu of 20 courses, from nigiri to cooked dishes. Is it expensive? Does it take a long time? Is it worth it? The collective answer to all: oh ya.

Address: 9 E St, Boston, MA 02111

Opening hours: Tues.-Sat. 5-8:30pm

What is it? This cozy haunt in Cambridge is everything you envision when it comes to Japanese noodles and ramen. But this is not a ramen shop, as they plainly exclaim on their site.

Why go? Huge bowls feature thick, house-made noodles, and your only choice is whether you want two pieces of pork or five. You’ll receive a hearty Japanese congratulations if you manage to finish your bowl.

We love: Communal tables encourage chatting with strangers. The restaurant’s name means “talk about your dreams,” and you may even be asked to share yours out loud with everyone.

Address: 1923 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140

Opening hours: Wed.-Fri. 4:30-9:30pm; Sat. noon-2pm, 4:30-9:30pm; Sun. 11:30am-4pm

What is it? Tucked behind Chef Colin Lynch’s speakeasy-esque tiki bar and restaurant Shore Leave, No Relation will welcome you in the back room for an intimate sushi experience.

Why go? With only two nightly seatings and nine seats at the tasting counter, you have to act fast to scoop up a reservation for this coveted omakase.

We love: Come hungry and ready to feast upon the 17 dishes expertly prepared in front of you, with the option to add on a sake pairing to complete the experience. The dishes and their ingredients highlight far-off regions, while luxurious add-ons like Ossetra caviar, steak and eggs, hamachi toro, and more tip the sensory scale. 

Address: 11 William E Mullins Way, Boston, MA 02118

Opening hours: Daily 6pm and 8:30pm

What is it? Brought to you by the same superstars behind O Ya (but with a little more respect for dining budgets), this hip izakaya in The Verb Hotel serves Japanese tavern-style fare with craft beers and frozen cocktails.

Why go? The rock ‘n roll vibe is strong and gives a nod (or more of a head bang) to the pulse of Japan with sushi, a robata-grilled yakitori and street food small plates.

We love: The saki program is out of this world. All levels of culinary adventure are satisfied, with dishes such as funky chicken ramen, Peruvian marinated Wagyu short rib, chicken katsu rice and shrimp toast. Dig into a hamachi collar, when available.

Address: 1271 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02215

Opening hours: Brunch Sat. and Sun. 11:30am-3pm; Dinner Sun.-Thurs. 4-10pm; Fri. and Sat. 4pm-midnight

What is it? This Back Bay establishment built its reputation on incredible sashimi and izakaya offerings, and the menu still shines, plating up the freshest ingredients from Maine uni to local unagi.

Why go? Though the chefs have mastered the classics, they aren't afraid to experiment and impart new flavors in dishes that change with the season (past highlights have included coconut, passion fruit and watermelon).

We love: The sake list is impressive as well, with numerous unfiltered and unpasteurized options.

Address: 370A Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215

Opening hours: Sun.-Thurs. 5:30-9:30pm; Fri. and Sat. 5:30-10pm

What is it? With a backdrop of waterfront views, the interior of Encore Boston Harbor’s Mystique is a sexy space with a menu that follows suit. Also a friendly note: this place isn’t for the kiddos. It’s 21+ after 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Why go? With carefully-crafted robata grills (hello, avocado bomb), sushi selections and an array of dishes like tik tok chicken, A5 Miyazaki Wagyu sirloin and Singapore street noodles, it puts a modern spin on traditional pan-Asian delicacies.

We love: The beverage selection boasts a distinctive sake selection, unique hand-crafted cocktails and special large format "party drinks" perfect for sharing.

Address: 1 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149

Opening hours: Sun.-Thurs.: 5:30-10pm (bar until 11pm)
Fri. and Sat. 5-11pm (bar until 2am)

What is it? Following a history of Japanese tradition and Chinese favorites influencing modern Peruvian cuisine, Ruka presents this combination to great success.

Why go? You'll find it all - from chilled dishes such as Japanese salad with hūka-fū dressing and their hamachi ceviche (charred jalapeno, coconut, leche de tigre, avocado, okinawan chips and sushi rice) to hot dishes like yakitori bar ‘shrooms, yucca wasabi puffs and pork belly buns.

We love: Enhancing the experience are cocktails made with both Japanese whiskeys and Peruvian piscos.

Address: 505 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111

Opening hours: Sun.-Wed. 5-11pm; Thurs. 5-11pm; Fri.-Sat. 5pm-12am

What is it? Situated inside the Four Seasons One Dalton, this spot attracts diners for its global reputation, with locations from the Maldives to Mykonos. The interiors are super sleek, and the modern-Japanese menu is served izakaya style from three kitchens: the main, the sushi counter and the open robata grill (Boston's only).

Why go? When your global brand is synonymous with “extraordinary Japanese food” and you’re located in New England’s tallest luxury residential tower, you have some promises to make good on. Which is exactly what the Boston location of this international izakaya does. Some dishes rely on local specialties, including the ise ebi no oven yaki (1.5lb of roasted Boston lobster with shiso ponzu butter), while there are also brand classics like their special maki and nigiri variations.

We love: From its three kitchens, it sends out signature dishes like miso-marinated baby chicken oven roasted on cedar, Australian wagyu skirt steak with shiso chimichurri, and black cod marinated in saikyo miso wrapped in hoba leaf, all on par with its glowing reputation around the world. Not to be out done by the meat and seafood choices, the robata broccolini with spicy miso and garlic crisp is outstanding.

Address: 2nd Floor Four Seasons Hotel, Boston, MA 02115

Opening hours: Check here for hours

What is it? Elegant nooks, sleek lighting and a loungey vibe set the stage for standout sushi and cocktails at this Back Bay spot.

Why go? The extensive maki list includes classic rolls such as rainbow and spider, as well as unique offerings like its neighborhood namesake, Backbay (asparagus, cucumber and avocado wrapped with seared tuna) as well as the Douzo Special (shrimp tempura, seafood salad, tobiko, eel sauce, sriracha and avocado, wrapped with tuna and soy paper). 

We love: The toro (fatty tuna) is not to be missed, and you can also order skewers, udon, ramen and a selection of rice dishes. Try the Uni shot - a
quail egg, spicy daikon, chives and ponzu sauce. Lunch brings an additional variety of bento specials and donburi.

Address: 131 Dartmouth St, Boston, MA 02116

Opening hours: 11:30am-11:30pm daily