50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Bala Cynwyd

“Been here several times and staff is friendly. They do charge gratuity if there is more than a party of 5. We always get sushi for appetizers and hibachi for dinner. My daughter loves the performance and enjoys her shrimp lo mein. Will always pick this spot for hibachi.“

“Delicious food, attractive atmosphere.“

“Awesome menu, great vibes and really tasty food. Must try this place.“

“Wonderful time at Sakana this weekend! Their sushi is unparalleled in Philly and the service is impeccable.“

“We happened upon this gem purely by chance. We had an amazing meal from A-Z (!!!) The sushi is phenomenal; sit at the newly designed sushi bar in the back and enjoy unique daily catches that come in through the connections the owner has with local fishermen. The restaurant is also known for their aged steaks, and Kobe prime rib, which we will try next time. I had the miso black bass and it was one of the best flavors with fish I have ever had. The broth had such a delicate shiitake mushroom flavor, which I loved. I literally couldn’t have had enough of this delicate, delicious dish. I could have had two orders and eaten it all! I think this dish epitomizes what the word UMAMI means. I also had the sautéed mushroom extravaganza, a treat for every taste bud of incredible flavors melted with a delicate sauce. My husband had their unique collection of sushi and sashimi choices that were all enjoyed at their stunningly beautiful sushi bar, complete with two young, passionate chefs who love what they do, and treasure their personal designs of the fish and rolls. All the rolls are presented in this great wooden cradle design, which I thought was so unique and functional. The owner was all smiles and genuinely happy to have had us try his new restaurant. I recommend it highly for either an exceptional steak meal (all are btw, so reasonably priced so order them for sure), or the traditional sushi. You won’t be disappointed. This will be our weekly go-to restaurant and we are counting the days until we will return, which actually will be next Tuesday the 9th! Bravo to the whole team at Umami and thank you for your passion for Japanese food, and for doing it right from A-Z. We will see you soon! Debbie and Gene“

“I had the best sushi omakase experience here. It’s quality sushi put together right in front of you. You are served 15 pieces of gourmet sushi, one piece at a time. I especially enjoyed the smoked salmon, wagyu sushi, raw shrimp, and the oyster. They were outstanding. The edible gold sprayed onto the sushi was special. It’s BYOB so bring your favorite beverage with you. Enjoyed and savored every piece of sushi.“

“I had the pleasure of enjoying this incredible omakase recently, and it completely blew me away! I loved watching the chefs prepare most of the delectable 29 bites (the hot dishes were prepared in the kitchen), and the customer service by all team members was fantastic. I've had wonderful omakase experiences all over the world, and this was one of the best that I've ever had. I cannot wait to go back.“

“A fantastic hidden neighborhood gem. Service was excellent - welcoming, knowledgeable, and great conversation at the sushi bar made our experience a memorable one - great insights and recommendations. Food is expertly prepared with fresh ingredients. The robatayaki was SO good. We will be back!!“

“The sushi was really good. We had the red dragon roll and another combination roll with eel that were delicious. The staff was really friendly. The dining room is very casual and more like you'd find at a dinner, but it was quiet, so it was a nice place for conversation.“

“The best n freshest sushi I ever ate. Service was impeccable and the drinks are delicious.“

“RUN to Ninja Bao, holy moly the food was delicious!! I am obsessed with the beef scallion pancake (that is rolled up like a burrito and reminded me of pho spices a bit) and the vegetable gyoza!! Probably the best veg dumpling I've ever had. The philly cheesesteak bun and cheesesteak gyoza were also amazing and full of flavor. Soup dumpling was okay, but the wrapper was nice. I enjoyed the texture of the bao a lot, and honestly the cheesesteak bao tasted better than your traditional cheesteak imo. Chicken gyoza was my least favorite and not a standout. Overall, I would totally come back here to this underground hidden gem!!“

“Amazing time. Food was fast and delicious. my roommate and I went to celebrate 6 months living together and were greeted by amazing staff and the most friendly chef who took the time to chat with us and make us feel welcome. The whole place was clean and modern and it's safe to say my roommate and I will both be coming back again and bringing all our friends!“

“Found amidst other small businesses and shops in the heart of Bryn Mawr, Yamazaki Ramen might just be the cozy culinary hideaway your taste buds need. It's a modest space, sure, but what it lacks in grandeur, it compensates with a soul-warming embrace, a friendly nod, and bowls of ramen that could easily steal the show in any food lover's heart.Now, let's talk about the star of our gastronomic journey--the Yamazaki Special ramen. This bowl is more than just a meal; it's a warm embrace on a cold day, a melody of flavors that sings a harmonious ode to traditional Tonkotsu ramen. With its rich pork-bone soup, tender roast pork, and an ensemble of bamboo shoots, kikurage mushrooms, red ginger, scallions, and a perfectly poached egg, it's a dish that doesn't just satisfy hunger; it nourishes the soul.Alongside this noodle nirvana, we ventured into the realm of the Gyudon Rice Bowl. Here, we found a comforting assembly of sliced beef, onions, and pickled ginger atop a bed of rice, all gently hugged by a sweet dashi sauce. The seasoned boiled egg added a nice touch, though the dish played more of a supporting role to the show-stopping ramen. It's still a solid choice for those craving a bit of variety, offering a satisfying culinary experience.Yamazaki Ramen stands as a testament to the joys of simple, heartfelt cooking. In this unassuming spot, you'll find dishes crafted with care, flavors that linger long after the last bite, and a reminder of the quiet power of a well-made bowl of ramen.So, if find yourself in Bryn Mawr and in search of a quick & tasty bite, Yamazaki Ramen checks all of the boxes.“

“For $9-10, the crepes were very filling. My boyfriend and I got the Shrimp Avocado and my friend got the Strawberry Banana. We all enjoyed them very much and plan to come during our next Philly trip.Only thing I'd suggest is to take names or call numbers out for every order since there was a group of 3+ customers confused about who's order was who's because only the name of the crepes were called out. Still great service and great food.“

“Came here for dinner during Wrestlemania 40 weekend. Excellent service and the sushi was amazing! Especially the fried sushi with smoked salmon. Also got the shrimp tempura and sweet potato rolls. Wish had more room to finish it all. Pretty small place, so was lucky enough that it wasn't so busy. Highly recommend!“

“Loved the sushi!! Was delicious!“

“Kiku is our neighborhood spot for takeout sushi. All of their classic rolls are good, but our favorites are the spicy rolls - they actually have a kick to them! They also do a solid job on the basic rolls, like tuna avocado and the Philadelphia roll (their smoked salmon sets this roll apart). We ordered the Valentine (my personal favorite) and the Temple signature rolls this time but our other go-to special rolls are the Tasker the Kiku rolls. Overall, the quality of the fish is consistent, the price is reasonable, the food is always ready super fast (we don’t need delivery since we live around the corner), and the people who work there are always very nice!“

“This place is great! This place is byob and it's really cool that they have a chiller in the back just in case you want your sake cooled down. The waitress was amazingly animated which I loved. She was so insane as well that she thought my sake bottle I brought was so interesting so she took a shot of it without even asking (LOL I have to say that was a first). The waitress definitely gave us good recommendations for dishes to try out. We shared the 5 Spice Pork Bun. While eating it was a bit difficult, I really liked the buns. The buns were more fluffy than the usual pork buns I try. The waitress also recommended the Kani kappa salad. Usually, I think it is weird to not get a classic ginger salad at a Japanese restaurant but I thought I'd try something new. This salad is 100 percent worth getting. It had the consistency of cold slaw but didn't have the bitter taste that is typically associated with cold slaw. I think the crunch pieces on top were a nice addition as well. I ended up trying the Annie and let me tell you that the Asian pear really added this crispiness to the rolls that I haven't ever experienced before. The balsamic on top is a nice touch as well. The place also has lunch specials which I am dying to try out.“

“We love SavoriBowl as our go to spot when we're a bit too lazy or busy to cook, great poke bowls, good flavor, and the owners are super sweet. The last time my husband went in to pick up, they recognized him and recommended their favorite sauce combinations which we will surely try next time. Their poke bowls are solid, ingredients have been fresh and solid, and I like how easy it is to modify and create your own bowl here, and you get a loyalty discount if you use their system. My only comment is probably not a popular one - it's almost too saucey sometimes - but my husband for example, loves the over sauce and he loves their sauce. For me - I generally love ingredients as is, so sometimes the sauce feels like it overpowers the natural flavor of the vegetables or ingredients - but I do agree that the sauce is delicious! My guess it he majority of people like a very saucey bowl, and I'm the exception. We have also tried their chicken katsu - which was very well made, well fried, to perfection. I hope for the best success of SavoriBowl and will continue supporting them“

“thanks so much for taking great care of us we very much enjoyed everything! everything was very fresh !! loved it and will definitely be back“

“Took the train up to the end of the Chestnut Hill East line to wander down the main street shops on Germantown Ave and this was the first restaurant we ran into.The girlfriend and I ordered a bento lunch each and an eel-avocado roll on the side. Everything about the meal was delicious. Neither of us could finish the entire meal as the value for $15 was strong.I certainly wasn't expecting to get a full meal for two in Chestnut Hill and walk out less than $50 poorer, especially at a nice little place with attentive service and sushi involved. Will visit again for sure.“

“Not the greatest place to sit down and have dinner at, it’s a bit loud and small; better suited for quick to-gos or a lunch spot to grab food quickly. But the food is excellent and affordable, and there is seating if it’s not too busy!!!“

“Wonderful food! Exceptional Staff! Had a great experience and can’t wait to go back!“

“This place is a gem. Fast and friendly service, the best ginger dressing on a house salad I have ever tasted. The freshest fish you will find on the main line. The rice was served at the perfect temperature. The owners and staff are the nicest people you will ever meet. If I could only eat at one restaurant for the rest of my life, this would be the one.“

“Their Karoke Room was Amazing! Definitely booking for our next Private Event. My family are huge fans of Sushi and the selection at Samurai certainly didn't disappoint. I'm a fan of the Tuna Lover. I can't wait to return!“

“Always serve fresh and delicious meal,❤️❤️❤️“

“This is my husband and I’s FAVORITE spot now. The food is incredible- truly unique flavors, curated menu, combinations of elements that are a new experience every time. Service is always so friendly- the owner and head chef is the happiest and warmest person. He is a delight to be around! We keep coming back time and time again and it never gets old! You MUST visit!!“

“Excellent quality sushi! My family ordered a couple sushi combos and a special roll and everything was super fresh and absolutely delicious. Best sushi I had on a long time (inmy opinion, in terms of ramen and sushi it beats some otherJapanese restaurants in the area)“

“This is a good place to eat sushi and ramen. Personally, I ordered the miso soup ramen and I loved it: both the decoration of the dish, as well as the quantity and flavor, were in harmony; For starters we ordered gyozas, which were delicious. My companion ordered a shrimp tempura roll which, on the other hand, although it had a delicious flavor, the quantity was small in relation to the price. The atmosphere is cozy. The staff treated us very kindly, which made us enjoy the experience even more.“

“Best sushi in all of Philly! I eat here every time I come to visit my sister!“

“Amazing food and entertainment!“

“Poke Buri is my go to for order out poke bowls. You can order on line at yelp which I do then pick up. They have a lot of options the price is great. The Poke Burri gives you lots of protein too which each bowl. I have never eaten in house but I have had excellent service with my take out orders. When I get home and sit down to enjoy my poke bowl everything is like I ordered it“

“The service was top notch and the atmosphere was pleasant. I had the Manhattan Roll, it was a new one for me and it was great. My main entree was the General Tao's Chilean Sea Bass and that did not disappoint. We will definitely be going back and hopefully sooner.rather than later.“

“we really enjoyed it. we are from DC, visiting the city. Zama is unlike the sushi spots in our area. Zama had more creative flavors and presentation. Also the buns were delicious. Staff was knowledgeable and helpful. And the space wasn't so large that the staff would forget about you.“

“I came in as they were starting to close up but I had a roll and sushi entree that were amazing. The shashimi was falling apart in my mouth and the roll was an awesome take on different salmon prep. Everything was amazing. Excited to go back.“

“Great selections, best sushi I've ever had! Highly recommend.“

“The food is really good. I loved the kimbob and the steamed pork dumpling is very good too. I would love to go to this place regularly. Although they need to update their online menu and the prices because the prices i saw on here google menu isn’t what they have in the restaurant. Might have adjusted due to inflation - understandable. but recommend to the owner to update on google menu too.“

“Great service and excellent food!“

“Fuki quickly became a favorite place for me and my loved ones to go. The staff are all so attentive and friendly, the food comes out so fast, and the atmosphere is extremely calm and relaxing. On top of all that, the sushi is always fresh and tender and I love the ramen on cold days. I have nothing bad to say about Fuki!“

“Unfreaking-real!!! Elisa M Hoffman and I could not be happier with this AMAZING birthday experience. Of course being huge foodies we were not going to pass up the opportunity to visit one of the most famous and admired chefs restaurants. What we didnt expect was a world class experience and the nicest, most attentive staff i've EVER seen. Not only was the Omakase (chefs selected dining experience) out of this world our server Richard was top notch and we had the pleasure of speaking extensivly with one of the managers Coco who astounded us by going above and WAY beyond to make us feel special and make this birthday dinner one i'll NEVER forget. So amazing grateful. 敬慕する“

“So grateful to have a local sushi spot that i LOVE! I have converted several people to sushi lovers with this spot alone so that tells you how good it is! I love the 3 roll lunch specials, but oh how i wish they also allowed it on sundays :( some of us work monday-saturday, but alas still excellent sushi!“

“I came here on a cold rainy day and had the coziest experience. The service was wonderful and they offer complimentary iced barley tea. I ordered the shrimp yakisoba and it was the perfect meal for that weather! I was so hungry I didn’t think to snap photos but maybe next time (because I shall return!).“

“It's like walking into a home. You know exactly what you're going to get. It feels home-y. Nothing fancy. Nothing mind blowing. Just great classic udon and katsu. You know exactly what it taste and what your getting. Fair price. Great portions. Cute little shop.“

“fresh and delicious. good portions.“

“Went for the first time last night with 4 friends and we all enjoyed it immensely!! The food was absolutely DELICIOUS! The prices are reasonable. We all left stuffed with leftovers to go home. The server was as sweet as could be and even brought free miso for those who didn't get it with their meals. The chef came out later to check on us. Will definitely be going back!!“

“Great service and very delicious sushi.“

“The sushi was incredible! Our server was so sweet and knowledgeable and helped us decide between all the options. I definitely recommend this place if you’re a sushi fanatic.Parking: There’s plenty of parking during the weekday evenings but weekends are a pain.Wheelchair accessibility: Plenty of space. No stairs.“

“Very good“

“This sushi place is located below the Comcast center in Philadelphia. It's a in a food court so no waitress service. I visited a few time and each time the food was fresh. There was a staff member by the food making sure it's rotated and organized. The food was tasty and there were plenty of options I'll be back.“

“This is my go-to place for special occasions, like getting an A (or even a B+) in my Penn Law courses. CONGRATULATIONS to the owner for an incredible four years! I've been enjoying Kaseiki's sashimi bowls since the start of the pandemic and have always had wonderful experiences with them. The ingredients are always fresh and even the basic bowls, like their signature Anniversary Bowl, are very artistically done and taste great. I highly recommend the Second Anniversary Bowl, an upgrade that includes delicately prepared scallop, the sweetest shitake mushrooms you've ever had, and mouth-watering, delicious O-toro! The prices are high, but the quality is also high, so it's definitely worth it! Looking forward to enjoying a Chirashi bowl in person someday.“