3 Best Japanese Restaurants in Boston, MA

Expert-recommended Top 3 Japanese Restaurants in Boston, Massachusetts. All of our japanese restaurants actually face a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes customer reviews, history, complaints, ratings, satisfaction, trust, cost and general excellence. You deserve only the best!

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HOJOKO

1271 Boylston Street,
Boston, MA 02215 Directions

Since 2015

Specialities:

✓Bigeye Tuna Sashimi ✓Hamachi Sashimi ✓Cucumber Avocado Roll ✓Shiitake Mushroom Tempura Roll ✓Snow Crab California Roll ✓Spicy Salmon Roll ✓Spicy Tuna Roll ✓Wasabi Roulette ✓Sushi Bowl ✓Hamachi Nori Taco ✓Salmon Nori Taco ✓Crispy Nori Sushi Taco ✓Funky Chicken Ramen ✓Spicy Miso Ramen ✓Mushroom Yakisoba ✓Kimchi Fried Rice ✓Brussels Sprouts ✓Veggie Wontons

" Hojoko is a vibrant rock 'n' roll tavern that brings the energy of Japanese nightlife to life. The restaurant pairs its dishes with craft cocktails, premium sake, wine, and beer. They also serve sushi, robata-grilled yakitori, and street food-inspired small plates. Hojoko offers a laid-back, hip atmosphere perfect for groups of all sizes located in the Verb Hotel. Whether you're enjoying a karaoke night on the Front Porch, a cocktail party on the Pool Patio, or a team dinner at the Big Wood Table, there's a space for every occasion. They also welcome full venue takeovers for larger events. Hojoko is the go-to spot for an unforgettable dining experience with outdoor seating, delicious cocktails, and a variety of vegetarian options. Their gift cards let customers share the fun with friends and family.

2026 Highlights: Hojoko is established by James Beard Award-winning restaurateurs Tim and Nancy Cushman. The restaurant is widely celebrated for its playful, rowdy vibe that blends premium culinary techniques with pop-culture nostalgia, retro arcade features, and a high-volume soundtrack."

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License #001141666

Menu:

The Meats
3pc Karaage Fried Chicken $13.00
7pc Karaage Fried Chicken $25.00
Crispy Chicken Wings $17.00
Japanese Curry Chicken Katsu Rice $23.00
Shrimp & Pork Potstickers $16.00
Shrimp Toast $15.00
Wagyu Cheeseburger $26.00
Doggzilla $23.00
Noodles + Rice
Funky Chicken Ramen $22.00
Spicy Miso Ramen $22.00
Mushroom Yakisoba $19.00
Kimchi Fried Rice $25.00
Veggies
Brussels Sprouts $14.00
Veggie Wontons $15.00
Fries $8.00
Premium Black Edamame $6.00
Hojoko Chopped Salad $16.00
Sushi & Sashimi
Salmon Sashimi $16.00
Bigeye Tuna Sashimi $19.00
Hamachi Sashimi $18.00
Cucumber Avocado Roll $12.00
Shiitake Mushroom Tempura Roll $22.00
Snow Crab California Roll $21.00
Spicy Salmon Roll $16.00
Spicy Tuna Roll $19.00
Wasabi Roulette $20.00
Sushi Bowl $22.00

Contact:

(617) 670-0507

Mon-Sat: 11:30am-12am
Sun: 11:30am-10pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

11+ YEARS ON TBR
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O YA RESTAURANT

9 East Street,
Boston, MA 02111 Directions

Since 2007

Specialities:

✓Housemade La Ratte Potato Chip ✓Nodoguro ✓Kinmedai ✓Bluefin Maguro ✓Wagyu Tartare Handroll ✓Fried Kumamoto Oyster ✓Kyoto Style Matsutake Mushroom ✓Foie Spoon ✓Hokkaido Uni Toast ✓Shima Aji and Hokkaido Sea Urchin ✓Suzuki Sea Bass ✓Sawara ✓Hokkaido Scallop ✓Bluefin Toro Tartare ✓Grilled Mushroom Sashimi ✓A5 Japanese Wagyu Kushiyaki ✓Grilled Japanese A5 Wagyu ✓A5 Japanese Wagyu Aragawa

" O Ya Restaurant serves acclaimed, inventive sushi, Japanese small plates, and tasting menus crafted in elegant surroundings. Chef Tim and Nancy Cushman are constantly amazed by Japan's warm hospitality and the incredible freshness, quality, and variety of its food and sake. The intimate 37-seat dining room consists of ten tables and a 17-seat chef's counter, where guests can watch the chefs preparing the recipes. Their Chef's tasting menu includes an extensive a la carte menu of creative nigiri, sashimi, vegetable, wagyu beef, pork, and chicken dishes. Reservations are required and can be made up to 30 days in advance through Tock, a prepaid ticketed reservation platform.

2026 Highlights: O Ya Restaurant provides fully designed vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, kosher, and gluten-free omakase menus, ensuring anyone in your party gets a bespoke meal tailored perfectly to their dietary preferences."

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Best Chef Northeast by James Beard Award in 2012
Best New Restaurant and Best Sushi by Boston Magazine in 2007
License #432091951

Menu:

The Menu
Madai $14.00
Housemade La Ratte Potato Chip $14.00
Nodoguro $16.00
Kinmedai $18.00
Bluefin Maguro $18.00
Wagyu Tartare Handroll $20.00
Fried Kumamoto Oyster $20.00
Kyoto Style Matsutake Mushroom $16.00
Foie Spoon $18.00
Hokkaido Uni Toast $28.00
Shima Aji & Hokkaido Sea Urchin $24.00
Suzuki Sea Bass $18.00
Sawara $18.00
Hokkaido Scallop $24.00
Bluefin Toro Tartare $55.00
Grilled Mushroom Sashimi $16.00
1.5 Oz. A5 Japanese Wagyu Kushiyaki $45.00
2 Oz. Grilled Japanese A5 Wagyu $70.00
8 Oz. A5 Japanese Wagyu Aragawa $170.00
Foie Gras Chocolate Balsamic Baklava $20.00
Rice Krispies $18.00

Contact:

(617) 654-9900

Tue-Sat: 5pm-9pm
Sun-Mon: Closed

TBR® Inspection Report:

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HOKKAIDO RAMEN SANTOUKA BACK BAY

66 Hereford Street,
Boston, MA 02115 Directions

Since 1988

Specialities:

✓Edamame ✓Cha-shu Bento ✓Shiyake Bento ✓Toroniku Bento ✓Miso ✓Shio ✓Shoyu ✓Neginanban ✓Karamiso ✓Vegetarian Ramen ✓Black Garlic Ramen ✓Cha-Shu Gohan ✓Gohan ✓Shiyake Ikura Gohan ✓Aji-Tama ✓Bara Toro Chashu

“ 2026 Highlights: Hokkaido Ramen Santouka Back Bay is a small Japanese noodle shop. The restaurant is famous for its tonkotsu pork broth, which cooks for 20 hours to become rich, creamy, and full of flavor. Their most famous dish is the Shio Ramen, a mild white-salt noodle soup topped with a small red plum, but they also serve special pork cheek meat that melts in your mouth. The restaurant is compact, featuring just 18 seats. Because the kitchen cooks and serves the food very fast, it is a great spot to enjoy a quick, comforting bowl of hot noodles.”

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Menu:

Bento @Bb
Cha-Shu Bento $18.50
Shiyake Bento $18.50
Toroniku Bento $18.50
Ramen @Bb
Miso $21.50
Shio $21.50
Shoyu $21.50
Neginanban $22.25
Karamiso $22.25
Vegetarian Ramen $22.50
Black Garlic Ramen $23.25
Rice Gohan @Bb
Cha-Shu Gohan $11.00
Gohan $4.50
Shiyake Ikura Gohan $14.00

Contact:

(857) 310-5194

Mon-Thu: 11am-9pm
Fri-Sat: 11am-10pm
Sun: 11am-9:30pm

TBR® Inspection Report: