Best Japanese Restaurants in Boston

A Japanese style steakhouse that also happens to serve some pretty good sushi not far from some of the best shopping in the state sets Samba's Japanese food apart. Area locals flock to Samba on Sundays when kids eat fee with the purchase of an adult entree and the magic show keeps them entertained long after the dinner preparation has ended. Those in the know gather at Samba for good food, drinks and a fun night our with friends. Serving both lunch and dinner, you can enjoy Samba favorites for almost half the price prior to starting your shopping excursion at Route 9's extensive collection of stores in Framingham and neighboring Natick on weekday afternoons.

Shiki is not the type of place you'd stroll past and assume they had some of the best Japanese food in all of Boston, but once you eat there, you'll long for a return trip. Traditional Japanese food is served in a simple setting. So authentic is their menu that it is written in both Japanese and English as Bostonians with Japanese roots find Shiki to be a taste of home. Be sure to eat more than just sushi here because that is where you'll be rewarded- lightly fried agedashi tofu, hamachi kama and grilled saba are local favorites. Some even say they make the lightest tempura in all of Boston.

Q is a hot pot spot that serves excellent sushi as well as other Asian treats. A one stop shop for your Asian cravings they do an excellent Shabu Shabu style meal that is a fun sharing experience for those you are with. Platters of raw meat, seafood, vegetables and noodles arrive at your table ready to be swished in your broth of choice. Selections range from vegetarian based to meat based and from mild to spicy; " premium" broth choices are available for a little extra. Cook and scoop your serving into your bowl for just the right combination of flavors.

Misono is a small Asian eatery located in a non-descript strip mall on West Roxbury's VFW Parkway. Don't let the location fool you because inside those doors the food that awaits is amazing! Enjoy one of the Chef's Special Rolls like the Hurricane Roll -tender lightly flavored sushi surrounds a mix of spicy crab and salmon salad that is then topped with sweet and crispy taro strings. Or indulge in one of the delightful appetizers that grace the menu. The Spicy Scallop Trio contains 3 bite sized morsels of lightly torched scallops atop perfectly prepared rice finished with tri-color tobiko and the perfect amount of spicy sauce.

A shoji-screened window and a small sign are the only indications that this nondescript brick building houses some of the finest sashimi in Boston. Chef and owner Tim Cushman works with his chefs to fuse exotic flavors with the purity of small morsels of raw fish. Expect small plates like wild bluefin chutoro tartare served with a homemade ginger kimchee jus and wild spot prawn with garlic butter, white soy and preserved yuzu. Of course, there's a price to pay for these bold and delightful bites - each plate starts around $20, and you'll need several to constitute a meal.

Uni, located in the lounge of Clio, is a hip Back Bay gathering spot. energetic yet intimate, with a reverence for the food and a large selection of sakes. Sashimi is imported from Tokyo's Tskuji market, as well as local sources, and is paired with a menu of distinctive cocktails. Select a variety of their amazing offerings to create one perfect sushi meal or enjoy a small bite as a snack. Unique offerings change often, reflecting the Chef's whim, but may include Sanma (Pacific Saury) with umeboshi, huckleberry, sea grapes and pickled jalepeno and Shiro Ika (Japanese White Squid) with spicy peanuts, tamarind and Thai basil. Guaranteed to leave you licking your lips!

Fugakyu in Brookline's Coolidge Corner is a favorite for many Boston locals since it opened its doors. Everything is perfectly prepared, and their fun variations of rolls, which use their super fresh fish, are served in your setting of choice: private booth, tatami room, a table or simply at the sushi bar. Sashimi here has a crisp clean ocean taste that will have you wanting more, but save room for something else because aside from sushi Fugakyu also serves Japanese appetizers and main courses that are worth a try. Shumai steamed to perfection and gyoza fried to render the exterior crisp while the interior remains tenderly stuffed with flavorful pork and vegetables, and meat and noodle entrees that will make an impression.