Japanese food is globally renowned as being some of the finest cuisines, resonating with its approach of fantastic presentation, fresh ingredients, and tasty dishes. Naturally, a cosmopolitan city like Toronto attracts restaurants that could compete on the world stage and don’t disappoint with its Japanese selection!
Anyone craving sushi, ramen, gyoza, or Japanese comfort food will have many choices. However, some locations in Toronto are exceptional and worthy of a visit if you want the best Japanese cuisine.
What’s the Best Japanese Restaurant in Toronto?
Toronto isn’t short of Japanese cuisine. You’ll find hundreds of locations in the GTA serving up sushi, Japanese barbeque, ramen, and all of these Asian favorites meeting the exceptional standards of the meals.
Finding the best is a challenge, considering that many of these Japanese restaurants are highly rated by the locals. However, we made a shortlist of what we believe to be the must-visit spots in the city.
But how did we define the best of the best?
What Makes A Great Japanese Restaurant
Our Japanese cuisine adventures carried specific criteria to separate the great from the outstanding. Here are the factors we included in rating the many restaurants we visited.
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Quality of the food
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The overall atmosphere of the location
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Authenticity of cuisine
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Standard of customer service
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General customer feedback
So with that in mind, let’s head across town and discover which restaurants offer the city’s best Japanese food.
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Best Japanese Restaurant Toronto |
Google Rating |
No. of Reviews |
|
4.6 |
3,643 |
|
|
4.5 |
3,442 |
|
|
4.5 |
1,812 |
|
|
Ramen RAIJIN |
4.5 |
1,732 |
|
4.5 |
1,609 |
|
|
4.5 |
1,443 |
|
|
4.6 |
1,378 |
Our 7 Contenders for the Best Japanese Restaurant in Toronto
After trying some of the most fantastic Japanese food in Toronto, we narrowed our contender list to seven places, each with its strengths and merits. Learn more about the restaurants we think compete for the best Japanese restaurant in Toronto, and see if you can crown a winner!
Ramen Isshin
“Toronto’s Ramen Nirvana”
What’s more associated with Japanese dining than a steaming bowl of delicious noodles garnished with a variety of your favorite vegetables and proteins? Ramen Isshin is undoubtedly one of the masters of East Asian comfort food in Toronto, serving delightful ramen in several city locations.
Ramen Isshin is a noodle specialty house offering various types of the dish meeting dietary requirements, vegetarian, vegan, and others. Locals consider the restaurant the go-to place to get a ramen fix. Considering the exquisite broth flavors, it’s hard to disagree!
Ramen Isshin is unquestionably one of Toronto’s favorite Japanese restaurants, as seen from their College Street location. The restaurant has accrued over 3,600 reviews, scoring a 4.6-star average with plenty of positive feedback.
Price: Starts at $17.40 for a Shio ramen.
Pros:
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Some of the best ramen bowls in Toronto
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Friendly and knowledgeable service
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Vegetarian and vegan options
Cons:
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Prices are higher than some other ramen shops
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Non-ramen dishes aren’t as good
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There can be extended wait times
Ramen Isshin is unquestionably one of Toronto’s favorite Japanese restaurants, as seen from their College Street location. The restaurant has accrued over 3,600 reviews, scoring a 4.6-star average with plenty of positive feedback.
Location: 421 College St, Toronto, ON M5T 1T1
Google Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (3,643 Reviews)
Miku Toronto
“Japanese Fine Dining at its Best”
Sometimes we want to bring a bit of flair and style into our Japanese dining experiences, and Miku Toronto excels in cultivating that atmosphere. The fantastic location on the waterfront, paired with chic decor and great food, makes this restaurant a real winner for a special night out.
While Miku Toronto offers a range of delectable Japanese dishes, they’re famous for their beautifully presented sushi platters. It’s a restaurant to excite the senses with all the colors and tastes and a great Japanese dinner than won’t be forgotten quickly.
Miku Toronto delivers a complete Japanese dining experience where the food is exceptional. Despite being an upmarket restaurant, it’s still a Toronto favorite, as seen in the nearly 3,500 reviews, awarding it a 4.5-star average.
Price: Starts at $26 for an entrée meal.
Pros:
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Fantastic sushi dishes
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Beautiful decor in a great location
Excellent restaurant for a date night or special evening
Cons:
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An upmarket restaurant means it’s pricey
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Some instances of service not to expectations
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Waits can be prolonged for food
Location: 10 Bay St. #105, Toronto, ON M5J 2R8
Google Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (3,442 Reviews)
Gyubee Japanese
“The Ultimate Japanese BBQ Experience”
And on the opposite end of the Japanese dining experience spectrum is Gyubee, with several locations offering a more social setting to eat and enjoy. This brand’s specialty is Japanese barbeque, where guests can eat all they like for a fixed price, cooking their meats over a grill.
Gyubee has become a citywide favorite Japanese joint because it’s a great place to gather friends and family. The interactivity of cooking your meal creates a comforting environment, but let’s not forget to mention the meat; the flavors and tenderness are lovely
The popularity of Gyubee has seen several branches open around Toronto, where guests flock to get a great value Japanese meal. The Bloor location represents the experience best, scoring a 4.5-star average with over 1,800 reviews.
Price: Starts at $12 for a 300-gram pork belly (thin slice)
Pros:
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A unique Japanese restaurant great for groups
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Cook to your preference
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All you can eat for a fixed price.
Cons:
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Not ideal for those who don’t enjoy meat
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It gets loud and cramped
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It’s a rushed dining experience
Location: 335 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1W7
Google Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (1,812 Reviews)
Ramen RAIJIN
“Traditional Japanese Noodles Done Right”
If you’re looking for a straightforward, traditional bowl of Japanese noodles, ramen RAIJIN has you covered. This restaurant focuses on what matters most, creating a perfect ramen dish that warms the heart and soothes the soul.
This is a venue where you feel right at home, keeping the decor in line with a casual Japanese noodle bar. Ramen RAIJIN is a classic Japanese restaurant in nearly every respect. Locals appreciate its no-fuss approach to a great Asian meal.
What’s great for a cold day in Toronto? A nice, hot bowl of flavor-packed ramen. Trust that ramen RAIJIN caters and comforts to those cooler days, and the restaurant’s guests certainly appreciate it. The venue has scored a 4.5-star average with 1,700 reviews for that very reason.
Pricing: Starts at $13.50 for a bowl of ramen
Pros:
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Delicious, traditional ramen bowls
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Reasonably priced menu
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Great appetizers to complement the main
Cons:
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There are often long lines to get in
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Rushed service
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Some health and safety concerns expressed
Location: 24 Wellesley St. West Rear, Toronto, ON M4Y 2X6
Google Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (1,732 Reviews)
Sushi-Ya Japan
“Satisfy Your Sushi Cravings”
Do you ever have one of those moments where you suddenly crave sushi? That is a shared trait among the Toronto city folk, and Sushi-Ya welcomes guests that need a delicious sushi fix.
It’s a snug little sushi bar tucked away off Dixon Road, serving up nigiri, rolls, and tempura to die for. Sushi-Ya has the charm and allure of an authentic Tokyo sushi restaurant. That replicated experience is why it sees so many visitors.
Sushi-Ya is another Toronto favorite to satisfy that sushi craving and that desire for a more authentic Japanese dining experience. You can’t go wrong with their generously-sized sushi boats, as highlighted in the 1,600 reviews that give the restaurant a 4.5-star average.
Pricing: Starts at $22 for dinner plates
Pros:
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Varied Japanese cuisine with a sushi specialty
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It feels like an authentic Japanese diner
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Freshly prepared platter
Cons:
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Minimal space
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Menu prices are relatively high
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Service feels rushed
Location: 621 Dixon Rd, Etobicoke, ON M9W 1H7
Google Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (1,609 Reviews)
JaBistro
“Experience Japanese Art on a Plate”
Japanese food is known worldwide for its approach to immaculate presentation and exquisite flavors, and JaBistro is a location that puts those elements at the forefront. Visitors can sit at the bar and watch master sushi chefs freshly prepare their dishes, creating culinary art right before their eyes.
JaBistro is another more upscale Japanese dining experience, but definitely worth the visit if you enjoy the visual aspects of your meal. The sushi and sashimi are excellent; try a glass of sake from their extensive selection.
JaBistro may be a restaurant suited for a special occasion. Still, most visitors praise the entire experience, from food to service. You’ll see mostly positive reviews in the over 1,400 available, where the location scores a 4.5-star average.
Pricing: $95 for their prix fixe
Pros:
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Watch master sushi chefs at work.
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Beautifully presented platters
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Offers all-you-can-eat options
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Cons:
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Prices are high
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Customers have complained about the takeout quality.
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Service can be chaotic.
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Location: 222 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1V6
Google Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (1,443 Reviews)
Ikkousha Ramen Toronto
“Serving delicious ramen that fits every palate”
We’ll wrap up our contenders for the best Japanese restaurant in Toronto with another casual eatery dishing up cuisine favorites. Ikkousha Ramen makes a mean bowl of noodles, but it does more than only its namesake; the gyoza and chicken wings are sublime.
Ikkousha Ramen is refreshingly focused on delivering a memorable, comforting experience, serving excellent ramen bowls with flexibility on how you want them prepared. Ordering some gyoza and chicken wings on the side is a must too, where you’ll leave your belly satisfied.
Ikkousha Ramen is another go-to place for a delightful bowl of ramen, complemented by its fantastic sides. The location is undoubtedly popular with the locals, scoring a 4.6-star average with nearly 1,400 reviews heralding its casual Japanese dining experience.
Pros:
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Great Japanese comfort food
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A casual eatery with a laid-back atmosphere
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Flexibility in orders (such as the softness of noodles)
Cons:
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Not the most outstanding customer service
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Comparatively smaller portions
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Some inconsistencies in the quality
Location: 249 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1Z4
Google Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (1,378 Reviews)
Domo Arigato Toronto!
Are you ready to crack out your Japanese food bingo card and indulge in the best platters and bowls in town?
Hundreds of excellent choices offer the best Japanese cuisine in Toronto. Still, the above seven choices compete for the top spot. So why not venture into the city and see which one you prefer most?
Slurp your soup with satisfaction or stick into some sublime sushi. Choose your winner for the best Japanese restaurant in Toronto!