Japan and New Orleans have a long history. Beginning in the
1890s, Japanese entrepreneurs became involved with Louisiana's cotton and rice
industries. After a few decades of doing business, Japan opened a consulate in
New Orleans in 1922, and the Japan Society of New Orleans was founded in 1928. Soon
enough, Japanese culinary traditions became a part of the unique gumbo pot of
flavors that make up New Orleans food.
There are so many enticing Japanese restaurants in and
around New Orleans today. From strictly traditional to modern twists, these
Japanese restaurants are just the best in town just for having a casual dinner or a quick bite of sushi.
The Best Japanese Food In New Orleans
1. Rock N' Sake
Multiple Locations
facebook.com/rocknsakenola, rocknsake.com
Rock N' Sake has innovative and creative sushi rolls with fun weekly specials. Tuesdays offer a new monthly roll for $6, Wednesdays are Nigiri Night's with the chef's favorite picks, and Thursdays are wine nights with specials on bottle prices. Their cocktail menu has crazy selection of buzzing flavors like Rosemary-Pomegranate Sunrises.
Try their Voodoo Queen roll with panko-fried salmon and spicy tuna. Feeling extra hungry? Try a large plate of yaki soba noodles, sashimi, or teriyaki steak cuts. Feeling quirky? Try the PB & J Roll wrapped in soy paper, panko, and crispy rice. Having a party? Buy a sushi display to be made in-real-time by a chef at your chosen location. Their rolls truly do rock.
2. Yakuza House
2740 Severn Ave., Metairie, (504) 345-2031
yakuzahouse.com
Yakuza House is a modern and sleek Japanese hand-roll restaurant. Try their shrimp or beef gyoza, bao buns, and the mushroom udon carbonara noodles. Looking for some special unagi? They have great BBQ eel on their á la carte hand-roll menu.
They offer a 12-course tasing of small plates, nigiri, and the best seasonal sushi they have, which is truly an experience not everyone can get to do. They even have cuttlefish that's not meant to cuddle, but to devour. Grab some panko shrimp, toro and sake sashimi, all the colors of crab, temaki sharing plates, and a wide range of drinks.
3. Mikimoto
3301 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 488-1881
mikimotosushi.com
Open since 1991, Mikimoto is known around town as the ultimate sushi spot. Their eel melts in your mouth, and their signature special rolls are loaded up with several pieces of fish and lofty toppings. The restaurant has a comfortable and intimate setting. If you are looking to pick up, they have a convenient drive through system.
Their dishes have clever New Orleans-themed names including the Who Dat Popper's (with snow crab, spicy salmon, and cream cheese) or their Po'Boy Roll (with shrimp tempura, soft shell crab, and spicy crawfish). "Locally loved and locally owned" is their motto. Mikimoto is a must visit restaurant.
4. Kyoto II
5608 Citrus Blvd., (504) 818-0228
facebook.com/Kyoto2Nola
This wonderful restaurant is tucked into a
strip mall in Elmwood and has amazing, authentic Japanese food that is hard
to find elsewhere. The regulars love the lunch specials because they are great
deals. From Monday through Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Saturday from
noon to 4 p.m., you can select from a wide variety of specials like chicken teriyaki bento and sashimi lunch at low prices.
For dinner, check out the Chef's Creations. You'll find delicacies including the Funky Margarita Roll with your choice of crawfish or spicy tuna wrapped with tuna, fresh salmon, and a guacamole topping, as well as the Ankimo Exotic with steamed fish pate topped with ponzu and smelt roe.
5. Bisutoro
1581 Magazine St.
instagram.com/bisutoroonmagazine
Bisutoro in Japanese means "bistro," or a quaint and casual restaurant. This is the case for the restaurant Bisutoro too! It is a nice quiet and inviting environment for the best sushi date nights out. You can get signature cocktails and signature sushi rolls.
These creative rolls are nearly too pretty to eat, so your phone will definitely be eating first. All of their dishes are sprinkled with tobiko, tiny flowers, and green garnishes. Try their exotic fish like the spotted beakfish, smooth flutemouth, or golden threadfin bream for a new and fun experience.
6. Origami
5130 Freret St., (504) 899-6532
origaminola.com
Origami is popular with the college crowd and young families who enjoy the excellent prices and long list of options for regular sushi, vegetable-only sushi, soups, and small plates. The sushi rolls range from traditional to innovative. You're probably familiar with a Spicy Tuna Maki roll, but have you ever heard of the Godzilla Our Way? It's a deep-fried roll with cream cheese, avocado, shrimp tempura, snow crab, crunchy avocado, and spicy mayo.
The veggie rolls are perfect for those who
don't like fish. Try the Green Dragon Roll with seaweed, cucumber, asparagus,
avocado, and sesame seeds. You'll absolutely want to try a Mochi of the Day for dessert.
7. Tsunami
601 Poydras St., (504) 608-3474
neworleans.servingsushi.com
Tsunami Sushi is an award winning restaurant. Its location in the heart of the CBD makes it a popular stop for lunch for workers in the area. The lunch specials are served quickly and give you a lot of food for a great price. When you come back for dinner, you'll want to start off with some small plates to whet your appetite. The pork tonkatsu, Thai spaghetti, and baked salmon are excellent choices.
The specialty dishes are truly a sight to behold. The Sunflower is a dish made with sashimi slices of seared tuna drizzled in spicy ponzu sauce with tobiko, masago, scallions, and a quail egg, which is arranged to resemble, you guessed it, a sunflower!
8. Sake Café
Multiple Locations
sakecafeonmagazine.com
Sake Café has spread out around town to serve all of those who love the sushi and the atmosphere that Sake Café provides: Metairie (4201 Veterans Memorial Blvd.), Elmwood (1130 S. Clearview Pkwy.), and New Orleans (2830 Magazine St.). The extensive list of signature cocktails isn't half bad either! You can get great deals on those cocktails, appetizers, and traditional sushi rolls during the daily happy hour from 3 to 5:30 p.m.
Sake Café does not shy away from infusing
Japanese dishes with multicultural flavors. The Tropical Salmon small plate is
fresh salmon with banana and is garnished with sesame seeds, onion, red pepper, and
tropical sauce.
9. LUVI Restaurant
5236 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 605-3340
luvirestaurant.com
LUVI serves an interesting mix of Japanese/American fusion dishes during dinner hours out of a cute former house on Tchoupitoulas Street. From raw bites to fried favorites, this menu has items that you've definitely never heard of. There are even a few vegan options like the pan-fried vegan lover dumplings with bok choy, mushrooms, and green bean noodles.
Those who are ready for an adventure will
want to choose the Feed Me. It's a selection of Chef Hao's three favorite raw
dishes of the night. Otherwise, start off with Mama's Egg Cloud Soup and then order the Bam Bam Chicken in a sweet chili sauce.
10. Hangout Ramen
1340 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 571-5024
facebook.com/hangoutramen
Hangout Ramen is where all the hip-kids are hanging out. This restaurant is great for vegan customers or anyone who loves quality, delicious ramen. This restaurant serves Japanese street food, as well as all the fried rice you could imagine.
Try their Burning Man Roll or the Sexiest Man Roll for great spicy tuna and fresh avocado. Check out their super specials, like the $10 lunch special, and chow down or slurp up!
Where To Get Japanese Food In New Orleans
From sushi and ramen to teriyaki and sashimi, these Japanese restaurants
of New Orleans are the best of the best. Even if you choose not to indulge in
meat, you can find so many vegetarian and vegan options now, all retaining the
excellent flavor that makes Japanese food so delectable. The history of Japanese Americans in Louisiana is something to be proud of, and these restaurants are the continuation of their story.
If you can't go out to one of these great restaurants, you can make your own Japanese dinner at home using ingredients from one of the Asian markets in town. Did we miss your favorite Japanese restaurant? Let us know
where we should go!
