麻豆APP

Sushi restaurant By Mikel L –

Best Japanese Restaurants in New Orleans

New Orleans is known for its vibrant nightlife, rich history, and music festivals that garner a flock of visitors yearly.  Due to the enormous fusion of French, American & African cultures, a lot of food is mostly based on the founding cultures. Many visitors opt to try out the Cajun and comfort foods of the south for this reason. However, due to sushi culture and if you are looking to delve into some Asian cuisine then this list is for you!

This bustling city offers some of the finest collections of sushi places and authentic Japanese restaurants. The food scene incorporates classic techniques of African cooking with traditional Japanese methods to come up with interesting dishes like sushi rolls or a 鈥渇ried鈥� sushi platter.  Here’s a list of the best Japanese restaurants in New Orleans.

1. Tsunami Sushi (Multiple Locations)

At Tsunami Restaurant on Jefferson Street By Infrogmation of New Orleans –

Being a popular sushi restaurant in New Orleans, Tsunami serves many exceptional Japanese cuisines. It also brings a spin to the entire Japanese menu of sushi rolls. With multiple outlets like Tsunami鈥檚 Lafayette (1999), Baton Rouge (2005), and New Orleans (2017) locations it’s no surprise why it’s so popular.

Most popular for their addictive sushi menu, they also offer other small plates that pack a punch. Tsunami’s menu focuses on fresh seafood and diverse Asian dishes with a Japanese and Eastern flare whilst marrying the southern roots of the city. They offer standard sushi rolls, nigiri, and sashimi with a little South Louisiana enhancement.

In addition, they serve mouth-watering grilled fish, chicken, and pork which is a hit with diners. One of the must-try items is the Dorito-encrusted 鈥渕unchie鈥� roll that you shouldn鈥檛 miss. The spot also has amazing cocktails with Happy Hour on the corner of St Charles & Poydras keeping up with the city’s party nature.     

2. Lotus

With a great Lakeview, Lotus has become a hot spot. Formerly known as Lotus Bistro, it was reopened as Lotus in February 2022 after a six-month closure. The compact sushi bar has a lounge vibe and serves liquid with sake and Japanese whiskey a spec must-try

A must-try is the Masako Katsura roll with wasabi aioli, spicy tuna, and fried green onions which is a cocktail of flavors. Famed for a trailblazing billiards player from the 1950s. Just one example of homage on the plate that honors accomplished Japanese women.

3.  Yakuza House

Having just celebrated its first anniversary as the area鈥檚 best new sushi spot, Yakuza House has become popular.  They offer the perfect sushi delivery system, with the rolls coming in 3, 4, and 5 use. 

Comment-haves must-haves on the menu is also a delicious yellowtail Crudo drizzled with ponzu and pink peppercorns. They also have an array of donburi rice bowls with grilled meat, tempura, or broiled or raw fish and various vegetables.       

4. Sake Caf茅 II

This sleek, modern spot offers seasonal sushi and Japanese eats, plus a full bar with premium sake. Known for using only the freshest seasonal ingredients caf茅 II has become a popular spot. Their menu offers delicious goat cheese gyoza, edamame, squid steak, and jumbo lump crab half-shelled half-shell oyster.

They have a convenient setting with a small amount of outdoor seating and spacious and beautifully decorated indoor dining. Furthermore, it’s a great place for groups and kids with a capacity of a total of 150 seats, and private parties are available upstairs upon request. 

5. Origami

A plate of four makizushi and five nigirizushi, with a small glass of light beer –

Origami has proudly brought Japanese tradition to New Orleans by serving dishes with a blend of authentic Japanese flavors with the unique tastes of the city. Some signature Origami dishes include the PO-boy roll made with shrimp tempura, soft-shell crab tempura, crawfish, and the FEMA roll. 

With a bright, contemporary design and high-backed booths, spindle chairs and a sushi bar joined to a short drinking bar, it offers great food and comfort. Moreover, the restaurant is great for large groups and is family-friendly.

6.  Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

Gyu-Kaku pronounced GEW-KAH-KOO means 鈥渉orn of the bull鈥� in Japanese and describes its offerings as an 鈥渁uthentic Japanese yakiniku (grilled barbecue) dining experience. Here customers share premium cooked meats over a flaming charcoal grill while sipping on Japanese sake, shochu.

Their menu offers a huge selection of meats, like harami skirt steak in miso marinade and Angus kalbi short rib in tare sweet soy marinade. In addition to the amazing meals they also offer DIY, at-the-table cooking and dessert which is also DIY! They also serve non-grill options like bibimbap and ramen.

7. Mikimoto

Assorted Japanese food iWalshng sushi and sashimi By jwalsh

This gem is a nice compact space that feels comfortable offering authentic Japanese cuisine in New Orleans. It is conveniently centrally located between mid-city to uptown. The restaurant offers Louisiana-accented sushi roll,s in a cozy space, a drive-thru and online services.

Mikimoto provides quality ingredients with freshly made sushi,, deluxe roll with tempura shrimp and rice with show crab. Other items on the menu inc de cream cheese inside seaweed  tuna, salmon, tempura batter, avocado, pink sauce, and eel sauce on top. 

8.  Shogun

Being one of the oldest sushi bars in the greater New Orleans area, Shogun has been serving a large variety of sushi since 19,82.

They offer quality, temperature and presentgetn of the fish consistently and gets better every time. The menu of classical Japvariedooked dishes is also highly various and very well executed, particularly the bento boxes. The ingredients in these are as fine as what shows up on the sushi bar. 

9. Hana Japanese restaurant

Being one of the popular restaurants in New Orleans, Hana Japanese Restaurant has been providing the neighborhood sushi eatery for over thirty years. It is located in uptown New Orleans between St. Charles Ave. & South Carrolton Ave. Hana is known for its excellent choice of sushi, super fresh sashimi, traditional Japanese cooking, and a variety of Japanese wines.

They have a romantic atmosphere for their customer satisfaction and are good for kids and groups. In addition, they offer booth seating, tables for different party sizes, and a sushi bar dining experience where you can enjoy the scenery frois m any angle. 

10. Kanno

Metairie鈥檚 Kanno known for flouting 鈥淐alifornia style sushi,鈥� along with an entire section of skinny rolls sans rice and soy paper. You can find them in half and full roll portions including the likes of the Elvis roll (named for the chef) which is made with salmon, avocado.

Other menu favorites include both snow and blue crab, and the protein roll, with spicy tuna, snow crab, avocado and salmon. A hefty sake menu includes sparkling sake, though it鈥檚 not always featured.

Next time you’re in New Orleans and have a craving for Japanese be sure to visit a few places on this list.