Dallas is far from any coast and even further from Japan, but it boasts perhaps the best Japanese food scene of any American city between California and New York. The reason is interesting. A high concentration of Japanese corporate offices, easy access from the airport to top seafood markets elsewhere, and a long tradition of individual chefs who have set exacting standards.
In 2017, morning news I wrote about the history of Japanese food in Dallas. One of the first Japanese restaurants was Royal Tokyo on North Greenville Avenue in 1973, according to the newspaper. But one of the biggest pioneers of Japanese cuisine in Dallas was Teiichi “Teach” Sakurai, a Japanese-born chef who worked at Royal Tokyo. For four years, he introduced raw fish and buckwheat to Dallasites. He opened yakitori and sushi bar Teppo in 1995, Teitei Robata Bar in 1998, and Tei-an in 2008. In 2001, “Teppo'' and “Teitei Robata'' were sold. He recruited friends from Japan, including current owner Masayuki Otaka. Katsutoshi Sakamoto is the owner and chef of Teitei Robata, which operates Mābo. Many other cooks and chefs learned from Sakurai and his disciples. Among them was a young apprentice named Tyson Cole from Austin, who drove to Teppou on weekend nights to ask questions and learn from the masters. Cole later founded the Uchi chain of stores.
Now you can find ramen, sushi, sashimi, soba, and bento boxes almost everywhere in North Texas. Although there has been an explosion of new Japanese options in the last year (and we've visited), most of our favorites are still owned and operated by Japanese Americans. Some are very casual and affordable.
Please note that this list is alphabetical and not ranked.
Best Restaurants 50 (2024)
Downtown's Plano Bistro is known for its bento boxes and pressed sushi, but the menu also includes sushi, sashimi, grilled meats, and more. In 2022, he received a James Beard Award. This proves that the company's Japanese products can easily compete with other products from Dallas. 1007 East 15th St., Plano.
Best Restaurants 50 (2024)
Ichigoh (formerly Tanoshii) is a ramen restaurant famous for its smooth egg noodles and warm soup. The milky hot water soup topped with green onions, menma, and yuzu juice, and the ramen without soup, all of which are hearty and will warm your body. 2724 Commerce Street
Want more great ramen? We have another Best Ramen Guide featuring five more Japanese-owned companies that set very high standards. Consider all these spots as part of this list as well.
Chef Jimmy Park's more casual spin-off restaurant (see Shoyo below) maintains similarly high standards, but also offers an a la carte menu including signature sushi rolls and izakaya snacks . The cooked items are prepared by Mr. Max, a veteran of the legendary Irving traditional spot (see below). This dining room is the space previously occupied by Teppo, where many of Dallas' best Japanese chefs got their start. 2014 Greenville Avenue
Masayuki Otaka is one of Dallas' former Japanese chefs, best known for his decades of work at the now-closed Teppo yakitori restaurant on Greenville Avenue. Now, at Mābo, he continues to demonstrate his grilling skills with his $200 tasting menu, which includes tax, tip and drinks. Yes, we went (full review will be published in July), and yes, it impressed, with delicately prepared sashimi, luxurious touches, and a dining room that is an architectural marvel. It's a great experience. 6109 Berkshire Ln., St. B
Mr. Max's has been a staple izakaya in North Texas for years, serving grilled chicken, crunchy takoyaki, and cheap mugs of Japanese beer. If you want to sit at some of the tables you have to take off your shoes. Please be assured that reservations can only be made by phone. 3028 N. Belt Line Rd., Irving
This small sushi bar in the West Village serves hand-rolled sushi with fresh fish fillets wrapped in delicate seaweed. Once a month, on Wednesdays, we offer small plates and seasonal seafood and vegetables at our omakase seating. A smaller version of omakase is served daily for lunch. 3699 McKinney Avenue, St. 305.
Eating here progresses in two stages. First, a series of fun appetizers are prepared in the kitchen. Then you're in charge. This is a yakiniku experience where there is a grill in the center of the table and the highest quality meat is brought to you. 29thth On each day of the month, we offer a rich sample platter for $29 as part of our “Meat Day” special. 2939 Main Street
Dallas' original hand roll bar may still be the best. In this long, narrow Deep Ellum space, all diners sit at the counter and watch their rolls being made fresh and handed to them directly. Don't pause to take photos. The hand rolls are meant for snacking, and Nori has several multi-roll combo options that will fill you up faster than you think. 2814 Elm Street
Best Restaurants 50 (2024)
At Shoyo in Lower Greenville, you'll find an amazing omakase menu thanks to Nobu alum Jimmy Park and master chef Shin Endo. The tasting menu is unexpected, experimental, and unlike any other Japanese cuisine in Dallas. The appetizers steal most of the attention. 1916 Greenville Avenue
Far North Dallas' best-kept secret is this little spot. Regulars are trying to spread a little bit of sushi robata goodness to the rest of Dallas. Sushi Robata offers a little bit of everything: sushi, ramen, grilled food, gyoza, etc., and it's all generally delicious. Not all generalists can achieve this. 4727 Frankford Rd., St. 313
Best Restaurants 50 (2024)
When Tatsu Dallas joined the dining scene, it quickly became one of the most popular reservations in the city, and for good reason. Chef Tatsuya Sekiguchi's sushi bar, located in the Continental Gin Building, is a quiet space with only 10 omakase seats. One experience can include 18 or more courses, including carefully carved fish, perfectly cooked rice, and traditional Japanese hospitality. 3309 Elm St., St. 120.
Best Restaurants 50 (2024)
Sakurai's Japanese influence is still alive and well at Teian, one of the best restaurants in Dallas and the country. Founded in 2008 as a soba restaurant, One Arts Plaza's restaurant also serves omakase dishes and daily seafood dishes. 1722 Louth Street
Best Restaurants 50 (2024)
Also a top 50 award winner, this restaurant has been serving delicious Japanese-style grilled meats since 1998. Other menu items include daily specials such as fresh octopus and smelt, and a sushi sampler. It has a more traditional feel than Teian. Sit at the bar and watch it happen. 2906 N. Henderson Ave.
But wait, there's more!
I will briefly mention a few honorable mentions. Newcomer Pearl offers fun appetizers and sumptuous rolls, and Teriyaki 4 You is a casual gem in Carrollton. Moriya Shokudo is on our best ramen list, but they also make great curry cutlets. The sandwich pop-up now has a permanent location in downtown Joule (the menu is on Instagram), Sushi Sake and Masami are popular spots in Richardson, and Fort Worth has a solo drive-up called Hatsuyuki Hand Roll Bar There are Japanese restaurants worth visiting.
