The best Japanese restaurant Toronto has to offer is here and they won’t disappoint you. Japanese cuisine is of many varieties, it has the best sushi, ramen, sashimi, soft shell crab, etc. Toronto doesn’t disappoint when it comes to serving authentic Japanese food.
Toronto got it all when it comes to sushi bars or Michelin-star restaurants.
If you are looking for the best Japanese restaurant in Toronto, then this is the right place for you. Whether you want something out of a Michelin guide or the locals’ favorite.
Best Japanese restaurant Toronto brings to you
1) Miku
Miku Toronto is a very popular restaurant bringing authentic Japanese flavor to you. Miku proudly brings Aburi cuisine to the people of Toronto. It provides the best Aburi-style sushi i.e., flame-seared over fish, to give customers a unique texture and enhanced flavor. Miku gives its diners a high-level Japanese dining experience. It has earned a great amount of praise and hence made a mark in the neighborhood.
They offer a variety of seafood platters, entrées, as well as appetizers, and these dishes, are best paired with their amazing sake, wine, and cocktail selection. It’s very well known among the locals and is very much loved.
Location– 105-10 Bay St. Toronto, ON M5J 2R8
2) Minami
Minami is a sister restaurant to the beloved sushi restaurant Miku. It is Toronto’s hotspot for high-end and delicious sushi. Their stunning interior has even been shortlisted for an international award. Whether you want Oshi sushi, charcoal aburi chicken, or their signature sushi rolls, they have got it all. Oshi sushi is pressed sushi in a rectangular shape, it is very much loved and enjoyed by customers.
They have an amazing choice when it comes to desserts as well as drinks like sake or cocktail options. So, if you are looking for Oshi sushi and some delicious entrées then look nowhere else but at Minami.
Location– 225 King St. Toronto, ON M5V 3M2
3) Gyoko Sushi bar
Whether you are in the mood to split a sushi pizza or their famous bento boxes, Gyoko Sushi Bar doesn’t disappoint, and their rustic decor will take you to Japan itself. You can also order boats filled with 83 pieces of sashimi, maki, and nigiri.
Their perfectly cooked sushi, edamame, and salmon rolls are a definite try. They keep their food authentic, and this authenticity is what attracts customers. Their food and the ambiance are enough for you to make you want to revisit it again and again.
Location-2143 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4C 1KC
4) Sushi Masaki Saito
Two Michelin stars holder, Sushi Masaki Saito run by Chef Masaki Saito is worth a visit. It is a high-end, traditional sushi omakase restaurant. Their Edomae-style sushi is a must-have.
Chef Masaki Saito’s omakase is an experience you should try. The chef showcases his respect for Edomae tradition with an addition to his imagination and focuses on the essence and purity of his ingredients.
The marble around the foyer, the Japanese woodwork, and the paneling is a sight to see and remind you of Japan. Here you will find Shirako skewered, smeared pork belly over foie gras and grilled over binchotan. So, if you are in the mood to feel some luxury in your food don’t look any further and go to Sushi Masaki Satio.
Location– 88 Avenue Road, Toronto, ON M5R 2H2
5) Yukashi
With one Michelin-star restaurant, Yukashi hits it out of the park when it comes to a highly original and personal kaiseki-style menu. The intimate setting of having 20 seats and the intricate meals is a must-have. The Otsukuri comes with slices of Shima aji with yuzu zest, and a combination of toro with pickled turnip as well as hay-smoked hamachi arranged over the top of a white marble base. It is a real crowd-pleaser that makes them keep coming back to this place. It brings fine Japanese cuisine to Toronto.
Location– 643a Mt Pleasant Rd, Toronto, ON M4S 2M9
6) Tachi
Shoushin chef Jackie Lin offers Toronto a different and unique omakase experience at Tachi. It is Toronto’s first-ever standing-only restaurant. It is based on the Japanese famous standup sushi concept. Amazing service, high-quality meals, and skilled techniques are all that Tachi offers you.
Tachi serves a dozen of plates in just a restricted time, unlike some hour-long omakase restaurants without the customer feeling rushed. You can also eat some scallops with yuzu glaze, shrimp with yuzu pepper, and amazing fatty tuna.
It is very exclusive and has space for just eight people. Diners have a strict 30-minute time limit to enjoy the 11 nigiri and one hand roll that is served to them. Out of the 15 best Japanese restaurants mentioned, Tachi is the most unique one because of its exclusivity. but don’t feel rushed to gulp down your food just sip on seasonal sake or Japanese tea and enjoy the meal.
Location– 111 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON M5H 2G4, Canada
7) Musoshin Ramen
This restaurant might not have any Michelin stars, but it still has been praised a lot. Musoshin Ramen’s menu has its famous house-made noodles and a wide range of ramen including desserts and vegan options as well. Chef Aoi Yoshida is one of the best out there when it comes to baking and her perfectly formed Japanese milk bread is a crowd favorite.
It has a cozy interior with a homey feeling to it. The most amazing thing about this place is the broth which is both, flavorful and delicious. It is a fresh, vegetable-based, and light weighted broth rather than the heavier pork alternative, even though they do have that option as well.
So, if you are looking for a good ramen place with delicious broth then Musoshin Ramen is your answer.
Location– 9 Boustead Ave, Toronto, ON M6R 1Y7
8) Shoushin
Shoushin is a luxurious Japanese restaurant that serves authentic sushi. Their seasonal sushi omakase is a delight to their guests. It’s a Michelin-star restaurant that brings an Edomae-style menu to you.
They provide authenticity to their guests whether it comes to the elegant Japanese interior or their wide fish selection that is imported from Japan. The quality and superiority of their dishes and their omontenashi -Japanese hospitality is highly loved. If you want to try some great authentic sushi, Shoushin is a place you should definitely visit.
Location-643A Mount Pleasant Road Toronto, ON, M4S 2M9
9) Aburi Hana
Chef Ryusuke Nakagawa serves a modern take on the history-steeped Kyō-Kaiseki menu in Aburi Hana. His modern interpretation and respect for culture are the best combined and bring you the contemporary experience. His personal touch and refined intricate style make his cooking special and different from other restaurants. It brings the Japanese fine dining concept to the diners.
The chef incorporates flame-searing in many of his dishes, enhancing the flavors and adding a smokiness to the dish. The dishes are very much loved, and their minimalist interior is real eye candy.
Location– 102 Yorkville Ave, Unit 4 Lower Level, Toronto, ON M5R 1B9
10) Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto
Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto is run by Chef Masaki Hashimoto and serves a traditional kaiseki eight-course menu showcasing the seasons while also celebrating Japanese ingredients. the unique part of this restaurant is that it gives the diners a different experience, instead of having a traditional dining room, it provides a walking-into-a-park experience with guests tucked away in private rooms.
With one Michelin star, it provides a refined intricate style of cooking and is definitely worth a trip.
Location– 6 Garamond Ct., Toronto, ON M3C 1Z5
11) Katsuya
Katsuya serves authentic Japanese Katsu with a variety of signature sauces that match your pallet and will surely make your mouth water. They have a bunch of branches across the GTA, like North York, Downtown, and Scarborough.
Katsuya has all types of katsu, you name it and they have got it.
Location– 66 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M5B 2M2
12) Holy Cow Japanese Steakhouse
If you are a beef lover, then Holy Cow Japanese Steakhouse is going to be your new favorite spot. If you enjoy Japanese comfort foods like Karaage Don, Niku Jyaga, and Omurice then look no further. Their juicy and flavorful steaks will make you want more and more. It is the perfect place to have to enjoy a beautiful and tender steak.
Location– 254 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1Z8.
13) Ramen Isshin
Ramen Isshin brings delicious and authentic Japanese ramen to its diners. They have got all the classical and loved food like Chicken Karaage and Deep-Fried Pork Gyoza, with a vast selection of ramen to attract you. They have also got some vegetarian ramen options as well as egg-free noodle options.
Location– 421 College St, Toronto, ON M5T 1T1 and 609 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2B7
14) Zakkushi
Zakkushi is known for its famous charcoal grill skewers. They use Japanese charcoal to grill. Their Premium Set or Zakkushi Set is a must-have which each comes with 5 different skewers for you to enjoy. They also serve other delicious food like izakaya tapas including Beef Tataki, Ebimayo, and Karaage.
They have two branches in Toronto Carlton and Queen West. So do give Zakkushi a try if you are a sucker for the delicious skewer.
Location– 193 Carlton St., Toronto, ON M5A 2K7 and 620 Queens St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1EA
15) Jumi Gozen Bar
If you are looking to try something new Jumi Gozen Bar is your answer. It is Toronto’s first-ever Gozen bar. Gozen is a traditional Japanese meal, it consists of a main dish, soup, pickles (tsukudani), and a few side dishes. It is a beautifully served dish that pays respect to Japanese culture with a modern twist. They bring a wide range of fresh oceanic ingredients to their diners, serving Japanese Gozen-style meals.
Location-56 Forest Manor Rd Unit 3, North York, ON M2J 1M1.
Conclusion
Toronto, Ontario is a hub of one of the best Japanese restaurants with amazing and authentic meals. If you are someone who adores Japanese cuisine or wants to try it, these places are the best Japanese restaurants in Toronto. So, let the best Japanese restaurant Toronto brings to you be the reason why you fall in love with the cuisine and culture.
So don’t be a stranger to Japanese cuisine and fall in love with it and all of its varieties in Toronto.
