Atlantic City’s Japanese dining scene offers everything from intimate omakase counters to lively izakayas, making the search for excellence a delicious challenge. These are the spots we’d gladly drive an hour for, where we’ll savor every meticulously crafted bite. Whether you crave pristine sashimi or crave-worthy ramen, these are Atlantic City’s essential Japanese restaurants.
Yama Japanese Restaurant
$$ | (609) 822-8007 | WEBSITE
The best bento boxes in Atlantic City come from Yama Japanese Restaurant. Don’t be discouraged if the seating feels a bit cramped when you arrive—they’re extremely accommodating here. Order more sushi than you think you need. Especially if you’re getting a fresh, beautifully plated batch, you’ll want to carve out some time to enjoy a few pieces at the counter, each bite bringing you a little closer to satisfaction. It’s also worth trying their cooked dishes and vegetarian options.
Mount Fuji
$$ | (609) 383-8881 | WEBSITE
This excellent Japanese restaurant in Atlantic City is a destination for delicious, reasonably priced sushi and teriyaki, as well as tender steak, crispy tempura, flavorful fried rice, and even yum yum sauce. But Mount Fuji’s expertly crafted sweet potato roll deserves its own loyalty punch-card. It’s wonderful even in its purest form, particularly when paired with a cup of the restaurant’s green tea or miso soup.
And the palm-sized chicken tempura, served with a sweet potato side, is so delightful you may start smiling after your first bite.
Ossu Asian Tavern
$$ | (609) 340-4053 | WEBSITE
There will be a line at Ossu Asian Tavern on a weekend evening, but it moves quickly, and the wait is worth it for things like butabara yakitori or rainbow rolls with fresh fish, on the inside, and on top. The restaurant is run by the same folks behind the Tropicana casino, and despite having just a few tables and a cute decor, it’s a great spot to romanticize your date night or gathering with friends.
Mito Asia
$ | (609) 568-5288 | WEBSITE
At Mito Asia in Atlantic City, you’ll see glistening sushi rolls and golden-brown tonkatsu displayed like culinary treasures. That’s probably because these Japanese (and Thai-inspired) dishes are, indeed, very satisfying. If you’re looking for a meal, there’s a large variety of ramen and bubble tea, and you’ll also find some flavorful rice dishes and fresh portions. Try any one of these things, and you’ll feel compelled to come back once a week.
(We suggest the creamy, mango-infused slushie.) Before any craving or casual outing, stop by for a quick, tasty meal that will make your taste buds forget any mediocre takeout.
Poke Bowl Tropical Cafe
$ | (609) 541-2297 | WEBSITE
You might know Poke Bowl Tropical Cafe as the spot in Atlantic City where you can build a custom poke bowl and grab some ramen. But they also have a chicken katsu with sauce that’s quietly making some of the best comfort food in the area. Try the customizable poke bowl, and a made bowl that tastes like it went to Hawaii, began wearing flip-flops with aloha shirts, and got a little tropical.
They also offer a variety of high-quality toppings, and you should get your hands on the chicken katsu if you can. The spot is small and quaint, so grab your bowl and a side of sauce for the road. Some of the options, including the ramen, are also available for takeout.
Yuki Hana Restaurant
$ | (609) 266-7608 | WEBSITE
Yuki Hana Restaurant on Brigantine Blvd is best-known for its excellent sushi that blends Japanese tradition with modern health-conscious options. You’ve probably heard about their fresh, tasty brown rice rolls, and for anyone with a serious sushi craving they’re worth trying regularly. Their other dishes are impressive too, like the yummy tempura, which is a crunch-lover’s delight, and the vegetable gyoza.
Fuji Sushi & Steak House
$$ | (609) 926-8861 | WEBSITE
Once a hidden gem tucked away in a shopping strip, this Japanese restaurant in Atlantic City makes some of the best, most meticulously prepared sushi in town. Made with consistently fresh fish, the rolls might feature delicate slices of salmon, or have their interiors packed with perfectly cooked shrimp tempura. But Fuji’s entire menu—also featuring steak house classics and fried rice—is excellent, especially the popular million roll and the sleeper hit: a simple but flawless chicken fried rice.
Kuro
$$$ | (609) 449-1000 | WEBSITE
There’s no sushi experience so inextricably bound to Atlantic City as the one at Kuro, located within the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, and it’s easily one of the best dining destinations in town. They’ve been serving fresh, meticulously prepared dishes with a professional and friendly staff, so it’s safe to say they know what they’re doing. The divine scallop and sweet potato gnocchi has a deep, flavorful profile and manages to be appropriately rich yet implausibly light at the same time.
The spicy salmon sushi is on the bolder side (if you prefer milder rolls, this is not the dish for you), but it’s well-balanced. They also offer the tempting tempura dish called Mixed Kakiagi, which is essentially a crispy, varied version of a classic. The crispy tuna, peach orange blossom drinks, and best-tasting salads should not be skipped here, either.
Sushi Town Japanese Restaurant
$ | (609) 383-8338 | WEBSITE
For far too long, sushi was pretty much reserved for special occasions. But at Sushi Town Japanese Restaurant in Atlantic City, sushi is for whenever you damn please. The popular takeout spot makes fresh sushi rolls with generous portions, and towering bento boxes with steak tucked between each layer. You can still order dinner plates for dine-in in their small space, but grabbing takeout and ordering one more roll than you really need is more fun.
Megu Sushi
$$ | (609) 289-8693 | WEBSITE
Even on a quiet Tuesday night, you’ll find a steady stream of customers at Megu Sushi in Atlantic City. However, the wait for a table is never unreasonable. The specialty here is fresh sushi, and these expertly crafted, generous portions of fish are absolutely top-notch. Anything you order from the sushi bar will be excellent, but you should also try the sashimi platter and take home some of their perfectly seasoned rice.
Megu Sushi has such a loyal following that fans are even requesting a new location in Sarasota, Florida.
