Cancel

Open app

Search

Genki Ya - Cambridge

3.6 (469 reviews)
Closed • 11:00 am - 10:30 pm

Order Genki Ya - Cambridge Takeout or Delivery

Genki Ya - Cambridge Photos

GENKI YA - CAMBRIDGE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Good for kids
Good for groups

More like Genki Ya - Cambridge

Recommended Reviews - Genki Ya - Cambridge

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Sushi
Natania C.

It's a peaceful restaurant to have a sushi dinner at. The sushi itself was good quality, though I felt the pricing could be better.

Spicy tuna delight
Ines G.

I'm sad that I overlooked them before. The sushi is delicious and reasonably priced. There is a good deal of creativity and thoughtfulness put into the menu, particularly toward healthier options that are still delicious. I was impressed by how much attention they give to the vegetarian rolls-- usually, that section is an afterthought at other places. The veggie delight roll and mushroom tempura rolls were delicious. The friendly matriarch server added a nice touch-- she made everyone feel at home. Cozy, perfect spot!

Outside: Storefront

I was in the fresh pond area and stumbled upon Genki Ya. I stopped by and ordered a few sushi rolls. Overall, the flavors were fine, but it didn't taste the freshest. Not my favorite sushi spot in the area, but if you're in the area not a bad option to consider. They also have lots of parking and seating inside. Service was quick too.

Mochi Ice Cream green tea
Tiffany H.

Great friendly & fast service! Fresh n tasty. The salmon teriyaki was nice n crispy n perfectly seasoned. The shrimp tempura was super crispy n perfect w the sauce. It's a small place but it packs bug taste.

Shiitake mushroom appetizer
Gary A.

This is my favorite sushi spot whenever I'm in town . The service is great . The food is super fresh . Plenty of parking also .

3 Roll Combo includes Miso Soup and Salad
Leena S.

Genki Ya offers a good deal on a 3 roll combo, which includes miso soup and salad. And the miso happens to be quite delicious. We ordered an assortment of rolls for take-out that included spicy tuna, tuna, salmon, sweet potato, and cucumber avocado. I'm a huge sweet potato roll fan and I can say Genki Ya offers one of the best. They are generous with the sweet potato and easy on the tempura crust. We had enough food for 4 adults and 1 child at a very affordable price for a sushi dinner.

a variety of sushi dishes
Vivian Z.

So sad to have to post this as I have been a fan of Genki Ya's convenient and tasty sushi for the past 3 years. It may not be the best sushi I've ever had but they come through when I need to fill a craving! They definitely have some highlights on their menu, and delivery has been reliable for me in the past few months. HOWEVER. A couple weeks ago I had the unfortunate experience of finding a wee six-legged friend in our food. My partner bit into his sushi only to find a very healthy fly fall out - and thank goodness it did, otherwise it would have added some unwanted protein to the meal. Sadly it ruined my birthday meal - and after writing a couple emails to the establishment I haven't heard back which is pretty disappointing. We won't be coming back to Genki Ya despite the good memories- make sure y'all check your food before you choke on a lil intruder. :(

Grant A.

Came in on Valentine's night and gee was this place busy. Delivery orders leaving as well. Ordered a series of rolls. 2 of the 4 were supposed to be spicy and they weren't spicy at all. I don't eat sushi very often but was kinda disappointed in the lack of spice. Service was good considering how packed they were. There was soup with tofu and the tofu was good. I've never had tofu in a way I enjoyed before.

Vegetable Tempura
Teresa C.

Wonderful flavorful vegetarian options. Had Vegetable Tempura, vegetarian miso soup, Mushroom Tempura Roll and Sweet Potato Tempura Roll. Our server was also very attentive. It was nice to go out as a family and not feel rushed.

a platter of sashimi
Jessica G.

This is my to go Sushi restaurant when I in the area. Very decent portion and the quality for sashimi orders.

Crazy roll, tuna avocado, salmon avocado

See all

12 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

15 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

16 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

15 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Juliana K.
139
31
203

11 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Amar G.
0
21
15

15 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

15 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Wei W.
130
278
1191

15 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

13 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

13 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Faith K.
11
17
26

9 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

6 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of John W.
26
114
918

14 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 years ago

Update: over a year later and we never got a refund.

Business owner information

Photo of Jason Y.

Jason Y.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

12 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

9 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

10 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Damien S.
5001
2100
5534

15 years ago

Helpful 21
Thanks 0
Love this 22
Oh no 0

14 years ago

Helpful 9
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Nat P.
78
117
34

14 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

12 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

16 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of L K.
7
129
0

13 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

15 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

12 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

16 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 4
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

16 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

12 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

16 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

13 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

13 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

12 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 2 of 12

Genki Ya - Cambridge Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Genki Ya - Cambridge

Izakaya Ittoku

Izakaya Ittoku

4.2
(671 reviews)
1.3 mi

I haven't been to Izakaya Ittoku since the renovation, and it's great. The interior is great, and…read morethey share a space with Yume Ga Arukara (I also highly recommend). Everything we got was delicious, from the okonomyaki, addicting cabbage, crab croquette and skewers. I will definitely be coming back soon. The lemon sour was ok, a little too lemony and didn't taste like the ones in Japan. Our waitress was great, and very attentive. The entrance is outside the building, off Mass Ave. They also offer a parking discount.

My first impression and experience with this restaurant was pretty great!…read more I thought the food at this place was good. My table ordered a chicken karaage to share. The karaage was crispy but not overfried. The inside meat was juicy and cooked right the perfect way. For my meal, I ordered the Yakitori Don, a bit of a plain dish compared to some of the other foods this restaurant has, but still good! My yakitori chicken was hot and tender. Scallions were also cooked well and paired well with the rice and chicken. As for the poached egg, I ate a portion of it separately, and mixed the remaining part of it into the bowl with the rice for more flavor. My family ate the Ittoku Ramen and the Gyu-Yakimeshi. They thought the ramen was alright, taste was not bad, though they wished there were a bit more toppings and noodles. As for the Gyu-Yakimeshi, they also thought it was fine, but there wasn't as much flavor and taste in the dish as they expected. For dessert, we shared a Crème Brûlée. It was kind of pricey, costing around $12, but baked amazingly well. We all loved it! Service was great, nothing bad to say in that aspect. The interior was also nicely designed and welcoming.

Photos
Izakaya Ittoku
Bluefin Tuna
Bluefin Tuna
Chicken Thigh Skewers

See all

Chicken Thigh Skewers
Tampopo

Tampopo

4.4
(394 reviews)
1.3 mi
•$$

This small Japanese husband-and-wife business, which has been running for 34 years, is closing down…read morethis June due to retirement, so I rushed over for a meal. Pork Cutlet Curry: The restaurant specializes in fried foods, with the pork cutlet being their absolute signature dish. Although the cutlets were on the thinner, leaner side, each one was fried to order, resulting in a crispy exterior and tender, juicy interior, fragrant but not greasy. The breadcrumbs were especially fluffy and light, bursting with flavor on the palate, which was incredibly satisfying. The curry was authentic Japanese curry--rich, mild, and slightly spicy with a distinct fruity aroma, perfectly suited to my taste. Unfortunately, I forgot to ask for a runny egg for the $2 additional egg; otherwise, it would have been even better. And at only $15 a serving, including a salad/miso soup, it's incredibly good value for money, perfect for lunch. Fried Oysters: Also crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the oysters were fresh and juicy. The lemon juice and salad dressing were refreshing. I felt they were even more delicious than the pork cutlet. The place is located in Lesley University's Main Hall and has only four tables, so you may have to wait.

This was such a cute mom-and-pop shop run by a husband-and-wife team who were both incredibly kind…read moreand welcoming. The restaurant is located inside a shopping center and has only a small amount of seating, giving it a cozy, homey feel. We ordered the shrimp tempura udon, pork cutlet curry, and a side of vegetable tempura. My favorite part was the tempura. The batter was incredibly light and crispy without feeling greasy. The udon broth was comforting and well-made, though its flavor was fairly simple. Overall, the meal reminded me of a home-cooked dinner, making it a cozy spot if you're looking for comforting Japanese food.

Photos
Tampopo
Tampopo
Today's Lucky Menu ($6.45 including salad and miso soup): Karaake Chicken

See all

Today's Lucky Menu ($6.45 including salad and miso soup): Karaake Chicken
Cafe Mami

Cafe Mami

4.3
(625 reviews)
1.3 mi
•$$

What a great hole-in-the-wall Japanese food spot in the Shops at Porter food area. We came here for…read morelunch on a weekend, and were seated with no wait. We got the veggie don and the saba miso set to share. Both came with a bowl of miso soup and were filling-but-not-stuffed portion sizes. They both had delicious flavors, which were the perfect balance of sweet and savory, but not too much so. The service was friendly and fast, with our food being made and served fresh very quickly after we placed our orders. I would definitely come back to try more of their menu items!

Cafe Mami is a Japanese comfort food spot that focuses on simple, hearty dishes like curry rice,…read morekatsu, hamburg steak, and donburi-style meals. We walked into a fairly small space tucked away in Porter Square, with more of a functional, casual feel rather than a polished dining room. The seating was tight and the room filled up quickly, making it clear that this was the kind of place people go for a quick, filling meal rather than a long sit-down experience. The standout here is definitely the Japanese curry and katsu combinations. We ordered the pork tonkatsu curry, a go-to for many, and found it came with a thick, crispy cutlet served over rich curry sauce and rice. The curry itself leaned comforting and slightly sweet-savory in a way that felt very classic and approachable. The portions were generous for the price, and the hamburg steak and oyakodon were also solid options if you wanted something different from fried cutlet dishes. The food came out hot and well assembled, and the flavors were consistent with what we were hoping for. Service was fast and handled by a very small staff, so things moved quickly once we ordered. Because of how busy it can get during peak hours and how limited the seating is, there was a bit of a rush feel to the experience. It worked well as a quick lunch or casual dinner, but it was not really a place to linger for long. The seating situation is probably the biggest drawback. It fills up quickly, and the space feels tight, especially when there is a line forming. That said, the turnover is fast enough that you usually do not have to wait too long, even when it looks crowded from outside. Overall, Cafe Mami is a reliable spot for Japanese comfort food in the Porter Square area. The value is strong, the portions are generous, and the curry dishes are consistently satisfying. It is not fancy, but it does exactly what it is meant to do well, which is serve quick, filling, and comforting Japanese meals.

Photos
Cafe Mami
Spicy beef and tofu set
Spicy beef and tofu set
Yakisoba udon

See all

Yakisoba udon
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka - Harvard Square

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka - Harvard Square

4.1
(1.6k reviews)
1.8 mi
•$$

I ordered the black garlic ramen and it was awesome! I loved how rich the broth was! The service…read morewas fantastic. They were quick and very energetic! The ambience was nice too. The price was indeed befitting for the taste.

I thought their signature shio broth was the best: creamy and porky. It tasted like it has been…read moresimmering for hours. As some of the other reviewers mentioned, it was greasy. The miso broth was not bad, but the miso flavor dominated the rich pork broth, so I got less of the pork flavor. The noodles were firm, but I was disappointed with the scant toppings. My bowl only had 1 thin fish cake, 3 bamboo strips, and few wood ear mushroom strings (1 star off). Even the pork piece was small, about the size of 3 bamboo strips. Most other ramen places I have been to include an abundance of toppings or even a soft-boiled egg. I guess the ramen bowl here could fill a craving, but not one I would go out of my way for. One annoying thing that happened with us is that our waiter gave us the runaround to get an advertised $1 discount with a student ID (1 star off). My son showed his student ID and then the waiter said we have to download their app too. I downloaded it, but then he said the app account needs to be in my son's name. I then changed the account to my son's name and showed him. Then the waiter said the email needs to be his school email address. Eh, nowhere on Earth does a *restaurant* marketing app requires a student's school email address. Then he started asking if my son goes to college or high school, and that he needs to clear with his manager if a high school ID is okay. At this point, it just seems like he was trying to make things extra difficult for us. He eventually said he got "permission" from his manager to apply the $1 discount for my son's high school ID. Good Lord -- this is not worth it at this point and left a negative impression about the establishment.

Photos
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka - Harvard Square
Spicy miso ramen
Spicy miso ramen
Shio ramen peep the red pickled plum

See all

Shio ramen peep the red pickled plum
Sugidama Soba & Izakaya

Sugidama Soba & Izakaya

4.2
(501 reviews)
1.2 mi
•$$

The best sushi I've had in Boston. Hands down. I am not exaggerating, my partner and I dream about…read morethis sushi all the time, and we've unfortunately started comparing our other sushi experiences to this one. Soba is also really good. Everything here is really good, but I highly recommend the nigiri - while it's a little pricy (standard pricing comparative to other restaurants), it is well worth it Service is quite fast and we felt like we were taken care of. One time, the server took the soy sauce bottle away from one table without warning and gave it to us, and then proceeded to do the same to us. However, in this rare case, the food quality and taste overpowered the service issues. Inside is lively, and cozy. They also have outdoor patio seating in the summer, which is lovely as well. This is a restaurant I wouldn't mind coming to over and over again.

stopped in for a cool meal on a hot and sticky saturday. ordered an agedashi tofu, veggie tempura,…read moresushi soba and uni soba agedashi was good, kinda like fried tofu in hot and sour soup. tempura was cooked just right, came out popping hot, crispy, and the veggies inside cooked proper. the sashimi on the soba wasn't exactly the freshest, no concern whatsoever, but was not the freshest. uni soba was good. the uni was a little on the bitter side but the server did warn about that. the soba noodles were a little dried, not sure how the restaurant managed this for a soba place but it's just embarrassing.

Photos
Bar area
Bar area
Kamo Nandan Duck Breast Hot Soba ($22)
Kamo Nandan Duck Breast Hot Soba ($22)
Ebi Hot Soba w/ Assorted Tempura ($18)

See all

Ebi Hot Soba w/ Assorted Tempura ($18)

Genki Ya - Cambridge - sushi - Updated July 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...