I was recommended this place by one of my friends, and I really loved it! Definitely appreciated…read morethe wide variety of the menu as well as the kindness of the staff, especially the hostess! I'm not sure how many there are, but she was Asian with long black hair. Unfortunately, I was having a pretty bad day before heading over, so my attitude was not what it should have been. To my surprise, the hostess didn't retaliate or display any bad attitude toward me, which in turn motivated me to be kinder :) It definitely costs nothing to be kind, and I was definitely grateful that she provided such impeccable service! Great casual spot; prices are fairly reasonable. I'd definitely recommend!

My friend and I ended up here spontaneously while we were both running errands on Newbury St. I was…read morein the mood for something Asian, we decided on sushi, and we vaguely remembered that one of our colleagues, who is from Japan, had said something about this place. That sealed the deal for Sakabayashi. I have to admit, though: we both got a little sticker shock when we opened the menu. The menu was extensive and everything sounded good, but it took us a while to figure out what we actually wanted to spend. At one point I told my friend, "If you want to leave, it's okay. I won't mind. We can just go." He said, "I'm fine if you're fine." I said, "I'm fine if you're fine." And then we basically just stared at each other and continued struggling with the menu. Eventually, we accepted that dinner was going to be more than $30 and shared the chicken karaage ($10), then each ordered the chef's pick nigiri ($30). The karaage was solid: crispy, yummy, nicely presented, and good with the mayo dipping sauce. But the nigiri made my eyes POP. MAN OH MAN was it FRESH. It was so good. That was basically all I could think about while eating it. I've eaten a lot of sushi in my life, although I still have the palate of a college student...and sometimes the wallet, too. I've definitely had sushi where I've thought, "This tastes like nothing," or "Why isn't the rice seasoned?" or, worse, "This doesn't taste right...I don't think this is very fresh." This was the opposite. The fish actually had flavor. Everything tasted fresh and delicious, and the rice and fish worked together the way good nigiri should. I wish I had slowed down and appreciated each piece more instead of inhaling it. I will absolutely be coming back. Now I know where to go when I'm craving genuinely good-quality sushi and am willing to spend a little more for it. The restaurant itself is classy, bright, neat, and polished without feeling stuffy. It would be a great place to catch up with a friend or for a date night. Although for a date, maybe don't feel bad about splitting the bill. It's the modern era anyway.

Best sushi I've had in a long time--and I try a lot of sushi restaurants!…read more Not only was everything delicious, but the seafood was incredibly fresh, especially the tuna, which is surprisingly hard to find this fresh. My dad was as a tuna fisherman when I was growing up, so I'm extra picky when it comes to tuna, and this absolutely exceeded my expectations. The staff was incredibly friendly and fun to chat with. I sat at the bar, the service was quick, and everyone made me feel welcome. It was the perfect meal after a long day of walking around the city. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in Boston!

Two of my kids thought this was the best restaurant of our weeklong trip. I thought it was good,…read morebut the sushi was pretty standard. Don't get me wrong - the quality was good. But didn't stand out. Nice dining room. Good drinks. Favorite part by far was the crispy rice appetizer.

Super small and cozy place! Right after we arrived, the entire place filled up. We tried some…read morespecialty sushi rolls, miso soup, and beef teriyaki and everything was delicious. I'd definitely go back!

2 weeks later and we're back again. My husband and I were feeling for a light lunch so we split a…read morescallion pancake and the seafood massaman curry with chicken added. We enjoyed them. This curry was a little nostalgic to me with the hints of nutmeg and cinnamon in it. My husband got an iced thai green tea to go and this also was was goid, also nostalgic because it tasted like those jelly cups with chewy cube in the center. Chinese jello I think?

Had a lovely time at Umai with some friends during a weekend trip to Boston. We weren't sure where…read moreto go for relatively affordable food and stumbled upon Umai by accident. When we arrived, there were two groups ahead of us in line, but we were still seated quite quickly. I'm not always the biggest sushi person, but I am a big fan of mangoes and thought the butterfly maki was absolutely delicious. My partner and my other friend both got the beef udon which was delicious as well, so there are certainly some good options for anyone not in the mood for sushi. The restaurant was small but we were well taken care of, and our waiter did a great job of checking on us and keeping our water cups full. I would recommend Umai to people in small groups, definitely not larger than 4 people since the space is not large.

Not bad sushi, pretty tasty, nothing fancy. The restaurant was small inside but that's how Newbury…read moreStreets set up is. The spicy mayo mixed with rice made all the difference, might not return but you'd never know.

Zuma Boston never disappoints! From the treatment to the food it truly is my favorite place to go!…read moreThank you for making my birthday so special

At Zuma, we ordered quite a few items from the menu, and somehow each one was more delicious than…read morethe last. Our waiter made the experience even better. He took his time explaining the menu, made thoughtful recommendations, and made us feel very well taken care of throughout the meal. We ordered the sashimi platter, several crudo dishes, tempura shrimp, miso cod, skirt steak, tuna tartare, calamari, rock shrimp, and finished with two desserts. Every dish was beautifully presented and packed with flavor. The standout for me was how consistently good everything was. It is rare to order so many items and not have a single disappointment. If you're dining at Zuma, I would confidently recommend every item pictured below. The food, service, and overall experience were all exceptional.

This place rocks the sushi world. only Michelin star restaurant in Boston. That should say it all…read more You have to try this place. Service is five

There are meals you remember because they taste good, and then there are experiences that change…read morethe way you think about food. Three 1 One Omakase was one of those experiences. It introduced me to new textures, flavors, aromas, and, most importantly, a deeper appreciation for the culture behind the food. From the moment we arrived, Chef Wei, his wife Carrie, and the staff made us feel genuinely welcome. The atmosphere felt intimate, as though we had been invited into someone's home rather than a restaurant. Every detail felt intentional, from the minimalist design and calming ambiance to the subtle aromas throughout the space. Learning that Three 1 One was originally a one-bedroom apartment made the experience even more meaningful. The evening reminded me of a trip to Phu Quoc, Vietnam, where local islanders welcomed my fiancé and eight friends into their home to share a meal prepared from that day's catch. Coincidentally, there were ten guests gathered around the counter at Three 1 One, just as there had been ten of us in Vietnam. In both places, strangers came together over exceptional food and genuine hospitality. That feeling stayed with me throughout the evening. My fiancé and I celebrated our 11th anniversary here as we began exploring Michelin-starred restaurants together. After traveling throughout North and South Vietnam, where his family is from, we returned with a renewed appreciation for food and the stories it tells. We were excited to discover such a thoughtful Michelin-starred restaurant so close to home. The 19-course omakase felt like a journey. The opening truffle sea bream with mizuna and sudachi sauce awakened the palate with bright citrus and earthy richness. The Kegani Hokkaido hairy crab with dashi jelly and tomato dashi mousse became my fiancé's favorite. Once mixed together, it was creamy, savory, delicate, and refreshing. His reaction said it all: "Wow." The tako (octopus) with house-made sweet soy sauce highlighted the natural flavor of the seafood beautifully, while the Tokobushi somen with abalone, wheat noodles, yam, okra, and cold dashi became one of my favorite courses. It was refined yet bold, layered with umami, and unexpectedly reminded me of the haenyeo women of Jeju Island, whose tradition of free-diving for seafood gave me an even greater appreciation for the ingredients. Another standout was the Amadai Uroko Yaki (crispy-scale tilefish). The contrast between the crisp scales and tender fish created a texture I'd never experienced before. Along with the abalone course, it was one of the highlights of the evening. The Aji horse mackerel with ginger, chives, sesame, and nori provided a refreshing transition before the sushi. The sushi alone deserves its own review. Every piece reflected remarkable craftsmanship and precision. Watching Chef Wei prepare each bite was part of the experience itself. The rice was beautifully seasoned, and every ingredient felt balanced. My favorite piece was the uni (sea urchin). It was incredibly smooth, rich, and almost buttery. My second favorite was the Hokkaido hotate (scallop), with its delicate smokiness, sweetness, and juicy texture that left me wanting another bite immediately. We also tried selections from the additional menu, along with a pear-toned sake that paired beautifully with the meal. More than anything, what stayed with me wasn't just the food, but the feeling of the evening. It was an experience built around craftsmanship, hospitality, culture, and sharing a meal with others. Thank you to Chef Wei, Carrie, and the entire team for making our 11th anniversary unforgettable and for giving us such a memorable first Michelin-star dining experience. We look forward to returning.

South End gem unlocked. Zaku Izakaya absolutely delivered from start to finish. This Japanese pub…read morehad excellent food all around and every dish was packed with flavor. The oxtail bites were easily one of our favorites and the Boston Red Sox sushi roll was such a fun must try. Everything felt creative while still being really well executed. Overall food 9/10 If you're looking for incredible Japanese food in Boston, this spot definitely deserves a place on your list.

Zaku Izakaya has a warm, rustic atmosphere with exposed wood throughout the restaurant, giving it…read morethat cozy izakaya feel Everything was perfect for sharing, and the cozy atmosphere made it a great spot for a casual dinner with friends‍ Here's what we tried: Sashimi Deluxe Budda Dragon Special Maki Crispy rice with spicy tuna Yakitori Sampler -- chicken thigh, lamb cumin, beef ribeye, shrimp, pork belly, and zucchini Miso soup Dumpling soup

Food was amazing, the potato salad was done so well, the sushi and sashimi were all generous…read moreportions and incredibly fresh, and the staff were all very kind. It's a small cozy restaurant on Newbury with all hand written menus and a very authentic feel. Recommend going for their all you can eat or à la carte, some of the freshest and best sushi in Boston!

Not impressed…read more There is an all you can eat sushi experience on Sundays. Quite a few items have an upcharge. The fish was OK. It had me wondering if they run this deal on Sundays when the fish is ready to be discarded soon. I won't be returning. For a spot on Newbury street it was surprising. It felt more like something you would find next to a college where students are seeking a cheap and easy sushi meal. $200 for two people with tip. It was not worth it. Not coming back. So many other great spots for sushi and at this price point I want better quality

I came here on my last trip to Boston and liked it so much that I knew I had to come back again!…read more Tora Japanese is located in Chinatown--in the basement area of one of the buildings, so seating is pretty limited. I came for lunch with two friends, and they didn't have a table for three, but the hostess was able to quickly accommodate us by rearranging another party that just sat down, and we were able to get some seats at the bar. Service was really fast and friendly throughout our dining experience. I ordered the sake don from the lunch menu, which came with a good-sized portion of rice topped with salmon sashimi and a side of miso soup. Definitely a great spot for a quick and affordable lunch in Chinatown!

Saw this on Google Maps and was so impressed at how quickly we got seated and food came out, but…read morealso the fresheners of fish! It seems like a very popular spot, so be prepared to wait. There are so many variations of the Don, great quality and price. Saving this place for future Boston visits!