First visit on Sozai's next-to-last night, before Chef Sato relocates to Portland. It was an outstanding dinner. Aaron and Chef Sato explained every dish fully. Looks like I will be traveling to Portland once he is up and running there. read more

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Wow! What a memorable and phenomenal experience! My best friend and I made reservations for Omakase and it was such a pleasure to sit at the sushi bar and watch Aaron work his magic. Everything was delicious and perfect. Such a great variety of items and flavors. The teas are delicious too. I had hot and iced tea. I love the vibe here. Unassuming and relaxed. It's quiet. You can definitely have a great conversation and feel like you have privacy. Everyone here is focused on the food. Everything is high quality and the attention to detail is lovely. The service is amazing. Very attentive and friendly people. My water glass was never empty. Aaron was very kind and so nice to talk to. read more

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A friend and I made reservations to go for dinner at 6:15pm on Thursday evening. The inside is simple and spacious with only seats for about 30 people between the omakase sushi bar and the tables for four. The sushi was delicious and fresh and really affordable for how good it was. The location is kind of middle of nowhere in Clawson. There is a small parking lot in front. read more

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The reviews made me skeptical of the restaurant before dining in for omakase, but I had the complete opposite experience of the negative reviews. The restaurant was busy on the night we went in, and unlike what the reviews stated (that it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop), there was music playing and people were chatting. Maybe they made these changes after seeing the reviews about the noise though. Although I am sympathetic about the reviews where people were charged a hefty fee for cancelling their reservation, the policy made sense to me at the restaurant because of the purposeful sourcing of the food for each customer. The chefs and servers were kind, welcoming, and attentive, and taught us about the food and sake we were being served. The meal was incredibly delicious--everything was so intentional. The sashimi was fresh and the dishes were flavorful and took us out of our comfort zone. I'm quite confused by the reviews saying the meal lacked flavor, I did not feel that way at all. The restaurant was recommended by a coworker who had lived in Japan short-term, saying that it was the most similar to what he had had there--even better than omakase he has had on both US coasts. I've never had omakase before, but I've had sushi on the east coast and I would say it is very comparable. It's definitely the best nigiri and sashimi I've had in the Midwest. I would absolutely recommend Sozai! It's worth the price. read more

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At the beginning of omakase course, Chef Sato told us that we will be served the whole course with invasive species. I had to laugh out loud with anxiety. Either this meal will be brilliant or I will be paying $200 per person for cheap bottom crawler that no one wants? I think what he meant was the whole course is focused on sustainable fishing. The course was filled with hard to find very pricey ingredients (Matsudake mushroom, abalone, caviar, sea urchin from Hotkaido.. etc) that you cannot get anywhere else in Michigan. I think his key to success is spending a lot of time for sourcing the best ingredients. If you rarely get out of Michigan but you have very high expectations of Japanese food, it is worth visiting. It was very entertaining interacting with chef Sato. By the way, he won the James Beard Award this year. I have had several omakase dinners before. I am not going to say it was the best one but it was very unique experience. read more

Sozai - Sweet shrimp sushi with caviar. Deep fried shrimp head - Japanese Near Me - Clawson, Michigan

Sozai was a great experience. We selected the more adventurous Nami option (Omakase style). Chef Mike was fantastic and did a series of sake pairings for us too. The fish was unbelievably fresh and delicious, and the preparation and presentation were lovely. Chef Mike explained everything to us and asked if we had any allergies. He also ran through the menu at the beginning of the meal in case there was anything we didn't feel adventurous enough to try. The lightly fried prawn head was the strangest thing (at least to us westerners), but it was delicious, shell and all. The sake pairings were fabulous and his tea pairings were also spot-on. Sozai is not inexpensive, but for the quality and quantity of food, as well as the relaxed pace of the chef, it was well worth the price. We left full and happy. Sozai is also worth the wait to secure a reservation. Can't wait to go back! read more

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Unfortunately, Sozai has closed. Chef Hajime Sato's announcement of Sozai's sudden closure hit Metro Detroit's dining community hard. The tiny 13-seat sushi bar in Clawson had become a local treasure--an intimate space where every bite reflected Sato's artistry and his commitment to sustainable seafood. Just when it seemed Sozai was at the height of its success, Sato revealed on Instagram that the final service had quietly taken place on April 26, 2025. His reason wasn't burnout or business trouble, but a heartfelt decision to move back to the Pacific Northwest with his family. In his post, he thanked guests for their support and encouraged them to "continue to try new things," a perfect reflection of his warmth and humility. As a food lover, I can't help but admire Sato's choice--it's rare to see someone walk away at their peak for the sake of balance and family. Sozai's closing leaves a noticeable void in the local food scene, but also a lasting reminder that the best chefs don't just feed us; they inspire us with their integrity. read more

Fresh food Japanese experience being prepared at an elevated level. Recommended for the true connoisseur of Japanese food as the elevated aspects of their dishes may be lost on novices or first timers. Jmho Go here and enjoy. read more

Sozai - Charshi bowl and a couple lovely rolls - Japanese Near Me - Clawson, Michigan

I was craving good Chirashi after writing my review for Rondo in Seattle, then I remembered Sozai (since the Chef & Owner moved from Seattle). I love their sustainable approach to seafood - really should be more widely adopted. This means you're not going to see the typical bright orange salmon & and bright red tuna. I loved the variety of fish from Ono to Coho Salmon. I'll definitely be back for Omakase. My goal is to make the list for their Kappo (we are proud to offer the exclusive dining event that is Kappo. Our chefs will take you on a culinary journey of creative dishes, with no limits on the number of courses. Be prepared for approximately four hours of traditional and exotic Japanese fare. Kappo is truly a chef's choice experience. As such, it cannot be altered to accommodate any dietary restrictions. We can only accept one party per night for Kappo, so you must confirm Kappo availability when you call to set your reservation). I overheard a quick conversation about the Kappo but essentially the Chef has a list of preferences as everything is customized to you! *Nanban (lightly fried fish served with seasoned ponzu and a touch of sesame oil) - SO GOOD. The fry was truly super light and it was a really nice eat. *Ceviche of the Day (our take on the classic South American dish prepared with our special blend of yuzu, lime, and sea salt served with crispy Japanese sweet potato slices) - A little fishy for me - maybe just the blend of fish and shrimp used. I forget what was in it. *Chirashi (assorted sashimi over sushi rice) - super unique that they bury bits of fish (almost poke size cubes) throughout the sushi rice so it's a really fun eat! The seasoned rice was just a SMIDGE too vinegary for me, but very good all in all. *Red Violin (avocado, cucumber, and jalapeño topped with tuna, and spicy red miso) - This was AWESOME. I was sort of against ordering a roll like this at an establishment like Sozai but they do it up and do it well! I was also a big fan of the real wasabi as well (Oregon grown wasabi root ground into a smooth paste rich and full-flavored without the sharp pungency of imitation wasabi). read more

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Since this place is closed, I'll write the scathing review I've had churning within for about 2 years. Hahaha. I've had omakase in several major cities, at highly regarded sushi establishments. Just want to put that out there. I'd rather have gas station sushi than Sozai. Honestly this was one of the most awful meals I've ever had. The fish was all absolutely disgusting. It all tasted like it was fermented (i.e. rotton) or something. There were two pieces of nigiri that were so revolting that I gagged and had to secretively spit them out into my napkin. It was about $150 per person and we left without really being able to eat any of it with any satisfaction at all. We still tell people about it to this day and laugh, because we honestly feel like it was a fucking joke and we were being punked. The best thing about the meal was the lychee ramune soda. Would buy again, and can conveniently be found at noble fish around the corner. :) read more

Sozai has been on my got-to-try list for a while. We had an anniversary coming up, so an Omekase experience sounded perfect. We were so amazed with the food and service! We sat at the sushi bar, which I highly recommend - so you can watch each dish being prepared. Each course comes out beautifully arrayed and described, you can't help but be impressed with the mastery of the chefs. I really enjoyed everything, but especially loved the creativity of the chef with the sustainable dishes they prepare. Reservations are recommended on weekends, but there is some walk in availability midweek. We can't wait to go back! read more

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This sushi restaurant knows what it's about. Don't come here looking for your typical American-style sushi. Their sushi represents a much more traditional Japanese style of sushi with an emphasis on raw fish. You won't see a California roll or anything like it. I really loved that they made an effort with all of their ingredients, emphasizing sustainability, and our chef explaining where each fish had come from. We didn't do the omakase but started with miso soup and ceviche (split between two of us). For the main course, we ordered two of the chef's choice rolls and a hikari roll (again split between two people). By the end we couldn't take another bite we were so stuffed. All the ingredients tasted incredibly fresh, and tasty. I really really enjoyed every bite we had. Though I will say - the miso soup was definitely not your run-of-the-mill. It was the heartiest miso soup I've ever had with an incredibly rich broth along with mushrooms and other fixings. Don't order this thinking it's going to be a light appetizer. If you want to fill up on just sushi, you might want to avoid this one. I'm looking forward to coming to this place again, though not too soon, since it's a pricier type of sushi. Worth it however, and hopefully, we'll be able to experience the omakase sometime in the future. I'll definitely be back! read more

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My son and I thoroughly enjoyed the omakase experience (Nami); everything was delicious. Chef Sato took time speaking with us. He even made some special onigiri for my son to bring home! We liked sitting at the sushi bar. The setting was simple and comfortable. Chef Mike selected a tasty sake for me. Great atmosphere. read more

Very glad we found this place! They don't have many tables and need to make reservations ahead of time. I called to ask for availability on the day and got 2 seats at the sushi bar, which is not bad. Their menu can be confusing. We were not super sure what to try at first. It seems like they are not trying very hard on marketing. Their sign is tiny too. You probably won't notice this place if you just drive by. We got the veggie bento box and two rolls, Bowler rollers and red violin. Everything is very well prepared and packed with flavors. I really enjoyed the veggie bento box, which emphasis the original flavor of each ingredients but add many interesting twist to them. Overall, I'd highly recommended this place! read more

Sozai - Japanese Near Me - Clawson, Michigan

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I would definitely recommend that you try this place out the food here was so tasty. The reason for my 4 out of 5 stars is because they only offered bar seating and they wanted to solicit private dining pricing for this option. When we arrived there were tables available but there website didn't allow you book for a table and very limited reservations options online. Definitely would recommend you to try this out for a date night or a girls day you won't be disappointed. read more

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From the outside Sozai is an unassuming sushi spot tucked into a strip mall in Clawson. The restaurant is known for its high quality fish, traditional Japanese and omakase. To be honest, if you are looking for a restaurant with trendy/sexy vibes this is not the place. Since we sat at a regular table we were only allowed to order from the regular menu. If you opt for the omakase you need to sit at the sushi bar. To be honest we were pretty disappointed with the overall service. All of the dishes were basically "plopped" down in front of us with no explanation. Also when we asked to sample a type of wine before committing to a full glass, the waitress quickly shut us down. Despite the atmosphere and service, the food was definitely impressive. We started the meal with their vegetable offerings; the sunomono, Kaiso and pickled veggies. All of the starting plates were flavourful and well balanced. If you are looking to try a legit seaweed salad you should try their kaiso; it is a far cry from what you would find at a grocery store sushi bar. We then had the spicy albacore tataki and tuna with natto. The tuna with natto is a very traditional Japanese dish of seared tuna served cold over fermented soy beans. The soy beans have a unique sticky texture but add a totally unique flavour to the rich fish. Finally we had three rolls; the bowler roller, dark crystal and southern. All sushi rolls were delicious but hands down our favourite was the southern. This roll incorporates Sozai's own creation of bbq eel where they substitute catfish in place of the eel. All rolls were a perfect balance of flavours and textures and the ingredients ultra fresh. There is definitely a reason why sozai has been awarded many accolades for their delicious food; I look forward to returning and doing the omakase. Hopefully the service will be better wheb we are at sitting at the sushi bar. read more

Sozai - Spicy tuna tataki - Japanese Near Me - Clawson, Michigan

It's fantastic to see a new restaurant here in the spot where I used to love their crab Rangoon, the former Lil Thai express place. The entire staff has been vaccinated. Omakase is at the sushi chef table and they select what you will get. I sat at a table. I do like the Omakase experience, would do that with my husband another time in the future. It's a simple and clean interior. The sushi bar is the focus of the restaurant. The sushi chefs are interacting much with the customer. Staff is all so warm, welcoming, jovial and friendly too. The waitress is super nice, patient and attentive. I ordered a futomaki, pure Michigan, southern, deep forest and a midori. I am also trying their brewed barley tea. The cucumber water is also quite refreshing. No sriracha at all, but their house made spicy wasabi sauce works for me though, it's quite yummy. I used it on all of the rolls. The pure Michigan is different, the tempura onion is super crispy, the walleye is so good too. The southern is good, it's a big bite size for me. The deep forest is colorful, it's tasty. The seafood futomaki is so huge, thought the pure Michigan was big, not even. So many flavor profiles. Crunchy green beans and carrots, flaky fish, soft squash. A nice combo. They do clean the chairs and tables down after the guests leave. It's a really fun and cool experience for all here. It will be an experience unlike any other. The sushi chefs (Hajime and Brian) really try to get to know you and your eating preferences and create a memorable experience for sure. Betty will help you from beginning to make sure you leave with a sated belly and an impressionable meal. It's feels like the Cheers of sushi spots. read more

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Lucky enough to have the night off from our toddler, we decided to treat ourselves to a rare dinner out! Looking for something new, we stumbled across Sozai. Sushi and sustainability? I was sold instantly. Unassuming on the outside, it is quaint and clean on the inside with a large and beautiful sushi bar as the main feature. We did not make reservations, which I do recommend, but they still made sure to accommodate us at a table despite staff shortages. The highlights: the food and the service!!! Betty, our waitress, was phenomenal. Knowledgeable, fun, thoughtful, and timely, despite being the only person working the tables and the hostess stand! Her food recommendations were fantastic too! We ended up ordering the Bento Box with Black Cod as well as the Hokki Gai nigiri and the Hikari roll. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. The cod was probably my favorite, but it's really hard to choose! I even enjoyed the little accoutrements and could have eaten a whole bowl of the seasoned greens (sweet potato leaves perhaps?) and seaweed salad. We paired our meal with some exceptional sake and finished it with the fluffy cheesecake and tasty green tea and black sesame mochi. We will absolutely be back and hope to try the Omakase next time. Thank you for the lovely experience! read more

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Came here for a birthday dinner for the omakase meal. It was my first time so the chef was a great help to us in making recommendations and suggestions for our meal! Since this is a primarily a seafood restaurant, I would recommend that patrons at least like eating fish and have an open mind. The menu is selected but very well crafted. Overall this was a great experience! read more

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My SIL took me & my husband here in December when we were visiting them. She's been several times and loved the food & staff. We had reservations ahead of time for the Omakase (Kappo) because they wanted time to prepare some specialty dishes for our dinner. 1) If you're expecting the mainstream sushi experience with lots of diff types of fishes, that's not what you get here. It's a sustainable sushi restaurant so everything they serve is sustainability caught & raised. The chef sources the ingredients from small farmers & fishermen who he knows and trusts. 2) If you think the chefs & staff are rude, it's probably because you made a bad impression and don't spend the time to learn about their craft. Our omakase experience lasted almost 4hrs and we had a great time chatting with the chefs & staff. 3) I can't comment on the rolls since we didn't get any of that. Instead, we got a tailored experience with many dishes we've never had before. The chef even prepared some mochi, which is what they traditionally eat during the new year. The other chefs were so excited to serve us many traditional dishes that they don't normally have on the menu, which is why they require reservations & advance notice to prepare. 4) The food was great! We enjoyed every dish & loved that they tried to put in dishes that they think would be unique for us to have. I appreciated the fact that they planned the various dishes in advance since some of the soups took a long time to make. Coming from CA, this is a very unique experience and we really enjoyed it. We will definitely come back next time we're in MI! read more

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If you're looking for an authentic sushi experience, this is a spot you cannot miss! This restaurant is the real deal -if you're looking for a spicy tuna roll with yum yum sauce, I would recommend you go elsewhere. We opted for the Nami $110/person omakase which is a seven course meal that includes wanmono, two kobachi, an assortment of sashimi, an assortment of nigiri, a creation from the kitchen, and dessert. Everything was absolutely phenomenal and I tried items that I would probably never think of ordering. I tried an entire shrimp head which isn't for everyone, however, once I got over the mental barrier I can say that it was actually pretty good and I'm glad I tried it! Our waiter also did a great job of pairing different sakes with our courses. We told him we weren't sake drinkers (almost borderline haters) but he turned us into sake lovers! This isn't a cheap or quick meal by any means, but if you're looking for a unique sushi experience I highly recommend you try this spot. I will definitely be back in the future. Check out my Instagram for more @hangry_detroiter read more

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Such a great experience sitting at the sushi bar! We did the minato which was their most basic omakase option. My favorite dishes were the assortment of nigiri, the 3 day miso salmon, and the black cod Mia soup. We also did the sake pairing which was a lot of fun. The chef we had was very informed on the different sakes and helped explain everything. The place has very chill vibes and is a great spot for a date night or special occasion. read more

Sozai - 3 day white miso salmon - Japanese Near Me - Clawson, Michigan

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True definition of a hidden gem. The exterior is so bland and there's no sign over the building so it's easy to miss. The Chirashi bowl and Spicy Albacore Tataki were recommended to us by our waitress and it was THE BOMB. The Chirashi bowl was loaded with fish which was so fresh and the perfect amount for 2. Didn't have room to try dessert but definitely will next time! This place is among my top restaurants for sushi in metro Detroit hands down. Definitely for lovers of authentic nigiri and sashimi. Not your type of place if you're looking for California rolls. read more

Sozai - Japanese Near Me - Clawson, Michigan

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Had a wonderful experience at Sozai! We tried the Hama omakesa and it was very worth it! Everything was fresh, unique and well-presented! The service was also excellent. Our sushi chef (Mike) was super friendly and did a great job explaining our dishes. Would definitely come back to try a more traditional omakesa next time (apparently Hama is more Americanize than the other options available). read more

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We have high expectations of this restaurant before we go. However, very disappointed at the end. Absolutely no interaction with the three cooks at the sushi bar. No smile from anyone in the restaurant, it felt like they are all angry at us. At the end of the meal, one of the cook left the bill in front of us with not a single word out of his mouth. No thank you or good bye from anyone. The food is not even good, just very average Japanese food. read more

Wavering between 3 and 4 stars. I stumbled on Sozai in an Eater listicle at one point and decided to give it a try after seeing all of the rave reviews. We made a reservation about a month in advance for the sushi bar for 8pm. The hostess was extremely, extremely nice - notably so - both over the phone and in person when we got there. They seated us more or less immediately. The place on the inside is nice but missing a bit of the white glove service that I would expect from a $100+ omakase spot - for example, it would have been nice to have our coats hung for us or to have warm towels brought out for our hands. I also strongly object to paying extra for fresh wasabi - imo that should absolutely be the norm at an omakase spot. We opted for the Hama, which is the cheapest option at $80 for 7 courses. Credit where due - it was a ton of food and we were glad that we came hungry. Our courses were as follows: 1. Soup - good, nothing to write home about. A nice start to the meal 2. Some sort of sashimi with pickled veggies - also good, but lacking depth 3. Ceviche/poke bowl thing with macadamia nuts - one of my favorites of the evening, but a fairly homogenous sesame oil flavor that was a bit overbearing 4. Nigiri (amberjack, scallop, salmon) - very good, although the pieces of fish were cut inelegantly and disproportionate to the rice, which made it difficult to eat. Nigiri should be one bite. 5. Rolls - our least favorite. Veggie-heavy rolls without much flavor. Very filling, however, but we would have preferred to save our stomachs for more nuanced courses 6. Cooked fish with kabocha mash - delicious and buttery 7. Mochi - good, again nothing to write home about Maybe it's because I have unusually high standards for sushi but I don't think Sozai lives up to the hype. I'm definitely glad I tried it but I've had better much sushi for cheaper. Better off going to Noble Fish for better fish and much better prices. read more

This is my third visit to Sozai and it will be my last given how horrendous the experience was. I came here 3 times within the span of a month, and for a person who never writes "updated reviews" because the experience remains relatively consistent, I felt the need to write three separate reviews for Sozai because of just how inconsistent the experience was each time, which is saying a lot in and of itself. Specific to this final time dining at Sozai: this was the time I came to do the "Kappo" omakase. "Kappo" was scheduling out by over a month when I called, given that they only do one of this omakase a night. You put a $100/person deposit down, which goes towards your final bill. The head chef/owner of Sozai comes on the phone to ensure there are no dietary restrictions and that you're open to eating everything. You have to be an adventurous eater for this omakase! I was told that this omakase averages $140-$180/person and that your party decides how many courses you want. Reality: the chef plans out the menu and sets # of courses by the time we arrive (makes sense) and our omakase ended up being $220/person, significantly above the expectation given (felt taken advantage of given the below drama leading up to our dinner). I planned to do this omakase with two friends, a husband and wife duo, who are familiar with omakase and adventurous eaters like me. The week of our reservation, my friend found out she was pregnant, which is GREAT news but meant that she wouldn't be able to do the omakase given all the seafood. Also, pregnant women have a weaker immune system, both her & her husband work in healthcare, AND COVID cases were on the rise again in Michigan. So they weren't comfortable dining in, which is completely understandable in my opinion. I called the restaurant to see what could be done in this very unpredictable situation. I was optimistic we would be able to find a solution with Sozai given my past, extremely pleasant dealings with the staff, but what I got instead was the most bizarre series of interactions and worst customer service I have ever experienced in my entire life. I asked if we could take it to-go so we could still utilize our deposit, give them business, & enjoy the food. The head chef/owner of Sozai who I spoke to dismissed this idea, citing everything during omakase was prepared to the perfect temperature and had to be eaten immediately. He countered, saying: why couldn't the husband still come? (I reiterated the reasons stated above), he already spent $400 buying a bunch of the food and had begun preparing (I said he had our deposit.), he was still out $100, not including prep time wasted (I'm sorry my friend didn't know she was going to get pregnant?), he had purchased specific mushrooms from Seattle and it cost $100 in shipping alone (Sounds like a bad business decision this early on, but OK?). He then accused me of being misleading when I said my pregnant friend couldn't eat "seafood" anymore, something he had never heard of. He thinks I actually meant "raw fish" to which he said he could try doing more cooked seafood items for her omakase. (He was still trying to insist that she come.) I double checked with my pregnant friend. She said it didn't matter if it was raw or cooked, certain types of seafood have high levels of mercury that pregnant women can't eat. The chef then assured me that none of the fish he serves has mercury in them. (But apologies if a pregnant woman and her husband want to prioritize her and their health and are not comfortable risking it all based on your word alone.) He then attempted to guilt-trip me saying he could lose his house, his car, his restaurant over this, that his prior restaurant in Seattle, which had regulars, could handle one reservation going awry, but not his new establishment in Michigan. I was frustrated because 1) this was super unprofessional and TMI, 2) I could've been a regular here, but he failed to even realize that I had dined here before, 3) that is what the non-refundable deposit is there for, 4) how hasn't he, as a long-time business owner, come up with back up plans for cancellations - maybe a waitlist for others interested in doing omakase? The demand is certainly there at this restaurant given reservations were scheduling out so far. and 5) he was trying to manipulate my emotions towards him and his business when he couldn't bother to take sympathy or offer solutions on the extenuating circumstances that my friend was pregnant?! Long story long, the chef/owner was so inflexible and could only present more problems. So, I came up with my own solution. I wracked my brain and asked two other friends who I hoped would be down for this very expensive dinner last minute. They were. We went. The food was good. The ambience was awkward. I'll never be dining at Sozai again. I've given more money to Sozai in three trips than I have a lot of other establishments I love way more and who treat their customers way better. read more

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Due to COVID, I have not been able to try many new places, but I was very happy I made the effort to eat here. By far the best meal I had in 2021. The staff was super pleasant and the atmosphere was relaxed. Hade the omakase dinner and was pleased by everything they offered. Sustainability has never been a big need for me, but if the food can be this good, I am all for it. Very excited to try it again. read more

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If you are a sushi fan, you know real authentic sushi with raw fish, this place is a must (they do have some cook items, sorry no items with cream cheese). My husband and I had an amazing experience here from when we walked through the door to when we left. We both ordered Omakase style. My husband ordered the Nami ($90) and I ordered the Hama ($70). Each other came with 7 courses. Because my husband and I ordered different omakase style, we had different dishes from each other which was great because we got to try different dishes. We sat at the bar and it was so nice because everytime when we are almost done with our dish, they start on the next one. The service was just amazing. I will sure come back again. read more

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I came back a second time. The food was fresh and innovative. The service was personable. The music was nice. The owner shares duties with his employees, exemplifying his passion for his work. I will definitely be coming here regularly. read more

Sozai - Red Violin - Japanese Near Me - Clawson, Michigan

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One star for the awful experience. Passing by here with our toddler 22 months old on a Tue night, we walked in to see if there were seats. It was kinda empty, although booking is required normally, the waitress was flexible enough to find a table for us. The food was fine considering good Japanese restaurants are rare around this area. You can see they tried hard to make a difference in the menu. Maybe it's amazing for people who hasn't travelled much in Asia. Apparently people made reservations one month ago for special occasions. However, this kinda restaurant is pretty average for people who lived in Asia. The service is NOT great. No baby seat in this place. We already had to have the baby sitting on our laps entire time when we were eating. For a min we put down the baby, she went to play with the bamboo curtain near the door right behind us. The Japanese chef shouted out " don't do that. it's fragile" when we were just about to stop the baby. He came immediately checked his curtain, of course the curtain was completely fine. The rest of the night, the chef had a stinky eye on us and serving us without any smile. And we had to walk the baby everywhere in case she broke some "fragile decorations". In the end, we just wanted to finish this dinner asap. When the chef came to clean the table, I said "thank you" to him, but he was incredibly rude - having a long face and purposely not responding a word. It's disappointing to see such a "celebrity"chef who in social media claims himself caring about environment and making a positive change to the world doesn't even have a big heart and compassion for people in real life. How pretentious and fake. ( Unfortunately I read too late other review mentioned the owner tried to keep the 100$ cancellation fee no matter what). Their website mentions this place provides" comforts of Grandma's home cooking " . It sounds like a joke when you see the rubbish attitude. read more

Really good, fresh sushi. Got the omasake and loved that the food came out in a timely manner. The miso soup is different from the usual, but it's really good. The poke & squid salad are also amazing. We love all the apps. We got adventurous and for the highest price omasake, everything was good & definitely needed to be adventurous, some stuff I questioned and wasn't too bad. We also got sake, all the sake are really strong. I'm not much of a drinker, but my partner liked it. The staff is super nice also. read more

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I was able to make a reservation for New Year's Eve. We were not disappointed. Chef was only serving 1 set prix fixe NYE course. Totally acceptable and understandable given the coming of the new year...hoping for better things to come. Many diners may not order other selections offered here due to the idea that when Japanese food comes to mind it is usually equivalent to sushi and proceed to get their main fix. The fixed course takes one on a journey beyond sushi. The delicate tastes, style of cooking, esthetic on the plate, and the individual ingredients....the art of eating. I wished that we could have sat at the bar to have conversation with Chef Sato...or if Chef Sato could have come around to the tables (it's a small establishment) to share some greetings. There will be a next time. Kanpai 乾杯 to 2022 and future success to 創菜‼ read more

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Really amazing food and service here. I did the Hama Omakase with 7 courses and split a pot of white peony tea. Huge portions of everything! read more

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My wife and I discovered this gem almost three months ago and it instantly became our favorite place to eat. The food is all amazing - the sustainable aspect makes it all the better. I've discovered so many new things to love: skipjack tuna for instance, or coho salmon. And if you love eel, then try their Namagi (TM) - using catfish to give a very similar mouthfeel and taste. The cooked fish dishes from their kitchen are wonderful too, with miso marinades and glazes, and again, unusual cuts like collar or cheeks that reduce food waste while still tasting delicious. But it's not only the food that keeps us coming back. The team of sushi chefs Hajime and Brian, Liam in the kitchen, and Betty keeping everything running smoothly in the front of house are some of the kindest, most dedicated people you could ever hope to meet. So support a new small local business. But do make sure to reserve in advance, especially if you want the omakase which is only served at the sushi bar. read more

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This is mine and my husbands new favorite sushi stop! You walk in and feel like family. The customer service is outstanding, the food is beyond amazing and so unique. I am so happy that they opened up in our little city! Try this place out, you won't regret it! If you are celiac or gluten sensitive, they take all the precautions to keep you safe and genuinely care! They also have vegetarian options as well! My husband and I got the Bowler Roller and two chef choice rolls as well as a few piece of nigiri. SO GOOD! Everything is so fresh and is some of the best sushi I have ever had. We have tried something new every time we went and we are never disappointed. Oh and don't forget to ask them about their sake!! read more

Sozai - Japanese Near Me - Clawson, Michigan

I'm not sure if I could speak more positively of a sushi restaurant in SE Michigan. Service was spectacular and the two sushi chefs were extremely attentive to everyone in the restaurant. We ordered the Omakase Nami and had a great time over multiple courses. Each course was wonderful and the selection of seafood was excellent. We started with delicately cooked shrimp on a bed of chrysanthemum greens and then moved on to several courses of sashimi and nigiri. We finished up with a halibut collar and then dessert. Alongside the meal we had sake and some Hitachino beers. The sake selection is extensive and Chef Hajime is extremely knowledgeable. We will definitely be returning in the future! read more

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Sozai is by far our favorite sushi restaurant in the Detroit area - to be honest, it's not even close... You'll need a reservation so I recommend that you pull the trigger and book your night in advance. You won't regret it. You can't just walk in... but I would say this is a good thing because the room never gets too crowded - they bring in the right amount of customers at any given time - and the seats and tables are nicely spaced out - very comfortable, even for big folks. Basically nothing is left to chance. Everything is on point. And the good news is the price is comparable to other sushi restaurants - at Sozai you get an elevated experience without breaking the bank. You could come here for special occasions or just as your regular spot - works either way. The fish variety and quality is off the hook (get it?) - I am guessing big efforts are made to source their inventory - it's a real treat to get access to their fish... you are going to notice that the fish quality here is a few levels up from the other restaurants in town. The team takes things very seriously - they are really into it. They could have their own tv show - real pros. And it feels really good to be part of their scene. I felt cool by proxy. Clawson is a great town and I am really glad Sozai is there - it's easy to get to, lots of parking, and the people are friendly. read more

After over a month on the waitlist, we were very excited to go to Sozai. The fish was excellent. Extremely fresh. The presentation was average at best. Nothing special, no creativity. The ambiance is average. The sushi chefs are very knowledgeable but could be more friendly. We spent a lot of money and were treated like we did not matter. They are so busy they do not need us to return. And we will not return. I don't care how good the fish was we go out for an experience. Especially when spending hundreds of dollars per person. My wife said they ruined our date night. read more

The food is amazing ! We have enjoyed top tier Japanese restaurants from Japan to Singapore to New York to California and Sozai ranks among the best anywhere. I feel like I am in Japan here. Top quality ingredients and love that Sato-san uses only sustainably sourced products. The experience is fantastic and the price is very an affordable compared to equivalent quality on the East or West coast. Please note this is real Japanese food so if you want California rolls try somewhere else. If you understand what I'm talking about because you understand real Japanese food then this is your diamond in the rough right here in Michigan. read more