I was here for sushi with my friends and it was my first time. My first impression was that it is a cozy little place, neatly setup and clean. Our server was this sweet girl with a big smile and gave us the menu right away. We ordered some hot sake in a large bottle which was delicious and did sushi platters and Yakisoba with seafood. They also served us with salad which was really good and some meso soup before bringing in our orders. The food was really good, I loved the Yakisoba which were not super sticky or oily like some places can make them. When we were enjoying our dinner, we saw this guy who was just outside the kitchen calling these people who were leaving the place and then we saw him darting towards the door. We realized one of the guys left his jacket behind and this guy went after them to return it. That was pretty sweet. All and all, I loved the food and moreover the service. I would recommend this place to anyone who love sushi. read more

Sushi Tama - Sushi platter - Japanese Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

The only place I go for Japanese food. Since I grew up eating Japanese food all my life, being half Japanese, it reminds me of home style food. I have had at one time or another eaten everything on their menu. All of it is delicious! The only thing I wish is if they offered okinomiyaki. The quiet atmosphere and great service keeps us all coming back. We do takeout most of the time now since we don't get out much, but miss the sushi chef greeting us as we walk in the door. read more

Good food, have not tried too many dishes but the ones I have are very good! I wish they were open on Sundays.

Authentic Japanese restaurant. The food was amazing and the service was exceptional. The tempura was light and crispy and the sushi was very fresh. So glad we tried this place. We went there to celebrate my birthday. We will definitely be back. read more

This is one of the BEST sushi places I have been to in the U.S. There's a group of little old Japanese ladies who come here EVERY Thursday. There's a loyal clientele. And I can see why. The outside is not much to look at. I went to university a couple of miles away from the restaurant and had driven by many times without coming in. I actually only ate there once in college. It wasn't until a couple of years ago that some college friends graduated ... made money ... could afford to go to Sushi Tama ... recommended the place to me. The sushi is AMAZINGLY fresh and delicately prepared by a seasoned chef. There's a calm ambiance inside the restaurant. The kind of calm that is not fabricated by dimmed lighting and water fountains. Rather, the kind of calm that says, "You're in Tacoma, kids. North Tacoma." The service is wonderful and, though the price is a little steeper than what I'm accustomed to, it's worth it. Ahh....satisfying... Pros: The sushi is so fresh you'll want to slap yourself, the service is excellent Cons: You've gotta save some pennies before coming here (usually $15-20/person). Alright, I'm cheap! Sure, it's in Tacoma. But it's flippin' tasty. So don't diss it man. Don't do it. read more

I'm a sushi snob. I'll start there. I wasn't expecting much, but I got much more. Their rolls are simple - don't expect some fancy shmancy rolls. caterpillar roll, spicy tuna, spider roll, etc. what blew my mind was the 3 pieces of hamachi sushimi I got for under 5 dollars. YUM! Not large pieces...mind you. They were on the skinny side. But they were *3* pieces for under 5 dollars. And they were *good*. And I'm a snob! I will definitely be going back! I can go simple. I don't need green tea tempura flakes on all my sushi! For those who have commented on service, I got mine to go. Service was great! ;-) read more

This was probably a three star experience, but I have a feeling this place is better than 3 stars on most days, so I'm giving it 4 to help round off the other Yelpers. Let's review this place with subtitles. Food: Vegetarians have limited options at most sushi restaurants, but this one actually had a vegetarian section, which was nice to see. I pretty much just ordered various versions of Oshinko Maki (they had three versions, I ordered two). Portions are small and somewhat pricey for their smallness, and the taste was nothing spectacular but it was fine. No complaints. Service: There was only one waitress and she took forever to do everything, but she also apologized for the wait every single time. She also brought us hot towels, which is weird, so I just left them in the basket since I'm not exactly sure what non-embarrassing thing I can do with hot towels. She had very little understanding of her own menu (didn't even know that their Oshinko Maki came in 3 styles), and even though she was Japanese, and the chef appeared to be Japanese, she wrote everything in complete sentences in English, so she took a long time to write down each order. But there were no mistakes and she was very polite, plus we were not in a big hurry so whatever. Setting: I do like the setting of this place a lot. Though the tables were not the cleanest and the place is kind of small, it has a (presumably) authentic feel that very few sushi places match. I liked that a lot, along with the decoration, etc. Brief Story: My friend ordered a raw fish sushi, and claimed that dipping the raw fish in the wasabi disinfected the entire fish, which is of course ridiculous. The story isn't funny or interesting, but I promised I wouldn't put it on Yelp. Whoopsadoodle. Overall: Really, this place is fine. I probably won't go back, but that's more of a testament to how terrible Tacoma is than the meal itself. I wasn't wowed, and like I mentioned earlier it probably deserves a 3, but I can't think of a good reason not to go here, so it gets a 4. read more

I put this in the category of Japanese restaurants (instead of Sushi restaurants) because they have a large Japanese menu. The sushi is fresh, well made, and good tasting. But what draws me back over and over again is the Japanese menu. I haven't had anything that I didn't like. Everything on the menu is made by Japanese cooks who know what Japanese food tastes like. That is not to say that the Korean interpretation of Japanese food is bad - it isn't necessarily. But what you get at Sushi Tama is Japanese style Japanese food. I lived 26 years in Japan and I appreciate Sushi Tama. Oh, I like Korean food, too. This isn't Korean - it's authentic Japanese. When you go, consider something off of their "daily specials" whiteboard. Okay, the Saba shio-yaki was to-die-for! This is another "ya gotta try it" place. read more

This is by far the best sushi restaurant in Pierce County! We go here at least once a week, and it is always perfect! I have eaten at well over 50 sushi places, and Tama Sushi is the best! Always fresh, always done perfectly! read more

I love Sushi Tama's atmosphere. It's so serene. The servers are very gracious and mellow. SO if you're a really loud middle-aged dude, don't order too many Asahis and then yell a bunch -- you're killing the vibe. Their agedashi tofu tastes as if the delicate tofu were made in-house and the broth is perfect. It's all about small touches: sushi and rolls are served on wood planks, complimentary (sweet bean?) appetizers are presented, and the miso soup comes steaming and golden. Their veggie tempura is my favorite. read more

I come here regularly for lunch. The seafood is fresh, and they have a great selection. The Nabeyaki Udon is awesome. The sushi chefs are chatty if you want them to be. The atmosphere is casual and the interior homey (perfect for lunch). Not once in the several years that I've been coming here have I ever had a bad experience. If you are looking for a fancy or more experimental sushi place, this place isn't for you. But if you just want good, tradition sushi and Japanese food, give these guys a go. read more

I tried Sushi Tama for the first time last night, and it was delicious. I'd never been a fan of miso soup, but as it turns out, I just hadn't had *good* miso soup before. I tried the agedashi tofu, which was probably the best tofu dish I've ever had (and I'm a pretty big tofu fan). Their housemade tofu was as fresh as it gets, and nearly melted in your mouth. Fantastic. My guy is the sushi eater, and says that Sushi Tama is one of the only places his Japanese grandma will go. He had a tuna roll along with his entree, and seemed really happy with it. I also ordered the chicken teriyaki, which came with veggies, rice, salad, miso soup, and their housemade (of course) teriyaki sauce. I was too full from agedashi tofu (my mouth is watering just typing that) and soup to have more than a few bites, which was a shame since it was so tasty. Leftovers are reheating as I type this. Highly recommended, even for the non-sushi eaters out there. Apparently their lunch menu is packed with Udon dishes, so we'll be returning for that soon. read more

All through high school I would drive by the tackalicious aquamarine hand-painted (possibly by a 3rd grader) Sushi Tama sign and wonder to myself, Who the hell would eat raw fish at this joint? They're just begging for salmonella. Well, looka here. I guess you can't judge a Sushi Tama by its cover. They got a new sign that satisfied my standards so I tried it out and it was delicious! Great maki rolls, really really good nigiri and a stunning miso. No stinginess on the seaweed either. read more

Delicious sushi! Friendly service!! My favorites are the rainbow roll and spicy tuna roll. They have been my go to take out during quarantine, and they strictly follow safety guidelines. read more

This was a tough one for me since the service and atmosphere were really nice. It's much nicer on the inside than it presents on the outside. The sushi was quite good, and there was a good selection as well as entire meals. That said, the other entrees were not quite as good. My husband had tonkatsu which is his all time favorite and while he said the portion was certainly big enough, it was pretty dry. My mom had tempura and I tasted it, sort of mushy and just ok. My sushi as I said was really good but because there are so many Japanese restaurants in the Tacoma area, we'll try more before we go back to this one. read more

BEST JAPANESE FOOD EVER! Visited this spot while checking out Universities in the area and what a delight. We live in So Cal and have great Japanese food here, as well as other places we travel, but this little gem will have you wanting to go back to Tacoma just to eat their food. We had a yaki soba lunch with salad (great dressing), miso soup, rice, and an udon lunch (with the eggs and shrimp tempura) as well as the best gyoza dipping sauce ever. read more

Was serviced promptly upon arrival. Sushi was fresh and made to order. The Ikura were like little joys popping in my mouth. Hot tea and water were constantly refilled. The calamari was so-so. Other than the calamari, I would totally eat here again. read more

Sushi Tama - Ikura and caterpillar roll. So yummy!! - Japanese Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

I read reviews on here before I went, made me slightly distrustful, but I went anyway... And it's good.I don't know where the bad comments are coming from. This little place (it really is quite small) might look cheap and maybe even a little dodgy when you pull up and walk in for the first time, but don't mistake the tacky ambiance and hand-annotated menus as a negative thing. Once you've tried the food, you'll see it as charm and character. No flair, no pretense here; just good food served with a smile. The food tastes authentic, this isn't a poser's sushi bar where everything is served beautifully, it's a mom and pop style place with fragrant and savory food. Their squid and plum roll with shisa leaf is a very tasty and new experience. I will be returning regularly. Service is excellent albeit a bit on the slow side. This is a good place to bring a date, especially when you want your prospective parter to focus on you. Or a nice place for an intimate dinner if you have a partner. read more

Sushi Tama is a favorite for our family. We frequent Sushi Tama about every other week, if not every week and are never disappointed with the service or quality of food they provide every time. My grandparents lived in Japan for over 20 years and I grew up eating authentic sushi. There is no other restaurant in Tacoma that serves such authentic Japanese food, that is fresh and the service friendly every time. I enjoy coming here and seeing their smiling faces! read more

A friend and I enjoyed a terrific lunch here. My friend is a vegetarian, and I'm an omnivore (comes from traveling all over China...). The lunch menu had plenty of offerings for both of us. He had the veg tempura and the homemade tofu- both dishes were excellent. I had the gyoza special and the udon yaki with pork. The gyoza was great, the pork slightly overcooked. I'd definitely order the veg tempura and some of the rolls on my next visit. Our service was excellent, very polite and friendly. I'll definitely be back soon. Sushi Tama's location across the street from Valhalla makes it possible to have your after lunch coffee across the street. read more

I stopped in here since it was within five miles of my location at the time, and it had several 4- and 5-star reviews here on Yelp. I arrived at 12:30 p.m. and noticed that the parking lot was nearly empty, even though it was the middle of lunch hour - in hindsight, I might have taken that as a warning sign. I wasn't in the mood for sushi so I ordered the "Combination Plate #1": teriyaki chicken, chicken tatsuta (or gyoza), and California rolls, priced at $9.50 or so. Green tea was poured as soon as I sat down. It may have been brewed weak, but the waitress kept it coming. The first food item to arrive was the salad. It was the standard bagged salad that you find at supermarkets, containing chopped iceberg lettuce and shredded carrots and purple cabbage. About 1/3 of the lettuce was wilted, as if one corner of the bag had been frozen and then re-thawed. An orange slice used for garnish on the salad was dried out, as if it were sliced from an orange the day before and then left sitting out. The dressing seemed to be a mayonnaise-based citrus vinaigrette made in-house. It's bitter flavor profile and the many small orange flecks in it were suggestive of orange zest being an ingredient. As I picked at the wilted salad, I happened to glance up into the cold window alongside the bar, and I noticed the "fresh" tuna sitting alongside the other fish and seafood that the chef was making rolls from. Out of four visible slabs of tuna, the two on top were visibly dried out, wrinkled, and discolored. (At this point in time, I became very glad that I hadn't ordered any sushi). The miso soup was saltier than any I have had, but not so salty that it was unpleasant to drink. The approximately 8 oz. bowl contained 3 chunks of tofu, one of which was cold in the middle. When the combination plate arrived, I was dismayed to see the small portion sizes: A single four-ounce chicken breast, two bite-sized pieces of chicken tatsuta, and four standard pieces of California roll. There was also a small pile of shredded raw cabbage, either as a garnish or possibly just to fill up the empty space on the plate. A standard sized scoop of sticky rice was served in a bowl on the side. The tatsuta was served without any sauce; I found it to be dry. The california roll was standard; there wasn't anything horrible or unusual about it. The teriyaki had not been marinated. It was an unseasoned chicken breast, grilled to order, and drizzled with a sugar-soy-cornstarch sauce. The sticky rice was perfect - maybe the management there is too cheap to slice a new orange each day for salad garnishes, but hey, at least they don't try to serve you yesterday's rice. The service was good... I guess that happens when a place only has 3 tables seated during peak lunch hour. I'm giving this place a one star rating. There's no excuse for serving wilted salad, for not slicing a fresh orange, for failing to marinate a so-called teriyaki, and for serving half-sized portions at standard prices. Not to mention, it would be completely immoral of me to allow a fellow human being to eat any piece of sushi made from the spoiled tuna I saw in the cold window. read more

The food quality must have gone down the drain since 2006 because we recently visited Sushi Tama and it was horrible. Although the wait staff were very friendly and attentive, the food was overpriced and the food quality was rock bottom. The rolls were small for what they charged, the sashimi smelled off, and tasted worse. Our regular sushi house is currently in remodel, so we decided to try our luck with Tama...bad choice. I've heard good things about Fujiya, but I have yet to check them out. I know for certain that if you're looking for great sushi and great prices in Tacoma, head over to Gari of Sushi on 38th. read more

It was where I had my first sushi experience and I keep coming back. I eat sushi out about once a week, but still find myself craving Sushi Tama's rainbow and Caterpillar rolls. They have a great spicy tuna tempura appetizer and delicious miso! I like to treat myself to a small glass of Nigori sake, which is usually sold only by the bottle at other joints. I always want to bring friends here to try how great this place is. Looks like a dive, but it is much better then Fujiya's or Sushi Revolution any day!! read more

Over the past few years I have been frequenting various sushi restaurants around the sound with mixed results. Some places have had great variety but with sub-par quality fish, others have had amazing fish but offer little or not choices in how to dine besides the basic of basics. Sushi isn't just about the quantity and variety of rolls, sashimi, or vegetarian choices you have, and it isn't just about the quality of the ingredients that go into making the dishes. Its a very delicate balance of both and Sushi Tama has everything needed to make a great sushi restaurant. This is not a 'Conveyor Belt Sushi' style restaurant so do not go in expecting 50 different types of rolls that sparkle and flash at you as they pass by. It is a very simple, cozy, place that brings to mind countless anime where the characters go when they want to be 'classy.' Very minimal seating provides a very intimate experience with your fellow diners but in a positive way. Rather than Conveyor Belt sushi places imposing it upon you by putting you elbow to elbow with complete strangers. The Sushi Bar is in plain sight and the Chef will start making your sushi for you as soon as the order is placed. Our server was fantastic and very polite even though we came in an hour before closing and were the only people in the restaurant for most of our visit. The food was excellent, hands down, and the House Sake was the best I have ever had. I'm sure that gets posted around a lot here, but I really mean it. I have had many different brands of Sake and so far this one takes the cake, made personally by our server who took great pride in my compliment to her. The fish was of the utmost quality and even though I did not see a 'Kamikaze Roll' or anything like that, the rolls that were available were classic, timeless, and delicious. I had the Jyo, which consisted of half orders of California Rolls, Cucumber Rolls, and Salmon Rolls, as well as 8 Chef Selected Nigirizushi which turned out to be Squid, Salmon, Mackerel, Halibut, Shrimp, Clam, Tuna, and Maguro Tuna. All of which were so good I didn't want to finish eating them because that would mean the taste would stop affecting my taste buds. My friend had the Northwest Roll and the Sweet Potato Tempura Roll both of which were also excellent. After being to so many Conveyor Belt style restaurants and other places with less appealing qualities, Sushi Tama was a breath of fresh air in a crowded market. read more

Finally found a place who does authentic japanese dishes! I ordered Katsu Donburi which I have a really hard time finding at other "Japanese" restaurants. And found out they do chicken curry too - that will be for next time. Cute place - reminds me of traditional little restaurants in Japan. Friendly good service and good prices too. I'll be back! read more

If you're not from Tacoma make sure to take 50% off the star rating. This is my 5th sushi restaurant try in Tacoma via according to yelp reviews. All of which have excellent "star" ratings but have had sub par quality and grocery store grade fish. I think that people need to get out of town if they honestly feel this is 4 or 5 star sushi. Am I the only person that's not OK with mediocrity on these reviews? read more

Oh how I miss Sushi Tama! Hands down one of the best sushi establishments I've visited. The sushi quality is very fresh and I admire their unique variations for shashimi dishes. Sushi Tama offers you variety where other establishments only offer the standard. Food is a solid 5 stars... I ding them because their restaurant isn't as glamorous for the prices they offer. Again, VERY FRESH! read more

Great Japanese restaurant. Their sushi/sashimi are fresh and taste good! I love their salad as well. They make their own dressings

Sushi Tama has been a mainstay in Tacoma. I've been in Washington since 2001 and despite all the other sushi restaurants that have popped up, it still remains consistent and delightful. I agree with some of the other reviewers that the ambiance has a mom-and-pop feel to it. Definitely an intimate environment and can get busy during dinner time. However, if you want good quality sushi, tempura, or just a comfortable Japanese experience, this is the place to be. Reminds me of some of the Japanese restaurants in Hawaii. read more

Sushitama is a family favorite, and serves good sushi for the price. That said, compared to some of the higher end sushi places in the Puget Sound area, it won't blow your socks off. From a sushi standpoint, Sushitama seems to focus on rolls. Their rolls tend to be on the smaller side, and not many of them have impressed me. They seem to execute the 'mainstay' sushi rolls the best - eel rolls, spicy tuna, etc. The freshness of the fish is probably slightly above average, but again it doesn't compare to higher end sushi places. Anything tempura is typically very tasty and something I order each time I'm there. The ambiance is a small restaurant, mom-and-pop feel - don't expect to be immersed in Japanese culture. But who cares? You're there to eat sushi. The service isn't special, but it's quick and attentive. Overall, Sushitama offers a good value with timely service - perfect for people on a budget or those squeezed for time. read more

Friendliest service! This is not your typical American sushi restaurant. Nothing fried and slathered in mayo! Traditional rolls with the freshest tasting seafood. Always consistent and always delicious. They have several other options if sushi is not your cup of tea like teriyaki or yakisoba. But I recommend the Dragon and Spyder rolls. The Nami or the Jyo entrees are our go-to's. read more

This is exactly the atmosphere I like in a restaurant of any kind--warm and familial but smart and competent. I'm still waiting to try the sushi menu as when I dropped in for lunch I wasn't in the mood. I had a prawn tempura udon bowl and I hadn't let myself get my hopes up but therein was one of my favorite texture combinations ever: tempura squash. Perfect. The flavors were excellent. I can't wait to sample the menu more broadly. read more

I love Sushi Tama. I've bever had a bad meal here. The Spicy Tuna Tempura is amazing. The chef is awesome and the service is incredibly attentive and polite. Sushi Tama is a very authentic and rewarding experience. read more

Best Japanese restaurant in the Puget Sound area! No need to deal with traffic to and in Seattle. Free parking is another plus over Seattle locations. Charming staff as well! read more

fresh, great service! The sushi was good and the soup was legit I enjoyed this experience. They dont have a great view or fancy decor but they did well with what they had read more

Great options and authentic sushi, the woman who helped us was very kind and attentive. Fresh fish and great choices of rolls read more

Sushi Tama - Jyo - Japanese Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

Ok so I'll start by saying I rarely give anywhere a 5 star rating. The service at this place is impeccable. Usually just one waitress and one sushi master working, they serve up a meal like no other. Located on 6th Ave across from Valhalla coffee, Tama Sushi is open for lunch then closes again until supper at 5. I always order the gyoza appetizer, a pork filled pouch, steamed not fried, then served w sauce. The waitress is soooooo hospitable. She's more than that..she remembers faces and pays attn to detail. I took my mom here while she was visiting from out of town. Having never had sushi or used chopsticks, our waitress quickly noticed and broght her a fork, which was appreciated. My fave sushi roll here is the spicy tuna, however the roe here is delectable as well. Other favorites include the rainbow roll and the tekka maki. I order the chicken teryaki, which comes w miso soup, salad and rice. They also serve a complimentary bean paste (sounds wierd but delicious). Our bill was around 40$ for 2 ppl, including appetizer, soup, salad, sushi and a huge meal, as well as hot green tea. Love this place. read more

Overall, I had a great experience at Sushi Tama. Upon entering, my party of 3 was greeted and seated promptly. Initially, there were only a couple other parties there, but over the course of my meal many more people showed up. It's a smaller sized restaurant, and you would think it would get loud from a nearly full house, but somehow a peaceful, relaxed atmosphere is maintained, with noise levels very well managed. Food came out at a reasonable time, with the initial dish being a salad with some special dressing. I found it to be delicious! The miso soup was also very tasty. The waitress was extremely polite and demonstrated great service, being quick to refill water without asking. The only reason I'm not giving a full 5/5 stars is because I thought the prices were a bit high for the portion sizes. I got the assorted sashimi entree with sushi rice underneath. For $22, I expected a few more pieces of sashimi. That said, the quality was fantastic and it tasted great. read more

I stopped here for dinner about a week ago. I am sorry to say I can't recommend it. The sushi was made right in front of me but lacked the freshness I have seen in other sushi restaurants. It was okay but not great. The salad was good. The service was nice. I would not plan on going back. I have yet to find a great sushi restaurant in the area. Please drop me a note if you know of one. read more

Ok folks... read and listen carefully. I've personally followed Tamason in the late 80's and early 90's. While he was working/making (sushi etc) for other grocery stores and then a restaurant. I've noticed... people were waiting in line, including myself and our party. Just to sit up front at the "sushi bar". Showing (me/esp) without him not knowing that I was paying attention on his skills. He, finally got his own business. You still reading what I'm trying to convey to you? Don't get me wrong... I'm not knocking other businesses who make sushi etc. With his restaurant, "Sushi Tama" l enjoy the (combination rice & choice of fish). Which is/has a (consistent/warm/succulent/moist) good taste in every "bite". Also, not having a "bone" stabbing your inner roof/wall of mouth. In comparison to some other sushi restaurants. Each "bite" is like eating "two bites" and the rice is kinda (cold/cool/hard). Having your mouth being the "microwave" in order to swallow it down !!! Hi "Shegiko", l haven't forgotten you:) Anyway, enough of just the "talk"! But, believe/me/you... l will include the "walk". PS- The whole Staff is friendly! read more