Three stars for the fabulous food and two stars removed for the awful service. It seems if you are not a regular or are not a family the staff "identifies with" , you don't stand a chance getting even basic service and courtesy. Shame, because the Sashimi and Sushi were easily the best I ever had. And I have NEVER been to a BYOB restaurant where the staff did not open or even offer to open our wine. Instead , they delivered a crappy corkscrew to our table so we could do it ourselves. read more

I've never dined here but when in the area, I do have to pick up to go. They are generous with their sushi and every appetizer I've had has been delicious. I do find the price is a bit steep but it's worth it for a special Japanese treat. The staff is always welcoming and they never seem annoyed when I asked them questions about the menu. The dining area has ample seating and honestly I've never seen it completely full so I don't know if you need a reservation. read more

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Quite a disappointment for me after all the hype - great reviews from friends and can't walk in without reservation etc. We often get Japanese groceries from the Tawara Mart next door, and have wanted to try the restaurant for a long time. I ordered the vegetable Shogun box dinner, thinking that I could taste a range of dishes in one go: sushi, tempura, miso eggplant, stir fried veggies, sesame spinach, and pickles. Husband ordered shrimp sukiyaki, and we also got tofu buns for a starter. My dinner box was pretty awful: the tempura neither looked nor tasted authentic; the miso tofu was super oily without much hint of miso; the veggie stir-fry was super salty, and there was hardly one bite of sesame spinach. I finished a whole bowl of rice before I could go through half of the food, since it was too salty. On the other hand, my husband enjoyed his shrimp sukiyaki, although it was not worth a second visit. I guess they are not very good at cooking vegetarian dishes? We were seated next to the kitchen, and could see that the cooks were not Japanese (or even Asian), and needed certain guidance and supervision from the manager, which should have been a red flag for us. The restaurant is quite narrow and long, with booth seatings for two, plus a couple tables and some stools at the sushi bar. The myth was dissipated for us, and the verdict - nah, there are way better Japanese restaurants near us. Not worth the drive! read more

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I've been to this restaurant several times now and is always a great time. Their sushi and sashimi are both great. The service is good and the place is nice. Must try the sashimi deluxe! read more

Tawara Japanese Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Ramsey, New Jersey

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Went out for lunch and got the Shoyu Ramen & Pork Katsu. My partner and I were very dissatisfied and disappointed in the food. Both dishes lacked flavor, tasted very plain and the flavors that were there weren't enjoyable. The bean root overtook all other flavors in the ramen. As for the pork katsu, it was extremely oily and filled with oil inside the pieces. The food at the market has much more flavor and tastes better in my experience. I love the place itself, the atmosphere is very nice, tidied up, dim lights. The setting is nice. The employees are also very kind. The only issue was the food itself which I wouldn't return for. Atmosphere & Service: 9/10 Food: 2/10 read more

Tawara Japanese Restaurant - shoyu ramen & pork katsu - Japanese Near Me - Ramsey, New Jersey

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Well made food with seating that allows you to hear your tablemates. The restaurant has been in existence for more that forty years run by the same family. read more

An instant favorite! MAKE RESERVATIONS Super cozy and special MAKE RESERVATIONS *spicy crunchy avocado bowl/roll* MAKE RESERVATIONS They're closed on Mondays MAKE RESERVATIONS byob MAKE RESERVATIONS be sure to visit "Tawara Mart" next door MAKE RESERVATIONS The staff are quirky and affable MAKE RESERVATIONS If I was to move across the country, Tawara would be in the list of "these are the Top 8 restaurants that I miss most from NJ." Other ones are (and in no order): - Bangkok Garden, Hackensack - Frank's Pizza, Oakland - Tequila Sal y Limón, Suffern, NY - Thatcher McGhee's, Pompton Lakes - I'll add more later read more

stumbled across this cute japanese restaurant in nj. the setting and overall atmosphere is nice and the staff were very friendly. however the food was just ok. shoyu ramen - it was too salty and reminded me a bit of frozen shoyu ramen i could get at the grocery store. the meat was very tender tho! the quality of the fish were okay. i wasn't expecting too much bc each piece was $3-4. read more

Tawara Japanese Restaurant - salmon - Japanese Near Me - Ramsey, New Jersey

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A family favorite for authentic Japanese sushi and food. Such a family favorite that we are on a first name basis with the staff. The inside of the restaurant is authentic Japanese and has two private dining rooms with sliding doors that can be closed. The booths are extremely cozy and private. Or you can be seated at a table, personally I recommend the sushi bar because it's awesome to watch the sushi chefs at work. Service is extremely friendly and personable. You will never have to wait for anything. Miso soup here is probably one of the best I've had, a must try item. The ginger salad dressing is phenomenal. The shrimp and vegetable tempura is very filling and always ask for extra tempura sauce and tempura well done for a perfect crunch. Sushi: we ordered the sunset roll, special tuna roll, spicy crunchy California roll, and shrimp tempura roll. Perfectly delicious however lately the rolls haven't been rolled that tight and tend to fall apart as you pick them up. We ordered the vegetable gyoza appetizer and unfortunately it was cold/perhaps not prepared properly which was shocking for how on point Tawara normally is. Yaki soba here is outstanding. I recommend the vegetable yaki soba over the meat options. Shrimp teriyaki was also delicious and comes in a larger size for sharing/families. A must try place for sushi and food! The green tea is also amazing so definitely try it out! read more

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I'd say it's more like 3.5 stars. The food is delicious and service was good. However, the restaurant didn't feel very clean. The floor felt greasy, as is the table. Three of the dipping sauce bowls were dirty and had to request for new ones. We drove from a bit away to try it bc of the reviews and having a good Japanese restaurants in NJ is like finding a needle in a haystack. Sadly will not return as the experience didn't warrant the drive again. read more

Enjoyed our takeout order. Was prepared in time and correct. Packaged nicely. Rice was perfectly made. My beef dish was full of beef and tasty. No liquor license but liquor store next store to bring in. read more

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Food is amazing here and service is always great. The private room is always the best if you can get it.

Solid Japanese restaurant on Ramsey Main St. I started off with the Takoyaki ($8), which was delicious with a fried exterior and well-cooked octopus inside and a tasty creamy mayo sauce. I also got the Yaki Udon with shrimp ($15), which was sautéed (not in soup) - it was decent, kind of just tasted like normal udon noodles without the soup rather than actually being sautéed or crispy though. The Manhattan Roll ($7) was pretty good. The prices were about average. We sat in a traditional tatami room, which is an interesting and authentic experience where you take your shoes off and sit on mats with the wooden table in front (there is actually an area under the table where you can put your legs/feet). There are also some 2 person tables and some 4 person tables, but when we (4 people) arrived for dinner on a Sunday night, there was only the tatami room available. The interior is designed in a typical Japanese restaurant style with wooden seats/tables. The staff are average friendliness/attentiveness and the service speed is fine. There is a large parking lot in front of the shopping plaza. Note that there is also a small connected grocery store right next door called Tawara Mart, which sells authentic Japanese groceries. Overall, if you are looking for Japanese food in the Ramsey area, Tawara could be a good and convenient option. read more

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Another great lunch at Tawara. This time had the beef rice bowl and the flavor was excellent and the sushi is fresh as usual. Fast service even during lunch rush! They keep the hot tea flowing too. read more

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The food was absolutely amazing. The staff was friendly and inviting. Whether it's a special occasion or a simple meal out, 2 thumbs up.

Nicely decorated and the ambiance felt authentic. We were seated in the side booth and it was nice and cozy. So many options. Very filling and great value. I'm surprised by the extensive menu. Food was delicious. The clam soup was a touch too salty. I really liked the bento box I got which had sashimi, sushi, spinach, fried tempura and vegetables, chicken kaarage, and miso soup with rice. If you have time, I also recommend you stop by the Tawara Mart next door. read more

LOVED Tawara! I always passed by and had been in the mart but never knew there was restaurant. The ambiance was very traditional which was really cool since I do not know any other places in this area that are similar. The food was great. We ordered the katsu curry, salmon teriyaki, pork katsu, and sukiyaki. Everything was delicious and staff was very friendly read more

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One of the most authentic Japanese tasting dishes in this area! On the way home from a weekend getaway, we found this place available for pickup which is only twenty five mins from home. Tried a rice and noodle dish and I was blown away by the flavor and authenticity in the food. You can just tell it's a level above. Seems to be family owned and I believe the daughter was helping to run the front desk and pickup. Very busy which is a good sign. Really recommend trying this place out, their lunch specials are affordable! read more

This used to be my go-to sushi spot years ago, known for great food, friendly chefs, and lively service. Sadly, today's visit was disappointing. The sushi counter was quiet, the chef disengaged, and the selection limited. Portions were tiny, and the service was worse--no check-ins, empty dishes left on the table, and we had to ask loudly for tea refills. After 40 years, it seems the place has lost its touch. We'll be trying the other sushi spots in Ramsey next time. read more

On a super hot summer night I was looking for a good place to eat. No cooking for me. Since we all love Japanese food this looked like the obvious choice. The restaurant is located in a strip mall with plenty of parking. It's a small cozy place with tables lined up against the left side of the rectangular shaped restaurant. Service was quick and our server was pleasant. I ordered the salmon teriyaki for an entree and vegetable gyoza as an appetizer. My food was delicious and well seasoned. I was able to use my chopsticks without incident. Yay me! read more

Tawara offers authentic sushi with fast service in a spotless setting. The dishes are genuine and delicious, capturing the essence of traditional Japanese cuisine. The quick and efficient service ensures a pleasant dining experience. read more

We have been wanting to try Tawara ever since we came to the Tawara market next door. We made a reservation at 7 PM and were seated promptly. There are a lot of choices on the menu so everyone is sure to find something they enjoy. We had the Mexican Roll, Takoyaki, Chicken Katsu, and the cold udon noodle with tempura set. The takoyaki was filled with large chunks of octopus! All of the food came piping hot! I appreciate that immensely. Staff was attentive and kept refilling water/tea. The roll was delicious according to the other person who had it. It was a very satisfying meal! Everything was seasoned well without being too salty! Will definitely come back! read more

Tawara Japanese Restaurant - Takoyaki - Japanese Near Me - Ramsey, New Jersey

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Lovely Japanese restaurant. Reservations are a must. Great date night place or small party of 5 or less. Friendly fast service. We were a party of five and got a room to ourselves, which was a pleasant surprise. We absolutely loved all the dishes we ordered but our favorites were the salmon and shrimp teriyaki, sashimi toro pieces and the Agedashi fried tofu. However everything was delicious, flavorful and fresh. I definitely want to come back again. read more

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I'll just say it's tough to get take out from a place like this. It's just not the same as "eating in." Never had a anything less that a real good experience. Take out was fun since that "kids" (Adults) came over to join. All ordered something different, so without naming mani items, I'll just say everybody enjoyed and there were plenty of leftovers. Go and or take out. This place is a Ramsey icon. read more

Tawara Japanese Restaurant - Take Out - Japanese Near Me - Ramsey, New Jersey

Superb service. Very fresh food. My friend ordered a side salad and sushi rolls. I tried a clam soup (definitely will order again...lots of tiny clams in their shells and delightfully seasoned) and a pork dish with garlic and ginger for my main. Oh my, wonderful. Small. Food carefully prepared. Love, love it! read more

We were so excited to find Tawara, right here in our new home town of Ramsey! Have visited twice now - this has become our "go to" Japanese restaurant . The restaurant is cosy, with a sushi bar plus tables and booths (I think more seating in the back, not sure, as we were seated in a wooden booth in the front section). The first visit - our host was super helpful and spent time speaking with us, which was nice. We tried the shoyu edamame, chicken karaje, tempura roll (with a modification- I added spicy tuna to it..Yummo!), pork katsu and shoyu ramen. Everything was delicious. Second trip - the host recognized us which was unexpected! This trip, we tried Katsu-curry... off menu item but fab! Would suggest trying Tawara if you are in the mood for delish Japanese food... just make sure you ring to make a reservation. read more

I am rounding up because our server was such a sweetheart and I loved the feeling of the restaurant especially sitting in the back booths. Definitely felt like I was sitting in a restaurant in Japan. As advertised on the menu, food will take a long time to come out. Unfortunately, service is also very slow. We ordered some appetizers which were just OK. Then by the time we got the sharing plates, we had eaten all the appetizers off the plate already in fear of it becoming cold. The complimentary green tea with toasted rice was nice and they are also BYOB. Again, entrees were just OK. I had the seafood sukiyaki. Noodles were scarce and the seafood was overcooked. I stole a couple bites from my sister's sushi sashimi platter and nothing to rave about. I have definitely had better in Bergen County so I will not be back. They have been there since the 80s so they have a good local following. read more

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I have been enjoying dining at Tawara for over a decade and this review I should have written years ago. This is by far the best Japanese restaurant in Bergen County and managed by an amazing group of people. Certain dishes like the Pork Belly Buns and their sushi are truly life changing and are worth coming here just for those. There is no Japanese restaurant in our area that can compete against their sushi. Their ramen, miso soup, terriyaki, spicy crunchy bowls, tawara wings, and curry udon have a depth of flavor that leaves you nourished, happy, and improves your day if not your week. My friends and family have spent many nights celebrating our most important birthdays and holidays in their private booths in the back or going on dates in their two person booths near the kitchen. The ambience is low key - traditional Japanese - homie and just a joy to spend time here. If you are looking for a great - go to - always good - Japanese restaurant... You are in luck you have found a real gem, I hope you enjoy! Thanks for all the lovely meals Tawara. read more

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One of my favorite lunch spots in the area. Food is always amazing, staff is friendly, and service is quick. read more

Tawara Japanese Restaurant - Kani Salad, Salmon Teriyaki, and Tuna Sushi Bowl - Japanese Near Me - Ramsey, New Jersey

If you live in Mahwah/Ramsey or near the area, you have to go to Tawara. My friends and I go to Ramapo college and we have been going here for the whole three years we've been going to college! This is our comfort restaurant and ALL the workers/servers are SO accommodating, welcoming, and friendly. Not to mention, the food is DELICIOUS! read more

Tawara Japanese Restaurant - Spicy Tuna - Japanese Near Me - Ramsey, New Jersey

Our family had a horrible experience. We made a reservation then once we got there, we were told we had an hour because of a party of 12. Absolutely absurd. What's even worse was how they handled it without being apologetic for their mistake of over booking. I left a message after about my experience. No response read more

This is the go to Japanese place (and usually in general our go to restaurant) for our friends and my wife and I. We love Tawara. The food is phenomenal, there's a good selection of different sushi and sashimi rolls, and a pretty expansive menu in general (you absolutely will be able to find something that intrigues you. The pork buns are awesome, the ramen is great and the sushi is really good. I love the spicy shredded beef don and the wings are so good. Also the staff is so friendly and Reika who works there always makes us feel at home and has really made this place the staple that it is for our friends and family. There are also private rooms in the back where u can take off your shoes in a more intimate setting. Cannot say enough good things about Tawara and it's staff. The only thing I can say that I miss is the monthly specials they used to have where sometimes there were new wing flavors and special desserts (a strawberry and green tea Oreo dessert that was phenomenal). read more

I decided to give tawara another try after trying them for sushi twice and being very disappointed each time. Today I decided to get the shoyu ramen to-go and I asked to add a ramen egg. I even said "you know a soft boiled egg... the ramen egg" after I said ramen egg to avoid confusion. Instead, they gave me a regular hard boiled egg which is weird? It's supposed to be a soft boiled egg with a jammy egg yolk that has been marinated for hours in soy sauce. It's just a normal hard boiled egg not marinated in soy sauce, that was dropped in so wasn't a Japanese ramen egg at all. Whenever I've gotten ramen, the noodles are a soft consistency and taste homemade. This was hard spaghetti-like noodles and did not taste homemade but maybe that's because the noodles were over cooked. The broth itself was pretty good! I was very disappointed in the ramen egg though as that's one of my favorite parts of the dish! I've had more authentic ramen elsewhere. read more

Tawara Japanese Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Ramsey, New Jersey

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Stopped in here on a slow Saturday afternoon. There were two of us dining and it was completely empty which was fine with that in mind. The staff was immediately very welcoming and made us feel at home. It took us a second to sift through the menu and get a feel of everything but after we did everything was fine. The food was extremely fresh tender and absolutely delicious. Between my sister and I we had to shave me and a couple rolls. I usually order a Kani salad- which I didn't see on the menu. But after asking our server if they did offer it, she eagerly and politely said they can make it for me. I was so happy they were able to do this because it was one of the best Kani salads I've ever had! Honestly, I'm not from the area and probably won't be returning to Ramsey but if I did I would definitely come back for another meal here. The food was very memorable and we had a great experience. read more

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Love this place. The service is always spot on. servers are friendly and always welcoming. atmosphere is pleasant. Food, always satisfied. my usual dinner is tofu teriyaki and a sushi roll, and never disappointed. their Shoyu Edamame which is amazing. tofu buns, delicious love this place read more

If I could give this zero stars I would. I only have it one so I could leave a review. I had been coming here stir 20 years, it had been one of my favorite. Came in for dinner at around 7:30 pm. After we were seated 2 tables came in after my party of 2. Both tables were tended to with drinks and even orders before we were acknowledged. Took almost 20 minutes to get out drinks. After that the "waitress" who looked like she was in pajamas was rude and dismissive of the 2 questions we asked 1 about an appetizer, and the other about a sushi roll. When the food finally came after an hour they never came to ask if anything was ok, or if we would like drink refills, NOTHING! After waiting for a period of time I had to get up and get my own chopsticks from the counter that were there for to go orders. The waitress continued to be rude on the one other occasion she came to the table. The entire experience is nothing that it used to be, and I would never go back such a shame that it has gone so down hill. read more

Real Japanese food made by Japanese people. (Well....oversight from a real Japanese. The cook is spanish) I love the katsu-don here. And this isn't a ramen shop but its on the menu. It's better than ramen at most chinese ran restaurants. The staff is friendly and efficient. Ive been coming here fir years. I recommend this restaurant. read more

The food is absolutely amazing. The pork belly buns were the best I've ever had, and the sushi was made to perfection. Even being busy with take out orders, the staff was attentive, and patient. My new favorite spot...Highly recommend you come check this place out. read more

Tawara Japanese Restaurant - Pork Belly Buns - Japanese Near Me - Ramsey, New Jersey

Like omakase set. I wish they are open lunch too I like there omakase set menu either sashimi or sushi read more

I have been going to this restaurant for at least 30 years on & off. It never disappoints. I went there today for lunch and had the bento Box A. Every bite was a experience. I moved out of the area ( Nevada) and come back to NJ every 6months. I always stop by here for some great Japanese food, never had a bad meal or a mediocre meal. Do I recommend the place...Oh yeah. read more