8 Best Japanese Restaurants in Tampa

Tampa is well-known for its beautiful beaches, and so the perfect thing to try while you’re in this city could be some seafood. There are some great sushi restaurants in the area, as well as plenty of restaurants that serve Japanese cuisine in general.

Whether you’re looking to try something new or have always been a fan of Japanese food, you won’t want to miss out on this list of restaurants in Tampa, Florida.

Something else you might want to try while you’re at it is GiftYa, a virtual gift card company that allows you to send your loved ones a balance for a specified, participating location via an app. They can then use that with their credit or debit card and not have to worry about remembering to stick a physical gift card in their wallet.

Here are 8 great sushi places in Tampa for you to try!

Matoi Sushi

The freshest and finest of ingredients plated to perfection.

The sushi looks so good on the plate, you almost won’t want to take a bite— almost, because it tastes even better! Image courtesy of Instagram.

 602 N Dale Mabry Hwy | Tampa | 813-871-3233

A very popular sushi restaurant in Tampa, Matoi Sushi has no less than 36 different kinds of specialty rolls. You can specify your choice of sauce out of five options to go with any of them to create the perfect dish, just ask your server!

All of the sushi here is fresh, of course, with only the finest of ingredients making their way to your table. Matoi Sushi also serves Korean cuisine, too.

Matoi Sushi is closed on Mondays, but it’s open from 11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays and from noon until 10 p.m. on Sundays.

“I have been back a couple times now and have tried different things every time. Everything has been fresh and very tasty! Have and will continue to recommend this place to others!” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for Matoi Sushi

Koto Japanese Steakhouse

Open in Tampa for 10 years!

Hibachi is one of this restaurant’s biggest features, especially considering it doubles as a meal and entertainment! Image courtesy of Instagram.

533 S Howard Ave #4 | Tampa | kotosteakhouse.com 

Koto Japanese Steakhouse always strives to serve food of the highest quality, and their popularity shows that they deliver. This restaurant has been open for 10 years, and they welcome both Tampa locals and regulars as well as those who may just be passing through.

Whether you want to dine-in or book an event, you will also watch the chef present flaming hibachi as entertainment to go with your delicious meal. 

Lunch hours are from 11:30 a.m. until 2:45 p.m. on weekdays, while dinner hours are from 5 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. on Mondays through Wednesdays and 5 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays. Saturday hours are 3 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. and Sunday hours are from 3 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.

“I think this place deserves more stars than it has. I often grab the lunch deal- 3 rolls with miso and a salad. It's a great portion size for the price and really tasty.” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for Koto Japanese Steakhouse

SoHo Sushi

An award-winning restaurant in a central area of Tampa.

Sushi isn’t the only thing on the menu here, but it sure is delicious! Image courtesy of Instagram.

3218 W Kennedy Blvd | Tampa | sohosushi.com 

Located in the heart of South Tampa, SoHo Sushi has gained acclaim from the rest of the city and even elsewhere. The sashimi, especially, has won awards for creativity and taste, but there’s far more than just sushi on the menu.

Tempura, teriyaki, appetizers, steam buns, udon, and ramen— this is a great place for many different kinds of Japanese cooking. You will want to at least try the sushi, though.

SoHo Sushi is closed on Sundays, but open every other day of the week from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m.

“There is no need to write paragraphs when this sushi is summed up in one word AMAZING. Always fresh, good vibe solo or with a group. Great service. Beautiful presentation. My goal is to try every roll.” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for SoHo Sushi

Japanese Kitchen Dosunco

More than just ramen, even if it’s the star of the show!

Delicious ramen in large portions with a large number of options. Image courtesy of Instagram.

3310 W Kennedy Blvd | Tampa | dosunco.business.site 

You can find all the ramen that you could want for reasonable prices at Donusco. There are countless options; miso ramen, spicy miso ramen, soy sauce ramen, chilled ramen, brothless ramen, ramen salad, et cetera.

Ramen isn’t the only thing on the menu, however. There’s also udon bowls, desserts, and appetizers for you to choose from, as well as beverages. Sake, beer, craft beer, and non-alcoholic drinks are all available for you.

On Tuesdays through Fridays, Dosunco’s lunch hours are from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. with dinner hours from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m on those days and Saturdays. The restaurant is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

“This is where you go for good simple Ramen. I get the spicy Dosunco ramen, and it's just enough spice without making you regret your day. But they have non spicy and hotter options.” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for Dosunco

Samurai Blue Sushi & Sake Bar

Sushi for lunch, dinner, and a late night snack!

The sushi bar at Samurai Blue is incredibly inviting! Image courtesy of Instagram.

1600 E 8th Ave | Tampa | samuraiblue.com

Several nights of the week, Samurai Blue is open until the A.M. hours. Both the sushi bar and the sake— or other beverages —bar will give you great value and flavor in a city atmosphere.

Hot starters, cold starters, soups, salads, nigiri, sashimi, makimono and specialty makimono, hand rolls and entrees— Samurai Blue has it all.

On weekdays, Samurai Blue is open from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.  Dinner hours are from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. on Sundays through Tuesdays, 5 p.m. until midnight on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 5 p.m. until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

“We absolutely love Samurai Blue. It is one of our favorite sushi restaurants. The ambiance is great, brick with extended ceilings. Every time we go, the sushi is amazing and the staff is always very kind.” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for Samurai Blue Sushi & Sake Bar

Ichicoro Ramen

Authentic ramen in Tampa, Florida!

Ichicoro Ramen brings authentic flavor all the way to Florida! Image courtesy of Instagram.

5229 N Florida Ave | Tampa | ichicororamen.com 

Ichicoro Ramen takes its service and setting very seriously, right along with their mod-casual authentic ramen and other Japanese dishes. The focus, however, is on their ramen in terms of food and sake in terms of drink.

If you don’t want ramen, you could choose a snack or rice bowl instead, and there’s also many other drinks available for you to choose from than sake. Still, the most popular dishes are often the most delicious.

Hours at Ichicoro Ramen are from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. on Sundays through Wednesdays and from 11 a.m. until 1 a.m. the following day on Thursdays through Saturdays.

“This is a super cute spot! It's really small inside, just a bar and a few tables. Since it's so small it's good to get on the waitlist online before you go in, they don't take reservations.” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for Ichicoro Ramen

Origami Sushi Restaurant

Fresh sushi at a fair price for 15 years in Tampa!

Brightly colored sushi with flavors that stand out even more! Image courtesy of Instagram.

3615 W Hillsborough Ave | Tampa | https://www.origamisushirestaurant.com/ 

Origami Sushi has been operating in the Tampa area for over 15 years, always staying creative and innovative with their ideas while still keeping prices reasonable. Selective rolls, like the ones served at Origami, often mean the best of the best, and that’s just what this restaurant uses to make your sushi!

In addition to sushi, there’s bento boxes, hibachi, appetizers, soups, salads, teriyaki, tempura, noodles, and dessert— this is a great restaurant for all types of Japanese cuisine, not just sushi.

On weekdays, hours at Origami Sushi are from 11 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, the restaurant is open from noon until 9:30 p.m.

“For those who want to dine in and at the same time are still Covid-conscious don't worry as all of the staff are still wearing masks and are doing so correctly (as in covering their chins and noses).” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for Origami Sushi Restaurant

If you’re craving Japanese food in Tampa, you should visit one of these restaurants. And if you’re wondering what to give a sushi-loving loved one who lives in the area, you should try GiftYa!