These days, Bakersfield’s oil fields still pump, the sun still bakes the valley floor, and you can still find a classic steakhouse on every other corner. But some things have changed. From sleek sushi counters and cozy ramen shops to izakayas with glowing lanterns, it’s no secret that Bakersfield has quietly cultivated some of California’s most authentic Japanese food. You already know there’s great sushi in town—we’ve just gathered the absolute best.
Hon Ramen
$ | (661) 558-4000 | WEBSITE
Hon Ramen is a Japanese restaurant that delivers an exceptional dining experience in Bakersfield. Start with some vegetable gyoza—it’s one of our favorite appetizers in town—then move on to heartier portions from the ramen section, including the MGM roll. It’s a cozy and welcoming space with a lot of warmth, but not in a way that ever feels too crowded. Show up with a date or a group of friends. The menu is made up of satisfying dishes, and you’ll want to try as many of them as you can.
Tokyo Garden
$$ | (661) 835-7874 | WEBSITE
Tokyo Garden lets a teppanyaki chef be a teppanyaki chef. It’s a Japanese restaurant that doesn’t rely on gimmicky fusion to try to convince you that a steak is just as good when it’s not sizzling right before your eyes. Instead, they know that a perfectly seared New York steak prepared on the hot iron griddle can, in fact, trigger the same dopamine rush as any high-end steakhouse cut.
Just know that by signing up for dinner here, you’ll be buckling in for an entertaining culinary show that feels a little bit like a dinner-and-a-circus. At around $65 a person, it’s one of the more affordable teppanyaki experiences in town—barely more than a ticket to the movies, but with a Crunch Roll and fried ice cream included.
Sarku Japan
$ | (661) 615-9461 | WEBSITE
Sarku Japan is the closest thing Bakersfield has to a classic Japanese fast-casual spot you’d expect to find in a busy mall food court. The only difference is it’s set amongst a bunch of strip malls and parking lots in central Bakersfield. The food here is decent, but don’t expect to be wowed. What will satisfy, though, is the consistently praised rice, the quick service when lines are short, and the straightforward approach to Asian cuisine.
Despite being a little more inconsistent than most of the other spots on this guide, Sarku Japan can get crowded, so plan accordingly.
Shogun Palace
$$ | (661) 325-0007 | WEBSITE
Shogun Palace is a tribute to classic teppanyaki showmanship—it’s brightly lit with stainless steel grills and a worn-in dining room that feels like a place where birthday parties celebrate with flying shrimp. Savory rice and veggies share the grill with tender steak and chicken—you decide how interactive you want the meal—and we’d happily send Shogun Palace’s versions of each into a ring to compete for the most entertaining with other spots in Bakersfield.
Stop by when you want to turn a regular dinner into something that feels just a little bit theatrical, or on weekends when the chefs really turn up the energy.
Kyoto Japanese Grill
$ | (661) 326-0305 | WEBSITE
The next time you feel an unprompted craving for steak and shrimp with grilled vegetables crispier than a double-fried tempura, or for other generous-plate versions of Japanese teppanyaki, head to Kyoto Japanese Grill. We can pretty much guarantee that the juicy little bites of hibachi chicken at this clean and comfortable take-out spot will be the highlight of your week.
At least until you get to the California roll, spicy tuna roll, and katsu dinner served with a choice of two sauces worth collecting on the table ‘just in case.’ This is a meal you won’t want to end. Fortunately, you can order every dessert on the menu to prolong the experience.
Ahi Sushi
$$ | (661) 615-3320 | WEBSITE
The menu stays reliably consistent at Ahi Sushi, a cozy, warmly lit Japanese spot in Bakersfield. Which means that when the craving for the lunch bento with teriyaki beef and vegetable tempura strikes, you can always satisfy it exactly as you’d like. That’s great. Just confidently order whatever sushi rolls Ahi Sushi has on any given day and you’ll leave with a new favorite.
There are also solid ramen bowls and the recommended ‘Beautiful Lady’ roll that we usually reserve for sharing with friends (only so we can try more of the complimentary miso soup and seaweed salad). Afterwards, be sure to savor the pickled radish. Ahi Sushi lives a wonderful double life as a traditional Japanese restaurant and a modern neighborhood gem, and excels at both.
Bento Express
$ | (661) 327-3777 | WEBSITE
Bento Express is one of Bakersfield’s go-to spots for fresh Japanese cuisine, and their convenient location near Oak and Truxtun extension makes them perfect for grabbing a satisfying meal any time of day. Regardless of the occasion, Bento Express has built a reputation by offering a solid selection of bento boxes, sushi, and tempura dishes.
There are plenty of choices here—all of them tasty—but you should definitely make the teriyaki bento box with sushi, salad, tempura vegetables, and shrimp tempura teriyaki chicken a part of your order, especially when upgraded with their delicious fried rice.
Shoyu Sushi Japanese Restaurant
$$ | (661) 573-0123 | WEBSITE
The Las Vegas Roll at Shoyu Sushi has developed a cult-like following, due in equal parts to the flavorful combination of ingredients, the perfectly seasoned rice, and something called complimentary deep-fried eggplant. What’s so special about the eggplant, you might ask? It’s a surprise, which basically just means that they probably don’t even know why it’s so addictive. What we do know is that it’s crispy, savory, a little sweet, and we’d order it as an entrée if we could.
Come here for the Las Vegas Roll, but stay for the excellent ramen and lively dining space that manages to stay packed all hours of the day.
KUMA SUSHI, Bakersfield Downtown
$$ | (661) 663-7878 | WEBSITE
Sushi cravings usually end with scrolling through endless delivery apps and settling for something mediocre. We can’t help with the indecision, but we can point you toward KUMA SUSHI to fix that. It’s conveniently located in Bakersfield Downtown and offers plenty of seating in their clean, modern dining room with warm lighting.
The Caterpillar roll is only made better with the addition of fresh avocado, and they have bento boxes for everyone at the table, including unagi for the traditionalist, Kuma’s Special for the adventurous, and Mr. Gump for Alex who will try anything with creative flair.
Teriyaki Madness
$ | (661) 742-1650 | WEBSITE
Teriyaki Madness specializes in Japanese-style teriyaki bowls, featuring a variety of protein options (plus a vegan one). Ask five regulars what their favorite is and you’ll end up with five different answers, but the chicken and beef bowls are our favorites, along with the daily specials. The portions are generous enough that you can share if you’re feeling social. Just order a couple of different bowls to split, then get ready to enjoy a satisfying teriyaki spread.
You’ll find Teriyaki Madness in a clean, family-friendly spot, in a quiet facility full of comfortable seating, so bring the whole crew before you grab some bowls.
Ichiban Sushi
$$ | (661) 837-1111 | WEBSITE
Between the cozy vibe, and the sushi chef who works with the precision of a master craftsman (true story), stepping into Ichiban Sushi feels like you just walked into Bakersfield’s most inviting dining room. It’s conveniently located for a relaxed evening out, making it a great place to unwind after work or celebrate a special occasion with some incredible food. Get the Salmon Killer roll if you want something with bold flavor, or just go all in with one of the spicy shrimp tempura creations.
Miyoshi Japanese Restaurant
$$ | (661) 398-3397 | WEBSITE
Tucked away in a space that’s admittedly a little tight, Miyoshi Japanese Restaurant is one of the most satisfying sushi spots in Bakersfield. It’s situated off the main drags, meaning it’s a perfect place for a relaxed meal or a casual night out, but it’s also lively and fun enough to be one of our go-to spots for consistently great Japanese food.
Whether you’re starting with the garlic edamame, moving on to the teriyaki chicken, or diving into the California roll, you’ll definitely want to save room for the Love Fire roll—just don’t expect too much personal space when they bring it to your table.
JIN Sushi (Downtown)
$$ | (661) 447-4622 | WEBSITE
The menu at JIN Sushi stays reliably consistent, so you can always count on that spicy tuna roll that makes your Tuesday night feel like a special occasion. This sushi restaurant in downtown Bakersfield is a clean and comfortable neighborhood spot with a menu of affordable Japanese classics focusing on fresh sushi, bento boxes, and sake.
The only catch is that it’s a casual walk-in place, so think less “fancy omakase experience” and more “reliable weeknight dinner.” And since they’re dog-friendly outside, even if you forgot to plan ahead, you can just say “JIN Sushi welcomes dogs on the patio” and nobody has to know about your spontaneous craving for fresh sushi and plum wine.
JIN SUSHI #2 (Brimhall & Allen)
$$ | (661) 459-3400 | WEBSITE
Jin Sushi #2 has been Bakersfield’s go-to spot for exceptional sushi and Japanese cuisine since it opened on Brimhall. With its welcoming atmosphere and staff that goes above and beyond, it always feels like a neighborhood favorite, but with fresh oysters and beautifully presented lunch specials alongside classic and sometimes creative sushi rolls.
The sushi is great, but the amazing Beef bento and variety of food options transform Jin Sushi #2 from a simple sushi restaurant into a Japanese dining experience worth braving busy periods for with friends, family, or even your pet.
Asian vegan bistro
$ | (661) 564-9005 | WEBSITE
Asian Vegan Bistro has come a long way from its humble origin as a cute little family-owned small business serving vegan Chinese food. Now, they’re a quintessential plant-based spot, still in Bakersfield, but with an extensive menu that explores multiple Asian cuisines. Their claim to fame may have been the perfectly cooked orange chicken, but there’s a strong selection of dishes like vegan pho, miso ramen, chow mein, and udon for your friend who’s craving noodles.
There’s also quality drink options including boba tea, whether you’re in the mood for something sweet or just want to complement your meal. The portions are generous, the flavors are on point, and everything is fairly priced at around $12-18 per entrée. The service is great, and the staff is very sweet in the cozy dining space with warm lighting, providing a satisfying experience for diners looking for 100% plant-based Asian food.
Fusion teriyaki bowl
$ | (661) 391-8788 | WEBSITE
This place is one of Bakersfield’s few authentic Japanese spots and has held its own for a while now. The El Salamanca Sushi is fresh (in the best way)—you should go for it if you’re looking for something delicious and affordable. If you’re here for dinner, the Tempura California roll is one of the best we’ve had. And if you’re here with family, you’re also going to want to enjoy the generous portions.
As if we needed another local secret to try to keep, there’s a welcoming atmosphere throughout the restaurant, with clean decor and friendly staff.