You could likely name a dozen reasons to seek out authentic Japanese cuisine in Towson. The first eleven involve that craving for perfect sushi rice or silky ramen broth, and the twelfth is your insistence that miso soup cures everything. (If you order five rolls and one bowl of udon, we’re fairly certain it’s not the udon leaving you so blissfully full.) Keep reading for the definitive Towson list.
Omi Japanese Hibachi
$ | (443) 946-9035 | WEBSITE
This Towson restaurant off the main strip serves a lot of dishes you’d want with teppanyaki, such as the Salmon and Steak Teppanyaki, which is well-seasoned and served in generous portions. They also have something called the Teriyaki Chicken with noodles, which is a popular choice, and the free yum yum sauce is always appreciated. Omi Japanese Hibachi also has a cozy atmosphere that’s great for families.
Daily Sushi
$ | (410) 668-7700 | WEBSITE
Daily Sushi has been a standout in Towson for years, and it’s a fantastic spot for a quiet dinner or some reliable takeout. They also offer convenient online ordering and carry-out options.
Sushi Hana
$$ | (410) 823-0372 | WEBSITE
This Towson sushi spot offers fresh edamame and pork gyoza as well as popular rolls like the Crispy Mango and Cooked Dynamite. If you want good value, there are lunch specials that cost between $12 and $25.
Toki Underground
$$ | (443) 449-5392 | WEBSITE
Toki Underground has a cozy underground vibe with half-outdoor seating and kitchen views. If you want to eat some ramen, the menu has stuff like the Toki Classic, Brontosaurus Ramen, and pork belly buns. The food presentation is excellent, and the flavors are delicious and creamy, with some dishes like the Mala Garlic Tonkatsu being very flavorful. The staff is friendly and personable, making conversations interesting. The drink menu offers a good variety of sake and cocktails.
Service is often quick, although sometimes slow, and the dining room can fluctuate in temperature. Parking can be limited during busy times, but the overall experience makes it a great spot to enjoy a meal.
Dundalk Seafood & Sushi
$ | (410) 928-8568 | WEBSITE
Dundalk Seafood & Sushi is one of our favorite Japanese restaurants in Towson. We especially like their fried avocado appetizer and melt-in-your-mouth sushi. This family-friendly spot is clean and relaxing, so get here early if you want to enjoy the impressive interior. (There’s also fast service for carry-out.)
Osaka Japan
$ | (410) 284-1212 | WEBSITE
The best Japanese spots in Towson often get crowded with students and folks who usually dine closer to Baltimore, but Osaka Japan makes tasty carry-out meals, and it isn’t hard to get your order here. Teriyaki chicken and shrimp with fried rice or noodles are prepared fresh to order at this straightforward takeout spot, so stop by and grab a $12 teriyaki bowl or a $14 shrimp platter.
Green Leaf
$$ | (410) 771-0030 | WEBSITE
Sushi rolls, steamed vegetables, miso soup, and more are all $12 during lunch specials at this Towson spot. If you want to sample a bunch of different fresh seafood and creative rolls, Green Leaf is the perfect place to do it, because they have a huge selection of both.
Sushi Ichiban Towson
$ | (410) 828-8388 | WEBSITE
Sushi Ichiban Towson is a not-so-fancy local spot in Towson that’s perfect for when you need a lot of sushi to share with a group. You can get excellent sushi with presentation that’s consistently praised, and there’s a clean and welcoming atmosphere where you can dine in when possible. The staff is polite and attentive, often recognizing regular customers and going above and beyond to help all guests, including those with special needs.
The food is consistently hot and delicious, with a wide variety of vegetarian options that customers appreciate. Parking is plentiful, as the restaurant is located in a square with enough space for visitors. Overall, Sushi Ichiban Towson is appreciated for its good food, friendly service, and convenient ordering experience that makes takeout simple and easy.
Miku Sushi and Steakhouse
$ | (410) 667-6000 | WEBSITE
This cozy Towson spot has a clean, intimate dining room, a welcoming atmosphere, and some BYOB flexibility in case you want to bring your own drinks. The food is about what you’d expect at a place that serves a lot of Asian cuisine. (Think sushi rolls, pad thai, and tuna ‘pizza.’)
KAJIKEN BALTIMORE
$ | (443) 835-4617 | WEBSITE
When the craving hits, grab a bowl of spicy tonkotsu or curry chicken aburasoba at this ramen spot near Johns Hopkins. KAJIKEN BALTIMORE also has house-made noodles and fresh vegetables that create a comforting, savory experience.
Quickway Japanese Hibachi
$$ | (443) 835-4853 | WEBSITE
Quickway Japanese Hibachi is a fast-food spot, but it isn’t a greasy joint where you’ll see college kids scarfing down cheap noodles (that would be the place next door). Here, you can eat some shrimp and steak with Lo mein or a Bento box with salmon while you sit at a clean table that gets your order out fast. The space isn’t huge, so it isn’t ideal for big groups—just bring a few friends for a quick, affordable meal.
Edo Sushi
$$ | (410) 667-9200 | WEBSITE
Nowadays feels more like a secret garden than a typical sushi spot. The very pretty outdoor dining area at this York Road restaurant has cozy tables, string lights, and greenery, making it perfect for a cool evening. This is a fun place to enjoy fresh sushi with a group (or your family), and the atmosphere is warm and inviting despite sometimes being crowded.
Matsuri Restaurant
$$ | (410) 752-8561 | WEBSITE
The upstairs dining room at this two-floor restaurant, which is located in the heart of Towson, feels like a quiet corner at your favorite neighborhood spot. Happy hour is recommended for great deals, and you should know they don’t provide gluten-free soy sauce.
Hibachi Express Japanese Grill
$ | (443) 275-1996 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for a relatively normal place to eat in Towson, Hibachi Express Japanese Grill is there for you. This casual Japanese spot has a no-nonsense fast food layout with simple tables and a couple of TVs, and they serve fresh sushi like shrimp and crab rolls. During lunch hours, all of their hibachi chicken and fried rice dishes cost around $12, and you can also get shareable beef and shrimp with noodles for under $20.
Umi Sake
$$ | (410) 667-6585 | WEBSITE
If you want to enjoy some fresh sushi while relaxing in comfortable booths, check out Umi Sake in Towson. You can find their menu of fantastic rolls and generous portions here.
Mizu Sushi
$$ | (410) 522-0888 | WEBSITE
This Japanese spot in Towson is a great place to order from for a group of friends to share creatively designed rolls like the America Dream and Rainbow, plus hot appetizers such as pork gyoza and veg spring rolls. They have a takeout and delivery service that runs until late, so skip the cooking and plan a sushi night at home.
Sarku Japan
$ | (667) 930-7022 | WEBSITE
At this Towson spot, you’ll find a counter serving freshly cooked chicken, vegetarian dishes, and a variety of other Japanese favorites. They also offer takeout meals that run about $15. You can eat in the family-friendly dining area or grab your food to go.
Swallow Hibachi Grill & Sushi
$ | (410) 650-9949 | WEBSITE
You’ll see a lot of Towson families at this spacious Japanese spot with freshly made food. The menu is mostly hibachi, but you can also get things like teriyaki shrimp and sushi rolls. The service is excellent, with friendly staff who are gracious and helpful, making the dining experience enjoyable from start to finish. The duck sauce is a highlight, and the portions are generous. It’s clean inside, with food prepared to order rather than sitting under a heating lamp.
While the vegetables could be cooked a bit longer, the overall experience is delightful and worth a repeat visit. This family-owned restaurant offers affordable hibachi options and sushi that is well worth the price, making it a popular choice for families who visit almost weekly.
JiBang Sushi & Hibachi
$ | (410) 298-2222 | WEBSITE
In case you couldn’t tell from the name, this place just off the main drag in Towson serves different kinds of sushi. There’s one with eel and avocado called the Dragon Roll, and another with fresh tuna, and they also make seaweed salad and fried sesame balls with mango mochi ice cream for dessert. The sushi is always fresh and ready quickly, and the service is friendly, making it a great choice for takeout.
Although the portions may be small, they’re definitely worth it, and the atmosphere is relaxed. It’s a quaint little spot that has great potential as a go-to place for Japanese food, with halal options and dishes like chicken lo mein, General Tsao’s Chicken, and steak teriyaki for those who want something different.
Kabuto Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar
$$ | (443) 725-5982 | WEBSITE
The sleek black exterior of Kabuto Japanese Steakhouse in Towson makes this place easy to spot. Come by for steak that melts in your mouth, and sushi rolls paired with their delicious salad dressing. All of the drinks (including a selection of sake and Japanese beers) are $6 during Happy Hour, and if you visit with a large group, they offer teppanyaki grill shows where the chef entertains kids with onion volcanoes.