The 5 Best Japanese Restaurants in Edmonton for That Authentic Umami Flavour
Craving the perfect balance of buttery sashimi, crisp tempura, and rich broth that warms you from the inside out?
If you want to find the best Japanese restaurants in Edmonton, it means you’ll need to filter through dozens of spots to locate the ones that truly respect tradition while bringing creative flair to your table.
Whether you want a lively room filled or an intimate counter for cozy late-night bar drinks, the Japanese culinary scene in our city has grown into a powerhouse of authentic flavours.
To help you find your next spot, we set out to explore the city’s finest dining rooms, seeking out rich sauces and expertly sliced seafood to give you the ultimate guide for your next meal!
How much does a Japanese meal cost in Edmonton?
While dining styles dictate your final bill, a typical Japanese meal in Edmonton ranges from $15 to $50 per person.
| Dining Style | Estimated Cost Per Person |
| Casual Bento & Ramen | $15 – $25 |
| Mid-Range Izakaya & Sushi | $25 – $40 |
| Premium Dine-In & Omakase | $40 – $50+ |
1. Izakaya Tomo
Website: http://www.izakayatomo.net/
Address: 3739 99st
Contact: 780-440-9152 | [email protected]
Hours: Lunch: Wednesday-Friday 12:00 PM-3:00 PM; Dinner: Sunday, Tuesday-Thursday: 5:00 PM-10:00 PM; Friday-Saturday 5:00 PM-11:00 PM
Izakaya Tomo operates as Edmonton’s very first authentic izakaya, serving comforting plates in a bustling, tavern-style room. Their primary culinary offerings use dedicated soft water for cooking, house-blended soy sauce, and pristine pure water for ice.
They also serve savoury street-style dishes like popular tonpei yaki and rich mentaiko udon. Their genuine natural wasabi is worth noting as it provides a clean, fiery kick that regular green paste can’t replicate.
Overall, the chef’s meticulous attention to detail on each dish elevates the entire tavern atmosphere.
On the downside, their restricted operating schedule means people can’t visit on Mondays. Lunch is also limited to a brief Wednesday through Friday window.
It’s one of the best Japanese restaurants in Edmonton
I can’t believe I haven’t been here before. In my opinion, it’s one of the best Japanese restaurants in Edmonton. First off, the space is on the smaller side but tables are spread out which gives you & your party privacy to hear each other. Food came out relatively quickly when we were dining in. Their sashimi is super fresh, our scallop was plump and had a hint of sweetness in each bite. The portion of their stir-fried udon was on the smaller side than what we expected so would probably skip that next time we come in.
- Haru, Google Review
A great Japanese restaurant
This is a great Japanese restaurant. Great interior and vibes. Servers are super inviting and are willing to provide suggestions. Lots of suchi, nigiri, sashimi, and warm food options. Good appies too. Awesome Japanese beer selection. I recommend the kitachino yuzu beer. Light and crispy, sort of like a radler. Didn’t eat one bad thing here, I’m sure the whole menu is on point.
- Bryce, Google Review
2. Yokozuna
Website: http://yokozunarestaurant.ca/
Address: 4121 – 106st
Contact: 780-431-1508
Hours: Lunch: Monday-Saturday 11:30 AM-1:45 PM; Monday-Thursday Dinner: 5:00 PM-8:30 PM; Friday-Saturday: 5:00 PM-9:00 PM
Yokozuna delivers exceptional culinary consistency with a beautifully organized, no-nonsense menu. Their central dining services offer an amazing lunchtime escape six days a week, where people enjoy beautifully sliced sashimi or crispy tempura.
They also accommodate late-night weekend cravings by extending their evening hours until 9:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
It’s a fantastic setup that makes finding a reliable midday retreat or a relaxed evening meal incredibly straightforward.
Through this simple and structured approach, diners easily find exactly what they want without flipping through endless pages of confusing choices. Their consistent service takes all the hassle out of planning a quality dining experience.
Just a heads up: their doors stay closed on Sundays and all major public holidays.
Staff/food/atmosphere all great
This is my gem. Not many people know about it but I firmly believe it is the best Japanese restaurant in Edmonton . PERIOD. Staff/food/atmosphere all great. I’ve come here for over 10 years before the renovation and I will continue to come. (Ask for the specials on Fridays and weekends)
- Audrey, Google Review
All around great Japanese dining offering
Yokozuna is a long standing Japanese restaurant in the south side of Edmonton. Their reputation is one of fresh food and generous portions. It was great that they were open again after being closed for renovations. The space inside is beautiful. Very lovely wood and light fixtures. The service was very friendly and helpful but extremely slow. It was a long time between dishes and they once even brought us a dish we hadn’t ordered. They are so kind about everything…but I am hoping the slow service was just a blip. All around great Japanese dining offering.
- Wes Inaba, Google Review
3. Japonais Bistro
Website: http://www.japonais.ca/
Address: 11806 Jasper Ave
Contact: 780-760-1616
Hours: Monday-Thursday, Sunday 11:30 AM-9:30 PM; Friday-Saturday: 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Japonais Bistro masterfully unites timeless Asian culinary traditions with creative North American flair in a sleek space. Their primary dining services deliver visually striking plates to anyone hunting for a vibrant culinary crossover.
To make planning completely effortless, they offer convenient online reservations and digital gift cards. They also operate out of accessible locations on both Jasper Avenue and Windermere.
With streamlined setup, diners secure their tables and coordinate their visits with absolute ease. It’s a highly convenient system for organizing a seamless meal in the city.
However, they enforce an unyielding 15-minute cancellation rule that releases tables to waiting walk-ins immediately. You’ll want to make sure you arrive completely on time to avoid losing your spot to unexpected transit delays.
I can’t wait to come back and try more off their menu
This place is absolutely incredible. The quality is one of the highest I’ve ever seen at a Japanese restaurant. They actually have real wasabi too! Not just the green horseradish lol. We ordered the waygu hot stone and it just melts in your mouth. The service was fast, friendly and the food was a 10/10. I can’t wait to come back and try more off their menu!
- Nikki M, Google Review
Everything was very delicious
Overall I would definitely come back to this restaurant. While on the higher price for sushi, their high quality dishes deserve the extra penny and everything was very delicious The staff are friendly, service is quick, and the atmosphere is nice despite the restaurant still having to abide by covid seating and code (slightly effects the ambiance and atmosphere) I would definitely order the lobster udon again and share it with another person (as it is quite large and very rich). Overall one of the best Japanese restaurants you will find in Edmonton”
- Madi Wright, Google Review
4. Damso Izakaya
Website: http://www.damsoizakaya.com/
Address: 10352 82 Ave.
Contact: 587-523-2108
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 5:00 PM-10:30 PM; Friday-Saturday 12:00 PM-12:00 AM; Sunday 12:00 PM-9:30 PM
Damso Izakaya serves Japanese pub fare with a highly personalized, creative twist. Their primary dining options feature small plates crafted with exceptionally fresh ingredients.
We love how they put an artistic spin on traditional sashimi, prioritizing beautiful presentations and bold taste combinations.
To make dining even better, they offer a 10% discount when people choose their online ordering platform for takeout. By offering this digital option, diners easily save money on their favourite dishes, a great setup for enjoying a high-quality meal on the go.
On the flip side, this financial incentive applies strictly to remote pickups. The discount won’t lower your bill if you decide to sit inside the main room.
A must-visit if you’re in the city
This restaurant went far beyond my expectations! Without a doubt, it’s one of the very best dining spots in Edmonton. The Japanese food here is truly spectacular—not just the sushi, but also the tofu and noodles, which were outstanding. The service is excellent, and the whole experience is unforgettable. A must-visit if you’re in the city!
- Mikelius, Google Review
This place is just delightful and amazing
This place is just delightful and amazing. The pictures surrounding you just sets a vibe as if you were in Japan. The food is utterly delicious and has the best quality you can find. The servers and cooks are just amazing people. They helped me pick out the best stuff to order and their own recommendations. Not to mention the drinks are amazing too. I personally believe that this is the best Japanese restaurant in Edmonton. So if you have time check it out.”
- Hehe Espiritu, Google Review
5. Nagoya Japanese Cuisine
Website: https://nagoyawindermere.com/
Address: 17308 Hiller Road Southwest
Contact: 587-873-6028 | [email protected]
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11:30 AM-9:00 PM; Friday-Saturday 11:30 AM-9:30 PM
Nagoya Japanese Cuisine delivers an excellent assortment of fresh options like thick-cut sashimi, tiger rolls, and tasty salmon salad at their Windermere destination.
Their main culinary offerings honour time-tested techniques, serving up beautifully prepared bento boxes and flavorful tuna tataki.
By showcasing such a diverse menu, they ensure diners enjoy top-tier meals either in their beautifully decorated space or right at home.
They also provide comprehensive catering packages to make feeding a massive corporate gathering or milestone birthday party completely stress-free. It’s a fantastic setup that ensures high-quality dining is both accessible and visually stunning.
Otherwise, signing up for their automated text alerts to receive regular restaurant updates means dealing with frequent promotional messages.
The food is high quality and very delicious
Service is amazing. The food is high quality and very delicious! I cannot express how much I love this place. Especially the Salmon salad! I have to get it at least once a week. Highly recommend. The best Japanese restaurant in Edmonton by far
- Andrew Young, Google Review
Great place for lunch if you’re nearby
I actually went here about a year ago, but the pictures were on my old phone and I never got around to posting. Nagoya is a great Japanese restaurant. I stopped in for lunch and had a great meal. The salad was tasty and presented really well. The combo plate i had was really nice and had a little of everything I’d like. Though i did order gyoza also which were really yummy. Prices were fair, great place for lunch if you’re nearby.
- JonJonPoPong, Google Review