Best Japanese restaurants Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City has more Japanese dining options than you can shake a yakitori skewer at. From ramen to precise sashimi to innovative fusion cuisine, our fair city really has it all. But where is the best Japanese restaurant in Salt Lake City? We’ve got a few picks for you to get stuck into.

Kyoto Japanese Restaurant

Neighborhood: SLC
Address: 1080 E 1300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84105

A staple since the 1980s and one of Utah’s first Japanese restaurants is Kyoto, located on the East side of town. Focused on authentic Japanese cuisine, not to mention being housed in a traditionally upholstered Japanese space that’s relaxed and bubbling with atmosphere. The space features private tatami-style booths and a sushi counter, and is always busy. Parking can be tight, so plan ahead, or arrive early/later to avoid the rush.

One particular specialty at Kyoto Japanese Restaurant is the fabulous tempura shrimp served as part of a complete dinner with salad, soup, and rice. They’re the stuff of dreams, epic in both size and terrific crunch. In fact, all the traditional comfort food dishes here rock: tonkatsu, sukiyaki, teriyaki, tempura, and more.

Koyote

Neighborhood: Avenues
Address: 551 W 400 N, Salt Lake City, 84116

This Marmalade-neighborhood must focus on ramen. The American shoyu ($14) is my favorite bowl at this Marmalade restaurant. I’m a huge fan of the house-smoked brisket, slow-cooked for hour upon hour before being galvanized in beef tallow. This alone should steal the show but a coy co-star – ajitama – is equally captivating. The soft-boiled eggs are boiled at a specific temperature and time, then peeled, left to marinate for several days. The process renders a dreamy, custard-esque texture. Green onions, scallions, blanched spinach, and fermented bamboo shoots complete the picture.

Oh, the broth? It’s a mere ten-hour creation built upon chicken and pork stock. It’s utterly mesmerizing. From the fractally hypnotic oils that lacquer the surface, through to the soulful, savory depth. The lighter, clear chintan-style broth is my personal favorite, but those who prefer more heft to their bowl won’t be left disappointed. Read my full writeup of Koyote in this story.

Momomaru

Neighborhood: Downtown SLC
Address: 636 S 200 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Chef and owner Eric Park’s Momomaru offers an elementary antidote to this predicament. You’ll find nary a slice of sashimi or nigiri. There are no uramaki or gunkan to puzzle over. Instead, Park offers guests one format – temaki, aka handrolls. The cylindrical preparation forms the core of the menu at Momomaru.

Laser-like focus is rarely a bad thing, especially in the food world. The cookie monster has few detractors for his singular canon of work after all. Momomaru was one of my ones to watch for 2026, primarily for this unabashedly controlled approach, not least for another notable fact: Park was also involved with the opening of the OG Nohm. For a more detailed look at the menu and experience, check out this story I wrote about a brief lunch at Momomaru.

Bar Nohm

Neighborhood: Central 9th
Address: 65 W 900 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Strictly speaking, Nohm isn’t a Japanese restaurant, but the influence is strong at this Central 9th spot. and to be clear, for example, the custom-built binchotan charcoal grill that powers a selection of grilled skewers. Read my full in-depth preview of Bar Nohm here.

Sushi Groove

Neighborhood: Sugar House
Address: 2910 Highland Dr, Salt Lake City, 84106

Head on down to the ‘groove and you’ll find a local hangout where on any given night you might find a DJ or live band playing; with the graffiti art walls and contemporary approach to sushi rolls, you’ll have a blast at this hip eatery.

For the best experience, try to score a seat at the sushi counter and pick your chef’s brains on what’s hot despite the vibe. Beneath all the cool veneer the restaurant harbors some killer fresh seafood – that’s always moved quickly due to the $2.50 Tuesdays ($2.50 for two pieces of any nigiri).

Takashi

Neighborhood: Downtown SLC
Address: 18 W Market St, Salt Lake City, 84101

One of the finest sushi shops in the whole state is Takashi. This fact is anything but a well-kept secret, as the nightly crowds will attest to; keep this in mind if heading on down, the restaurant does not take reservations, and it’s exceptionally popular. If you arrive later, you’ll be added to a wait list, and you could wait a while.

Once you’re in Takashi, you’re in for a treat. Whether you sit at the sushi bar and enjoy traditional nigiri and sashimi or take a table and explore some of the contemporary (Beatles-themed) maki sushi rolls, you will be rewarded by some of the most talented sushi chefs in town, handling some of the very finest product.

Tsunami

Neighborhood/address: Various

With locations up and down the Salt Lake valley, Tsunami is beloved by locals for its diverse menu of Japanese classics. After the solid array of small plates and appetizers, you will find donburi, bento boxes, teriyaki dishes, tempura, and much more. It goes without saying there’s an extensive array of nigiri, sashimi, and maki.

Kaze Sushi

Neighborhood: Downtown SLC
Address: 65 E Broadway, Salt Lake City, 84111

This downtown Salt Lake City Japanese restaurant is a great all-rounder offering both cooked and raw dishes. There’s a spacious sushi counter, ample table seating, and a good selection of beer, wine, and sake.

About this list

These are all restaurants that I (Stuart) have eaten at and enjoyed, or one of the writers has spoken highly of. I try to update these lists as often as I can, but sometimes one might slip through the net and be left unattended for a while. Do keep that in mind. For reference, this list was last reviewed and refreshed on June 12th, 2026. If you think I’ve missed someone who deserves attention, just drop me a line to contactus@gastronomicslc.com

Maybe also check out

Maybe we can tempt you to something else delicious while you’re here? Check out these other detailed guides, some of the most popular pages on our website:

• Salt Lake City restaurant guide
• Best Chinese food in Salt Lake City
• Best Vietnamese dishes in SLC
• Best Asian food in SLC
• Best Salt Lake City restaurants

Stuart Melling

Hi, I’m Stuart, nice to meet you!  I’m the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC.  I’m a multiple-award winning journalist and have written in myopic detail about the Salt Lake City  dining scene for the better part of seventeen years.

I’ve worked extensively with multiple local publications from Visit Salt Lake to Salt Lake Magazine, not least helped to consult on national TV.   Pause those credits, yep, that’s me! I’m also a former restaurant critic of more than five years, working for the Salt Lake Tribune.    I’m largely fueled by a critical obsession with rice, alliteration and the use of big words I don’t understand.   What they’re saying about me: “Not inaccurate”, “I thought he was older”, “I don’t share his feelings”.

Want to know more? This is why I am the way I am.