Top Best Japanese Restaurants in Mid-City

"Delicately prepared sashimi does not usually come to mind when discussing New Orleans cuisine, but this tiny Uptown restaurant has created buzz and received accolades since its 2018 opening. Chef Hao Gong worked for years at the popular Sake Cafe, and he’s translated his skills into an innovative pan-Asian menu that displays Japanese and Chinese influences. Raw dishes—salmon with Asian pear, soy and basil seeds; tuna with dragon fruit and spicy soy—are super fresh and innovative, while hot dishes—tofu with shiitakes, wood ear mushrooms and lily flower; Gong’s mother’s pork and ginger dumplings—are creative and satisfying."

"Located in a former donut shop in a small and colorful cottage in Uptown, LUVI features food from the chef's hometown of Shanghai and other Chinese and Japanese-inspired fare. While the menu changes often, expect staples like dumplings and dan-dan noodles and raw bar items like ceviche and sashimi. Try the dragon boat, with fresh seared tuna, black caviar, and smoked soy sauce, or one of several vegan-friendly dishes, like spicy stir-fry bean curd with jalapēno, red onion, and black bean chili."

"A former donut shop, LUVI is a small, lovely restaurant with bespoke woodwork and pops of bold colors and patterns. The pan-Asian menu, not common in NOLA, includes Japanese dishes, plus some favorites from the chef's hometown of Shanghai. Try the Lion’s Head, a savory crab-and-pork meatball in bone broth; the Mala Holla, spicy slices of beef; and Chef Hao’s Mama’s Dumplings (his actual Mama’s recipe)."

"If you haven't tried our grill tables and authentic Japanese cuisine, now is the time: bit.ly/gkreservation #GyuKakuMiami. In Japanese, Gyu-Kaku means, “Horn of the Bull.” In New Orleans, it is one of the leading Japanese restaurants providing authentic Japanese yakiniku experience to all kinds of diners. Visiting this restaurant will give you a chance to enjoy premium cooked meats that are grilled in flaming charcoal grills right in front of your eyes."

"Gyu-Kaku will make a chef out of you by the end of your visit. This unconventional eatery allows guests to cook their meal themselves. Have fun creating Japanese + Korean BBQ classics like spicy pork, kalbi short ribs, harami skirt steak miso and much more."

"The place, in a former K & B drug store, is pretty in a 1990s sort of way with design wows like bright, multi-colored, Chihuly-esque blown glass chandeliers and bi-level white tablecloth dining (the top level is reserved for private parties). The sushi menu melds traditional Japanese dishes and New Orleans ingredients (see jazz roll, Uptown roll, and New Orleans roll on the menu) along with bento box lunch specials and a full bar including an extensive sake list and specialty cocktails. Happy hour happens daily from 3 p.m."

"Clearview Parkway, Suite A, Harahan, (504) 733-8879; Independence Mall, 4201 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite A4, Metairie, (504) 779-7253; www.sakecafela.com. A Clearview Roll features snow crab, avocado, crawfish, cream cheese, tempura-fried shrimp, smelt roe and eel sauce. Reservations accepted."

"A good meal was ruined by four obnoxious children running and stomping across the upper level and around the entire restaurant while two mothers sat drin..."

"Located near the AMC Elmwood Palace movie theater in an inconspicuous strip mall, the casual and colorful Kyoto 2 delivers consistently fresh seafood in generous servings. The best deal of all is the chirashi lunch special — a heaping bowl of fresh fish over fresh daikon radish and sushi rice for under $15. It’s big enough to split."

"Amazing value with their lunch roll combo, the noodle salad is a delicious starter, good service, and an overall friendly and warm atmosphe..."

"A Hana special roll combines tuna, salmon, crab stick, tempura-fried shrimp, avocado, tamago and smelt roe. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily."

"I've been eating here since I was little, the food is amazing, the prices are good, the atmosphere and the decorations are great, and the people tha..."

"1601 St. Charles Ave., (504) 302-9716; www.hoshunrestaurant.com. Kung pao chicken includes peanuts, chilies and celery in brown sauce. Reservations accepted for large parties."

"I was super excited about trying this restaurant it was BOMB. It's located on St.Charles Ave. Everything was perfect the chicken was c..."

"500 9th St., Gretna, (504) 500-0997; www.bananablossom504.com. Larb gai is a salad with ground chicken, onion, cilantro, mint and toasted rice-lime dressing. Reservations accepted."

"Serving fresh food and good vibes, this mid-city eatery has upped its hours and is now serving clean eating options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Located in the same building as Swan River Yoga, the folks at Good Karma offer visitors homemade vegan plates, fruit smoothies, fair trade organic coffee, and house-brewed tea. Our go-to dish is the Good Karma plate, made fresh and served daily."

"This soothing plant-based retreat is operated by brothers Goshi and Deshi Berg based on the non-violent principals of Ahimsa, followed by the Hare Krishna community. Most items, all of them bright and fresh, are under $10. For breakfast, try the Upma ($5.99), a traditional Southeast Indian porridge served with fresh coconut chutney."

"(Various street corners in the French Quarter) The popular hot dogs and iconic weenie-in-bun-shaped carts have been part of the late-night Quarter scene for years; the company website claims over 21 million hot dogs have been sold in the past half-century. Lucky Dog makes a pretty good weenie, perfect for slowing your roll when you’ve had one too many Hurricanes at Pat O’Brien’s."

"These ubiquitous hot dog carts, immortalized as "Paradise Dogs" in the brilliant Pulitzer Prize-winning A Confederacy of Dunces, are all over the place in the Quarter. The enormous hot dogs taste like, well, something you bought off of a hot dog cart, but if you've had a few drinks and like the idea of connecting to some literary history, give 'em a try."