The USA might not be the obvious location for Japanese food, but the menus at some of the Japanese restaurants in the states show why it should be. Inside the doors of these American buildings, you’ll find Japanese countertops giving diners a first-hand view of the chefs as they expertly prepare fish. Expect neat bento boxes, wagyu beef and carefully constructed sushi, washed down with Japanese whisky and sake.

If you’re looking to explore unconventional sushi then Bar Montecito is the place to be. Its menu offers classic Japanese dishes with interesting twists. However, the restaurant still conforms to having a traditional sushi counter with minimal seating. Diners can expect to tuck into favorites such as wagyu (beef from a specific breed of cattle from Japan), akami (the name for the center of the tuna fish's body), Hokkaido uni (sea urchin) and toro (the fatty part of tuna).

Esora has done away with the grandiose of a restaurant; it exists as a mere counter in another restaurant called J-Spec. Yet, despite its size – seating of up to 10 guests in one sitting – its menu has been enough to capture the attention of critics including the Michelin Guide. Expect to dine on an omakase menu (a form of Japanese dining in which guests leave themselves in the hands of the chef) entirely revolved around wagyu beef, from sushi and raw to tartare and tempura (a dish usually consisting of seafood, meat and vegetables that have been battered and deep fried). 

Heading to the back of the shopping mall for a gourmet experience doesn’t seem an obvious choice, but that’s where you’ll find popular Michelin star restaurant Hana Re. Its countertop consists of just 10 chairs, but lucky diners can get up close and personal as the chef prepares an array of Japanese delights. Favorites include sweet shrimp and winter melon soup, golden eye snapper and foie gras, finished off with almond panna cotta.

Any passer-by in Miami may easily miss one of the best Japanese restaurants in the USA, unless they’re in the know. Hiden is hidden behind a steel door and protected by a passcode, warranting a lucky few to sit at its small counter. Those who manage to make it will indulge in thick chunks of fish and meat sourced from Japan. Customer favorites include mackerel, a wagyu beef sandwich and striped jack.

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Kadence has humble beginnings as a market counter, yet the quality of its food has risen the restaurant to Michelin star heights. Those who manage to secure a table at this exclusive eatery will be able to tuck in to a diverse omakase menu. However, other popular options include the chirashi bowl (a dish made of sushi rice with a variety of vegetables mixed in and cooked ingredients scattered on the top), toro and the Japanese breakfast. Although the aesthetic may be neutral and mature, its pottery animal chopstick holders add a dash of fun.

Kajitsu is a particularly special Japanese restaurant as it deviates away from the usual fish and meat we’ve come to associate with the cuisine. Instead, its menu focuses on Shojin cuisine, which is plant-based, with dishes encompassing the Buddhist principles of balance, harmony and simplicity. Diners can expect to tuck into black sesame tofu, kabocha squash soup and curry udon noodles.

It’s not just the food at Kenzo that’s caught the attention of diners. The sake list (an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting rice that has been polished to remove the bran) is incredibly substantial, and the local wine list is also satisfying. In terms of food, guests can expect to tuck into popular dishes such as satsuma wagyu tenderloin kuwayaki, cherrywood smoked bluefin tuna sashimi and red miso. Plus, Kenzo’s calming aesthetic makes for an unpretentious space, where diners feel comfortable chatting to chefs as they cook.

Masa has a fantastic Japanese menu, and three Michelin stars to prove it. The attention to detail is impressive here, with even the birthday candles taking shape as cute, miniature Masa-branded sake bottles. Fan favorites include crab meat served up with yuzu and tomalley, and Maine uni served in its shell, but perhaps the most talked about dish is the caviar served with perfectly rectangular slices of toast.

Take a seat in the romantically lit, wood-cladden Momotaro in Chicago, which has been recognized by the Michelin Guide. Its tasty signature dish is jidori kimo, otherwise known as chicken oysters. However, other popular dishes include intricate-looking sushi such as momomaki, hamachi (yellowtail fish), otoro (the most prized part of the tuna belly) and aji yakusugi (a nigiri dish that comes in a covered bowl). Make sure to peruse the impressive range of whiskies displayed on Momotaro’s old-fashioned departure board.

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Nisei serves up more than just food, its dishes represent chef David Yoshimura as an American-born child of Japanese immigrants. As a result, there are many unexpected twists in Nisei’s menu, which has clinched the restaurant's first Michelin star this year. Tuck into black curry, uni croquette and roll cake (a rolled-up chiffon cake that's usually filled with whipped cream), washed down with a wine pairing, all while listening to the restaurant’s extensive 1980s playlist.

Head down to Los Angeles to try chef Niki Nakayama’s unique take on classic Japanese food. Traditional Japanese ingredients are transformed into true contemporary masterpieces served up on tiny plates. The tasting menu provides excitement on a nightly basis, but other favorites include the shiizakana (spaghetti), the playfully presented zensai (Japanese starter course) and carefully sliced otsukuri (filleted fish that has been deboned and skinned). 

Los Angeles restaurants are in a good position to make use of the fish along their local coastline, and that’s what Nozawa Bar has done. While the menu adheres to classic Japanese seafood dishes, there are a few unusual options too. The most popular meals include live octopus and Spanish ranched bluefin tuna, Maine lobster handroll and jellyfish. The restaurant specializes in omakase, so be prepared to tuck into multiple courses.

Good Japanese food runs through the veins of Taketoshi Azumi, the chef-owner of Encino – his father once ran a restaurant back in Tokyo. Those looking for good sushi won’t be disappointed; the menu holds classic and creative choices. A popular dish is the Chef Taketoshi Azumi, which comprises sweet shrimp, bluefin tuna, baby sea bream and isaki (a small fish found in summertime). Many diners pick and choose dishes to form a lunch combo.

The popular Michelin star restaurant Soichi offers far more selection than some other restaurants of its caliber. The menu gives diners two omakase options or an à la carte menu, so there really is something for everyone. Visitors particularly rave about the toro, Chilean sea bass, tamago (omelet dish), Hokkaido uni and bluefin tuna. Finish the meal off by tucking into the green tea ice cream.

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Take a seat in the light and airy Sushi Ginza Onodera, which currently holds two Michelin stars. Despite its status, the restaurant is cheaper than others of the same caliber. Yet, the quality of Sushi Ginza Onodera’s food shouldn’t be downplayed. Raved about dishes include hairy crab, bluefin tuna and Hokkaido sea urchin. Make sure to finish off your meal with the signature matcha and coconut panna cotta dish.

The Michelin Guide has proclaimed The Den a "temple to sushi". Popular dishes include lobster tempura rolls, spicy tuna rolls, toro, king crab fried rice and pork belly skewers. While a variety of ingredients are used, they’re treated minimally to maximize unadulterated flavors. For guests hoping to indulge in a dinner that pays homage to classic Japanese sushi, head to Stanton Hotel to find The Den.

Dining at Hayato is a pretty exclusive experience because the restaurant only has one seating per night. It means those lucky enough to secure a table have the entire evening to relax as they slowly work their way through local ingredients prepared in Japanese style. Popular dishes include Santa Barbara spot prawn, snow crab tofu and bento boxes jam-packed with delicacies.

Sushi Yoshizumi is the place to come if you want to experience sushi in its simplest and most authentic form. The restaurant stipulates that its menu veers away from fanciful presentation or foreign fusions, with a focus on the soulful Japanese classics. The most popular dishes include monkfish liver, fatty tuna roll, black cod, toro uni ikura box and uni salmon roe don – all served to Michelin star standards.

Put down the sushi and everything you thought you knew about Japanese food and head over to Shibumi. The restaurant specializes in Kappo-style cuisine, which is gradually gaining popularity in the USA. Diners have a choice of an à la carte or a kappo-style tasting menu here. The most popular dishes include grilled heritage pork, silky egg tofu, holstein beef, salmon trout, and chicken teriyaki.

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Transport yourself to Tsukimi, which translates to "moon". The restaurant’s aesthetic ties in the classic wooden look of the kaiseki counter with a nod to the gentle light and shape of the moon. Diners can expect a contemporary take on classic dishes, with favorites including wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets), yuzu fluke and kaluga caviar. Complete your meal with a very impressive green apple souffle.

You’ll find a mini sushi counter called Sushi Tadokoro planted among a strip mall in San Diego, and it’s well worth a visit. As usual, you’ll find an omakase menu, which changes regularly and incorporates local fish. Fan favorites include the incredibly popular sweet shrimp, San Diego sea urchin, golden eye snapper, Chilean sea bass and monkfish liver.

If you’re looking to indulge in a generous omakase menu, check out Wako in San Francisco. The restaurant is dedicated to omakase; it’s the only menu available but comes in two different lengths depending on your hunger levels. Fan favorites include nigiri (raw seafood served over rice) and negitoro (diced tuna with green onion). However, the Michelin Guide makes a special mention of its poached monkfish liver, potato croquettes with salmon roe, and rice with squid, shiso and lemon zest.

Gozu really is the home to good wagyu. The restaurant predominantly operates as a Japanese steak house – evident from the binchotan in the center of the room – which enables diners to witness the cooking process firsthand. Fan favorites include wagyu tartare, Hokkaido A5 snow beef kushiyaki and wagyu toast. Why not wash your meal down with its specialty wagyu tea?

Unlike many Japanese restaurants which cater to a small handful of guests at one time, Rule of Thirds has plenty space indoors and outdoors to host diners. Expect contemporary dishes which combine traditional flavors with unconventional ones. Those who’ve visited rave about the chicken katsu sando, yuzu hot honey salad, chicken meatballs, pork belly and blade steak tonkatsu.

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You’ll find a French influence in some of the Japanese dishes at Madcap. The restaurant is owned by Ron Siegel, who has worked in some of the top dining establishments around the world. Despite this, you won’t find a pompous atmosphere at this eatery. In fact, the Michelin Guide praises its relaxed and humble nature. The menu changes seasonally, however, you can expect dishes such as sonoma duck breast, shima-aji (a warm water fish) and rabbit tortelloni.

Jin Ramen may have a hidden and humble aesthetic but the magic lies within the food, which the Michelin Guide has heralded as "the best ramen above 59th Street". Diners can expect classic Japanese comfort food to heal the soul. The most popular (and tastiest) dishes include pork buns, tonkotsu ramen, miso ramen, kimchi ramen and kakuni ramen, which are especially perfect for a cold winter’s day.

Sushi Seki has a casual and unsuspecting vibe but that hasn’t perturbed critics from raving about its food. The restaurant offers a unique style of the classic omakase menu. Diners can expect to tuck into favorites such as spicy tuna, tempura, fried oyster roll, maguro avocado and seaweed salad. However, its standout signature dish is the scallop nori roll.

As its name suggests, hand-made soba is the specialty at Soba Totto. Lunchtime is where this restaurant really excels, offering diners a variety of lunch combos to choose from. Some of the most popular dishes include nama uni soba, pork belly don and sukiyaki soba. If you don’t have time to pop by in the day, then swing by in the evening for some beer, sake and nibbles.

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Tempura is, as you may have guessed, the specialty at Tempura Matsui. Diners can bear witness to the chef making the tempura if they’re able to nab a seat at the counter. Here, you’ll see all manner of produce sizzle before landing on your plate. Customer favorites include the tempura teishoku, shokuji, sakizuke (an appetizer like the French amuse-bouche), tenju and sashimi (thinly sliced pieces of raw fish).

A recent fire caused Hanon to temporarily shut its doors, but it plans to reopen, and it's certainly a restaurant worth hanging out for. It has consistently attracted crowds no matter what time of the day. Hanon’s menu is heavily focused on udon (noodles made out of wheat flour) and tasty fan favorites include ume and kombu udon, whipped mountain yam udon, jouya udon, washugyu curry udon and tempura udon. Hanon also offers take-out if you’d rather slurp your udon at home.

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