From sushi bars to hibachi, Japanese soul food and delicious bowls of ramen, Asheville’s Japanese restaurants will transport you to the Land of the Rising Sun.
With fresh and high-quality ingredients, Asheville’s Japanese scene caters to those who seek authentic flavors from Japan, as well as fabulous fusion cuisine, creative takes on classic dishes and beyond.
Whether it’s traditional sushi and sashimi or Wagyu sticks with wasabi, our local Japanese restaurants bring the flavor. You’ll find it all in this article highlighting the best Japanese eateries in and around Asheville.
What You’ll Find In This Article
Where To Get Japanese Food in Asheville
Below is a map of the Japanese restaurants highlighted in our guide. We love the map view because it helps you quickly see nearby restaurants with Japanese food.
For other nearby regional cuisines, check out our guides to Indian food, Thai Food and Chinese food in Asheville. We also have a guide to sushi restaurants if you are looking specifically for sushi, sashimi and nigiri.
A Guide to Japanese Food In Asheville
Below you’ll find our roundup of delicious eateries in Asheville with Japanese fare. For more dining inspiration, check out our list of excellent restaurants in Asheville. But if you’re specifically looking for Japanese restaurants, read on!
Heiwa Shokuda
Ramen, sushi and other Japanese delights at this small downtown restaurant
An Asheville favorite, Heiwa Shokuda is a cute Japanese restaurant serving sushi, ramen and traditional Japanese entrees. Located at the end of Lexington Avenue’s walkable shopping area, it’s a great spot to eat after strolling through downtown. They have a quaint dining room inside and an intimate patio on the side of the building.
If you are a fan of ramen you won’t be disappointed by their quality and selection – We love the Heiwa Ramen and Spicy Miso Ramen. They also have some of the best and freshest sushi in town – be sure to check out their range of original sushi rolls!
Heiwa Shokudo is also an excellent option for takeout with easy online ordering whether you want a night in with sushi or a hot Japanese soup or ramen.
Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse
Upscale Japanese restaurant in downtown Asheville
With its amazing atmosphere and self-described Japanese soul food, Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse offers one of the best dining experiences in Asheville.
Specializing in grilled and smoked meats and mouthwatering appetizers, bowls and sides, you won’t be disappointed. While they don’t have a dedicated sushi menu, they do offer a few sashimi and tataki options including their popular sliced hamachi.
If you’re looking for delicious meat, check out their wagyu skewers, grilled prime ribeye or smoked Carolina pork shoulder.
They also have a brunch available on Sundays featuring classic brunch dishes with a Japanese flare.
Itto Ramen Bar & Tapas
Beloved ramen spot with Japanese tapas and 3 Asheville locations
Itto Ramen and Tapas Bar is a popular Japanese restaurant for ramen with three locations in Asheville: downtown, West Asheville, and South Asheville near the airport.
The menu includes an extensive list of Japanese tapas with a range of options. It’s great if you’re interested in trying a variety of dishes. While they don’t have a sushi menu, their delicious tapas are worth checking out. We love the dynamite shrimp, pork gyoza and the Itto wings with a sweet chili glaze.
As the name suggests, Itto also specializes in ramen with eight different varieties of ramen that are prepared in an authentic Japanese way. They even have a specialty ramen burger served on grilled ramen patties.
Wasabi Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar
Awesome Japanese food and sake in downtown Asheville
Wasabi is a small and busy Japanese restaurant in the heart of Asheville. They have great Japanese food, a lively atmosphere and an extensive sake menu.
Their extensive sushi menu includes a la carte sushi and sashimi options as well as chef’s special rolls. They have everything from tuna to octopus (tako) to sea urchin (uni.)
You’ll also find Japanese classics on their dinner menu including delicious hibachi, teriyaki, ramen and more.
The part of the menu we love most is the appetizers section, where you’ll find unique items like their coconut scallops and beef negimaki. Wasabi has a separate lunch menu, making it a great spot for a lunch stop-in.
Murasaki
Upscale Japanese restaurant in South Asheville
Murasaki is a large South Asheville Japanese restaurant and sushi spot. It’s one of our go-to restaurants whether sitting on their patio, dining in or ordering takeout. Their sushi is fresh, their hibachi is perfectly seasoned and their appetizers can’t be topped. The dynamite shrimp is perfect and our kids love their gyoza.
Murasaki is located in The Overlook at Lake Julian shopping center off Long Shoals Road. It’s very convenient to access from I-26 and the perfect place to order takeout in South Asheville because the food is delicious and they have online ordering.
Miyako House
Casual restaurant for sushi and hibachi in downtown Asheville
The unassuming Miyako House located downtown near Pack Square is a staple for sushi and Japanese fare in Asheville. They consistently offer some of the best and freshest sushi in town.
The dining room is nice and bright, but nothing fancy which probably contributes to their relatively reasonable pricing for a restaurant in downtown Asheville.
You’ll find everything from sushi to hibachi on the menu and you can’t go wrong with any of their fresh nigiri, sashimi or rolls. For a fresh take on sushi presentation, try their tuna dumplings!
Miyako House is a great option for lunch with bento boxes, as well as sushi and hibachi lunch specials. They also make takeout easy with online ordering and incredibly fast turnaround.
Gan Shan West
Asian fusion bursting with flavor and awesome takeout
While Gan Shan West describes its cuisine as Asian fusion, we’re including them on our list of Japanese restaurants because of their ramen offerings. You can get your ramen fix with one of four ramen bowls to choose from.
Their menu also has Japanese fries, which are basically just french fries with a dry rub and served with spicy mayo and sweet soy sauce. So, yes, Japanese fries!
Gan Shan also offers an array of delicious Chinese and Korean-inspired dishes. Try their GSW Rice Bowl!
Their West Asheville spot has a small interior with just a few tables and a tree-shaded patio area on the side. They make takeout a cinch with easy online ordering and a pickup window!
Green Tea Japanese Restaurant
Authentic feeling Japanese restaurant in West Asheville
Green Tea Japanese Restaurant is tucked away off Patton Ave in West Asheville and is such a delight! The outside has a traditional Japanese feel and the inside is pretty cool, too.
It is quite the destination for sushi lovers, as there are over 25 specialty rolls, as well as maki rolls, sashimi and even sushi entrees. Their menu also includes other traditional Japanese entrees like teriyaki, hibachi and bento boxes.
The restaurant is large and has a warm welcoming atmosphere, and better yet parking is simple in their large parking lot right in front.
Suwana’s Asian cuisine
Awesome Thai + Japanese restaurant in East Asheville
After making a name for herself in downtown Asheville with Suwana’s Thai Orchid, head chef Suwana Cry has brought the flavor again but this time in East Asheville (and with a Japanese twist!) You’ll find their absolutely delicious Thai food on the menu, as well as sushi and other traditional Japanese fare.
Anywhere that serves hibachi alongside massaman curry gets an A+ in my book. They also have gyoza, tons of signature sushi rolls and even a sushi boat party.
Zen Sushi
Japanese restaurant with noodles, donburi and more in North Asheville
Zen Sushi is a casual spot for Japanese fare in North Asheville. While they are mostly known for their sushi (they have over 40 signature rolls!), they have a great menu featuring hibachi, teriyaki, donburi and noodle dishes.
Zen is located on the second level of a shopping plaza and have a few seats outside at the balcony. It’s a fun spot to grab lunch and enjoy the hubbub of Merrimon Ave.
Mr. Sushi
No-frills Japanese restaurant in North and South Asheville
Mr. Sushi is a casual Japanese restaurant with two locations in Asheville. Though Mr. Sushi is heavy on the, well, sushi part of Japanese fare, they also have hibachi, stir-fried dishes, udon noodles and ramen.
It’s a great spot for Japanese takeout because the food is great, the prices are reasonable and they have easy online ordering. You can also dine in if you prefer– both locations have booths and tables and an open kitchen and sushi bar.
Asheville Sushi & Hibachi
Casual Japanese eatery in South Asheville
Asheville Sushi and Hibachi is a casual Japanese restaurant in South Asheville. In addition to an extensive sushi menu, they also offer all the entrees you typically expect to find at a Japanese restaurant including hibachi, teriyaki, tempura, noodle and rice dishes.
Apart from Japanese fare, you’ll also find Thai entrees and even General Tso’s Chicken on the menu. And make sure you check out their mochi or tempura ice cream for dessert!
Asheville Sushi is a great destination for Japanese food whether dining in or taking it to go (in which case you can order online!)
Pacific Pagoda
Pan-Asian restaurant in South Asheville
Pacific Pagoda is quite the destination in Asheville for Chinese, Thai and Japanese food. Yes, they do it all! You can either eat there in their nautical-themed restaurant complete with a dolphin statue or take it to go from their Asian on the Go II next door.
As far as Japanese food goes, they have beef negimaki, shumai dumplings, yakitori, hibachi, katsu and lots of sushi. And if someone in your dinner party isn’t up for Japanese food, they can get a classic sweet & sour chicken!
Pacific Pagoda is a casual restaurant in a shopping center that is great for groups and families. They offer both dine-in and takeout options, with the takeout option being called Asian on the Go II. Both restaurants are located at the same address.
Udon Sushi and Noodle
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Located in East Asheville off Bleachery Road, Udon is a casual sushi bar in a shopping center. They have excellent sushi and beautiful presentation.
Udon offers sushi, sashimi and specialty rolls as well as traditional Japanese entrees. And, as the name suggests, they have Japanese Yaki Udon on the menu.
They are open for lunch and dinner and are always a great spot to order online for take-out.
Ichiban
Asheville’s only hibachi at the table!
Ichiban is included on our list as Asheville’s only hibachi grill where the cooks grill hibachi style at your table. It’s a great spot to have fun with the whole family while on vacation or to celebrate a special occasion. Their cooks are talented and provide plenty of tablefront entertainment for the kids.
In addition to hibachi, they serve sushi and other Japanese fare. It’s a great restaurant near Biltmore Village.
Nearby Japanese Restaurants Worth A Visit
Below are a few additional Japanese restaurants near Asheville that are absolutely worth a visit if in the area.
1. Umi (Hendersonville)
Upscale Japanese restaurant in Hendersonville worth the drive from Asheville
Umi Japanese restaurant is an excellent destination for Japanese food in Hendersonville. It’s so good that we know people who travel there from Asheville for dinner!
Their menu includes all of the traditional Japanese fare you’d expect, like tempura and katsu, teriyaki, udon and bento boxes. They also have over 15 chef-special sushi rolls and options for sushi and sashimi platters. And you can’t miss the extensive sake menu!
Not only is the food great but the atmosphere is also noteworthy. We recommend sitting at the sushi bar where you can watch the action! Or if the weather is nice you can enjoy the outdoor patio.
Umi Japanese Fine Dining // 633 N Main Street, Hendersonville
2. Sake Sushi (Black Mountain)
Darling Japanese restaurant in Black Mountain
Sake Sushi is a great Japanese restaurant in Black Mountain, which is just a half-hour west of Asheville. It’s in a Tudor-style house in the shopping area of the Village of Cheshire planned neighborhood.
Sake makes impeccable sushi and has a fun, casual atmosphere. It’s the perfect stop on a visit to Black Moutain from Asheville.
You can order online or dine in. They have a great outdoor patio when the weather is nice!
PS: they have udon on the menu!
3. Soba Sushi and Noodles (Weaverville)
Weaverville restaurant for delicious Japanese fare
Just minutes north of Asheville in Weaverville, you will find Soba Sushi and Noodles. It’s a traditionally styled Japanese restaurant with a great atmosphere and excellent food.
They have a nice patio for dining al fresco. It’s also great for takeout with easy online ordering.
