Where to go for Japanese food in Liverpool

Described as Japanese cuisine with a Western twist, Sapporo prides itself on being an immersive Japanese experience. Their highly experienced chefs have all been trained for over five years to master the art of Japanese cuisine. Most even return every year to stay in touch with their Asian roots and cooking traditions, while also sourcing the very best recipes available in order to create a menu that is authentic, inspiring and contemporary.

The menu here is vast, you have the option of four different tasting menus, ranging from £25 to £45. There are also a huge range of small plates, including omakase (sharing sushi), traditional sashimi dishes (delicate slices of raw fish, served with wasabi and pickled ginger) and teppanyaki dishes including duck, pork or lamb. There are also plenty of vegan options. Honestly, there is something for everyone. It truly is a unique and authentic dining experience!

Not only is the Japanese food here authentic, delicious and freshly sourced, if you order a teppanyaki dish, you can sit back and enjoy the show as your food is made right in front of you. Prepared on a traditional, flaming hotplate, where the chefs will combine an amazing performance, with masterful trickery in order to prepare some of the most delicious Japanese dishes!

Etsu is a great Japanese restaurant in the heart of Liverpool. If you’re looking for good sushi but want to avoid the typical sushi chain restaurants, Etsu is the place for you. Authentic, with larger portions than you would expect, their menu is so varied, you’ll be spoilt for choice. If you’re struggling to make a decision, we would recommend their very own Etsu Roll. You’ll find it under their Sushi Roll Specials and it’s made with cucumber and avocado, wrapped in seaweed and rice, topped with fresh tuna. If sushi doesn’t take your fancy, there are many more options to suit your taste buds or dietary requirements.

Why not try a traditional miso soup? Renowned for its great taste and health benefits, this soup is conventionally drunk in Japan, accompanied by other side and main dishes. Or the yasai gyoza? A Japanese vegetable croquette. With lots of noodle options to choose from, as well as sashimi and curry dishes, it’s hard to pick. If you’re struggling to make a decision, they offer tapas style options so you don’t have to miss out on any of the fantastic dishes available. All of this, at very, very reasonable prices. What isn’t to love?

KOKORO means ‘heart’, ‘soul’ and ‘spirit’ which is clearly the mantra that the staff apply to their food. The original KOKORO was founded in Kingston-upon-Thames, by Rak-Kyu Park. It now has 25 different locations around the UK, including Liverpool! Rak-Kyu Park believes that the key to success is very simple: to keep the food tasty, fresh, and healthy. So, if you’re looking for a healthy alternative to eating out for lunch, then look no further. Their menu is split into three categories: hot, cold and salads. Sounds simple, but their food is anything but. Packed full of flavour, their hot food includes traditional Japanese dishes such as chicken katsu udon, while their cold selection includes a range of sushi and sashimi dishes. Although it’s not your typical restaurant as it’s designed to be a healthy version of a grab n’ go, we highly recommend paying a visit. Located on Church Street, it’s in the perfect location if you need a light snack before continuing your shopping or heading back to work.

Mamasan can only be found in Glasgow and Liverpool. So, be sure to make the most of this amazing restaurant and bar when you visit Liverpool One. Their food is inspired by the flavours of South-East Asia, but fresh and local is the name of the game at Mamasan as their dishes are elevated by the best of British produce from farm, field and sea. All of their curry pastes and coconut cream are made fresh daily in their kitchen so you can be 100% sure that you’re eating the best quality food. Our top recommendation from this tasty menu is the Ichimi Crusted Carpaccio of Beef served with teriyaki onions, pickled shemiji mushroom and a wasabi emulsion. This one isn’t for the faint hearted! It packs a serious punch, and that’s not just because of the wasabi.

Not only do they serve the freshest of food, but their cocktails are equally as fresh, garnished with theatrical edible flowers and the very best ingredients such as freshly squeezed lime juice and indulgent sugar syrups.

As the name suggests, this is one of the best places in Liverpool to open your taste buds to the world of Japanese dining. Located on Berry Street, Tokyo Noodle Bar serves huge portions that easily include all five of your five vegetables a day! If you’re a protein lover, why not try the Tokyo Teriyaki? This is a mixture of chicken, prawns and salmon. Not to mention, this dish also comes with miso soup and vegetables. You had better turn up hungry. It’s decor is very delicate and elegant, simple and classy. The perfect location for a quiet date or an intimate meal with friends.