My Top 5 Favorite Japanese Restaurants in Orlando
Domu
credits to the Domu Facebook page - Dr. Phillips location
Ask anyone in Orlando what they recommend for good ramen, delicious rice bowls, or even extra crispy wings and they’ll direct you to Domu. Domu, meaning a dream come true, is the perfect place to have happy hour drinks, a night out with the girls, or even to go on a first date. It has a retro Japanese style interior with a twist of modern furniture, a vibe that is very calming yet hipster and fun. I ordered the Chashu Don, a colorful and tasty rice bowl served with Japanese beech mushrooms, Persian cucumbers, drizzled with spicy kewpie mayo, and topped with ontama – a lightly seasoned hot spring egg. Everything on the menu is reasonably priced and well proportioned. Definitely my go-to for a nice night out or even to go for lunch.
credit to Nicole Angelique Acevedo
Susuru
Photo credit to USA Today - courtesy photo from Susuru
What makes Susuru one of my favorite Japanese restaurants is how playful and energetic the space is. Home to the anime lovers this spot brings to you a combination of Japanese memorabilia both past and present with “instagramable” cocktails and authentic Japanese street food. I discovered this place by accident after coming out of work. I met up with my boyfriend next door at a bar and their kitchen was closed. I was starving and decided to walk down the street to see what else might be open and there it was. The restaurant almost had a gastro pub feel to it, everyone was dressed casual, laughing, having a good time eating what looked like good food and I immediately rushed inside. Everything on the menu was cheap and the drinks seemed so fun and interesting. My favorite thing to order is the Chicken Karaage which is Japanese fried chicken (don’t forget to squeeze the lemon all over it) with a side of yuzu mayo and their Mentaiko Fries, which are skinny fries drizzled with spicy cod roe mayo topped with nori.
Gyu- Kaku
Photo Credit : Nicole Angelique Acevedo
So, if you haven’t already noticed between my pictures and Instagram post, I have expensive taste. However, there are times my wallet doesn’t. One day talking to a coworker she recommended Gyu-Kaku, a Japanese BBQ spot her and her husband enjoy going to for lunch. If you are familiar with Korean BBQ you could piece together that its style is very similar to Japanese BBQ, just with less kimchi. When you enter the restaurant, you’re seated at a table with a heated grill in the center. You choose your preference of protein or any vegetables that interest you and cook it yourself at the table. If it’s your first time and unfamiliar with what to do no need to worry, your server explains the amount of time it takes to properly cook the food and answers any questions or concerns. I love coming on Mondays because their happy hour includes $3 Japanese draft beer, a dollar off on appetizers and selected amount of proteins and rice bowls. If you decide to go for lunch they have lunch combinations for $12.95 that include soup, salad, two proteins, and white rice. I promise the food is not only delicious but worth every dollar.
photo credit : Nicole Angelique Acevedo
Seito - Baldwin Park
photo credit to American Electrical Corporation
Where do I even begin with this gem! The best places are always found by accident, and once again that is how I discovered Seito. If you’re familiar with Orlando you’ll know that Orlando is known for their progressive neighborhoods. They all run pretty close together and my boyfriend and I love discovering them. One afternoon with nothing to do, my boyfriend and I decided to have lunch in Baldwin Park. It’s a suburban area filled with beautiful homes, condominiums with overlooking balconies, and a few restaurants and shops nearby. It’s a quiet area with not much to do but Seito happened to be the only restaurant with a good crowd going. Since then, I’ve been there 5 times. It’s absolutely fantastic.
Its low lighting, and minimalist décor transports you to a fancy feel that makes you want to make a night out of it. The menu runs a bit pricey but with their top of the line food quality and wide selection of Japanese Whiskeys, you come to realize how they determined their price points. My favorite roll is their award-winning sushi, The Distinguished Gentlemen, it has lobster with avocado topped with wagyu beef, fresh jalapenos, and truffle aioli. My mouth is salivating. The restaurant is fancy without trying too hard and the menu is diverse and interesting while not being too intimidating. I highly recommend this place for date night with your special someone or to have a birthday dinner celebration.
photo credit : yelp
Morimoto Asia
photo credit : orlando weekly
If you’ve lived in Orlando long enough you would know that certain areas lack true cultural influence. Although Morimoto Asia is located in Disney Springs, they do an excellent job staying authentic and making their guest feel transported to a cosmopolitan environment. The moment you take your first steps into this beautifully lit building you are draped with hanging chandeliers, access to two bar lounges, and a grand staircase that takes you not only to their sushi bar but also private dining areas. The first time I came here was for my mother’s birthday. We both had a glass of wine, a sushi roll to share, and I ordered the Buri-Bop. The Buri-Bop is what Chef Masuhara Morimoto is known for, alongside his feature in Iron Chef and opening many restaurants, this entrée has been featured in Food&Wine. The buri-bop is mixed rice topped with Hamachi, vegetables, egg yolk, and shredded nori all cooked and served in a cast-iron bowl and It is absolutely amazing.
Although this restaurant is expensive (given its location) this is one of my favorite restaurants. Before I dived into truly educating myself on Japanese food, dining here is what truly introduced me to the cuisine. Are there many other restaurants that serve just as delicious food for a third of the price, absolutely! However, this made it to the list because I hold it dear to my heart.
