Japanese Restaurants in Detroit, Michigan

You would think that in a metropolitan area as large as Detroit, with a strong presence of Japanese workers brought in to work with the automotive industry, that there would be a lot more Japanese restaurants here than there are. Most "Asian" restaurants in the Detroit area combine the cuisines of many regions, such as those that serve Japanese as well as Korean, Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese dishes under the same roof. Gaining in popularity are the Asian-influenced restaurants, which may combine flavors and tastes from Asia with traditional French cuisine.

I may be a food snob, and my tastes may be prejudiced by the fact that I am Japanese, but I tend to gravitate toward more traditional Japanese fare. Here are some definitely Japanese restaurants one can find in the Detroit metropolitan area. Many of them are located in the western suburbs of Novi, Farmington and Southfield, where many Japanese workers live.

Godaiko, 44175 12 Mile Road, Novi, Michigan, 48377. Phone: (248) 465-7777. Located in Novi Towne Center, Godaiko serves up warm food, including Kobe beef, as well as sushi and sashimi. Its location makes it a great spot to hit after a long day of shopping at the Twelve Oaks Mall just across the way.

Hakata Japanese Restaurant, 32443 Northwestern Highway, Farmington, Michigan, 48334. Phone: (248) 737-7220. This restaurant is a full-scale restaurant, serving udon and soba, teriyaki and tempura, as well as sushi. The décor has been described as understated. That's a good thing, because then you know they are concentrating on the food.

Sumo Sushi and Seafood, 418 Main Street, Rochester, Michigan, 48307. Phone: (248) 601-0104. Located in a small storefront in downtown Rochester, Sumo is as unassuming as the Subway shop just down the street. Unlike Subway, Sumo is a great place for sushi. While they do serve some tradition Japanese dinners as well, concentrate on the sushi.

Izakaya Sanpei, 43327 JoyRoad, Canton, Michigan, 48187. Phone: (734) 416-9605. The Izakaya is a what I would call an informal restaurant, very friendly and accessible. This décor of this full-scale restaurant is bright and attractive.

Yotsuba Japanese Restaurant, 7365 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield, Michigan, 48322. Phone: (248) 737-8282. The Yotsuba is one of many Asian restaurants that crowd this area of Orchard Lake Road. There is some tatami seating here. A second restaurant is also located in Ann Arbor.

Sharaku, 6159 Haggerty Road, West Bloomfield, Michigan, 48322. Phone: (248) 960-1888. If it's sushi you crave, this is the place to go, and here you will find some of the most artistic plates in southeastern Michigan. The interior of the restaurant is small, so be prepared. Kitchen Hanzo, a few doors away, is the sister restaurant to Sharaku. It does not offer sushi, but has a full menu of authentic cooked dishes.

And finally, for two of my absolute favorites:

Sora (loosely translated "fly"), which is located right inside of Detroit Metropolitan Airport in the Northwest Airlines Main Concourse, is fantastic! I like to plan my outgoing trips to allow for enough time to visit this little gem at the airport. Sora offers a full sushi bar, where you can get any roll imaginable as well as sashimi. The few cooked items on the menu, including gyoza, noodle dishes, etc. taste authentic. The miso soup here is wonderful. The service is fast, as the staff realizes everyone is on their way to somewhere else. There's also a full bar.

Musashi International, 2000 Town Center, Suite 98, Southfield, Michigan 48075-1103. Phone: (248) 358-1911. Located in one of the Town Center towers in Southfield, the Musashi has been in business for almost 20 years. This is the place to come for authentic Japanese cuisine served in a beautiful location. You'll see many Japanese businessmen dining here, which is a good sign. Management is friendly; in fact, they've watched my kids grow up and seem like kind aunts and uncles. This is a large restaurant, with many open tables, secluded booths, and tatami rooms, which means you can find a table to suit your mood. Musashi features an extensive Asian beer and wine list, and offers a full bar. The best things on the main menu here are the gyoza dumplings (nice and crispy on one side, soft and doughy on the other), the fried rice, noodle dishes and sukiyaki. Musashi offers appetizers that you won't see at other Japanese restaurants, including cuttlefish with plum and Japanese pickles. The bento box offers a little bit of all of their best dishes, attractively displayed in a lacquer box. If you would like to experience a full authentic dinner, you can pre-order the special omakase, which is a five-course dinner of delicious items you won't see anywhere else.

(As an aside, there is a Musashi operated out of Detroit Metro Airport. I have tried it, but it's not like the flagship restaurant. I'd recommend Sora over the airport Musashi any day.)