[DFW] Best Authentic Japanese - not just sushi

[Perramount]

I'm wondering if anyone knows of other places like Sushiyama, that are great destinations not just for their sushi but for their overall representation of Japanese cuisine. If you're looking for some really great okonomiyaki or yakisoba where do you go?

[Jambon_It]

Sushiyama is THE BOMB!!! The best place around. Loads of sushi chefs go here after hours and get the hook up. I used to work in a sushi bar and have friends that still do and all endorse the cult following of this place.

[irodguy]

The only problem tonight was that their A/C was either turned off or really warm. It was not quite hot but not cold enough for the number of people.

[zmt]

I've never been to sushiyama when it's not at least a bit warm (if not bordering on uncomfortable). Neat place though; feels verry intimate and unpretentious, and probably by no coincidence, "warmer" than most japanese restaurants I've been to.

[irodguy]

Yep it was the first time I have ever been rather warm in there. I love their bento night no question just always interesting trying to get seated, served .... but the food is great, don't go there for the service.

[rempah]

I was about to post something very similar. I'm especially looking for the kind of dishes you would find in an izakaya, little dishes of goodness, like nasu dengaku, or buta kakuni. I'm a transplant from Washington, D.C. and loved a place called Sushi Taro that had an extensive menu of non-sushi items.

[kuidaore]

Sushiyama's menu is pretty extensive (mostly written in Japanese or romaji only). I was very surprised to find an authentic izakaya in Dallas! The only other izakaya I know of in the area is Mr. Max in Irving.

[kuidaore]

I love the fat yellow noodle with pork in soup (very similar to Okinawan soki soba/noodle) I had in Taipei many years ago. Where can I find it in DFW?

Also, I've been looking for good Vietnamese pan-fried rice noodles. Most Vietnamese restaurants in DFW don't serve this dish. It's usually served in Chinese-Vietnamese, rather than authentic Vietnamese, restaurants. (I've had very good ones in SoCal and Ho Chi Minh). The best one I've found in Texas is in Austin (Hoa My).

[The Real Deal]

I miss Okinawan Soba! I lived on Kadena AFB for a collective 12 years as a Military Brat and would travel outside of Gate 2 Street and eat at the first Soba Shop(I can't remember the name) there was a good taiwanese restaurant that served the best Xaolongbao ever. I will re-visit Family Rice and Noodle as my first visit did not leave a very good impression on me. I ordered the lomein and boiled dumplings. Not the best.

[giang]

Pho Tuong Lai used to serve Vietnamese pan-fried rice noodles. I think it's closed, though. It's been a while since I've been down Walnut St.

[kuidaore]

I found my noodle dish at BistroB. Their sauce isn't very good, but they do the noodle PERFECT to my taste :-)

[kuidaore]

We've got to try Sushiyama. A Taiwanese couple recommended it, but the Taiwanese restaurant they recommended was so bad that we didn't want to follow their recommendation!

According to the link, Inaka has yakisoba. Sounds like Awaji has a lot of casual dishes.

My favorite Japanese restaurant is Genroku, though it's not Japanese owned and the chefs are Chinese and Mongolian. Their yaki saba (grilled mackerel) is VERY authentic, like the one you cook at home. Their tempura (though their koromo isn't that authentic) and tonkatsu are very good, too. Their sushi is much better than kaitenzushi in Japan!

[babar]

I'm curious - what Taiwanese restaurant did they recommend? Genroku has some good Taiwanese food.

[irodguy]

I would agree that there Taiwanese food was quite good. There sushi was okay but not outstanding, no comparison to Masami, or Sushi Sake or Sushi Yama for that matter.

That being said it's not a bad place to go, since not everybody like Sushi, they have quite the menu.

[kuidaore]

The Taiwanese couple recommended Family Rice & Noodles on Campbell in Richardson. They said they go there all the time. We thought the food was pretty bad...

[babar]

Family Rice and Noodles is actually a Hakka-style restaurant, which is not the most common type of Taiwanese food. The most classic Hakka dish they have there, as far as I know, is a wide noodle, either in a soup or dry, served with bean sprouts, an egg, thinly-sliced pork, and some veggies. It isn't bad, and much better than their pork chop rice, which was the more typical Taiwanese dish I tried there.

[kuidaore]

If you read Japanese, you can see which restaurant has yakisoba and which one is more authentic on this site (though a little outdated). http://www.hpmix.com/home/sdtx1116/R9...
It was compiled by a Japanese who used to live in Dallas.

I think Ino has yakisoba.

There is NO way you'll find okonomiyaki in Dallas. If you find it, it can't be real/authentic! (You need an Osakan or at least Hiroshiman chef for real okonomiyaki.)

[Perramount]

I saw okonomiyaki on the menu at Sushiyama, but I haven't had it. I'll try it next time I go. (And they make pretty decent okonomiyaki in Kyushu also!)

Thanks for the link. I can't read all of the Japanese, but I'll see what I can do with it.

[gavlist]

you can also keep an eye out for festivals - I ate some Takoyaki at a Japanese festival in Plano about a year ago... not the same as Okonomiyaki, but certainly an uncommon find in Dallas.

[air]

Last festival I went to, I had a squid bowl (if I remember right, I think that was it.) from Hanasho's booth. You might want to check that place out too, it's in Irving.

[irodguy]

The most authentic is by far Sushi Yama on Forest near TI. The Japanese association has dinners there on a regular basis.

[donnaaries]

What about Ino Japanese Bistro in Richardson?

[Webra1]

I've never been, but I've heard from many others that Mr. Max in Irving has very authentic Japanese (not sushi) cuisine:

3028 N Belt Line Road
Irving, TX 75062

Here's some reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/P0VziPp_DuKBo...

[babar]

Mr. Max has reasonable food, but it is fairly smoky in there, so you have to be ok with that. Also, if you are only a group of 2, you will probably have to sit at the bar. I would pick Ino over it any time, although Ino is definitely more expensive, but I think they are friendlier. Ino has good udon, grilled mackerel, and tonkatsu.

Not sure on good places for okonomiyaki - or really any places for it.