Food Review: Sakabayashi – 665 Boylston St, Boston, MA 🇯🇵🍣

If you’re craving elegant Japanese cuisine in the heart of Boston, Sakabayashi is the spot to check out! We indulged in their $78 dinner course, and it was well worth every penny. From delicate flavors to thoughtful plating, this spot knows how to make every bite count.

Dinner Course Rundown:

The amuse bouche was salmon and prosciutto sush press. I’ve never had basil pesto on sushi before what a treat!

Assorted Appetizers – A beautiful selection of six small bites. My favorite was the potato salad, creamy and comforting with a slight Japanese twist.

Wakame Miso Soup – Light, warming, and a great start to the meal.

Chef’s Special Seafood Carpaccio – A standout! The fish was fresh and tender, drizzled with a citrusy sauce that made each bite sing.

Crispy Spicy Tuna Roll – Our pick for the hot dish. Flavorful, crunchy, and a fun fusion twist on a classic roll.

Hand Roll – We chose the spicy tuna (because we are such suckers for it!) one—delicious and fresh with the perfect balance of rich and sharp.

Nigiri Selection – Seven pieces, including seared otoro, uni gunkan (not my favorite I’ve had better uni!), ikura, and scallop. The Heavenly Seared Otoro lived up to its name.

Catalana Dessert – A sweet, smooth finish that resembled a Japanese crème brûlée. Light but indulgent.

A La Carte Must-Tries:

Salmon Carpaccio ($14) – With your choice of wasabi or carpaccio sauce—fresh, buttery, and tangy.

Tuna Tsukune (Grilled Tuna Meatballs) ($8) – Juicy and satisfying, perfect with a dab of mayo or miso glaze. These were a 10/10. You have to get these when you come.

Tuna Tartare with Bread($9) – Clean, bold flavors with a perfect textural balance. Very shareable!

Ambiance: 8/10 Wooden booths give it a warm, intimate vibe while still feeling modern and relaxed.

Affordability (for Boston sushi): 7/10 While it’s not a budget spot, the quality matches the price—especially for a multi-course meal or if you’re used to sushi pricing in Boston.

They even have locations in Japan, so you know it’s legit.

Final Score: 9/10 Great for a date night, a special dinner, or just treating yourself to top-tier Japanese flavors. Highly recommend the dinner course if you want to taste a bit of everything!