Japanese food is diverse, and the array of restaurants in Salem devoted to Japanese food makes that clear. There are many restaurants in the city, but outlined below are some favorites that show a good cross-section of what you can expect when choosing to dine at a Japanese restaurant around here. Some focus on ramen, others on sushi, and a separate group on teriyaki. Yet at many of these places, there is overlap on the appetizer menu – gyoza, edamame, spring rolls, tempura – all of these classic appetizers appear at multiple restaurants featured.
Ramen: Rich Broths and Comforting Bowls
AKAI Ramen and Izakaya
380 High Street NE, Salem
AKAI Ramen and Izakaya has a great location on High Street downtown, and it’s a bustling spot with many fans. The ramen menu is the reason most patrons come to AKAI, and they serve a good variety, with some featuring miso broth and others tonkotsu pork broth. Some have tan tan sauce or mala added for even more flavor.
In addition to the noodles, the ramen bowls have classic ingredients like nori, bamboo shoots, corn, tofu, and pork in various preparations. Besides the giant ramen bowls, there is a good variety of dumplings and gyoza along with spring rolls, some tempura, and classic Japanese salads.
Ibendoo Ramen
3405 Commercial Street SE, Suite 150
Ibendoo Ramen has a strong following among Salem patrons. The char siu ramen is particularly popular, featuring roasted pork belly, fish cake, half an egg, plus bamboo shoots and other typical vegetables. The ramen menu is broad and features the noodle soup that most Americans think of, with a variety of proteins and vegetables. But they also have dipping ramen (so you can dip the different elements into the broth), chilled ramen, and stir-fry ramen, which does not include broth.
If you like exploring the world of ramen, this is a great stop. Ibendoo also serves steamed buns with proteins (beef, chicken, tofu options), gyoza, curry, and donburi. The expansive menu means that if you’re in the mood for Japanese food but aren’t quite sure what you want, Ibendoo is going to have something you will want.
Sushi: Conveyor-Belt Favorites and Classic Rolls
Sushi Kyo
4155 Rickey Street SE, Suite #112
Sushi Kyo is a classic sushi bar with a conveyor belt to bring the sushi to the table. This long-time Salem favorite has reasonable prices and some delicious rolls that will appeal to almost any sushi lover. Here, guests can enjoy classic rolls, from avocado and California to masago and unagi, but many original rolls as well.
Also find rolls that feature their lemon sauce on top, a heart attack roll that includes serrano peppers, and multiple rolls with tempura shrimp. They also have hand rolls and mini rolls to order (they don’t come around on the conveyor belt). Whatever you’re looking for in terms of sushi, you’re likely to find it at Sushi Kyo, along with great service and prices.
Sushi Takara
1970 Lancaster Drive NE, Suite 111
A hole-in-the-wall sushi place just off Lancaster Drive, Sushi Takara is another conveyor belt restaurant, with a counter and a few tables. They have classic rolls like California rolls and Philly rolls, but also their own creations. The Cherry Blossom Roll, for example, is a “flower-shaped roll with tuna and avocado” and an outer layer of tuna and tobiko.
This restaurant also does multiple deep-fried rolls featuring crab. If you aren’t in the mood for sushi, they also serve chicken and beef teriyaki.
Teriyaki: Rice Bowls and Savory Sauces
J’s Teriyaki
813 Lancaster Drive NE, Salem
A true teriyaki restaurant, J’s Teriyaki has all the marinated and grilled meat and tofu anyone could ask for. They make most of their sauces there, including the teriyaki and the gyoza sauces. The teriyaki comes in a variety of presentations, including over rice, with stir-fried vegetables, and as a combination with other proteins.
In addition to teriyaki, enjoy galbi (marinated and grilled beef short ribs), which can be eaten alongside teriyaki in various combos. Spicy stir-fries are another specialty, with their house-made spicy sauce and different proteins and vegetables. Finally, J’s offers yakisoba with meat, poultry, shrimp, tofu or vegetables. If teriyaki is a favorite, you need to check out J’s Teriyaki.
Teriyaki Bento
2295 Broadway Street NE, Salem
Teriyaki Bento serves a variety of comforting Japanese rice and noodle dishes. Teriyaki is central to the menu, with teriyaki bowls and plates (with different proteins). Rice comes with all of the teriyaki dishes, and is the star of the fried rices, from vegetable to shrimp. Even the yakisoba noodles with a variety of proteins at Teriyaki Bento come with rice on the side.
Curry is another feature of the menu, and all of the curries include potato, carrot, and onion. Tofu, chicken, pork, beef, and seafood are the curry options patrons face. Finally, there are different udon dishes featuring the Japanese wheat noodle in both soup and stir-fried forms.
The rice and noodle-based dishes from Japanese culinary traditions offer savory flavors and ingredients we don’t often get in American food, so head out to try some new dishes today at one of these great restaurants around Salem.
