On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Loading...
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!! I go every week (at least once).
Osaka is easily known as Noho's best sushi. Hands down, it is. I live in a city before moving East. So to me, Osaka is pretty good. Not as amazing as everyone claim it is...but pretty damn good. And it's ten times better than any other sushi joint in town. Hands down.
I suggest the Golden Roll, Sushi Ya, and New England. Also, strangely, their miso is TO DIE.
Osaka is definitely one of the two best places to get sushi in the valley. It is also the most expensive one. Their Japanese-French fusion menu (menus, at this point) is one of the best things about them and everything I've tried on it has been delicious. Their special rolls are great and their fish is pretty much always fresh. I often also forgo the sushi and get their yakiudon or rice bowls. It's really the best sushi I've had in New England and is better than a lot of other places I've been to. Since I don't live close to NoHo now I usually just come here for sushi if I want good sushi.
But. There are three problems with this place. Hence only 4 stars.
1 - The hibachi table can sometimes get very loud. Like, a bunch of rednecks/frat boys who drank way too many bud lites loud. Because sometimes there is in fact of rednecks/frat boys who sit there and are loud/drunk all the time. Since the table is in the same space as the main dining area this can become a problem.
2 - The service and presentation of the food is quite inconsistent. Every time I go I see a whole new crop of waitresses and the food is presented on different kinds of dishes. The quality of the food doesn't change but the service does sometimes dip.
3 - Last night someone at my table got an entree that came to our table looking like a pair of severed testicles placed on top of a satanic sacrificial altar. I'm not kidding. The chef dressed the plate with a five-pointed star made of a reddish sauce and then placed two red dumplings in the center. It was a little disturbing.
If you do go to Osaka, avoid the normal rolls. They are in fact overpriced ($3+ for a cucumber roll?!) and aren't really worth it. The specials, though, are always very good.
The salmon sashimi...melts...in your mouth.
That's a good thing.
Great vegetable sushi dinner! Service was great and they have nice open air seating out on the porch. Lots to choose from on their menu.
Osaka had so many sushi rolls to pick from, we couldn't make up our minds! The rolls were yummy and the presentation was beautiful. Highly recommended. The Yellow Submarine had lobster wrapped in mango with sweet chili sauce and topped with seaweed. Delicious!
After researching sushi spots in NoHo, Osaka came up as my 3rd choice. Number 2, can't recall the name, got bumped because of less than stellar Yelp! reviews, and number 1, MoshiMoshi isn't open on Sundays (wth??).
Anyhoo, Osaka was nice. We didn't sit at a hibachi table, but we were close and got to see several "shows". Fascinating, and the chefs were funny and engaging.
I didn't find the place to have much ambience at all. Too much wood everywhere. Reminded me of a log cabin or bamboo hut (as if I regularly hang out in either of those). Again, though, nice and clean.
The sushi was tasty, nicely presented, and I didn't find it to be over-priced. It wasn't a bargain, either, but not over-priced.
Nice place, good experience, plesasant staff, good date spot- I'd do it again if in the area, but I'd really like to try another place or two.
Really good sushi!
Had the mixed veggie roll, sweet potato roll, AND...avacado peanut roll!!! Never had that combo before, and holy crap was it awesome.
At Osaka, you're paying for the ambiance and the fact that it's Northampton...
Decent but overpriced sushi, a fair variety of cooked dishes and some fun hibachi chefs...
Their lunch boxes are probably their best deal in my experience... the 'sushi boat for two' feeds four sane people...
Eat on their deck during the day... fun people watching of Herrell's and the NBC patio... lovely view and breeze...
This last time going to Osaka, as I've been there several times before, we had a great hibachi chef. This guy had us all laughing and entertained for the entire duration of his being there. I personally ordered sushi and must say, they've gotten creative. I may not have had sushi outside of MA, but in Boston, it isn't THAT great either. I will say, compared to most, it is fresh sushi - assuming SUSHI GRADE. The only quam I have about this place is price and wait, even if you called ahead of time to make reservations. Usually we still have to wait 30 min.
Great ambiance, sitting outside on the porch on a rainy day, overlooking the ants scrambling in and out of Herrell's, trying not to get wet.
But the food wasn't anything special, and the price was high. I won't be back anytime soon.
I love Osaka. Hibachi filet mignon is my favorite item on the menu. Oh let's face it, since I've found that I have not been able to order anything else. I will probably have my wedding here, and hopefully be marrying one of the chefs so I can enjoy the delicious food from the comfort of my own home.
The simulinen napkins set the mood. Keep the sake coming!
yum.
My very first restaurant experience in Northampton was at Osaka, and it definitely didn't let down. The lunch specials are incredibly reasonably priced, and matched in freshness and quality. In the dinners I've enjoyed there since, I've been greeted with wonderful service and an abundance of crisp salads, savory soups, and hand rolled fish at the peek of it's taste spectrum. I would highly recommend Osaka to anyone ready and willing to overfill their belly with this delicious food!
If this says anything at all, out of all the restaurants in the entire pioneer valley, Osaka is the #1 destination for dinners with my friends.
The not-so-great:
avoid the "tatami room" if possible.
if you are seated here, you will 1) have to take off your shoes, 2) probably not be able to go in and out to the bathroom or something, 3) might be uncomfortable if you're wearing a skirt, 4) those seated on the outside might be cold from the draft near the door and those on the inside might get a little warm from being enclosed in the relatively tight space.
its fun the first time or so, but otherwise--sometimes its an inconvenience.
the GOOD:
-portions are big (i always leave full!)
-specialty sushi rolls are good
-waitstaff is usually attentive and the wait for your order is never long
recommend:
-any of the donburis (personal fave: katsu don)
-udon on cold nights
-fried green tea ice cream (not the best, but fun)
-leave some room for Herrell's ice cream (right across the street) :)
-my friends and i like to each order something (yakisoba, donburi, etc.) and share one special roll (its way more than enough food and you get to try out a roll without committing to the entire thing)
:) enjoy!
tip: park in the lot behind the complex (down the street), unless you can find street parking--which is hard to find on most weekend nights!
Sometimes, stars align. Everything you need falls into a table setting, facilitating the right conversations, the right smiles, the right stroll or movie choice afterward. Mid-semester, mid-panic-attack, mid-crisis (even if that crisis consists singularly of consistent slight pangs of hunger), when nothing, neither my vision, mind, friendships, nor future is dependable, there is Osaka, splitting the skies to arrange those planets just-so, making mandalas of serenity and gustatory pleasure in the cosmos. Every time, without fail.
All it takes is one appetizer to knock my knees together and throw my tense shoulders back and down to leave them tingling with ease: Nasu Shigi (eggplant with miso sauce). Perfectly balanced flavor texture, and temperature, fusing silkiness with umami in one steaming, sensual dish, it was the first dish I tried after moving to Western Massachusetts from the center of culinary genius that is S.F.'s Bay Area where any point on a map will reveal a quality sushi joint within a two mile radius at the largest.
Flavorful vegetable gyoza, perfectly warmed sake, attentive and polite waiters and waitresses (never slow, never invasive, never over or under enthusiastic, and never sloppy), and generous portions complete the experience. While the rest of the menu may fail to arouse tongue and appetite quite as completely and to such an extreme as that aforementioned eggplant, Osaka is dependable, trustworthy, and always satisfying. No nearby Japanese restaurant can compare.
Yellow tail rockin /
Get yer sushi ya ya's out /
Rolls by Picasso.
Oh Mylanta! The dancing roll was TO DIE FOR. I went here once, and though it was pretty crowded, we were hastily served heaps of decadent sushi. It was a little dark in there. I feel like the lighting is intended to make reading the final bill a challenge. It was a little scary, but this place is pretty top notch. Not sure why it has so many shaky reviews; I had a great experience.
I've been here twice: one for sushi and another time for hibachi. I'm sorry to say that I have to agree with the rest of the reviewers and say that this place is a little overrated.
Osaka gets two stars for having the same failing of every other sushi place I've been to in western MA: sushi quality not better than "fair/good", prices well above what you ought to pay for "fair/good" sushi. If you feel that you've had a wonderful dining experience after paying $5.50 for two of Osaka's nothing-special-about-'em hamachi nigiri, you need to get out (of the Valley) more.
Let me preface this by stating I am in no way a fan of Japanese cuisine, so I can't vouch for the sushi or hibachi delights. (I had some sort of tofu noodle dish that wasn't very memorable the lone time I went to Osaka.) I will say that friends of my absolutely love it, and I had a ball during my visit.
For your money, Osaka is the best Japanese in the Happy Valley, but keep in mind we're talking about Northampton, not some tropical seaside location. There is usually a wait, even if you go early, and oftentimes reservations don't quite work out, but my love for this place is deeper than that.
The teppanyaki (?) is kind of fun, with the balls of fire and fried rice thumping hearts and such, but the real gold is the sushi. The Mary Roll is excellent as are most of the other specialty rolls, but the classic rolls and the negiri are much less impressive, a waste of good appetite, I'd say. The Donburi is also delish, although some people will say it is on the sweet side. Still, it's a good deal, especially since the portions are huge and you can take half or more home for a reprise.
I cannot tell you how many nights we went to Osaka and then across the street to Herrell's for dessert, but I can tell you that it is a no-fail formula.
My best friend badger grew up in easthampton and he and i used to go to umass amherst so he and i regularly went out to osaka. It was his favorite place. Badger and i drove to california in october. He stayed. I havent been to osaka since.
Anyway
I never once had a problem with the speed of the service.
Ive found it best to be patient and understanding of the fact that someone is using their time and skill to provide a service for your pleasure. Osaka isnt a restaurant that you eat at out of necessity. I am very passionate about food as it has let me down much less than people, so maybe i have a bit of a bias.
Yellow roll, Kiwi roll, and tuna roll are all pretty good. Im not a huge fan of crab or shrimp so there are a lot i havent tried. My favorite though is the BUDDHA ROLL. dont forget that. sometimes the sushi and maybe a bowl of spicy noodles are good enough for lunch for two. I rarely get more, but i can vouch for the teriyaki beef and teriyaki chicken being worth trying. Be careful not to order too much though. Dont stuff yourself at a place like osaka...just eat enough to enjoy yourself and have a good time with good people.
TIP: Try to eat in the little back room. walk in...go to the left,,,and all the way to the back window. It seems as though they generally seat customers elsewhere first.
Very eclectic, sweet and savory, fresh sushi. I've had plenty of sushi in my days but so far nothing compares to this place. I had the usual dragon and california roll, but I also had a lobster roll topped with fresh peaches, yum! Definitely miss this place after finishing school in the valley.
Hands down, the best Japanese restaurant in Northampton. Last time I went there, my entire poli sci seminar class and professor went to Osaka. The service we received was fantastic and the waitresses were very friendly. Of course, the food was delicious!
I love Osaka. It's probably my favorite place to go with friends! We often love to go in a big group and get one of the two funky tables right when you walk in-- the ones that you have to take your shoes off and stick your feet down a hole for.
It's a wonderful dining experience. I think their sushi is delicious, no matter what other reviewers say. I would practically mouth-orgasm every time I ate a mexican roll.
I also have yet to find an oyako donburi dish in America that is as good as Osaka's.
The only reason Osaka only gets four stars is because the last time I went there, I got a bad case of food poisoningg.
But you know what? It's been so good the 5,000 other times I've been there that I'll probably still go back for more. ...Eventually.
This place has to be one of the most overrated places in all of Northampton. I'm not sure why it gets such great reviews from everyone I talk to. When we moved here, we were so excited that there was a great Japanese restaurant in town. It was one of the first restaurants we went to on one of our first nights in town and were very disappointed. The fish didn't taste that fresh and their sauces were either sickly sweet or just not very good. We continued to hear great things about it, so we decided we had to go back. It was somewhat better this time, but still did not rise to the level of "good," and is WAY overpriced.
To be fair, the ambiance is wonderful, especially on the outside deck. The employees are nice, but the food just isn't up to par.
You're much better off going to Zen (which is also overpriced, but at least it's good) or even to Soo-Ra (the Korean/Japanese place that's just down the street).
Oh. My. God. Osaka has the best sushi in Northampton...make that that best sushi in New England, possibly in the United States...Okay, maybe that's going too far, but order the Maguru (tuna) sushi plate, and you'll get it. They also have tempura fried ice cream that is perfect, just the way I like it. I'll admit that the service can be a little...unpredictable, but that hardly matters.
Probably one of the best sushi places in the NoHo area. I've always gone with the speciality rolls, always left happy and full :-)
Everytime I go here I dislike it a little more. The service isn't all that good. I have a suspicion that they serve all the white people first... hm... or maybe I am paranoid. But anyway, the sushi is ok, but not the best I've had. I do like the spicy noodles though.
I grew up in CA, so finding a good sushi restaurant in New England was a challange, if like me, you're not in a big city. Osaka is great, and is the only place I can find Oyako don (chicken and egg over rice) - their version is great and only $9 for a giant bowl. I'd also recommend the tekka don or chirashi (sashimi fish and seasoned rice). Most of their sushi rolls are tasty too, the seafood, kiwi, and buddah rolls are favorites. They're open fairly late too, even on Sundays - (http://www.osakanortha...).
I took my 15 year old son for a daytrip to Northampton, and while we were thinking about where to have dinner, he asked if I would take him to try sushi! YAY! He was all kinds of obsessed with trying eel in particular... so we walked about until we ran into Osaka. Glad we chose this restaurant over the other Japanese/sushi places we spied. I chose the vegetable sushi dinner- which came with 6 pieces of cucumber roll, which was good for back-up to give finicky eater in case he decided eel was icky. The vegetable sushi presentation was so lovely! We were the only ones seated at the sushi bar- so my son enjoyed watching the chefs do their thang. Pleasant wait staff, though I felt like we were being rushed... even though there was no one else seated at the sushi bar, like I said. And P.S.- son is now hooked on sushi. Good thing the price was right!
i am always delighted to eat at osaka, but am never that happy to pay.
i guess you are paying for the nice atmosphere, but they for some reason always seat my in the balcony. i am usually freezing too.
i think they take advantage of being one of the nicer asian restaurants in the area. interior design wise, they probably are. and their service is better than other asian restaurants, BUT i have had better service for better prices in other cities (i don't know if that is fair to compare).
if you are planning to have dinner in the evening near weekends, especially around college parent's weekend make reservations! waiting can be a bitch.
P.S. great place to take your parents to because they will most likely pay for your delicious expensive meal.
P.S.S. MY ROUTINE AT OSAKA:t heir spicy maki combo is something i always get and split with my friend and we order three more rolls to split. the bill is usually around 30 bones.
i recommend the sushi rolls. they were very good and the price was decent. but as for the hibachi dinners not so much..i had the steak with scallops and the steak was overly cooked, you had to keep dipping the sauce they provided and the scallops were not the greatest. the service was horrible, the server was rude and was always in a hurry to rush us to finish our plates. it wasn't even busy and no where close to when the restaurant closes.
Northampton, MA
Category: Chinese
Northampton, MA
Category: Japanese
Northampton, MA
Category: Asian Fusion
Amherst, MA
Category: Tapas Bars
Northampton, MA
Category: Indian
My favorite haunts when I visit the sleepy west of…
