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This is where I learned sushi. I'm an attorney and every time one of my clients (who will remain unnamed) would misbehave and get in trouble in Court in Camden, we'd go to Sagami and he'd introduce me to yet another crazy form of sushi. I started simple - california roll, maybe some unagi. Finally, he got me to eat octopus and tamago and tobiko..... sorry, no uni. still haven't made it that far. even after 10 years!
The place is great - sorry to another reviewer, but I'd rather find a dive in Collingswood vs. eating in Cherry Hill any day. Authentic, great service.
I hope to get back to the east coast soon so I can eat there again and remember good times with that goddamned client.
Still as is...but see a little change on sushi (negative side)!!
I had a bad experience while ago; then, I stopped visiting this place.
Other day, I decided to take a chance...to see how things are nowadays.
Sushi itself has not been changed, which was good at least.
Although, sushi rice was too tight and smaller than used to, I thought.
Hamachi, Tuna and Fluke were good...Uni (Sea Urchin) was not so good on...nothing special but just as it was as years ago.
So, from that, I gave one extra star...otherwise, it is the same, very busy, noisy inside, limited seating on the counter...price?, Of course, more than used to...
I went here with very high hopes, after hearing nothing but praise and adulation for this restaurant I was really excited to try this Sushi joint in South Jersey I know, its a contradiction in terms.) And overall it was pretty good, but they're selection of rolls and sushi was very limited. Even though I pretty much stick to the same 3 rolls or so I like to have the option of more if I were to ever decide to. The Gyoza was incredible probably the best I've ever had and the Eel and fish roe roll was delish but everything else was pretty much just standard sushi fare. It was at full capacity on a Tuesday night and our food to a while to get there even though we only ordered 4 rolls.
Fortunately my boyfriend lives a few blocks away but I def do not recommend venturing over the bridge from Philly and surrounding areas just to try this place. I would compare the sushi to Mizu and slightly better than Fuji Mountain but certainly not as good as Raw or Haru
Thee best sushi I've had in the Philly area. Very reasonably priced. Atmosphere is a bit retro but doesn't matter b/c the sushi is so good and fresh. Get crunchy spicy tuna/salmon/yellowtail! MMM MMM GOOD!
This by far is my favorite place for sushi. I have been going here since the mid nineties and have never been disappointed. It was my first introduction to sushi but over the years it is still my favorite. I've now had sushi from all over the country and all levels of restaurants--Morimoto to a food court. Still it holds the title for me! Now granted at this point I have my favorite Sushi B dinner without octopus. It is a wonderful sampler of sushi that also as the caviar rolls. The dinner means you also get their salad which has a delicious fresh ginger dressing, miso soup, cucumber salad, green tea and your choice of ice cream or fresh pineapple. All this for under $30! Its BYOB so bring your favorite sake. And when you reserve, I recommend asking to sit in the front room. They have two rooms and the back one has nasty lighting that isn't romantic or flattering to those over 25.
I arrived with a date, a bottle of sake and built-up expectations (about the sushi, not the date). We walked in, and were soon seated by the hostess, who seemed a bit frazzled as the place was at capacity with people waiting.
It's a small establishment, with 1 simple and clean Sushi Bar and seating up to 50 people. What stood out were how low the ceilings were. I'm not an especially tall man - nor am I claustrophobic , so I was safe and enjoyed the coziness of the space.
We had some seaweed salad and steamed asparagus with sesame paste (so good! like a sweet sesame peanut butter) for appetizers. Our waitress, who was great, arrived with our sake which she had heated up and we started in on our fishy friends.
The Nigiri sushi portion of the meal was my favorite - The Maguro (tuna) was fresh and solid, and the Tako (octopus) which was risky because at some places it can be rubbery was one of Sagami's showcase pieces: It was melt-in-your-mouth creaminess! My favorite of the night.
My date got a hamachi roll and california roll, both of which I sampled and was pleased with. I would've liked to try more...
Make reservations, bring sake, eat a ton of fish.
It's over the bridge a bit, which is a pain, so If anyone knows a bicycle route to this place from the ben franklin bridge, let me know!
This place is the best sushi place you are going to find in South Jersey. The fish is always fresh with deep, rich colors and an atmosphere that brings an authentic Japanese vibe.
If you love sushi, go here now.
I went right when they opened on a Wednesday at noon. Within 5 minutes the parking lot was packed solid.
Plagued once again with a craving for sushi, I decided it was time to check out Sagami. After hearing so many great things about the place, I'm not sure why it took me 2+ years to go to a restaurant in my own town. I think the Route 130 location was a turn-off for me. Anyway, I made my way over after work and got there a few minutes before 5:30, which is when they open. There were several other people waiting in their cars as well.
Once inside, I made the mental note to never again wear heels to this establishment. The ceilings were way low! Other than that, the place was surprisingly cozy, dark and warm. I felt like I was in the Japanese restaurant version of my grandparents' basement. I know I've used this comparison before, but be assured that any place that reminds me of my grandparents' house is a really good thing!
The service was friendly and hella-fast. Since I was dining alone, it didn't matter much but had I been with company it would have felt too rushed. The food was very good, but Oh Yoko remains my favorite local spot for sushi. Sagami has a decent menu but nothing fancy. The price is definitely right, though. Clear soup, a yellowtail and scallion roll and a spicy tuna roll came to under $15, plus tip. I wanted to do a happy sushi dance, but refrained from doing so until I was back at my apartment.
The place is a bit hard to find because its right off the highway. I got lost the first time around. However, I went there thrice. 3 times it was fantastic. If I can made my way here again, I would like to try more of their raw sushi selections. Service was excellent. We got everything in time.
Everything was freshly made. I love their salads and tempura. The rolls are traditional but has the "first time you've tried sushi kick" to it.
The sushi chefs and owners are Japanese and they are usually very lively and happy to be there. Apparently they've been there for years and haven't changed their menu. The place is always busy, low ceilings, a bit tight, but otherwise I feel like I am in Japan.
This place is good for groups of 10, if your uncle knows the owners and they accommodate you.
Great Seafood. Sashimi was very tasty and salmon skin roll was great too. I don't know why people complain the atmosphere is great. Feels very authentic and cozy. I am tall so the ceilings were low, but its not like I was standing while eating.
This place is average. There is nothing exciting or special about their rolls. The menu is limited, and it doesnt seem like a great place if you want to venture out and try various sushi rolls. I ended up getting a few rolls that were just blah. My fiance got tuna sashimi which he said was amazing. So- if you want some good fresh sashimi, then this is a good place. I have also heard that their hot foods are good. However, just for sushi- this is not worth a trip.
After going to Sagami for over a decade, I have still not find any other Japanese restaurant in the Philly/South Jersey area that comes close to this establishment. Love the chirashi, sashimi, agedashi dofu and my new favorite, grilled eggplant with minced chicken.
Never can go wrong at Sagami, where the service is excellent. Try their lunch menu when you are in the area. Best of all, it's a BYO.
This is an awesome Japanese place. I went with my Japanese friend's family, and they are regulars there. Apparently the same owner has had it for thirty years, and always saves them a table.
The atmosphere is cute- the ceilings are super low! Slightly hard to walk between tables, but no problems really.
Regardless- the food was amazing. Started out with soup/salad/side, and then had some dumplings and some eel sushi. I'm not one for eel usually, but even I had to say that this was delicious.
My veggie tempura was great- and I tried my friend's Katsun too, also delicious. I'd highly recommend either of those, and I was told that everything on the menu is great, and fresh.
Probably the best Japanese meal I've had.
For me, Sagami's is as good as it gets. Authentic, great service and sushi that pretty much melts in your mouth. Love it!
Ok, had the 1) Kama (yellowtail jowels), 2) sashimi, 3) chirashi. Would have to say the kama was cooked fine, but there was too much salt on it. The sashimi was a mixed bag. The scallops were small and hard, they should be large and buttery. Overall, I felt like I was using thinking the word "hard" a llot, but good sashimi should melt in your mouth. The fatty tuna was scored like squid, which I've never seen before, and I thought, eh, maybe it's because it's hard. The chirashi was a good portion but the rice seemed a bit bland for chirashi. The "clear soup" option is bland and possibly the worst I've ever experienced. The miso was fine. The salad was routine, the ice cream as well, but the pineapple was lovely.
Food aside, this place is popular. We drove there from Philly, arriving around 5:20 (they open at 5:30). There were already 4 cars of people waiting in the parking lot. After they opened, the place filled up really quickly (I'm told it's hard to get a table later). Many of the folks seemed like regulars. The woman at the table next to us said she came straight from the airport, and in general, the folks that were there early seemed to be regulars.
The servers are all women in light kimonos. Ours was amazingly friendly, a bit chatty in a sweet way, and very attentive. We brought our own beers in a cooler, but she asked if we wanted a bucket of ice for it, etc. Her sweetness made up for the food.
A foodie friend of mine took me there. She's been going for 16 years and swears it is the best you will get in the Philly area. This was my first Jersey trip.
really? I just don't think this place should have the average rating that it does. it's just not that good.
-NEGATIVE points for location. raise your hand if you just can't wait to drive
into camden for dinner! not the best place to be!
-they should get some credit for authenticity and tradition. The decor, the sushi boats, and even the crazy geisha outfits that the waitstaff wears- it's all definitely VERY japanese...... but at the same time the restaurant is cramped and stuffy, the ceiling is incredibly, claustrophobically, UNCOMFORTABLY low, and you just feel like you're in some gross wood-paneled basement.
-here it comes: the sushi is average. there, I said it. it's not the freshest, it isnt creative at all, and the presentation is nothing worth mentioning. ive had uneven rolls that fall apart. not well made.
-if anyone thinks Sagami is the best sushi in south jersey / the greater philadelphia area, I DARE you to try OH YOKO in Cherry Hill. you will be totally overwhelmed with ambience, freshness, creativity, presentation, and flavor. I PROMISE!
I'm pretty impressed. I went down to have dinner with two of my friends last weekend. After reading all the reviews we thought it would be worth an hour and a half trip down.
The place was packed when we arrived (7:15 pm, Friday). Luckily we had a reservation. The restaurant is very dim lit (candles on tables) and the ceiling is very low. I've never been to Japan but my friend who has been to Tokyo said that she felt like she was there again (people sitting in close proximity and very busy - this is a good thing haha).
We ordered sushi, miso soups, and a tofu appetizer. The tofu was soft and was in a sweet/salty sauce with mushrooms. The miso soup was also great. I ordered three rolls, (spicy tuna, shrimp, and maki w/ scallion). The food tasted very fresh, and the wasabi was soft (unlike most wasabi that I've had at sushi places).
Sagami was definitely worth driving down for. The selection of rolls aren't as big as I've seen on other menus, but the quality of the sushi was great. I recommend this place and would definitely go to again.
Pretty much the best sushi I've ever had. The spicy tuna handroll was amazing. As was the salmon. So fresh it just melts in my mouth like butter!
The other things on the menu such as miso soup and udon, and tempura were nothing to write home about.
Just get the sushi! Lots of it! oh and don't worry, it's suprisingly not that expensive.
Who knew you could get such yummy sushi in of all places - New Jersey??
One of the best Japanese restaurants in the area. I have been here many times my Japanese friend. They offer "home-cooked" fare that you just can't get anywhere else. Once you enter the restaurant you feel like you are in another country. It's tight quarters, but that helps create an atmosphere that enhances the experience, IMHO. The food here is excellent. No wonder the Japanese community of this area heads to this place.
If your only encounter with Japanese food is sushi, go to Sagami and explore what you have been missing!!
I have been going to Sagami for over 15 years now, and still in love! The sushi is the best I have had outside of my travels to Asia. The service is excellent. I have nothing but praise for this place. It's authentic, and no nonsense. My kind of place. I will their greatest fan until the end.
Sagami may be the best place in the Philadelphia area for basic sushi. You won't find crazy designer rolls here, just straight up yellowtail maki and tuna nigiri. The sushi is always very fresh and tasty. I'm addicted to spicy tunas rolls, and they might have the best basic spicy tuna roll around ("Fireman Special" at Uzu is a different conversation ...) Also, their green tea ice cream is the truth.
The best thing about Sagami though is the atmosphere. Located right off a highway before an underpass, it couldn't look less mentionable. But then you walk into this low-ceilinged wood paneled sushi den with waitresses in traditional Japanese garb. My friends describe it like being in the bottom of a giant sushi boat, enjoying fresh fish in the lower deck. And its BYOSake, which always makes for fun times in the sushi boat.
I'm confused as to how my fellow yelpers have steered me so wrong after all of the faith I put into your opinions.
If you want to have some chicken terriyaki, go here. If you want awesome sushi, other than a typical tuna roll, don't go here.
The waitress found it necessary to get us out of there as quick as she could. She showed us a dessert menu while we still had many rolls left on our plate.
It was over-crowded with lots and lots of people. I will add, however, that the people were fun to watch.
I guess I went in with terribly high expectations due to the reviews of this place. I left hungry and sad that I had to pay the toll to get back to Philadelphia.
I have been hearing about this place for quite a while. Well I decided to make the trek to the dirty Jerz last night and see what all the fuss was about. Kind of a weird spot to have a sushi restaurant, and the building is strange from the outside as well. When you get inside though, it is like another world. Low drop ceiling tiles, and the decor is like a Japanese shipwreck. It is very cool. We had the beef rolled in green onions and seaweed salad for appetizers, both were quite tasty. The seaweed salad is addicting. For rolls we had the Spicy tuna and avocado, the yellow tail and scallion, the softshell crab, and the Philly roll. All were great, but I was really impressed by the tenderness of the fish. It was like eating butter. Seriously. So good. I wish I would have ordered Sashimi, because the fish is the star here, and the rice was a but much on some of the rolls. Next time, I will be ordering some individual fish to really let it shine. Yum.
Everything the other reviewers have it on is spot on.
The food is just fantastic, and even using that term i feel like i'm understating it.
OHHH MY GOD THE SUSHI THE SUSHI OHHH MY GOD!
Unreal, I didn't ever think I'd be admitting this...but here I go...(deep breath) New Jersey is...in fact good for something. That's right...they are...they have Sagami. I have never ever ever ever ever experienced fresh delicious Sushi like I did here. Delicate and full flavors, I love food that explodes in my mouth with a full plethora of flavors.
The service is wonderful! The ladies dress in traditional garb...and are sweet and caring and make you feel all sorts of comfortable. The atmosphere is unique, it's so....comfortable. No one rushes you.
Bring along a bottle or two of wine...or a bottle of Saki...and enjoy an evening of little delights. If you like Sushi...eat here...if you love Sushi...plan on being a regular!
Best sushi in the Philadelphia area. It's difficult to get to, but well worth it. Freshest fish in the area, bar none.
"In Japan: acceptable"
That's what he said. He is my friend Hiroshi from Japan, who lost about 20 pounds in two years in Philadelphia, because he found the food so bad.
Not so Sagami. This place literally saved him from starvation.
"acceptable" is about as high as it can get. The 5 stars are largely for their fantastic appetizers "ohhh, very good, very good" and for their Chirashi, which is still the best in a 50 mile radius - "acceptable" , you name it.
Hope to see you soon, my friend.....
Being new to Philadelphia, I made my first trip over the bridge for Sagami and it was worth it. Good thing we made reservations because the place was packed on a Friday night!
I appreciate the traditional feel of Sagami from the decor to the dishes. The service by kimono clad waitresses was excellent even with the overwhelming crowd.
I would definitely order the eggplant appetizer (with ground chicken and miso paste) again. It was so flavorful, probably the best I've ever had. All of sushi/sashimi was fresh and beautifully presented. Even the udon noodles I ordered, served simply in a clear broth, were delicious.
My only complaint is that the dinner entrees are a little pricey, even for Japanese food, but the quality more than compensates. Next time I'm craving traditional Japanese I know where to go - New Jersey!
I found this place sort of average. But had the spicy tuna roll satisfied my palette, I would be more willing to go back. I am a sushi lover who HATES wasabi (I've never been a fan of horseradish.) I popped the first piece of spicy tuna roll into my mouth, and to my surprise, the spicy element seemed to be wasabi/horseradish mixed into the filling. So not cool. I will say the shrimp and veggie tempura was delicious. But in terms of sushi, I feel I can't get beyond the horseradish flavor still lingering on my tongue.
They have the best eel around! Sushi is very fresh.
The atmosphere is dark and crowed.
I've been here twice. Once with my mom, and last night with my girlfriend. When I visited Sagami last night around 6:30 it was packed, but they had no trouble seating us without a reservation. We ordered and were served quickly. I had about 7 pieces of Unagi (eel) and a soft shell crab roll, and my girlfriend had the Sashimi. We both loved the food, the tea, and the service. After dinner we tried the ice cream, which was pretty standard, but a nice way to end the night. Altogether just $55, not bad. The only problem with Sagami is parking. It took over 10 minutes to get out of the lot because it's very cramped. I would recommend Sagami highly as the best sushi I've had in New Jersey.
sagami is one of those special places....you know what i mean--it's the go to for a first date, to take a business lunch/dinner, to make good impressions on people.
i love the darkened dining, the lowish ceilings, the lovely waitresses.
i've had my best birthdays and anniversaries here, so that says something, doesn't it?
The best sushi in Philly isn't in Philly.
It's in a little hole in the wall in Collingswood, NJ (on the Camden border) ten minutes from the BF bridge.
If you're looking for a trendy place or ambiance, it's not the place for you. But if you're dying for fresh, tasty sushi, I recommend Sagami. It's pricey but not unreasonable. Plus, it's totally worth the money.
Beware if you're going on a weekend, though. When you call to make a reservation, they will take it, no matter how many other reservations are for the same time. Be prepared to wait at least 30 minutes, usually an hour, past your reservation time to be seated.
Delicious!
fun place for Sushi & other tasty Japanese food.
make a reservation!!!
It's always crowded.
The parking is tough.
BYOB.
excellent! what more to say.
I have lived in Philadelphia for 8+ years and have only managed to make it to Sagami 5 times, but it never disappoints! My boyfriend and I went there tonight to celebrate our anniversary and everything was amazing! Crowded as always, we very glad we'd made a reservation. We only had to wait a few minutes before being seated. This place is very cozy with low ceilings and lots of wood paneling. The servers are very nice, but it's all business because they are so busy! I definitely recommend the fried eggplant with chicken and miso appetizer, as well as the 4 different types of seaweed salad. The soft shell crab roll is a must and the sushi is not only fresh, but cut to melt in your mouth. If only we had a Sagami on this side of the bridge!
I think this is the best Sushi place in our area. They undergo some road construction at the current time but it's definitely must try place.
incomparable to ANYTHING found in philadelphia or its outlying areas. I will gladly pay the big bill we rack up every time! their sushi is always fresh & made with awesome skill. sit at the counter and watch the chefs go at it. if you want to make nice - give the head sushi chef a beer - he'll always appreciate it! Their wait staff is uber friendly & knowledgeable. The ONLY reason i give 4 stars instead of 5 is that sometimes we wait a bit too long for our sushi, but we tend to tied ourselves over with miso and tempura. get the giant clam!!!!
it is still byfar my most fav place for chirashi (yes i've been to tomoe TWICE EW and tons of other places in nyc) and overall good authentic cheap japanese meal! this is why... first off service! definitely make reservations for this place... people come in big groups and come by 5:30! i had to beg them to let us in earlier! its byob so people spend quite some time here!
for dinnersets you get a humongous ass bowl of stuff along with soup AND salad AND dessert all for no more than 30 bucks!!!
my friends ordered the following:
-chicken teriyaki : pretty decent size for a girl but for a guy its a lil on the small size... deceivingly good... looked like it was gonna be dry but ended up being ok! boneless meats
- another one ordered this udon soup dish with tofu in it...broth looked very pure and clean
- another one ordered this seafood bowl that had humongous clams and humongous spiky crab meat... tons of clear noodles... a feast for a whole family! carrots were presented artistically as well!
- sukiyaki was also huge and tons of all ingredients again presentation seems to be key here
- unagi roll : they do not skimp on this... huge thick pieces!
- soft shell crab roll: not sure why but one friend's order was humongous and the other friends order was disappointingly small
now to my chirashi and why its the best i've ever had in the states:
- they friggin let me substitute in UNI?!?!? for the same price!!!
- they let me take out stuff i didn't want such as octopus!
- TONS TONS of fresh cuts of fish and all types not just the typical hamachi, salmon, tuna: literally like 3 pieces of most everything on my plate! i had to scoop out the ginger and wasabi and tamago to make room for my bowl! all fish was separated by leaf vege... the rice perfectly seasoned sushi vinegar rice! warm!
- fish cooled not warm but not freezing when eaten!
- even regular tuna melted in ur mouth!
- hamachi was buttery!
- salmon had criss crossed cuts in the skin which made it melt in my mouth
- the other cut of salmon that didn't have skin wasn't scored but tasted just as good
-ok so the uni didn't taste as fresh as other places but still satisfying!
- scallop was a lil chewy
- clam - pretty fresh not chewy
- i think there was flounder in there too which was pretty good!
- tamago was a great meal ender, sweet, huge, perfect!
- dessert: MMMMM green tea ice cream the real stuff!!!!! and chocolate banana ice cream??? mmmmmm
oh sagami how i wish u were in ny now!!
fav place of all time for chirashi... huge pieces that overflow the bowl... tons of fresh pieces of… Read more »
Definitely the best japanese restaurant in South Jersey (and perhaps all of Jersey, but I haven't tried too many in North Jersey). The restaurant looks like a traditional japanese restaurant and the waitresses are dressed traditionally as well. It has a very low ceiling, so taller people need to watch their head. Ambience is very nice, and the food is very affordable. They offer various boxes for dinner, but I mainly get some spicy tuna rolls, edamame, and sashimi for dinner. Quality is great, of course. I recommend this place to all japanese food lovers.
Cherry Hill, NJ
Category: Sushi Bars
Neighborhood: Rittenhouse Square
Category: Japanese
Neighborhood: Olde City
Category: Sushi Bars
Neighborhood: Market East
Category: Japanese
Cherry Hill, NJ
Category: Sushi Bars
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