Waraji Restaurant

Recommends

jhvlnd

Joined 3 years ago

The best sushi I have found in Raleigh so far. Nothing fancy, but excellent food and service.

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joe c.

Joined 9 months ago

I love this place for all the best reasons. Great quality, best flavor, perfect presentation and fantastic service. This is Raleigh's best!

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Michael Z.

Joined 10 months ago

This place the BEST customer service!!! Our waitress Natalie was the most patient, and helpful waitress I've ever met... When you eat sushi at a new restaurant sometimes their menu can be alittle confusing, but Natalie was very helpful and considerate... And the top it off the sushi was GREAT!!! The only downfall would be they are alittle pricey, but well worth it :)

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Laffshack71772

Joined 2 years ago

Best Sushi in Town. Run, don't walk to this place if you are looking for the best sushi around. These guys are masters at what the do and the flavors are out of this world.

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arm5280

Joined 5 years ago

I CRAVE this place daily!!. Twice a week we visit this place. The only down side is eating at other sushi places will make you appear like a sushi snob. The quality can be tasted and the selection of fish is second to none.

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pattersoneal

Joined 3 years ago

Best sushi in the area. The quality of fish is ALWAYS consistent. The service is good; especially if you sit at the sushi bar. We hardly ever order from the menu and have the chefs prepare whatever rolls they feel like making. I not been satisfied w/ only 2 rolls ever, but I wasnt mad. I mean I am the one that gave them free reign to make me what ever. We love this place and have a hard time going anywhere else. I honestly dont mind paying the $$$.

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sushi critic of triangle

Joined 3 years ago

Good sushi for the triangle.. # of Visits: several

The Good: This is one of few places in town that still makes good nigiri sushi. The presentations are simple and clean. Their basics are still in tact, as far as the sushi goes. The rolls are good too, but as some others may have also noticed, they tried to sneak in some "not so fresh" things in my rolls as well once. This only happened once in lunch so I'm hoping it was a fluke, and not intentional. Keep in mind I am trying to rate the restaurants in regards to the region. NC is not California or New York where fresh fish and vendors are abundant. I know this because my husband used to be in the industry when I was in west coast.

The Bad: Their kitchen dishes seems to have taken a dive over the time. I was displeased with their udon and zaru soba noodle. The noodles were overcooked and so the texture was off. I wasn't impressed by the broths either. The service is on and off. Best to sit at the sushi bar to get the best experience.

Summary: Over all a good Japanese restaurant but a bit on the expensive side. I recommend this place to anyone craving good old fashion nigiri sushi or sashimi. Their fish is good when they have them but I recommend eating at the sushi bar to enjoy their nigiri sushi or all their sushi for that matter if possible. They used to be better as far as keeping their fish fresh and the number of varieties but fear that the slower business has them struggling to save much as possible. I hope that someday I will be back to re-review this place with better rating because it's a shame to see one of the few "original" or "old school" sushi restaurant that has earned much respect over the years go down in quality and service. I really wish they had 3.5 stars because that would have been a more fair rating.

Doesn't Recommend

tukka72

Joined 3 years ago

Not my favorite place anymore. We used to come here every weekend and recently We noticed they increase the price but the food quality is not as good as it used to be and I have never see any high end restaurant sell the fountain soda $2.75 only movie theaters. I some times can buy a lunch $2.75 at burger king. I’ll rather come to Tasu Bristro in Brier creek for quality of services, food, better prices and nice atmosphere

Doesn't Recommend

mikewqa

Joined 5 years ago

Wow... They've really changed. I haven't eaten at Waraji in about 6-8 years. At that time, I was impressed by their variety of innovative rolls (for Raleigh) and fresh fish. I ate there for lunch and was really disappointed by the spicy tuna on top of their Mary Roll-- there was actually brown pieces in there and most of the tuna had a fishy taste to it, even through the majo/sriracha sauce, which BTW didn't have enough sriracha in it. The rice on at least some of the inside out rolls was way too dry. I suspect these rolls and the spicy tuna were probably made the night before. I have to say, I've actually had worse sushi in Raleigh, but only once. On the plus side, the unagi nigiri was much better... saba was ok. My guess is that lunch is not their forte.

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KidDinMe

Joined 4 years ago

Best Sushi in Raleigh. If you want a sushi place that is consistent in delivering fresh sushi, this is the place for you.

Pointing out the obvious, it's very busy on weekends so plan accordingly or expect to wait. It's worth it though.