Japanese in Detroit: Staff Pick

The sushi bar is the heart of Tomiko DeMeere's serene restaurant which celebrates its 10th anniversary in June. The full array of Japanese dishes includes teriyakis, tempuras, noodles in broth and yakitori, with a gourmet dinner for two ($46) offering a chance to sample many dishes economically. Dining is Japanese style in the tatami room or at Western tables. ****

Countless unique and different dishes that provide a complete change of pace from the other sushi bars across Metro Detroit. Also has a full-service bar. More than 100 items available daily that range from seared buttered scallops in a light cream sauce to a rolled beef and asparagus dish.

Authentic Japanese food including sushi. 170 seatings in four different atmospheres including tatami room and sushi bar.

Best sushi around ... casual dining. Lunch specials Monday through Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The basics of Korean cooking are garlic and sesame. The bicultural selection ranges from broiled eel to tempura and sushi, spicy hot to coolly elegant. Try a raw fish dish or have marinated sirloin (bulgogi) barbecued at your table. A horizon-broadening selection of ten side dishes in wee white bowls accompanies every dinner. Alcohol is served.****

Sharaku is the most authentic Japanese restaurant in metro Detroit, offering 25 daily-changing appetizers, including catches of the day, and a relatively short list of entrées. As in Japan, the decor is spare, blond wood, and meals are served with a minimum of pretension — just artful arrangements of the food and garnishes themselves. For sushi, you may want to branch out and try rolls of dried squash, burdock, ume shiso (green tea), natto (fermented soybeans) or orange clams.The chef’s choice “sushi deluxe” will come with 10 lovely nigiri pieces plus a roll, also with crunchy pickles of radish turned bright yellow and cucumber now purple, and a delicious opaque broth with the most delicate of scallions, still crisp. At the back of your menu, look for a long list of liquors (shochu) distilled from different grains: sweet potatoes, barley, rice, buckwheat or potatoes (the most popular). Takeout available for sushi only; party platters also available (minimum $25 order).