The landscape for Japanese cuisine in Buford is surprisingly rich. We have authentic sushi bars, ramen shops, and izakayas, plus modern fusion spots and quick-service teriyaki counters dotting the suburbs. It’s impossible to rank every perfect bowl of tonkotsu or piece of nigiri, but here are our top picks, from traditional omakase experiences to neighborhood favorites, updated for 2026.
Kani House – Buford
$$ | (770) 271-5272 | WEBSITE
Kani House does just about everything at a solid level. This cozy Japanese restaurant is as welcoming as a neighborhood favorite—and it has an abundance of options, which come quickly with friendly service. Expect everything from vegan-friendly dishes and a kids’ menu to standout sushi and bento boxes. The sushi is tasty—but the Sea Dragon Roll with eel, crab, and masago and the soft hibachi filet are two dishes in particular that keep bringing us back.
Nagoya Japanese Steak House
$ | (678) 541-5048 | WEBSITE
Just off Buford’s main drag, Nagoya Japanese Steak House offers fantastic hibachi and so much more. With little touches, like the sizzling teppanyaki grills, that are supposed to recall a traditional Japanese steakhouse, it’s a slightly upscale spot for tender steak with fried rice, crunchy rolls, and refreshing sushi rolls with homemade sauces.
Come with a smaller group if you don’t want to wait too long for a table during prime dinner time—or share any more of those delicious appetizers than you need to.
Poke Inc & Hibachi (Hamilton Mill)
$ | (470) 238-3867 | WEBSITE
Poke Inc & Hibachi spotlights the quick, affordable Japanese fare of the Hamilton Mill area, all in a laid-back, anime-decorated space in the mall. Our ordering method here is to prioritize the signature bowls and hibachi, like the fresh poke topped with the House Blend sauce—a mix of Yum Yum, Spicy Mayo, and Unagi that’s a favorite for its unique taste. But there’s plenty of delicious ramen to be enjoyed, too: the well-cooked noodles with perfect texture, in particular, are requisite ordering.
There’s a serene, kid-friendly atmosphere with non-spicy options and wheelchair accessibility.
Wicked Sushi & Grill
$$ | (678) 765-7499 | WEBSITE
From the moment you walk in, you can tell there’s something special going on at Wicked Sushi & Grill. Is it a sushi bar, a grill, a cozy neighborhood spot, or—with that warm, inviting glow—the dining room of your favorite local haunt? This Buford restaurant is popular, pleasantly bustling, and serves food that’s a fresh celebration of Japanese flavors, like the Viking roll that arrives dramatically flaming. Order the Viking roll, and don’t skip the wicked fried rice.
That generous portion with chicken, shrimp, and beef is reason enough to return.
Fusion Asian Bistro
$ | (678) 404-8889 | WEBSITE
Tucked away in Buford, this Asian fusion bistro has a clean, beautifully decorated dining room with special Ramadan decorations—and it’s busy most evenings. That’s because Fusion Asian Bistro does so many things right—from fresh tuna tacos and popular dumplings to standout kung pao beef and Dry Chili Chicken. The Malaysian roti and curry also shine. The portions are generous, so gather some friends and try to get a comfortable booth.
(They take reservations for larger groups.) Share a few dishes, and don’t skip the incredible sushi and Poké bowls.
Kenzo Sushi
$ | (678) 288-9050 | WEBSITE
Everyone we know has a soft spot for Kenzo Sushi over in Buford. Every night, this place fills up with families celebrating birthdays and graduations, seated around spacious tables that can fit about 10 people. You’ll definitely want to share a lot of dishes here, because the menu is huge and everything—from the Lobster roll that comes in generous portions to the unique Mango Salmon Roll—is very enjoyable.
Service is super friendly, and the smooth jazz and Japanese designs create a welcoming vibe. We don’t need much else to have a good time.
Little Tokyo Restaurant
$ | (770) 945-3350 | WEBSITE
Located in Buford, Little Tokyo Restaurant serves both sushi and hibachi classics in a cozy setting with simple four-top tables. They have killer teriyaki chicken, and we’re impressed with the generous portions of their samurai steak—but nothing on the menu beats their fresh sushi rolls. Inside the well-packaged to-go orders, you’ll find quick service that has been praised thanks to the excellent service from the owners.
It’s a pretty casual spot in a bustling area, but they do have a warm atmosphere for a family dinner amongst the smattering of smaller tables.
Sumo Hibachi and Wings-Hamilton
$ | (678) 926-3662 | WEBSITE
Originally opened in the 1990s, Sumo Hibachi and Wings-Hamilton was one of Buford’s most popular spots for quick Japanese-American fare until it changed ownership in the early 2000s, and is credited with introducing the area to crispy wings with hibachi flair. They reopened in the original strip mall space in 2015, and the wings are still top-notch—but the real reason to come here is the chicken hibachi.
It’s cooked fresh to order, and if you do a little digging in the pile of steaming rice, you’ll find stray crispy bits of chicken. The restaurant is compact but efficient, so you can bring a small group last-minute, sit at a simple table, and order food until you can no longer see that table.
Revolving Sushi Factory
$$ | (470) 238-3350 | WEBSITE
With a bullet train that zips fresh plates right to your table and a robot drink server that glides through the dining room, Revolving Sushi Factory has a playful energy that’s a lot like a kid-friendly arcade, an interactive museum exhibit, and a bustling food hall all rolled into one.
Opened with a conveyor belt concept that keeps things constantly moving, this lively Japanese spot in Buford is a fantastic place for a family outing or a casual meal when everyone wants clean-tasting sushi rolls, crispy chicken nuggets for the little ones, and that wide variety of non-sushi options that means there’s always something new to try.
The friendly, fast staff keep the experience upbeat, though during peak hours the revolving area can get a bit hectic, and you might notice a smudge on a monitor here or there—but the overall atmosphere remains well-decorated and mostly tidy, making the lunch AYCE price feel like a solid deal for such a fun, delicious adventure.
Arita Ramen & Sushi
$$ | (678) 765-0585 | WEBSITE
Ramen is the main draw at this Japanese restaurant in Buford, and it’s best to come hungry and make a steaming bowl the center of your meal. Choose between the classic tonkotsu, shoyu, or miso broth, served in beautiful ceramic bowls, with noodles that taste perfectly homemade. You can add extra toppings like soft-boiled eggs or bamboo shoots to customize your bowl. Or choose the sushi rolls, gyoza appetizers, lychee martinis, or yuzutinis that pair wonderfully with the fresh fish.
There’s plenty of space in the beautifully decorated dining room, and the patient waitresses make sure you never feel rushed.
Oriental J Restaurant
$ | (770) 932-7388 | WEBSITE
Oriental J Restaurant in Buford is a straightforward, reliable spot for Japanese and Thai favorites. It’s perfect for a quick lunch or dinner when you want satisfying food without breaking the bank. The house angel hair is our go-to dish, but the Thai spicy chicken with shrimp runs a close second. They also serve a hot & sour soup that hits the spot every time. On busy evenings, expect your GrubHub or Uber Eats order to take a bit longer, but it always arrives hot and fresh.
The in-person service can be hit-or-miss, though many regulars swear by the phenomenal attention they receive.
Shogun Sushi and Steak House
$$ | (678) 541-6000 | WEBSITE
Shogun Sushi and Steak House serves up some of the tastiest hibachi and sushi in Buford, consistently arriving hot from the grill stations scattered throughout the dining room. We especially love the flavorful fried rice and generous sushi portions, and we appreciate that the staff is always polite and attentive. That said, there’s sometimes an 18% gratuity automatically added to the bill, and you might experience a longer wait during peak hours.
That might sound inconvenient, but it’s actually pretty transparent. Expect a birthday celebration with a special song and picture if you’re visiting on your special day.
Sushi Niko Niko
$$ | (770) 614-3442 | WEBSITE
Sushi Niko Niko is Buford’s answer to hibachi with a twist. When the friendly servers at this family-friendly favorite greet you at the table, get straight to the point and ask for the filet mignon hibachi: tender, juicy cuts of meat cooked to perfection, served with a sweet-tea that will make your taste buds sing. If you have a little more room to eat, get the salmon hibachi or one of their amazing sushi rolls with interesting combinations.
There’s plenty of seating inside this popular spot, with a pleasant atmosphere, clean smell, and calm music where you can set up shop with your food.