Sushi Tama Restaurant

Low-key dinner spot with a small sushi bar and only a few tables. I can't see it ever getting too loud or busy in there. This isn't the type of place I'd go if I wanted to stuff myself with sushi. They have a big menu of other Japanese dishes and the portions are reasonable for 1 person. The atmosphere was calm and quiet the night I went with bright lighting and quiet music.

The sushi he was pretty good! The Curry Udon bowl was awesome! Definitely be back for that! The server was very friendly and answered all our questions. When we pulled up it looked a bit suspect, but I am glad we went in! Would recommend for sure!

Really fun experience! They have a small sushi bar and the chef and server were super nice. Atmosphere feels a little like you’re in a basement but I think it gives the place a more casual feel that I like.

Sushi Tama has been our go-to sushi restaurant in Tacoma for over 20 years! While it has a small dining room, the food is delicious and always made with care and attention to detail. It is always spotlessly clean and the service is excellent. You should try to make a reservation in advance or come during a less busy day of the week. Even at 4:30 it might already be packed. However it is well worth the wait. It might not be as upscale as some other restaurants but it has a comfortable feel to it that puts you at ease. Food might take a little longer than at other places at times but again, it’s worth the wait. It’s a wonderful place for a date night or evening with good friends. It might not be the best option for really active little ones in the family, but if you do take them just make sure to bring things to keep them entertained and happy.

My first time here. Picked up 2 orders of teriyaki chicken, 1 Cali roll, 1 temp shrimp appetizer, $70 after tip. The chicken is dry and flavorless, only 4 shrimp and really small for the price. The Cali roll was good but only two pieces of ginger. I asked for extra teriyaki sauce on the chicken and got no sauce from what I could tell. I drove all the way back and they gave me two small cups that I should have gotten with a regular order. I had to ask for more and got a third cup. The kids working there are kind. Small servings for the price. Not sure how they have great ratings.

Best sushi in Tacoma! Great menu with a wonderful staff. Sit at the sushi bar and let the chef take care of you. If you have not been, just go you will be very happy.

It was our first time and we loved our dinner experience. Great portions, super fresh ingredients, attentive service and perfect casual but super authentic setting. We just found our new favorite sushi place. We'll be back and recommending it to our friends!

tldr: consistently delicious. hands down the best Japanese food in Tacoma or Seattle. the sushi is always fresh and perfectly balanced (i dream of eating my weight in spicy tuna roils). the tempura & panko dishes are flavorful, crispy and never oily. great udon, curry and yakisoba too!! update: STILL THE BEST ❤️

Love this place, have been eating here for years, it's nice to support a small family business. They not only have great sushi but they also have other Japanese dishes as well. The server gave great suggestions too. Highly recommend

Food was very fresh and great Service was good But...... for 40$ I got the smallest portions ever Edimami was so skimpy and no flavor Sushi left me hungry So advise Increase the size of portions. Price does not reflect what other competition is doing Go see others

I had not realized there was an authentic Japanese restaurant in Tacoma as the closest one I had visited was Miyabi Sushi in Tukwila. The opportunity to visit here was when my boyfriend and I were searching for a place to rent out and we grabbed dinner at Tama Sushi as it was nearby. The exterior was rather small but there was only a few cars and one of the cars we had parked right next to was a take out order so they were leaving after we got out. As we entered, we were greeted by the sushi chef and waitress then told to seat ourselves where we felt comfortable. We decided to take a seat at the sushi bar as it wasn't often we did that. The interior matches the lighting, spacing and decorations of an authentic Japanese restaurant with tatami shades cover the window, colorful lanterns are aligned on the wall and other signature décor. J-pop was playing faintly in the backyard where it was pleasant and not blaring, which I also think fits the aesthetic. Our waitress, Emily was very friendly and professional. She made sure to give us extra time to look over the menu and ensured that our order was exactly what we wanted. She did a fantastic job checking in on us, and we were even surprised when our sushi chef checked up on us and refilled our waters. It was a wonderful experience and probably one of the closest experiences we'll have of true Japanese restaurant dining. The chef made nice conversation was us as well, and even spoke with us in Japanese as we are both learning for a future trip to Japan. Overall, it was such a wonderful experience and we would love to return again to try our more of their sushi and entrees!

The most authentic traditional Japanese restaurant experience in the Pacific Northwest (not that I've actually been to Japan!) Everything here is to Chef Tamasan's exacting, exquisite standards. The vibe is intimate, casual, and perfectly delightful. Also, weekday lunch is a great time to come with a hearing impaired person -- it's so peaceful and quiet -- they even be able to hear you! seriously, I love this place.

Perfection in Tacoma. I love this Japanese restaurant, every visit i make sure to try a new dish. I am working myself thru their whole menu and as of yet have not been disappointed. The service is always stellar and the ambiance is just what you need when eating Japanese cuisine. If you find yourself in the area during their open hours i suggest you give them a try, you won't be disappointed.

The food was excellent, as it always is. The sushi is fresh and expertly prepared. Unfortunately the service was another story. I let the server know I had celiac and had to be gluten free. Two minutes she brought a complimentary dish and just to be sure I double checked to make sure it was gluten free. she had to ask the chef and he said it wasn't. When I asked for the salad that went with my dinner she said the dressing had gluten in it. I suggested I could eat it without dressing. At 7:55 we were still finishing our dinner and drinks and she wanted us to pay. I asked her if we needed to leave and she said they closed at 8. Clearly the lights are turned off and the door locked at 8, it didn't mean the kitchen closes. If only the service was as superior as the food.

OMG you can't pass up this Japanese restaurant if you want authentic Japanese food in Tacoma. Very unassuming exterior & they only do take out orders. Their website has pictures so you know what your ordering. We are from Hawaii so most Asian restaurant don't taste that good to us, but this place was right on the money. Speaking of money the prices are so reasonable for what you get. Young lady who answers the phone speaks English well so don't have to worry about accent or language barrier. One plus plenty free parking on side of restaurant. We ordered the sukiyaki and nabe udon, both came with everything and was piping hot (sometimes when you pick up your food it's cold or warm this was not the case), it was HOT didn't have to heat up. Highly recommend this restaurant, they definitely take pride in their food they pump out and it's all done to perfection! Our go to in Tacoma

Start off by saying all of the food was fantastic. That's the most important part of a restaurant, right? Sat at the sushi bar and watched the chef make very pretty rolls. The customer service wasn't great. It felt like they were down multiple people but I don't really know. It took forever to get seated (20 minutes with hardly anyone in there and open seats), forever to get (delicious) food, no water refills. I know the one guy working the front looked busy but I had to grab him to pay as well since we had an event to go to and time was running out. Very likely would have ordered more rolls because the portions are pretty light but didn't want to wait around all night. Ended up ordering more food down the street. The bathroom sink is shared, which is fine. But the light was burned out and it was so dark I couldn't see much. Seems like an easy fix, hope they get to that soon.

Very homey place as Japanese native. The food is authentic. It's not fancy but hits the spot for sure. It's like going to my aunts home. Warm friendly atmosphere. I loved the futomaki. There are not many restaurants offer Futomaki in Seattle. I am very happy to get it. I recommend here!

Authentic Japanese cuisine, friendly staff, very clean too. For those who are squeamish eating raw food, they also offer an excellent variety of authentic food that is cooked.

The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, and the staff was very attentive and friendly. The sushi was fresh and beautifully presented, and very authentic Japanese sushi. The restaurant's attention to detail and the chef's skillful preparation made the dining experience truly exceptional. I can't wait to go back and try more of their delicious offerings!"

First time back in almost 20 years after moving back to the area and they did not miss a beat. Dinner was excellent, the order was fast and everything was correct. Very much looking forward to coming back soon but hopefully for in person dining instead of to go

Food is excellent. Service was great. Only thing I would say is annoying is how they want you to make reservations in advance. The last 3xs I've gone in, there was only one other couple there. It's not that busy.

Best saba and chicken karaage I've found in Tacoma.

Before I start this review, I want to say that their phone number is 2537983790 and not whatever google or their webpage has outdated. I told the owners already so hopefully they change this. A wonderful authentic Japanese restaurant. During covid they are opened and they are also serving only take out orders. Very sweet workers and owners. I ordered the sashimi entree for my dad, a saba shio dinner set for my mom, and a pork tonkatsu dinner bento entree for my husband. I was pleasantly impressed with every bite, as the flavors are just robust. The fried items had fresh oil taste to it, and the sauces that go with it were impeccable. I love how they had a lot of tofu and seaweed in their miso soup, it was hearty and had a good umami taste to it. We will be back.

The only place I go for Japanese food. Since I grew up eating Japanese food all my life, being half Japanese, it reminds me of home style food. I have had at one time or another eaten everything on their menu. All of it is delicious! The only thing I wish is if they offered okinomiyaki. The quiet atmosphere and great service keeps us all coming back. We do takeout most of the time now since we don't get out much, but miss the sushi chef greeting us as we walk in the doorway

I'm really happy my partner and I have this place nearby! We're from a city with lots of great Japanese restaurants and this reminded us of home. We got the sampler #1, sushi and sashimi entree and Hokkai roll. The Hokkai roll was my favorite, but can't wait to try more!

Sushi Tama is solid! I am fairly basic when it comes to sushi and I really like the spicy salmon and spicy tuna rolls

Honestly.... I am so disappointed! I have been wanting to try this spot for YEARS!!!!! I understand it is COVID, but there was absolutely NOTHING redeeming about the food we got tonight. Not only was it not fresh, it did not look appetizing at all. It looked like it had been thrown into the to go box and sitting there for awhile. My sushi was not good at all, incredibly small pieces, and just unappetizing. My sons teriyaki steak was chewy and consisted of mostly rice. I know sushi is expensive, but for over $50 I will be taking my business elsewhere. We usually go to Sushido, and will continue to go there instead. I was so excited for my dinner tonight... I am super bummed out. I have had better sushi from Fred Meyer :( The ONLY reason I am giving them two stars is that the girl who took my order was super sweet. At least they have that going for them. Hopefully this was just an off night... but we probably wont be back to find out.

Aside from their amazing food, it would be nice if they could communicate on the Sushi Tama website that they're only allowing take-out orders and no dine-in (on February 15, 2023). We live in Seattle and made the long drive to Tacoma only to see that note posted on your front door. Really? You're better than that.

The only place I go for Japanese food. Since I grew up eating Japanese food all my life, being half Japanese, it reminds me of home style food. I have had at one time or another eaten everything on their menu. All of it is delicious! The only thing I wish is if they offered okinomiyaki. The quiet atmosphere and great service keeps us all coming back. We do takeout most of the time now since we don't get out much, but miss the sushi chef greeting us as we walk in the door.

Came here on a Friday night and it wasn't super busy. Service started off great and fast. They brought out a small individual portion complimentary appetizer. It was some kind of cold noodle salad with a slightly tangy/vinegary taste. We ordered some chicken karage, shrimp/veggie tempura, salmon nigiri, spicy tuna roll, salmon roll, and dragon roll (cooked eel and shrimp). I was very disappointed with the food. What came out first was the chicken karage and the karage looked very sad. The pieces were very small and 1 of the pieces looked like it was only batter and they were overly seasoned. The tempura was okay, you can't mess up on that. I did enjoy the salmon nigiri, the salmon tasted very fresh. However, the rolls were also a big disappointment. There portion of rice and fish was not well balanced. The rolls were very tiny and there was so much more rice. They did taste good but we were left still very hungry. So we ordered 1 more roll the dragon roll which had cooked eel on top and in the center of the roll was cooked shrimp. I don't know what happened but they took quite some time with getting this roll out to us. This roll did have more filling to it and not just stuffed with rice. I guess Tacoma will never have a legit sushi restaurant.

Grabbed a takeout order during the shutdown, and it totally hit the spot! Very reasonably priced, too! Fish was fresh, and the ramen was also delicious. Would definitely order from here again. Happy to see they're still taking orders during this tough time. :-)

Great authentic Japanese food! From bento boxes, donburi, ramen, sushi & more. The staff is wonderful as well! Oishii des!

The place was cute and quaint, the restaurant was packed when we got there. Not surprisingly so, because it was Valentine's Day. We ordered 4 rolls, and the total cost was approximately 40 dollars. The sushi itself was fresh, but the rolls were small. It was not worth the wait, and the price. We got there at 530, and didn't get our food until 6 pm. There was not a lot of options to choose from, and most of them had cream cheese. We tried ordering fatty tuna, which the menu offered. But the waitress said, "no." We will not be coming here again.

The exterior of the building is a bit rough, but don't let that stop you from trying this place out. As soon as you enter the restaurant, you are greeted by a cheerful shout from behind the sushi bar, the first sign that you are in for something special. There are not many staff, so during peak times things can slow down a bit. Regardless, the service you will receive is spectacular. There is a comfortable atmosphere about the place; imagine a neighborhood cafe or bar vibe. As a single diner, the sushi bar is an excellent option. The menu is varied, with dishes such as sushi, maki rolls, udon, or tempura. The sushi is simple (as it should be) and prepared masterfully. Fresh fish, tender rice, and high-quality nori. The tempura is always crisp and light, served alongside a gorgeous soy-based sauce flecked with grated daikon radish. Either of these choices paired with a cold beer makes for a perfect meal. Most definitely recommend you give Sushi Tama a visit!

Pleasant, well rounded Japanese sushi experience. First and foremost, all raw protein was clean, fresh, odorless and tasted high grade/unfrozen. We enjoyed a variety of nigiri and sashimi. The sushi rice was seasoned and properly cooked, no need to over mask with soy sauce, gari or wasabi. The menu offers a variety of samplers, appetizers, and straight up sushi. Our dinner was served with Miso soup, hot and delicate, my three year old loved it. Overall experience was beautiful. Nothing lavishly fancy, but far from a dive. If ever you are craving traditional Japanese, simple quality sushi or hot macha tea, try this place. Fair prices and adequate service. No complaints.

Good food, have not tried too many dishes but the ones I have are very good! I wish they were open on Sundays.

We decided to give this place a try. It was 8:45 when we went in. No one was in there but they were very welcoming. We had dinner combo and Shogayaki. It came with small dish of appetizer, salad and miso soup. They were so delish and the volume was satisfying for me and my 6'4 tall boyfriend!! This place is authentic Japanese. Nothing Chinese or Korean on the menu! If you want real Japanese food, this place is the one!!

Absolutely awesome place to eat, staff is very attentive and food is very simple but so very delicious. Price and portion is reasonable, atmosphere is very relaxed and comfortable. This place is my go to for sushi.

First time ordering from here. The food tasted regular, nothing special. Overpriced. Paid $50 for this.

This is the best authentic Japanese in Tacoma. If you are looking for Americanized trappers type sushi, this isn't the place for you. The service is absolutely wonderful. The food is incredible. By far the best gyoza in town! Gyoza is steamed then lightly fried with an awesome dipping sauce. I always order a large ($3) okara before my meal. The tempura roll is delicious and cooked fresh, making it oh so gooey, crispy, yummy. I like to order the northwest roll and sub the smoked salmon for regular (raw) salmon. I also custom order two pieces of sushi with raw scallop, mayo and tobiko. Delicious! Sushi Tama is an amazing restaurant. I'm salivating just thinking about it!

I was here for sushi with my friends and it was my first time. My first impression was that it is a cozy little place, neatly setup and clean. Our server was this sweet girl with a big smile and gave us the menu right away. We ordered some hot sake in a large bottle which was delicious and did sushi platters and Yakisoba with seafood. They also served us with salad which was really good and some meso soup before bringing in our orders. The food was really good, I loved the Yakisoba which were not super sticky or oily like some places can make them. When we were enjoying our dinner, we saw this guy who was just outside the kitchen calling these people who were leaving the place and then we saw him darting towards the door. We realized one of the guys left his jacket behind and this guy went after them to return it. That was pretty sweet. All and all, I loved the food and moreover the service. I would recommend this place to anyone who love sushi.

Sushi Tama is a restaurant with good food that is difficult to categorize. It's called "sushi" Tama, but... On one hand, the sushi menu is limited - on the other hand, it's clearly to assure freshness & excellence. The choice of maki is even more limited, so roll freaks beware. Overall the presentation is beautiful, & the cuts excellent. The hot kitchen produces all the stand-bys (tempura, udon, etc) well. On the traditional side, you'll find lots of little treasures. Sushi Tama makes konnyaku on the premises. I also believe they make their own tofu; we were served a delicious side dish made with okara (soy pulp). The lacklauster interior is a conundrum. On one hand, you have a highly skilled sushi chef and high prices - which combines oddly with the homemade side of the menu and shabby digs. The place is small, but it makes sense given the emphasis on homemade & authentic. If you want a more authentic-type Japanese meal, try Sushi Tama. If you want a sushi gut buster -go elsewhere.

Authentic Japanese restaurant. The food was amazing and the service was exceptional. The tempura was light and crispy and the sushi was very fresh. So glad we tried this place. We went there to celebrate my birthday. We will definitely be back.

I took my friend on a girl-date to Sushi Tama. It's walking distance from UPS, her school, which was nice. It's pretty small, but I liked the feel and ambiance of the inside. It's homey, and feels very authentic. There was one waitress and one sushi chef, and I'm sure a worker or two in the back. The sushi chef was talking in Japanese to two ladies that walked in, which made it feel even more authentic. I actually wish they had more items on their menu, I didn't really care for a lot of what they had on there. At least half the menu was combination plates that came with too much food, when I just wanted to order a couple little things. We ordered the fried calamari, Northwestern roll (smoked salmon, cream cheese, cucumber), avocado maki, and albacore nigiri. The calamari was good, especially with some lemon squeezed on top. The sushi rice for the rolls and sushi was really good, and the albacore was really fresh. We were still hungry, so we also ordered unagi and ebi. Both were great. They didn't have any ono, my favorite, but as jay s. said, the limited sushi list is probably to assure freshness and quality fish. I was very satisfied. The rolls are pretty small, but they're also cheap. I'd definitely be willing to go back here if I had some more time.

Delicious sushi! Friendly service!! My favorites are the rainbow roll and spicy tuna roll. They have been my go to take out during quarantine, and they strictly follow safety guidelines.

This is by far the best sushi restaurant in Pierce County! We go here at least once a week, and it is always perfect! I have eaten at well over 50 sushi places, and Tama Sushi is the best! Always fresh, always done perfectly!

Finally found a place who does authentic japanese dishes! I ordered Katsu Donburi which I have a really hard time finding at other "Japanese" restaurants. And found out they do chicken curry too - that will be for next time. Cute place - reminds me of traditional little restaurants in Japan. Friendly good service and good prices too. I'll be back!

Great Japanese restaurant. Their sushi/sashimi are fresh and taste good! I love their salad as well. They make their own dressings

Friendliest service! This is not your typical American sushi restaurant. Nothing fried and slathered in mayo! Traditional rolls with the freshest tasting seafood. Always consistent and always delicious. They have several other options if sushi is not your cup of tea like teriyaki or yakisoba. But I recommend the Dragon and Spyder rolls. The Nami or the Jyo entrees are our go-to's.

Sushi Tama is a favorite for our family. We frequent Sushi Tama about every other week, if not every week and are never disappointed with the service or quality of food they provide every time. My grandparents lived in Japan for over 20 years and I grew up eating authentic sushi. There is no other restaurant in Tacoma that serves such authentic Japanese food, that is fresh and the service friendly every time. I enjoy coming here and seeing their smiling faces!

Best Japanese restaurant in the Puget Sound area! No need to deal with traffic to and in Seattle. Free parking is another plus over Seattle locations. Charming staff as well!

Was serviced promptly upon arrival. Sushi was fresh and made to order. The Ikura were like little joys popping in my mouth. Hot tea and water were constantly refilled. The calamari was so-so. Other than the calamari, I would totally eat here again.

Great options and authentic sushi, the woman who helped us was very kind and attentive. Fresh fish and great choices of rolls

This is one of the BEST sushi places I have been to in the U.S. There's a group of little old Japanese ladies who come here EVERY Thursday. There's a loyal clientele. And I can see why. The outside is not much to look at. I went to university a couple of miles away from the restaurant and had driven by many times without coming in. I actually only ate there once in college. It wasn't until a couple of years ago that some college friends graduated ... made money ... could afford to go to Sushi Tama ... recommended the place to me. The sushi is AMAZINGLY fresh and delicately prepared by a seasoned chef. There's a calm ambiance inside the restaurant. The kind of calm that is not fabricated by dimmed lighting and water fountains. Rather, the kind of calm that says, "You're in Tacoma, kids. North Tacoma." The service is wonderful and, though the price is a little steeper than what I'm accustomed to, it's worth it. Ahh....satisfying... Pros: The sushi is so fresh you'll want to slap yourself, the service is excellent Cons: You've gotta save some pennies before coming here (usually $15-20/person). Alright, I'm cheap! Sure, it's in Tacoma. But it's flippin' tasty. So don't diss it man. Don't do it.

Ok folks... read and listen carefully. I've personally followed Tamason in the late 80's and early 90's. While he was working/making (sushi etc) for other grocery stores and then a restaurant. I've noticed... people were waiting in line, including myself and our party. Just to sit up front at the "sushi bar". Showing (me/esp) without him not knowing that I was paying attention on his skills. He, finally got his own business. You still reading what I'm trying to convey to you? Don't get me wrong... I'm not knocking other businesses who make sushi etc. With his restaurant, "Sushi Tama" l enjoy the (combination rice & choice of fish). Which is/has a (consistent/warm/succulent/moist) good taste in every "bite". Also, not having a "bone" stabbing your inner roof/wall of mouth. In comparison to some other sushi restaurants. Each "bite" is like eating "two bites" and the rice is kinda (cold/cool/hard). Having your mouth being the "microwave" in order to swallow it down !!! Hi "Shegiko", l haven't forgotten you:) Anyway, enough of just the "talk"! But, believe/me/you... l will include the "walk". PS- The whole Staff is friendly!

I'm a sushi snob. I'll start there. I wasn't expecting much, but I got much more. Their rolls are simple - don't expect some fancy shmancy rolls. caterpillar roll, spicy tuna, spider roll, etc. what blew my mind was the 3 pieces of hamachi sushimi I got for under 5 dollars. YUM! Not large pieces...mind you. They were on the skinny side. But they were *3* pieces for under 5 dollars. And they were *good*. And I'm a snob! I will definitely be going back! I can go simple. I don't need green tea tempura flakes on all my sushi! For those who have commented on service, I got mine to go. Service was great! ;-)

This was probably a three star experience, but I have a feeling this place is better than 3 stars on most days, so I'm giving it 4 to help round off the other Yelpers. Let's review this place with subtitles. Food: Vegetarians have limited options at most sushi restaurants, but this one actually had a vegetarian section, which was nice to see. I pretty much just ordered various versions of Oshinko Maki (they had three versions, I ordered two). Portions are small and somewhat pricey for their smallness, and the taste was nothing spectacular but it was fine. No complaints. Service: There was only one waitress and she took forever to do everything, but she also apologized for the wait every single time. She also brought us hot towels, which is weird, so I just left them in the basket since I'm not exactly sure what non-embarrassing thing I can do with hot towels. She had very little understanding of her own menu (didn't even know that their Oshinko Maki came in 3 styles), and even though she was Japanese, and the chef appeared to be Japanese, she wrote everything in complete sentences in English, so she took a long time to write down each order. But there were no mistakes and she was very polite, plus we were not in a big hurry so whatever. Setting: I do like the setting of this place a lot. Though the tables were not the cleanest and the place is kind of small, it has a (presumably) authentic feel that very few sushi places match. I liked that a lot, along with the decoration, etc. Brief Story: My friend ordered a raw fish sushi, and claimed that dipping the raw fish in the wasabi disinfected the entire fish, which is of course ridiculous. The story isn't funny or interesting, but I promised I wouldn't put it on Yelp. Whoopsadoodle. Overall: Really, this place is fine. I probably won't go back, but that's more of a testament to how terrible Tacoma is than the meal itself. I wasn't wowed, and like I mentioned earlier it probably deserves a 3, but I can't think of a good reason not to go here, so it gets a 4.