All You Can Eat Sushi? Japan Inn of Raleigh NC

Often when you hear “all you can eat,” it is a buffet setting. Typically you have a packed restaurant that will require you to wade through items cafeteria-style picking out what’s left, or waiting in line around bunsen trays for the refill crew. Additionally problematic is that the flow of your meal intimacy is always interrupted by “be right back,” as you have to leave the table to replenish. What a pleasant surprise it was then, to discover the Japan Inn on Falls of Neuse Rd in Raleigh.

The Japan Inn is newly opened and this is their second location in NC, the other being in Greenville. At the Raleigh location we were offered a semi private booth with traditional Japanese style floor seating. For those who are cross-legged challenged, there is a well under each table for you to stretch your legs. This provides a hidden, but comfortable restaurant style booth sitting option. The restaurant is well designed with floor seating booths, separate restaurant style booths, tables, and a comfortable sports bar area.

The staff was friendly and our server Sophy was knowledgeable, attentive, and understanding of our confusion at not seeing a buffet area. Instead, the Japan Inn offers a one price-off the menu option. You can order anything and as much of everything you want off their varied menu of sushi, hibachi, tempura, traditional Japanese appetizers, and a full desert menu- all for one price. Forgo any guilt and simply enjoy your meal being served to you course by course, and item by item. A few choices such as steak, are designated for dinner or added ala carte, and the prices vary by weekday or weekend lunch or dinner. Overall, the menu options are plentiful. Vegetarian choices are numerous as well.

By ordering off the menu, you ensure that the items are freshly made to order and are not burning at the buffet. The sauces, soups, and especially the tempura were delicious. The hibachi and teriyaki were exceptional. The sushi however, could use a little work. Some of the fish pieces were a bit fatty. The rolls themselves had too much rice on them, so the flavor of the smaller pieces didn’t shine through. Adding slightly bigger pieces and less rice will help. The sushi has potential, so sushi lovers shouldn’t shy away from including some rolls in their list of items to try. Because you’re ordering off the menu be forewarned that you might have to wait longer than expected between orders. Remember that the chefs are preparing multiple orders due to the nature of the all you can eat, so they are probably quite busy especially during dinner. Solution to that? Order up and save room for desert! For that course, be sure to try the banana tempura drizzled in chocolate.

The Japan Inn 4516 Falls of Neuse Rd. Raleigh NC 919-877-8636
Lunch Mon-Sat $12.95 Sun $15.95
Dinner Mon-Thurs $21.95 Fri-Sun $23.95
Greenville Website

Tags: food, North Carolina, Raleigh