An Atlanta Staple: Nakato Japanese Restaurant

21 March 2019

If you like sushi, hibachi or Atlanta, chances are, you have eaten at Nakato Japanese Restaurant! This restaurant has been a staple in the Atlanta food community for the past 46 years, thanks to Sachi Nakato Takahara, her mother and her grandmother. The restaurant has been passed down from generation to generation and now Sachi is taking charge as the third generation female owner. She is focused on maintaining Nakato’s tradition of authentic Japanese cuisine while also modernizing the brand to fit Atlanta’s new culinary landscape. Sachi is adding fan-favorite sushi specials to the regular menu (like the Illuminati Roll; pictured and described below) and even changing the language describing Nakato’s flagship location on Cheshire Bridge. This area, itself, it evolving into a culinary subculture, so is rightfully described as South Buckhead or #SoBuc by Sachi. The menu still offers an array of Japanese cuisine, with fresh fish flown in from Japan 3+ times per week. Learn more by watching the Facebook Live where Taste of Atlanta’s Marketing & Media Manager, Skye Estroff, chats with Sachi about Nakato. Then, scroll below for photos and descriptions of 3 signature dishes to order at Nakato!

1) Nigiri Flight. White steamed rice topped with the week’s freshest fish flown in from Japan.

2) Combination dinner. (Featured below) Shrimp Tempura, Salmon Teriyaki, Water Droplet Cake, Miso soup, “Oshinko” Japanese Pickles, Goma Ae (Spinach with a Sesame Sauce) and Steamed Rice.

3) Illuminati Roll. Inside: Yellowtail and Salmon; Outside: Spicy Tuna, avocado, topped with spicy aioli, eel sauce, sesame seeds, “kaiware” sprouts.