4. Restaurants

Sake Japanese Restaurant

670 Broadway, Saugus, MA, 01906
  • (781) 233-3858
  • Store is closed

Sake Japanese Restaurant Menu

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.

  • Queenie B.

    Really good. It doesn't look like much from outside but it's quality food and a cool Japanese experience. The location on Rt.1 in Saugus doesn't do it justice. They continuously have this old Toyota parked in front of the restaurant (I drive past on my commute everyday) ALL the time, & I don't like that...it's like they're pretending a customer is there. The food is really good at a reasonable price with good service.

    (4)

  • Vic G.

    Not too often do I make a drive up to Saugust - unless it is an occasion. This place was highly recommended by a couple of dear friends. It was so well worth the drive. Ambiance: The place has a very traditional decor and a very homely vibe. Adorned with red lanterns, and matching red Japanese decorations - the tables are very well distributed and makes one appreciate the space. I like restaurants that don't have tables crammed right next to each other. The place definitely has been around forever but clearly very well kept. There were traditional Japanese booths as well where you had to remove your shoes to sit in them. I've been to those before. Especially great if you are in a big group or with kids. Staff / Service: Super nice, very kind, always with a smile on their faces - every one of them. Not to forget the very exquisite kimonos they all were in. They had a very balanced way with which they approached to take our orders and came upon to check how everything was, how was the food, the check, etc. We never felt rushed in at any time. There is something so special about East Asian hospitality. Especially Japanese, Thai and Indian. Food: The menu was quite elaborate. But we were really craving for sushi. So other than a small sea weed salad, we kept our focus in tact and ended up downing 6 sushi roles (pics attached) between the 2 of us. The food was really impressive. The sea food was clean cut and the rice in the rolls was not overwhelming. Very fresh and clean flavors. Overall a great experience. Good to know about reliable Japanese options in the north shore.

    (4)

  • RobynAnn N.

    The waitresses at Sake were so very friendly and helpful with recommendations. The appetizers and entrees were spectacular! I will be back and I don't even live in Massachusetts!

    (5)

  • Julie D.

    Would always pass by this place on route 1 however had a sushi craving with some friends and decided to pop in. Whoa! This place is really nice even with it's dark lighting. The interior decoration was very beautiful with the traditional japanese seating and artwork everywhere. The sushi, drinks and teriyaki was delicious. My favorite sushi was the sake house special maki, definitely a must if you don't mind raw fish. The waitresses provided very good service. My friends and I had a great time and will be returning!

    (5)

  • Michelle A.

    Was in the mood for sushi and have always wanted to try this place. The outside looks a little sketchy to me but once in the door you definitely feel better. I got seated immediately and a super nice woman came over to get the ball rolling. Took my order and came right back with a hot towel and my drink. I've never done the hot towel thing so I pretended to know what I was doing. Then miso soup which I downed quickly to fend off the chill from outside and my hunger pangs. Food came out in a reasonable timeframe and I made quick work of that as well. I got the Sake Maki. Totally worth it. Also ordered some white tuna sashimi which is probably my fav. So soft and buttery. OMG. They have the seating area where you have to take off your shoes. I'll try it when the weather gets warmer. lol I can't say enough about how nice the staff is here.

    (4)

  • Dana Y.

    Good sushi/sashimi but they didn't give us any mackerel or eel when we ordered a regular and a sushi/sashimi combo.. :/

    (4)

  • Sake B.

    We use to come here often...but the quality went down hill. However, the service is always great and staff are super friendly. Which was the reason for returning after a few months. The quality here has improved immensely. The menu look like it change but its only the layout. Same items listed. And the waitress had told us the specials. Also the items they didn't have previously on the menu example uni, they now have. New items like the squid salad and surf clam was delicious. The decor is still cheesy and need some updating.

    (4)

  • Catherine R.

    One of my favorite Japanese sushi restaurant, it's always excellent food and their service always Good!

    (4)

  • Sasha W.

    Had an amazing meal. Idaho maki was kind of disgusting but other than that the food was very good. Awesome atmosphere and service. I really liked the warm towels they give when you come in!

    (4)

  • Jessica P.

    I've been here many many times. The location is a little difficult to get to but I always find its worth it. Servers are efficient and don't pester you too much, which I like. They have traditional Japanese style seating if you are interested in that. Spicy tuna sashimi is my favorite dish. The tuna is so tender and the sauce is very tasty. The Saugus roll is my favorite. I haven't ordered something I didn't enjoy and I definitely think they are the best sushi place in the area. I'm honestly counting the days till I can go back!

    (5)

  • Nina N.

    It makes me sad to update my review on Sake. This place used to be one of my favorite sushi joint until I discovered sushi in Brookline and other places which Sake now pale in comparison. Other than the stellar customer service, I can't bring myself to come back here for the food. The sushi price is high for very average tasting sushi. I left here recently spending close to one hundred dollar with my husband and brother but had that sick feeling in my stomach after you eat subpar sushi. I love the waiters and the customer service is awesome but unfortunately I will not be coming back here for sushi any longer. But if you happen to ever drop by, I recommend the rock and roll maki and the avocado salad. That, unfortunately, was the only two decent things I had during my last meal here. Everything else I used to enjoy here is now either too oily or flavorless. Very dissapointed. See my pics and previous post.

    (2)

  • Kristine P.

    Went out with 4 friends.. We asked for a sushi boat and got charged for each individual piece.. A standard boat that would have cost $60 anywhere else was over $160 dollars all added up. They added side dishes next to the boat that were also added on to our total. All seasons table in Malden was way better and way nicer and we paid half for it. Drinks were far too sweet too. Do yourself a favor and skip over this place

    (1)

  • Timmy D.

    After eating a lot of sushi in New York this is by far a cheap sushi restaurant. I ate here yesterday for lunch. Very friendly staff. I didn't love the house salad kinda had a funny smell and didn't seem to fresh, however I did enjoy the sushi my favorite is definity the saugus maki. I was ready to give this 5 stars but after reading the other reviews I think i fell down to 3 there definitly are better sushi restaurants out there.

    (3)

  • Adeline H.

    I used to come here for years but after the last few visits it was bad each time I came. The service is excellent and the servers are very sweet. But i really dont know what went wrong with this place. The sushi is borderline inedible and things are undercooked or taste spoiled. This used to be my spot for scallop hokkaiyaki for like 4 years...it just doesnt taste good anymore. I wouldnt waste my money here...I feel bad for saying that cause the people here are really nice but the food just doesnt cut it anymore.

    (1)

  • Sparkle Butter N.

    I love this place. Been going here for the past 15 years. It's a safe place to go back to knowing that the quality is fresh and homey. The waitstaff are great and the owner is very cheery and polite. I love her! I started coming here because their spider roll is fresh. Everything is made to order and the soft shell crab isn't cold like most other places. Yes i agree that the decor is cheesy, but that's not why people don't go here. It's been there for 30 years and will be changing ownership next year as they are selling so come back y'all and get good sushi because who knows what the next owner is going to do.

    (5)

  • J J.

    My boyfriend and I had passed by Sake countless times and each time we passed and wondered if it really is an authentic Japanese Restaurant and finally we went in. It was dim the people were really friendly and very helpful and because I personally don't eat meat my boyfriend had asked if there was any vegetarian dishes and the lady had told us there's Vegetable Tempura which sounded really good so I ordered that it was great... The more recent time we went was last night though... I had Idaho Sushi Maki and Pizza Maki it was awesome and an appetizer of Agedashi Dofu (which is tofu cut into blocks and covered in a batter deep fried and then served with a sauce) it was good I would've liked it if it was cooked with Japanese Panko bread crumbs and the sauce put on the side but overall it's the place to be when your looking for real good sushi my boyfriend in the other hand had Sukiyaki his favorite dish a Japanese beef& vegetable hot pot comes with a bowl of rice (miso soup & salad is given before the meal) but, I had the salad oh and another thing right when your sat down they bring these hot steaming towels to wash your hands it's great... I know it's a pain with where their located but I totally recommend this place and the people here remember us it's great

    (5)

  • Adriano N.

    I love this place. I have been here many times and the food has always been amazing. They have the best tempura I have ever had the pleasure of eating. This is my go to place for sushi on the North Shore and if they keep it up they will remain so for a long time to come.

    (5)

  • Sam T.

    Sake has the best sushi I have ever had. I usually prefer to get maki, but their tuna sushi is really good. It melts in your mouth. I also recommend the spider maki roll, which is soft shell crab with spicy mayo, but I'm sure whichever sushi you get you'd love.

    (5)

  • Adrina A.

    Sake is an authentic, conveniently located sushi restaurant on route 1 northbound. Their sake is, as it should be, really delicious. The edamame was tasty as well and can be prepared spicy if you prefer. We ordered a few different rolls, which were all very good, but our favorite was definitely the dinosaur maki that was on the special list. The service was quick and efficient, even though I think there was only about 5 people working in the whole restaurant (including the kitchen). I get the vibe that it's family owned and operated. There's also a section where you can dine on cushion-y pillows sans shoes if you really want to immerse yourself in the culture. Overall, great experience.

    (4)

  • Dalin L.

    The best sushi over there. The people working there are very nice! They greeting you with a beautiful smile, and always come to check on you if you "need anything else?" or "the food ok?". So this is the number one place to go, if you don't want to travel far to Boston.

    (5)

  • James F.

    Unfortunately I was unable to actually try the sushi here, because I was unable to struggle past what might have been the worst service I've ever experienced at a sushi restaurant. After giving me a drink, I essentially did not have anyone talk to me for over 30 minutes. I watched while multiple members of the staff focused all of their attention on one couple who apparently was trying to get some sort of refund. Despite the fact that I requested to order several times, I was continually ignored as I sat at the sushi bar. The restaurant wasn't packed or anything; this was at least four staff members actively ignoring everyone in the restaurant but the one couple that they were in a deep discussion with. I'm currently still waiting to get some attention. More to follow.

    (1)

  • J V.

    I have been on a huge Sushi kick over the past 3 months. I have probably eaten it on average 3 times a week. The last 2 times I have eaten at Saki, I threw up within 30 minutes of eating there. The first time I thought it was just I might have eaten to much or just me. I went there again today, after about my 5th piece of Maki my stomach started to turn, my friend looked at the maki roll and said that doesn't look like what Tuna should look like; I then realized the fish looked old, I immediately stopped eating it. I paid walked out in the parking lot and before I could get to my car I started to Throw Up everything I had just eaten. I do NOT like to ever give this bad of a review to any restaurant, but this place is clearly irresponsible with preparing their Sushi, FYI Saki you are feeding your patrons RAW FISH at least make sure it is somewhat fresh. NEVER EAT HERE, OLD FISH!!!!! I would recommend these places if you are looking for good FRESH SUSHI 1, SEI BAR, Wakefield 2, MIKADO, Beverly 3, HAPPY GARDEN, Danvers 4, MAKI, Peabody

    (1)

  • Michael C.

    Ate dinner here on a Tuesday night, drove by this place many times and wanted to try it. The staff was super friendly and attentive and were helpful in reccomending dishes, sometime in Japanese places I'm completely lost. we had: Japanese Chips and Salsa - This really unique, they had flattened eggplant tempura topped with a tuna, avacado, and mayo mix that worked amazingly and looked cool too. Saugus Roll (see pic) - Eel, spicy tuna, tempura flakes, and avacado. Delicious. on a funny note, when it is someone birthday they flick the lights on and off and the audio system kicks in singing happy birthday. This was especially strange because before and after that they don't have music coming out of their speakers, as if they only utilize it for their famous happy birthday song.

    (4)

  • Erin O.

    This place is consistently excellent. For dine in, the staff is always very friendly and attentive without being intrusive. I usually get take-out, and the hostess (owner?) knows my order and it's always ready within 15 minutes. My favorite roll is the scallop tempura. Do yourself a favor and order that roll. It's outrageous. Come here and eat, you aren't getting better sushi in Saugus.

    (5)

  • Alexander C.

    Kept seeing this place while I was driving by it every week. Not really worth it. Spent Boston type of money and still left without much satisfaction in the food here. Not coming here again.

    (1)

  • Amy P.

    I have never been to a restaurant where I felt uncomfortable eating the food they served. We ordered a few rolls. All of which looked funky and smelled funky. My dad was brave enough to eat a few pieces but not very much. I refused to eat more than one piece. I was not taking the chances of eating what looked old. It was 6pm on a Friday and we were the only ones there. Service was absolutely awful. Our server fell asleep at the POS system standing up. I would say stay far far away from here. Go get some sushi at the supermarket. You're better off there.

    (1)

  • Natalie T.

    I have been here many times and have never been disappointed. Nice staff, beautiful Japanese ambiance, and amazing food. I recommend any kind of sushi, tempura, or teriyaki.

    (5)

  • Kim Q.

    Our favorite and go to place when we want our sushi fix! My favorite is the rock & roll, and the spicy scallop!

    (5)

  • erin s.

    Let me start with I'm not a fan of fish or sushi........that being said, i really like this place! I always get the shrimp tempura maki and the avocado maki, occasionally the chicken tempura maki. All are fantastic, prices reasonable, service good and usually fast!

    (4)

  • Sarah F.

    This place is pretty small and doesn't look like much from the highway, but the food is good. We sat on the pillows on the floor which was fun and our waitress was in traditional Japanese attire. However the service was VERY slow. I don't remember how long it took for our food to come out but given that it wasn't that crowded, we waited a long time to eat. And with nothing to munch on (like how at Italian restaurants they give you bread while you wait) we were starving by the time our sushi came out. I thought the sushi was delicious and reasonably priced. The tempura is good too.

    (3)

  • William G.

    Amazing! The sushi is super ridiculously fresh, great atmosphere, friendly staff, plenty of parting, and great prices. We had the seafood combination platter Shabu-Shabu, and it was amazing! Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Smar T.

    The fish is fresh, fresh, fresh. Surprisingly fresh given the air fresheners plugged into the wall and the decor reminiscent of the sushi restaurant I used to go to in the 80s and 90s in NJ. The staff is so friendly and did I mention the fish is incredibly fresh? Prices are standard for the area, but it's a steal compared to some places in the city. 4 stars instead of 5 bc the menu isn't especially creative. But yummmmmmmm.

    (4)

  • Johnna M.

    The outside resembles the Piccadilly Pub but once you get inside you are transferred to a tackier version of old Japan and I love it. The ambiance is Route 1 cheesy with a just a touch of authenticity. It has the most friendly and attentive waitstaff I have ever come across and they wear kimonos too! You can eat on mats if you want but it is more fun to eat in chairs and watch people fall on mats. The sushi was great and moderately priced, especially the Idaho roll. The seaweed salad was also very good, although a it is very small portion for what you pay. I didn't care for the miso soup but that is probably because I saw half a bowl in the bathroom for some reason and it turned me off to it. I will go ahead and assume that some shady character left it there and it isn't Zen's idea of decor. You never know on Route 1 though... Complimentary Japanese strawberry gum for dessert!

    (4)

  • Liana K.

    I've debated on writing this review and this is the hardest two stars I had to give. The staff are some of the nicest wait staff i ever had! Me and my roommate went there for a Wednesday night dinner. Like most things on route 1, it has the feel of by the hour motel. Inside was beaten but big enough to still seem cozy. We sat at one of the floor tables. The waitress brought us a towel and water right away. Always a plus at places. The menu seemed decently priced. I order a miso soup, which you can't really mess up and it was off to a good start. We ordered 3 maki rolls, fried soft shell crab roll, spicy scallop roll and spicy tuna roll. The rolls were huge; partly due to over cooked rice. The seaweed used on all them was super thick and unchewable. The spicy scallop was drenched in mayo. The spicy tuna was okay just the seaweed spoiled it. Soft-shell crab, which is my favorite roll... well imagine that horrible fish smell you have in Chinatown, only instead of smell, its the taste in your mouth. I really hope it was just an off night for them since my roommate claims the sushi was awesome last time he went.

    (2)

  • Rolly P.

    I love going to Sake's! Especially after a long flight back to Logan on my drive home. The sushi is fresh and the service is friendly and attentive.

    (5)

  • Adam W.

    I've been a North Shore resident for my whole life (all 32 years of it), and driven past this place hundreds of times without trying it. It's not much to look at from the outside and it's woefully overshadowed by the sparkle and fame of Kowloon just down the road. However, Sake is a 4-star dining experience as well. I'm always nervous when trying new restaurants, especially older ones. I was relieved to find many smiling faces from the hostess and waitresses as we were seated quickly on a Friday night. You can either sit in a standard table and chairs dining room, sit at the sushi bar, or you can enjoy the more traditional Japanese dining experience with sunken tables. I opted for the standard seating for my first time. We had some delicious, fresh, and beautifully made sushi, enjoyed crispy, yummy tempura, and even topped it off with some ginger ice cream. Everything tasted delicious and was well-made. Service was friendly and quick. Prices are definitely reasonable. So far it's my #1 spot for sushi on the North Shore, and I plan on making many return trips!

    (4)

  • Christa M.

    The food was alright, the service was fantastic. I was just in town for the night but it was okay. I may or may not go back again if I am in town again.

    (3)

  • Matt M.

    We had our non-traditional Christmas Eve dinner at Sake. I love this place partially because my Mom and her husband insist that it's one of the best sushi restaurants in the country. (They've been to two.) That said, it's actually great sushi... nothing fancy, just well executed and very fresh. The atmosphere is very cool and comfortable. The staff is friendly and insist on ensuring that everything is ok. I recommend checking out if you're in a sushi mood.

    (4)

  • Christa S.

    I stopped by Sake with two of my friends around 5 on a Saturday. The service was friendly and speedy, the interior was clean and welcoming (as opposed to the exterior/front hall area) and the decor comfy. We didn't sit in the tatami mat section, instead opting for western-styling seating. I enjoyed the food thoroughly, especially the soft shell crab, dragon maki, tuna, miso soup, shrimp tempura, and fried ginger ice cream (Order it. DELICIOUS.) The sushi was fresh and scrumptious. My friends and I shared everything, which I'm a fan of doing at most restaurants. My experience was topped off by the strawberry ball bubble gum that came along with the check, reminding me of my childhood and trips to Chinatown. A small detail, but it made me happy. Will I come back? Yes. It was yummy, and nearby. To be honest, I wasn't expecting much but I walked in with an open mind and was pleasantly surprised. My party and I especially appreciated the service with a smile, which seems to be such a rarity these days. Servers and hostesses were very considerate and kind.

    (5)

  • Jocelyn G.

    We had a craving for Japanese food and stopped by here the other day. Overall, it will not replace our regular Japanese place in Lawrence, but for a quick fix it wasn't too bad. I had some issues with the noodles...they smelled really powerfully for me in a bad way. Not sure why...everything else was good and the staff was very friendly. I would go again if I didn't want to drive up 93, but not very often.

    (3)

  • Julie R.

    Melt in your mouth sushi! I had been skeptical of this place from the outside for a while. Driven by it so many times, then noticed on yelp it had a great rep. Don't judge a book by its cover.. I knew it was time to go check it out. Well it sure was worth it. Once you enter you are bowed to and taken care of immediately. Attractive waitresses are wearing silk gowns. They even have a tatami room. Their awards went back at least ten years to recent and were all over the place. We split a bunch of sushi. The sushi chef was ready to take our order immediately. While he was making it, he was entertaining. Coming over to check on us, then asking us where we were from. The sushi we got was top notch. Their selection was very vast. I even had a picked mackerel for the first time. All the pieces were soft and tasty. The warm eel was incredible. The shrimp tempura maki was delicious. After dinner I got a mooci which is a red bean ice cream scoop surrounded with a fondant. Very good! The prices were some of the lowest we have seen. Not even just sushi, martini's and Asian mixed drinks starting at $5. Good drinks too. On a Sunday night the place was packed with Japanese and Americans. If your looking for a sushi place with smart prices worth a drive from Boston...Here is a place for you!

    (4)

  • Alyssa K.

    This place was absolutely disgusting... and I'll inform you as to why. I'm currently visiting from Long Island (had to escape post Hurricane Sandy and take refuge with my boyfriend who lives in Allston). Him and I are huge sushi-fans and to cheer me up post-storm he decided to take me to Sake. I ordered a very simple roll (yellow tail avocado handroll). When it got to the table, the fish looked like coos-coos. It was chopped so finely and the grossest part was that its coloring was completely off; it was gray. I hate being THAT customer but I decided to tell the waitress to send it back and to replace it with a yellow tail handroll that was NOT chopped. About five to seven minutes later she came back with a new handroll, unchopped, and it looked pretty normal. I went to grab it to take a bite and the second the handroll hit my tongue, I wanted to puke. It was putrid...it smelled and tasted so fishy and so rotten. To make sure it wasn't in my head, I gave it to my boyfriend to taste and the second he put the roll up to his face he refused to taste it due to the disgusting smell radiating off of it. I sent back that roll and told the waitress I didn't want anything else - I was too grossed out. My boyfriend enjoyed his fish (tuna roll) but mine was absolutely horrific. The only good part about this story was that they did not charge me for the roll. Moral of this story is... if you're searching for a place to eat sushi in this town... AVOID THIS SUSHI RESTAURANT. Do not be fooled by the 4 star review... it is NOT a four star place. Yuck.... I don't think I will be able to have sushi again for quite some time. Two thumbs down.

    (1)

  • Chris C.

    So, I just wrote a review of this place not more than a week ago, and I gave it 5 stars. I wrote that review because I had yet to do so after thinking of this place recently, which is what persuaded me to go here last night for my gf's bday. I've always loved this place, and so did my gf. Not so much anymore. The food was great. The service, not at all. We ordered our drinks, they were great, too. We ordered our food, that too was great. But after having finished our first order of drinks, we wanted something to go with our meals...which took them about 20 mins to do after my friend got up and asked for a water...and the rice that was to come with one of our meals, and didn't. At this point, we're not all too happy about the service. We finished our meals, and then sat there for a long long long time waiting for the bill. We weren't rushing, we were simply just sitting there. There were other tables being served left and right, but we were tucked away in the corner, hoping that they would see us, or come by and ask how things were, which never happened. I had to wave someone down from across the restaurant to get their attention. Our server either forgot about us, or didn't give a damn. They ignored us. Despite the food being good, 1 star for making me not want to come here again. I'm putting down that there is no wait service, because we didn't have any after the first 12 mins. We're not coming back to this place.

    (1)

  • Steve K.

    A few nights ago, stuck in the grip of a heat wave, I knew three things: One, there was no way in hell I was going to turn on my oven to make dinner. Two, point one is sort of moot, since there was no way in hell I was going to eat anything even remotely warm. Three, air conditioning would be nice, but that's sort of immaterial here. The obvious answer? Sushi, and being that I didn't want to deal with the T, I hopped in the car and drove up Route 1, knowing I had seen an inordinate number of sushi places along the road to Saugus. Pulling into the parking lot at Sake, I was a little nervous as to how highway-side sushi would stack up against the beloved sashimi and maki of my past (is there a Sushi Cognition Theory? There ought to be). So, yeah, turns out my misgivings were totally unfounded: Sake is an excellent (and relatively inexpensive) option when you're jonesin' for some fishies. Even more extravagant choices like the always-tasty, usually-difficult-to-bite-into-without-getting-a-­face-full-of-crab-leg spider roll won't set you back more than about $10, and other rolled options are very tastefully prepared: usually a dish plagued by an overenthusiastic use of mayonnaise, the spicy scallop roll at Sake had the requisite amount of warm, hearty burn without being fall-apart gloppy. Additionally, their nigiri and sashimi menu is reasonably priced enough to be sampled in depth without breaking the bank, and pretty darn good to boot: the yellowtail was bright, fresh and just slightly lemony, and the anago was standardly umami-tastic. The real standout, though, was the toro: wonderfully marbled without being overly fatty, these slices of tuna belly were so soft and full of flavor that I just wanted to lay my head down on them and dream about hand rolls. Bottom line? As kinda-sketchy as Route 1 dining can be, Sake is a perfectly valid option for sushi without having to pay downtown prices. (Oh, and they have air conditioning. Mission accomplished.)

    (4)

  • Wesley W.

    To start off, great staff and awesome atmosphere! I have to say it's a litte pricey over the average japanese restaurant, but nothing compared to the overpriced Fugakyu, or the highend Douzo or Uni. But for the price you are getting some really fresh fish and other ocean critters, the Uni is really fresh for a typical place, and the Hamachi Kam (Yellowtail Collar) is great. You should try some of their specials (Chips & Salsa), and their own creations of some Maki's(Saugus Make, Baby Yellowtail Maki, Dinosaur Maki) Fatty Tuna is a must when ordering sushi, and it pretty much is gone by the end of the night, so don't be late for it. And for all the other typical entrees and appetizers on the menu, it's pretty much hard to screw it up, and i've tasted pretty much the whole menu even the lobster sashimi, and it's a green lights, everything taste great. For you alcoholics out there, Ask the waitress for some Homebrewed Saki!! It's some good stuff

    (5)

  • Anthony S.

    Consistently good sushi....been going here for years.

    (3)

  • Cloie H.

    I really liked this place. The boy and I went here for the first time last Saturday and were very pleasantly surprised by this place. Yes it is tiny compared to other Route 1 establishments, and yes there is a high level of sketch in the parking lot, but you are in Saugus so what do you expect? Honestly people. The inside is adorable in my opinion, but I am a sucker for a certain level of kitch. It looks like a traditional Japanese house. The waitresses were dressed in kimono's and didn't seem to hate it so that is good. The food was great and we had a full meal, and I mean a full meal, for under $70. Appetizers were veggie tempura and pan-fried dumplings, then came the sushi; spicy tuna and spicy scallop for me and the same for the boy with an added roll of yellow tail. After that we enjoyed ice cream; green tea for him and ginger tempura for me. We both had a drink; sake for him and plum wine for me. We never felt rushed and likewise we never waited very long. We did have a few different waitresses wait on us and they never screwed anything up. It was not loud nor was it too quiet. I also loved how quick they were with cleaning up. I noticed this a few times while we were there. People would vacate a table after finishing their meal. The servers would wait for them to leave the restaurant and then poof everything (including the pale pink table cloth) would be whisked off the table, it would be wiped down and then promptly reset. The whole process would take about three minutes. Hands down one of the best parts though, is the steamed hot towel you get when you first sit down. I love it when sushi places do that, and not all do. The boy and I did have a conversation as to why this place isn't a five star place and we couldn't figure it out. Four stars is all we could give it and that is nothing to sneeze at, but still there is just something that holds it back. But it is still great and I recommend it highly and plan to come back soon.

    (4)

  • Heidi S.

    Went here a few weeks ago with my boyfriend and a few friends. Had a really great experience. Atmosphere: beautifully decorated. We sat in one of the rooms where you have to take your shoes off and sit on a lower traditional table. This type of style touch is something I always look for. Food: I started with the miso soup. Perfect ratio of seaweed to tofu to broth. My boyfriend got the chicken tempura udon soup which came with a salad to start. The salad had the ginger dressing on it which I really liked. For my dinner I got the makimono entree which comes with three rolls. The sushi was very well made and there was plenty on my plate to fill me up! I had a few bites of my boyfriends soup, really enjoyed it. Service: The waitress was friendly and was always making sure we had plenty to drink and cleared any dirty plates away. Will definitely return!

    (5)

  • Marcus D.

    I continue to love this place. The sushi is always delicious. I was here last Friday night with a friend and we sat at the low tables, shoes off, and were served by a very sweet girl. Alligator, spider, dragon, eel, spicy tuna, udon noodles - we got it all, plus killed a scorpion bowl. Ignore the seen-better-days exterior, reminiscent of Mings on Revere Beach, it's whats inside that matters, and you won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Melissa G.

    I've been wanting to try this place for years and finally did the other night. I was not disappointed. The sushi was to die for, especially the Idaho Maki, probably the best one ive had anywhere! The edamame was great as well! I got the tempura udon for dinner and it was good. The shrimp in the soup was a little hard to eat but otherwise the dish as a whole was good. I also love the strawberry bubble gum the give you with your check, very different. All in all I loved it and will definitely be returning!

    (4)

  • Dennis A.

    Sadly I don't come here as often as I used too. About 7 or 8 years ago, I would come just about once a week. If I felt like sushi this is where I would go. Then a few years after that, sushi become really popular in this area. To the point where you couldn't find a place to park in this places tiny parking lot. So I came less and less. The food however always stayed the same and was always good. The people who work here are nice and the service was always good. More importantly the sushi was always great, even now whenever I do come here the food is great. As a side note, the water at this place always tasted a little strange. It didn't taste BAD, just a little weird. I could never figure out exactly what it was, but everyone I mentioned it to said something similar. Either way this place is great and if your trying to find a good sushi place in the area this is where you need to go.

    (4)

  • Narissa S.

    Great Service. The Sushi was tasteful, I have been to other restaurants that gave way more sushi rolls ordered than expected, this place I felt like I didn't order enough sushi. Hmm.... still a great experience, great service, wonderful atmosphere! Would definitely go again.

    (3)

  • Freddie C.

    not much from the outside but definitly very warm and inviting on the inside. they even have a little section where you can take your shoes off and sit on the floor and eat. we had a pan fried gyoza appetizer that was solid. we ordered a rainbow maki roll and the sake specialty maki roll as well as the chirachi entree which is an assortment of salmon, yellowtail, tuna, octopus and tamago. all of the above were very fresh tasting and delicious. fried green tea ice cream for dessert was very yummy too! the waitstaff was very nice and all were wearing kimonos. efficient and attentive helping eachother bus and turn tables.. i would definetly return to sake.

    (4)

  • Diego M.

    Japanese restaurant owned by chinese. Little pricey and quality isn't good. I wanted real quality japanese food but they are not good enough for my taste. Sorry for all the people who thinks this is a quality japanese restaurant.

    (2)

  • Sokie S.

    The best of Northshore hands down! The host (wearing kimono) always welcomes you with a smile and a "how are youuuu?". She remembers my bf and myself whenever we stop by for sushi. She is so cute. :) They never fail. Sushi is fresh and delish. Decor is oriental and seating is private. They also have a tatami area for larger groups. I love, love this joint. The service makes me happy and I'm one happy gal when I leave!

    (5)

  • Bridget D.

    The family and I have loved Sake for years. The North Shore does not have a plethora of sushi joints like Boston, so this was always our go to joint when we got the craving. It is an unassuming little building on Route 1, but inside is a magical sushi paradise. The staff is always very friendly and polite. We like to sit in the section that requires you to take off your shoes and sit on cushions on the floor. I am a vegematarian, so I don't know much about the fish, but mumsy, paps, and small sister always rave about the freshness. They like the rock and roll maki with spicy mayonaise. I stick to the avocado and the idaho (tempura sweet potato! oy!). The miso soup is tasty and satisfying and the dressing on the house salad is a nice mix of soy, ginger, love, sesame, and magic. I had a birthday dinner here once and they played some awesome music with a light show. I felt special. Mumsy loves the sake (booze), and trust me, she knows a little something about rice alcohol.

    (5)

  • Angela C.

    Some of the BEST Sushi in the Boston Area! Always delicious and always fresh! My absolute FAVORITE Sushi spot! The pricier and posher Sushi places in Boston dont have a THING on Sake's food! Which is A+!

    (5)

  • Ldy G.

    Love this place!!! My one complaint would be that I HAAATE the Ginger dressing on the salad. Everything else is wonderful, I love the atmosphere & I always want to sit in those seats where your feet are tucked under the table. The hostess, the staff are all very friendly.

    (5)

  • Andrea M.

    I love Sake for both its excellent food and it's shoes-off, kimono wearing waitress atmosphere. I've never had a bad experience here and something as simple as avacado salad is a culinary delight. The place looks a little shady nestled quietly on the side of Route 1, but if the outward appearance ever gave you doubts, throw your worries away and be amazed by the quality that lies within. A great choice for sushi lovers on the North Shore.

    (4)

  • Faith q.

    The food was fine, not great, not horrible. Mediocre. Skimpy portions for a sashimi deluxe compared to that of other Japanese restaurants. Nonetheless, it would have been difficult for me to enjoy after I was misled by the server. When she took our drink order, I ordered just water. She asked if the kids would like Japanese soda. I said no thank you. The kids heard her offer and asked if they could have it. I said no. I reminded them that I didn't want them to drink so much sugar with their dinner. The waitress, who heard my response, insisted that the Japanese soda does not have much sugar in it. She insisted with, "trust me - the Japanese soda does not have much sugar, really, trust me." I took a sip after my kids had some, was startled by its sweetness and then looked at the label. It had 26 grams of sugar (that is over 6 teaspoons of sugar per bottle). When I told the waitress that I felt misled, also I reminded her that she encouraged me to trust her. I reminded her that she said that there wasn't much sugar. She replied that there is not . . . compared to American soda. That is just not true. The Japanese bottle was indeed smaller than a typical American can, but the percentage of sugar contained in an American can is about the same percentage of sugar in the Japanese bottle. I told her that comparison and that if I were told the truth I would not have ordered the soda as she heard me inisist that I didn't want my children drinking sugar. She apologized but did not offer to take it off the bill. I spilled a little of the soda out just to keep it all from going into my kids who became addicted to it immediately. When I complained to a man who asked if everything was okay earlier, I told him my grievance. He apologized for his mom who was the waitress. He claimed she is a traditional Japanese woman and "with no offense . . . does not understand such American health problems" because they don't have to live with that in Japan. I pointed out that his mom knew enough to tell me that the soda had very little sugar. He apologized again, but did not offer to remove it from the bill. His mom came over and said that she offered for me to try some. She did say that I should try some. Then she went on to imply that if I didn't like it, I could have returned it. She never mentioned that part to me at the table. As soon as I tried it, after my children tried it when the bottles were still pretty full, I told her my disappointment. She said that she was sorry I was upset, but took no action to correct the situation. The sad thing is that my daughter loves green tea ice cream which we usually order at the end of such meals. Unfortunately, due to the dishonesty of the server, my daughter "drank" her dessert and had to do without the sugar treat she really enjoys. They upsold the drinks ($3.00 each - same as the green tea ice cream) at the expense of the truth . . . and everyone lost out.

    (2)

  • Winnie Y.

    I have passed by this place several time but finally decided to give it a try last night. It doesn't look impressive from the outside, but the inside is nicely decorated. The sushi was fresh and is good for the Boston area. It is a little bit pricier than other places in the area, but I know I can get my sushi fix here.

    (4)

  • Christie L.

    2.5 stars - mainly for the service. We went here for lunch on a Sunday. I agree with other reviewers, the outside is pretty run down and the inside is pretty dark. I loved that the wait staff wore kimonos and brought out hot towels as soon as we sat down. The server was super friendly! We got the sushi sashimi combo for $29. It came with one miso soup which I thought was pretty good. The combo came out on a sushi boat with a california roll, 9 pieces of sushi (tuna, salmon, white tuna, shrimp, octopus, and maybe red snapper?), and 9 pieces of sashimi (tuna, salmon, and red snapper). I thought it was a pretty decent size combo to share for lunch, but that alone wouldn't fill me up for dinner (I like A LOT of sushi). Most of the fish was ok, nothing wrong with it, but pretty bland. The salmon was melt in your mouth, but it usually is pretty much everywhere. At the end of the meal we got strawberry bubble gum which we were pretty happy with. But overall, miso soup, salmon, and bubble gum don't make the rest of the meal great. We won't be going back with so many other sushi options in the area.

    (2)

  • Randie F.

    I love, love, love Sake. My ultimate comfort food is their yaki udon with tofu instead of meat. Combined with a bowl of miso soup, it's absolutely perfect!

    (5)

  • RT K.

    Alright... So where to begin. I'll preface this 5-star review by saying that this is my first yelp review and I'm not sure what everyone here may expect. But let's ignore that small piece of information, shall we? First off - Let's get these three key facts out in the open. 1. This restaurant is in Saugus. 2. This restaurant is on Route 1. 3. This restaurant is in SAUGUS. Now, we're straight, right? Ok. Should you chose to ignore the first three facts of this review, I can promise you some of the best service and sushi you have had outside the Boston city limits. We got here around 5 on a Sunday evening. Walking into the dark restaurant it took me a few minutes to figure out why all of the blinds were drawn... Oh... that's right. We're on Route 1, in SAUGUS. ;-) We sat down. Were offered drinks immediately. Drinks and warm towels came faster than you can say Route 1 in SAUGUS. We waited a bit to place our order, although the waitress checked on us and our drinks a few times - which I like and appreciate. We finally settled on some nigri and some rolls. Everything was served perfectly. I can't stress that enough. It may sound crazy, but the sushi, rice and avocado were all served at a temperature that made each that much more enjoyable. Did I mention that they bring low sodium soy sauce without you asking? Alright. That's it. That's all I got. The place is good. The food is outstanding. The service is exceptional. Route 1? Ok, Route 1 isn't the greatest slice of America, but should you find yourself at Sake with a flat tire and a hankering for a slice of raw fish, count your blessings. There aren't many places you could be happier. Cheers. :-)

    (5)

  • M. T.

    Cons - the decor is rather shabby/cheesy (there's some shiny holiday garland hanging next to a samurai picture.... weird) Pros - good standard sushi and japanese items (don't expect any creative rolls) - service has always been good FYI, I've gotten take out from here several times.... around once a week for over a year.

    (4)

  • jenilee p.

    +bonus points to any japanese restaurant which boasts a tatami room. general dining room also has a very nice atmosphere. - tatami room didn't look like it had actual tatami mats. at any rate, seems like those tables were reserved, so maybe i just didn't

    (4)

  • Jes W.

    Based on recommendations from this site, my husband and I decided to try this place out. Since moving we were on the hunt for good sushi, and frankly Sushi Island in Wakefield just wasn't doing it for me. Sake Japanese met our expectations. The place is so pretty inside, although we didn't get to enjoy it because both times we got take out. The food/presentation was great. Very tasty, clean, and the staff that we interacted with while ordering were so nice.

    (5)

  • Kristen K.

    I am a frequent flyer at this place.. as in they know my voice on the phone when I call in my order to go! I also enjoy dining in but I usually get take out.. I always get the rock & roll maki which is really good but I have tried other rolls that are good as well..I also highly recomment the Avocado salad, very healthy & filling. The people that work there are always very hospitable & I have never had my order come out wrong..the sushi is the freshest I have ever had and no other Sushi places I've had compare!

    (5)

  • Dee Dee E.

    A unique sushi place on the side of Rt. 1. I used to work at a sushi restaurant - so my standards are higher than most. Sake had some real creative and unique sushi pieces and dishes. Everything was really good and the service was very good as well. Its well priced as well. Horrible location but the sushi is worth the traffic on Rt. 1 - even tonight when it was halfway a blizzard.

    (4)

  • Mina I.

    Good choice for sushi - this place is awesome and the people who work here practically bend over backwards to make sure you're happy and comfortable. It might seem a little out of place or tacky along infamous Rt 1 but they know how to do their sushi and other Japanese entrees up right! You can also take out here and enjoy from your couch. Super thumbs up - one of my favorite sushi places in the Greater Boston area! Heart the spicy rolls!

    (5)

  • Julie E.

    I was surprised by Sake. I tried it on a whim and never expected the high quality that arrived with the sushi. It was better than I expected would be offered in a Saugus japanese restaurant. The building's exterior is very japanese style and they have tatami tables in the place. Definitely worth trying if you love sushi but want to stay out of the city.

    (4)

  • Suzanne P.

    If your a person that loves sushi and teriaki style dishes, try Sake on route 1. Sake has great teriaki style dishes and the sushi is good too, however my favorite Sushi restaurant is Hana Sushi in Cambridge.

    (4)

  • Sarah S.

    Sake is amazing. My husband and I go to this restaurant weekly because it is like comfort food for us (even though we're dorky white kids who grew up in New England). The outside of the building looks outdated, and we were skeptical on our first time here (over 2 years ago)... but are SO GLAD we went inside. Once inside, the decor is a bit cheesy, but its cute, cozy and home-y. The service is incredible, we are always greeted with big smiles and "hello" from the hostess, waitresses, even the sushi chefs behind the sushi bar! The waitresses really take time to get to know you and your taste preferences and we are always comfortable asking them for suggestions! We've even gotten complimentary tastes from the sushi chef on occasion to thank us for being repeat customers. The food here is outstanding as well. I don't eat sushi, but my husband does and has eaten sushi at many different places and he is never disappointed here. He often gets a roll CUSTOM made just for him and the waitress and sushi chefs are more than happy to customize anything for you. The waitresses are also always helpful in recommending the freshest fish or the newest addition to the "specials" menu. Some of the other items on the menu are also fantastic... the salad dressing on the house salad is made in-house and is INCREDIBLE. Seriously... I want to bathe in it. I've asked them on many occasions for the recipe, but it is secret! The tempura is very good, and they are more than happy to customize the order (I like both the chicken and shrimp tempura dishes, and will ask them to split an order, 1/2 chicken and 1/2 shrimp and they are happy to do so!). The teriyaki is also fabulous... the sauce is thick and has great flavor, not too sweet, not too salty, very well-balanced and deep, rich flavor. They also handle large groups well, but I would call to give them a heads-up because the place isn't huge... and although we don't have kids, they are SO kid friendly. We see people with small children in there all the time, and the chefs will often make special orders for kids and the waitresses LOVE the kids and always dote on them! The food is good, quality Japanese food, and is very reasonable for the area. It's not world-shaking amazing, but it is consistently delicious. What puts them over the top? The service! They are SO HAPPY to help you decide on what to eat and are MORE than willing to go the extra mile to customize your order to your liking and do whatever it takes to make you happy and satisfied. They take such pride in personal attention and doing anything you want or need. Sake keeps us coming back week after week... they are SO worth a visit! And a note to those wusses complaining about the driving on Rt. 1. GET OVER IT. Hahaha... it's not that bad, if it bothers you, then avoid rush hour, duh. Just don't get in my way ;-)

    (5)

  • Bradley R.

    The service is excellent and quick (good for lunches) and the food is delicious and high quality. I never thought a sushi place on Rt. 1 would be one of my favorites.

    (5)

  • R E.

    Well, the reviews sounded positive, and after years of driving by this place, I finally checked it out. The good news was that they actually had toro on the menu, so I had high hopes after ordering. However, I soon learned that this is just another suburban sushi joint with mediocre food and high prices. I'm afraid that a trip to Boston is the only cure for sushi cravings.

    (2)

  • Mich D.

    Its really the only option for good sushi on the North Shore....its super easy to get to and the service is very fast and friendly...my only complaint is the decor---a little on the cheesy side but the comfortable atmosphere makes up for it!

    (4)

  • Brittany H.

    I've often experienced this with some other restaurants and I really can't pinpoint what it could be..... as soon as I stuck a piece of tuna sashimi in my mouth, my pallate notices the first thing... it's extremely and oddly cold. WTF. Did they just take my meal out of a freezer??!! I am going to make that inference that some sushi restaurants do freeze their fish... and if that's the case, their ratings start back down to one and can work their way upwards. That's hugely disappointing. Sushi should be fresh all the time. Their prices are average, not too horribly expensive, but not cheap either. So what is their deal? I also understand that most restaurants get their weekly fresh shipments earlier in the week, but if they were smart....they'd get it ship near towards the weekend ... which depending on date, can affect quality of the sushi. Location is a major factor as well... .this is unconveniently located in Saugus...how many people do you know eat sushi in this area? If they don't turn their tables around quickly, their inventory is just going to sit rotting each day away. I can tell you I was there on a Friday evening... Yes, why must I be so critical? Because I'm eating raw fish damnit and raw fish needs to maintain a certain threshold of fresh. I don't know what the industry standards are of that threshold, but my pallate doesn't lie. I don't doubt their rolls are good, personally, I don't see how you could tell with all that rice junk glued together... unless it was fried, and well, then just about anything would taste good.

    (2)

  • Steve M.

    I have been going to this place for 20 years and it has gradually gone down hill over the past ten, sadly. I picked-up my wife at Logan Airport and she said she wanted to stop here on our way home; we both agreed it was our last time once we were done eating. As you walk up to the door the carpet really tells the tale as it is completely gross and the exterior of the building is in disrepair and there are weeds growing everywhere; clearly the owners has lost interest in their business. When you walk in the carpet resembles that at the entrance (probably hasn't been cleaned in many years). It sis pretty dark in the place for good reason. The server was very pleasant and professional and we were greeted by the older Asian woman who was clearly running the show. My wife got the Deluxe Bento Box and although it was impressive in size, the contents according to my wife were quite disappointing. She gave me her tempura shrimp (I love good authentic tempura) and it was really disgusting. It was actually soggy under the flaky exterior as if maybe it had been re-battered and fried or something). I ordered a curry chicken katsu dish and it was really sad (a 5 on a scale of 1-10). There are windows facing the road that are actually broken out and all that is there is the paper that is supposed to simply filter the light (you can really hear the cars racing by through the paper). Authentic Japanese is our favorite cuisine and we eat it quite regularly so we know what good Japanese food is. Unfortunately I suspect Sake can't continue much longer as they have clearly lost interest in their business.........

    (1)

  • Mark A.

    I really like Sake, it's a great restaurant. Location is alright, heading north or route 1, but it's a little out of the way and easily overlooked. Their tempura is very tasty, and they have a good amount of other options. Worth trying out if you like Japanese.

    (4)

  • Anna W.

    Had a craving for Japanese one night, so I suggested Sake. It was the closest place to my boyfriend's house, and I drove by it ALL the time without ever trying it, so I was curious. The restaurant is right off Route 1 North, and has a small parking lot in front. From the outside, it looks very small and unassuming. Inside, the servers are all dressed in kimonos, there are paper lanterns everywhere, and one side of the restaurant are the low tables and pillows that you sit on. We opted for a regular table instead :-) The ironic thing about Japanese restaurants is that the three of us who went there don't eat sushi! We are the non-sushi-eating Japanese food lovers. So, my boyfriend got the garlic steak, his friend got some duck dish, and I got the beef and chicken teppan yakki. We also got appetizers of fried gyoza and shrimp tempura. The gyoza was the far superior appetizer. I highly recommend it. The tempura was ok -- I've had better. The batter was a little oily and the shrimp wasn't too flavorful. Our meals arrived about 20 minutes later. While my friend enjoyed his duck and my bf loved his steak, my teppan was just okay. Maybe I should have ordered something else.... the beef and chicken were both overcooked and it was just too saucy (and the sauce was more thick than it was flavorful). I did enjoy the rice and veggies, but the meat was severely lacking. I was a tad disappointed, but our server was so incredibly sweet and nice that it made it difficult for me to complain. I did try some of my boyfriend's steak and have to admit that it was quite good. Will I try Sake again? Yeah, totally. But, I will probably just order something else next time...

    (4)

  • Samantha H.

    I love Sake! Great atmosphere! Great service! And more importantly, great food!! Staff was very friendly and prices were decent. And so close to home! Definitely my sushi stop!

    (4)

  • Cosmo X.

    Oh my god.. people like that dirty place! I use to go there years ago.... The owner would say.. here try a sample of this then that... THEN THE BILL it was included!!! DIRTY!!! Many other better places....for rookies!

    (2)

  • Wayne D.

    Although Route 1 is full of over-hyped disneyland-ish tiki-bombs and dinner getaways to Venice Sake Sake is a nice choice for something different. The sushi here is good and I like the overall style of traditional Japanese. I ordered only two small rolls, one was a spicy tuna, and the other was a specialty roll of spicy shrimp tempura. Both were fresh and excellent in taste. Per my liking I would have preferred tempura flakes in the spicy tuna roll because I enjoy the crunch, however, it did not take away from the maki itself. Besides, I could have asked for some but I did not. The outside of this place might scare you a little bit because it seems run down and when you look at the building you might second guess going in. If the outside looks that bad how bad is the inside, right? Have no fear. Brave it and try it because you're probably going to surprise yourself.

    (4)

  • Karen S.

    I should preface this by saying that I don't even like sushi, but the boyfriend had been telling me for months that we should go. He loves sushi and promised that there would be plenty of options for me that didn't involve seaweed and/or raw fish. It looked busy when we arrived, but we were still seated right away. The waitstaff are wonderful - smiling, polite, and friendly. The warm damp towels they give you are scented, but just barely enough for you to notice the smell. I have an aversion to overpowering perfumes and such, and I thought the barely-there scent was a nice touch. I can't remember the name of what I ordered, but it was some grilled beef skewers and fried chicken with a ginger sauce. Both were delicious. The beef was perfectly cooked - nicely grilled and pink in the middle. It was tender and juicy and although it was served smothered in sauce, the sauce wasn't overwhelming at all. The chicken was fried wonderfully - the batter nice and crispy on the outside, the chicken tender on the inside. The ginger sauce was amazing. The other half ordered miso soup, which I tried and decided it was the best miso I've ever had. He also ordered several different sushi rolls and raved about all of them. I didn't try them because I'm a stick in the mud, but he doesn't rave about food often so I'll take his word for it. All in all it was a great experience. We left feeling full but not bloated. I took off a star because of the location - Rt 1 is a pain in the butt and getting out of the parking lot can take a while when there's traffic and no one is feeling generous. Despite that, we will definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Shell M.

    My husband and I have been coming here for about 6 years now. We used to go a lot more than we do now... Yes, the outside and décor (carpet inside) is pretty dingy, but that is by no means a reflection of the food. The sushi has always been really great - our absolute favorite! The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars, is there have been times we have gone and the rolls were not great, those have been our experience on weekdays. If you go on the weekend, its amazing every time. The servers are also very friendly and welcoming. Definitely recommend this spot.

    (4)

  • Local G.

    In love... in lots of love with this place. LOVE the Mai tais, the sushi is fantastic... it's just great all around. I love how the women are dressed in the adorable kimono, the staff is super super friendly, they make you feel so welcome. The restaurant itself looks tiny from the OUTSIDE, but it's really not too bad inside, a lot of people fit and they can serve groups. I love going here for the food and atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Shari Z.

    Unfiltered sake is yummy especially when paired with fab sushi. Spicy salmon is super yum and a bit different than the spicy salmon I was used to in San Fran. There is plenty of room but at the same time there were plenty of people in the restaurant. Great service, and fun place to go and use the lowered tables off to the side if you have a big group. As another commenter noted, do beware the drivers on Rt. 1 on your way. Wow.

    (5)

  • Josh T.

    Very good and very kid-friendly, which is rare in Japanese restaurants I've been to. My friend and I had a plate of sushi and maki, while my 7 year old son shared the sushi and helped my friend's 5 year-old daughter with her kid's plate and even got her to try some sushi (she's a very fussy eater)! Service was polite and efficient, very little waiting, and sitting in the tatami area was a treat for the kids (hidden there is the fact that you can actually stick your legs under the tables). After years of driving by, I'm really glad to have finally gone in, and I will definitely be back soon!

    (4)

  • Kate E.

    chips + salsa idaho roll these are two of my favorite things! and the service rocks!

    (5)

  • Jay C.

    I'm a relative newbie when it comes to sushi, but after going to Sake I want sushi more and more. The atmosphere is great, it looks like a real Japanese home inside, waitresses in kimonos and a traditional dining area where you can sit on the floor on pillows. Out of all the rolls we've tried the sweet potato and the spicy scallop have been the best so far. With a name like Sake, you can't go and not order their namesake beverage, mmmm hot sake. Can't wait to go back and try more.

    (4)

  • Rebecca S.

    Sushi is very good and very reasonably priced. The Tuna is amazing. Doesn't look great from outside but the inside is cute. Good, local place.

    (4)

  • Lillian W.

    ***************3.5 Stars***************** First things first: Sake is located right on Route-1, so just be careful because the restaurant comes up quick once you see the sign from afar. I like to avoid eating/shopping on Route 1 because most of the time I'm scared for my life when driving off and driving back on. When I entered through the first door I felt like I stepped into someone's house or something... kinda like a porch if I had to compare...then when you got through the second door you realize you're really at a Japanese restaurant... not a home. I ordered a dish of Tuna, Salmon, and Eel Temaki... which came with miso soup. The miso soup was lacking pieces of seaweed which I love so that was a little disappointing. I've had better for sure. I hate wasabi, and I forgot to ask for no wasabi...and of course there was wasabi in each Temaki. That definitely put a damper on my meal, and yes, I'm to blame for that part. However, the quality of the fish was a little sub-par, so overall I wasn't really impressed. I have no complaints about the service. Our waitress was very friendly. The best part of the meal was at the end when our waitress brought the check. Guess what she brought with the check? Those tiny boxes of Japanese gum which have four mini gum balls that come in yummy fruit flavors like strawberry! Definitely the most exciting part of my evening.

    (3)

  • Shawn F.

    Located not so conveniently off of Route 1 race track, where all the crazy people go to drive their cars. Trying to keep up with the traffic, I accidentally pulled into the parking lot right before Sake. I then had to drive back out onto Route 1 and make a quick right. I feared for my life. The door into this place was a little sketchy and needs an upgrade, but after I got into the restaurant, I felt comfortable. There was some light music playing in the background, which soothed me after the stressful car ride. The decor was cute and comforting as well. The waitresses were nice and prompt with taking drink orders. I was tempted to try the sake, but figured I needed to stay sober for the second round of the fight on route 1. Unfortunately, I am an over-americanized white boy. For that reason, I got the chicken teriyaki dish. Yes, I went to a Japanese restaurant and got chicken. It came with a bowl of miso soup, salad, rice, and to my surprise some noodles. The miso soup was typical. Simple, yet a nice start to dinner. The salad also had a nice dressing to it. I was a little disappointed they put a tomato in there during the tomato crisis, but I got over it. The rice was rice but I love putting the chicken over it. The chicken came out on a hot plate. I had to wait for my food to cool off which is always a great plus. The noodles were on the dish as well and they were sticking to it, but overall they were good and complimented the chicken well. The teriyaki sauce had a nice sweetness to it and was not over salty. To top it all off, we were given a cute little box of gum, which was actually some of the better gum I have had. Overall, for all the over-americanized white people who don't like sushi, this place was solid. Beware of those crazy drivers on Route 1 though. Thankfully I stayed away from the sake and survived round 2.

    (4)

  • Brian A.

    Good things -EXCELLENT sushi at decent prices. -EXCELLENT sushi -Their beef fried rice is the best i have ever had in my entire life (did I mention the sushi was excellent? For the love of god, try the spider maki) -The only place i know where you can buy imported japanese beer -The rest of the food is excellent (Try their fried green tea ice cream) -The service is extremely friendly and speedy -The atmosphere is great, it does a great job of letting you forget you are sitting only 50 ft away from Rt. 1 The bad: -A tad bit expensive if you bring a lot of people, a dinner for 3 pushes 100 bucks. - The restaurant itself is a bit small. -The location. Even though its close to home, pulling into Rt. 1 at night after you finished eating can be a harrowing experience for someone who hasnt grown up in boston. If you love sushi or japanese food in general, NOT coming to this place is an example of self abuse.

    (5)

  • Michelle A.

    I'm generally wary of the gimmicky restaurants on Route 1, but I really liked Sake. The building is understated in comparison to places like Kowloon, but the quality of the food and experience were excellent. The food is delicious. I have tried the tempura, shumai, sushi, miso soup, salad, and an udon noodle dish, and loved all of them. The service is also superb - friendly, prompt, and attentive. This is my new Route 1 favorite.

    (4)

  • Cindy M.

    My boyfriend and I had great expectations on our way to Sake. We read a lot of the reviews before we headed there and couldn't wait to get our hands on some fantastic sushi. Well the entrance way before you get into the actual restaurant gave me a funny feeling that this might not be all its cracked up to be. It's a bit run down and there was an odor that was indescribeable. The atmosphere was nice and the service was good. As an appetizer we got the duck and it was extremely salty. I had to down my water just to get that dry salt feeling out of my mouth. I ordered a variety of sushi and as soon as it was placed in front of me, my heart sank. It just didn't look like any of the sushi I've ever eaten over many years. It was falling apart, it was dry, it was lacking flavor. I actually left pieces on my plate which I have never ever done. Needless to say we won't be going back again. Genki Ya, you have my business forever! I will never stray from you again!

    (2)

  • Lina G.

    I can't understand why this place gets more than 2 stars. We've eaten at so many sushi places it is unreal. First of all, I had to dodge crazy Boston drivers from all angles to get here...route 1 is nuts! I turned into the parking lot going 90 miles an hour. Then we walk into this little building that needs work and smells like pee. The service was ok but it was not busy at all. We shared a maki roll and some sushi. It was ok but not worth the price. I looked down and thought, uh uh, no you didn't!....they had PINK ginger! That's cheap :( My husband had some dry rice bowl and I had the nabeyaki udon which tasted so bland I was like great.....I veered off the south beach for this?? Yes, I was pissed.... So, I will never return to Sake. We spent 40 bucks for lunch and it was NOT worth it.....I would've been happier with some sushi from Whole Foods (and not have felt so guilty).

    (2)

  • Kate F.

    I love this place. The rolls are a little big (sushi should be bite sized) but they're very good and we have never left disappointed. The strawberry gum they give you with your check is an added bonus.

    (5)

  • Jackie V.

    I have to admit, this place actually exceeded my expectations...I don't know if it deserves a full five stars, but since there's no half, I'll do it. We were on the North Shore and decided to drop into Sake for a late Firday night dinner (the kitchen is open until 11!). Like all of the reviews have said so far, it's a very nice albeit slightly cliche atmosphere with kimonos and peaceful meditation music (admittedly, by 10:30, the music had transitioned to something slightly more Indian, which was interesting) which is a nice break from the neon lights of Rt. 1. The food was excellent, even the simplest dishes were done well! The edemame wasn't overcooked or over salted, and the miso soup was excellent which I personally think is hard to do (some misos have a strange fishy taste or are too salty or don't have enough miso paste or tofu, but not here!). Everything was very fresh (the sushi was great!); the entree portions were quite large with tender meat and properly-cooked (aka: non rubbery) seafood. The dishes were well-flavored, and the sauces on the entrees were not too heavy or greasy. The had a great selection of vegetarian options and a full bar menu as well. Overall, a great choice for Japanese in a show-y "authentic" (ha) atmosphere up on the North Shore.

    (5)

  • Jeff G.

    I was in the mood for sushi in the north shore so we decided to check out this place close by. When you arrive there you understand looks arent everything and i didnt mind the sign that said that they've had break-ins in the parking lot and i didnt mind the crappy outside appearance. When we walked in the waiters are disorganized but friendly. Prices seemed ok at first but that all changed when we got the check. For three rolls (2 spicy tuna and chicken tempura it was $20) The spicy tuna was miserable...absolutely awful and disgusting texture. Chicken tempura tasted bland and they gave me 4 peices ($6) crazzy. Never going back here. If you want sushi, go to brookline (ousishi, fugakyu, buddachen)

    (1)

  • Michael G.

    The sushi here is out of bounds, I always start with the avacado salad and miso soup, Spicey tuna roll is top notch, Waitresses are very polite and even give you a steaming hot towel when you are seated. If you like sushi you must try Sake!!!!!!

    (5)

  • Adrian S.

    The people in the restaurant were extremely nice and the food was plenty and very very good. I am going there again on friday! :)

    (5)

  • Andrea M.

    I made a point of stopping by for lunch because it's near where I work (and thus offered the possibility of sushi that didn't come from a Chinese restaurant), and i was sussing out places to take a first-time sushi eater. I'm glad I tried it myself first. This place is really pricey for what it offers. The standard sushi and maki are too expensive (considering the quality was so-so), making the specialty rolls sound like more bang for your buck. I was surprised at how many of the specialty rolls actually came with some special sauce on them that wasn't listed on the menu (this happened with a few of my rolls), as well as how many of the specialty rolls are just Fried Something in rice with sauce. The atmosphere is a bit much, and while the staff was dressed in (somewhat disheveled) kimonos (with clip-on obi, mind you), it didn't seem at all pleasant: the staff looked tired and unhappy, you could hear the highway through the weird mini blinds that made the restaurant dark and spooky, and the chairs were so deep I felt like a 5-year old. Don't settle for Sake. I haven't found a perfect Japanese place in the Boston Metro area yet, but there are better places to eat sushi that are worth the trip.

    (2)

  • Mark W.

    I've been here on three occasions and it just isn't for me. Although each time the service was good the restaurant itself is simply not a clean place. As soon as you walk in you are hit with a strong bad fish smell which could be maybe understanable but then adding to the bad smelling fish the carpet in several areas is worn and even torn and some of the chairs are held together with duck tape and the barthrooms are bad dirty. Sorry, I really don't like this place.

    (1)

  • Sarah C.

    this place is awesome. they have my favorite dish ever, tepan yaki. i prefer the veggies only version, as opposed to with chicken and shrimp. the sushi is delicious, and they make really good scorpion drinks (the best in my opinion). the servers are extremely friendly and efficient. on your birthday they play this really crazy version of happy birthday, with flashing lights and all (sure to bring a smile to your face). highly recommended. update: i went there for my bday tonight and was very disappointed. the food was delicious but the service was horrible. for example, i started off with a scorpion drink, then when the sushi came i asked for water... then some other servers dropped off my tepan yaki and i still had no drink.. and the rice that came with my meal was not included...and i needed ginger for my sushi.... so i seriously sat arounf for 20 minutes before it randomy showed up..a glass of water with no ice and my rice.... i was about to go to the front desk to complain when it arrived. no one ever apolgized. the only reason it EVER came was because my friend went up to say i needed it, ( i thought he was in the bathroom but he later told me he went to say something)... so since it was my bday they wanted to play the happy bday song....they asked my friend what type of icecream i wanted, and then charged for it, which i thikn is strange since i didnt ask for i and i didnt want to eat it anyway...most places give u a free scoop of icecream on your bday! so, after the meal i get up, go to the bathroom, come back and get my coat and scarf on, so try and get them to bring the check over...but another 15 minutes goes by with them not bringing the check even though we were all staring all the servers down.. then, 10 minutes later they FINALLY come get the check.... it was not busy, keep in mind...i will not be returning there for a long time. i am changing this from 5 to 2 stars because it really ruined my bday dinner.

    (2)

  • Dave B.

    Sake has been around for as long as I can remember. Japanese food is something I discovered as an adult so I only just tried this place for the first time a few years ago. One of the other reasons it took so long to hit this place up was it looks kinda run down on the outside. But this is a clear case of don't judge a book by its cover. This is a very authentic & clean Japanese restaurant. Very fresh, very tasty, great service, cute servers wearing those Japanese silk gowns. Classic sushi bar and they even have a tatami room. Take off your shoes and take a seat on the floor. If you like Japanese food, give this place a try.

    (4)

  • Jamie D.

    I've been here about fifty times and I must credit them for delivering a very consistent meal and service experience. I've seen the same identical staff every time I've come and they've never done me wrong. I've been to sushi restaurants with more creative menus, but Sake delivers a comfortable atmosphere, free parking and very good quality food for not a ton of money.

    (4)

  • Maureen B.

    Sake had been my most favorite sushi place until Yoki (see review)in "Meh-Fehd" came along. Still, Sake is (so far) my fave on the north shore. (No. Meh-fehd is not the north shore.) I have only been disappointed with Sake once and it was a takeout order. Even then, the only thing wrong was that the rolls weren't rolled tight enough. kinda hard to eat with hashi) They are consistent, the fish is fresh and service is great. We have not been brave enough to sit at the tatami tables yet. I worry my feet and legs will fall asleep. But I hope to overcome that fear someday soon. RT S' review is on the money. This place is on Rt one in Saugus. Now, if you can get past that you're golden. Sake is deceiving. I always thought it was an out of business Chinese restaurant. You look at it from the outside and think, "I see cars but that place CAN'T be open for business. It is. The decor is nothing to write home about. It needs some serious updating in my opinion, but it's clean. It isn't bright and shiny and new like Yoki, but it isn't nasty. It's just kind of dull. Don't take that opinion and assume that the sushi isn't fresh. I assure you the food is excellent. I wouldn't give them my business so often if it weren't. Like they say: "You can't judge a book by it's cover." Believe me, this is one story you want to read. Even if it is on Rt One in Saugus. ;-)

    (4)

  • Leo L.

    We just recently moved to Revere(I know, Revere right? But we live in a good neighboorhood with a beautiful view). Having come from watertown, where we had some great sushi 10 min away in brookline, we are spoiled but I was truly disappointed with this place. First impression: As others have mentioned the building is a bit dilapidated and old. The door needs fixing(I actually was confused when it wouldn't open easily at first). We usually sit at the sushi bar because we enjoy watching the preparation of our food. The chairs reminded me of greasy lounge chairs and were a pain in the butt to pull out from underneath the sushi bar due to their low sitting height. Lets talk about the sushi bar. Usually you can see the preparation. Due to the way the bar is setup you can barely see the top of the chef's hands. Very disappointing. Service: When sitting at the bar you just give your order to the sushi chef. Thats cool. We ordered some miso shiru, some edamame and some nigiri and maki. The miso came out. It was the proper temperature and was quite delicious except towards the end it got somehow "less misoish". I don't know enough about the prep to give a reason for it. It was still decent. Then we expected the Edamame, since that is an appetizer course. Sadly we were surprised when the chef hands us our sushi order. We were confused but still ate the sushi. I was actually decently pleased with the tuna nigiri we had ordered. A nice cut of tuna, with a bit of wasabi underneath it. The maki wasn't really much to speak of. As others have said...lots of sauce, and the salmon was a bit too "chewy" for me compared to others I am used to. Aaah so now we have finished our sushi. Pretty well fed...but look whats coming? Our edamame. Very confusing. Overall the confusion about which course was which was disappointing. The fish wasn't great. The only saving grace was that it seemed the service was reasonably fast if you were ordering just miso + sushi. 2 *.

    (2)

  • Susan C.

    Sure, the outside looks old, but don't be fooled! Decor inside is japanese style and there are rooms where you remove your shoes and sit on the floor. That's fun with friends or maybe for a special date night. I love being brought a hot towel to start my dinner experience and I think it's adorable that all the servers wear kimonos. It's pricey, but it's the best sushi in the 'burbs. They have a menu with lots of options, but I love the sushi so much that I always get it. Miso soup or seaweed salad, is a great appetizer. The raw fish is melt in your mouth, which I think means it's really fresh. My favorite rolls: Sweet Potato (Idaho), Rock n' Roll, Spicy Tuna, Oshinko (which is a pickled veggie). The Tekka Don and Sake Don area also good, it's just strips of raw tuna or salmon over a bed of white rice. Simple, but so tasty and very filling.

    (4)

  • Hiep V.

    Sake was the first restaurant to take my virginity of eating raw fish back in 2000. Since then, I haven't eaten at Sake for a while as I ventured onto other sushi joints. I have tried many other sushi restaurants, and I still regard Sake as one of the best. Their fish has always been served no less of being fresh. They have a very big menu of sushi as well as other Japanese items. Service is very professional and kind. Back then, all the waitresses used to wear kimonos, which I thought was very cool, but that seems to reserved for the hostess now. The price is slightly higher than average but that correlates to the higher quality of fish, and by no means is a complaint. I hold Sake in the highest regard and I hope they continue to be in business for many years.

    (5)

  • Scott O.

    So my first review on yelp is another good review for Sake. Fast pleasant service and great food. Standard Japanese cuisine prices. I'll be back. Thanks to everyone on yelp for steering me to great food in Saugus.

    (4)

  • Ellen W.

    I have and will always love this restaurant. The wait staff and chefs are friendly, helpful and even when it's slammed at dinner time, they produce your cuisine as fast as possible. I have been eating there since 1998 and the food quality has been the most consistent amongst other sushi restaurants I've been to. I always have them in mind first before going out to eat anywhere else. Also the coolest part about this establishment is the ground level eatery. It's comfortable, private and just plain awesome. Eating with the cozy effect of taking your shoes...well nothing beats that.

    (5)

  • Keith F.

    great sushi a little outdated decor but a serious lack of staff talent

    (3)

  • Jared R.

    Sake is the most authentic Japanese dining experience in the area, bar none. It's just like the Japanese place at Disney World/Epcot. The food is great, the prices are right. The service is wonderful.

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:30 am - 10

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : No
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Quiet
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Sake Japanese Restaurant

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