Sagami Japanese Restaurant

After a recommendation a friend and I dines at Sagami for the first time last night, which was a Friday. The ambiance was beautiful and the service was wonderful. We ordered Miso Soup which was to die for. Shrimp purses as an appetizer and three different sushi rolls. Everything was amazing. The food was so fresh, just melts in your mouth. You definitely have to try this place for yourself. And dont forget to BYOB! more

I've been going to Sagami since I was a little girl in a high-chair. This place is amazing it's exactly what sushi in Japan is like. I've been to Japan and honestly, Sagami is better then places I visited while there. The great thing about this place is it's authentic. Everything is fresh, the rice is constantly made so it's perfectly room temperature with just a touch of traditional flavoring. The fish is like butter. Each bite just melts in your mouth. I always get Sushi A when I go there. I ask for no shrimp and they substitute the shrimp with another piece of heaven. The Sushi A comes with miso soup, salad with a ginger dressing and your pick of ice-cream at the end. I always go for the green tea, chocolate banana or rum raisin. Before the meal comes you get a little taste of glass noodles with cucumber and vinegar to get your taste buds flowing. YUM! Hot tea comes with all meals and the Sushi A comes with one tuna roll and assorted pieces of sushi over rice. NOW, this may sound boring to some but that's only because you haven't had good sushi. Each bite is like heaven. Perfectly room temperature and the fish is so fresh it just melts in your mouth. This meal is so good you almost want to have it again the next day. Everything is made to order so be prepared to wait a little bit for your meal to arrive. The women and men who work at Sagami have been there for a lifetime. They are amazing people, hard workers, and make you feel special once you have arrived at your table. These women wear traditional Japanese attire and zip through the two rooms like butterflies. I've moved to LA and let me tell you. I miss Sagami more then ANYTHING on the East coast. Sorry family and friends. I haven't found a place like this over here and I don't think I ever will. I can't wait to go back and visit - SAGAMI I MISS YOU!!! Pros: Authentic Japanese, fresh, delicious, great service, BYOB Cons: Everyone knows it's amazing so there's always a wait more

This positive review is based on six visits to Sagami with groups of two to four people tasting each other's orders. Sagami offers good authentic Japanese food with friendly service. The very best Japanese food is ethereal and simple -- a yu-dofu restaurant on the grounds of a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, a tiny sushi place with no sign near the Tokyo fish market where one leaves choice in the hands the chef, an extraordinary feast prepared from the freshest imaginable local ingredients on a farm on the Inland Sea. No Japanese restaurant I have tried in the United States rises to those standards. Sagami does not pretend to be a fancy place. But iIt offers traditional relatively simple dishes prepared with care and does so with reasonable prices. The appetizers were a delight, with a fine selection of seaweed salads, an excellent vegetable tempura, perfectly prepared cold asparagus with gome, great eggplant with miso. Also the usual gyoza, pickled vegetables and edamame. The sushi and sashimi were excellent, with carefully selected fish, urchin, and shellfish that was fresh and properly sliced. The rice were handled correctly -- the texture and flavor were spot on. Good quality nori. Sushi was properly formed. Sitting at the sushi bar irecommended here. The guys working the sushi bar know what they are doing. The entrees included well prepared simple dishes like the kitsune udon and soba, a perfectly balanced yosenabe, and the usual sukiyaki and teriyaki. I would have liked to see even more traditional fare such as a yu-dofu dinner and grilled salted mackerel on the menu. The soup and salad provided with the full course dinner were pretty ordinary. The deserts ran toward redbean and green tea ice cream. Not bad. But I would save stomach space for the appetizers and entrees. Service: The kimono clad server was very good with the novice diners at the next table. The folks next to us asked lots of questions and got what struck us as very good advice. Location: Bad. The location on bucolic Route 130 and 1975 strip mall ambience are not reasons for going to Sagami. Directions: First timers going to Sagami on southbound 130 take note -- they must make a very sharp right up into the parking lot just before the underpass carrying the Lindenwald High Speed line. Some of the online maps were inaccurate. Pros: Good selection of traditional dishes at reasonable prices Cons: Location was not the strong poin more

Let me first say I've never been to Japan...but if this is as ""traditional"" as it gets...I'm not impressed. I eat sushi from various restaurants at least 3-4 times a week (i know...mercury poisoning...whatever) and this doesn't even compare to a few other places I've been...Mikado, Yama, Akira, POD, and many places in the Philadelphia area. I also don't prefer Japanese fusion (See Akira if you do), which is partly why i was excited to try Sagami. 7 of us went there before a play in collingswood, and everyone we were with was unhappy and said they wouldn't go back. I opened the menu and thought it was the app menu at first...only 10 rolls TOTAL to choose from (Mikado has 2 pages front and back of special rolls to go along with their regular menu of sushi), ranging from 5-12 dollars. it's small, dark and very cramped (i'm 6'2"" and my head touched the ceiling). We brought 2 bottles of wine, and instead of them opening it for us, they just handed us a bottle opener. we were packed in and the family behind us had a 2 yr old who banged his spoon on the table for about 15 minutes until I gave his parents the ""are you serious"" look 3 times. the phone rang off the hook and was as loud as a pay phone. the food didn't come out together, and my friend's order was wrong. i told myself i wasn't going to judge the place on these other unpleasant factors, as long as the sushi was good. it finally came out (not with everyone else's food...i was almost done by the time my gf's food came out) and the presentation was ok at best...what kind of respectable sushi place thinks that plastic paper grass they give you in the mall sushi represents good presentation?? anyway...my sushi wasn't great...got 3 rolls and didn't even bother finishing them (and i can house sushi). all we heard about was how fresh the fish was...but it was VERY fishy...which to me means...it's not very fresh. all in all, none of us said we'd go back and I told my buddy i'd try it one more time (to be fair) with him...but he has to pay. Pros: inexpensive Cons: small, cramped, loud, poor service, ok sushi more

I always believe the services is just as important as the food. Base on the reviews I was excited to go to Sagami. \r \r My g/f work in haddonfield and she get out of work at 5:00pm on Sat. I figure, it's a perfect time to try Sagami out. When we got there, it was packed. I figure there is going to be a long wait but didn't mind. When the lady as if we had reservation, we said no. After that, we were ignored. No comment about we NEED to make reservations. OR if will be a long wait, or a simple, sorry we are full today and can't take you guys... after we said no, it felt like we no longer exist anymore.\r \r Pros: ... Cons: RUDE more

I am a Japanese guy who travels entire world, and found this sushi restaurant as one of the best ""Chirashi sushi"" in the US. Whenever I have a chance to travel to Philadelphia area, I stop to eat ""Chirashi Sushi"" here. Outside is kind a run down, and inside is not so fancy, but Sushi is one of the best sushi in east coast. I also think it is hard to get in and out from a busy street, more over hard to find a parking lot if you are late. It is worth to try to cross the one of the bridges from Pennsylvania to New Jersey to eat Sushi here.\r Compared to a Fancy Japanese restaurant in Chestnut street in center city, here has a authentic real Japanese food and sushi here. Fish are always fresh and can compare to Tokyo. Price is also right!\r A Japanese guy who likes sushi can recomend to all people who loves sushi with confidence. \r Only set back is always busy and you need some patience to eat here. Pros: Good Sushi especially ""Chirashi"" Cons: access is hard and parking lot and service more

Excellent sushi for dining in, but you may go hungry if you want to carry out. Sagami has on repeat occasions refused customers take-out orders, claiming their chefs are too busy to take orders. It's really a shame. They should reward their loyal customers who have been dining there for years. more

Sagami was the first place I ever ate sushi. I'm spoiled, because nothing else compares! Been going there for years, and will for years to come. Fresh fish, great service, comfortable atmosphere. I highly recommend the sashimi and the gyoza. This is the best place for sushi in the tri-state area and worth the trip over the bridge for the Philly crowd. I'd recommend getting a reservation even on a weekday. A recent Tuesday trip without a reservation turned into a 45 minute wait. But it was totally worth it. Don't take my word for it, just check them out. I've dragged all my close friends there and they love it as well. Oh - and don't forget, it's BYOB. Pros: Great Sushi and Sashimi, Consistent, Great Atmosphere, BYOB Cons: Sometimes crowded and service is slower more

Food Quality: Without a doubt, the best sushi in New Jersey... and most likely, in the Tri-State area. Fish... more

Food Quality: Without a doubt, the best sushi in New Jersey... and most likely, in the Tri-State area. Fish is fresh and many times imported from T... more

My first experience at Sagami I ordered the fish bowl. My Dad ordered sushi. When I first tasted his plate I loved it!!! By the end of the night I had taken his array of a la carte. This experience was over 7 years ago! I have to say, I have yet to be disappointed. The sushi is fresh, the atmosphere is vibrant, and the service is impeccable!!! If you had not been there, you are missing out!!!!\r Michele Chambers Pros: Food, freshness, and service Cons: Location it would be nice to have it in Collingswood downtown. more

Truly Sagami has the best sushi in the Philadelphia area. Not only is it extremely fresh, the selection and variety are outstanding. Barring the location, right off the highway in Collingswood, once you step into Sagami you will not be disappointed. more

This little place has excellent food and very friendly service. The menu is relatively short but everything I tried was excellent. I highly recomend the yellow tail and tempura. We did not bring any wine but B.Y.O.B is a very nice option as well. more

This is a bento box of a restaurant packed tight with some of the best sushi and Japanese cuisine around. If what you seek is serenity, however, you might want to keep on looking. Sagami is always a whirlwind of activity. Service is fast and friendly. The kimono clad waitresses are a study in perpetual motion. The excellent quality of the food more than makes up for an often noisy and crowded dining area. The food, after all, is the reason this restaurant draws such a crowd. The enoki soup appetizer is not to be missed. Pros: excellent food, great service Cons: crowded, limited parking area more

I have been going to Sagami's for years and just love it. We don't get there much anymore because of the little one's, but plan to go back again real soon. Just wanted everyone to know how wonderful the food is, and the people are very nice too. I highly urge you to visit it at least once if you want great food. Trust me you'll be back for more. Pros: romantic & cozy, excellent food, great for takeout too Cons: crowded, small parking lots more

My friends and I went to Sagami Japanese Restaurant for a friend's birthday and we all were exceptionally pleased with the entire dining experience. The food was fantastic and a Japanese friend who was there noted that the food was as authentic as it gets. This is my favorite Japanese restaurant if not one of my favorite restaurants. I highly recommend it!!! more

Having visited Japan as the occupying force in 1945 and again laterafter its great rebuilding. The rice at SAGAMI is remeniscent of that eaten while climbing FUJI SAN. This restaurant provides atmosphere similar to menu places that I ate in TOKYO. The prices are reasonable when one considers what one gets for the dollar. I would recommend this small intimate place to anyone. The service is always great even when new staff are being broken in. Pros: Authentic, Friendly but not too., Top drawer! more

While ambience is slightly better than mediocre, the service is just ok, and the prices aren't a steal... AND the fact I have to drive to NJ - I really love the sushi here! Very fresh, and reasonable portions. I usually order the sushi meal and leave very full. And NJ is improved by cheaper gas and liqour stores. Pros: Fresh/tasty sushi Cons: Mediocre ambience, Need reservations more

Sagami is an original stand-out restaurant! Bustling at lunch and dinner the food is authentic (I've brought some experts) and phenomal in taste as well as presentation. The atmosphere is charming and the service is really fantastic. For those who don't want sushi the alternatives are just as delightful! If you want to impress your guests, like the other restaurants in Collingswood it is worth the trip..just remember Sagami came first! Pros: Great Value, Fresh!!!, Variety! more

I hesitate to give this gem a good review b/c I prefer the crowds stay away from jersey's little secret...but since it was SO good, the restaurant deserves the plug. The excellent service and the feel of the place took my attn away from the somewhat insufficient menu I was holding. When the server brought out a bucket of ice to keep my BYOB Kirin's chilled, I lost sight of the fact that my traditional favorites weren't an option. I've seen prettier menus with a greater variety, and the sashimi was expensive. In the end, two girlfriends of mine and I sat for a couple of hours and ate what was some of the freshest sushi we'd ever tasted. And the ambience was perfect! Pros: Fresh, Booths avail, Service and BYOB Cons: Exp taxi from Philly, Some pricey items more