Sagami

Great place off the beaten path. Been in business 42 years so they are doing something right. Sat at the sushi bar and the chefs where great. Service was fast and efficient. Good prices. Definitely coming back again.

This is our go to sushi in Philly/​NJ/​DE area. Five stars for quality sushi, large cuts of sashimi, super cute service, and BYOB! I grade the sushi chef’s expertise by his/​her ability to create the most fluffy, tasty and deliciously delicate tamago («grilled egg»). Anybody can learn to slice pieces of fish, but this place is hands down the absolute king of tamago in Northeast region. Yumm…
Must try is the Chirashi, also called chirashizushi (ちらし寿司) — one of my favorite Japanese meals. It also includes the tamago! The word «chirashi» means «scattered,» so this is basically a big bowl of rice mixed with fish, vegetables, and additional ingredients of your choice. I like this dish a lot, because it’s a delicious one-​bowl meal that is very filling and very versatile. There are almost no limits to what ingredients go in chirashi, and if you’re a vegetarian, you could make a vegetable-​only chirashi — it does not need to have fish.
The restaurant is not in the best location and the limited parking could result in you missing your dinner reservation. But, people everywhere seem to fight for the parking space and dinner slots. Making reservations still requires you to wait for the next available table. So be patient and good things comes to those who wait. :-)

Was here as a little child with family. Came back recently with my own family. Now it is the best sushi spot for all of us, even for my kids.

The best sushi hands-​down in the area! Been going here for 20 years. Rainbow roll and dragon roll are not on the menu but they do make them. Arrive early on the weekends, they get super busy. Plus BYOB

Love this place! If you love fresh sushi, this is the place. Authentic Japanese restaurant. I wish it was closer to us. loyal customer since 1994. Always make reservations !

Sagami is my favorite restaurant! Great authentic Japanese food. Never leave here unsatisfied. The fish is sliced fresh to order, they’re salad dressing (house dressing) is amazing. Dinner comes with miso soup, salad, and clear noodles which are delicious. Overall a great experience, I try to get here once a week !

Listen up! It just doesn’t get any better than this. I live in the city, Ive been to just about every sushi/​japanese place in the city. This is tops by a wide margin. I particularly like the beef negimaki to start. You can then order a dinner or sushi/​rolls– either way you can’t go wrong. By far the freshest fish in this area, rolls are huge, and dinners are great. Two things you should note:
1. Make a reservation– its always crowded, idc if its a tuesday night
2. They don’t do much of the fried/​cook/​sopped in sauce rolls. It is simple sushi and sashimi, done right.
I have only had better sushi in Hawaii

Best sushi ever!
Service is a little slow but perfection takes time.
Always a great meal!

This place is great! The charashi bowl is delicious. Sushi is fresh. Can’t wait to come back!

I have been to this place so many times but I never get tired of it! It’s as authentic as you can get. If you prefer fancy rolls or cooked sushi (I’m judging you), this probably won’t be that great for you. They stick with simple rolls and the freshest variety of fish you can get around this area. I always get the chirashi bowl without squid or octopus (not a fan of the texture or chewiness) — if you are not sure what you like, this is a great option since you get a variety of fish. I tried the tuna donduri last night and loved it! If you like mushrooms, there is a enoki mushroom soup that is just perfect.
It is a wait for the sushi but be patient… it’s all worth it!

Consistently amazing! This BYOB is a must if you love chirashi bowl. The wait is definitely worth it. If you’re hungry, snack on the agadashi tofu (I’ve tried at every sushi place and nothing compares) fish cheek (hamachi kama — perfectly seasoned), salmon skin roll or unagi tobiko. If you’re not into chirashi bowl (which I am not), their unagi platter or tempera udon are my favorites! This restaurant is known for their chirashi bowl so check it out.

I’m not a huge fan of raw fish, so this review is basically for the other stuff. I felt the menu was very very limited on sushi rolls. I like all the fancy rolls and this place doesn’t have it. I know, I know, I’m not a sushi expert, but I like what I like.
Service is always really good. They refill my water, ask how everything is going, etc. Décor is also nice, however, I felt the place to feel small. Maybe because of the extremely low roof. I’m not a tall guy and I felt like a giant in the place.
Overall: Will I be back? Sure, esp bc my wife loves sashimi. Will I be extremely happy when she recommends going here? Probably not, but «Happy wife, happy life!» LOL

By far the best sushi place I’ve eaten at. I would defiantly recommend the Chirachi, Sunomono, and Fried Oysters! I would definitely recommend you make reservations ahead f time as they are often very busy. The ambiance is very intimate, this would be a great place to have a small celebratory dinner or date. On those busy nights, parking might be harder to find as well, the lot is small. Also, there is quite a wait time for orders. the waitress are very nice and attentive. It is BYOB!

Visiting from California (and having just been in Japan), wanted to note that this place is just mediocre and reasonably expensive. Granted, it’s probably one of the better options in the region, so take my review with a grain of salt. (and hence why I’m giving 3 stars instead of 2)
The place was very crowded and noisy. Where I was sitting, I was constantly being bumped by the wait staff rushing by. They were very friendly and apologetic, however. The fish took a really long time to prepare — probably because they have a very small sushi bar with only 4 chefs for a packed restaurant of this size. When we sat down and ordered chirashi, our waitress even warned us that it would take a very long time (seemingly in a plea to order non-​sushi, which is odd for a restaurant that is known for their fresh fish).
Most of the fish (except for perhaps the ikura) tasted fresh enough, though the selection is meager. The one thing I had that did not taste fresh was the avocado in one of the rolls.
We also ordered the oshinko (pickles), which were extremely bland and hardly pickled even slightly.
Overall, though, the meal was solid. The zaru soba was tasty, and the gyoza were good. In San Francisco, I would rate this place a 2. In South Jersey, I can understand why it’s so popular.

We have such wonderful experiences here at Sagami! The fish is always very fresh and plentiful. We tried the Uni, it tasted very fresh but was not to our liking. The chirashi bowl is amazing and seems to be one of the most popular items on the menu — the chirashi bowl comes with approximately 2 pieces of tuna, salmon, egg, mackerel, squid, fatty tuna, tako and a generous amount of masago.
Honestly, the highlight to our meals is the enoki mushroom soup! It’s wonderful and hearty. It’s enough to share among two people, if you’re willing to share that is!

I tried many sushi places and this one was mediocre for their prices. I tried their appetizers, sashimi bowl, cook entrée, and some regular sushi bowls, but nothing gave me a «wow factor.» Some of the raw sushi was fresh, others was okay, and some still had sand in them.
Overall, this place only gets 3 stars. It was very loud, overpriced, and the food was not spectacular!

Still the freshest fish around, but service is declining! We came in and got seated right away, but were told NOT to order sushi. Umm, we came to a sushi restaurant and were DIRECTLY told by our server to NOT order sushi? When asked for the reason, she replied that it would take TWO HOURS for the sushi orders to come out. I don’t think we were told that as a warning that it would take eternity to make, but more as a «PLEASE do us a favor and don’t order any sushi or it will back us up even more.» Disappointed, we complied with her request, but I guess it was worth it when we left 1.5 hours later and the seats around us still had not even gotten their food yet.
Hire more sushi chefs, or don’t seat more patrons than you can handle!!!

Still my go to place for good fresh delicious sushi!
Plus I recently learned they have uni w/​quail egg! This place never fails me. I bring my friends and family here when they come to visit and they all love it. I also love how friendly the staff is and greets you with a smile.
Parking is limited, so come early.

Sagami is a true Japanese BYOB gem! This place is always busy so you know the food is exceptional. Every time we go, I am more than satisfied with the quality of the meal and service. The fish is always fresh and delicious. The Chirashi is my most favorite dish here! Its a must try. The rice and sashimi literally melts in your mouth — honestly, the best Chirashi. I can’t get this dish anywhere else because this is by the far best one I have ever had in my life (and I have tried MANY before).
FOOD: excellent
SERVICE: excellent

Recently had dinner at Sagami and it was amazing! I think we got very, very lucky that day. Spontaneously called around 5pm Saturday evening to make a 7pm reservation — luckily they had an opening. Showed up, and the lot wasn’t crowded at all. We were promptly seated, with hot tea and menus delivered. My husband and I each had some uni, soft shell crab, and the chirashi dinner. The courses were well-​paced and delicious!!! Honestly I thought we would be waiting hours for dinner, but as we finished up, the dinner rush came in.
Service throughout the evening was attentive and we did not feel rushed at all. We started with the standard miso soup and some salad. The uni is one of my favorites, and the soft shell crab was absolutely the BEST soft shell crab I’ve ever had. (And it was pretty huge too!) Hot, tender, and juicy! Can’t go wrong with the chirashi, especially if you love sashimi. We shared green tea and chocolate ice cream for dessert. In and out in an hour — please always be like this!

Sagami is one of the few places that are on my must-​visit list when I am back in NJ. This is definitely one of the coolest restaurant atmospheres in south Jersey for sure and the sushi, of course, is outstanding.
It has been said in most reviews, but I can say it again for you… get the chirashi. Order it right away too because it can take about an hour for it to arrive. While you wait, order some of their rolls. I recommend the Sake Avocado Tobiko Roll and Tuna Avocado Roll, but anything you get will be outstanding guaranteed! I hope you brought some sake from home or the liquor store for the kitchen to heat up! This place is BYO, so make sure you bring your own drinks!
I have reservation for this Sunday and I am already excited for it.

Haven’t had any better sashimi that literally melts in your mouth than here. I love sushi and have traveled to Japan for it, and this is the closest in the USA that I can find. Been a regular for the past 10 years with my family. The owners are from Japan, so they bring the authenticity from their country to ours!
Make sure you make a RESERVATION! I never come without doing that, or else you’ll find yourself waiting in line for hours.
— Busiest days are Friday nights/​weekends, wait can be crazy!
— Best days to come are Mon-​Thurs nights, you’ll notice that their quality is better/​their portion are slightly more generous too when they are so rushed/​packed.
Recommend:
— Sashimi dinner set (feel free to customize, price will vary after but so worth it. I always ask for fatty salmon, yellowtail, and scallops. Everyone usual gets Chirashi, but if you already know what you like, no need for the fillers/​extras.)
— Soft Shell Crab Dinner (Seasonal for a month or so in August, must ask)
— Fried Oysters (so fresh, so big, so good)
— Yellowtail Jaw Appetizer (BEST!!! so smooth and rich!)
— California roll, sake avocado tobiko roll (raw salmon roll with avocado), soft shell crab, eel roll OR handroll
Tip: Instead of getting just rolls, go for HAND ROLLS if you’re a fan of filling! It’s seaweed wrapped in a cone shape, with less rice but packed with the meat you want on the inside!
Tip 2: If you’re a huge fan of their homemade ginger dressing, ask for EXTRA on the side and they’ll give you a bowl so you can add as much as your heart desires! My family and I never skip on this
What are you waiting for? Go wild !

I came here on a Saturday close to their closing time at 10pm when there wasn’t as big of a crowd, but I recommend calling ahead to get a sense of how long the wait will be and make a reservation when you can. Since this place is only opened during limited hours each day, its popping most of the time from what I’ve heard!
Most reviews raved about the chirashi (~$ 30) made here — really solid after trying it myself! The portion size is fairly sized and contains two pieces each of most of the items offered in the chirashi that you can share it with another person, but recommend ordering at least 1 or 2 more dishes to supplement it.
What makes Sagami stand out from many other sushi restaurants is the SMALL things that are overlooked by most other sushi restaurants. Their complimentary tea there is spot on — hot, not diluted, and punches enough flavor to make every sip worthwhile. Great palate cleanser too. Their mixed salad served with the traditional japanese style dressing really reminded me of my grandma’s cooking — simple yet delicious. The wasabi here is very smooth and easy to mix in to the soy sauce versus most other sushi restuarants which usually offer a more play-​dough like texture wasabi.
I would say their sashimi quality is definitely above average but not the best I have ever tasted. The tenderness of their sashimi allows it to melt and marinate in your mouth versus low grade sashimi that is more tough/​chewy and less flavorful.
Service here is great — they are all dressed in traditional Japanese clothing and always greet you with a smile. Setup of the restaurant makes you feel like you are in Japan with all the wood walls/​tables/​floor and low ceiling top (might have to duck if you’re over 6 feet! Come try Sagami if you want to get a truer taste of Japan and are looking to satisfy that sushi/​sashimi craving at a decently marked price!

Who ever said that Sagami was only for sushi lovers? Because whoever they are, that is not the case, trust me. The first time I went to Sagami (feel free to check out my first review) I made sure to try out some of their popular sushi offerings. This time around I decided to explore other options that they offer here, and boy, they did not disappoint.
First off, if you’re going to explore the other non-​sushi options, then make sure you do your research because I can’t guarantee that they’re all decadent dishes. All in all, you’ll have a fantastic dining experience as long as you choose the right entrée.
MY WISE WORDS OF WISDOM (INSIGHT) FROM MY EXPERIENCES
Top 3 recommendations*:
1. Sukiyaki
2. Yosenabe
3. Broiled Chilean Seabass**
*If you’re feeling crazy hungry, and looking for a good noodle soup base entrée, then definitely go for 1 & 2. However, if you’re already sweating like a pig and want something rice complimented, and not quite feeling as hungry as your friend who’s ordering 1 & 2, then by all means try recommendation 3.
**The seabass was super soft to the touch, moist, and seasoned beautifully! Perfect size entrée if you’re not too hungry or would still like to make some room for ice cream or pineapple desserts.
And once again, great service and ambiance!

If you are looking for that authentic, absolutely fresh sushi, this is your go to place. If you are looking for a huge variety of different types of sushi with the fillers/​sauces, this is not your place.
I’ve been here twice already and both times have been great. The agedashi dofu (tofu) is a must try here! I love Japanese fried tofu in general, but this place has got to be the best I’ve had. The sauce it amazing. It’s very light where you could practically drink it, but it’s also very flavorful. Another absolute favorite is the Chirashi. It’s a bowl of over the top fresh seafood. (from octopus to salmon to yellowfin) on top of seasoned sushi rice. The rice… OMG! Another great item is the soft shell crab. Fried and seasoned perfectly.
I tried the seafood soup, and it’s just ok. There’s tons of seafood (crab legs, clams, shrimp, etc), but it is also loaded with tons of cabbage. I thought the cabbage overpowered the dish a lil bit. The umi… was not a favorite at all. It was my first time having it and it was so mushy. I will not order it again.
They are always very busy here, so make your reservations! Also, this place is very small. When approaching it on Rt 130, make sure to drive slow, because you could easily drive past it. Also, when entering, the ceiling are beyond low! I’m short and I felt like I was going to hit my head.