Waraji Japanese Restaurant

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5910 Duraleigh Rd 147
Raleigh, NC 27612

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(919) 783-1883
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Waraji Japanese Restaurant - Raleigh, NC
Waraji Japanese Restaurant - Raleigh, NC
Reviews
( 72 )
( 38 )
( 9 )
( 8 )
( 10 )

Best

Run, don't walk to this place if you are looking for the best sushi around. These guys are masters at what the do and the flavors are out of this world.

Worst

We used to come here every weekend and recently We noticed they increase the price but the food quality is not as good as it used to be and I have never see any high end restauran...

Best Sushi in NC 5/1/2006

My hubby and I ate at the Sushi Bar, which we love to do that way we get to speak with the Sushi Chef. He even made us a special creation which involved a torch. It was delicous. His name is Masa. You should ask for him. I'm from San Francisco and it was hard to find good sushi since we moved here, but now we've found it. LOL.. really give it a try. Pros: fresh sushi, creative chefs Cons: a lil crowded more
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We LOVE Waraji 4/26/2006

We too, have eaten sushi all over the world (L.A., New York, Tokyo, Osaka...) and we have always loved going to Waraji. Good sushi, helpful staff, and a good price for the size and amount of fish/food that you get. We recommend to our friends and clients who also love sushi and have eaten it during their travels. So, a two thumbs up from our corner. Pros: food, sushi, food Cons: no bar (mixed drinks) more
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What a Waste 4/22/2006

Frankly, I went to this place because it was so highly rated in CitySearch. I was so dissapointed! I eat sushi all the time and everywhere. The service was awful, the sushi smelled fishy, and the...uhg...it was just plain awful. more
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Worst Sushi EVER 4/20/2006

I've eaten sushi EVERYWHERE from California to Japan to New York and everywhere in between. This sushi was awful! Fishy smell, and flavorless. Ugh...VERY DISAPOINTED. I went here because of the great reviews and was appalled! Who on earth would think this place is great...let alone half good. Pros: Bad sushi, rude waitstaff Cons: none...really! more
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As a Couple or in a group: THE BEST IN TOWN 3/6/2006

We've dined at Waraji since it opened, most frequently as a twosome, often as a small group, several times with LARGE groups. Service, style, food quality, timeliness, and enjoyment have been top notch everytime. I've eaten sushi world wide. I have never had a better sushi experience, nor better Japanese non-sushi meals. Simply the best. The place is packed on Fridays and Saturdays especially after 6:30, and you should get reservations for more than 2 (or at least call ahead) but we have never waited for more than a few minutes as a twosome, and never when we arrived sooner than 6:30. Pros: Great sushi, friendly staff , Timely service Cons: not a one more
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One of my worst dining experiences. 2/27/2006

I, along with 6 friends, recently dined at Waraji. Our reservation was for 7:00 PM. We received our dinner at 8:40 PM. When questioned about the amount of time it was taking for our food we were informed by our waitress that the ""typical wait on a Friday and Saturday night for meals was 45 minutes to 1 hour after placing an order."" Sure would have been nice to know that when we made our reservation. There was no manager to speak with and the owner was too ""busy"" to come over and address our concerns. Our waitress showed no concern at all...but then why would she...as a party of 5 or more she was guaranteed her 18% automatic gratuity. All I can say is if you like having your meal in a reasonable amount of time, served with a smile instead of an attitude, you should avoid this restaurant Cons: Long Wait, Bad Service more
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To Good For You 2/25/2006

My group of 7 came in at 7 on a Saturday. We had a reservation. We were seated promptly, ordered our meals and then we sat, and sat, AND sat. Finally, after 1.5 hours, our food arrived. We expressed our disappointment to our waitress who replied, A 45 minute to 1 hour wait should be expected on a Friday or Saturday. I dont know about you, but I dont EXPECT to wait hours for my meal! Good sushi takes time to make, but 1.5 hours is excessive. We asked to speak with the manager, but the owner was to busy making sushi to speak with us directly. Our frustration was punctuated by noting people taking a seat at the sushi bar that came after us, but were served before us. Good sushi or not, Waraji isnt worth the wait and isnt group friendly. Cons: Long wait for food, Poor Service more
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Best in Raleigh! 2/6/2006

I've tried every sushi place in the Triangle. Without a doubt, this is the best. The service is always great, the food fresh and nicely presented. If you ask for something special its always accomodated. The chefs rival those of major metros of LA and NY. Just delightful Pros: Sushi, Sashimi, Service Cons: Size, Can be too crowded more
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SIMPLY THE BEST SUSHI IN TOWN 8/3/2005

Great presentation, extremely high quality, perfect temperature, and a good value. AND the next best thing to their great sushi is that they don't rush you out the door when you're finished! Well done. Pros: excellent sushi, excellent sushi, excellent sushi more
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Never disappointed 6/17/2005

A friend turned us on to this fantastic sushi restaurant a few months ago and we've been numerous times since then. The sushi is perfect, wait-staff friendly, beer cold, and price comparable to other sushi joints in Raleigh. We have also ordered take-out several times, and never been disappointed with the quality of food that is packaged and ready to go when you arrive. Try the Mary Roll, Scallop Roll, and for those less adventerous, the old standby California Roll. Pros: fresh sushi, creative rolls, friendly service Cons: small restaurant more
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It was just ok, I've had better 6/9/2005

For the price, I've definetly had better sushi. Also, the beef takami was not good at all. My favorite was the makeral and the spicy scallop roll. The service was great and the atmosphere was also good. I might go back and just get sushi. Pros: makeral sushi was yum, good server Cons: beef takami was BAD, had to wait more
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Waraji in a class by itself 5/31/2005

To me it is clearly the Triangle's (in fact NC's) finest Sushi. There's Waraji, then there's everyone else. more
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Best Japanese Restaurant in the Triangle 5/10/2005

By far, this is the best Japanese restaurant in the Triangle, out of all the places I've tried. The service is great, and their sushi is really good. It's not as good as what you can get in California or New York, and it's not as good as sushi in Japan. However, I would say that they have the best sushi in North Carolina. I live in Chapel Hill, and this is worth the drive. more
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Worth a shot 3/8/2005

Waraji is the best place for sushi in Raleigh. When you walk into the resteraunt you are greeted by a smiling face and prompt seating. The service has always been impecible, and the sushi is wonderful. Everyone should sit at the sushi bar at least once, all of the chefs are pleasant and friendly, and quick to help you choose what to eat depending on what you like. Don't be afraid to get do take-out, the wait can be a little long, but there is nothing like eating sushi in the comfort of your own home. Its a good place for kids too, we come in with our son occasionally, and the wait staff doesn't hesitate to ooh and ahh over him, and once brought him a kiddie pen to play with from the back. Very kind! The tatami's are also exceptional - privacy and very authentic. I reccomend Waraji! Pros: Service, Food, Sushi Bar Cons: Carpet more
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Good sushi-Fair price 3/6/2005

After visiting sushi bars in Raleigh and other cities, we always feel we get a great meal at a fair price. Sushi is not cheap food, but other restaurants give out skimpy portions at premium price. Waraji does not do this. Service is polite and helpful, but can get inconsistent when they are busy. Lots of sushi selections and also lots of great things from the kitchen and don't forget hot and cold sake! Pros: sake, sake, sushi Cons: noisy more
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good experience 2/28/2005

food was good, service was great I will come back more
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Avoid at Lunch time - Not recommended 2/24/2005

Even reserving for a Lunch party of 10, more than 4 days in advance, their service was AWFUL. None-Sushi items were good, but sushi and sashimi items were very poor and stale. Looks like at lunchtime, they think that people won't notice because they are in hurry and won't mind what ever you bring, ASAP. Sorry to say but it was bad LUNCH experience overall. Looks like they need to work on hosting parties bigger than 4 people. It doesnt matter if make reservation because they were unable to take care of our Lunch party overall. Pros: Teryaki Dishes , Dinner, Parking Cons: Service, Lunch, Waiteress more
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Enjoyed it! 1/21/2005

I have had sushi here a few times now, and everytime the sushi has tasted fresh. I have also had their teryaki dishes and it was delicious. The service was great, quick and attentive. more
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Mmm...sushi 11/30/2004

Best sushi restaurant ever! The specialty rolls are all great, with big portions. Not too often you see that at a sushi restaurant. Just ask them to cut the rolls thin, otherwise you'll never get them in your mouth. Crunchy and Mass Exodus rolls are superb. The non-sushi selections are all wonderful as well. Appetizers are overpriced, but good. Nigiri is great, but again the fish is cut a bit too thick for my tastes. Even dessert is good...coconut or mango sorbet (get a friend to get the opposite and each give each other half- it's even better mixed!) with a big cup of the best green tea around is a great way to end the meal! The staff is wonderful too, tip big if you get a tatami room, because they literally wait on you hand and foot! Pros: Variety- all good, Specialty rolls/miso, Great service Cons: , reservations only 6+, Nigiri too thick more
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If I could live there I would! 11/16/2004

I think the title says it all. The food & service is ALWAYS wonderful and consistant. Waraji has me spoiled and eating japanese food anywhere else is a disapointing waste of time and money. Pros: SUSHI!!!, appetisers, Staff Cons: , Small waiting room more
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Menu for Waraji Japanese Restaurant


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Editorial

  • In Short
    Despite its strip mall location, Waraji screams minimalist warehouse chic--an open ceiling with exposed vents and pipes, shiny black furniture, a granite sushi bar and a row of...

  • 7/10/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon-Thu 5:30pm-9:30am, Fri-Sat 5:30pm-10:30pm
  • Payments: American Express, Visa, Discover, Diner's Club, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: Northwest
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