Fresh Sushi
Sushi and sashimi are repeatedly praised for freshness, with salmon sashimi singled out as a favourite.
Minato Japanese Restaurant
Al Rigga
In Al Rigga, Minato Japanese Restaurant pairs a Japanese-style setting with an all-you-can-eat buffet, fresh sushi and sashimi, and live teppanyaki cooked to order. It suits family meals and celebrations, with private rooms available when you want a quieter table.
Reputation Score
4.7
★★★★★
1,823 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Live Teppanyaki
The central live-cooking station adds an entertaining element, with guests choosing proteins and vegetables for the chef to prepare.
Warm Service
Reviews consistently describe the servers as attentive, approachable and accommodating, including during large family celebrations.
Quiet Setting
The Japanese-style interiors, calm atmosphere and private rooms give the restaurant a more relaxed feel than a busy open dining room.
Included Drinks
Several buffet reviews mention house beverages, including refillable iced tea, water and house juices.
Celebrations
Birthday groups have received personal touches such as birthday songs and a prepared celebration atmosphere.
What to Eat at Minato Japanese Restaurant How we choose these items We use AI to find praise and criticism of specific foods and drinks in a selection of Google reviews. For Minato Japanese Restaurant, this list is based on 50 reviews, not every review of the restaurant. The score is positive reviews minus negative reviews. For example, two positive reviews and one negative review give +1. Each review counts once per item; neutral comments do not change the score. A zero score is not a positive recommendation. “Only neutral feedback” means there are no positive or negative votes. “Mixed feedback” means equal numbers of positive and negative votes. The quotes are examples of what people said, not every comment we counted. We use different reviews where we can. We normally show up to 10 foods and 5 drinks with non-negative scores. Items with the same score stay together. If a tied group would go past the limit, that group and the lower non-negative scores go into Honorable mentions. If an overflowing positive top tie would leave the list empty, we show up to 10 items from that tie and keep the rest in Honorable mentions. Foods and drinks with a negative score are under What to Avoid. Use this as a guide to what reviewers liked, not a guarantee that you will like it too.
Foods and drinks mentioned in reviews of Minato Japanese Restaurant, ranked by positive reviews minus negative reviews. Zero-score items have no net positive feedback; their labels distinguish neutral-only from mixed feedback.
Food 2
-
Sashimi Net +7
“The Japanese buffet had a great selection — especially the sushi, sashimi, and teppanyaki. Everything tasted fresh and authentic.”
Positive 7Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Japanese buffet had a great selection — especially the sushi, sashimi, and teppanyaki. Everything tasted fresh and authentic.”October 2025
“It’s one of the best restaurants in the city, serving the freshest sushi and sashimi.”May 2024
-
Chicken karage Net +2
“The food was superb too. Sushi selection was good, with salmon and tuna sashimi. The karaage and beef stew were delightful.. food was kept warm and fresh..”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was superb too. Sushi selection was good, with salmon and tuna sashimi. The karaage and beef stew were delightful.. food was kept warm and fresh..”June 2025
“Sushi was nice, the prawn tempura and the chicken karage was perfect crisp, and nice.”June 2026
Honorable mentions (20)
-
Salmon sashimi Net +1
“My favorite is the salmon sashimi.”
Positive 2Negative 1
Review excerpts
“My favorite is the salmon sashimi.”January 2026
“I recommend trying their salmon sashimi, it melts in your mouth and the custom Teppanyaki.”June 2026
-
Beef mixed with veggies Net +1
“The food was lovely, we indulged more in the live cooking, prawns, squids, beef mixed with veggies, wow. really loved it.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was lovely, we indulged more in the live cooking, prawns, squids, beef mixed with veggies, wow. really loved it.”June 2026
-
Beef stew Net +1
“The food was superb too. Sushi selection was good, with salmon and tuna sashimi. The karaage and beef stew were delightful.. food was kept warm and fresh..”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was superb too. Sushi selection was good, with salmon and tuna sashimi. The karaage and beef stew were delightful.. food was kept warm and fresh..”June 2025
-
Chef choice style beef Net +1
“And I wanted to highly recommend to try chef choice style beef. One of the best dish to chose and eat. Highly recommend.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“And I wanted to highly recommend to try chef choice style beef. One of the best dish to chose and eat. Highly recommend.”April 2024
-
Chocolate mousse Net +1
“My wife especially enjoyed the salad and tempura, while I couldn’t get enough of their amazing chocolate mousse for dessert.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“My wife especially enjoyed the salad and tempura, while I couldn’t get enough of their amazing chocolate mousse for dessert.”October 2025
-
Custom teppanyaki Net +1
“I recommend trying their salmon sashimi, it melts in your mouth and the custom Teppanyaki.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I recommend trying their salmon sashimi, it melts in your mouth and the custom Teppanyaki.”June 2026
-
Homemade icetea Net +1
“Their homemade icetea is one of the best I've had so far.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Their homemade icetea is one of the best I've had so far.”October 2025
-
Live teppanyaki Net +1
“It offers a distinctive Japanese dining experience in Dubai, featuring live teppanyaki, fresh sushi and sashimi, a welcoming atmosphere, and attentive service.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“It offers a distinctive Japanese dining experience in Dubai, featuring live teppanyaki, fresh sushi and sashimi, a welcoming atmosphere, and attentive service.”October 2025
-
Mini cakes Net +1
“To top it off, they surprised me with a delightful birthday treat, complete with mini cakes and a heartfelt rendition of "Happy Birthday." written in chocolate.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“To top it off, they surprised me with a delightful birthday treat, complete with mini cakes and a heartfelt rendition of "Happy Birthday." written in chocolate.”May 2024
-
Miso soup Net +1
“Then the tempura selection, miso soup, rice, noodles and salads were truly a journey through authentic Japanese cuisine.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Then the tempura selection, miso soup, rice, noodles and salads were truly a journey through authentic Japanese cuisine.”September 2024
-
Peking duck Net +1
“The ones I loved most probably are the Peking Duck, roast beef, seafood selections, variety of Breads and desserts to choose from.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The ones I loved most probably are the Peking Duck, roast beef, seafood selections, variety of Breads and desserts to choose from.”April 2025
-
Prawn tempura Net +1
“Sushi was nice, the prawn tempura and the chicken karage was perfect crisp, and nice.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Sushi was nice, the prawn tempura and the chicken karage was perfect crisp, and nice.”June 2026
-
Prawns Net +1
“The food was lovely, we indulged more in the live cooking, prawns, squids, beef mixed with veggies, wow. really loved it.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was lovely, we indulged more in the live cooking, prawns, squids, beef mixed with veggies, wow. really loved it.”June 2026
-
Ramen Net +1
“Their ramen is incredibly close to what we had in Japan — clean, simple, authentic ramen.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Their ramen is incredibly close to what we had in Japan — clean, simple, authentic ramen.”November 2025
-
Roast beef Net +1
“The ones I loved most probably are the Peking Duck, roast beef, seafood selections, variety of Breads and desserts to choose from.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The ones I loved most probably are the Peking Duck, roast beef, seafood selections, variety of Breads and desserts to choose from.”April 2025
-
Squids Net +1
“The food was lovely, we indulged more in the live cooking, prawns, squids, beef mixed with veggies, wow. really loved it.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was lovely, we indulged more in the live cooking, prawns, squids, beef mixed with veggies, wow. really loved it.”June 2026
-
Tempura Net +1
“My wife especially enjoyed the salad and tempura, while I couldn’t get enough of their amazing chocolate mousse for dessert.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“My wife especially enjoyed the salad and tempura, while I couldn’t get enough of their amazing chocolate mousse for dessert.”October 2025
-
Tempura shrimp Net +1
“What a wonderful choice and quality of food: sashimi, tempura shrimp, salads, rice, you name it. Peach iced tea was excellent too.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“What a wonderful choice and quality of food: sashimi, tempura shrimp, salads, rice, you name it. Peach iced tea was excellent too.”February 2026
-
Teppanyaki experience Net +1
“The Teppanyaki experience was also one of a kind with the chef being such a show master with all the tricks in his bag.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Teppanyaki experience was also one of a kind with the chef being such a show master with all the tricks in his bag.”September 2024
-
Tuna sashimi Net 0
Mixed feedback
“The food was superb too. Sushi selection was good, with salmon and tuna sashimi. The karaage and beef stew were delightful.. food was kept warm and fresh..”
Positive 1Negative 1
Review excerpts
“The food was superb too. Sushi selection was good, with salmon and tuna sashimi. The karaage and beef stew were delightful.. food was kept warm and fresh..”June 2025
Drinks 3
-
Peach iced tea Net +2
“Drinks were included in the buffet. The peach tea was nice and not too sweet.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Drinks were included in the buffet. The peach tea was nice and not too sweet.”July 2021
“What a wonderful choice and quality of food: sashimi, tempura shrimp, salads, rice, you name it. Peach iced tea was excellent too.”February 2026
-
Homemade iced tea Net +1
“Their homemade iced tea is so refreshing, it’s not like the store bought iced tea we drink.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Their homemade iced tea is so refreshing, it’s not like the store bought iced tea we drink.”June 2026
-
Iced tea Net +1
“The Iced tea that they served was good.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Iced tea that they served was good.”February 2025
What to Avoid (1)
Food 1
-
Shrimp tempura Net −1
“The only thing that was somewhat edible was the shrimp tempura. Overall, a very disappointing meal.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The only thing that was somewhat edible was the shrimp tempura. Overall, a very disappointing meal.”June 2026
Tips for a Better Visit
Check Promotions. Before booking, check the current buffet promotion packages; diners have also reported discounted vouchers.
Customise Teppanyaki. Ask for custom teppanyaki and specify your preferred spice level and portion size.
Avoid Peaks. For better access to salmon and faster buffet replenishment, consider visiting outside peak hours.
Use Valet. Restaurant customers can use the hotel's valet service, with one review reporting three free hours.
Book Quietly. Ask about a private room if you prefer a quieter meal or are arranging a family gathering.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Creek - Radisson Blu Hotel - Al Maktoum Rd
Al Rigga - Deira, Dubai
| Mon | Closed |
| Tue | 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
| Wed | 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
| Thu | 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
| Fri | 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
| Sat | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
| Sun | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
Common Concerns
Slow Refills
The sushi and sashimi station can struggle during peak hours, with one reviewer repeatedly finding the salmon empty.
Limited Choice
Some diners found the Japanese selection and main dishes narrower than expected and wanted more options.
Small Room
The dining room is compact, which may feel cramped if you expect a spacious restaurant.
Inconsistent Meal
One diner reported dry salmon and tuna sashimi, flavorless rolls and tough beef teppanyaki, so quality may vary by visit.
Dessert Weakness
Dessert received less praise than the Japanese mains, with one buffet diner calling it merely adequate.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
109 AED
Japanese buffet dinner
“Went for a 109 AED Japanese buffet dinner and… oh boy did we enjoy this excellent deal”Google review · February 2026
125 Dhs
all you can eat buffet
“They had an all you can eat buffet for 125 Dhs”Google review · February 2025
225 AED
all you can eat buffet
“They have a all you can eat buffet for 225 AED which includes house beverages”Google review · September 2022
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Minato Japanese Restaurant is a buffet-focused Japanese restaurant in Al Rigga, with sushi, sashimi, tempura and live teppanyaki prepared at a cooking station. The teppanyaki is as much part of the outing as the food: diners choose ingredients, watch the chef work and, according to one review, can customise spice level and portion size. Salmon sashimi, tuna sashimi and ramen are among the more specifically praised choices.
The setting is compact but deliberately Japanese in feel, with quiet seating, small passages and private rooms. That makes it a comfortable choice for family dinners, birthdays and groups, while some celebrations have included birthday songs and other personal touches. Service is one of the strongest patterns in the reviews, with staff described as warm, attentive and easy to approach.
There are a few practical cautions. Buffet refills, especially salmon at the sushi station, have been slow during peak hours, and some diners wanted a broader Japanese selection. Dessert is less consistently praised than the mains.
Check buffet promotions before booking; reported prices include 109 AED and 125 Dhs for buffet meals, though these are customer-reported rather than a current price list. Hotel valet parking has also been reported as free for three hours for restaurant customers.