Sakanaya — Attraction in Newton

Walking into the Japanese fish market feels like stepping into a world of vibrant energy, freshness, and cultural richness. The air is filled with the crisp scent of the sea, and every stall greets you with shimmering displays of fish, shellfish, and delicacies that look as though they were just pulled from the ocean. There’s an undeniable sense of excitement here—the kind that makes you feel you’re part of something timeless and authentic.

What immediately stands out is the extraordinary quality of the seafood. The tuna is deep red and glistening, the salmon rich with marbled lines, and the scallops so plump they practically glow. Every vendor takes great pride in presenting their catch, and you can see the care in their craftsmanship, from precise filleting to artful arrangements on ice. Even if you’re not an expert, you sense immediately that this is the pinnacle of freshness.

Beyond the seafood itself, the market’s atmosphere is uplifting. The sellers greet you with warm smiles and lively calls, offering samples and sharing knowledge about preparation. It’s not just about buying food—it’s about connecting with tradition, learning from those who have spent a lifetime perfecting their art, and feeling inspired to bring that excellence home to your own kitchen.

What makes this market so special is the way it combines history with optimism. You feel the legacy of generations who’ve fished and traded here, yet at the same time, there’s a buzz of innovation in the sushi corners, grilled seafood stalls, and creative side dishes. Visitors leave not only with bags of fish but also with a sense of joy and inspiration.

In short, this Japanese fish market is more than a place to shop—it’s a celebration of freshness, community, and the beautiful...

A cozy Japanese fish store that sells authentic Japanese style fish which includes frozen, fresh, to be cooked, and sushi grade. They also make nigiri sushi, rolls and combination rice bowls. Even after the great resignation, inflation, and the Covid, the workers here are as diligent and persistent as ever. They take orders in store or via phone and offer fair prices for the authentic Japanese food that they offer. Today, I ordered 10 pieces of nigiri sushi including 2 salmon, 2 hamachi, 2 sweet shrimp, 2 mackerel and 2 ika. They were all well made and cost $1.50 each making 10 pieces of nigiri sushi costing a total of $15 bucks. What a steal!

I felt so guilty for ordering so little, I had them prepare a custom rice bowl for me including uni and amaebi (the sweet shrimp). This was a bit pricier because the bowl of rice cost $1, and the uni was probably about $20+, and the shrimp was probably around $7. But well worth it. I would say this is a no frills place to eat sushi with very friendly staff. Make the trip if you’re around the area looking for affordable and...

I had read a review that the sushi grade fish was excellent and both better and cheaper than at new deal fish market in Cambridge where we usually go. As we make sushi as a family every weekend, I decided to get fish from sakanaya this week. That review was no longer (if ever) accurate. Sushi grade salmon at Sakanaya was about 30% more expensive than at New Deal fish market but even more importantly it was significantly poorer quality. I actually barely wanted to eat the salmon as it smelled not fresh at all. In contrast the sushi grade salmon from new deal fish market is always incredibly fresh and more delicious than salmon at most sushi restaurants.

Pluses for Sakanaya? It was nice to be able to pick up frozen eel which was great and you can’t get that at new deal fish market. I also really liked their seaweed salad and the pickled ginger we bought at Sakanaya so there are some bright spots but won’t be buying sushi grade fish from this place again for our weekly sushi...