Nippon Japanese restaurant — Restaurant in Tamil Nadu

Nippon Japanese restaurant is an absolutely wonderful place if you are in search of authentic Japanese food and prompt service. It's located bang opposite to SIET college and it's on the first floor of a building.

First thing you notice is the seating arrangement. Private Booths, normal seating and the traditional Japanese seating arrangement of sitting on the floor. The tables are well equipped with Soy sauce, chilli flakes and a pleasant surprise: Sachets of Antiseptic wiped. Quite convenient and novel, as I haven't seen this in Chennai before! There's also a calling bell which can alert the servers to attend to you.

The servers are quick and as soon as you are sat down, you are served with a hot glass of barley tea! I visited the restaurant on a rainy day, and hence proved to be quite soothing!

I'd ordered a serving of 'Belgian Pork filled' Gyoza and Pork Miso Ramen. The prices of the dishes are defo on the higher side, but it is justified due to the scarcity of ingredients required to make Japanese food out here.

The Pork Gyoza was fantastic. I haven't had such good pork in ages! You could tell that it was of top quality. The outer shell is a bit crispy and the inside is piping hot. The moment you sink your teeth in, the juices just gush out of the dumpling. The Pork was rich and didn't really need any spice. The dipping sauce given had a bit of acidity which definitely cuts through the richness of the pork and elevates the dish all together.

The Miso Ramen was the star of the show. 10/10 dish. Interesting flavours, the fattiness of the pork, umami from the broth and seaweed and spice from the chillies! Well rounded dish. The noodles were silky smooth, had absorbed the broth and was hearty! The pork slices were well cooked, had a bit of fat and complemented the dish. Definitely one of the best things I've had in a long long time! I enjoyed every single drop of the broth and the feeling of warmth that it gives is beautiful.

All in all, paid around 1.3k for the food. Absolutely worth it, for the quality. If you really want to know how good the place is, I was the only Indian there. 100% I'd...

This is based on a dine-in experience for three in October 2023. We initially wanted to go to Dahlia but they were renovating so we came here and boy was that a great decision. We paid ₹4k-ish for three heavy eaters and left feeling quite full.

Their chicken karaage is a ten on ten. Perfectly crispy, thin & flavourful breading and all perfectly bite sized pieces.

Pork Katsu and Curry Rice were both really good too. The cabbage salad with onion dressing that they provided with all fried dishes was a great cleanse to the palate.

Miso soup was hearty and comes in a small portion but I think it's better consumed in smaller quantities. It has a pungent aroma, be warned that that is something you have to brace through for the taste reward.

My friend tried the grilled eggplant with soy and miso glaze, which looked very insta-worthy but texturally and taste wise not something for my unaccustomed palate. I could tell it was good quality miso though, so do with that what you will.

None of my dining companions nor I were big sushi or sashimi fans but we tried their cucumber maki which was refreshing. They had a lot of fresh sashimi on their menu and all the Japanese diners when we went were definitely ordering sashimi.

They do NOT serve alcohol, so don't go here with a sake craving.

Try and ask for traditional style seating and you won't be disappointed.

I can't...

As someone who’s never truly warmed up to Indian food — yes, even as an Indian — discovering Nippon felt like stumbling into a culinary oasis. If you’ve ever longed for a meal that doesn’t start with masala and end with turmeric, Nippon is your salvation.

The highlight? Without question, the miso ramen.

Deep, savory, and perfectly layered, the broth was comfort in a bowl — just the right amount of umami without overwhelming the senses. The noodles had that ideal chewiness, and the toppings were fresh, deliberate, and balanced. It’s the kind of dish that makes you want to sip slowly and never let it end.

Right alongside it, the gyoza were textbook perfection: golden-crisp bottoms, juicy fillings, and just the right vinegar dip to cut through the richness.

What I appreciate most is Nippon’s restraint. No heavy oils. No excessive heat. Just food that respects its ingredients and honors tradition.

In a land where paneer dominates and gravy is a lifestyle, Nippon is a rare gem for those craving subtlety, depth, and discipline in food. Whether you’re a long-time lover of Japanese cuisine or simply an Indian rebel like me, this place is more than worth a visit.

Rating: 5/5 – For making me forget I'm still in India, at least until I hit traffic...