NAOKI JAPANESE CUISINE — Restaurant in Palm Bay

Naoki Japanese Cuisine- Palm Bay- 4 stars

Just off of Dixie Hwy. in Palm Bay is a restaurant completely out of place anywhere these days, or so it would seem, but especially here on the Space Coast of Florida. I am talking about Naoki Japanese Cusine which is located almost due east of F.I.T. near the river. The reason I say that Naoki is out of place is that the owner/chef is a throwback to a more innocent time. It was the summer of 1983 if I recall correctly when my favorite Uncle took me out to eat sushi for the first time in my life. I literally sat there and watched him eat a whole wooden plate full of "bait" before I could work up the courage to take a wee nibble on a tuna roll. My eyes lit up and my taste buds jumped for joy, what was this nectar of the gods my uncle had me eat? I dove in head first and have never looked back. To this day fresh raw fish is some of my favorite food. Period.

Sadly, the place my uncle took me to that day in Satellite Beach has gone the way of many traditional Sushi restaurants, they have long closed. Naoki is from the Meguro Prefecture of Tokyo, where, one assumes, he received his masterful sushi instruction. His demeanor immediately brought me back to that day in Kyoto's, Naoki is very traditional. In a day when most Sushi places are not, it felt like I had slipped on my favorite pair of baggies, or back in time to the 80s. In fact, it was so good and sat so right with my chi, that I had to go back a second time..the very next day.

On my first excursion into Chef Naoki's eating establishment, I was served by one Anastasia. She was prompt, courteous, on point and everything one would expect in a classic Japanese restaurant (exceedingly polite). For my second foray into Naoki's, I chose to sit at the bar to get a feel for the owner/chef, Naoki himself. Being, as I mentioned before, very traditional, he kind of has the personality of a bucket of salted peanuts; however, he does tend to loosen up a tad as the meal progresses. Over the course of my two visits I ordered: Whelk and Albacore Nigiri, a Kamakura Roll, a Naoki Special Roll and a fried oyster (I know, I think it's sacrilegious to order cooked food in a Sushi place as well, but some people still don't like raw fish for a meal). Everything was exceptionally fresh and beautifully presented. However, what really struck me was the freshness and flavor of chef Naoki's Karami sauce used with the Kamakura Roll. He must make this fresh daily as the mango was perfectly textured and bursting with succulent scrumptiousness. The giant sea oyster was lightly covered in tempura and fried to a perfect golden brown. It was crunchy on the outside and bursting with freshness on the inside, it literally squirts in your mouth like a raw oyster should. The only thing that precluded me giving Naoki a 5-star review is I went to a different place as well...that review forthcoming!!

Big Boy says, "If you are within 50 miles and hunkerin' for some tasty bait, head on over to Naoki's, you'll be glad you did." P.S. I also hear their Ramen is top notch as well...

My wife and I use to love going here when it was Hioki's for 20+ years but we were greatly disappointed when we finally got the chance to try it as "Naoki". First off, let me just start by saying that both my wife and I are Sushi Chefs, traditionally trained by Japanese chefs since 1996. We know sushi and other traditional Japanese food very well.

This was our 3rd time at Naoki's but only our first time eating there, the first 2 times we sat down right after the doors opened at 5 pm and waited 15 minutes without so much as a drink order so we left. The second time we waited 10 minutes before deciding to get up and walk out...There we only 1-2 other tables in there at the time as well. The third time was suppose to be the redeemer but sadly it just reinforced what we already knew, the service is HORRIBLE and the food is good but waaay over priced. We ended up being there for almost 2 hours and all my wife and I ordered was a "Ramen dinner special A & B" and our son ordered a soft shell crab roll, (he also ordered a cucumber roll that never came and we paif the bill and left before it arrived, it would have been another 15-20 minutes at least.) The bowl of ramen was very small, about the same size as a traditional bowl of miso with the exception of having noodles and a half a hard boiled egg in it. Very underwhelming. The soft shell crab roll my son had was okay but not worth the $10, it's about a $5 roll at best. The BF roll I had with my ramen dinner was fine but it should've been 1 of multiple rolls, one roll with that dinner is a joke. The Chirashi bowl my wife got with her ramen dinner was extremely small with only 2 slices each of 4 kinds of fish. Appetizer size presented as a dinner, not impressive.

The quality of the food was great but it's not enough to make up for the lack of service and time you have to wait. We will never be going back there again and it sucks to say that, I really wanted to like Naoki's the way I did Hioki's but that is not the case. This place is only thriving because of the lack of traditional Japanese restaurants in the area as well as the lack of knowledge when it comes to traditional Japanese food, at these prices people are being taken advantage of. With the time it takes to get your food, people are starving to death.

Our total bill was $63, (before tip which we did leave 18+%), and for the amount of food we received it was worth maybe half of that, we left there still hungry.

There are other sushi places in town that are a much better value with just as high quality without the poor service and excruciatingly lonh wait for food. We will never spend our hard earned money here again. Do yourself a favor and demand better, don't...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Taste of Osaka in Palm Bay - Naoki Japanese Cuisine

Naoki Japanese Cuisine is more than just a restaurant; it's a culinary journey to Japan in Palm Bay. Nestled on Dixie Highway, this charming eatery exudes the authentic feel of an Osaka-style dining experience, where tradition meets modern elegance.

From the moment I stepped inside, I was transported by the warm, inviting atmosphere. The subtle lighting, tasteful décor, and calming ambiance create an authentic Japanese dining experience. It's where you can truly relax and enjoy a meal, whether out for a special occasion or just craving top-tier Japanese cuisine.

The menu at Naoki is a testament to the art of Japanese cooking. The bluefin tuna, a traditional delicacy, is a highlight of the dining experience here. It's sourced with the utmost care, and each bite is a melt-in-your-mouth revelation of rich buttery flavor. The attention to detail extends to the fine, hand-cut rolls, a work of art. Every roll is crafted with precision, perfectly balancing textures and flavors, and beautifully presented on the plate.

For those who appreciate the heartier side of Japanese cuisine, freshly prepared ramen is a must-try. The broth is rich and savory, simmered to perfection, and paired with fresh noodles and toppings that make each bowl a comforting delight. The chefs at Naoki take immense pride in their craft, ensuring that every dish is as authentic as it is delicious.

What truly sets Naoki apart, however, is the service. The staff is uber-friendly, welcoming you as if you were a guest in their home. Their knowledge of the menu is impressive, and they're happy to offer recommendations tailored to your preferences. Whether you're a seasoned sushi aficionado or new to Japanese cuisine, they ensure that your dining experience is exceptional.

Naoki Japanese Cuisine is not just a meal but an experience, a slice of Osaka in Palm Bay. Look no further if you're looking for a place that combines tradition, exceptional food, and outstanding service. I can't wait to return and explore more of what Naoki offers. This is Japanese dining at its finest.

Update: Mina, thanks so much for the dessert recognizing our graduates! You guys are awesome. This is why we keep coming back....