Dawa Sushi and Ramen, located in Philadelphia, PA, has captivated diners with its authentic flavors and fresh ingredients. Many reviews highlight the exceptional quality of sushi, often ranking it among the best in the city. Justin Bagin praises the phenomenal chirashi and duck bao buns, noting the personable service and the outstanding freshness of the fish. Kevin Jung considers Dawa a hidden gem, emphasizing the artisanal preparation of sushi and sashimi that rivals even the finest establishments in Japan. The house-blend soy sauce adds a delightful umami kick, enhancing the overall experience. Ramen also garners acclaim, with Harunori Shima reflecting on the taste and quality reminiscent of traditional ramen shops in Japan. Meanwhile, Jamie expresses delight in the generous service and cozy atmosphere, making it a perfect spot for both small gatherings and larger groups. Though some reviews mention a somewhat sketchy location, the high-quality offerings outweigh any concerns. Overall, Dawa Sushi and Ramen stands out for its dedication to culinary excellence, from meticulously crafted sushi to rich, flavorful ramen, making it a must-visit for any sushi lover in Philadelphia.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
No wheelchair-accessible car park
Service options
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves comfort food
Serves healthy options
Serves late-night food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Planning
Reservations required
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Credit cards
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Somewhat difficult to find a space
Photos
Reviews For Dawa Sushi and Ramen
Justin Bagin
Jul 6,2025
Chirashi and duck bao bun were phenomenal. Great and very personable service. The sushi quality is incredible - very fresh fish that tasted amazing.
Kevin Jung
Jul 1,2025
The best sushi I have had. Period. And my all time favorite sushi restaurant. One of the greatest hidden gems of Philadephia! I've had sushi in Japan, South Korea, and all across the tristate area, and recently in Hawaii and Dawa still stays at the top. There are other places in NYC/DC/LA that serve flashy omakase, but they usually charge the equivalent of a down payment on a Rav4 for a single meal. Dawa offers world-class sushi and sashimi for a reasonable price. Everything from the freshness of the fish, the clean aroma, the temperature of the nigiri, the texture and mouthfeel of the rice grains that are expertly molded, is great. Even the house blend soy sauce has a subtle but noticeable unctuous punch. It's incredible to experience how much the chef cares about creating an incredible culinary experience. I get the chef's special every time I eat at Dawa, and look forward to trying out their Omakase soon. Though I usually focus on sushi when I eat at Dawa, I've tried their ramen, buns, and tempura and it was tasty! For anyone who wants to try some of the best sushi ever made by an incredible chef, I highly recommend Dawa! Thank you Chef Joseph!
Harunori Shima
Jun 29,2025
It’s great taste ! The taste of the ramen soap here is similar to Ramen shop in Japan. I tried many ramen shop in US but was not satisfied with it. Thank you Chef Joe san for serving good ramen to me. Also your Kimchi was good ,too.
Jamie
Jun 29,2025
We loved it here! This is one of the best sushi places I have visited in Philly (also, in terms of quality, vastly better than morimoto). We sat by the window at the tall table. The lights are dim and the people on the busy intersection outside can seem a bit suspicious but once you’re inside this place has amazing quality and generous service. We got complimentary hot tea at the end of the meal which we really enjoyed. My favorite was the chirashi full of a variety of fresh fish. We also loved the sushi rolls and appetizers, esp the roast duck bao bun. The bathroom was clean with soap and paper towels. I would definitely recommend this place for large groups or just a chill meal with another person.
Master Boul
May 27,2025
Location a bit sketchy and there is not many seats inside but the sushi is good quality for its price point. The salmon roll is 10 at time of writing, slightly more expensive than nearby alternatives but seems to be expertly prepared. The braised pork belly buns are delicious and come with thick slabs of pork meat. The fried rice rolls appetizers are also quick good and does their job to stimulate the appetite. The cha shu ramen itself is slightly spicy and includes a sliced slab of corn which is an interesting choice, at first glance, it seems a bit like instant ramen but upon tasing the noodles are certainly higher quality than that of instant ramen. The eggs are hard boiled and reminiscent of soy sauced braised salty tea eggs, the broth is flavorful but nothing too special and the same can be said for the cha shu pork pieces. Overall 4/5. The ramen passable but the sushi is the main highlight of this place.
Melissa Joy
Apr 9,2025
I have been here several times and it has not disappointed me. It's some of the best and freshest sushi I've had in Philadelphia. And Joseph is just amazing, he always treats us like family and jokes around with us while we eat. The live scallop is to die for. Thanks for making Fishtown your home! We will definitely be back to try the ramen.
Eric Pan
Mar 24,2025
Although the building entrance is kinda weird, the lady is extremely nice and took care of our table super well, she also recommend the best thing on the menu. The crispy rice has a crunchy and soft texture from outside to inside, they fried it. Topped with bluefin tuna and Serrano peppers OMG Korean style sushi technology. 10/10 Spider roll is also crazy good, idk how they make sushi so good with the sauce they have 9.5/10 Fried octopus is quite normal imo, they did pull out kewpie mayo as part of the sauce, 6/10 Ramen taste like Korean style noodles with Taiwanese style soup, it feels like eating the Taiwanese Japanese ramen back in Taiwan with Korean instant ramen noodles, no wonder Kenny likes it alot, not a big fan of there ramen but it's still good. 8/10 Meow
Dahlia Miller-Greenwalt
Mar 21,2025
Been here so many times, and never fails to impress me. Sushi is fresh and delicious, and the ramen is incredible every time. Location might seem sketchy, but the interior environment is quiet and pleasant. Couldn’t recommend more as a casual spot for great sushi.
Reviews For Dawa Sushi and Ramen