Japan Inn

Tucked into the Plantation Square shopping plaza on North University Drive, Japan Inn has been a steady presence in this stretch of Plantation for decades, with directory records showing more than three decades in business at this address. It is the kind of neighborhood Japanese restaurant that locals return to for birthdays, Little League celebrations, and Friday nights when nobody feels like cooking. The dining room is built around a hibachi setup where chefs cook chicken, steak, shrimp, and combination platters tableside, complete with the onion volcano and knife tricks that make it a reliable choice for kids and out-of-town guests alike.

Beyond the hibachi grills, Japan Inn runs a full sushi bar turning out the rolls you would expect from a long-running strip mall sushi spot, from spicy tuna and California rolls to a signature Miami Hurricane roll that regulars specifically order by name. The menu also stretches into general Japanese comfort food such as teriyaki, tempura, and udon, and it even folds in a handful of Thai dishes, a combination that is not unusual for family-run Asian restaurants of this vintage in South Florida. A full liquor bar rounds things out, so a hibachi dinner can easily turn into sake or a mixed drink while you wait for your table.

Service here leans toward the personal. Online reviews consistently describe it as a long-standing favorite for family gatherings, with servers who know regulars by name and hibachi chefs who play to the crowd rather than rushing through the routine. That familiarity is part of the appeal in a corridor of University Drive that has seen plenty of restaurant turnover over the years. Some reviewers note the space itself feels a little dated compared to newer hibachi concepts opening elsewhere in Broward County, but most agree the food, portions, and hospitality make up for a dining room that has not been remodeled recently.

Japan Inn also operates a second location in Weston, which speaks to a business that has grown modestly over the years without turning into a sprawling chain. It remains a two-location, family-oriented operation rather than a franchise, and the Plantation location is the original anchor. The restaurant is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, with delivery available several nights a week, making it a practical option whether you are stopping in after work or settling in for a full hibachi dinner with the family.

For anyone exploring the restaurant cluster along North University Drive near Broward Mall, Japan Inn is worth knowing about simply because it has outlasted so many neighbors. It is not flashy, and it does not need to be. It is a working-class hibachi and sushi joint that has kept its regulars happy through steady food, generous portions, and chefs who still seem to enjoy the show.