Little Tokyo Restaurant

Little Tokyo Restaurant: A Taste of Japan in the Smoky Mountains
Written by: The SmokyMountains.com Local Experts Team
Local Expert's Rating:
4.5 / 5
The Bottom Line:

Japanese restaurants are hard to come by in Pigeon Forge, but Little Tokyo fills every guest's need for fresh sushi and tasty hibachi favorites. Despite its hole-in-the-wall façade, this little eatery knows how to serve up Asian flavors right! Best of all, the portions are huge, so if you leave Little Tokyo hungry, it's certainly not the staff's fault.

- The SmokyMountains.com Local Expert Team

Good sushi can be a difficult item to come by in Tennessee, but Little Tokyo Restaurant ensures visitors have access to their favorite foods no matter how far they travel from the ocean. The contemporary Japanese steakhouse and sushi bar offers hibachi grills and at-table cooking to allow guests the best possible experience. Even if you’d prefer to dine in the comfort of your hotel room, consider Little Tokyo’s unbeatable takeout options. Either way, you won’t be disappointed!

Little Tokyo Restaurant is a small, casual restaurant that doesn’t skimp on big flavors. The staff goes above and beyond to satisfy diners, and the hibachi chefs are both funny and entertaining with their knife skills. Whether you dine as a couple or with children, everyone in the family will adore the open-table cooking that practically offers you dinner and a show.

Given the restaurant’s small size, expect a wait during popular meal hours. Even if you see a line out the door, however, the wait is worth it. Not only is this eatery popular with out-of-towners, but it’s the place locals go for sushi and hibachi entrees. The only downside to visiting Little Tokyo’s popularity is that servers can be too preoccupied to fill up your drinks in a timely manner. Apart from this occasional oversight, the overall experience is a pleasant one. You may even find yourself becoming a regular!

Menu Favorites:

  • Little Tokyo’s extensive menu includes classics such as hibachi chicken, hibachi shrimp and scallops, and other combinations, so you can’t go wrong with ordering your favorite. One of the real stars of this restaurant, however, is the Little Tokyo Restaurant Special, which consists of filet mignon, chicken, and shrimp prepared with the chef’s special sauce.
  • Another great option is the Samurai Dinner, a combination of filet mignon, lobster, and shrimp. But if these specials are too heavy on your budget, even a single-protein menu item is guaranteed to please.
  • As for sushi options, Little Tokyo Restaurant offers everything from simple salmon rolls to ruby rolls. If sitting at the sushi bar, the chefs tend to be friendly and aren’t afraid to interact with customers while crafting their favorite rolls.
  • What Japanese meal would be complete without hot sake? Little Tokyo Restaurant serves $5 Ozeki hot sake or $15 bottles depending on your preference. You can even enjoy Kikkoman plum wine by the glass or bottle.

Insider Tips
-Little Tokyo is centrally located off the Parkway on Teaser Lane at the end of a small shopping center. Visitors can also access it from the Parkway by turning into Bullfish Grill and driving past the seafood restaurant’s parking lot.
-Save money by visiting Little Tokyo during lunch hours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can order the same menu item for up to $4 less and still get the soup, salad, vegetables, and fried rice that comes along with the entrée. Dinner specials, including the Little Tokyo Special, are only available after 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and after 3 p.m. on weekends.
-Little Tokyo also offers an Early Bird Special on weekdays from 3 to 5 p.m., excluding holidays. Coming early can also help you avoid long wait times, especially during peak tourist season.