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Almost certainly the best all-around Japanese restaurant in Boston--and I say this as someone who lived in Japan, speaks the language, and knows the culture and cuisine very well.

Having lived in Japan for more than 10 years I was thrilled to finally find a restaurant that feels and tastes like the many great places I used to frequent in Tokyo. Shiki has menu items that you just don't find in other "Japanese" restaurants. It's not a mix of Korean and Chinese but real, honest Japanese fare like you'd find in an izakaya. The sake selection is pretty good and served appropriately chilled so you can enjoy the wonderfully different flavors. The fact the it is always full of Japanese customers says a lot about the quality of its food and the authenticity of the experience. Do yourself and favor and check out what Japanese food really is like. And try something other than sushi! There's so much great Japanese food that most Americans have no idea about. Shiki is a great place to find out what it is.

Many Japanese restaurants in Boston has same or similar menu, but not here. You will find many new dishes here. "Kaiseki" ("tapas" like) cuisine is specially decorated artistic dish with many colors and seasonal ingredients. This is the first place in Boston I was able to enjoy Kaiseki with such low price. If you eat Kaiseki in Tokyo, they'd charge over $200 per person I'd assume. Since each dish is such a decorative art, you need to assume extra time to wait and should instead enjoy various types of sake they collect. here is my recommendation here is my selection- -Avocado Salad -Scallop Tartar -Tuna - Yamaimo Tartar -Sauteed Sardine -Poached Egg Okura (4) -Poached Egg Chicken Jello (3) -Sea Eel Millefeuille -Beef Tngue -Dashimaki -Moto yaki -Ohitashi -Kurobuta -Ebi Fry -Sanshoku Soba -Umeshiso Maki -Dobin Mushi -Chawan Mushi