Rio of Japan

Reviews

• JM

  John Marmolejos

  Oct 4, 2025
  2.0
  Unacceptable Service and Subpar Food: An Empty Friday Night Tells the Story!! I absolutely hate leaving bad reviews, but I have a solemn duty to warn the public: AVOID THIS PLACE! We had the misfortune of visiting this small, deceptively "elegant" restaurant, hoping for a culinary experience after being blown away by the rice at an authentic Japanese place out of state. Instead, we found a confused, overpriced disaster. Trying to take a chance off the beaten path was a colossal mistake. Our server, bless their heart, let slip that this place is some kind of ridiculous fusion of cuisines—Japanese influence with Spanish roots. A warning sign we should have heeded! We foolishly made reservations, assuming a small Metuchen spot would be packed at 6:30 PM on a Friday. Were we met with a lively, celebratory crowd? No! We were greeted by an EMPTY dining room—a ghost town! The server was friendly enough, answering all our questions while my wife and I waited for our daughters, savoring the only good thing that touched our table: a decent aperitif. But then, the absolute collapse of service began! They didn't just drop the ball; they spiked it into the dirt and walked away. We waited a torturous 45 minutes for our food, only for it to arrive staggered like a pathetic parade! A full 15-minute gap between the first and last plate—an entire hour to get our mediocre meal! And the food itself? Subpar is generous! The so-called Japanese rice was utterly bland—a tasteless insult! We had to drown it in soy sauce just to introduce the faintest hint of flavor! Then came the final, infuriating blow: the check. A party of four at this forgettable, empty, and poorly run establishment cost us almost $300! Three hundred dollars for a meal that tasted like despair and took an eternity to serve! The fact that only five tables were occupied the whole night speaks volumes. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY! DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME! This bland, disorganized, and ridiculously overpriced restaurant should be avoided at all costs. Go to Hatch 44 instead! They actually know how to run a kitchen!
• YK

  Yelena Korkmazsky

  Oct 1, 2025
  1.0
  Just horrible place for sushi , horrible
• EL

  Erica Linnik

  Aug 11, 2025
  5.0
  Beautiful, cozy space with really attentive, friendly staff. We ordered a few rolls, and the sushi was incredibly tasty and fresh. Not for a moment did we feel rushed during our dinner. Definitely a unique spin on Japanese cuisine, with a Latin twist. Another gem in Metuchen. Highly recommend! :)
• DC

  donalyi cepeda

  Aug 9, 2025
  5.0
  I loved the place, the food was so good, and i loved the idea of bringing our own bottle!
• ST

  Stella Tuela

  Aug 5, 2025
  1.0
  I waited for 1 hour and 30 minutes for my order