9912 N. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, (843) 449-3344. nakatomyrtlebeach.com
Nakato Japanese Steakhouse has been a Myrtle Beach favorite since they first opened their doors back in 1978. Located in the heart of Restaurant Row, the family-owned establishment has a great reputation in the local community, as well as with tourists. You are treated like family when you dine here, and the staff wants you to sit back, relax and be wowed. A highly skilled chef will prepare your meal before your eyes, making for a unique and interactive dining experience. Choose from a variety of meats—tender chicken breast, mouth-watering steaks and succulent seafood—paired with garden-fresh vegetables. Aside from hibachi, Nakato offers a variety of appetizers, including the shrimp spring rolls and the tempura udon soup with thick noodles and shrimp tempura on the side. Specialty sushi rolls like the Myrtle Beach Roll with salmon tempura, crabstick and masago caviar are also hits. They also offer a variety of sake, including a flight. The restaurant is open for dinner nightly and for lunch on Sundays.
407 21st Ave. N., Myrtle Beach, (843) 443-9441. sohomb.com
For more than 17 years, Soho has been serving delicious food to Grand Strand locals and tourists alike. After relocating just across the street from their original location, they opened Rooftop21, an open-air rooftop lounge with great views and cool breezes. Soho provides upscale dining and posh nightlife in an atmosphere that is comfortable and relaxing. The menu embraces cultures and has a wide array of options. Start with an appetizer like the Japanese Stone Grill, thinly sliced filet mignon served with wasabi dipping sauce that you grill yourself at the table. A variety of hibachi, stir fry ramen and yaki soba (ramen noodles with vegetables in broth) are offered with your choice of meat or combo of meats. The New Zealand mussels and sesame crusted Ahi tuna are also favorites. The extensive sushi menu includes rolls like the Soho Volcano Roll with shrimp tempura, crabmeat and mango topped with avocado, jalapeno, masago, Sriracha and spicy mayo. Soho is open for lunch and dinner daily and stays open until 1 a.m. for those who enjoy a bit of late night fun. Don’t miss the great happy hour specials from 4 to 7 p.m.
2120 Oakheart Road, Myrtle Beach, (843) 236-5666; 1306 Celebrity Circle (Broadway at the Beach), Myrtle Beach, (843) 626-2444. kingkongsushi.com/wp
King Kong Sushi opened its doors in 2007 in Carolina Forest and then expanded to Broadway at the Beach in 2009. King Kong continues to strive to be the best sushi and Asian bistro on the Grand Strand, as well as in the state. Start off with a favorite appetizer like the tempura shrimp, shrimp and veggies lightly battered and deep-fried. The Sashimi Deluxe option includes 18 pieces of sashimi, made with the chef’s pick of the day’s freshest fish, and served with soup and salad. The Hurricane Roll is filled with crab, cream cheese and cucumber and topped with spicy grilled crab and scallops, teriyaki sauce and sesame seeds. And if you aren’t a fan of the raw stuff, a variety of hibachi choices (shrimp, chicken, steak and combos) are served with house soup and a salad, plus fried rice and vegetables. Be sure to check out the lunch combos. Both locations open at 11:30 a.m. daily.
9732 B. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, (843) 449-9294; 4201 U.S. 17, Murrells Inlet, (843) 651-4616. miyabi.life
With two locations on the Grand Strand (Murrells Inlet and Restaurant Row in Myrtle Beach), Miyabi offers up dinner and a show. Chefs prepare food hibachi style at large communal tables, all the while entertaining guests with grill-side showmanship (think fire-shooting onion volcano). The first step is to pick your meat, with options including teriyaki or hibachi chicken, ribeye or filet mignon, a variety of seafood and various meat combos if you can’t decide (plus a vegetable option). Entree portions are generous and include soup, salad, a shrimp appetizer, fried rice and zucchini and onions. If you’re more of a sushi fan, you can order to the table or head straight to the sushi bar to dine on a variety of fresh, delicious rolls. Don’t forget to look up—the night-sky ceiling is a favorite design element. Both locations serve dinner daily.
1213 Celebrity Circle (Broadway at the Beach), Myrtle Beach, (843) 448-1959. yamatoinc.com
Located at Broadway at the Beach, Yamato has been the “best tasting show” in Myrtle Beach since 1996. In addition to watching skilled chefs entertain you while they cook your meal, a full bar and separate sushi bar are both available. Start out the experience by digging into an appetizer like the beef tataki, New York strip seared rare, sliced and served over onions and topped with garlic and ponzu sauce. Entrees, which are prepared on the grill in front of you teriyaki style, include clear soup, salad (with ginger, creamy or soy dressing), a shrimp appetizer, fresh veggies, fried rice and sherbet. Pick your meat from choices like chicken, filet mignon, salmon, scallops and shrimp or various combinations. A vegetable entree is also an option. Sushi choices include the Cajun Calamari Roll with spicy fried calamari and eel sauce and the Japanese Bagel with cream cheese, smoked salmon a
