We have enjoyed this restaurant many times it was always a treat. Unfortunately, this will probably be our last time. We did make reservations because I noticed the reviews suggested it's better so you are not turned away. We were seated promptly and there were only two other couples in the restaurant. From the moment we sat down we did not feel any hospitality from the waitress. We felt nothing but inconvenience. No effort was made to help us. Always nostalgic with the restaurant ambiance nothing has changed and I'm fine with that. The food was delicious but the portions were a lot smaller than our last visit. We were not allowed to order extra anything to add to our meal, overall, the service made us decide next time we will pick another restaurant. Two starts for delicious salmon teriyaki and the nostalgia. read more

Nagame Japanese Restaurant - Teriyaki Salmon.... So much room on my plate - Japanese Near Me - Merced, California

Oh how I miss you !! It's just not the same. No one, I mean no one does food like you did ! read more

Nagame Japanese Restaurant - The last supper ! - Japanese Near Me - Merced, California

The food was always delicious and staff very attentive to us. But we learned they are closing there doors for good.

We have been going to Nagame's for 35+ years. They are a family favorite. Best miso soup I have ever had. Excellent chicken teriyaki. I always get extra sauce to drizzle on my rice. Their tempura is also amazing. They can accommodate gluten-free teriyaki if you order a day or two in advance. Reservations recommended. read more

I like their foods and the staffs... Very tasty and delicious and the staff's are very friendly and knowledgeable about their foods read more

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I have loved this restaurant and eaten there for most of my life. I will crave their food for the rest of my days. Please make a cookbook!

This is Top Quality and Fresh Japanese Cuisine. On a recent road trip we stumbled onto this Merced Food institution for Japanese cuisine. The exterior does not do it justice when you think of Japanese food. The interior is dated but next level clean. We were unaware that you need reservations. We lucked out and were squeezed in. The food was fresh and tasty. No over powering sauces, no huge portions of food, and no greasy plates. My wife and I are blessed to be able to dine wherever we like. This to us ranks in the Top 5 in our world travels for food quality and taste. This is our new favorite place to eat until Aug 8, 2025. Unfortunately after 41 years of service to Merced Ca. the family will be retiring and closing its doors for good. Please do yourselves a favor. Call for a reservation and go experience this Gem for yourselves. FYI the simple sunomono salad is a killer. Also don't listen to the one star idiots who complain about not getting fast service. read more

We used to eat here many years ago, in the 1980s. Can't believe it's still here! We loved it, will go back if we are ever in Merced. The pics of the sashimi look the same as back in the day, we loved to order sashimi and tempura. read more

Pretty good for first 30 years, even underrated, steadily declined in food and service, then became over-rated. Many good memories here, sad to see it go south, with old chicken and measly portions. Plenty of healthy competition out there with better food and service. To bad Nagame couldn't close while they were on top of their game, but oh well. read more

Not very happy with the service this last time I visited. Not as friendly as usual. Be aware of what you are charged and the tip you leave and total. My total out the door with tip was under 90. But when it shows up on my bank account, it shows 100 plus and some change????? It means they added extra tip to my bill. This should be against the law? You already leave them close to 20% and they do crooked stuff like this. All I got to say is you need to watch your Bill when you eat at Nagame's . I don't know what's going on with them, but I won't be returning. read more

Born and raised coming here. I've moved to LA over 20 years ago but no matter what when I come back to visit I MUST come here. If you want dinner then you have to make a reservation but that's not that hard or difficult. It's worth it for sure. I love the chicken sukiyaki!! I won't eat it any where else. read more

Nagame Japanese Restaurant - Chicken sukiyaki - Japanese Near Me - Merced, California

An absolute Merced institution. The perfect place for a family dinner. Amazing and welcoming service offering authentic Japanese comfort food. read more

A staple of any trip home to Merced. This place has the best food in Merced County, and I think they are a real hidden gem that somehow some people still aren't aware of. Really respect the dedication they have to their food and the relaxing environment to enjoy it in with the service that makes me feel like a guest in their home, not just a restaurant. read more

We have been coming to Nagame's for over 30 years. We love the food, and atmosphere!! If you haven't tried Nagame's make it a must on your list. read more

I LOVE NAGAME! Best Japanese restaurant in Merced. FYI it is more like traditional, country cooking (not a modern sushi restaurant). I've been eating there since I was a baby and it hasn't changed a bit. Always try to make a stop there whenever I'm in town. It's comforting and nostalgic and wonderful - I hope it is there forever!! read more

Never seems to be open. Every time we pass by they look like they are closed. We went there a couple of times before the pandemic. The food was pretty good as far as I remember. Would like to try again sometime if we can find it open read more

Been coming here forever with my Grandfather. It hasn't changed, and that's what I appreciate. It's like I get to eat with him all over again, even though he is not longer. The sesame chicken is my favorite, but honestly everything is the best. The cabbage is what can never get enough of. read more

unbelievable...we arrived at 620 and walked into a nearly empty restaurant. there were 5 of us. LOTS of empty tables. but what were we told: "you can sit down but we can't serve you until 7:30" - no joke!! why you ask? they had 2 reservations coming in at 630. ok, sorry, how in the world this place stays in bizness is beyond me. unreal. stupid. we could have ordered before anybody else arrived but no, they didn't care. stupid. don't bother to even go. read more

We love this place, well we used to. We try to eat there and they turn us away saying they arent taking reservations or even take out orders. The restaurant is not even half full. It's hard not to take it personally after paying and tipping them well for years. read more

Let me start out with a compliment. The food is amazing. I would love to eat there over and over and sample everything. But that won't happen because I will never go there again. The treatment that my guests and I received by the management was really awful. They have a strange reservation system, and if you have any changes, forget about it. read more

One of my favorite local restaurants. Best tempura in town. (IMO) the green tea ice cream is also delicious and so refreshing! The staff is always friendly. read more

Food is always amazing,it's the customer service that's lacking,Everytime we would go in there the first thing they would ask and it's usually from the owner is do you have a reservation,Makes you feel kinda Iike a second class citizen it's not warm and inviting in there as well,We stopped going about a year ago, The food is great but so are alot of places and with great customer service to boot. read more

My friend and I frequent this place for lunch! We love their chicken teriyaki and sesame chicken. This place never disappoints!

I'm going to give Nagame a 3 for the nostalgia and the food. This seemingly vacant restaurant is a little off of the beaten path and offers very traditional Japanese fare with limited options but what they do offer is damn good and fresh. The interior is extremely clean despite the fact that the decor and furnishings seem to be vintage and quite awesome honestly but I am into that sort of thing. The staff is very friendly and the environment peaceful and relaxing. I recommend giving it a try if you're looking for something different then the norm for Merced. read more

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I visited this place yesterday to have lunch and was very disappointed. One of the staff immediately asked us if we had a reservation. We replied "No". She immediately replied and said we don't accept walk ins. The restaurant was not even full of customers. We didn't argue and just walked out and had lunch elsewhere. I can't believe this is how their customer service is. I will never return to this disgusting place and will spread the bad word to others in Atwater/Merced. I hope you go out of business soon. There are plenty of other food establishments better than yours. read more

What a place! Food was great and service was fantastic. You have to make reservations now, yet there was only two other families inside while we ate. We ordered the sashimi dinner and the combination dinner for two. So much food. I couldn't get enough of the beef sukiyaki!!! We will be back! read more

Nagame Japanese Restaurant - Very retro diner feel with Japanese decor everywhere - Japanese Near Me - Merced, California

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Best tempura, teriyaki and tonkatsu anywhere hands down. Fantastic service, friendly staff, decent prices. Highly recommend!

The course's soup, cucumber salad & main meal is always a delight here. They are a family run business for years. Give it a try .... must call for reservations!! read more

This place isn't bad, I'll start with the positive: I like their desserts!! I came with co-workers for lunch and we got all 3 of the mochi ball ice cream: mango, strawberry and coffee and it was so good, the highlight of my meal! Cons: I ordered the beef teriyaki bento lunch and it didn't taste fresh. It wasn't hot either like it was microwaved. The restaurant itself is located in downtown Merced and according to my co-worker has been there for awhile. read more

Nagame Japanese Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Merced, California

We regularly eat at Nagame and it never disappoints! Tonight we had the sesame chicken, gyoza, vegetable tempura, and teriyaki chicken. If you don't feel like dining in, they do an amazing take out! We love Nagame! read more

This is a hidden gem. Called up to ask if they are open for dinner because it's Thanksgiving eve. They like you to make reservations even tho we are going at 5 pm. I tried their Yakizakana - Broiled fish Japanese Mackerel. It was really delicious! Their rice is amazingly yummy! read more

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I was over the moon when i found that this restaurant was open. Went with my Dad tonight and was not disappointed. Awesome & authentic food, great service! read more

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We have been going to Nagame's for over 20 years and have thoroughly enjoyed their food. When we knew they had difficulties with the flooding we were eager to come back and support them. We went in tonight and saw that the restaurant was mostly empty. we asked to eat and was told that they only take reservations but no walk ins. Now remember the restaurant was mostly empty. If they had said they were booked I would have understood but not that they refused to serve us. I can tell you we went to another restaurant and they were glad to offer us good service and we paid them for that. Shame on you Nagames for turning away a loyal customer because we were a walk in. We will be sure to support other restaurants who welcome their customers to their eating establishment. read more

WORST Japanese food of my life, Couldn't pay me to eat there. Their food is inedible sauce is so salty and boiled down, awful.

Nagame's is one of those hidden gems that has been around for years. Every time I bring family or friends there from out of the area, they always rave about some special they ate there, and trust me when I say that many of them are pretty critical of the food they eat, especially Japanese food. I still hear rave reviews of their sukiyaki and a friends and family have traveled many miles to enjoy the food at Nagame's several times. Thank you for always taking good care of me and my family and friends and hope you continue for as long as you want! Hopefully a very long time!!! read more

Went here for lunch with the office. It is tucked away by the freeway and some abandoned or industrial properties, but had a full parking lot. The service was friendly, and the food portions were plentiful...but the food was just okay. I ordered the teriyaki steak dinner which had miso soup, pickled cucumbers, a cabbage salad and rice. For the price, it should have had tempura veggies or something... The steak was very very very well done and dry. The teriyaki sauce was good, but sparse. and the pickled cucumbers were okay. I did enjoy the green tea, which is my favorite and is brewed(?) with toasted rice--delish! I would go back here again at someone's request, but probably wouldn't choose to go here on my own. read more

Nagame Japanese Restaurant - Teriyaki beef dinner with miso soup and pickled cucumber. Not bad but needed more sauce. - Japanese Near Me - Merced, California

I have always enjoyed Nagame's. All the people complaining about reservations have obviously never tried to hire staff. This restaurant is being responsible and only handling the amount of patrons that they can serve properly. The restaurant might look empty but you have no idea what their reservation list looks like, or how many people they have available. Would you rather have them seat you and not be able to serve your meal in a decent amount of time. Try and find people that will work in a restaurant and then come back here and review again. I think the reservation requirement should be applauded. read more

This restaurant doesn't have too much competition in this small town when it comes to traditional Japanese food, but for what they serve they are pretty tasty. Their meals are a decent size for the price and it's nice that you can definitely taste the use of freshly prepared ingredients. I love that the dining area doesn't get too loud even at busy points, but am not crazy about the fact that they don't always utilize the seating that they have available, especially during lunchtime. read more

Best great place for authentic Japanese food in Merced Their hours and very weird so always call and make sure they are open This is a little hidden gem in Merced It's tucked away behind the freeway bridge -there are snakes so careful! -everything here is amazing! My fav is the teriyaki chicken Service is great Prices are very affordable and amazing for the food you are getting read more

Nagame Japanese Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Merced, California

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I've lived in Merced all my life and never once did I ever come here. SMH! Then I do stop by and Wow. I've been missing out. This place is nice and clean, and the food is delicious, service is great! If you ever get a chance to stop and grab a bite in Merced. This is a must, right off the freeway! Easy off and easy on! Either way you are going. I highly recommend this to all! read more