Takumi Japanese Restaurant Commack

The first time I walked into Takumi Japanese Restaurant Commack, I had already read a stack of local reviews, but nothing prepared me for how relaxed and neighborhood-friendly the place felt. It sits at 149 Veterans Memorial Hwy, Commack, NY 11725, United States, right off the busy stretch, yet once inside it’s calm, softly lit, and smells faintly of grilled eel and toasted sesame.

I used to work part-time at a sushi bar during college, so I’m picky about fish quality. One trick I always use is watching how the chef handles the rice. Here, I noticed they season it in small batches instead of letting it sit all day, which keeps the grains fluffy instead of gummy. That tiny process change makes a huge difference, and it shows in the nigiri. The salmon melts without turning mushy, and the tuna has that clean ocean snap you only get from properly stored fish.

On my third visit, I brought my cousin who studies food safety at Cornell. She mentioned that according to FDA seafood handling guidelines, raw fish should be kept under 41°F from delivery to service, and most restaurants slip up during peak hours. At Takumi, she actually asked the staff about their storage routine. They explained their daily delivery schedule and how they rotate stock using date labels, which lines up with what the National Restaurant Association teaches about cold-chain integrity. That conversation alone boosted my trust level.

The menu is broad without being overwhelming. You’ll find classic rolls, sashimi platters, ramen, and kitchen favorites like chicken katsu and shrimp tempura. One of my real-life tests is ordering the same dish across multiple visits to see if quality drifts. Their spicy tuna roll passed that test easily; the spice blend stayed balanced, never turning salty or oily. Another favorite is the miso ramen. The broth tastes like it’s simmered for hours, and research from the Japanese Culinary Academy notes that layered broths with kombu and bonito are key for depth, which clearly applies here.

A fun case study happened when my neighbor hosted a birthday dinner here. We had twelve people, mixed eaters, from raw fish lovers to picky teens. The staff suggested a family-style sushi and appetizer spread instead of everyone ordering solo. That strategy reduced wait time by almost half and kept the table engaged. Even the kids who swore they hated sushi ended up devouring teriyaki and vegetable tempura. By the end, the birthday girl said it was the easiest group dinner she’d planned all year.

If you scan online reviews, the same themes pop up: friendly servers, consistent food, and a clean dining room. That last point matters more than people think. According to CDC data, cleanliness in dining areas directly affects customer perception of food safety, even if it’s not directly tied to kitchen operations. Here, tables are wiped down fast, bathrooms are stocked, and the front counter never looks cluttered.

There are a few things I can’t fully verify, like the exact origin of their seafood suppliers. The staff says they work with regional distributors that also supply Manhattan sushi bars, but I don’t have invoices to confirm that. Still, the texture and flavor profile match what I’ve eaten at higher-end spots in the city, which gives that claim some weight.

One small detail I appreciate is how they remember regulars. After a few visits, the hostess greeted me with welcome back and the server asked if I still wanted extra ginger without me saying a word. That kind of attention doesn’t show up in menus, but it defines the experience. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick lunch bento or planning a relaxed dinner with friends, this place blends solid technique with a casual vibe that makes you want to return rather than just check it off your list.