To sample Japanese cooking, visit these local restaurants. Some serve a wide range of cooked dishes, others rely more on sushi.

Kiku, 7 Station Square, South Side. 412-765-3200

Chaya Japanese Cuisine, 2104 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill. 412-422-2082

Young Bin Kwan Restaurant, 4305 Main St., Bloomfield. 412-687-2222.

Little Tokyo, 636 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon. 412-344-4366.

Sakkio Japan, food courts in Ross Park Mall and South Hills Village

Benihana, 2100 Greentree Road, Green Tree. 412-276-2100

Sapporo Japanese Steakhouse, 4260 Steubenville Pike, Robinson. 412-920-2988.

Nakama Japanese Steak House and Sushi Bar, 1611 E. Carson St., South Side. 412-381-6000.

Umi, 5849 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside. 412-362-6198.

Sushi Boat, 128 Oakland Ave., Oakland. 412-681-1818.

Sushi House, 2130 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill, 412-422-9306.

Sushi Too, 5432 Walnut St., Shadyside. 412-687-8744.

Sushi Two, 2122 E. Carson St., South Side. 412-431-7874.

Sushi Three, 297 Beverly Road, Mt. Lebanon. 412-344-7874.

Sushi Tomo, 4812 McKnight Road, North Hills, 412-630-8352.

Sushi & Rolls Inc., 301 Grant St., Downtown. 412-255-0520.

Andy's Sushi Bar, 1711 Penn Ave., Strip District. 412-281-8272.

-- Marlene Parrish