Japanese cuisine is becoming increasingly popular among New York City's diners, with five Japanese restaurants -- the most ever -- ranking among the top 20 restaurants in the city, according to a 2006 Zagat survey.
Among the top 20 in Manhattan and surrounding boroughs, Sushi Yasuda at No. 5 was the highest-ranked Japanese restaurant.
Chef Naomichi Yasuda, from Chikura, Chiba Prefecture, has been described by Travel and Leisure magazine as "one of the world's great sushi chefs."
Ranking seventh in the survey was Nobu, run by Nobuyuki Matsuhisa. The restaurant, frequented by the rich and famous, was voted 10th among the top 10 restaurants in the area.
Nobu was also classified as best restaurant in the "power scene" category.
Other Japanese restaurants ranked in the top 20 survey were Sushi of Gari at 14th, Masa at 16th and Tomoe Sushi at 17th.
The newest Zagat edition contains ratings and reviews of more than 2,000 restaurants based on a record 30,911 surveyors across the five New York boroughs. Restaurants are ranked in a range of categories, including best late dining, atmosphere, child-friendliness, decor, service and best buys.
New Yorkers ranked Italian cuisine highest, followed by French and Japanese food.
Japanese food was considered significantly more popular than Thai, Chinese or Indian.