SUSHI
The 10 Best Sushi Restaurants
In the United States
Not All Sushi Restaurants Are Expensive
“Here are the 10 best sushi restaurants in the United States that won’t put a hole in your wallet.”
Everyone has their own opinion when it comes to which sushi restaurants are the best in their area. I bet if you asked ten people who live around your area which sushi restaurant was the best; you would end up with 10 different answers. That is because everyone looks for different things when they eat at a sushi restaurant. Not everyone focuses in on how well the sushi tastes, some people look for things like best service, cleanliness, experienced chefs who have been taught by the best chefs and schools, unique, but traditional Japanese décor (people want to feel like they’re in Japan)” and, in many cases that could be expensive. However, we found 10 sushi restaurants around the nation that were rated as the best in the United States for their quality of their sushi, cleanliness, great service, and prices that would not burn a hole in your wallet.
The list of sushi restaurants includes a delicious variety of sushi restaurants across United States. If you have ever had the desire to go on a sushi road trip, consider this list your map for the year ahead!
#1
Tobiko
www.tobiko77.com
Valley Stream, New York
Tobiko is one of the few Asian-Fusion restaurants that combines pop Asian and traditional Japanese cuisine. The restaurant is spacious so you do not feel like your privacy is being invaded. It has a warm and comfortable atmosphere. A few steps into this beautifully designed restaurant and you will be extremely impressed with the décor. By the looks, décor and service you can immediately tell that you are in the good hands of experienced restaurateurs.
The restaurant contains beautiful high ceiling and is elegantly divided into several intimate sections, all with perfect sight lines to other areas of the restaurant - particularly the sushi bar. The sushi bar at Tobiko is designed to look like a true sushi bar and not a prep station, which is too often the case at many Japanese restaurants. The sushi bar contains seating for more than 14, the large, L-shaped bar is ideal for those sushi lovers who prefer the one-of-a-kind dining experience that can only be truly enjoyed while seated at a genuine sushi bar staffed with attentive and entertaining chefs.
Another fabulous benefit to this sushi restaurant is that there are many discounts and specials available for take-out as well as dining-in.
Restaurant critics strongly recommend the following sushi for its outstanding flavor and taste: Hamachi Kama, Out of Control Roll, Painted Lady, Pan Roasted Chilean Sea Bass, Crispy Red Snapper
#2
Soto
www.sotonyc.com
NYC, New York
Soto has been ranked as one of the best sushi restaurants in New York. It is consistently ranked among the best by guidebooks like Zagat and Michelin. One reason is chef Sotohiro Kosugi. The menu features several varieties of sea urchin—all worth ordering. In the small, serene dining room, the best views of Kosugi working his magic are viewed from the bar. There is also a menu of fine sakes—great for pairing with your kampachi tartare, diced bits of yellowtail fish, or thinly sliced Long Island fluke dusted with sea salt and a touch of yuzu zest.
Restaurant critics strongly recommend the following sushi for its outstanding flavor and taste: Sea Urchin,Kampachi Tartare, Diced Bits of Yellowtail Fish, and Their Long Island Fluke.
#3
Makoto
www.makotorestaurantdc.com
Washington, D.C.
Makoto serves a variety of fish, whether raw or flash grilled, it is comes with a variety of sushi choices ranging from silky layers of tofu topped with grated ginger to delicate vegetables lightly fried in a tempura batter. The food is served at a steady pace so you are not waiting all day for your sushi, and while you can order à la carte, it is best to let the chefs make the decisions. Word of mouth says that the chef’s selections are the best tasting food on the menu.
Restaurant critics strongly recommend the following sushi for its outstanding flavor and taste: Chef’s Selections
#4
Sushi Ota
San Diego, CA
Located in a corner of a strip mall, Sushi Ota has been a longtime favorite among diehard sushi lovers. The sushi restaurant is small and their décor is simple designed with clean lines. The menu features top-notch sashimi cut by a small brigade of chefs behind the counter. The variety of seafood, from monkfish liver to abalone, is also surprising for a small spot. This sushi restaurant has great sushi and great prices. What more could you ask for…
#5
O Ya
www.oyarestaurantboston.com
Boston, Mass.
Japanese tradition is a trademark of top sushi restaurants, but O Ya does not put Japanese tradition as a first priority. When it comes to their décor, they focused on creativity. The dishes are intricate without being gimmicky. There are no dragon rolls tricked out with a dozen ingredients. Instead, popular choices include a sea bass sashimi topped with spicy cucumber vinaigrette and a fried Kumamoto oyster nigiri with yuzu kosho (a chili paste with peppery and salty flavors) aioli and squid ink bubbles. Even the dining room strays from the clichéd sushi-bar look with dark, warm colors in a former firehouse that welcomes you back each time.
Restaurant critics strongly recommend the following sushi for its outstanding flavor and taste: Sea Bass Sashimi Topped with Spicy Cucumber Vinaigrette and a Fried Kumamoto Oyster Nigiri with Yuzu Kosho (A Chili Paste with Peppery and Salty Flavors) Aioli and their Squid Ink Bubbles.
#6
Uchi
www.uchiaustin.com
Austin, TX
Did you know that Austin, TX has one of the best tasting sushi restaurants around? Chef Tyson Cole quickly made a name for himself after opening Uchi, where he combines local ingredients with fish flown in daily from Tokyo. A prime example is the machi cure, which is a play of baby yellowtail, yucca chips, Asian pears, Marcona almonds, and garlic brittle.
#7
Sushi Ran
www.sushiran.com
San Francisco, CA
While some sushi restaurants find it a challenge to procure fresh fish, this has never been a problem for Sushi Ran, a mainstay in Sausalito for the past 25 years, known for its relaxed dining room and bar. In fact, the menu has so many things to choose from that choosing what to eat is the biggest challenge. All the fish at Sushi Ran is caught locally by their fisherman or handpicked from a Japanese fish market.
Restaurant critics strongly recommend the following sushi for its outstanding flavor and taste: SmokedHamachi Tataki, Seared Yellowfish with Avocado, Ruby Grapefruit and Yuzu–Black Pepper Sauce.
#8
Masu Sushi and Robata
www.masusushiandrobata.com
Minneapolis, MN
This state has over 10,000 lakes, so you know there has to be at least one outstanding sushi restaurant somewhere and that scrumptious sushi restaurant is called Masu Sushi and Robata. Chef Katsuyuki Yamamoto makes rolls and sashimi in this fun restaurant with a quirky décor. You will not go wrong ordering the red sea bream nigiri or the Dynamite roll with two kinds of tuna topped with avocado and chili sauce. And don’t pass on the robata (grilling done in the Japanese tradition) selection, which might include jumbo shrimp on skewers or discs of Japanese eggplant glazed with sweet miso.
#9
Tomo
www.tomorestaurant.com
Atlanta, Georgia
If there is one sushi chef to train under, Tomohiro “Tom” Naito chose the right person when he worked for Nobu Matsuhisa, one of the first Japanese chefs to popularize sushi, in Las Vegas. Since 2005, Naito has been serving Japanese food with unique flavors that employ French and Italian styles of cooking in this sleek restaurant with dark wood floors and plush seats. With fish flown in twice a week from Tokyo’s Tsukiji market, you know the paper-thin slices of fluke dotted with hot sauce and brightened with the flavors of ponzu jelly are as fresh as can be.
Restaurant critics strongly recommend the following sushi for its outstanding flavor and taste: Lobster a La Musso, which combines live lobster with uni and white truffle oil.
#10
TOKYO
www.tokyodinning@gmail.com
Freehold, NJ
Tokyo is located in Freehold, New Jersey. This is a restaurant for individuals seeking quality sushi. There menu is inexpensive or you do not need to book reservations months in advance at this sushi establishment. It is a friendly environment where you feel at home. The décor is a simple, Japanese, tradition setting. It is clean inside and the service is excellent.
Chef Shigeru Fukuyoshi cuts into only carefully picked selections like tuna, flounder, scallops, and sea bass. His wife, Chizuko Fukuyoshi, says the chirashi is especially popular. Each perfectly cooked bowl of rice is topped with different fish, sometimes up to 10 different kinds, depending on what is in season.
Restaurant critics strongly recommend the following sushi for its outstanding flavor and taste: Chirashi