Sushi, as we know it today, was considered to be a street food
in the 1800s. Before that, sushi had been around for hundreds of years in parts
of Southeast Asia as a fish preservation technique that today is called
narezushi. Eating fish and rice is an ancient delicacy, and it is enjoyed by
more people today than ever before. Luckily, New Orleans has so many Japanese restaurants
serving sushi that you can always find some no matter what part of town you're
in.
Though there are a ton of restaurants for sushi in New
Orleans, the following eateries are serving the best, the freshest, and the
most innovative rolls. You should definitely have some sake to go with your sushi!
Where to Get Sushi in New Orleans
1. Mikimoto
3301 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 488-1881
mikimotosushi.com
Despite its small dining room, Mikimoto consistently ranks among NOLA's top restaurants for Japanese food. While their sushi and sashimi are the stars of the show, Mikimoto's menu impresses across the board, from appetizers and soups to rice dishes and desserts and have been in service since 1999.
The Crescent City Crab Delight Roll blends New Orleans and Japanese flavors with soft shell crab tempura, creole remoulade, and spicy tuna. For vegetarians, the Garden District Green Roll offers grilled vegetables wrapped in collard greens, topped with Creole mustard aioli. These additions showcase Mikimoto's innovative approach to sushi, combining local ingredients with traditional Japanese techniques.
2. Yakuza House
2740 Severn Ave., Metairie, (504) 345-2031
yakuzahouse.com
Yakuza House has secured its spot as our number two sushi destination for a second year. Under the guidance of Chef Huy who has collaborated with local Shogun sushi chefs, the restaurant offers a unique "NOLA Omakase" experience that blends local ingredients with Japanese culinary artistry.
Their menu features an array of hand-rolls, nigiri, sashimi, and temaki sets. For the true connoisseur, try the Omakase, aptly named the "Feed Me" experience. This 12-course journey of small plates, meticulously curated by Chef Huy, showcases the pinnacle of the restaurant's culinary prowess.
3. Rock-n-Sake
Multiple Locations
facebook.com/rocknsakenola, rocknsake.com
Rock-n-Sake, a New Orleans sushi staple, now operates at two independent locations. The original at 823 Fulton St., established in 1998, remains under founders Tanya Hailey and Duke Nelson's ownership. The Metairie location at 2913 Metairie Rd. was sold a few years ago. Both continue to serve quality sushi with their own unique flair, despite the separation.
The Purple Ninja Roll is a standout new addition to the menu. It features a delightful combination of tuna, salmon, snow crab, avocado, cucumbers, tomato, and purple pickled onions. The roll is finished with smoked sea salt and served with a ginger-infused soy sauce. This roll is available at the Metairie location, where you can enjoy it on their charming patio.
4. Kyoto II
5608 Citrus Blvd., (504) 818-0228
facebook.com/Kyoto2Nola
This wonderful restaurant is tucked into a strip mall in Elmwood, and it has amazing, authentic Japanese food that is hard to find elsewhere. The regulars love the lunch specials because they are great deals. From 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., you can select from a wide variety of specials like Chicken Teriyaki Bento and Sashimi Lunch at low prices.
For dinner, check out the Chef's Creations.
You'll find delicacies including the Funky Margarita Roll with your choice of
crawfish or spicy tuna wrapped with tuna, fresh salmon, and a guacamole topping, as well as the Ankimo Exotic with steamed fish pate topped with ponzu and smelt roe.
5. Origami
5130 Freret St., (504) 899-6532
origaminola.com
Origami is popular with the college crowd and young families who enjoy the excellent prices and long list of options for sushi, vegetable-only sushi, soups, and small plates. The sushi rolls range from traditional to innovative. Have you ever heard of the Godzilla Our Way? It's a deep-fried roll with cream cheese, avocado, shrimp tempura, snow crab, crunchy avocado, and spicy mayo.
The Throw Me Somethin' Mister is a locally-loved
roll with snow crab and crunchy on the inside and shrimp and avocado on the
outside with a drizzle of spicy mayo and eel sauce. Yo Momma N'em is tuna,
salmon, white fish, snow crab, asparagus, and crunchy in soy paper.
6. Sake Café - Uptown
2830 Magazine St., (504) 894-0033
sakecafeonmagazine.com
The New Orleans location on 2830 Magazine St. celebrates different holidays and hosts special events throughout the year. They also offer NFL game day specials, including $5 select appetizers and $5 house sake during all NFL games.
Fans can enjoy these deals while watching their favorite teams on the restaurant's multiple TVs . And the extensive list of signature cocktails isn't half bad either! You can get great deals on those cocktails, appetizers, and traditional sushi rolls during the daily happy hour from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
7. Tsunami
601 Poydras St., (504) 608-3474
neworleans.servingsushi.com
Tsunami Sushi is an award-winning restaurant. Its location in the heart of the CBD makes it a popular stop for lunch for workers in the area. Some of the signature rolls take a little longer to prepare because they are truly works of art. The Black & Gold roll is a stunning blend of crunchy shrimp, kani, spicy mayo, crawfish, and scallions with a sunburst of tsunami and tsurai sauces.
The specialty dishes are also quite a sight
to behold. The Sunflower is a dish made with sashimi slices of seared tuna
drizzled in spicy ponzu sauce with tobiko, masago, scallions, and a quail egg, which is arranged to resemble, you guessed it, a sunflower!
8. Asuka Sushi & Hibachi
4600 Washington Ave., (504) 862-5555
asukaneworleans.com
Asuka has a huge menu of sushi rolls ranging from traditional to creative to fried and delicious. Maybe you're in the mood for something lighter like the Crazy Roll which is tempura shrimp, spicy tuna, avocado, and masago in a soybean paper wrap.
Or perhaps you'd like something more
satisfying? The Asuka Roll is lightly fried with snow crab, crawfish, avocado, and
cream cheese with spicy mayo and eel sauce. The Louisiana Roll is tempura
shrimp, snow crab, crawfish, avocado, and cream cheese fried then topped with
spicy mayo, cream sauce, eel sauce, and scallion.
9. Hangout Ramen
1340 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 571-5024
instagram.com/hangoutramen
Nestled in the heart of Uptown, Hangout Ramen has quickly become a favorite among sushi enthusiasts and ramen lovers alike. This cozy spot offers a unique blend of traditional Japanese cuisine with a modern twist. While ramen is their namesake, their sushi menu has earned them a well-deserved spot in the top 10 sushi restaurants in the city.
Their signature roll, the Hangout Special, combines spicy tuna, cucumber, and avocado inside, topped with seared salmon, eel sauce, and a sprinkle of tempura flakes for added crunch. For those looking to venture beyond sushi, the Tonkotsu ramen stands out as the most recommended dish according to locals.
10. Royal Sushi
1913 Royal St., (504) 827-1900
royalsushinola.com
Royal Sushi remains a favorite for tourists and locals alike. Their menu carries many options, from traditional sushi like the crawfish roll to chef specialties like the Royal Roll with spicy tuna, snow crab, and asparagus wrapped with soy paper and topped with salmon and tuna.
If you're feeling something different the Squid Steak appetizer is an excellent choice for those wanting to try pan-fried squid that is sauteed with a house-made teriyaki sauce.
The Best Sushi in New Orleans
You can certainly visit tons of restaurants to get your
favorite classic roll, but the signature rolls at these restaurants are just too wonderful to
pass up. Maybe you can find a roll that's based on your usual but with even
more amazing inclusions. What's your go-to roll?
Did we miss the best sushi restaurant in New Orleans? Let us know where
it is!
