Sushi and Sashimi are what come to mind when most people think “Japanese Food”. But Sushi as we know it today actually traces it’s roots back to ancient China, as a way to preserve fish wrapped in vinegared rice – doesn’t sound very appetizing I know. Over the centuries the Japanese have evolved Sushi to an art form, and there is no better place I know of to experince art then Miami. Here are a few choices that will certainly be pleasing to the palate.
Toni’s Sushi 1208 Washington Ave Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 673-9368 Open Weekdays 6pm-12am; Weekends 6pm-1am Entrees $20-30.00
That’s Toni with an “i” so don’t let the name fool you, Toni’s is anything but Italian. Toni’s was “rolling” out some of the best Sushi on The Beach while the chefs at the countless other sushi/sashimi restaurants that have sprung up in Miami were probably still rolling around the playground. Out-of- towners and locals alike continue to flock to Toni’s for its great selection of rolls, including the unique Miami Heat Roll named either for its wonderful zesty tuna with scallions and sesame oil or our Champion B-ball Franchise. Another Fav is the Beach Rolls, a delectable combo of baked eel, salmon, avocado and spicy mayo. Toni’s is open to 11:30PM during the week and to 12:30AM on the weekends, and like most SoBe Hot Spots is busiest on the weekends, so expect a wait – but its well worth it.
Matsuri is a little off the beaten path, however most gems are little hard to find. But, don’t worry you won’t need a treasure map to guide you to one of the best Japanese Restaurants in the area, if the large crowd of Miami’s Japanese Americans you find dinning there every evening does not convince you of that, the tempura and sushi certainly will. While Matsuri does not have the trendy flair of its South Beach cousins, locals swear it offers the freshest sushi and sashimi you can find, and you can dine in a casual, family friendly atmosphere. So for good fresh sushi, and other scrumptious Japanese fair that is tempting on your palate and easy on your wallet, leave the beach and “go west young man” (and take the wife and kids too!)
Maiko Sushi 1225 Washington Ave Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 531-6369 Mon-Fri 12:00pm-12:00am Sat-Sun 1:00pm-12:00am Entrees $15-25.00
A roll, is a roll, is a roll. Not when it comes to Sushi, and certainly not when it comes to South Beach. With so many Sushi Bars and Restaurants here, Sushi Chefs have no choice but to get creative with their techniques and ingredients. And Maiko’s are probably some of most innovative around. Take for example the Kissing Roll – an ingenious combination of crab, avocado and cucumber, spicy sauce layered with pickles, cream cheese and salmon, which is then rolled inside and out with flying fish roe. Also on the menu is the titillating Sex on the Beach Roll, the intriguing Crazy Roll and not mention the fast and furious Porsche Roll. What is in them? You’ll just have to come down to Maiko’s to find out.
Doraku 1104 Lincoln Road Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 264-6778 Mon - Thur 12pm - midnight, Fri 12pm - 1am Sat 3pm - 1am, Sun 3pm - midnight Entrees $15-20.00
Doraku means “enjoy” in Japanese – and enjoy you will at Sushi Doraku. Many people’s first experince with Japanese Food was spelled Benihana – and the creator of Doraku is none other then Kevin Aoki, son of that chains famous founder Rocky Aoki. But Kevin has taken the best from the spirit of his father’s vision; friendly, accessible food served in abundant family style, and made it his own. Sushi dishes at Doraku are so copious sharing is encouraged. But big portions are not created at the expense of flavor and freshness. You’ll find the usual: eel, tuna, snapper and salmons in large succulent chunks wrapped exquisitely and expertly in nori, along with such unique and tempting creations as the Doraku Roll - lobster, crab and cream cheese lightly tempura fried for an oh so satisfying crunch. Its good that the portions are so large at Doraku, because it can help to keep you from falling over totally wasted after sampling some of the close to 20 different varieties of Sake available at the bar!
Fujiya Japanese Restaurant 11768 SW 88th Street Miami, FL 33186 (305) 382-1700 Everyday 11:30am –2:30pm, Mon-Thur 5:30pm-10:30pm, Fri – Sun 5:30 –11:30pm Entrees $10 – 20.00
Moderately priced, expertly prepared, and elegantly served, especially in the legendary “Take Out Boat” the Sushi at Fujiya’s is a winner for lunch or dinner. Lunch specials include sushi/sashimi combos priced from 8.50- 9.95 and Sushi Bar specials like my particular favorite the Hosmaki Combo for 7.95 that includes one California Roll, One Kappa (cucumber) Roll and one Bagel Roll (Salmon, Avocado and Cream Cheese), served on a platter sliced to perfection. A variety of soups are available including the traditional Miso, and for the ambitious there is an always fresh cold seafood selection, while I myself shied away from the Octopus, the Kani-su: crab, shrimp and cucumbers in tangy vinegar was wonderful. There are tempting dinner combinations that allow for sampling of a number of different Sushi/Sashimi and Tempura dishes, starting at $15.95 and they even have a children’s menu.
Sushi Blues 2009 Harrison Street Hollywood, FL 33020 (954) 929-9560 Sun-Thu 6pm-12am,Fri-Sat 6pm-2am Entrées $15-25.00
Just a few miles north but still within the Miami Metro area in the newly swinging and upscale Downtown Hollywood, you will find the Sushi Blues Café. This reporter who lives on Hollywood Beach could not put together a “best of” Sushi list, without including one of his favorite local haunts. Its been said that Sushi is an art – and what better way to enjoy one art form then in the presence of another. Often imitated Sushi Blues is the quintessential place where “Asian Fusion” means as much about the cuisine as it does about the world famous Jazz and Blues musicians you can enjoy there almost any night of the week. A feast for the palate as all as the ears, Sushi Blues is a South Florida tradition that is not to be missed.
Sushi Ko Japanese Restaurant 7971 Bird Road Miami, FL (305) 264-6778 Mon- Thurs. 12:00pm –11:00pm, Fri- Sat 12:00pm-11:30PM, Sun – 5:00PM-10:PM Entrees $10 –25.00
Take away the ocean views, the glitz and the glamour of South Beach, but leave a warm and friendly atmosphere, the freshest most imaginative Sushi you can think of, add a dash of other quality Japanese Cuisine, and stir in an owner and wait staff that probably will know you name, or make you feel at home even if they don’t – and you will have the recipe for Sushi Ko. Sushi Master Yukio Omata has come up with some interesting names for Sushi Ko’s rolls such as The Threesome, The Screaming Orgasm or the Roll 69 – but I hate to admit that my particular favorite is the V-Agara – salmon and crab wrapped, then fried and served over onion slices with ponzu sauce – a tasty- tangy Japanese lemon/vinegar sauce.
No listing of Best Sushi restaurants could be compete without listing at least one “all you can eat” buffet. Now I know often buffets have the reputation of loud, crowded, noisy places, filled with trays of not so tasty, not so appetizing food. Not the case at all at Shinju. The Sushi bar specifically has 4 chefs preparing sushi as fresh and as skillfully as any I’ve had in more upscale restaurants. All the favorites are there, and you can ask for custom rolls as well. Top off your self-serve treats with four different kinds of Wasabi. I definitely recommend that you go to Shinju for the Sushi, but the nice thing about it is it also offers a complete buffet of other traditional Japanese and Chinese dishes, so feel free to bring guests who say that sushi is not their thing. And all this can be had for $15.95 during the week, $17.95 on weekends.
I guess only on Miami Beach could you find a Sushi/Brazilian/Peruvian Restaurant. A cross cultural phenomenon, Sushi Sambo Dromo not only has some of the best sushi in town, it celebrates all three of these cultures in art, music and design as much it does on its menu. Come for “Cosplay” Tuesdays, where guests and staff dress up in “costumes” and “play” characters from Japanese movies, Anime and Manga Art. Outdoor dinning is available so you can enjoy that most luscious eel roll while engaging in one of Lincoln Road’s most popular pastimes, people watching. Expensive, eclectic, and exciting sample both Sushi and Cerviche while seated at one of the most truly unique bars on the planet.
Hiro’s Yakko-san 17040 West Dixie Highway North Miami Beach, FL 33160 (305) 947-0064 Daily 6 pm. - 3:30 am. Entrée’s $15.00 –25.00
Japanese Food, Sushi, Sashimi - to many American consumers they all kind of blend together. The “Sushi Bar” has become so popular that lately in any kind of restaurant where the menu is predominantly “Asian” you’re likely to find one. South Florida is no exception with Sushi Bars in almost every Chinese Buffet or Thai Restaurant. So I want to take a moment to talk about a great place for Authentic Japanese Food. Hiro’s Yakko-san. Here you will have a chance to sample some truly excellent Japanese Cuisine that is beyond Sushi. Trigger Fish, Pompano and Hog Snapper are just some of the Fresh Seafood selections available daily. Of course there is a variety of wonderful Tempuras and Noodle Dishes. And yes thee is a “bar” but don’t look for any California Rolls –it is a traditional Sashimi bar (in Japan Sashimi and Sushi are quite distinct), there you can sit and have elegant portions of freshly prepared Big Eye Tuna or a variety of smaller tapas style Sashimi selections that are priced from around 5.00 – 10.00
The Top List of Sushi Restaurants - Miami, FL