For those of you who have yet to be properly introduced to the delectable world of sushi, you may be under the impression that all sushi is generally comprised of raw fish. Understandably, if the idea of consuming raw fish isn’t on your list of things to do, you’ve probably avoided sushi restaurants. If this is the case, you’ve been missing a wonderful treat and a new experience in food.
Sashimi is the proper term for the small, sliced morsels of raw fish, typically served plain, with wasabi and ginger as an accompaniment. Maki rolls refer to the rolled sushi; either raw or cooked fish, cooked shellfish such as crab, lobster and shrimp, and the occasional fruit or vegetable, securely wrapped in rice, seaweed, or both. And then there are the dainty Nigiri, finger-sized pieces of fish or shellfish placed atop a bed of sticky rice. So now that you know that not all sushi need be raw, and also that not all sushi is created equal, prepare yourself for some of the best Asian eateries serving up deliciously simple to highly creative sushi masterpieces.
TOMO (631) 724-1100 9 East Main Street Smithtown, NY 11787
Tomo is your essential friendly neighborhood sushi restaurant, just the right size to instill a sense of casual comfort, while the attentive waitresses and sushi chefs cater to your needs with bright smiles. The décor is subtle, light wood paneling with hints of Japanese design accented by a bamboo umbrella that extends itself into the ceiling, and Japanese lanterns adorning the walls. Typical of most sushi restaurants, Tomo serves a wide array of sashimi and maki, along with daily specials and larger sushi entrees that include miso soup, an essential dish at all Japanese eateries. Also typical of many sushi restaurants on Long Island, Tomo’s menu includes and extensive list of Japanese appetizers, such as gyoza, yakitori, sunomono, and much more, as well as a variety of Asian soups and salads. Non-sushi entrees include Japanese noodle and vegetable dishes, and a number of delicious teriyaki or tempura dishes, along with a few extras. In fact, the menu is quite large considering Tomo’s small size, and even if you’re the sort who will never deign to let raw fish touch your lips, you can be certain that Tomo will have many other dishes that are sure to satisfy.
Monday - Thursday from 12:00pm to 3pm, 5:00pm – 10:30pm Friday - Saturday from 12:00pm to 3pm, 5:00pm – 11:30pm Sunday from 4:00pm – 10:30pm
Average price per person: $15-25 (plus tax and gratuity)
KAZU (631) 724-5730 127 Smithtown Blvd Nesconset, NY 11767
Kazu has been a quintessential sushi staple on Long Island, despite the fact that it is nearly impossible to notice, sitting modestly in the center of a strip mall along a busy highway. A plain sign simply reads “SUSHI” in block lettering, hardly an attractive endorsement for a restaurant that is far from ordinary. Peeking through the tinted windows during dinner hours, you’ll find the place is likely packed with hungrily dining patrons, enjoying some of the freshest sushi you’ll ever have the pleasure of tasting. Word of mouth over the many years has helped Kazu rise to the pinnacle of sushi restaurants. Of course, credit must be given to quality of the food, the vast selection of traditional sushi offerings along with a few creative surprises, and a wide range of appetizers and entrees. Regulars swear by the miso soup, and the authentic Japanese dishes for the truly adventurous serve to make dining at Kazu an exciting experience as well as an especially satisfying one.
Tuesday - Sunday 11:30am-10:00pm
Average price per person: $10-22 (plus tax and gratuity)
NISEN (631) 462-1000 5032 Jericho Tpke Commack, NY 11725
While most sushi restaurants on Long Island typically offer one brand of hot sake to compliment your meal, Nisen’s drink menu offers an extensive selection of hot and cold sakes, sold either by the bottle, by the carafe, or by wooden box. A vast array of wines and cocktails, including an assortment of creatively flavored martinis also graces the drink menu. This, coupled with the stylishly modern Japanese décor more befitting of a trendy Manhattan hotspot, helps Nisen stand apart from your typical Long Island sushi restaurant. But what about the food? Not to worry, the sushi chefs are experts at their craft, and the ingredients are nothing short of superb. Aside from the normal fare you’d expect to find in a sushi restaurant, Nisen takes great pride in its special sushi creations, some created by the chefs themselves, others by imaginative patrons, who subsequently had the honor of having the dish named after them.
Average price per person: $10-30 (plus tax and gratuity)
MATSUYA (516) 773-4411 6 Great Neck Rd Great Neck, NY 11021
The colorful aquarium that runs along the length of Matsuya’s dining room and provides a unique ambience further compliments the contemporary Japanese décor of this restaurant. Matsuya is sushi in style, and the menu is reads like a who’s who of the sushi world. You’ll find everything you’ve become familiar with in sushi restaurants, but you won’t want to miss out on the house special rolls, such as Spicy Taro Roll or the Triple Sec Roll, featuring Tuna, Salmon and Yellowtail. Matsuya also serves up an elegant array of Japanese fusion entrees, such as BBQ Lamb Spare Ribs, Kamikaze Chicken, and Triple Treasure Yakisoba Noodles. Appetizers include Crispy Sea Bass Fingers and Vietnamese Summer Rolls, and traditional Miso Soup shares the menu with Wild Shiitake Bisque and Exotic Curry Soup. With a many so full of delicious culinary delight, you’ll likely find yourself returning often.
Average price per person: $15-30 (plus tax and gratuity)
TSURU NO MAI (516) 944-7490 166 Main St Port Washington, NY 11050
Tsuro No Mai is simple and efficient, offering a pleasant dining experience with little fuss. Relying on subtle elements of Japanese décor to perpetuate the image of a quaint Japanese eatery, Tsuro succeeds in creating a pleasant, relaxing atmosphere with overdoing it. The menu is clear of overzealous entrees and eclectic sushi rolls. Instead Tsuro No Mai delivers classic sashimi and maki rolls, and a few house specials. If you find yourself walking around Port Washington, or if you’ve simply the desire to try some fresh, well-prepared sushi without having to wade through a menu with overlong descriptions of fanciful creations, then take a while to relax in Tsuro No Mai and see what traditional sushi is all about.
Average price per person: $15-25 (plus tax and gratuity)
SUSHI-ICHI (631) 689-3111 700 N. Country Road. East Setauket, NY 11733
While the stark white walls accented by wood paneling trim won’t win Sushi-Ichi any design awards, they certainly excel in the area of traditional Japanese food and sushi. Cultural dishes such as Sukiyaki and Nabeyaki-Udon are served along with a range of sushi dishes ranging from superbly simple to fusion creations that electrify your taste buds. The staff at Sushi-Ichi believe very strongly in enjoying your dining experience without the complications and distractions of everyday life, so you’ll find small dining room quiet yet friendly, and absent of noise from television or cell phones. Sushi-ichi is the perfect blend of traditional and updated Japanese cuisine, in a pleasant dining area.
Average price per person: $15-20 (plus tax and gratuity)
MIDORI (631) 506-0777 967 Reeves Ave Riverhead, NY 11901
Entering Midori is like walking into the fashion capitol of sushi establishments. The dining room, sushi bar and tatami room all share elements of Japanese couture, but with a sophisticated flashiness that appeals both to casual diners and those seeking a trend-setting restaurant. Midori will dazzle you, both with its design and with its tantalizing menu, featuring a bevy of wonderful Japanese fusion entrees, and updated sushi classics, like the Chilean Sea Bass roll, the Flying Dynamite Roll, and the Rose Garden. All the star attractions can also be found here; the soups, the salads, the Udon and Soba noodles, and their respective entourages. Golden Shrimp Tempura glides confidently down the red carpet, and Usuzukuri, thinly sliced fluke with ponzu sauce, follows closely behind. Dishes are delivered to you table with subtle extravagance, and daily specials offer unique variations on sushi and traditional Japanese entrees. Midori is thankfully open for lunch, allowing you to sample your favorite Bento Box of delight, or a nice assortment of fresh nigiri sushi or sashimi. It’s also a wonderful atmosphere for parties, business meetings or social gatherings.
Average price per person: $20-40 (plus tax and gratuity)
TSUBO (516) 921-8154 18 Cold Spring Rd. Syosset, NY 11791
Simple setting, simply well-done sushi is what Tsubo is all about. This quaint sushi den generates a casual, relaxing atmosphere, and the staff is attentive, happily offering suggestions for those first treading the waters in the vast realm of sushi. You’ll be happy with the generous portions and very affordable prices. Tsubo is one of the earliest sushi restaurants to grace Long Island with it’s presence, and while it may not stand up well in the design department against fancier newcomers, it is quite capable of worthy competition when it comes to serving fresh, tasteful sushi. The family owned restaurant is well worth visiting, a perfect place to get away from the distracting glitz and glamour pervading other restaurants.
Call for business hours.
Average price per person: $15 (plus tax and gratuity)
NAGAHAMA (516) 432-6446 169 E Park Ave Long Beach, NY 11561
From the blissfully ordinary to house specialties and creations for the truly adventurous, Nagahama has something for everyone. If they don’t, simply ask, and they’ll be happy to make for it you right then. Nagahama is another sushi restaurant featuring customer-designed maki rolls on the menu. The traditional sushi fare is always prevalent, along with familiar appetizers and entrees. The Long Beach hotspot is normally occupied by a large crowd of regulars, thanks to its great location and affordable prices. A large assortment of sashimi and nigiri sushi also makes this unassuming eatery a place worth seeking, if only to try a few items not found in other restaurants, such as giant clam, toro, tomago, and Spanish mackerel.
Average price per person: $20 (plus tax and gratuity)
KOTOBUKI (631) 321-8387 86 Deer Park Ave Babylon, NY 11702 If you’ve spent any amount of time in various sushi establishments on Long Island, you’ve likely seen an abundance of white walls with blond wood accents, and a few Japanese lanterns or tapestries thrown in for effect. While Kotobuki may appear as another carbon copy of such places, to think so would be doing yourself a great disservice, for passing up Kotobuki means passing up some of the best sushi you may ever taste. The sushi chefs at Kotobuki are masters of both flavor and texture, applying their knowledge artfully to creating classic and creative sushi rolls that define exactly what good sushi should be. Those who have sample the fare at Kotobuki have likely returned many times, and the crowd of fans continues to grow. While the heavy crowd and the long wait can sometimes be daunting, you’ll be thankful you were patient once you finally get the chance to sink your teeth into some fresh sushi with a well-deserved reputation for being the best.
Call for daily business hours. Average price per person: $15-20 (plus tax and gratuity)
The Top List of Sushi Restaurants - Long Island, NY