Sushi connoisseurs have a multitude of options, from small and intimate, to large and trendy in St. Louis by Elizabeth Slonim Macanufo
Growing up in St. Louis in the 1980s, going out for sushi wasn’t an option. Although Chinese restaurants were in abundance, the Japanese fare hadn’t yet made it to this mid-western town. Post-college on the sushi-friendly East Coast, I moved back to my hometown craving the raw fish, which I’d learned to love. The possibilities were plentiful. Sushi restaurants had popped up across St. Louis from Downtown to the Chesterfield Valley. Sushi connoisseurs have a multitude of options, from small and intimate, to large and trendy. Diners can visit strictly Japanese restaurants, or those offering other Asian fare as well. Whether eaten with forks, chopsticks, or your hands, these sushi selections are sure to please. NOBU’S JAPANESE RESTAURANT 8643 Olive Blvd St Louis, MO 63132 (314) 997-2303 Hours: (Mon-Thurs) 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (Fri) 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (Sat) 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Sun) 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Nobu’s Japanese Restaurant is located just west of St. Louis’ Chinatown in what was an abandoned IHOP. While the chain’s signature blue roof remains, no smell of bacon and eggs linger at Nobu’s. Created in 1993 by Noboru Kidera, the sushi chef oversees the longstanding sushi spot, one of St. Louis’ first. While Nobu’s offers sushi favorites such as maguro (tuna), ebi (shrimp) and sake (salmon), those with an adventurous palate may wish to try the awabi (abalone), hirame (fluke) and aoyagi (orange clam). The salmon belly or jaw and mackerel are also highly recommended for those who like more fatty fish. MISO ON MERAMEC 16 North Meramec Avenue St. Louis, MO 63105 (314) 863-7888 Hours: (Tues-Wed) 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., bar closes at 1:30 a.m. (Thurs-Fri) 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m., bar closes at 1:30 a.m. (Sat) 5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m., bar closes at 1:30 a.m. (Sun) 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., bar closes at midnight Located in the heart of downtown Clayton, Miso on Meramec’s chef Hayes Green used Pacific Rim influence to create his menu. Catering to the Clayton business crowd and socially mobile twenty-somethings, Miso’s lounge atmosphere includes regular seating, cocktail tables, and plush sofas. In addition to sushi, Miso’s seasonal menu includes Thai, Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese-inspired dishes. Nigiri and maki sushi are available. Those who are wanting to try several varieties can try one of the many combo suggestions, including a sushi and sashimi offering. Complimenting the dinner menu are diverse drink choices consisting of sake and exotic cocktails. Diners may wish to stay to hear soulful house music or music themed nights with a live dj. CHA YOON ELIXIR AND TEA BAR 4 North Euclid Avenue St. Louis, MO 63108 (314) 367-2209 Hours: (Mon-Thurs) 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Fri-Sat) 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Cha Yoon Elixir and Tea Bar is an intimate sushi restaurant located in the lively Central West End. Each seat views the sushi bar, and the chefs behind it creating the main event. Soup and appetizers are available, but the focus of the small menu is the sushi. The menu is separated into sections including sashimi, nigiri, thin rolls, medium rolls, and thick rolls. Creative specialty rolls are also available, ranging from the dragon roll (crab, cucumber, avocado, and eel) to the spicy red dragon roll (shrimp, asparagus, spicy smoked tuna flakes, and spicy tuna). Tea is also a main feature of the menu. Varieties include bubble teas, specialty blends, herbal tonics, and traditional teas. MODAI SUSHI LOUNGE 6100 Delmar Boulevard St. Louis, MO 63112 (314) 725-8330 Hours: (Sun-Thurs) 5 p.m. – 10 p.m., bar closes at 1:30 a.m. (Fri-Sat) 5:30 – 10
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