Once considered an exotic delicacy in America, sushi is now as common as Chinese take-out. Today, sushi is hip enough for the jet set crowd and healthy enough for the health conscious suburban mom. Quality varies, for sure, but Baltimore is teeming with classy, creative venues for every wallet. The following are a selection of unique sushi spots—some hidden, some wildly popular—to enjoy a great night out in the city.
SUSHI HANA 6 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Baltimore, MD 410-823-0372 Hours: Mon (Closed); Lunch: (Tue-Fri) 11:00 am – 3:00 pm; Dinner: (Tue-Thu) 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm, (Fri-Sun) 3:00 pm – 11:00 pm Just a few miles north of downtown, the secret of Sushi Hana is getting out. Patrons are greeted by a soothing Koi pond, before choosing between the bright, main dining room or the dimly lit (and more intimate) adjoining one just a few steps up, which also has the bar and a few televisions. Devotees of Po Chen and his clever sushi chefs know the best rolls are not on the menu, nor on the special board—one of their most popular rolls is the Monster Roll (avocado, yellowtail and cream cheese, then dropped in tempura batter and served warm). Great presentation, fat maki rolls and the freshest nigiri that melts in your mouth make this restaurant a standout among the dearth of sushi joints in the area.
Estimate cost per person = $10 - $25
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Open; Valentine's Day-Open; Easter-Open; Thanksgiving Day-Closed; Christmas Eve-Open; Christmas Day-Open; New Year's Eve-Open
EDO SUSHI 201 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 410-843-9804 Hours: Lunch: (Sun-Fri) 11:30 am – 3:00 pm; Dinner: (Sun-Thu) 3:00 pm – 10:30 pm, (Fri-Sat) 3:00 pm – 11:30 pm Edo Sushi is a beautiful sushi restaurant, with warm woods, soothing blues, and an incredible view of the bustling Inner Harbor waterfront smack in front of you. But this isn’t your average sushi-the selection and taste are as pleasing as the décor. A photo menu helps school sushi novices in distinguishing unagi from kani. Apart from the traditional tempura and fish selections, you can choose from more than 15 creative makis like the popular “harbor” (shrimp tempura roll with spicy crabmeat, pinenuts and avocado) or “crystal” (avocado and spicy white tuna topped with salmon roe). You can also nosh at the bar on finger-friendly yakitori skewers (mushroom, beef, and bacon) while sipping a warm saki or chilled Ramune (Japanese marble soda).
Estimate cost per person = $15 - $30
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Open; Valentine's Day-Open; Easter-Open; Thanksgiving Day-Closed; Christmas Eve-Open; Christmas Day-Open; New Year's Eve-Open
ASAHI SUSHI 629 S. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 410-534-4255 Hours: Lunch: (Sun-Fri) 11:00 am – 3:00 pm; Dinner: (Sun-Thu) 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm, (Fri-Sat) 3:00 pm – 11:00 pm Tucked within the kitchy boutique shops and plethora of bars in the Fells Point neighborhood is intimate Asahi Sushi. Eclectic décor like the huge Hello Kitty figurine and the neon salmon clock dot the interior, and a long, sleek sushi bar dominates the room. Get the Love Boat, loaded with the delicate sushi and sashimi stylings of salmon, yellowtail, tuna, surf clam, red snapper, and sweet shrimp. A sumptuous selection of tender gyoza (dumplings), Pajun (Korean-style pancake with squid, shrimp and chopped oyster), salty edamame, and even crunchy baby octopus (tastes like sesame seeds!) apps fuel a hungry crowd before moving on to late-night activities.
Estimate cost per person = $10 - $25
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Open; Valentine's Day-Open; Easter-Open; Thanksgiving Day-Closed; Christmas Eve-Open; Christmas Day-Open; New Year's Eve-Open
MINATO JAPANESE RESTAURANT 800 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 410-332-0332 Hours: Lunch (Mon-Fri) 11:30 am - 2:30 pm; Dinner (Sun-Thu) 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (Fri-Sat) 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm You might miss its rather unassuming façade as it blends into the downtown architecture—but then you’d be missing one of the most popular sushi restaurants. Minato’s popularity is well deserved, especially at lunch time when its followers flock like pilgrims for the bargain basement Minato Sushi Lunch. Just $7.50 gets you six pieces of nigiri, a half tuna roll, a half California roll, and rich miso soup. Dinner is a hit too, with fat Bento boxes, eight types of noodles and delicious vegetarian selections. Grab a spot at the hoppin’ bar and admire the chefs’ skill—they’ve been known to toss a few freebies patrons’ way. Named “Best Sushi Scene” and “Best Japanese Restaurant” by local media, it’s a great place to grab a bite.
Estimate cost per person = $10 - $20
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Open; Valentine's Day-Open; Easter-Open; Thanksgiving Day-Closed; Christmas Eve-Open; Christmas Day-Open; New Year's Eve-Open
NEW NO DA JI 2501-2503 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 410-235-4846 Hours: Lunch: (Tue-Sat) 11:00 am - 2:30 pm; Dinner 2:30 pm - 11:00 pm; (Sun) 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm You normally wouldn’t think the mark of a good sushi restaurant would be its all-you-can-eat buffet, but it’s the big draw at New No Da Ji. Popular with neighboring Johns Hopkins students and the Baltimore Museum of Art crowd, its buffets (lunch - $9.95 and dinner - $15.95) combine the best of nigiri, sashimi and maki with other Korean, Chinese and Japanese selections. Popular sashimi fishes are rock fish and red snapper. And since you’re in the land of the crab, try their special Old Bay roll, with lump crab meat sprinkled generously with the homegrown Maryland spice. The décor isn’t too snazzy, but who cares? With prices like these, and the freshness you’d expect from upscale sushi bars, you just cannot go wrong here.
Estimate cost per person = $10 - $25
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Open; Valentine's Day-Open; Easter-Open; Thanksgiving Day-Closed; Christmas Eve-Open; Christmas Day-Open; New Year's Eve-Open
MATSURI 1105 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 410-752-8561 Hours: Lunch (Mon-Fri) 11:30 am - 2:30 pm; Dinner (Sun-Thur) 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm; (Fri-Sat) 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm Voted "Best Japanese Restaurant" by Baltimore Magazine and the City Paper, Matsuri is on everyone's list for a delightful, mouthwatering sushi experience. A quaint restaurant nestled in an upscale, but friendly neighborhood, Federal Hill, Matsuri is a staple in this community. Their sashimi lunch is heavenly with such choices as fresh yellow tuna, salmon, shrimp, seared tuna, and surf clam. Lovely slices of sashimi are presented on authentic decorated wooden slabs for a true Japanese dining experience. Also, a helpful table of calories is listed next to sashimi choices on the menu. Matsuri's classic teriyaki lunch platter comes with steamed vegetables, ginger salad, and miso soup. If you want to safely glide your way into eating sushi, order a teriyaki dish, along with a few samples of tuna or California rolls. A bonus – get one hour of free parking at the Cross Street Market across the street.
Estimate cost per person = $10 - $20
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Open; Valentine's Day-Open; Easter-Open; Thanksgiving Day-Closed; Christmas Eve-Open; Christmas Day-Closed; New Year's Eve-Open
SAN SUSHI TOO 10-12 West Pennsylvania Avenue, Towson, MD 410-825-0907; 410-825-0908 Hours: (Mon-Thur) 11:30 am - 10:00 pm (Fri) 11:30 am - 11:00 pm (Sat) 12:00 pm - 11:00 pm (Sun) 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm You could become famous at San Sushi Too—well, at least you could get a roll named after you at San Sushi Too. This hip restaurant is joined by Thai One On, and together create a delicious marriage of Japanese and Far East cuisine. Inside, the décor wildly varies from one room to the next—in one are traditional booth and table seating, and further on is a dance floor/bar/seating area combined, mirrored by flat-screen TVs, disco balls, and murals of bamboo and gods on the dark walls. Sushi is well-presented and pairs traditional fish pieces with innovative sauces ranging from Old Bay to sweet candy—adventurous souls may want to try the Saba-Shiso maki (pickled mackerel with mint leaves). Eat there often enough, and San Sushi Too will honor you with your own roll—the Megan Hand Roll (scallops, crabmeat, Negi, cucumber, roe, mixed with Japanese mayonnaise, and Old Bay) is just one example of many rotating specials.
Estimate cost per person = $10 - $20
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed; Valentine's Day-Open; Easter-Open; Thanksgiving Day-Closed; Christmas Eve-Open; Christmas Day-Closed; New Year's Eve-Open
HOANG'S SUSHI 1619 Sulgrave Avenue, Baltimore, MD 410-466-1000 Hours: (Mon) Closed (Tue-Thur) 11:30 am - 10:00 pm (Fri-Sat) 11:00 am - 10:30 pm (Sun) 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm Want to make a great first-date impression? Take ‘em to the hideaway that’s Hoang’s Sushi, nestled on a quiet corner in Mt. Washington (just north of downtown). Enter into a warm home, where candles flicker on small tables, and instantly relax in the soothing and inviting atmosphere. A few tables are on the first floor, but once you find your way to the second level, the dining area is a little larger. A must try is Hoang's Sushi's Tiger Roll, which is a mixture of salmon, crème cheese, scallions, spicy fish rolls (rolled with seaweed, wrapped with squid, then it's baked). Or go for the seductive Philadelphia Roll (crab meat, avocado, cream cheese, and roe) where the silky cream cheese immediately melts in your mouth. For a little spice, try the Florida Roll, filled with shrimp tempura, avocado, Japanese mayo, and scallions, and a crunchy, zesty taste.
Estimate cost per person = $10 - $25
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Open; Valentine's Day-Open; Easter-Open; Thanksgiving Day-Closed; Christmas Eve-Open; Christmas Day-Closed; New Year's Eve-Open
KIKU SUSHI 1017 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 410-468-4468 Hours: Lunch: (Tue-Fri) 11:30 am - 3:00 pm; Dinner: (Mon-Thur) 5:00 pm - 10:30 pm (Fri) 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Sat) 12:00 pm - 12:00 am (Sun) 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm Feeling more like a friendly neighborhood bar than a traditional sushi restaurant, Kiki Sushi treats you like family—family who love to eat generous portions. Located on Light Street in Federal Hill, their sashimi sushi is presented on an authentic decorated board of delightful choices of fish. The sashimi appetizer is a creative assortment of seven hand-picked fish that melt in your mouth. If you want to pop in for lunch, early is best because it can become quite busy. Tall wooden tools are ready and available for waiting patrons for carryout. If you want to share in the sashimi love with your dining partners, order the Kiku Boat, which are 30 pieces of sashimi maki, and make sure to have a cup of their exotic tea selection to accompany the flavor.
Estimate cost per person = $10 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed; Valentine's Day-Open; Easter-Open; Thanksgiving Day-Closed; Christmas Eve-Open; Christmas Day-Closed; New Year's Eve-Open
SHOGUN 316 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 410-962-1130 Hours: (Mon) Closed (Tue-Fri) 11:30 am - 2:30 pm; Dinner (Tue-Thu & Sun) 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm; (Fri-Sat) 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm From the well-traveled diner to the office worker on a lunch break, Shogun is a staple sushi establishment, firmly planted along North Charles Street in Baltimore. As you enter the restaurant, a Tea Room greets you, which is a small private room with tatami mats. Reservations are required to dine in the Tea Room. Some of Shogun's favorites are the Shogun rolls (tuna, avocado, ginger, cucumber, and masago), and the Santa Anna roll (spicy tuna, avocado, and scallions). Want to see your meal prepared up close? Ask for “tableside service.” Out comes the immaculately dressed chef, who whips out his cooking gear and a portable hot stove, and works his magic in front of you and your guests. Try the Ishiyaki tableside dish (beef or shrimp and vegetables), or the rich Nabeyaki Udon (noodles in a vegetable and chicken soup with eggs and tempura shrimp).
Estimate cost per person = $10 - $20
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Open; Valentine's Day-Open; Easter-Open; Thanksgiving Day-Closed; Christmas Eve-Closed; Christmas Day-Closed; New Year's Eve-Closed
The Top List of Sushi Restaurants - Baltimore, MD