A recent Time Out New York article pointed out that, stocked with countless sushi bars, restaurants and izakaya (sake houses that serve up small plates) Manhattan is fast transforming into 'Tokyo on the Hudson.' In fact, sushi spots have become almost as ubiquitous as burger chains and fast food joints. So why exactly are these strange-looking, seaweed-wrapped cylindrical rice rolls so popular? Simple – sushi is tasty, healthy, can be consumed quickly, and there are rolls to suit every palate (the gradual Westernization of this traditional Japanese dish means raw fish is no longer its key ingredient — you can now get sushi rolled with anything from chicken to Spam).
But with so many sushi spots studded throughout New York City these days, how can one ensure they're enjoying the best, the freshest, and the tastiest sushi? Fear not, NearSay has you covered. After some thorough research of the highest-rated sushi spots in the city and some 'fieldwork' of our own (it's a tough job), we've come up with a definitive shortlist of the best sushi restaurants downtown has to offer.
First on the list is West Village sushi mecca Tomoe Sushi, home to some of the freshest, tastiest sushi you’ll ever taste in the city, hands down. And we’re not the only ones who think so. New York magazine rhapsodizes that their ‘Negi-Toro hand rolls virtually explode with freshness, as though the tuna were hurled through the air from the Fulton Fish Market straight onto your table,’ and even The New York Times admits that ‘long lines of people seem perpetually planted in front of this small restaurant in the Village, waiting to order the terrific sushi.’ Tomoe also scores a 4/5 star average from almost 300 Yelp reviews, a 4.5/5 star average from over 100 Citysearch reviews, 5 stars from GoNYC (who also says it's New York's 'most affordable high-quality sushi restaurant') and a rave from the Village Voice ('Tomoe has the best and most extensive sushi list downtown, maybe anywhere in the city'). Even The Times’ food critic Eric Asimov says their mackerel is the ‘leanest and freshest I've ever had,’ and their yellowtail is 'as soft as whipped butter.' We recommend you try their unbelievably tasty unagi-kabayaki (eel with teriyaki sauce) or, for the less adventurous, their always-satisfying California maki (crab, avocado, cucumber and fish rolls).
Next on the list is the below-street-level SoHo favorite, Blue Ribbon Sushi, an establishment that New York argues has 'the best raw fish in town' (in addition to a tremendous sake selection). And we at NearSay wholeheartedly concur. We love their amazingly fresh madai (Japanese red snapper) and hamachi (yellowtail) sashimi, but if you're after some variety and color, Time Out New York swears by its 'top-of-the-line $125 Chef's Choice sushi platter. Blue Ribbon Sushi scores an impressive 4/5 star Citysearch average from 109 reviews, as does Yelp from its 310 reviews (many of which declare the spot is 'the best sushi bar in NYC'). Gayot adds that Blue Ribbon's sushi rolls are 'wonderfully creative' and 'impeccably prepared' and even the picky food experts over at Eats.com warn that 'if you go to Blue Ribbon Sushi you may become a sushi snob...you'll fast be found comparing every piece and roll to Blue Ribbon. They got it right with this authentic Japanese joint.' For dessert, we recommend trying their spectacular, melt-in-your-mouth green tea creme brulee (which Time Out agrees is 'flawless'). Another sushi spot that is not to be missed.
A little further downtown is TriBeCa gem and New York's 'Critic's Pick' Matsugen, the place to go if you're after truly authentic Japanese fare. The mod-minimalist eatery, an impressive collaboration between Jean-Gorges Vongerichten and the Matsushita family, is famous for its incredibly fresh soba (Japanese buckwheat noodles) but also offers top-notch sushi and highly 'fresh and flavorful' sashimi. Metromix declares their fare boasts 'crisp, precise flavors,' while Time Out New York brags that their sushi 'materials' are impeccable and superb, recommending their toro scallion rolls ('as rich and soft as butter'). The New York Times' former food critic Frank Bruni sums up the restaurant perfectly, delighting that 'none of this restaurant’s eight types of sushi rolls wears the tag 'California' or incorporates avocado... [the restaurant] has chosen to be more obscure, more pure and more true to Japanese culinary traditions,' adding that 'apart from being an excellent restaurant, it’s a brave one....Matsugen hasn’t chosen to be flashier, more conventionally approachable or more accommodating to American palates.' For the more adventurous palates, we recommend the oshinko Japanese pickle roll ($4). For everyone else, you can't go wrong with their grilled salmon and crispy salmon skin roll ($6).
If you're after a sushi spot that's a little glitzier and high-profile however, wander to the Flatiron District's SushiSamba, the swanky Japanese ‘fusion’ eatery popularized by the Sex and the City scene where Samantha famously threw a drink in her cheating boyfriend Richard’s face. Years later, the original SushiSamba (the restaurant now has a West Village outpost) famous for its central sushi-and-seviche bar, still boasts 'overwhelming energy' (New York) and a 'wildly experimental approach' to traditional Japanese fare (Village Voice). Time Out New York rhapsodizes Samba's Chilean sea bass marinated in miso and sushi rolls with mango and barbecue mayonnaise, while the Village Voice recommends their raw yellowtail and octopus with ginger-and-mustard dressing. If you're not into raw food, Gayot recommends you try their flash-friend Japanese river crab or their unique otsumami (an assortment of edamame, green bean tempura and shishito).
Any 'Best Sushi' list would be incomplete without mentioning Morimoto, the eponymous restaurant of Iron Chef and owner Masaharu Morimoto. That said, the Chelsea restaurant (unsurprisingly) collects praise from across the board: it's awarded a 'Critic's Pick' badge from New York, the #1 spot on Urbanspoon's Best Sushi Restaurants list, a 4/5 rating from the local food experts over at NYC.com, and 4/5 stars from Menuism, Yelp (an impressive average considering a tally of over 700 customer reviews) and Citysearch. And it's not just the food, either. The New York Times proclaims Morimoto is 'a sparkly wonderland for glittery people,' boasting 'a sense of humor, a sense of style and definite sex appeal' (in addition to 'luscious and hugely flavorful' terrine-like sashimi cubes made from layers of hamachi, smoked salmon, barbecued eel and seared toro). Even the Village Voice chimes in, declaring the restaurant's sushi is simply 'irreproachable' (read: faultless) particularly the mackerels, six types of roe and zensai (a very sweet bean dish that resembles porridge). Don't leave without trying their negitoro maki (chopped toro and scallion roll, $9) and smoked salmon sashimi ($5).
In the same area, we have NearSay Staff Pick Momoya, described by The New York Times as 'delightful' and 'satisfying,' and, most importantly, by our Co-Founder and resident foodie Trevor as 'a hidden gem that's worth veering off your path to stop by. The food is surprisingly above your expectations...particularly their tuna with crispy rice and yellow tail ceviche.' While, unlike Morimoto, the restaurant itself is no aesthetic marvel (New York affectionately describes the space 'minimalist-bordering-on-bare') don't be fooled – the place offers Nobu-quality sushi at non-Nobu prices (Eats.com) and sushi and sashimi that are 'impeccably prepared.' The eatery also scores 4/5 stars from Menupages, a 4.5/5 star average from Citysearch reviews, a 4/5 star average from Yelp reviews and bags the #2 spot on Urbanspoon's Best Sushi Restaurants list. We recommend their salmon roe sushi ($4) or exquisitely fresh yellowtail sashimi ($4).
Last but certainly not least, is East Village gem Kanoyama. Though this Second Avenue sushi spot has been around forever, praise for this restaurant never wanes. Rated 4 stars by Urbanspoon, Kanoyama boasts ‘a far superior selection of all things raw’ that has patrons ‘lining up outside the door for their uniquely seasonal sushi gems’ (NY Mag). Zagat reviews insist that ‘if you get one special sushi meal in a year – go to Kanoyama,’ and even the picky food experts over at Always Hungry NY promise that with its selection of fish flown in daily from the Tsukiji Market, sushi ‘rarely gets much better than this.’ Even The New York Times admits it’s a standout, with ‘first-rate’ fish. And we here at NearSay would have to agree. NearSay Editor’s Pick is the takosu (octopus sashimi with a tangy, lemony vinaigrette). It’s perfection on a plate.
The Best Sushi Restaurants in Downtown New York City
Tomoe Sushi is located at 172 Thompson Street, between Bleecker and West Houston Streets.
Blue Ribbon Sushi is located at 119 Sullivan Street, near Prince Street.
Matsugen is located at 241 Church Street, near Leonard Street.
SushiSamba is located at 245 Park Avenue South, near 19th Street.
Morimoto is located at 88 10th Avenue, near 16th Street.
Momoya is located at 162 West 21st Street, near 7th Avenue.
Kanoyama is located at 175 Second Avenue, near 11th Street.
