Brian Nagele
Whether you’re coming to visit the Valley of the Sun for a Suns game or starting your first semester at ASU Downtown Campus, you won’t have to look too hard to find the best sushi Phoenix has to offer.
The phoenix sushi scene has something for everyone: If you’re a die-hard fan of sushi rolls, if you’re looking for the best tuna in the city, or a cup of sake is your go-to happy hour beverage, Phoenix will deliver. Exploring the best sushi restaurants in Phoenix will also allow you to peruse our beautiful city, a booming metropolis with a touch of southwestern flair. But, if there’s one tip that you take away from this list, it should be this: If a restaurant offers an omakase special, take a chance and trust Phoenix’s renowned sushi chefs to make you a spectacular dish. You might just discover a new favorite! Check out my list of the best sushi Phoenix has to offer below!
Hana Japanese Eatery
5524 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85013
Phone: (602) 973-1238
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On the corner of W Marshal Ave and 7th, you’ll find Hana. This Phoenix sushi spot provides authentic Japanese cuisine, and their selection of both kitchen specials and sushi will leave you salivating. Their sashimi salads are to die for, and the Azuzuke salad makes a perfect palate-cleanser if you’re ordering multiple rounds of rolls. Their sushi specials don’t skimp on flair, innovation, and downright deliciousness. The Hana Pride roll, a house specialty, is a rice-free raw roll packed with fresh fish. It’s one of the menu’s highlights and the roll I recommend most highly to first-time visitors! If you’re looking to split a roll as an appetizer or finish off your meal with a main course, their dishes from the kitchen are outstanding. Their Hamachi Kama (when it’s available) is my favorite main dish, but if it’s already 86ed for the day, the Tonkotsu Ramen is always a crowd-pleaser.
Hiro Sushi
9393 N 90th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Phone: (480) 314-4215
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Just a short drive North East, in Scottsdale, is Hiro Sushi. Hiro Sushi is a small, authentic sushi operation serving up classic rolls, noodles, and a nigiri list to die for. And, if you’re a sake addict, their list of cold sakes will keep you coming back every week. The tuna belly nigiri is some of the best in town, but if tuna isn’t your favorite, the nigiri list is full of delicious fish to choose from. If you’re bringing a sushi newbie to lunch and need to spring for a cooked roll, opt for the California Roll with real crab (a rare find in today’s sushi restaurants). Pair your meal with a cup of Kurosawa sake (especially if you’re ordering a cooked or rich dish), and you’ll have hit the sushi jackpot.
Harumi Sushi
114 W Adams St c101, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 258-0131
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Have you heard of purple rice? Sushi connoisseurs swear by it, and Harumi Sushi uses it in nearly all of their dishes. This spot is in the heart of Downtown Phoenix in the 101 North building. Known for its rich flavor and lower sugar content, this “forbidden rice” adds a unique flair to every (already stellar) dish at Harumi. Their sashimi appetizer is omakase (chef’s choice), and you should give it a try! You may be seduced by a brand new fish you’ve never tried before, and that’s always a risk worth taking.Each of the chef’s specials (I recommend both of the .Com rolls to people who truly love raw fish) is topped with fresh wasabi, another rare find in the sushi world. The use of fresh wasabi is a testament to Harumi’s quality ingredients.
Sushi Nakano
4025 E Chandler Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85044
Phone: (602) 603-2129
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Sushi Nakano and Hiro Sushi are proof that the best sushi is learned from the true masters. Located in the unassuming Plaza at Mountainside, don’t skip over this spot. Chef Leo Nakano learned his sushi trade from his father, Master Chef and owner of Hiro Sushi, Hiro Nakano. Like Hiro Sushi, Sushi Nakano never sacrifices quality. Their Masago Nigiri is one of the richest, tastiest nigiri options on the menu, and it makes the perfect starter before a specialty roll, like the Las Vegas Roll (a deep-fried masterpiece), the Geisha Roll (a perfect marriage of mango and avocado), or the Bushido Rolls (seared tuna and langostino? Yes, please!). Seaweed salad is a must-order for me at a sushi restaurant, and you should add some to your plate at Sushi Nakano. It’s simply one of the best in Phoenix.
Roka Akor
7299 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
Phone: (480) 306-8800
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Roka Akor is a nationwide Japanese steakhouse and sushi restaurant with a location just north of Old Town Scottsdale. Their contemporary menu is Japanese at heart, and if you’re trying to feed both landlubbers and sushi-lovers, this should be at the top of your shortlist. Most importantly, they offer a premium, shareable omakase experience featuring hand-picked and rare selections from the chef. It’s perfect for a celebration, the first fancy date night after having kids, or an outing with sushi rookies. If you’ve never tried wagyu, their steak selection will make you an immediate convert to this buttery beef. The Mishima Striploin with truffle aioli is my personal favorite. Pair it with a Tiger Prawn Tempura for the ultimate surf-and-turf.
Kaizen PHX
515 E Grant St #100, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phone: (602) 432-0752
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Located in the Lawrence Building on Grant St you’ll find our next spot. Kaizen is a Japanese word meaning “constant change and improvement,” and that ethos is alive and well at Kaizen PHX. Their Japanese dishes pay tribute to international locales, and the menu will make you want to hop on a plane for a trip around the world. The Señor Larry Roll is a testament to Kaizen’s multicultural fusion, and it should be your top priority if you’re a tuna die-hard. Even their drink list has an international flair. Pair the Furusato mezcal cocktail with a Ceviche Mixto signature plate, and you’ll be convinced that Japanese-Mexican fusion is the gospel. But, don’t skip the rolls: The Northern Lights is a personal favorite, and I never leave Phoenix without stopping by for one.
Sushi Roku
7277 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Phone: (480) 970-2121
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Sushi Roku is a feast for the senses. Their menu offers something for everyone, but I certainly have a favorite combination: The Brussel Sprout Chips, Wagyu Sushi (I know, right?), the Chilean Sea Bass Skewers, a Toro & Jalapeño Roll, and an Everything Zen cocktail. Trust me, you want to eat big at Sushi Roku. Their sake list is outstanding, but their beer and wine lists are close seconds in the running. Sushi Roku would make a perfect happy hour venue for their drink selection alone. But, even if you’re just stopping by for a drink, order the Octopus Crudo for an after-work snack. You’ll thank me later.
Wild Tunas
805 E Thunderbird Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85022
Phone: (602) 938-8862
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Wild Tunas is a family-owned and -operated restaurant serving up Japanese classics and fusion favorites. With a killer happy hour discount (15% off on select dishes between five and six PM) and a killer list of specialty rolls, you’ll never want to leave. My favorite rolls include the Simon & Garfunkel, the Fire In The Holl, and the TNT. But, you have to check out the appetizer menu. The Green Mussels, the Magic Mushrooms, and Popcorn Shrimp are always ordered for the table (even if I’m dining alone). The Seared Tuna Sashimi is another favorite, but now that I think about it, everything on Wild Tunas’s menu might be my favorite. You just have to stop by to experience this level of deliciousness!
Sushiholic
3957 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Phone: (602) 956-2354
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Finally, our last stop on our tour of Phoenix’s sushi scene ends at Sushiholic, a truly addictive dining experience. This spot is located in a small strip mall near the Arizona Canal Trail. They’re open until midnight, so if you’re bar-hopping (or sushi-hopping), this will make an excellent place for a noodle nightcap. Their menu is so detailed, and if you have any picky eaters at your party, they won’t be disappointed with the specificity. You know exactly what you’re getting in every dish you order, and I love this window into the culinary process. As far as recommendations are concerned, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. But, my personal favorite roll is the Four Seasons.
You have to try Hashi Sushi. A new place in North scottsdale. Everything we ordered was so fresh, flavorful and well balanced. The service was over the top. Our new favorite place to eat.