When it comes to sushi, do you really want to forgo quality for saving a few dollars? Don't.
Sushi purists may stick to classically minimalist items such as nigiri sushi, but we embrace unorthodox rolls as well. Balanced rice and quality seafood go a long way, but a little spice can be nice.
Here is our guide to 12 of the best sushi restaurants in Tucson.
Ginza serves sushi in a setting slicker than your typical Tucson Japanese restaurant. Their modern nigiri shines, though they also have fun with their monthly Facebook rolls. For May, the special took a Hawaiian route with grilled chicken, pineapple, serrano peppers, and cream cheese inside, all deep-fried and topped with unagi sauce, sweet hot sauce, and bacon chips.
Even though they don't call themselves a Sonoran sushi joint, some of the rolls feature such influences; the Tampico Roll features cream cheese and cucumber, topped with avocado and spicy kani kama (also known as surimi or imitation crab).
For more information, visit ginzatucson.com.
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K Japanese Restaurant is a sleeper neighborhood favorite. The specials and uni are the highlights here.
If you're into the real-deal fresh wasabi, it's seasonally available upon request.
Keep up with K Japanese Restaurant on Facebook.
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Kazoku has been an east side staple for a full decade now.
Bonus: their website shows plenty of photos for easy menu navigation.
For more information, visit kazokurestaurant.com.
The baseball-themed decor matches the playfulness of the fun rolls.
The Ya Ya Roll features a filling of spicy yellowtail, cucumber, and cilantro topped with albacore, thinly-sliced jalapeño, and ponzu with a dab of hot sauce.
For more information, visit O Sushi Restaurant on Facebook.
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OBON serves some of the prettiest sushi in town. While the illuminated board over the sushi bar features occasional exceptional specials such as Miyazaki wagyu or Maine uni, the main menu features elegant modern takes on sushi.
For example, the Salmon Crudo features mustard seed caviar, citrus vinaigrette, marinated onion, and seasonal pickled fruit.
For more information, visit fukushuconcepts.com.
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Another longtime local favorite, Sachiko helped Tucsonans south and east get acquainted with sushi.
Keep up with Sachiko Sushi on Facebook.
While Sushi on Cortaro offers an all-you-can-eat menu, skip it and go for the nicer stuff. Worth it.
For more information, visit sushicortaro.com.
Sushi Nara built a loyal following at Speedway and Camino Seco, then quietly relocated to Broadway and Harrison in the former Ichiban Japanese Restaurant. The rolls are more on the vanilla side, but the nigiri makes it worth the trip.
For more information, visit Sushi Nara's unofficial page on Facebook.
Just sit at the sushi bar and let them guide you through a magical sushi journey. They'll even help you pair with local or Japanese craft beers, if you're into that.
It's also worth mentioning they play music along the lines of Nujabes — a divine pleasure for anyone who enjoyed watching Samurai Champloo.
For more information, visit sushionoracle.net.
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Sushi Zona features both solid nigiri and a wide array of quirky rolls.
For more information, visit sushizona.com.
For a mostly traditional sushi experience, visit the sushi bar at Yamato. The sushi chef focuses on traditional items, though you can find a few outliers such as the Cured Salmon Nigiri.
For more information, call (520) 624-3377 or visit restaurantji.com. Keep up with Yamato Japanese Restaurant on Facebook.
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Yoshimatsu features a creative poke bowl selection on their lunch menu. Additionally, their young sushi bar talent has fun improvising with sushi classics.
For more information, visit yoshimatsuaz.com.
Jackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the food truck Tran's Fats. Although he...
