by Lottie Tagupa

KOZO

2334 S. King Street

Honolulu , HI 96826

Telephone: 808-951-5696

The original location of what is now several locations on the island, this small sushi counter done in striking colors has only enough room for a couple of small tables and not much more. Parking is limited and often full in the complex, so be prepared to circle at least twice or find street parking when you visit. The service is friendly, but can be slow at times, but the sushi is flavorful and well priced. There are selections of standard nigiri and maki sushi, but the temaki comes in a variety of flavors and offers a special wrapper that keeps the nori fresh and crispy.

by Geoff Elterich

KOJI

17 Asylum St.

Hartford, CT

Koji—a crucial ingredient in sake brewing—is also a very hip and popular Pan-Asian restaurant and bar in downtown Hartford. Koji is usually crowded with young businessmen and women drinking sake and trying the yakitori. Yakitori is a Japanese dish consisting of pieces of seasoned and marinated meat, fish, and vegetables roasted and grilled on skewers, not served elsewhere in the area. Aside from the trendy atmosphere and food, Koji has become a popular choice because of its assortment of excellent sushi. The only single roll they offer is on its appetizer menu, made up of tuna, crab, salmon, avocado and scallions; otherwise, the dinners are made of chef-selected roll choices. Allow the sushi chefs to prepare something special for you; the selections are sure to satisfy any sushi lover.

by Barbara Kasser

Sushi Blues Cafe

2009 Harrison Street, Hollywood, Florida 33020

(954) 929-9560

Sushi Blues Café is a great place for good food and a fun party. Under the watchful eye of co-owner Kenny Millons, the Hollywood café has discovered that Japanese food and American blues create the ideal recipe for success. The food here is first-rate. Crunchy handy hand rolls, glistening sashimi, and more innovative dishes such as gyoza dumplings with spicy sesame sauce look and taste delicious. (Non-sushi eaters can order an American sandwich or salad.) The weekend live music is every bit as good as the food. Sometimes soulful and sad, other times jazzy and upbeat, the music draws huge crowds every Friday and Saturday night. Reservations are strongly suggested most nights; on weekends, they’re a must.

by Jim Phillips 

SAMURAI GRILL & SUSHI BAR

9500 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111

(505) 275-6601

Getting four-stars from the Albuquerque Journal was no surprise to any of the satisfied customers who frequent the Samurai Grill. A sparkling display of fresh fish at the sushi bar should allay any latent Southwestern concerns about freshness this far inland. The menu includes inside-out sushi, known as roll sushi. You can enjoy moderately priced dinners, or go exotic with some of the special fish selections. Steak, chicken and vegetarian selections are also available.

by Nicholas Gill

Bento Go-Go
1728 N High St
Columbus, OH 43201

This restaurant is based on Japanese bento boxes, which combine a variety of small dishes in a divided box, often for take out. May of the boxes include sushi and it is available a la carte as well. As far as value goes, this is an excellent option and nice choice for those who don’t get too adventurous with their rolls and sashimi. The Crunching Buckeye Roll is a popular option and combines Unagi, Crabstick, and candied pecans. Bento Go-Go has a large selection of standards such as California rolls and Spicy Tuna, with several good sampler trays too. The upstairs is a trendy sake bar with live DJ’s that attract an edgy crowd from the Ohio State University campus.

By:Loretta Chilcoat Jergensen

ASAHI SUSHI

629 S. Broadway, Baltimore, MD

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.

by:Hanna Fischer

HASHIGUCHI JAPANESE RESTAURANT

3400 Around Lenox Road NE Ste C520

Atlanta, GA 30326-1408

or

37 Windy Hill Road, Suite A5

Marietta, GA

Equally well equipped for a business luncheon or a family dinner, Hashiguchi is known for its pleasant atmosphere, its reasonable prices and its truly traditional Japanese fare. Native Japanese have been known to venture here for a homesickness cure. Try a few starters for a taste of Tokyo or go straight for their super-fresh sashimi. If you’re feeling adventurous, ask for their special American-influence-free menu.

by Rodney Smiley

GENKI
3188 Roswell Road
Atlanta, GA 30035
Despite its traditionally Japanese fare - including rice and noodle bowls as well as sushi - Genki is best if you usually order your sushi with extra ketchup. Ignore the small, tough nigiri and go for the most Americanized of the maki selections. Items like the super crunch, with cream cheese, avocado, salmon, remoulade and teriyaki sauce come off well, as do the broth-heavy noodle bowls. Don’t come here expecting authentic Japanese; do come here expecting a drum-and-base crowd, friendly service and a few hits in the food department.

by Loretta Chilcoat Jergensen

EDO SUSHI
201 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD

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).

by Jenny Bengen

TAKA RESTAURANT
555 5th Avenue (Hillcrest)
San Diego, CA 92103

Taka Sushi, located in the trendy uptown neighborhood of Hillcrest is a fine example of an Americanized Sushi Restaurant. Hillcrest is a small enough village that you can park, walk around and enjoy a creative mix of wine bars, boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. Occasionally at lunch you may see one or two Japanese parties at Taka, but being in Hillcrest you are more likely to see every other eclectic, arty type that exists in San Diego. You will see the local actors and the local modern and ballet dance crowd. You might even see Elvis. Yes Elvis does like Sushi! Elvis’ favorite dish at Taka is Hamachi Kama, $10.50, which is baked rare pieces of Yellowtail served with a Ponzu sauce or flavored with Teriyaki. Operated by a Japanese family and being quite popular Taka serves a good quality of Sushi, fresh and flavorful. Taka is an “in” spot and hence the prices can be up there. Taka is as much a scene as it is a Sushi bar. Taka Sushi is one of the best “Americanized” Sushi restaurants in town.