Hapi Sushi
250 Beach St.
Laguna Beach 92651
949.494.9109

Probably the smallest-sized of our top sushi picks, but even so Hapi Sushi grabs a top 10 spot, delivering delicious sushi and making waves in scenic Laguna Beach since 1983. Try the kalamari temura, tempura squid and green pepper in ponze sauce, the seaweed salad and mushroom stuffed with yellowtail, drizzled in Hapi special sauce, which are more than worth your picks. Reverse rainbow roll of variety fish is garnished with smelt eggs on the outside. Spicier still, is the tuna dream albacore laid on a spicy tuna roll with radish sauce. Another recommendation is the 49 Special that is halibut, mint leaf, lemon on california roll (yum!) and the Japanese burrito salmon of tuna and crab wrapped in soy bean paper. Must-trys are always the Mochi ice cream in amazing flavors as green tea, mango, red bean cappuccino, and strawberry flavors.

BOND ST.
6 Bond St., New York, NY 10012
212-777-2500
Walking down the cobble stone street in NOHO, there’s almost always a crowd in front of Bond Street. A small but inviting lounge with one of the tastiest, and priciest menus is all a part of the experience. The Lobster Tempura is one of the must have options that leave many coming back. If you’re in the mood for great wine to go with your meal, Bond Street is one of the best places to be. The sexy vibe at this lower level lounge, alongside the music and beautiful people make it a great place to mate, date, or celebrate. Being at Bond Street can evokes a special feeling, and the great taste of fresh food only solidifies this restaurant as being ultra chic.

KABUKI
6534 Flying Cloud Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
952.941.5115

Located in the western suburbs; Kabuki is a mere 20 minute drive from downtown Minneapolis. Kabuki offers a large sushi bar with Teppanyaki tables located in the back of the room. Considered a hot spot by the locals, they revel in their out-of-the-way Japanese hot spot! Kabuki offers good sushi though not as ‘ornate’ as some of the other places in town. The tempura is very light and tasty and Kabuki has an awesome teriyaki! A very popular place, call first if you’re looking to enjoy Teppanyaki served table side. Otherwise, clamor on up to the sushi bar and enjoy!

Maiko Sushi
1225 Washington Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 531-6369
Mon-Fri 12:00pm-12:00am Sat-Sun 1:00pm-12:00am
A roll, is a roll, is a roll. Not when it comes to Sushi, and certainly not when it comes to South Beach. With so many Sushi Bars and Restaurants here, Sushi Chefs have no choice but to get creative with their techniques and ingredients. And Maiko’s are probably some of most innovative around. Take for example the Kissing Roll – an ingenious combination of crab, avocado and cucumber, spicy sauce layered with pickles, cream cheese and salmon, which is then rolled inside and out with flying fish roe. Also on the menu is the titillating Sex on the Beach Roll, the intriguing Crazy Roll and not mention the fast and furious Porsche Roll. What is in them? You’ll just have to come down to Maiko’s to find out.

by Eleonora Boreyko
IROHA of Tokyo
12953 Ventura Blvd (Coldwater Canon Ave.), Studio City 91604
Don’t miss this small in size, but huge in success restaurant sitting a few feet off Ventura Boulevard in Studio City. Iroha of Tokyo has been welcoming its clientele for twenty years. Impressive, considering many other sushi places in the neighborhood. Valet your car and make your way into the cozy Japanese home with high ceiling and a large mirror on the wall - one way to make a room bigger. Framed with red lanterns, the bar area suggests an intimate feel and an opportunity to make new friends while taking a pick at their choice of house specialties like spinach salad with 5 kinds of sautéed mushrooms. Belissimo, the chef is inspired by Italian cuisine. He has prepared a melting-in-your-mouth Sushi Pizza 1000 (spicy tuna & shiso leaves on top of crispy rice with miso paste). For lunch, tasty sashimi or Iroha boxes await to spoil anyone’s taste buds. Visit this rare eatery with well-kept traditional Japanese cooking “art.”

by Scott Kessman

KAZU
(631) 724-5730
127 Smithtown Blvd
Nesconset, NY 11767

Kazu has been a quintessential sushi staple on Long Island, despite the fact that it is nearly impossible to notice, sitting modestly in the center of a strip mall along a busy highway. A plain sign simply reads “SUSHI” in block lettering, hardly an attractive endorsement for a restaurant that is far from ordinary. Peeking through the tinted windows during dinner hours, you’ll find the place is likely packed with hungrily dining patrons, enjoying some of the freshest sushi you’ll ever have the pleasure of tasting. Word of mouth over the many years has helped Kazu rise to the pinnacle of sushi restaurants. Of course, credit must be given to quality of the food, the vast selection of traditional sushi offerings along with a few creative surprises, and a wide range of appetizers and entrees. Regulars swear by the miso soup, and the authentic Japanese dishes for the truly adventurous serve to make dining at Kazu an exciting experience as well as an especially satisfying one.

by Amanda Knoles

HIBACHI SUSHI AND GRILL
Marina Shores Shopping Center
6440 Pacific Coast Highway
Long Beach, CA
(562) 799-0278

Located near Mimi’s Café and the Wild Oats Market, Hibachi looks like a fast food sushi joint from the outside, but once guests pass through the front door they’re treated to a special dining experience with friendly service and an extensive selection of sushi and sashimi. While the atmosphere is a bit on the bland side, tasty appetizers like soft shell crab with ponzu sauce and specialty rolls like the Volcano and Crunchy Spicy more than make up for it. Several sushi and sashimi combos are available at reasonable prices along with tempura, noodle and teriyaki plates. There’s a premium sake list and several Japanese beers to choose from.

by Erin Auerbach & Andrea Stolarczyk

INACA SUSHI
8665 W. Flamingo Rd. #106, Las Vegas, NV 89117
(702) 367.8897

10100 S. Eastern #130, Henderson, NV 89012
(702) 616.8378

Another good place for the Sushi beginner; Inaca offers fantastic specials, including a lunchtime sushi plate with California roll and five varieties of sushi for just $9.95. This special also includes Miso soup, salad, and steamed rice. The atmosphere is as casual and laidback as the prices, but the foods always fresh and made to order. Once again, there are cooked chicken and beef teriyaki dishes for the wary.

by Katharine Branham

MATSU JAPANESE RESTAURANT
4855 West FM 1960, Houston, TX 77068
(281)893-8700

The food here is a fantastic tribute to Japanese cuisine. The owners are always on hand to ensure a high level of quality and service. The mouthwatering Sushi is true in flavor as well as exquisite. Frequently requested are Flying Fish Roe (Tobiko) and Giant Clam (Mirugai) served with soy sauce or wasabi-a green Japanese horseradish. What’s the best way to top off your night? The Green Tea Ice Cream is a palate pleasing favorite. The outside of the building is unassuming, but inside you will be amazed.

by Lottie Tagupa

MAKINO CHAYA
98-150 Kaonohi St
Honolulu , HI 96701
Telephone: 808-486-5100

Convenient Aiea location with lots of free parking, this restaurant offers a unique dining experience of table service along with buffet selections with all you can eat pricing. First stop here is the buffet table with great salad and sushi selections from spicy tuna to California rolls. Once seated, you’ll be presented with a made to order menu where you can choose small portions from and endless list of tempura, donburi, teriyaki, seafood and other made to order Japanese favorites. Eat till your hearts content and then some, it’s all good! Reservations especially for large parties, weekends, and holidays are highly recommended.