Guide to the Best Sushi in Columbus, Ohio

Excellent Sushi for All Price Ranges, Romantic Locales for Daters

When you think of the Midwest, sushi probably isn’t the first thing that pops into your mind. You might be surprised to learn that Columbus, Ohio boasts a wide selection of sushi bars in all price ranges and for all palates. From trendy to traditional, the sushi offerings in Columbus are extensive and although choosing the right one for you might take a little experimentation, it’s still fun to sample Columbus’ sushi smörgåsbord. Here is a quick but detailed list of the best sushi I could find—and I’ve tried some from just about everywhere in the city. One of the first places Columbus residents want to check out for premium sushi in a traditional Japanese setting is Otani. This sushi bar and buffet has won top honors from the Columbus Dispatch (beating out those newer trendy sushi joints that have sprung up all over the city). Located near I-71 and 161 at 5900 Roche Drive, Otani offers a unique break from ordinary American cuisine with its low-lying tables at which you must sit cross-legged and gorgeous Japanese art decorating the walls. While some of their dishes might be a bit too exotic for American tastes, it is fun to be brave and try something you’ve never encountered before (such as their house specialty, squid sushi—yes, that is raw squid). Other favorite dishes include teriyaki, sashimi, and their barbecued eel. Although this restaurant caters to its mostly American clientèle by offering steaks and more recognizable dishes, this is one of the best spots in town to try traditional Japanese dishes you won’t find anywhere else in town. Also of note, they also offer their own sake, which they pour in delicate ornate tumblers—an excellent and commitment-free way to try sake if you’ve never had it before. If Asian alcohol isn’t to your taste, they offer an extensive and familiar drink list as well. Otani is by far Columbus’ best place for sushi, not just because of the excellent food and atmosphere, but also for the prices. With all the new trendier sushi places that have arisen in the past five years, Otani offers the low prices without the pretentiousness and even if you aren’t a fan of the raw stuff, you can just go for drinks and check out their karaoke on weekend nights (upon which they’re open until 2 a.m). Another of Columbus’ hidden, unassuming, and excellent sushi locales is the Asian Gourmet Sushi Bar. Don’t let the strip mall façade fool you, it is well worth the drive to Gahanna to give this place a try and once you step inside, you’ll think you’ve stepped into a Japanese garden paradise (rather than out of a swarming parking lot). This is a great place for families and large groups as well as daters and causal diners and the menu caters to just about all tastes. Although the Asian Gourmet specializes in sushi, there is a large selection of other Korean and Chinese dishes as well. Even though you may think that the décor and place settings indicate an expensive meal, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the low to moderate prices for the entrées and sushi buffet. While most of the servers have limited English skills, they are always friendly, helpful and courteous and if you are a regular customer, they’re likely to remember you by name and grant you special attention. Although this is a less “fancy” place for sushi than any others I’ve mentioned, it is a very casual, enjoyable, and satisfying sushi experience and well worth the drive to Gahanna. Asian Gourmet is located at 393 Stoneridge Lane in the Stoneridge Plaza—you can’t miss it, just look for all the cars in the parking lot. Restaurant Japan, located at 1173 Old Henderson would round my short list of “hidden” sushi hot-spots. Much like Asian Gourmet, it is located near a strip mall and looks like your typical large Asian buffet. Again, don’t be fooled by appearances—Restaurant Japan has some of the best sushi in town and the décor is superb. With typically lower to middle-range prices on sushi, you simply can’t find a better spot for a sushi lunch. They offer one of the largest selections of sushi that I’ve come across in town and it is remarkably fresh tasting. I am addicted to their Tempura Udon, which runs for about $8.00 but is quite delectable. Restaurant Japan is great for larger groups and is a popular meeting place for business lunches. One of the most striking features of Restaurant Japan is that you can sit at the sushi bar and watch the chefs as they create sushi platters before your eyes. For the same sushi they offer in the restaurant, but to-go, there is a Japanese market located across the parking lot where you can purchase sushi plates in ail sizes and for more reasonable prices than you’ll pay for Kroger or Big Bear selections. For another of Columbus’ extraordinary take-out sushi hot-spots, one must check out Nida’s in the stylish North Market. Although her hours are occasionally mixed and limited, she is the “Queen of Sushi”. I’ve been a regular customer of Nida’s for over a year now and since that time I’ve learned more about sushi than I could have ever found out anywhere else—including the Internet. Aside from a large selection of take-out sushi, noodles, and rice, Nida’s is also a small Japanese grocery and her selection of seaweed is far more extensive and cheaper than that of Seafood Japan. For those who don’t know much about sushi, stop by Nida’s and ask her any questions you may have—she’s friendly, knowledgeable, and can help you find good “starter sushi” (that which isn’t too exotic). This is one of the quickest, cheapest, and most delicious venues for take-out sushi and the North Market is an excellent place to wander around, even if you aren’t looking for Japanese food. If you are looking for a more upscale sushi location, I would direct you to either Haiku (800 North High St.) or Shoku (1312 Grandview Ave.). Both of these trendy sushi restaurants have put forth great efforts in décor and overall style and both are quite a bit more expensive than any of the other places I’ve mentioned. Both of these sushi bars are great places for a date as they are elegant, romantic, and dimly lit and when it comes to choosing between the two, I have a simple and practical statement: If you are looking for quality of food (for those who know about sushi), check out Shoku in Grandview. For those who are looking for a trendy location that is a bit more about style than quality of food, then Haiku is your choice. While I am certainly not suggesting that Haiku has lousy food, I will say that there seems to be more effort put into the dining experience than the actual food itself. I have always liked Haiku and thought the sushi was decent; the main fun of going there is for the excellent view of High Street and its denizens and wanderers. Nice weather offers customers a chance to sit outside on their gorgeous Asian-inspired patio, which makes summer their most popular season. Haiku is also a great place in Columbus to see and “be seen” and you’ll often glimpse minor local celebrities dining at a quiet private back table. If you are lucky enough to get one of the few non-snotty servers, this can make for a more enjoyable date than Shoku—simply because of the distractions, but if you and your date are true discerning sushi lovers that are less inclined to being trendy, you can still be a little trendy and enjoy excellent (although overpriced) sushi at Shoku in Grandview. Shoku is a beautifully decorated restaurant with a striking minimalist black and tan scheme. They also have a nice patio, this one looking out over Grandview Avenue’s quaint shops and stylish storefronts and coffee shops and have a generally friendly and less pretentious wait staff comprised mainly of black-clad and sleek-looking Ohio State students. While their sushi is more overpriced than any other location in town, it is still quite good and with the fabulous décor, you don’t feel too bad spending a little extra than you would at say, Restaurant Japan or Asian Gourmet. Again, like Haiku, this is a great date destination and you are likely to be more satisfied with your sushi here than at any other upscale sushi establishment in Columbus. If you don’t sit outdoors, the inside tables are cozy with dramatic yet dim lighting, which is absolutely conducive to romantic conversation. I always love the music in Shoku, which although not overpowering, is bold, modern, and elegant. Although these are just a few of your choices for sushi in Columbus, Ohio, remember that there are several other places to try. I have tried to provide you with a guide for sushi for all price ranges and hopefully, you’ll find any one of these I’ve mentioned as delicious and interesting as I have.