20 restaurants for sushi in metro Phoenix
Before you snub all forms of sushi, try it just once. You might get hooked. The slickness of the raw fish is cool and refreshing and a great summer treat. And not all sushi is made with raw ingredients. Here's where to cast your net.
Phoenix
Central Bistro
Enjoy deconstructed sushi with the Tuna Tartare, prepared with sushi-grade ahi, avocado, sesame, cucumber and citrus soy ($14).
Details: 3160 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 480-646-8560, centralbistro.com.
Hana Japanese Eatery
Still don't like raw fish? You might like the Volcano roll, a California roll covered in white fish and spicy mayo and then baked ($10).
Details: 5524 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix. 602-973-1238, hanajapaneseeatery.com.
Sun Asian Kitchen
The Philly roll makes it creamy with cream cheese, smoked salmon and avocado ($6.25).
Details: 2070 E. Baseline Road, Phoenix. 602-268-7708, sunasiankitchen.net.
Crudo
The chef shows off his "raw" talent with such selections from the raw side of the menu as albacore crudo, a mixture of apple, black garlic and truffle oil; yellowtail crudo, a mixture of Controne, Bottarga caviar and chive; butterfish crudo with tomato, lardo salumi and arugula; and the ahi crudo with horseradish and pickled green garlic ($12 each).
Details: 3603 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. 602-358-8666, crudoaz.com
Harumi Sushi
Bring friends and share a sushi-sashimi combo plate that features a chef's choice of what's fresh that day — perhaps salmon or tuna — garnished with avocado and jalapeños and served with sauce ($25 and $45).
Details: 114 W. Adams St., Phoenix. 602-258-0131.
Northeast Valley
SumoMaya
SumoMaya's menu combines the flavors of Mexican and Asian cuisine in dishes that include rolls such as the Sumo Green roll, made with Yamagobo pickled root vegetable, asparagus, oshinko Japanese pickle, wasabi, tomatillo salsa, kampyo gourd and green soy paper ($11); and the Maya roll, made with tuna, crispy rice, masago roe, micro shiso and wasabi aioli ($14).
Details: 6560 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-397-9520, sumomaya.com.
Hiro Sushi
Go fishless with the vegetable roll, a row of asparagus, lettuce, avocado, cucumber, burdock root, pickled daikon and pickled squash ($5.95).
Details: 9393 N. 90th St., Scottsdale. 480-314-4215, hirosushiaz.com.
Sushi Brokers
Imagine you're on a beach under swaying palm trees with the Hawaiian roll, made with spicy "krab" mix, fresh yellowtail, avocado and cucumber, topped with salmon, mango and sweet sake ($14.50).
Details: 17025 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-515-5000; also, 4419 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. 480-515-5000, sushibrokers.com.
Pure Sushi
Choose from the Tataki menu: seared tenderloin of beef, sliced and served with tataki sauce of chile oil and ponzu citrus sauce, and crispy shallots ($15).
Details: 20567 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale. 480-355-0999, puresushibar.com.
Geisha A Go Go
The Frightened Geisha could spook you with its rolls of lobster tempura, spicy crab mix and jalapeño cream cheese, and the option of adding more jalapeños and Sriracha hot sauce ($16).
Details: 7150 E. Sixth Ave., Scottsdale. 480-699-0055, geishaagogo.com.
Southeast Valley
Sandbar Mexican Grill
Can't decide between sushi and Mexican fare? Beach yourself at the Sandbar for the ahi tacos, seared-rare tuna stuffed inside jicama tortillas with Southwest spices, fire-roasted pico de gallo, guacamole and radish sprouts ($14).
Details: 7200 W. Ray Road. Chandler. 480-961-1700; also, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix. 480-585-5900, sandbaraz.com.
Sushi Eye
Everything's hakuna matata with the Lion King roll, a California roll covered with salmon then baked in a mildly spicy sauce and garnished with tabiko flying fish roe ($12.95).
Details: 4855 E. Warner Road, Phoenix. 480-820-3376, sushieye.com.
House Modern Sushi Restaurant
It's not exactly Italian, but it's a different kind of sushi with a cheesy taste. The Japanese Lasagna is a roll of crab, cucumber and avocado that's baked and then topped with cream cheese, scallions, masago roe and eel sauce, with segments arranged in a circle ($8.50).
Details: 1641 S. Stapley Drive, Mesa. 480-545-6009, house-sushi.com.
Sushiya
Introduce your kids to sushi with the Bear roll, made with shrimp tempura and crab and then shaped like a teddy bear ($4.99).
Details: 2531 S. Gilbert Road, Gilbert. 480-786-0588, thesushiya.com.
Sushi 101
It's the time of year to be blown away by the Monsoon roll, made with fresh salmon, avocado and "krab" then covered with yellowtail, jalapeño and ginger tataki sauce ($11).
Details: 920 E. University Drive, Tempe. 480-317-0101, sushi-101.com.
West Valley
Squid Ink Sushi Bar
Taste the sand and sea of the Surf n Turf roll, two surfs and one turf that pair shrimp tempura, spicy crab and filet mignon with asparagus in a sesame-miso aioli and eel sauce ($13).
Details: 9947 W. Happy Valley Road, Peoria. 623-561-7747; also, 2 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. 602-258-0510, squidinksushi.com.
Hayashi
Because it's summer, roll with the Summer roll, made with tuna, yellowtail, cucumber and scallions wrapped inside out with rice, flying fish roe (tobiko) and green seaweed powder ($7).
Details: 13823 W. Bell Road, Surprise. 623-556-2233; also, 1480 N. Litchfield Road, Goodyear. 623-935-4888, hayashihibachi.com.
Tokyo Lobby
Take a California roll, then top it with fresh tuna, salmon and salmon roe, and you've got the beat of the Rock n Roll ($9.95).
Details: 5795 W. Bell Road, Glendale. 602-942-4165, tokyolobbysushi.com.
Chef Ben Sushi & Asian Express
Spend just a little pot of gold for the Rainbow Roll of crab, cucumber, avocado, salmon, tuna, shrimp and a crown of snapper ($7.99).
Details: 13824 W. McDowell Road, Goodyear. 623-935-3288, chefbensushiandasianexpress.com.
Blu Sushi
Maybe you have a burning desire for the Fire roll: spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, crab and cucumber roll topped with cooked shrimp and avocado in the chef's special sauce, then doused with Bacardi 151 rum and lit on fire for half a minute ($15.99).
Details: 118 N. Old Litchfield Road, Litchfield Park. 623-935-9730, blu-sushi.com.