Purple Shell Boston
Permanently Closed

Purple Shell Boston

Permanently Closed

Japanese fusion with creative sushi, small plates, and cocktails

Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null
Purple Shell Boston by null

Information

11 W Broadway, Boston, MA 02127 Get directions

$$

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11 W Broadway, Boston, MA 02127 Get directions

+1 617 989 9982
purpleshellboston.com
@purpleshellboston

$$ · Menu

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Dec 4, 2025

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Purple Shell Opens in South Boston - Eater Boston

"Purple Shell opens in South Boston today, serving a 'tapas-style' menu that includes sushi and a variety of hot and cold small plates inspired by East Asian cuisines, particularly Japanese, with some flavors coming in from Southeast Asia as well." - Terrence Doyle

https://boston.eater.com/2020/2/27/21156002/purple-shell-south-boston-open
Purple Shell Boston

Belle

Google
One of my favorite place to have sushi because of their reasonable price for quality food. The food is always fresh and delicious. I’m a person who eat with my eyes first so the presentation of the food deserves 10/10. We order pretty much on the menu and we love every single item. Salmon dumpling is a must try here. Drinks are fine and kinda strong though.

Sinaro Men

Google
Got a lot of food last night for our first time. Sushi is top tier, no hint of fishiness.l whatsoever. Fish tastes so amazing, velvety and succulent. Don bowl were pretty good. A little disappoint that unagi don rice was cold and doesn’t feel like a warm dish. Perhaps it’s my ignorance and the dish is meant to be served room temp. Karage is great but lacks a dipping sauce. Grilled squid tastes well seasoned and well grilled but can tell that it was not fresh squid and was, again, room temp and not hot off the grill. The toro tartar and oysters were definitely highlights of the evening. Crepe cake was delicious but I, personally, would not classify as crepe cake as it doesn’t have the classic crepe layers that crepe cakes are known for. Would love to see other flavors outside of mango and chocolate, perhaps matcha as well. Lastly, the drinks were fantastic. 3 people last night in our party costs about $300 but we had our fill. Definitely classic upscale Boston sushi restaurant with the price tag to go with it BUT the quality is top notch. Would love temperature of the food to be tighter

_

Google
So happy that this place reopened. The sushi definitely is a splurge, but it is worth it for the quality and taste. The presentation is also nice. I enjoyed everything that I ordered, but the seared nigiri and sashimi balls were my favorite. The cocktails are not bad either. The inside is very spacious. I did not need a reservation when I went for an early dinner. My server was friendly.

Maria Mongiardo

Google
🌟 This week, I had a delightful dinner at Purple Shell Sushi 🍣 located at 11 W Broadway in South Boston, during a romantic date with my boyfriend. 🥂 🍹 To kick things off, I indulged in a Lychee Cocktail, which was exceptionally sweet and refreshing—an easy 10/10! 🦪 They are currently running an irresistible deal on oysters! You can get a dozen oysters for just $1 for every $100 you spend. Considering the quality of these oysters, it’s an unbeatable offer. 🔥 A standout appetizer was the Torched Miso Hamachi—chopped Hamachi mixed with homemade miso sauce, topped with fired scallion. This dish was not only a cool addition to our table but also absolutely delicious and melted in the mouth, scoring a 9/10. 🐟 🥢 We also savored their Duck Bao Buns. I adore a well-made bao bun; so soft and pillowy, and the Hoisin braised duck confit, coupled with cucumber and scallions, took it to the next level. 🌄 The Sunrise Salmon Maki Roll was a fresh delight, making us crave more with every bite, a solid 9/10. 🔥🍣 The New Torched Salmon Belly and Crispy Ohda Tempura were both knockout dishes, each earning a 10/10 from me. The crispy Ohda Tempura was particularly stunning, adorned with gold flakes! 👨‍🍳 Finally, we tried the Chef’s Salmon Fin, an incredibly juicy dish unlike any I’ve had before, garnished with a sweet sauce—an 8/10. 🌆 Overall, Purple Shell Sushi is easily one of the top Asian fusion spots I’ve visited, with innovative, scrumptious dishes that make every visit a delight—an effortless 10/10 overall! 🎨 The presentation of every dish was spectacular, adding an element of excitement as the menu constantly evolves. Ratings: Food: 🍴 10/10 Ambiance: ✨ 8/10 Affordability: 💵 6/10 (Don’t miss the oyster deal—perfect for a group outing!)

Jea Kim

Google
Solid upper-mid sushi spot in South Boston. After spotting their incredible oyster deal a few weeks ago, we decided to visit for lunch on a late Sunday afternoon. Although they were closed for a while last year, it didn't seem like much had changed since my last visit. They were offering a dozen oysters for just a dollar with every $100 spent. While the oysters were of average quality, the deal was still incredibly enticing. Along with the oysters, we ordered the Clay Pot, which featured an array of my favorite toppings: Uni, Ikura, Toro, and Caviar. Served atop a bed of truffle rice, this appetizer was quite addictive. From the regular sushi selections, both the Torched Toro Maki and Surf & Turf Maki stood out. They weren't overly sauced, featured high-quality toppings, and offered a well-balanced flavor profile. The 9-piece nigiri omakase was also one of our favorites. Among sushi restaurants of a similar caliber in Boston, Purple Shell’s nigiri omakase excelled. The elegantly presented toppings were thoughtfully paired with each piece and enhanced the overall experience without feeling gimmicky. Only miss was the Chirashi Don. Despite being generously topped with fish, the pieces were too finely chopped and lacked overall flavor. Although Boston's sushi scene is improving, South Boston remains one of the few neighborhoods where progress seems slow. Even established spots like Purple Shell seems to struggle thriving. Nevertheless, if you're craving good-quality sushi that mostly caters to the American palate, Purple Shell will get the job done.

Monica Anh Nguyen

Google
I'm impressed with the food presentation. Food was fresh and tasted great. I wish they would have more photos on their menu though. Service was really nice and they instructed us how to do the Fire Salmon. Fire Salmon was the highlight of the meal! The rolls were ok

Win Y

Google
The restaurant is really nice. We came for an esrly dinner and it was not crowded. Vicky was our server who made some great recommendations. We ordered Salmon dumplings and Lovebites for appetizers. They were very tasty and refreshing. My husband and I each ordered a different Omasake sets. We enjoyed them very nuch. We wish there were more courses. We finally ordered the Malaysian lampchops ro finish. They were so delicious. Everything was wonderful and perfectly cooked. The service was amazing. We strongly recommend the restaurant.

Derek Man

Google
The sushi/fish here is very legit. Tastes as fresh as if it was caught and served the same day (and I’ve eaten sushi from Japan). Atmosphere is nice with spacious tables. Parking may be a hit or miss, but this place is worth the trip!
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Lindsay S.

Yelp
A Hidden Gem for Sushi Lovers! We stumbled upon Purple Shell thanks to a tip from a local hotel, and boy, are we glad we took their advice! This unassuming spot serves up some of the freshest, most creative sushi we've had in ages. Ambiance: Chill and Inviting We visited on a laid-back Sunday evening and had no trouble finding street parking. Inside, the vibe was relaxed but upscale, with a soothing water feature adding to the ambiance. The perfect setting for a date night or a special occasion. Service: Top-Notch Our server Alex was a star! Attentive but not overbearing, he gave us all the time we needed to navigate the intriguing menu. His recommendations were spot-on. Food: A MUST TRY! We shared the "You're Coconuts" cocktail (ingenious name, right?) and it did not disappoint. Well-balanced flavors and a fun presentation set the tone for the meal to come. The Torched Toro Maki and Surf & Turf Maki, both marked as "MUST TRY" on the menu, lived up to the hype. Hands down, some of the best maki we've ever had. The Purple Shell Sushi Boat was a feast for the eyes and the taste buds, with sashimi paired with clever little dollops of complementary flavors. The fish was insanely fresh and perfectly chilled. A Sweet Surprise We were treated to a complimentary dish of fried ice cream that was out of this world. Clearly made in-house, it was a delightful ending to an already fantastic meal. The Verdict Purple Shell is a must-visit for any sushi enthusiast. The combination of an inviting atmosphere, stellar service, and truly exceptional cuisine makes it a standout in the world of sushi restaurants. We can't wait to go back and try more of what they have to offer!
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Eric G.

Yelp
I had high hopes. But was overall disappointed. I came in and sat at the bar, and ordered a Mai tai. It was decent at best, but I saw the bartender drop the shaker and spill a good 25% of the drink. He just added more ice to it. I even asked if he got it all out and he said yes. I ordered the peppers as an app, and the torched toro maki, which was there "must have" and most expensive at 30 dollars. I asked for the peppers specifically as an app. When the food came out it was the sushi first. I asked if they forgot the peppers and they said "no. But it comes from the kitchen so it takes longer". Then why is it an app? Apps come first. That's the whole point. Anyways. The peppers were average at best. The sushi was ok. Wouldn't order it again. When I finished I pushed the plates in to indicate I was done. They asked if I was done and I said yes. Then they asked if I wanted the check. I simply said, no. But you can clear the plates please. So they did. Then they started to clear my drinks and I said I wasn't finished. Overall just a lot of annoyances and average at best food. Wouldn't recommend to anyone.
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Maria M.

Yelp
This week, I had a delightful dinner at Purple Shell Sushi located at 11 W Broadway in South Boston, during a romantic date with my boyfriend. To kick things off, I indulged in a Lychee Cocktail, which was exceptionally sweet and refreshing--an easy 10/10! They are currently running an irresistible deal on oysters! You can get a dozen oysters for just $1 for every $100 you spend. Considering the quality of these oysters, it's an unbeatable offer. A standout appetizer was the Torched Miso Hamachi--chopped Hamachi mixed with homemade miso sauce, topped with fired scallion. This dish was not only a cool addition to our table but also absolutely delicious and melted in the mouth, scoring a 9/10. We also savored their Duck Bao Buns. I adore a well-made bao bun; so soft and pillowy, and the Hoisin braised duck confit, coupled with cucumber and scallions, took it to the next level. The Sunrise Salmon Maki Roll was a fresh delight, making us crave more with every bite, a solid 9/10. The New Torched Salmon Belly and Crispy Ohda Tempura were both knockout dishes, each earning a 10/10 from me. The crispy Ohda Tempura was particularly stunning, adorned with gold flakes! ‍ Finally, we tried the Chef's Salmon Fin, an incredibly juicy dish unlike any I've had before, garnished with a sweet sauce--an 8/10. Overall, Purple Shell Sushi is easily one of the top Asian fusion spots I've visited, with innovative, scrumptious dishes that make every visit a delight--an effortless 10/10 overall! The presentation of every dish was spectacular, adding an element of excitement as the menu constantly evolves. Ratings: Food: 10/10 Ambiance: 8/10 Affordability: 6/10 (Don't miss the oyster deal--perfect for a group outing!)
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Nicole B.

Yelp
Finally made it into town to try Purple Shell. First impression - the restaurant is quite spacious. There's alcohol bar on one side and on the other side is a sushi bar. Food was yummy and drinks were great. We ordered a bunch of dishes to try plus 2 dozens oysters. Most memorable food was the bone marrow and rice clay pot (more like a cup but packs with flavors). Fave drink of the night was Guava Lime. Bartender and servers were all friendly. We will definitely come back to try more dishes next time we're in town again.
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Ti W.

Yelp
Great Japanese restaurant for its price. I love the 9 piece nigiri omakase for $75! Some of the pieces are really delicious, like the sweet shrimp and the wagyu with foi gras. Their signature, fire salmon, is not as good as expected. It turned out be a combination of both cooked and uncooked salmon, but the sauce is really special. The creativity is good.
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Holly K.

Yelp
One of my favorite sushi places in Boston!!! True hidden gem. The ambiance and decor of Purple Shell is a bit lacking; when you walk in it doesn't look like anything special. The food (quality AND presentation) is what blows this place out the water. Ignore the LARGE menu, complete with pictures (the combo of those 2 usually scare me off). It is easier to use the online menu (than the paper version) because all 93748595 food items are neatly organized. I ordered the pan fried pork gyoza, crab rangoons, the fire salmon, torched toro maki roll, and a bunch of pieces of the signature nigiri (torched wagyu, double tuna, torched salmon belly). Every.single.item. was DELICIOUS. The fish was all SO fresh; tasted like it was caught the morning of. The gyoza and the crab rangoons were perfectly lightly fried and crunchy. Each piece of nigiri had a pop of flavor, the flavor combinations blended so well. I ended up ordering doubles and triples of the nigiri. The service was friendly, and helpful. Our waitress gave us several recommendations and informed us of her favorites. She was always around if we wanted to order more food, but was not lingering or nagging. I really loved Purple Shell and would highly recommend to everyone! Love love love this restaurant!!
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Cynthia Eunyoung S.

Yelp
THE best sushi place I've been in a while and in Boston! My partner and I visited here for just a casual dinner originally, but turned out to be such a nice date night out because it was THAT great. It is a little bit on the pricier side, but we think it was worth it, given the taste and the quality of food and service. To be honest, malaysian rice noodle wasn't the best - we wouldn't order it again. Sushi plate was a bit plain and we couldn't really taste each piece's taste, but dother than those two dishes, the other three we ordered (salmon dumplings, uni soba noodle and torched toro maki) were bombs! Each bite was so unique and deliciously balanced, we would definitely come back again to order those again and also try others. They also have some instagrammable dishes, which we didn't order, but definitely looked cool with fire torching your salmon and etc. Would definitely come again!
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Melanie W.

Yelp
I came here for their $1.5 oysters, available every day from 3-6 and all day on Tuesday in February. It is worth it; the size of the oysters is bigger than other restaurants with a $1 oyster promotion. We ordered few maki but the seasoning are stronger than last few time I came here. I think our server is new. When I want to order beef tataki, she tells me we don't have it, but it is available to take out, and she does not know about the promotion about the oysters. I also order few maki to go... remember to check your order before you leave... there might be missing item.
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Isabelle T.

Yelp
Ordered some Sushi to go, ate it almost an hour and a half later, and it was still delicious. There were so many options to choose from so I asked for a surprise based off some flavors I liked. The blueberry foie grass, I did not like whatsoever. Not because it wasn't made well, but rather because foie grass does not sit well with me. I thought I'd give it a shot because I love blueberry. It helped, but enough to join the foie grass team. It was too interesting to pass The wagyu truffle roll was absolutely delicious, the avocado salad was really good and the last roll which was tuna and salmon (amongst other things, but I forgot the name), was really good as well. The mango crepe cake was really good too. I loved the mid layer of actual mango paste. I would definitely order from Purple Shell again and I'm excited to try some new rolls and dishes!
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Thanh L.

Yelp
We went here twice . The service was good both times. It's a beautiful low lit interior. We ordered the Purple Shell Boat, Salmon Dumpling, Claypot, 9 Pc Omakase, Sea Spoons Fire Salmon, Torched Toro Maki, Perfect Dose Maki, Bone Marrow, Salt n Pepper Lobster, $1.50 oysters and Lamb. Everything was delicious. You can definitely taste the quality in the food. The sushi was fresh and flavorful. It's pricey but worth it. Would go again
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Sammi C.

Yelp
What I ordered: Warhead $15 Feelin' Peachy $15 Uni Shots $18 Chirashi Don $28 Fire Salmon $28 Perfect Dose $24 Crispy Curry Duck $25? (Unable to find accurate price on their website menu) Watermelon Aqua-Fresa $6 Refresh Me $8 = highly recommend The drinks were good and not too strong. My favorite dishes were the fire salmon and uni shot. I would highly recommend those two if you're planning on coming here. Everything else was okay.
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Brooke C.

Yelp
I went here for Friday night drinks at the bar and loved my experience! I was able to walk right in and sit at the mostly empty bar. The signature cocktails are so unique and interesting. I got the guava lime cocktail and it was incredible! The presentation with the flaming lime was so cool. I also thought the interior of this restaurant was very cool and futuristic - I loved it!
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Gloria M.

Yelp
Had an amazingggg experience. The inside was nice and modern. I didn't love the projection of the aquarium on the wall but didn't take away from the ambiance. We had a kind server who informed us well on the menu. We got 2 miso soups and they were better than normal. The chef sashimi plate was amazing! So fresh and very thick pieces of fish, beautifully presented as well. The torched tofu maki is a MUST. The chefs sushi plate was also great. Will 100% be back!!!
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Hanna H.

Yelp
Came here for dinner and had a decent experience. The presentation of all the food was definitely impressive and unique, with the fire salmon being the star of the show. All the food was pretty good, but considering the portion sizes and the price for value, I would definitely say it's overpriced for what it is. Yes, all the food was yummy and yes it was all aesthetically pleasing, it was just hard to justify the price. For example, the Fire Salmon was $28 which meant each piece of salmon was $7 given they gave us 4 pieces which is pretty pricey. It was a plus though that the manager checked in with us a few times to see if we were happy with our meal and service for the night. Some items from what we ordered: - Fire Salmon ($28) - Sea Spoons ($18) - Torched Salmon Press ($20)
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Kimberly N.

Yelp
So happy that this place reopened. The sushi definitely is a splurge, but it is worth it for the quality and taste. The presentation is also nice. I enjoyed everything that I ordered, but the seared nigiri and sashimi balls were my favorite. The cocktails are not bad either. The inside is very spacious. I did not need a reservation when I went for an early dinner. My server was friendly.
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Iris Y.

Yelp
Good quality & portion of sushi for the price--especially in Boston. ($10 for the Spicy Salmon Maki!) Tropical King Maki: 8/10, was very refreshing & fruity! Would recommend. Spider Maki: 7/10, solid spider roll. House Spicy Salmon Maki: 9/10, really good portion of salmon for the price. Torched Toro Maki: 9/10, good quality fish + great flavors! + LOTS of fun cocktails on the menu, too.
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Addison D.

Yelp
Second time coming here and they did not disappoint. We had a party of 6 and ended up ordering quite a few. Our original table was pretty tight so they ended up adding an extra table for us and brought us complimentary round of shots to make up for the inconvenience. That was a nice gesture. Waitress and staff were nice and friendly. All the food we ordered were delicious. Street parking which can suck on a busy weekend night but that's the city for you. Overall, no complaints would definitely visit again.
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Jasmine Z.

Yelp
Purple Shell is back and better!! Didn't expect this place would be in Southie, but it is super convenient to get to and the restaurant is huge! Definitely great for big parties or a date. This place is a dream for sushi lovers. They have other things on the menu that aren't sushi like chicken, duck, beef, noodles, etc. The presentation of all the food is super cool and something I've never seen before. The drinks are also delicious and they have a big bar with great selections.
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j b.

Yelp
We used to frequent purple shell ALL OF THE TIME before it temporarily closed (we live up the street). It was the go-to spot for take out and whenever we were meeting up at a friend's house to hang out we'd always grab some takeout and bring it with us. We couldn't wait until it reopened. Well, it reopened and it just isn't as good. Some of the go-to menu items we used to order just tanked in terms of taste and quality--but the prices are the same if not slightly higher. Super disappointing. We've ordered twice since they reopened and I had hoped the first time was just a fluke (we brought it to our friend's house and raved about how good it was--but it was definitely a let down once we started eating), but now after the second time I can confirm that it's just not as good as it used to be (at least with respect to what we usually order). If you didn't have it before the temporary close you would be none the wiser and probably really enjoy it (and it might still be better than the other options in the area). But, it's not cheap (which never used to bother me because it was consistently good) and for the quality I won't be ordering again anytime soon. Ordered the basil friend rice (which is what I used to get before the temporary shut down), and now it seems it's literally regular vegetable fried rice with a little extra color (which I'm assuming is soy sauce) and a few random slices of cooked basil--for like $ 17 (with no protein!). Before the shut down this dish used to be SO much better and was $2 cheaper. After my first post shut down order I DM'ed them asking if recipes/chef/mgmt changed because I noticed a change in the taste/quality of the food and they didn't answer (and they always answer their DMs)--which probably means...."yes". Sucks to not be able to rely on Purple Shell anymore for take-out in the neighborhood.
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Gabrielle K.

Yelp
It was good from the get go as I walked in to hear my type of music, Love is Gone by Slander playing so I decided to use one of their reels for this. I just know someone my age was using their playlist from the songs playing. Anyway, the spot is convenient as it is steps from the Broadway stop. Inside is a cozy restaurant but with lots of space and fun decor. It was a Monday night so pretty empty but they had also been open for not even a month after being closed due to a fire for most of the year. The drinks were really good and each had their own personality. I could not taste the alcohol and was generally surprised to find out my drink had whisky in it because I couldn't taste it. My favorite of the three was Holy smoke. It just had this light spice which made the drink a little more complex but also sweet. Now to the food, we got the claypot which was $18 and I had thought it would be the size of an actual claypot. I was surprised to see a bowl the size of one piece of sushi. My favorite roll was the torched salmon press sushi, a mix of savory, sweet and a little spice. The spider maki tasted strange to me when it came to the crab, the texture was a little off to me. Our server was really nice though and even gave us the Oatmeal shrimp appetizer complimentary. They also show on their online menu what is GF and what they can alter to make GF. Overall, the food was good but in my opinion definitely way overpriced for the portions especially some of the appetizers. I would definitely say to go and support them as they recently opened and try for yourself. For those who are looking for late spots too they close at 1am weekday and 2am weekend which is a flex considering a lot of places especially sushi spots like to close at 10/11pm around here.
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Lauren P.

Yelp
STUNT FOOD! If you come here don't bring your appetite. While all their dishes look really good, they don't taste good. The bone marrow was cold and we didn't get one of our other rolls until well after we were ready to leave. I think we were there for like two hours in total. With that being said this restaurant is easily the most disappointing restaurant of the year. Again everything looked great but don't let that fool you!
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Felicia R.

Yelp
This place is "Da Bomb Dot Com"!! Every dish brought out was not only packed with flavor, it was pretty as well. Attention to presentation was 100% Service was next level! Our servers brought smiles with each dish. I don't know if it added to the already great flavors but I can tell you it didn't hurt. They made you excited to eat everything and explained each dish as if they were the actual chef. Everything in the Purple Shell makes you excited to sit down and begin your personal experience. The owner created the look himself by hand. You can see his pride and attention to detail from the moment you enter. Beautiful spot for a date or for "Girls Night Out". I would have posted more pictures, but we are the good quicker than I could capture the pics. A true Gem
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June M.

Yelp
The atmosphere is definitely there, very cozy, chic and hip. The cocktail section is various, and has a lot of creative drinks. The sushi was okay, personally I like the sashimi there more. Will come back, but only for special dates. Because, I can get a better sushi at other places. The waitress was super nice tho.
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jessica w.

Yelp
My friend came in to town to treat me for my early birthday dinner and we purposely chose Purple Shell to come to after researching many places as the best option to dine at. We ordered the Fire salmon, perfect dose, and the purple shell boat along with a few cocktails! Everything was so fresh and mouth watering. Melt in your mouth good. We did damage on everything considering all this food was just for the 2 of us! We enjoyed the food and the service was exceptional, from the hostess seating us, to our server and even the staff who came and checked on us or came to bring our food and clear things off the table. Impeccable job by the chefs as well. We felt very special and taken care of. If you're looking for a place for a special occasion, the vibe at Purple Shell is justtttt right for your shellabration!
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Nicole N.

Yelp
I came here during Dine Out Boston (restaurant week). I had never heard of the place before, but was craving sushi, and this was one of the only spots on the participating list. I was able to select from a subset menu for one appetizer, one main, and a flavored crepe cake. EXPERIENCE I went alone at 6pm on a Friday, so it was not super busy when I arrived. The server spoke very softly, so it was hard for me to hear what they were saying. I ordered my food, and waited for a fairly long amount of time. I noticed that at least two tables that had ordered after me were getting food. I confronted the server about this, some of the tables had the dishes I had ordered, so I don't understand why I wasn't being served first. My food immediately came out after this, just disappointing that it had to be brought up. FOOD (4/5) Sea Spoons (oyster, uni, crème fraîche, ikura, chives) - I added this to my order, not a part of the restaurant week deal. The flavor tasted slightly Italian, probably because of the cream. It was unusual to the flavor of raw oyster for me. There is a lot packed into this little oyster, I feel like I couldn't actually taste the oyster as much. Overall, enjoyable though. (5/5) Clay Pot (truffle rice, inure, uni, toro, avocado, caviar) - This was by far my favorite dish. I found it to be unique, fresh, and high quality seafood. The truffle rice was amazing, a flavor of rice I have never experience before. If I come back, I would definitely order this again. (3/5) Sushi Plate (chef choice's 6pc) - My phone glitched out and did not save the pictures of this properly, I am so sorry! The server did not tell me the kinds of fish that were being served to me which was slightly disappointing. My best guess, from left to right: yellow tail, amber jack, salmon, sea bass, tuna. This fish looks of different quality than the fish in the clay pot, or from what I saw for other chef choice nigiri on other's yelp photos, maybe not as high grade since its the restaurant deal menu. I definitely was not bad, but certainly not super special or impressive. (2/5) Shizuoka Matcha Crepe Cake - Kind of bitter, not super creamy. Especially if you have had a proper crepe cake, this will likely disappoint you too. I would not recommend getting this. OVERALL Don't get me wrong, the food was delicious. The service was the real bummer for me, but maybe it was just the server I had that day. The appetizers were excellent, I really enjoyed them. The main was fine, I think if I got something at a normal time, the quality would probably better. I think this place has potential. I understand it is on the pricier range, but good sushi just ends up that way. I would consider going here again with other people, because they do have good quality seafood, and there are other dishes I would be interested in trying with friends.
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Eric B.

Yelp
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. They should have a line out the door every night. Amazingly gracious and hospitable staff, incredible bartender crafting cocktails, delicious cuisine (the sushi is fresh and super tasty), and just a lovely, welcoming atmosphere to dine in. Give purple shell a try - you will make it a staple!
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Leah T.

Yelp
Fish was so good, so fresh. Our server gave us various options to try and all of it was bomb! The lychee martini was great. The place is huge but super cute, definitely returning!
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Alisa G.

Yelp
Recently came here for dine out Boston and was happily impressed. I've been wanting to try this place for a while and the dine out menu was a great deal and time to try! For appetizers we tried the clay pot and salmon dumplings. All of the fish was so fresh and delicious!! It was also presented so beautifully. Including our entrees: the perfect dose maki and the Malaysian lamb chop. I'm not a huge fan of lamb but this was cooked really well and had a good flavor that wasn't too gamey. The perfect dose maki was also delicious~ kind of basic, but still very yummy and cool with the pipette sauces! In addition to our entrees we also ordered the popular, instagrammable fire salmon. It definitely makes for a cool photo and is just a fun way to cook and eat the salmon. Again, super fresh and delicious! For dessert we got the matcha and taro crepe cakes. They were good but certainly not Lady M level. Overall had a great experience here! The prices are definitely on the higher side and if it weren't for dine out, I'd only come here sparingly for special occasions or something. The service was also just ok. But still recommend trying!!
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Celina Y.

Yelp
Purple shell is an underrated spot. They have great drinks and such a fun selection of food. I highly recommend the clay pot and the love bites. My favorite drink is the lychee love story. I will say service is hit or miss, sometimes it can be a bit slow. Regardless highly recommend for an after work drink or dinner!
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Mark T.

Yelp
Credit where credit is due: they do an excellent job of having tasty and somewhat inventive dishes. I had the opportunity to try: - Beef Tataki - Duck Bao - Torched Toro Maki - Shizuoka Matcha Crepe Cake The Beef Tataki was excellent! All the ingredients were nicely balanced and went well together. The sauce and tempura flakes worked together to tie the beef, daikon, and truffle and add a little texture. The Duck Baos were A-OK. The Duck was tender and flavorful, and there was a suitable amount of cucumber. My only note here is that I prefer saucier Baos than these were. The Torched Toro Maki was almost perfect. The fish was of terrific quality and not skimped on in the slightest! The Serrano uniquely added an outstanding level of heat. I loved this idea as opposed to the familiar and ubiquitous wasabi. The toppings were great, too, adding a subtle, new dimension of flavor. Alas, the oshinko (the yellow thing in the 9 o'clock position of the photo) was the barrier to heaven. While I love a crisp/fresh element, this was excessive. The massive, profound CRUNCH went in the face of the otherwise delicate flavors. The crepe cake was okay. I liked the gentle sweetness and matcha flavor. However, other than the multitudinous layers, I found it unremarkable. The service was as polite, and the food came out fast. However, I found it could have been a bit more attentive. The location is clean, modern, and hip.
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Randy D.

Yelp
Management need to step their game up. Been here twice in 2 years same disappointment. Went here for Father's Day, wasn't busy but the food came out slow. couldn't enjoy anything as items came out one at a time and got quickly gobbled up leaving us to wait for the next dish. Same thing happened when I took my niece out for her birthday. Felt like I wasted money, and the food is NOT cheap. Wouldn't go here a third time bc then I'd just be a fool. The staff were nice but something has to be done about management on how the food comes out. Our table weren't the only ones effected by this terrible system. Unhappy couples next to us as well!! Food is too expensive compared to experience, I'd go spend my money elsewhere! Save your time and money, go to Shabu zen instead
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Bowen Y.

Yelp
Food was very interesting and picturesque! The food has a Chinese touch imo. The atmosphere is quite nice, recommended date spot
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Lan T.

Yelp
I heard this place through many friends. The place was beautiful and service was good. The sushi was just okay. My most favorite dish for the night was avocado salad

Nick V.

Yelp
Freshest fish in Boston that I've had. Presentation is second to none. Get the Salmon Fire. We also got the Sea Spoon too. Will definitely be back again!
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William F.

Yelp
Purple Shell is probably the best Japanese in Southie; good sushi, great menu in general (favorite is beef ishiyaki). Fun bar, with great, affable bartenders (Cathy in particular)
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Caitlyn L.

Yelp
I had heard great things about this place on the internet and on my last full day in Boston I decided to check it out. The service ranged from "hurry up and order" to slow when it came to getting the check - despite it being extremely empty inside. We started with the fire salmon and the crab Rangoons. The fire salmon was not just literally on fire but one of the spiciest things I've ever put in my mouth. The set up of this dish while very cool, was just not practical. The salmon would cook on the edges but then fall off the beams into the flames. The flavor was not great. The crab Rangoon were very good. They were very crispy and the cream cheese had a nice flavor. We also ordered the negi toro roll. It was very small but the tuna inside was the consistency of water. It was VERY slimy. I could not finish these. My partner ordered the kung pow chicken and it does not come with rice. He ate about a quarter of it but said it was lacking any real flavor. I would not recommend purple shell.

Wayne T.

Yelp
We are from NY and here for conference. We show up to the restaurant , and The owner Jerry, greeted us with sincere and his staff are friendly, funny. And the food is on THE NEXT LEVEL. Note: the Japanese whisky ... The boom.
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Vivian D.

Yelp
A great spot for a level up on your refused sushi spots- this place is on the more pricey end, but worth it for a special occasion or just a fun night out. (pics posted on Yelp) I loved everything we got- of course we had to get the FIRE SALMON. That's definitely one of their most polish dishes- it's fun to watch and it's delicious. I loved the chili sauce that comes with it. We also got octopus sashimi and uni- which were fresh, but not enough to fill you up so definitely get one of their entrees- and go with the CRISPY DUCK!!!! One of my favorites of the night. The Thai chili sauce over it was so good The TORO TARTARE though....amazing. Presentation, elite. They give you this sweet rice cracker (reminds me of a butter cookie), and it's an interesting but pleasant twist to it. They give you the toppings on the side so you can add on. It was super fun to eat! + staff are friendly!! Right by Broadway station on the red line- it's ideal to take the T here because parking can be a hassle.
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Kara L.

Yelp
It makes me sad to write this review as the food is bomb, however, we've had consistent issues ordering delivery from here. I tried to call to inform them of the issues we've faced but they said to call "Uber". Every time we have ordered from here the past 4 times an item as been missing from the order. It sucks having to wait for the food to be delivered only to have an item missing! Items missing have ranged from spicy Mayo to sushi to most recently wings! We unfortunately won't be ordering here again and we were frequent customers! Hope the owner sees this and can fix the issues with take out as the food is very tasty!

Kristen F.

Yelp
What a cool place! Food was imaginative, drinks were yummy, atmosphere was fun! Our first time trying uni and a5 wagyu - it was melt-in-your-mouth delicious! The staff though - wow! They were so kind and helpful and accommodating. Definitely recommend
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Edward W.

Yelp
My friend and I dropped by this restaurant for brunch four months ago. We ordered the: * Fire salmon * Curry mussels with toast * Southie Street Noodles The fire salmon was very beautiful to look at when grilling it but I didn't like the taste of it. I think it was marinated with lemongrass and yuzu bits. I usually love yuzu but the salmon was very oily and spicy. The combination just didn't work for me. On the other hand, the curry mussels were very tasty and the toast was buttery. The curry would be delicious with a bowl of white rice! The Southie Street noodles is their version of the Singaporean rice noodles. The vermicelli was covered with yellow curry and came with shrimp, char siu, scrambled eggs, bean sprouts, onions, green/red peppers and scallions. It was delicious! For dessert, we got the mango mille-feuille crepe cake. I thought the cake was a bit stale. The decor of the restaurant was pretty modern and service was attentive. I definitely would come back for the mussels and rice noodles and try other things.
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Catherine W.

Yelp
This was a date night location- nice quality sushi and decor but since we dined during a non peak hour I believe we probably missed out on "atmosphere" as it was pretty quiet and nearly empty when we dined. Very nice service for sure, but it has a bit of a barren quality when the dining areas are not full- wish they could add some kind of warmth or texture to the restaurant decor to make it feel less sterile. Sushi quality was indeed indeed good and we also had the uni shots. We used a parking app and parked at the Cambria hotel valet which was super convenient across the street, there are cheaper options but a further walk away.
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Mike D.

Yelp
Good, fresh food. Highly creative but a bit over the top pretentious food-wise for my daughter and I. Not to say bad - quality, great; service, average; ambience, nice.
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Sara Jieyi T.

Yelp
The presentation of food was excellent, however, the taste did not live up to my expectations. We ordered a wide selection of food and thought they were all average. The portions were small for appetizers and the sashimi was not as fresh and served to us cold like it was just defrosted from the freezer. Service was okay. The manager checked on us and when I raised my concern about the sashimi, she told me to let the kitchen know next time without helping me out on the spot. The interior looks like a normal modern restaurants but they are definitely overpriced for quality of food and service they provide. Food: 6.8/10 Service: 7/10 Experience: 7/10 Value: 6/10
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Melanie R.

Yelp
I came here a few weeks ago and absolutely loved the vibe. Came across the restaurant on tik-tok and decided to try it out. The place is a bit pricy but is totally worth it for the amount of food you get. The seafood is fresh and the drinks are great. If you're looking for a good sushi spot in the south end then I would recommend this spot. The restaurant is beautiful and the presentation of food is top notch.
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Deja V.

Yelp
Nice decor and vibe here. The owner was welcoming and likewise with the waitress. One of our favorite spot for sushi anytime of the day. The wagyu on the hot rock and the salmon torched over the flames are one of the highlights on the menu. We love the hot sake here and the salmon dumplings. The grilled yellowtail neck (hamachi karma) Everything turns out to be good here and we would come back for good sushi.
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Maisy C.

Yelp
Service: very attentive friendly waitstaff. Food: mediocre, presentation was nice but everything was kinda bland, not talking about the flavors and garnish added, but the sashimis itself, were tasteless and not so fresh.
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Fion L.

Yelp
All great things to say about this place! The food & service is definitely something I will come back for and the restaurant is a beautiful space for an occasion. It's conveniently located by the Broadway T which is a perk. The quality of the food was great & same with the presentation. It was nice to try a little bit of everything and felt the serving size was just right for sharing. The favorites that we ordered were the Fire Salmon, Negi Toro Handroll, Lobster Taco, Toro roll & Bone Marrow. We ended the meal with the dessert crepe cake which is the only item that we felt we could have skipped out on just based on taste preference.
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Tommy V.

Yelp
Came here for the first time during restaurant week and it was overall an okay experience. The host/manager seems unorganized and confused with who came first even though we all had reservations. When we sat down, our bartender/waiter/all around utility man basically did everything. There were several other workers around but my poor man was doing all the work. He was awesome though Duck Bao was decent but not memorable. Wagyu portions were small and you only get a few bites for an entree. Lobsters weren't bad either and sushi was okay as well. We ordered the Salmon but it never came so we cancelled it Matcha, taro and mango dessert were average as well. Overall expect expect to pay a lot for something that is not really high end. We ended up going to teriyaki house across the street after because we were still hungry
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Chirag M.

Yelp
Pricey, average food with terrible service. After waiting 15 minutes to be seated, our party of 4 was brought to our table. Our cocktails took 45 mins to be served. We were told the sushi bar was backed up and would take 1 hour+ for food to arrive. They didn't even bring us a glass of water for the first 20 mins. So there we were hungry, waiting staring at the hostess who was organizing the many bags of take out orders the kitchen was prioritizing over folks waiting in their restaurant. If the food were good, the wait would've been justified, but unfortunately it was average at best. The only thing above our expectations was the amount on the check.