Sushi by Bou - Jersey City NJ @ Ani Ramen

What an incredible experience! We had a group of four for a birthday celebration, and I would highly recommend this experience for a special occasion. The attentive and personalized service was top notch. Our chef, Ryan, was great and all the sushi was fresh and full of flavor. We went with the bougie menu which lasted about one hour. The only downside is that none of us were quite full after the meal.

Best value omakase by far in Jersey City. We did the bougie experience and it was totally worth it. The 12 course is also a fantastic value. Will definitely be back soon!

Came here a few months ago because of the great reviews. When you have a bunch of Omakase spots just across the Hudson it’s a wonder why people rate this place so highly. Maybe it’s convenience? The restaurant shares a space with the clean and airy Ani Ramen. I didn’t love being brought to the back of the restaurant into a dark closet with sticky floors and countertops. The service from the sushi chefs was good, but there’s something about feeling like I was being read a script about what I should be experiencing from the host that did not sit well with me. The courses were ok. The fish wasn’t the right temperature - almost too room temperature/warm and i had a super salty piece of uni that kinda just ruined everything for me.

My husband and I are huge fans of sushi by bou we always have an amazing omakase experience with the best drinks. The fish is fresh and delicious, they get their fish from the same place the michelin star restaurants do. Both chefs were fantastic and I really liked the variety with the bougie experience. I’m blanking on the hosts name which is annoying me bc he was so personable and friendly, made the night that much better! And lastly the bartender Mike was the man! My husband loves going out to try new drinks and Mike made all these different tequila specials throughout the night that were fantastic. Highly recommend for a great date night or girls night, just have something planned after because it’s only an hour experience.

Very intimate cozy spot to eat some sushi prepared right in front of you. Food was delicious, service was good and ambience was perfectly fit for a date night. I would recommend

Carmen and Danny are amazing! Carmen is the best chef & so informative about all of the sushi. We loved the whole vibe of the place, super intimate and perfect for a first date!

AMAZING food, and service! The 18 piece Omasaka was absolutely amazing. It was fun watching the chef prepare each piece, one at a time. The mock-tails were some of the best I’ve ever had. The staff were extremely friendly and the ambiance and presentation was phenomenal. I would definitely come back here.

Excellent experience. Sushi chef was amazing at his craft, personable and engaged. The rest of the staff made us feel like we were special guests in an amazing place. Absolutely recommend this spot 100%. Thank you.

We always have a great time at Sushi by Bou and the Jersey City location did not disappoint. To check in you meet the hostess at the Ramen restaurant where the Sushi by Bou restaurant is hidden by the kitchen area. As usual you start with drinks before being asked to move to your spot at the sushi bar. Since I wasn't drinking alcohol at the time I opted for the Galaxy Yuzu Lemoade which had the butterfly pea flower infused in it. Like other Sushi by Bou locations we have been too the sushi itself was very fresh and delicious. Sad to see they weren't able to have uni for our dinner experience like they normally do. It had to do with that there was a bit of a shortage at the time we were there. One thing that was different and fun was that they did let us torch a couple of dishes-with supervision and guidance of course. We had a great time and looking forward to possibly returning in the future.

Behind Ani Ramen is a modern Omakase speakeasy with an intimate 8-seat sushi bar! When I first walked in I absolutely loved the pink and purple floral vibes! I also thought the fish was very fresh! Here's what I think could be improved on: I had a few piece of fish that was overcooked when the torch was used. The rice was also a bit undercooked. But what really affected my dining experience was that the seats were so close together that I had someone else's hair on me almost the whole time I was dining. Plus, it was so loud, and honestly, I think some guests had a bit much to drink before or during their meal so it really ruined the atmosphere. I could tell another couple was a bit disturbed by the atmosphere and left asap after dinner. Typically, I would recommend omakase if you wanted to celebrate a special occasion like a birthday or for a date night, but for this location I think it'd be best for a casual dinner spot with friends. I've tried a few other locations of this chain in the city and NJ that had better quality and atmosphere - so definitely check out their other locations if you're looking for that!

I cannot love this place more! First time here and first omakase experience. From the minute we walked in until the minute we left, it was an experience! The room was small and intimate and the staff very engaged with every customer. Every thing was explained as they went. I couldn't even really pick a favorite because all the food was so good. Maybe the chopped tuna or bbq yellowtail, if i had to pick two. I had two drinks off the mock-tail menu and they were perfectly refreshing and didnt feel like overpriced juice, but an actual drink. You can stay after your seating and order more drinks as well. They don't rush the experience at all!

Excellent customer service! All the staff were friendly and professional from the moment we walked in. We tried the "regular" Omakase experience for the first time, and it was amazing.

Ordered: 12-course, 1-hour signature omakase experience (~$60): yellowtail, lean tuna, chopped tuna, spotted prawn, salmon roe, albacore, scallop, miso cod, fatty tuna, salmon, surf & turf, and BBQ eel Big Mac (~$18): wagyu beef, scallop, toro, and uni Galaxy Sparkling Yuzu Lemonade (~$11): zero proof; yuzu, lemon, simple syrup, seltzer, and butterfly pea tea Aya's take: My first omakase experience! Entering through Ani Ramen, we were taken to a room tucked away in the back. It's a very intimate experience with only ~8 seats per hour slot. I started off with the Galaxy Sparkling Yuzu Lemonade which was light & refreshing. Every single piece of this 12-course experience was incredibly fresh and well-curated. The chefs balance flavors, textures, and colors in every single bite. My favorites were the fatty tuna (toro) and miso cod (gindara). We also tried the Big Mac which in theory, you can't go wrong with because it's includes some of the best ingredients layered on top of one another. I think having it in this form doesn't allow you to appreciate each ingredient as much as you should. I was surprised at how full I was after the 12-courses and the Big Mac definitely took me over the top. I loved watching the chefs create each course and having sufficient time to enjoy each bite. At the price point, freshness level, and ambiance - this is an incredible "starter" omakase experience!

I've been a fan of sushi by bou, came back multiple times in multiple locations and also brought many friends with me throughout the years. This last time I came left me with nothing but disappointment. The first thing I noticed was the size of the sushi shrunk by 50%. I took advantage of the BOGO promotion that they had for the month of September. I'm not sure if it's because of the promotion they decided to cut down their cost. It seemed like they literally took 1 sushi and cut it in half for me and my friend to share. Seems a little misleading to say it's BOGO when we're actually just splitting 1 omakase between 2 people. Or it could be their new portion size which is even more alarming and upsetting. The second thing I was having a horrible experience was the chef. I can hardly understand him and it seemed like he was not even properly trained how to make a sushi. Watching him prepare the sushi was like watching my daughter doing pretend play. The way he prepared the rice seemed very painful as he just used 2 hands and fluffed the rice into a very small ball and called it a day. He also drenched our sushi with soy sauce to the point it was all over my plate. The essential part of the sushi is the fish and although soy sauce with appropriate amount will help enhance the flavors of the fish, tonight's chef put so much on that it's so overpowering that I can't even taste anything besides the soy sauce exploding in my mouth. Another point is the chef didn't even bother wiping the soy sauce off my plate so when he placed another piece of sushi on the plate, the rice soaked up the soy sauce from the plate and made it even more salty. We did ask the chef to lighten up the soy sauce and it did get better afterwards but I just started wiping my plate clean myself between each piece of sushi. The chef seemed very amateur and unprofessional. The third disappointment was the food quality itself. The vinegar:sugar:salt ratio seemed a bit off for the rice. Almost like they mixed up the salt and sugar which made the rice salty with an unpleasant aftertaste. Some of the fishes were also not very fresh including the hamachi which is not a great way to start out the omakase. Another thing I was disappointed about, and have voiced out my opinion to mangers previously, was the fact they took out Chu toro and replaced it with chopped tuna. This is definitely a move to cut down cost since the ends and unwanted pieces of the fishes are what is often used for any chopped sushi. Another thing is their miso cod, which I always asked to switch out of it after I tried it for the first time when they first introduced it onto the menu. If a true authentic sushi chef saw this, he would probably would have a heart attack. The miso cod was overly marinated which was salty, it was dry and too much sauce on top. The cod is best to just leave it out of the menu. Aside from all the disappointment, their yuzu lemonade still stands strong and is just as tasty as before. Their service was great and attentive, taking time to listen to my concerns. Hence, I'm giving 1 star for the drink and 1 star for their service. Overall, it's unfortunate that they have declined in both quality and quantity. It may be the fact that they are expanding really quickly so the better chefs are being transferred to their new location and the old locations are left with chefs that lacks training and competence. I really hope they will be able to take in feedbacks and make improvements accordingly.

I came to this omakase spot with a total of 4 people for a friend's birthday. It was a wonderful experience! The chef we had was AMAZING! His name is Carmen. Had the best personality and service of all times. The pieces the chef served were incredible. Each piece was flavorful and unique. I really enjoyed the yellowtail, surf n turf, and eel pieces. I was really looking forward to the toro piece, but the cut was pretty small compared to other omakase places I have been to. The Big Mac (additional cost) was amazing. So many great ingredients and I could taste each one of them. Highly recommend Big Mac. The atmosphere was awesome. Decorated with many flowers and lights. Many people came here to celebrate their birthdays so we all got a shot on the house. We spent about $100 per person that night with tips and tax. I love it here. Planning to come eat at this omakase spot again!

Excellent customer service, all of the staff were friendly and professional from the moment we walked in. We had the "regular" Omakase experience and it was our first time trying omakase. We thoroughly enjoyed it, the food was great and fresh. I'm not huge on sushi as I'm not a fan of "fishy" tastes and scents, the sushi here was so fresh that it didn't taste fishy/funky whatsoever. Regular experience comes with 12 pieces, bougie comes with 18. We found the 12 to be satisfying/satiating and sufficient. You can also order pieces a la carte. Great experience; I will be back for sure. Great cocktails too :) This makes a great date spot or place to celebrate a birthday or special occasion.

Needless to say, I was quite disappointed with my experience. Upon entering the sushi room tucked away in the back of Ani Ramen my girlfriend and I were seated at the end of the sushi counter. My girlfriend climbed into her chair with my help of pushing her in while I had to sit sideways due to the lack of space. In regards to the food, the rice that was cooked that night was under seasoned and undercooked. Often times when the fish was served (albacore and eel), the fish itself was extremely dry. If I felt if I was paying for Omakase, the quality and precision would be at a higher level.

I was a bit confused trying to find this place. It's inside a restaurant to the back in a small private room. The decoration is very nice, the setting is intimate. I came with a friend. & there was another group of girls in our session. The drinks were very sweet and the bartender was nice about adding more tequila. The sushi tasted good, I just wish there was more. Overall a cute experience.

Fun experience! Vibe was cool, staff was friendly and attentive, food was DELICIOUS! Michael was the host and he was so friendly and accommodating (my friend was a bit late but he made it work). Danny was an amazing bartender. Kevin made sure we had everything we needed at all times (my water was never even close to 1/2 empty). Chef Patrick - the absolute best! Obvious chef skills, but also very fun to talk to and very knowledgeable about the cuisine. We even ran into him after and he recognized us and gave us a warm greeting. cons: At times the music was blaring and it was hard to have a normal conversation even when you're sat next to each other. This is an omakase thing, not specific to this spot, but I was still hungry at the end.

DISAPPOINTED and now a bit impoverished. I wanted to try Bou after seeing good reviews of the NYC locations (and the draw of the hip hop theme) but in the end (at least at this location) it was definitely not worth it. The fish was not much better than a regular sushi restaurant. The rice, which is the basic component, was too vinegary and seasoned to taste the fish. The uni was definitely was a bit off, dated because it had a bitter taste. The scallop was tasteless. It felt like a kindergarten class for people who are absolute beginners in Japanese cuisine and easily duped. And a bit comparable to a pretentious McDonald's. So we came, we ate, left with a big check and a little hungry, and we won't be back.

Our second visit to the JC location. Overall same vibe and service. We took advantage of their 2 for 1 promotion, which seemed like a very good deal. The issues were the size of the nigiri sushi which were very small. The rice was about half a thumb size and the dish on top about thumb size, on small hands. If the flavors blew us away I would have been satisfied however for some reason their rice which is equally important was very sour. Too much vinegar that overpowered the fish. When pieces were brushed with soy or yuzu they were either too sour or too sour and salty. As we were leaving the "captain" asked us if we enjoyed our meal, and told us he would like to make it up to us. We appreciated his gesture but realized their taste didn't really suit us. I've been eating sushi over 40 years, been to Japan many times so I'm definitely not a noob. You guys might enjoy it give it a try.

The rice part of the sushi was so bad...... Can't believe it - dry and hard. The chef was not very professional of making sushi. You can tell from the way he made sushi. Some of the pieces were not very fresh - tasted fishy. Not recommend and won't come back.

I came here on a Wednesday after work (5pm) my group was the only group here. There were a lot of empty seats. The servers took our jackets and bags when we entered and gave them back to us when we left. As we were the only group (2 people) here, we got served very fast. As we ate our piece, the omakase chef was already preparing our next piece. It was my friends birthday. When the chef heard about this, we were offered a shot with the chef! And the chef made an extra piece for my friend! Hamachi yellowtail - this was the first piece and was def a good choice to start with Akami lean tuna Botan eel spotted prawn - i don't typically like prawn, but this is the first time I actually liked it! Ikura salmon roe - i dont really like big popping roe. Bincho albacore Maguro chopped tuna Hotate scallop - this was really good! Gindara miso cod - my first bite was a sniff of wasabi I had to breathe wasabiiii as I ate this Toro fatty tuna Sake salmon Wagyuni surf n' turf - i like the texture of this Unagi bbq eel - the sauce is really good.

My bf and I usually go to omakase in NYC but we were looking for last minute reservations at a late hour and this place took a 10pm reservation. Sushi by Bou does have a location in NYC but we went to the JC location bc of convenience. Sushi by Bou is inside Ani ramen (also a very awesome place to eat). You tell the receptionist you're here for the sushi and she'll take you to the back where another person will let you into a back room where the omakase is held. Very cool! It feels like you're in a whole separate restaurant in a restaurant. The area has throwback music playing with neon menu lights and very kind people. They take your coat and seat you down. This omakase is very laid back and casual. Some people don't like this but for me I really loved it. I felt like I can talk to the sushi chef and crack jokes with him. Given there was only 3 of us so it was VERY intimate. However, bc of the vibe of the place I wasn't intimidating, it made omakase super fun! I've been to other omakase places where the music was simplistic, you had to dress upscale, and everyone was whispering or not talking making it super intimidating. This place had all the deliciousness of omakase while in a relaxed, chill setting. Alright let's talk about PRICE! This place has AMAZING value. Bougie experience has 17 pieces for $100. I was FULL and I'm usually never full with omakase. Even their other option which is standard omakase is 12 pieces for $60 is incredible value. FAVORITE PIECES All the pieces were delicious but the ones that really stood out were the toro with truffle salt, prawn, and scallop. The truffle salt really complimented the toro piece with the beautiful taste of truffle. The scallop (one of my favorites) was probably one of the freshest I have EVER had. Lastly, the prawn, WOW. Usually I'm not a fan of the shrimp pieces however this prawn was so extremely fresh and smooth. Tastes straight from the ocean and I just slurped it right up!! I'm so glad we found this place bc now if I have a craving for omakase, I don't have to break the bank to go get it! PRO-TIP: we were there at 10pm and had a 1:3 chef/customer ratio. Our food came out so quick, we weren't waiting long for the next piece, quality was still there even though it was the end of the day, and the attentiveness was on point. We were done with our 17 course meal in 50 minutes! So come later if you want this kind of intimacy.

I was trying to get into Luigi's ice cream, but unfortunately I only stumbled into a hidden omakase wonderland. This place is very in touch with the millennials with the "Bougie" omakase experience. Get it? Bou-gie? The place is sushi by Bou? Haha! Due to inflation and external supply chain issues, the cost of the experience has risen. There's a normal option for $50 and the Bougie one for $100. 12 courses vs 17. Luckily, we checked in on yelp and got a free shot. This place is super intimate, with even a couch and a mini sand zen garden when you wait. There's a bartender tucked in the corner, make sure to order something fancy to go with your experience. This place actually encourages you to eat with your hands and has a towel and ginger to wipe in between courses. Our chef Iven was great. Excellent service and made some really choice sushi. My favorite was probably the miso cod handroll. Lots of flavor. They even had a wagyu sushi with uni. Most of the courses are pretty high end with either truffle or uni combined on top. I like how they have the items listed on the side so you know what you're getting. Maybe one day, I'll get enough bots to qualify for that free handroll haha

It won't quite transport you to a sushi bar in Tsukiji, but the omakase at Sushi By Bou is a fantastic meal for considerably cheaper than you'll find...just about anywhere in the area. For $60, you'll enjoy 12 pieces of the chef's selected sushi (or, for $40 more, get six extra pieces including some more exotic tastes). Reservations are a must, with only 8 seats at the "Zen Garden" sushi bar in the back of Ani Ramen. While some bits (buttery smooth spotted prawn, immensely tasty fatty tuna) are better than others (an uni + wagyu mix that tasted muddled), it's well worth the experience, especially when complimented with the selection of sake available.

Amazing. what an experience. 12 course left me feeling stuffed. Definitely a small hidden joint. Intimate setting with fun dim lights and small cocktail bar (not great options though) So yummy!!!

Elegant speakeasy hidden in the back of Ani Ramen in JC. Walking in you definitely feel the change in atmosphere. They have cherry blossoms hanging from the ceiling and and pink and green neon lights that match the decor (very instagramable). It's an Intimate setting as it sits about 9 people at the sushi bar and has a mini lounge adjacent to the bar. I didn't have the sushi but the service at the bar was phenomenal. The bartender was knowledgeable and recommended the Shiso Southsider, which was delicious. The vodka used is so smooth you can barely taste it. Overall 10/10. If you haven't already checked it out, please do. Run don't walk!

This is a bit of a confusing place to get into since it's located in the back of a ramen shop (kind of a speakeasy like vibe). Very tiny spot with nice decorations. Seating is tiny (6-8 seats I believe) at the counter. Everything is quite business-like (each seating is one hour and you are rushed in and out since there are seatings before and after). Despite this, it was a nice meal. Sushi is fresh and tasty, though pieces are quite small. Also ordered a supplemental Big Mac and piece of uni. This place received four stars for the Big Mac alone. What an indulgent bite! It includes hotate (scallop), uni, wagyu (though this cut does not taste like wagyu, not the same melt in your mouth). WOW. Loved this piece. In comparison the uni itself seemed expensive ($15 for one small piece of uni sushi), but it was tasty. We got the 12 piece for a late night second dinner (9 PM seating) with a few supplementals, but I think bigger eaters may even leave this place hungry and are more suited to the 18 piece.

I've been to a few different sushi by bou locations in NYC and also Chicago, all were such an amazing experience. This was my first time at the JC restaurant and I was very disappointed. The whole time I was there it felt super rushed...we were rushed to order drinks and also finish our food. As soon as I finished a nigiri another was immediately put on my plate. The chef we had was clearly still in training because he kept asking the other chef what to do, and it was obvious he didn't know what he was doing. He was very cheap with the amount of fish he put on the omakase, I feel like all I ate was rice. It's disappointing because it was my birthday dinner and also because you pay a big price for the omakase special. Don't think I'll be returning.

Incredible night at Sushi By Bou. Host Anthony and Chef Ivan were incredible with accommodating. We opt'ed for the 18course $100 omakase. The experience was excellent the drinks and food were next level. If your a sushi fan and appreciate quality craftsmanship. Give this fun spot a try. Good music. Great ambiance. Come here and dont listen to negative reviews. Drinks and the 18course with a nice time will run about 175$ and that was with an addon of the "big mac" special which was unreal. Uni scallop and wagyu together. This is card only. No Cash.

Had the omakase at their NYC location years ago and I remember it being a great experience, with a delicious shiso cocktail. I'm happy to say that the affordable omakase ($50 for 12 pieces) is still the bomb, and my shiso drink is still the first item on the cocktail menu. Make sure you make a reservation as they only have a few seats in an intimate hidden bar area inside ani ramen. They also have a $100 'bougie' option with 17 pieces, but I was told that this is usually available for dinner only and the chef needs a heads up to prepare everything. The pacing of the meal was perfect and gave us plenty of time between bites to salivate at what the chef was preparing for us next. The whole thing took a little less than an hour. I enjoyed every piece and felt that the garnishes were well balanced and did well to complement the fish and not overwhelm. The piece that was served with truffle oil was maybe a little bit heavy on the truffle flavor, but still very enjoyable. The yuzu on the salmon roe was a really nice touch and downplayed the usual fishiness. The chef did not speak to us much but had really kind vibes and he explained what everything was. In some of the more pricey omakase I've been to, it's often loud because of the crowd or music, so it was difficult to hear what the chef is saying, and we didn't always know what we were putting into our mouths. I appreciate that the menu on the wall also had all the pieces listed in order as well. My favorite pieces were probably the uni, which I ordered another of a la carte, the scallop, and I surprised myself with how much I enjoyed the miso cod and salmon roe. Everything tasted fresh. I would highly recommend this place as an intro to omakase. Especially for people who are not used to/fond of the especially fishy or exotic pieces.

For such a popular sushi chain this place surprisingly hits all the right notes while maintaining the intimacy that omakase places strive to achieve. When you walk in to the ani ramen the hostess will tell you to move to the back and wait for someone to come get you. Out of the blacked out doors titled "luigi's ice cream" comes out another greeter who ushers you into a quaint but warm section tucked away from the rest of the restaurant. I have to admit I knew what to expect and I was still excited to be taken back into what opened up into a decorative sushi lounge with a couch and servers waiting to take your drink order while you wait to be seated. We opted for the 12 course $60 per person meal and everything came out great. The host and the chef were both friendly and accommodating. Love this place will be back!

We stumbled across this location while on a walk and booked dinner that same day. This was the first Sushi By Bou I've tried. 12 pieces for $50 was a great deal. Fish was super fresh and loved that they gave everyone a free shot on Mother's Day. The fish had great pairings like yuzu, lime zest, lemon juice, cream, etc. They didn't have uni unfortunately which is my favorite but the special was delicious with fresh quail egg, tuna and fish all stacked together. The egg was creamy and the tuna was melt in your mouth.

I must say this place is phenomenal. I went with two girlfriends and we did the 12 course for $50. We savored every piece. Three pieces that really made an impression of us, unanimously, were the miso cod, wagyuni and the unagi. Out of those three, I must say the miso cod was the winner. It melted in your mouth. The atmosphere was very nice, cherry blossom tree and was a speakeasy in the Ani Ramen. The Yuzu Honey Bee is a must get if your go to is whiskey, particularly Makers Mark, like me. Delicious and refreshing. The staff was super friendly and made the experience! Especially Chef Mike, "One bite!" (Everyone knows the rules) Worth the price and worth the experience!

Went here for my boyfriend's birthday. The place was very intimate and well decorated. There was a group of customers still lingering as we waited to be seated so it felt a little cramped upon arriving, but that lasted no more than 10 mins. We ordered drinks while we waited, played with the zen garden near the entrance, and were seated shortly thereafter. My cocktail was a little too strong. I asked my boyfriend to take a sip and he agreed. It was a struggle to finish it, but not a big deal as the food is the main attraction. Our chef was very friendly and happily answered our questions about the food. The host and bartender were also very nice and accommodating. We loved the yellowtail, spotted prawn, and the chopped tuna. The fatty tuna was our least favorite; had a weird aftertaste. I was a little worried I'd still be hungry afterwards, but was pleasantly surprised at how full I still felt hours after the experience. They offered us complimentary sake to celebrate my boyfriend's bday, which was very kind. The sake actually tasted a lot smoother than the cocktail I ordered so it all worked out in the end.

This is my secret local sushi spot for special occasions. I love their location hidden in the back of Ani Ramen. Each reservation has 1 hour for a full omakase course. This little place can only accommodate 8-10 people for each time slot. I highly recommend to order the sake flights (3 different sakes) to go with the meal and finish the meal with Big Mac which is a nigiri sushi with uni (sea urchin), hotate (scallop) and grilled wagyu. It would be a very satisfying bite. All the toppings would just melt in your mouth.

My little brother was in town and never had omakase before, and so, logically, I thought that Sushi By Bou would probably the best way to introduce someone to omakase if they've never had it before because (1) their fish is really fresh and (2) the price is pretty affordable. Shout out to Yelp for having the ability to make a reservation through the app for my myself, my boyfriend, and little brother. At the end of dinner we all agreed that we had a great experience here. The omakase experience itself was amazing and such a good deal - $50 for 12 pieces and you get a whole hour to enjoy it (unlike in NYC which only allows for 30 minutes for this same type of reservation). Each piece of sushi tasted really fresh and dinner was made even more enjoyable for us since chef Chris/the host & server that we had were all super friendly and so chill. My favorites of the night were definitely the uni, toro, wagyuni and unagi. We also each tried a "Happy Ending" after we finished up our main meal. This was so big and had a lot going on (I wish we ordered the Big Mac instead). We were offered free shots to take it in one bite but that was a massive fail. At the time we were there, they were offering free shots of sake on the house (Yelp deal) and a free hand roll if you posted them on your social and reached 30 views/likes in 30 minutes. We of course took advantage of both promos and I suggest you do the same!

Dined here with my boyfriend for a date night and it was phenomenal. It was our first real omakase experience, so we weren't super sure what to expect but now we have been enlightened lol Our sushi chef, Ryan, was so funny and we loved chatting with him about his background and what his favorite fish is! The service was excellent. The cocktails were all yummy too. Make sure to ask the bartender what their favorite drinks are - we did that and were NOT disappointed! I'd recommend making a reservation because seats are very limited.

Wow! Loved this spot. Booked a 12pm reservation through yelp for a party of 2. Although my friend was running late, they seated me first and waited as long as possible to start, separately for me until my friend came. $50 for 12 pcs is such a steal. The quality was amazing and the quantity was spot on. The pieces of fish were not too tiny. The one that stood out to me in terms of quantity was the big slice of otoro. Another piece that really stood out was the eel at the end of the meal which they torched. It was probably the best eel I have tasted. The ikura was also the sweetest I have tasted - so freakin' good! Usually I find ikura fishy but sushi by bou really made it taste different. Best I've had so far. The sweet shrimp and wagyu uni handroll was also delicious. I would 1000% come back. I would love to try their different locations as well. I have been to Sushi By M in the city and it did not compare to my experience at Sushi by Bou. I was more impressed by the unique flavors here at Bou and I was also left feeling more full. I added on the Big Mac which consists of uni, scallop, wagyu and toro for an additional $18. Although it is super yummy, my friend thought the flavors got lost because there was so much going on. You could opt for individual pieces if you want to taste the specific flavors more uniquely. The interior was small and cozy. Located at the back of a ramen store, there's only room for about 8-10 guests. Theres a tiny bar section and a small sofa inside also. Great spot to catch up with a friend or for a date. P.S - check in on yelp to get free sake (current offer)

5 stars because it's omakase in NJ, the price is super reasonable (12 pieces for $50), the staff is fantastic! Since there is limited seating, I highly recommend that you make reservations for your omakase experience - you can actually do this via the Yelp app. Upon walking in, you'll go through the Ani Ramen entrance & all the way to the back is where Sushi by Bou is. Before you start your meal, they give you individually wrapped wipes to clean your hands (just in case you want to eat with your hands :P). Then your omakase experience starts. I would say the whole meal was a little more than 30 minutes. Sushi is fresh and the chefs definitely know how to pair it with the right condiments to bring out the best flavors. They also serve alcohol so you can pair it with some sake! You can always add more food once you go through all 12 pieces. Overall great experience and I love that I don't have to go all the way to NYC to get omakase.

When you tell me, I could get a dinner consisting of a 12 - piece, $50 course omakase AND that the sushi is of high-quality pieces for a reasonable price, I would have given you a raised eyebrow. Continue to tempt me by declaring, if I'm feeling bougie, I could get instead, an 18 -piece premium $100 course complete with a sake aperitif and Oyster Sunomono, to coin George Takei's catchphrase, "oh myyyyyyy." Well, I'm not sure I am that hungry so I stayed with the premier dinner. Can I say, I am blown away by Sushi by Bou in Jersey City? I truly exceeded my expectations!! Upon arriving at the doorstep of Ani Ramen, Hubby and I went inside where the hostess asked us for our names for the reservation and proceeded to walk us to the back of the restaurant and told us to "wait here." I did not see the door to the restaurant, Sushi by Bou. Instead, I did spy a door but the signage read it was an ice cream parlor. I started to get a bit nervous asking myself, "What has my Hubby gotten us into? Are we in the right place? What's going on?" Suddenly the door opened and Anthony greeted us and beckoned us to come in. We are suddenly transported to a warm and inviting place, complete with smooth jazz playing, a comfortable sofa, a small cocktail bar, and 6 chairs at the sushi bar. After checking in via Yelp, our host, Anthony gave us a sweet shot of sake. It was so delicious, we had another round during our course of dinner. After being seated at the bar, others began to join us and we were all off to our culinary journey. As we all ordered other beverages to go along with our sushi dinner, I have to confess, their drinks are potent! Their pours are generous and I sipped hubby's Old Fashioned and not only was it strong but smooth. Their sake aperitif, Sparkling Galaxy Yuzu Lemonade mocktail, and all other cocktails are exceptional but my favorite is still their Heavensake Junmai Ginjo, the sake. With the great food and drinks flowing amongst all of us at the bar, a great time was had by all of us as we came in as strangers and we all left as friends.

Really unique experience that had me trying lots of new and delicious things! Very cool vibe inside. Would definitely come here again!

Ambient and atmosphere is great. Everything I expected from an omakase. We did the extra or the premium package and it was alot for me. For my husband it was perfect. I think i would go with the regular package. I will definitely come back.

I came to this restaurant with my boyfriend after we just moved to Jersey City and it was such a wonderful night- the best place to have an inaugural date night! It was our first time ever trying Omakase. We are both sushi fans so we had high expectations and they were ALL exceeded by the excellent service and food! We were seated immediately and the chefs introduced themselves to us and made us feel welcome. The manager even got us 2 shots of sake on the house! We got the 12 course menu and each piece somehow was even better than the one before it. The highlights were the cod and the salmon. It was such an interactive experience- the chef even let me use his butane torch to torch one of the rolls! I also think the price was well worth it. It was just $60 for 12 courses or $100 for 17 and I was pretty full after the 12! We will definitely be back for this experience again

If you're talking about a hole in a wall, then you've come to the correct place. My boyfriend brought me to this establishment a month ago, raving about the wonderful omakase experience. This review is really for him because he loves this place so much. The front end of the store is actually a ramen place. When you tell them you have a reservation for sushi by bou, the staff will bring you to a hidden back room away from the ramen customers. The dimmed room isn't terribly big, but it seats about 6-8 people. It's a countertop experience, with the chef on one end of the island with his ingredients and fancy equipment, and us consumers on the other side. That night, we dined with one other person, and we all had a grand time. The experience is orderly; the chef has a set menu that he'll go through. Each dish is one piece of delicately-made sushi by the chef. We ordered the sake sampler that came in 3 parts to go along with the set menu. The latter third of the menu consisted of fatty pieces of fish, and they paired very well with the clean, dry junmai sake. I left the establishment feeling more in love with my boyfriend (great date place)! All joking aside, it truly was a great experience; I would recommend friends, family, and couples to go. Since it's a bar setting, you won't have a private booth or anything, but you do get to know the people around you well if you choose to interact with them. Opinions: My boyfriend loves this place for its ambiance and the way the chef prepares the omakase. The sashimi is brought to room temperature before being served and the fish is soft; it simply melts in your mouth. It was my first time there and I loved the experience. The price for the omakase is not expensive considering the quality of the pieces and the acuity of the chef. Last advice: Each reservation is a one-hour experience with the omakase chef, and it's best to get there on time, if not early out of respect for the other customers who also reserved the same time slot. I'm not sure how late you can be before they cancel your reservation.

You cant break the bank here! You get decent quakity pieces so I'm glad we went for the price we paid. It's $60 per person for Omakase. The chef's are friend and the staff is kind. You get tea but there aren't any tea leaves there :/ Don't get the cocktails there. Not worth it. I couldn't taste alcohol in mine.

This is my first visit to Sushi by Bou and I've tried other places such as Sushi on Jones (similar price) and sushi Nakazawa (more $$$). I'll say that I enjoyed this sushi experience much more without breaking my wallet. Very attentive sushi chef and bartender. Definitely will come back! Don't forget to check in for free sake.

This was a really great experience for a quick and easy omakase. The staff is extremely attentive, almost too attentive trying to clear your plates and get ready for the next reservations though. The nigiri pieces were all fresh but pre sliced. Nothing too fancy about it, and easy enough for someone new to omakase. 12 piece omakase for $50 is pretty much unbeatable in this area though. Don't forget to check in for free sake too!

Such an amazing experience!!! Came here with my boyfriend for our anniversary and could not have had a better time! We made reservations (required) a week or two out for a weekday evening. They have seatings at 6 pm and 8 pm. The sushi spot is in the back of a ramen shop in a speakeasy like set up that is super trendy and cool. Everyone (about 8-10 people) sit at a bar with two sushi chefs behind the bar We started off with one of their whiskey drinks, the yuzu honey bee, which was delicious and definitely strong! They have a nice selection of cocktails and sake flights. For the meal, we each got the $50 12 course set. Everything tasted amazing!!! It was our first Omakase so we have nothing to compare it to but it really exceeded expectations. Our chef was so friendly, explained every item, answered our questions and even included a couple extra free items for us to try! My boyfriend finished the meal with the legendary Big Mac ($18) which was this massive piece of sushi that has to be eaten in one bite. He took on the challenge and had no regrets lol. Overall we loved the experience and while pricey, it's much more affordable than other similar nyc Omakase spots and totally worth the splurge!

My Fiancé and I went here for our anniversary and this place did not disappoint. It is a speak easy and tucked in the back of Ani Ramen. They have a small waiting section for guests until the chefs are ready for you. The bartenders will take your drinks while you wait. The bar seating is very tight, Be prepared to stand if it feels packed. We opted for the fancier omakase. It was worth it considering you are getting about 5 more items for 20 more dollars. The quality of the fish is very fresh and the chefs explain what you are eating very well. They also ask for your help to scorch the sushi you are eating. It is such a great experience getting involved and you can get amazing Instagram worthy content. The value for money is also great for the amount and quality of food you are getting.

Like most of their locations in NYC that I've been too, this one is also small and cozy. It's tucked in the back of Ani Ramen, so you need to walk all the way to the back and it's on the right. The decor is lovely, feels like a speakeasy bar. It's bar seating for about ten at time. Reservations are required but pretty easy to make (here on Yelp). The host is very accommodating and the chef is easy to talk to. We shared some great stories over a 12 piece omakase. Very reasonably price and everything was very fresh.

I almost do not want to leave a review because I don't want more people to go here and make it harder to get a reservation. Anyway, it's really good. Took a few photos of first few bites and then began enjoying myself and didn't take anymore.

We loved it. This is my 2nd time at Sushi By Bou but 1st time at the JC location. Ambience is so cozy and staff seriously couldn't have been nicer! They are also very prompt as the meal is exactly 1hr so make sure you are on time for your resi. Drinks were delicious and the omakase experience was great. We also added 2 Toro hand rolls as well. Would absolutely recommend for a beginner or fun experience! Thanks for a great night!

This is a special experience. Feels like you are in Japan except everyone speaks English. I had bought yelp elite 2 for 1 omakase gift cards end of 2019 for Christmas but did not have the opportunity to dine in until recently due to covid. We sat with only 2 other diners behind the sushi counter, barrier between. It looks like a private Japanese lounge. There are string lights, cherry blossoms, a couch and a small bar above and behind you as you sit at the counter. Everyone working here was really nice. Every morsel was delicious but my favorites were the bbq eel, fatty tuna, scallop, and salmon. It was also my first time having uni and the wagyuni and uni bites were so fun. We even asked for an extra piece of bbq eel because it was so amazing. Normally the price is $50 per person just for the sushi tasting, which is a little expensive. Not sure I would have gone if I did not have the 2 for 1 deal but I was glad I did. I actually have another set of gift cards so I will be back at least once! Sake is a little expensive too, the cheapest tasting was around $42. Tip for yelpers - check in to receive a free sake!

Best omakase in jersey city! The chef's are super welcoming and informative of the fish in explaining. Everyone was super nice and the area where we were seated was so zen.

Was here pre-pandemic and was sure I reviewed it. Returned last week and still very good value for real sushi. The $50 12 piece is really the only game in town: Perfectly created one bite pieces, the rice being room temp and the fish slightly cooler, it's high quality ingredients imported from the EU and West Coast. The Botan-Ebi, Ikura, Hamachi, Toro, Albacore and Salmon were perfect. Uni and Wagyu wasn't great, but still pretty good. The Miso Cod was sumptuous, very interesting - first time I've had it on sushi rice. Great staff, very friendly and professional. The sushi chef is highly trained and the host comped our non-alcoholic drinks. Thanks guys!