Sushi Kai Omakase - Fort Lee

I really love the clean, simple aesthetics of this place. It really focuses on the star of the show - the experience. There are varying courses, ranging from nigiri, small bites, to fun & innovative pieces. Everything is extremely fresh and prepared right in front of you. The chefs are engaging and lovely to talk to. It’s a really nice experience to taste a multiple course meal with fresh ingredients and intricate flavors. I don’t think it’s super expensive, you definitely get plenty of courses, but the pieces could be bigger. At $150+, I do appreciate the range of courses that are offered; to my knowledge, the experience is refreshed often. FYI - it’s BYOB!

Good food, great service, not a traditional omakase experience but a fun time Made reservations for a friday night with a friend. Byob - there is a local shop that delivers so i thought that was really cool and convenient. One of the hosts recommended a sake to go with our meal. Also got a Sapporo. Everything was not super formal and it felt like we were at a hip bar. Chefs are not Japanese if you care about that. Immediately noticed that it wasnt a true omaske style where each dish is prepared right in front of you but there was some batch preparation- there were two chefs and there were 10 guests. My partner also had some allergies which they were attentive too This was fine. Each dish was excellent with some unique flavors mixes. Temperatures were right - rice could have been a tad but tighter. Everything was excellent with the exception of the sea bream dish which tasted very average. Dessert was also nothing special just a black sesame cream brûlée - top could have been thicker. Service was great hosts were very attentive and kept everything clean. Chefs were friendly talkative and its a great place to meet people - shared some sake rounds with our neighbors. Recommended for a special occasion but i believe there are other places with better food for the price.

I have been here 2 times and if I didn’t have 3 little kids at home I would have been here for every birthday/anniversary/celebration I could. The freshness and tastiness of the food is by far above the rest. I can’t say enough great things. I recommend this place to everyone I can. Can’t wait to go back!

We booked new year eve dinner. Overall the experience is very nice and food was delicious. However it takes more than 2 hours which is too long for us… would like to finish within 2 hours. BYOB, bring your own bottle (drinks)

All it and all it was good not great, and definitely not worth 155$ per person, for 155$ they needed to make this an 18 to 20 corse meal with with option of wine or saki heck Japanese beer or soda selection as part of the reservation. Bring it down to 120$ unless you are going to add more to the menu. Also that restroom needs a lock and somone to clean it. On the hour an a half I was there ya made 1800$ at least buy a lock for the rest room. Also put yellow tape on that step heading out, that’s a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Booked under Nikki Nguyen, january 2, should be contacted to fix this.. Invite for another try or partial refund or something.. Overpriced..! The starting ones are great but the few pieces of fish sushis towards the end are small and average.. Definitely felt ripped off.. Sigh.. Jersey.. Your prices arent right.. My lovely wife's hard earned money to treat me to my birthday.. Smh.. 155$ each? A brutally bad deal.. Look at these pieces of fish sushis and tell me if its worth that insane price..

Amazing 18 course meal with each bite creating a memory. They seem to use the most fresh and high end ingredients from otoro, chu toro, truffles, and caviar. Don't come here if you intend to leave full.

Sushi Kai was incredible. I thoroughly enjoyed this meal! We did the later Omakase - there were two separate seating times. I really liked that it was just us in the restaurant and no one else was coming in/leaving the restaurant. It felt intimate and personal - no distractions. It was a true experience! The quality of the fish was superior! I recommend visiting and experiencing their Omakase. If you’d like the follow for more, my instagram is @thehungryblondicorn

The Omakase experience made for a great birthday dinner! Plenty of fresh, delicious fish offerings that each had its own unique flavor profile. This place is BYOB, so come prepared, or they offer a variety of sodas/water. The service is excellent and each staff member was friendly and knowledgeable regarding the food they prepared for us. I especially enjoyed the mackerel and ended up ordering an additional piece at the end of the experience. Every piece of fish was prepared and presented in such a pretty way! Overall had a great time and really enjoyed the atmosphere of the restaurant.

We sat at the sushi bar for the omakase experience, and it did not disappoint. The chef allowed the freshness of the ingredients to really speak for itself by mainly using just the soy sauce glaze for each course. The appetizers were decadent and delicious, with clear attention to detail placed on the presentation of the food. The restaurant is BYOB, with a few liquor stores nearby that you can pick up from before your reservation. The wait staff was attentive, and the fairly small size of the restaurant gave the dinner a very intimate experience. The omakase is not cheap, especially for Fort Lee, so don't expect to save much by eating here instead of the city.

I've only ever had omakase in Japan and this one blew it way, way out of the water. My boyfriend and I came here for my birthday earlier this year as a splurge. I can say for a fact that we'll be back. I'm a picky eater in that i don't like uni - I know, I know I'm weird stop yelling at me- so I let the chef know. Some lady at the table audibly gasped..but the chef was very accommodating and made me a little something else! Every course was better than the last.

really solid omakase place in fort lee. mostly bar seating and about 3 tables in the front. you can still get omakase on the tables! decor is clean simple and modern. service was polite, knowledgeable, and prompt. we did the omakase at the table, and it came with a LOT of food! appetizer that had 3 parts, homemade miso soup, palette cleanser, 10 piece nigiri, donburi, and a dessert. the scallop really stood out. they brought out 5 pieces at a time, which was nice for pacing at the table. parking available in the back, but it's small so if you can't find there, muni lot is a v close walk.

Very minimalistic and calming decorations with a balanced, earthy and modern feel. The service was on point. Servers kept water glasses filled. It is byob which is even better. If you forget to bring your drinks, there's a nearby store you can call to get delivery. Our sushi chef Ryan was great! He took immense care in making each piece of sushi. The dinner is a combination of a few appetizers, then sushi then a dessert.

Enjoyed my anniversary night here at @sushikai_nj . This place is a reservation only so make sure to book ahead! The chef was very kind. He did his best to work around a very loud group to give us great service and attention. The host kept an eye on on cups and refilled it when low. This omakase is also BYOB . The location is very small with close seating and has a minimalist style. Although the bathroom is right behind some seats it did not affect the experience. Overall the lighting is perfect for photos and viewing the lovely dishes . The food was definitely delicious 9.5/10 Fish was fresh and the pairing on the plate was well balanced. Sushi from top left going right is. New Zealand king salmon, Otoro , kanpachi amber jack, shim aji Seabass, botan ebi baby shrimp, saba mackerel Top dishes for me: kanpachi amber jack

Wow! They really know how to create a great experience. I have a few places I typically go to celebrate a birthday or special occasion, but this experience blew them away. First, I got stuck in ridiculous bridge traffic on my way in. Over 20 minutes stopped dead on the exit ramp off Rt.4, I was stressed and concerned because I was about 10 minutes late for my reservation. Luckily, they were so nice and accommodating that I quickly forgot my stress and was able to enjoy my amazing meal. The service was so friendly, but also discreet. They kept our glasses full (it's a BYOB) and everything neat and clean without being overbearing. It felt like a premium experience without being stuffy. My twin sister and I went for our birthday with a few family members, and they really made us feel special (without being awkward). All of the dishes were amazing, but they had a few special touches for my sister and I - some gold flakes on a few of the piece, a little extra uni (amazing), and a special scallop dish at the end that was absolutely amazing. I have learned not to expect much when you put a special occasion on a reservation because most places barely acknowledge it, but they did a great job of acknowledging it, while keeping it very classy. Most importantly, the food was all fantastic. Each piece was cut with care, and the sushi chef did a great job of explaining everything. The King Salmon (from New Zealand) with truffle was one of my favorite dishes I've ever had anywhere. It was so good. The pacing was great, you had enough time to enjoy everything without feeling rushed, but you also never felt like you were waiting long. Overall, a great omakase experience that I would recommend to anyone. We went at 5 p.m. and were a party of five, and there was just one other pair there. Not sure how much more full it is later in the evening or on a Saturday, but it's not a big place so I don't think it could be that much busier. The service was very professional, so I'm sure it would still be great if every seat was full

Pricey but definitely worth it! The staff is great and the place is clean but most importantly.. the food! The omakase is always on point but so is their a la carte menu. Mmmm

Feels like we are watching a Michelin restaurant in the making - so it's been fun coming to Sushi Kai over the last year. This place is trying to prove itself and is setting a high standard for the area. You can certainly go somewhere else for a less expensive and maybe more casual omakase experience, but if you're looking for a higher end situation without having to go into the city, this is your place. We have gotten to know the team here over our four visits and have found them all to be warm, diligent and wonderful. The menu changes regularly based on seasonal ingredients, so we have been able to try new courses each time we've gone. Oh and a great bonus here - it's BYOB! Re their reservation policy (mainly addressing the one star reviewers here) -- there are only 12 seats total in the restaurant and three 2-hour seatings on the weekends (two 2-hour seatings on weekdays) -- so it's not unreasonable for a business like this to require prepaid reservations to guard against customers who can't get their own act together. Honestly these one star reviewers are amusing -- ie the reviews say more about the reviewer than the establishment being reviewed. Please take them with a giant grain of salt.

Omg! Soooo good! Service was very nice and polite. Omakase was amazing. I can't wait to go back!

Came here for their Omakase experience. Didn't get to sit at the sushi bar,but it was kids friendly. Portion was big and very filling. Service was great. I like they don't rush you out, and they were very accommodating with allergies food restrictions. Parking was easy considering that is not always the case with restaurants in Fort Lee, NJ. They have their own parking lot. Highly recommended and will come back again.

YES YES AND A MILLION TIMES YES!! I've been so lucky with my friends, one of them knows my love for sushi and he decided to take me on an Omakase experience. Wow!! The service was a delight to have around, the chef, goodness the chef is EXCELLENT! This is a one (many more times lol) experience and it's worth every Penny. The fish was so fresh, it was a 15 round course I think of different sushis, they were all my favorite, I honestly can't pick. We got there on time, it's a small place, but makes sense for the reservations since there are limited spots. Ambience was super nice, so chick, plain but so elegant at the same time. Honestly you're not here for the aesthetics, you will be paying attention to how your food is being made all the time than looking at your surroundings. Excellent place! Make sure you book a spot, it's really worth the experience.

Highly Recommended Omakase with a very chill and relaxing ambiance. Waiting staff were very kind, friendly and attentive. It is a small restaurant so please be sure to make a reservation online or through the phone. Come here to experience unique flavor combinations! I love how fresh the sushi tasted and my favorite was the Fatty Tuna/ Toro. The chef did a wonderful job enhancing each piece with their creativity. Includes dessert (:

My wife and I had a wonderful anniversary dinner at this establishment. The sushi was high-quality and the service was great. I also liked the ambiance as it was modern and sophisticated. Great experience would recommend.

It's been over a year since I've moved away from Jersey to the desert West. One thing I haven't been able to find out there is good sushi. I was more than ecstatic to be visiting home and planning a girls night out for my first time omakase. My friend and I chose Sushi Kai as we've heard great things and because their location and hours worked for our schedules. We reserved for the last spot of the night and quickly learned a bunch of other girl besties had the same idea - some even came in to late night dine from NYC. Sushi Kai is an unassuming restaurant, which fits best with the intimate, personal experience. It's a simple, yet upscale setting that removes you from the business of the Main Street. It's quiet, but at the same time, the host and I were able to joke about how bundled up I already was during our October visit - my body has definitely adjusted well to the scorching desert. As the chefs prepared for our time slot, we were all seated in the waiting area not too far from our bar top experience. All of us were able to chat while keeping the mood. I believe there were three other pairs of friends who were equally excited for a wholesome night. This place is BYOB, I don't believe there was a drink menu so prepare accordingly! My sushi craving was definitely satisfied after the first bite. Everything was melt in your mouth, fresh, and well hand crafted. The presentation, always beautiful. I thought I'd still be hungry by the end of it since omakase is one piece at a time, but I went home full and happy. Our chef was on the quieter side compared to the other ones, but you could tell he was proud of his work, esp after each time we died with delight in our seats. Each pair took their time with their food which was nice to feel like we could savor each flavor without the pressure of beating a clock. The timing and process of clean up after each dish is impeccable here and we didn't feel like our space was being invaded. Also, we shared the bar top with the other patrons, but still very much felt like a personal experience. Overall, Sushi Kai was an incredible experience. I'm going to have to make it a point to do omakase every time I visit home!

Very good omakase restaurant in fort Lee, also a BYOB restaurant. Service was great, food and portion was also great.

ONE OF THE BEST OMAKASE EVER! I reserved a spot for me and my boyfriend for his birthday and he was so excited! The interior is intimate and modern as there is only room for about ten people. The service here is phenomenal and we could tell our chef was so knowledgable about each and every fish as he told us every country it was imported from. Each fish tasted unique and fresh, there was not a single fish I didn't like. The uni was also so smooth, buttery, not fishy at all. Although the omakase can be on the pricier side ($155 per person), the experience and taste is worth it on a special occasion! Definitely a great omakase place to eat at!

Got a chance to check out Sushi Kai this past weekend. The restaurant is very very cozy. The ambiance inside is simple and yet modern. The restaurant itself is purely bar sitting which could probably fit a little over 10 people if all the seats are filled. Service is very attentive no issues at all whatsoever. As far as the food goes, prior to the sushi ; We had a salad course, then a cooked fish in miso course , and a sashimi course. From there the meal progressed to the sushi . Each piece was very unique and tasty and I throughly enjoyed each one. The most interesting thing though was their dessert, it was a sweet potato cheesecake from Japan ( never thought I'd like a sweet potato cheesecake ) As someone who enjoys going out for great quality sushi, finding a sushi restaurant that does omakase style service in jersey is like finding a needle in a haystack. I'm glad I followed through with my friend's recommendation of this place and would happily come again and introduce other people here . Of the few places I've found here in jersey that does omakase, sushi Kai is definitely up there in terms of quality outside of NYC .

Service/Ambiance: fantastic experience :) Hiro was such a lovely chef - very friendly and fun. Tried to personalize the sushi to our tastes (e.g. i like extra wasabi :p). Had pleasant conversation throughout dinner - would definitely request him to serve us next time around! Sleek minimalistic interior - I'd say your traditional omakase look lol. Food [highlights]: *I think we got the New Year's holiday menu(?) unsure - when I tried this place last year, they had supplements to the main omakase which were not offered this time. Still a wonderful menu however (if this is their new main omakase menu - it is a hugeeee improvement) Uni (baby donburi) [5/5]: super fresh and creamy uni (one of the best I've had and I'm superrr picky about my sea urchins). It's mixed with some rice, ikura, caviar, and seaweed - lovely taste profile, had a good umami flavor. Toro [5/5]: was with truffle oil and caviar - sooo delicious and of course, it melts in your mouth. Sweet potato cheesecake [5/5]: i love sweet potatoes so this was a great dessert for me. Not a huge fan of cheesecake but this one was fluffy and light, semi sweet and doesn't coat the inside of my mouth.

Amazing place for sushi Omakase experience in the area. Restaurant itself- clean, elegant design. Roughly 12 seat bar, face to face with the chefs. Service- very attentive and friendly. The chefs themselves knowledgeable, friendly, and experienced. They added quite a lot to the experience. The waiters were attentive and quick. Food- extremely delicious and high quality. I did the $155 Omakase. I forget exact amount, but there were about 12-15 courses. Each course was carefully curated, made from high quality ingredients, and delicious. Highlights included sashimi platter, uni rice bowl, Kobe beef, and tuna sushi. I am a big eater and I was pretty satisfied by the end of the meal. Would really recommend if you want to splurge for a meal and I will definitely be returning again.

Finally got to grab a reservation at sushi Kai and they absolutely didn't disappoint. They have a really simple and elegant design with a 12 seat sushi bar. They had three sushi chefs for all that were seated which gave it an even more intimate feeling. They started us with a snow crab in ponzu sauce and then a beautifully prepared tuna tartare. Next came the fantastic Sashimi. Following that came the what felt like nonstop nigiri pieces! It was amazing. They really give you a great value for the 155 a person. The desert was also worth drooling over. They really put the time and effort into creating pieces with a great flavor profile which highlighted each cut of fish. The service was incredible. There was never an empty dish in front of me for more than a minute. My water was constantly filled and they made sure everything was always wiped down. This is also a BYOB spot so if you are looking for some good sake make sure you stop beforehand. Word on the street is that they are opening a spot in edgewater which is right near our house. Super excited for this and can't wait for it to be open!!

This was by far the best omakase I have ever had. Everything was so fresh and delicious. Excellent service, byob and such a nice vibe

We loved it here! The fish was super fresh. The omakase came with appetizers and dessert. The service was incredible. Very welcoming and organized and our glasses were always full. The decor was minimalistic and very clean. Our sushi chef, JP (John), was the absolute best!!! He knew just what to pair the fish with to make the dish go from a 10/10 to a 100/10. I'm not a fan of uni, so he was able to create something I'd like from observing what tastes I liked in the prior dishes!! It was my birthday and he asked which fish was my favorite and then made me a special treat at the end with truffle, caviar, and gold flakes on top. Thanks, John!! My dessert (a DELICIOUS black sesame crème brûlée?) came with a "Happy Birthday" chocolate on top. A simple addition yet a nice acknowledgment.

Superb fish love the quality the ambience and the service Always a new menu and the chefs and workers are so on point it's hard not to keep wanting to come back

My fiancé and I made a last minute, day before reservation for our 8 year anniversary on a Thursday dinner. They only have around 10ish seats for each time slot and everything is very clean and modern. It's a classy place where I felt honestly underdressed in casual clothes. Expect luxury when you are here from service to to food. When you walk in you are seated and it's 1 chef for 4 people. There were also 2 servers who offer water refills and even clean the table when you drop soy sauce on the black board the sushi is placed on by the chef. Unfortunately I cannot recall many of the specific names of each dish specially crafted sushi, but when each piece was served the chef detailed the dish, where it came from in the world, and what the sauce was made of. We had toro tuna, salmon, yellowtail, scallop, shrimp, and some other fresh fish that was imported. Each dish had its own story and flavor profile. Everything was absolutely delicious, but our favorite had to be a salmon nigiri that had a tomato on top (not pictured). The most luxurious was definitely the roe and Uni Donburi. Overall, I personally like a toned down and more relaxed, casual omakase style where I don't feel self conscious while I eat, but that is personal preference. With a luxury price tag a high class atmosphere should have been expected from me. Definitely dress up and be mentally prepared for first class treatment when you come here. Food wise the menu was absolutely delicious , fresh, inventive, but pricey for 155 per person. I would definitely go back but only for large milestone events as this is one of the more splurge omakase that I have seen.

Omakase only, seatings at 5pm, 7pm, and 9pm. As expected in omakase, the service is impeccable. There are three sushi chefs at the bar which I believe seats 12 so each chef will service 4 people max. Each piece of sushi comes out one at a time and they are truly memorable. This time our favorite was the o toro and the a5 wagyu sushi! So delish :) Overall it's about 12 courses appetizer sushi and desert. 100% would recommend and for ~155 per person omakase is well worth.

Amazing food, service and ambience. Highly reccomened. We came here for my wife's birthfay and we loved it.

There has been a real influx of great dining options in Fort Lee, NJ and Sushi Kai is no exception to that growing trend. Generally speaking, the experience here is mostly positive. One of the obvious aspects is that this is a high end omakase experience with a lofty price tag that matches the restaurant's aspirations. But with plenty of great restaurants nearby and a renowned rival omakase experience right across the street, does this place justify the high price tag? From a food POV, almost. The omakase offerings are copious and they also offer some additional appetizer options for an additional cost. Of course I decided to go for it. Of the three we tried, the scallops and tuna were most memorable for their respective freshness and the texture. As for the sushi options, the quality of the fish offerings were relatively high. The taste of the fish however, wasn't always as consistent as I'd expect from a place of this caliber and one particularly puzzling aspect was that the sushi rice they used didn't seem to mesh well with the fish in general. Rather than tasting like part of a single experience, the rice almost seemed to juxtapose the fish. I noticed some other reviewers here pointed out the same rice issue, so I wonder if perhaps there's some improvement here that needs to be examined more closely by the chefs. As for the chefs, they were professional in their execution and kept the evening moving, as the time between sittings are somewhat rushed for so many courses (including the option for any additive orders at the end). One thing I will say that was absolutely delicious was their wagyu beef sushi that was not part of the omakase but an ala carte order. I enjoyed it so much, I ordered it twice. The meat was melt in your mouth tender and incredibly flavorful. Overall the service here was friendly and extremely attentive. All in all, the evening was pleasant and the experience was excellent. However, relative to the price you pay, I'm not 100% convinced that all of the fish (and the rice issue, no less) made it seem like the execution was 100% on par of some other incredible (and pricey) Manhattan experiences such as what you get a Sushi Sasabune, Gari or other famous omakase joints.

FYI, this review is based on having only had two omakase experiences! The last time I've had omakase, I don't believe I was able to savor the whole experience well enough -- woke up the next day craving omakase and its flavors again... This time around, I tried hard to savor each piece, but was unfairly comparing everything to the incredible flavors I've had for the first time ever in my last omakase... Overall, it was decent. Though I was surprised that they didn't switch out the plates, not even once throughout the entire time... a random stranger noted that he enjoyed this course much better than the course a few months ago! $155/person without tax. Here is what we had: 1) "shirako" salad w ponzu sauce 2) sashimi platter -- squid w seaweed; grouping tuna from Canada; kampachi from Japan; fluke 3) hamachi (fish-based soup) served in truffle sauce 4) king salmon drenched in sauce, torched, and topped with wasabi 5) Japanese wild fish with sea salt and lemon 6) Canadian "botan ebi" (prawn) with shrimp sauce on top 7) Bluefin tuna belly fat with fresh wasabi and truffle 8) Japanese mackerel with ginger, scallion... 9) "kampachi" with (orange) bellpepper sauce 10) In a glass bowl -- uni, ikura, caviar, fresh wasabi, strips of dry seaweed 11) king salmon with torched chopped onions and sautéed tomatoes 12) yellowtail belly fat with jalapeño topping 13) "toro" (tuna) belly fat with yuzu flavored pepper and sweet soy sauce 14) scallop topped with caviar, caviar oil 15) Japanese "kinmedai" (golden eye snapper) with fresh wasabi and snapper sauce 16) Arctic Canada salmon from Iceland with yuzu mousse 17) chopped tuna belly fat with Japanese pickle and scallion (handroll) 18) Japanese pumpkin cheesecake

I would normally go to Sushi Of Gari in NYC for omakase, but we try to stay out of the city these days. This was a ridiculously good omakase experience. From the music, to the seating, the 3 chefs etc... all make for an amazing 2 hours. Hubs and I are already talking about coming back.

$155/person Omakase Includes: * 3-Cold Appetizer Dishes * 15-piece Sushi (incl. 1-Handroll) * 1-Miso Soup * 1-Chocolate Macron (for dessert) Pros: * Sushi was cured to perfection and the chef who served us was exceptionally detailed and careful upon serving. Kudos to him for the excellent service! * Servers were all pretty nice and attentive as well. * All the flavors balanced well and had a nice freshness to it. Cons: * Cold Appetizers we're pre-made and was off putting as we expected to be served fresh dishes start to finish. * Rice was too wet/mushy & temp was a little too warm for the sushi. (This is 50% of the dish!) * Bit overpriced for an inauthentic experience. Atmosphere: Atmosphere felt a little pretentious; the restaurant mimicked an omakase experience without putting in the work (cold pre-made appetizers & wet rice would be dishonorable with real Japanese sushi masters who take great pride in their work). Bear in mind, nobody here is Japanese (not the chefs nor owner). So don't expect an authentic Japanese omakase experience. Overall: Opened for 2-years so far, this place currently stands as one of the best sushi omakase in all of Northern Jersey. Which is good for people who don't know sushi well, but terrible for people who have higher standards (or some would say, basic standards). If the rice can be perfected, and there's no pre-sliced fish (which was just sitting in the fridge for a while), then this place could do well. Highlight of the entire experience would be the fish pieces; they were absolutely perfect! Additional Note: I was informed by the owners this restaurant is NOT affiliate with the Sushi Kai in NYC. Please keep this in mind if you dine here.

Hands down the best sushi I have ever had. The staff are super friendly, and the sushi chefs are artists, putting out amazing works of art. The quality of the fish is the highest I have ever put in my mouth, everything was so flavorful and melted away on your tongue. They had really neat spins on some classic dishes, using some interesting ingredients that all just worked. An amazing birthday dinner , and I will be back again. Some people may think it's a high price point, but it's worth every penny. They don't skimp on the quality or quantity! If you love sushi you need to come here!

Booked a last minute reservation at Sushi Kai. They are usually booked out a 1.5 weeks. There are not many true omakases near the Hudson County area, so we were excited to finally try Sushi Kai. Upon entering, the space is your typical intimate omakase space. The staff was quick to serve water and serve any BYOB that were brought in. The first three courses were presented sashimi style. One of them highlighted truffle but we could not taste the truffle flavor. Negiri courses were served and explained typical omakase style. There was a person in our section that delayed the next-ready piece due to taking back focusing on the food/experience. Dessert was very good and different from other omakase we have had Overall, the service and food quality was a 10. The negiri curses were a mix between traditional style omakase vs experimental/modern omakase. Based on the menu served + cost, I will likely not rush back or recommend for a top omakase option.

If you haven't tried Omakase before, you have to try it at Sushi Kai! It's a very intimate and exclusive experience, I felt so boujee. There's only 12 seats so make sure you reserve your seat. The cooks prepare everything right in front of you which is so fascinating to see the attention to detail for every course. It's a 19 course dish which is well worth your month. There were so many dishes I would never get the opportunity to try normally that they offered. And on top of it they are BYOB so we brought a bottle of champagne and sake to pair with the food! If you like sushi and sashimi, I would 10/10 recommend coming here!

Manhattan level omakase in Fort Lee. Three seatings of 12 guests each - 5pm 7pm and 9pm.. Intimate experience with very nice atmosphere. Highly recommended.

TLDR: Took one for the team. Yes, it's a genuine omakase experience and it is worth going to. It's an awesome addition to the dining scene in Fort Lee. Make the trip before it's no longer your own little secret. Pricing is $120 for a small app, 12 pieces, hand roll, egg cake and dessert. Reasonably priced and most importantly, it delivered on a solid omakase. Plus, it is BYOB - so you can either save big on alcohol or seriously upgrade your drink. While sitting in my office looking for a place to eat in this area - I came across Sushi Kai in my Yelp search. I wondered what is this new restaurant with a single review that appears to serve omakase. The pictures were enticing enough that I figured I'd give it a shot and booked it a week ago. They clearly spent time on the interior. I felt like I was transported back to Asia. Tastefully modern, minimalist design and just a beautiful space. The menu is $120 which came with an appetizer, 12 pieces of nigiri, a temaki, tamago and a small dessert. First was a small sashimi appetizer. Two slices of yellowtail with thai chilis and a brush of sauce on top. Two optional appetizers were offered, we opted for a scallop crudo at $35. Four slices of Hokkaido scallops topped with Santa Barbara sea urchin, kaluga caviar and a yuzu sauce. Nice and tender, creaminess from the sea urchin, briny caviar and just the right amount of acidity to bring it all together. Excellent. The sushi began. First piece was fluke from Jeju, Korea. Second, a piece of Japanese red snapper with a light sear across the skin. This is not usually how madai is served but I'm liking how this is going. Especially because I have an affinity for torched sushi. Third, a slice of striped jack - classic. Light, buttery, just the right amount of fat. Now followed great amberjack belly, this was also seared while preparing the red snapper. Chef took the time to explain that when the skin is removed from the belly, there are still some pieces of sinew which leads to a less desirable taste. The touch of fire fixes that problem, can't disagree there, Really tasty and unique. Ora king salmon from New Zealand. This was so good, it just came apart so fluidly as you ate it. If I would describe this piece in one word, luscious. Next, sweet shrimp with grated bottarga on top. Chef's "wow" piece came next. Hokkaido scallops which then he plopped a spoonful of something on top. At first i thought it was crab but then it looked too creamy. Butter? After a couple of sniffs.. truffle butter? The torch came out and you could smell the butter melt, truffle aroma, the scent of the light sear across the top of the scallops. This smelt like a great idea. Then a microplane, an unfolding of paper revealed black truffle. Score. A generous amount of black truffles was placed on top. You know how this tasted, eff'n delicious. Rich, indulgent and mouth-watering. The torch wasn't returned to the same spot, leading me to believe it will be used again. Sure enough, it was. A quick flame over a slice of medium fatty tuna. It was refreshing to have this piece torched. Usually it's the very fatty tuna that's seared but to have the medium one gave a different feel. You have the contrast of the lean along with the fat. Personally I think this was better. Then the very fatty tuna with caviar across the top. Delectable. A small rice bowl garnished with roasted seaweed and salmon roe. Then, sea urchin sushi wrapped with a strip seaweed. A delicate crispiness to capture that creamy sea urchin. Next a slice of eel, I feel the meal is coming to a close at this point. Chef then prepared a hand roll with yellowtail and scallions. We opted for some extras. The signature Maguro Futo Maki. Basically this is a big sushi roll with three cuts of tuna. Lean, medium fatty and fatty tuna. There are some sprouts rolled in between which gives us nice herby finish to the contrasting tuna flavors. Saba, three thin slivers were layered and finished with a dash of ginger and scallion. Also really good. I ordered a piece of kinmedai but requested that it be seared. The smokiness along the skin with that lush mid-rare flesh. My final order was a spicy tuna hand roll. He creates the mix fresh, meaning it is not a tin of pre-mixed crap tuna, spicy mayonnaise and panko breadcrumbs. It's lean tuna mixed to order with the spicy mayo and a bit of scallion. Great. The egg cake here is brûléed which is not something you see often. Dessert was a baby Japanese peach. Not sure if I've ever had this before but I dig it. All-in-all, Sushi Kai was a terrific meal. The staff was friendly, knowledgeable and great to chat with. We have already decided we'll return. It's equally comparable to many of the upscale sushi bars in Manhattan. If you're warming up to omakase or have been to many - you'll enjoy your experience. If you forget to purchase liquor beforehand, there are two liquor stores within walking distance. Go book your reservation - you're welcome!

I'm mostly used to the omakase experiences in Manhattan and Queens but I was yet to try one in Jersey City. I've also never been to Japan but it's number 1 on my list. This quality of the fish was outstanding as it was delivered from the markets in Japan the morning before I sat down to enjoy the menu. Yeah! Fresh! I sat comfortably in the middle of the chef's table/sushi bar and was served some legendary bites from their executive chef. It was a BYOB but I was snapping photos so I didn't really have time to drink anyway. Apparently there's a place they recommend for delivering wine and other spirits right to the restaurant. As you can see from the photography, the level of presentation is very high and the flavors are insanely fresh and delicious. The order of how you receive the omakase selection works incredibly well though I obviously wouldn't mind eating any of the selections out of order ;) The staff was very friendly and (like most omakase) they explain the type of fish you're eating and share it's deepest most wants and desires. Ok that last part isn't true but that's how it felt. The pricing current sits at $150/pp at the time of this review. With that in mind, I think it's pretty competitive with other choices in Manhattan and one in Queens that is my current favorite. If I'm ever in the Jersey City region, I'll definitely be swinging by again!

We ordered takeout in mid January. The space was small and packed. If it was more spacious and not pandemic times, I would've considered dining in since the omakase sounds amazing (from Yelp and other reviews). We got the Kai Sashimi & Nigiri with a side of uni, and a Kai Nigiri. It came with soup and salad. - The salad dressing tasted like lemon juice. I regret not tasting the dressing before putting it on the salad - ended up not eating the salad. - The sashimi was good and fresh. - The rice for the nigiri was surprisingly very disappointing. It immediately fell apart when we picked it up. Will eventually give it another try.

BEST OMAKASE This is by far our family's favorite omakase experience anywhere (and we've been to Masa)! The quality, service and setting are outstanding and the restaurant deserves a Michelin star in my book. It's our go-to for a special occasion dinner, and we love going every couple months to see what the new season and Chef Hiro brings to the table.

We can start off with the first three courses, the appetizers. The first course was edamame, which were extremely fresh and lightly salted. Next to it, was grilled shishito peppers which were finished off with a touch of salt if any. I forget what was in the middle. Next two courses were sashimi salads if you will. A mixture of raw fish with some dressings in one and without dressing in the other. Both had phenomenal flavor and very fresh. The next 10 or so courses were just VERY fresh fish that I lightly dipped into soy sauce so I will just mention the highlights of this omakase. The seared raw beef was absolutely phenomenal. The texture, meaty umami taste was enthralling! I can't leave out my favorite sashimi/sushi otoro. It is the most expensive cut of the blue fin tuna, almost analogous to the filet of beef from a cow. The chefs topped off the otoro with caviar and it was just so delectable. Cheers!

What a special experience! It's definitely pricey ($150 pp and other charges if you want appetizers) but worth it. BYOB and great attentive service. I wish our chef talked to us more but we did learn a whole lot about the art and what we were eating. The chefs take their time with every slice so you could savor each bite. They even showed the entire tuna after they took the meat off. Everything about this place exudes precision and style.

Absolutely amazing, from start to finish. An experience, not just a restaurant. Fish is from Japan, Spain, etc., and is so, so flavorful.

Amazing food awesome experience. Decor is also sleek and chic. Highly recommend. We did the omakase tasting.

Booked under Nikki Nguyen, january 2, should be contacted to fix this.. Invite for another try or partial refund or something.. Overpriced..! The starting ones are great but the few pieces of fish sushis towards the end are small and average.. Definitely felt ripped off.. Sigh.. Jersey.. Your prices arent right.. My lovely wife's hard earned money to treat me to my birthday.. Smh.. 155$ each? A brutally bad deal.. Look at these pieces of fish sushis and tell me if its worth that insane price..

Food was great but I've definitely had better! I would probably not go back! Although, it's nice to try it once.

A friend told me about this place after seeing an ad on Instagram. I booked our reservation the same week he told me about it. I've been wanting to try omakase for quite a while, and with this place being located in NJ, I was excited to try it as soon as I could. Interior: Minimalistic and clean design. It's small - a sushi bar and 3 tables, but we didn't feel cramped since they're taking reservations only. Service: Our server was very attentive and came around frequently to clear the bar table in front of us as well as to refill our glasses with water. Our chef, Daniel, was super nice. Gary, the owner, checked in on us often, and we chatted for a little. Food: Seriously the best fish I've ever had. We had 14 courses with dessert: tamago brûlée and Japanese baby peach. My favorite was the chutoro(?) - the fatty part of tuna - from Japan, closely followed by the king salmon from New Zealand and the unagi from Japan. Both the tuna and salmon were incredibly buttery. I will be thinking about this meal for a long time. We also ordered two dishes à la carte: uni from Japan (Hokkaido) and octopus from Japan. Both were amazing, but the uni was melt-in-your-mouth amazing. Our omakase included uni sourced from Santa Barbara but we noticed that the one from Japan was somehow MORE melt-in-your-mouth. Final thoughts: as a grad student, this was definitely a splurge for me, but I was not at all disappointed. Sushi Kai will be one of my go-to's for special occasions in the future, at least until I'm finally a full-time working adult Finally, for those who are going to take advantage of the BYOB, I recommend a dry champagne. Okay, we Googled it, and Google recommended it. But Gary affirmed us that champagne pairs great with sushi, so there's that!

I would give the sushi here 10 stars if I could. I enjoyed my omakase experience so much I cant go back to any other sushi spot because the sushi here was so fresh. I was so impressed with the presentation and quality and service!! It really surpassed my expectations (compared to other omakase experiences ive had). ...not me dreaming about eating their sushi on a DAILY basis hahaa

Overall it was a great experience. The quality of sushis were good. Probably this is the only omakase sushi restaurant in NJ. I always had to go to New york for omakases but I am glad we have a new omakase restaurant in NJ.

Recent visit and the quality of fish and service was very good. Intimate setting of maybe 12 people at the sushi bar only, no table service which adds to authenticity of the experience. Fish and courses were fresh but not sure if selection changes weekly or daily, but my courses did not look like the other pictures in more recent reviews. Agreed with other Yelpers quality is high, and combination of fishes and toppings/sauces were on point. They were interesting and I loved the size/cut of the sushi pieces. Small, and was not awkward putting in your mouth in one bite. Although service from servers or hosts, not sure what to call them was excellent, I did feel there could have been more interaction from sushi chef. There were 2 chefs and ours just told us what the fish was and that was it. The experience was not the same as I have had with other omakase. I'm addition, I did feel rushed since it was one piece after the other and little to no interaction. The dessert was disappointing, not the pretty dessert, but a Japanese cheesecake I literally could have bought at one of the many bakeries in town. I would try it again as I said the food quality was lovely, but for the price I would have enjoyed a better experience.