Sushi Sho

When I first visited Sushi Sho Hawaii in 2023, I thought there was no other omakase that could top this. I was wrong - Sushi Sho NYC was a truly exceptional experience that was worth the investment. Come with the expectation that this is Omakase (“I’ll leave it up to you”) AND Okonomi (“what you like”). Okonomi signals a return to the traditional style of sushi before omakase as a cuisine took over the world as a form of entertainment… If you love geeking out about process and technique, this is the place for you. A variety of dried, pickled, fermented, and aged items were showcased, with several courses that fit into the NYC theme. How can Chef Nakazawa showcase New York in omakase, as he did for Hawaii? Pickled apples to snack on between bites, seasonal items like strawberry jam on squash and pickled peach, and ingredients like homemade mustard and onion jam highlighted Nakazawa’s creativity. I was so impressed by one dish featuring two types of dried roe that nearly resembled a wine and cheese course when paired with the Born sake. Standouts included the signature ankimo (monkfish liver) with miso and their 3-year pickled watermelon (a staple at the Hawaii location), smoked pickled daikon with fermented rice, and the aged Chubou toro roll. Definitely recommend trying their vegetarian options on the Okonomi menu - the shiitake and apple Kanpyo roll were surprising hits of the night. Lastly, do NOT skip their sake pairing featuring 8 breweries. It was the most well-thought out sake pairing I’ve ever tried, featuring Sushi Sho’s own sake and a rare 2019 Aramasa sake that were amazing. I ended up ordering 10+ items during okonomi because I am a glutton. Because tax and tip is already baked into the final bill, I consider Sushi Sho well worth the price. Thank you Chef Nakazawa and Chef Miyazono for an unforgettable experience!

The ambiance is beautiful. The service is great, except my partner and I can’t help but feel they constantly haggle and ask non stop if you’re full and had enough to eat before and after the okonomi experience. My husband can’t help but feel as if it’s part of their sales tactic. The sushi was good, but when you enter New York City territory where we have such immaculate omakase it’s hard to justify the value of this place. It didnt had wow factor the way Yoshino, Noz and even Nakazawa had on us. For the price their, you don’t get mantis shrimp or any sort of shrimp, you don’t get chutoro or even otoro with the $450omakase. But instead they include it in their “second part” of the dinner course as your ala carte even though you’re already paying very high top dollar for the omakase. Otoro was $50 for one piece, uni $60 for one piece. So do what you will with that info. For $450 price tag we paid already I feel like it should already be included. We didn’t leave full, and even the icecream of the dessert portion were tiny bite size. I can totally see why they don’t allow photos here. Overall i wouldn’t return nor recommend it- my husband & I felt like it was a rip off. At this price point you’re better off going to Masa.

The atmosphere and service are very good, there is no doubt about that, but ultimately people come to restaurant for food. The dishes are creative in a way for sure but personally I feel you don’t get enough of the premium ingredient you would expect. We’ve been to our fair share of high end omakase experiences in NYC and around the world, but cannot imagine a $450 omakase menu doesn’t even include o-toro and it only lasts an hour. The amount of food you get from the omakase is so tiny that I feel I’m not even half full. The length of the add on list is much longer than the omakase itself, with an average of $30 a piece. The entire experience feels like I’m paying the omakase just for an appetizer, if you want to get a decent amount of food, be prepared to spend at least another 200. I had a full lunch and low expectation and yet still they’ve managed to disappoint me. If you don’t care about money at all, feel free to go, should be a good experience. Otherwise would recommend you to think twice. You would be much better off at the like of Sushi Ichimura and other high end sushi places.

Very good sushi restaurant! Japan top quality! Taste fantastic. Highly recommended

Don't skip the wine pairing. Chef Nakazawa's passion for sake shows through. There's a great variety of styles, and the food pairs the sake just as well as the sake pairs the food. We were a fan of the format, though it helps to go in expecting to throw in another $200+ per person on the Okonomi. The appetizers and sushi courses were interspersed, and the use of various forms of fermentation and aging gave the experience a sense of adventure. I've had various forms of fine dining liver over the years and the monkfish liver here was the first one I'd happily take another order of. The service was impeccable and hospitable. We had to reschedule our reservation and then arrived late due to rain, but the staff were respectful at every step. The waitress explained all the courses and Chef Nakazawa even answered some of our questions directly (and with sincerity). And if the price tag feels hard to stomach, just remember that tip is included, so all the prices are actually 20% lower.

Very disappointing and offensive experience; we paid 3000usd for 4 for an apprentice sushi chef, as Chef Keiji Nakazawa only took care of a Japanese couple and did not say a word and did not prepare one sushi to the other guests. Shameful and show no respect. We recommend the other sushi places in New York like Ichimura, Noz, Amane but avoid the rudeness and robbery of chef Nakazawa

Spectacular and a several levels above anything offered in New York City today. Chef Nakazawa is known for his unique style, incorporating many different flavors, vinegars, and unique signature dishes. He has perfected fermentation and aging to create otsumami and nigiri that are legendary even in Tokyo, while the space here is also another level in terms on design and aesthetics. The best of the best 🍣

It was definitely an unforgettable evening. All six of us, including myself, agreed that it was a best experience. The food, the atmosphere, hospitality, commitment, the service, Taishio, their experience and topics were all excellent. I was truly impressed with the experience of receiving such excellent service. This is the best sushi restaurant in the world, literally Taisho's masterpiece in spreading real Sushi in the US. I really appreciate it. Highly recommended.

simply put, the best omakase/sushi experience I've had, including meals in Japan. every bite, every component, is executed to a very high level, the flavors work perfectly together. the shari balances wonderfully against the fish preparations. the service is so warm and inviting, you're served by a number of foh as well as the chefs, and everything is explained with the right amount of detail and story while also not being overbearing. the space is beautiful, unfortunately no pictures allowed. every detail is so well thought out, and the dinner flows seamlessly, serving guests at their own pace. once you finish the omakase part of the meal, you move to okonomi (your choice), which multiplies the bill if you're hungry. but every piece was exceptional. can't wait to return

Let's get the obvious out of the way, this place is expensive. Easily as expensive as Masa. The short menu is $450 each but it's called short menu for a reason. After the omakase, you're presented with an a la carte menu to order pieces at $30-$50 a piece. Is it worth it? Yes. Are you still hungry without it? Yes. The cheapest bottle of sake starts at $280. It's delicious but obviously a high price point. Now that we've gotten the price point out of the way, let's talk about the food and experience. The service is top notch. Very attentive and friendly. The space is new and beautiful. Nothing to complain about. Let's talk about food. As someone who's been to many sushi places in NYC, few menus still surprise me. I will say that this was 90% unique and nothing I've ever had. The monkfish liver was probably the best I've ever had anywhere. Not every piece was a winner but every piece was creative and unique. If you can afford it and aren't bothered by the price, I'd totally recommend Sushi Sho. I'd even dare to say it'll surpass Masa in a year or two. Didn't get any photos as they're old school, no videos or photos rule.

Arguably the best omakase sushi experience I've ever had. Right up there with the likes of Noz and even better than Yoshino. Every course was the perfect mix of creative but also refined and consistent. My favorite was the monkfish liver -- they served it one style with pickled radish and another with salt and pepper on it, and both were mind blowingly good. Service was impeccable, and chef was a great time. They don't allow photos, so I unfortunately don't have any food pics to share, but it made the experience better not having to worry about taking pics. You MUST come here if you're an omakase lover.

TLDR: A lot of folks consider Sushi Sho helmed by Keiji Nakazawa to be one of the best sushi-yas in NYC. I'd be inclined to agree. Chef is a legend in the sushi world and although they have a policy requesting no photography - this meal is certainly special. This is definitely special occasion territory but it is one of the best experiences to be had in New York. Chef Keiji Nakazawa has relocated to NYC from his restaurant of the same name in Waikiki. Their photography policy means, there's no images or videos of the food. If you want a glimpse of the level of precision his craft is, watch the Eater video they did about 5 years ago. Let's not mince words, this is not a cheap place and with alcohol and any add-ons, it's likely to be one of the most expensive meals you've ever had. That being said, if you're someone who's really into omakase - especially Edomae.. it might not get better than this. I've eaten a lot of sushi, at every end of the spectrum. There's some really unique preparations to be had here. Of course, the bluefin tuna is delicious and he has some very premium cuts. I actually found the lower-priced okonomi to be more interesting and I might even like the flavor better. Great toro is like excellent wagyu - it's going to be good no matter what. The variations between them is pretty nuanced and unless you eat a lot of that kind of protein - you probably won't notice the differences. While for this much money I'd love to be able to document my meal - there's something liberating about not having to care about getting that perfect shot. Why? Because you can't! That lets you focus on the meal and is the premise behind their policy. It's like being without your phone for a day, it's awesome and it lets you focus your attention to everything else going on. In short, it is worth it. Definitely a once in awhile place, unless you're made of money perhaps. I feel fortunate to have tried it and although it'll be a bit before I return - there really is nothing else like it in New York. If you don't feel like going to Tokyo to try that true Edomae sushi; now you can get around the corner from the New York public library.

It's common knowledge that omakase sushi has become quite the fad in NYC. So what makes Sushi Sho stand out? Their distinctively Japanese experience includes no tipping policy; unique seasonal offerings; and no food photos allowed to foster guest relaxation. Thank goodness no gimmicky gold leaf or blowtorches (none of which were around in 19th century Tokyo) were in evidence either. Decor is open and beautiful; one enters through impressive metal doors (discreet buzzer to the left) into a tranquil haven with a curved wooden counter and arched ceiling. Of the 20 dishes comprising the "shorter" omakase course, just 7 were nigiri style, with the remainder unique creations of Head Chef Nakazawa. Each course is presented at once by Chef Nakazawa in Japanese, then five staff members translate to customers and answer any questions. Miss Asako did an outstanding job for us in that regard! Among our favorite dishes were tokishirazu (trout cured with cherry blossom leaves) and shari risotto with steamed lobster. The following okonomi course included some amazing add-ons. We chose the signature otoro nigiri which was insanely rich and delicious, and plump briny salmon roe with miso tofu. The service was phenomenal, in fact Sushi Sho has 14 workers as compared to just 10 customers. We felt lucky to be served by Chef Kei, who was both highly skilled and friendly. The optional sake pairing is offered in two sizes; we chose the smaller 300ml size and found it to be more than ample. The sake was sourced from many areas of Japan. I especially liked the "Invisible Pink Unicorn" from Akita, which is double brewed for delightful taste. Reservations are made on the Tock app. It's best to plan ahead since bookings are hard to come by, particularly since the NY branch recently opened (March 2024). While pricey, we felt that Sushi Sho offered excellent value for the wonderful experience they offered. In fact I'm already dreaming of my next visit there....

I went to Sushi Sho last week with one person. The restaurant is very small and intimate, I think about 12 seats. When you arrive, you're escorted into the bar area until you're seated at the counter. The service is excellent, very attentive. The chefs are all meticulous, and it was awesome watching them work up close. No pictures allowed in the restaurant, so I have no pictures, but we had a ton of amazing dishes, including: a couple of excellent mackerel, lobster cake with risotto, aged yellowtail, red uni, hairy crab. Unfortunately, there are fewer dishes here than at other locations, like Hawaii, but you can pay to have extra courses. The drinks are fine, but nothing to write home about. I had a great experience at Sushi Sho and would definitely return. It was a wonderful meal, pricey, but worth it for a special occasion.

Went to sushi sho to get their bento box. It was so beautifully curated and tasted amazing as well. The box has to be booked in advance and then you go pick it up to go at the designated time. It's a pretty quick process. Everything tasted great and would definitely recommend.

Take me back to Sushi Sho RIGHT NOW!!! I've been to a lot of Omakase's & I can say without question that this is in my top 3. I absolutely love the no phone policy. I enjoy taking photos as much as the next person but it's nice to sometimes just go in, be wowed, focus on the moment and leave satisfied. The staff was so friendly and I loved the suggestions they made for the wine pairing. Every dish was out of this world but the Crab nigiri was on another level. The problem with most Omakase's is leaving without being full right? Well Sushi Sho eliminates that problem. At the end of the meal you are able to select EVEN MORE SUSHI!!! My wallet took a beating but I was so full! It was amazing, and now I see they were awarded 2 Michelin Stars which makes my heart melt. Thank you Sushi Sho for the amazing time and congrats on all of your success

We first had Sushi Sho in Honolulu and knew we had to come to the NY location when we heard about it. I absolutely love the classic sushi style and how each piece was so carefully crafted and put together. The highlight was definitely the a la carte items you can add at the end. We enjoyed more than our fair share and even had multiples of some.

I loved every part of it. The food was fresh and tasty, the sake was amazingly soft, and the chefs and all the staff were friendly. Nothing that blows your mind, though. I have been in Japan and this is as close as it gets, but I can't justify $500+ per person.

Sushi Sho was pretty unique in the sense that the techniques were different than other omakase restaurants in NYC. A lot of vinegar(my stomach died from the acid afterwards) is used instead of soy sauce, different but deadly! My wife and I really like the Sharisotto and Hamaguri Clam. The concept that they are trying to create is not what we are used to and threw us off during our meal. I booked a reservation with them, thanks to their Hawaii staff, way before they even opened up, since Nakazawa-san was not available in Hawaii when we went to visit and we were notified he was opening a restaurant in NYC, were not sure what the menu would be or any additional information. The whole Okonomi concept reminds me of the $100 affordable omakase a la carte menus they bring to you after the meal is over. Again, I didn't quite get the "short" omakase since I booked way before there was even a menu. This is my only complaint, I came in thinking it was just going to be a set menu of 20 pieces and that's it, not that a palate cleanser was considered a piece or that I had to enhance the omakase to the point where chu-toro was an add on. Besides that, the attention to detail, the beautiful restaurant, their tea ceremony (add on), the food, was insanely amazing.

As per the hype, this sushiya is one of the best not only in NY but the world. The ambiance is clean and traditional while much more airy than other sushiyas in NY. Some places, due to the lack of space and rent prices in NY, feel cramped. Not this place. There is also no shortage of staff here. For every two patrons, it seems there is one server. Every dish is served with attention to detail and thorough explanation. Finally, the food. It's truly another level. I rarely found sushi of this quality outside of the Asian countries. There are many unique touches and details any Japanese cuisine connoisseur can appreciate. Go before they receive two or more stars and reservations become impossible.

Without a doubt this is the best Omakase you'll find in NYC and probably outside of Japan. They have a no photo policy, so couldn't take any pics. Important to know that the basic menu is very short and won't fill you up, so you need to order from the Okonomi, with every piece around $35 (we ordered around 9 pieces extra per person)

What an immense privilege it was to be served by Chef Keiji Nakazawa. Thank you for having us and sharing your art with u.

One of the best sushi omakase in NYC. We were blown away by how wonderful the staffs and the food. The sushi bar and the waiting room bar was beautiful bar. Will definitely go back again soon!