Memphis Guide to Sushi Restaurants: What a Sushi Lover Orders

Sakura

One of my most frequented spots, Sakura has some of the highest quality sushi in Memphis. The rolls are massive, and cut to just the right size for the perfect bite every time. They have three locations — East Memphis, Germantown, and Collierville.

What I order:
The Sexy Lady: Tempura Shrimp, Snow Crab Mix, Cajun Tuna, White Tuna, Avocado, Ponzu, Sriracha
The Sashimi Dinner: 9 Pieces Chef’s Choice Sashimi, 5 Pieces Chef’s Choice Nigiri, California Roll, Soup and Salad
The Sunset Roll: Crawfish, Asparagus, Snow Crab Mix, Fresh Salmon, Tuna, White Tuna, Eel, Shrimp, Avocado, Smelt Fish Eggs, Sesame Seeds 

Red Koi

This spot is always poppin’, so be prepared to wait a little for your table if you go during peak hours. It is DEFINITELY worth it though! They have a wide variety of rolls, with amazing lunch and weekend specials where you can bundle two to three rolls with soup or salad, for the low! I’m suggesting some of my go-to favorite rolls, and on a recent visit, the whole table loved sampling the roll featuring seared beef. 

What I order: 
Blue Ocean Roll: Shrimp Tempura, Scallop Tempura, Topped with Crab-Mix, Smelt Roe, Sweet Sauce, Honey Sauce
Lonestar Roll: Shrimp tempura, Yellowtail, Avocado, Topped with Seared Beef, Red Koi's Sauce, Green Onions
Tennessee Roll: Shrimp Tempura, Cream Cheese, Crabstick, topped with Avocado, Spicy Crab, Red Koi's Sauce, Crunchy Topping

Sekisui/Sekisui Pacific Rim

Sekisui has three locations — East, Midtown, and Pacific Rim. SPR is my favorite of the three, but they are all extremely high quality. The atmosphere at Pacific Rim is unmatched, though they all provide a great vibe for a date night or dinner with friends. They have some of my favorite unique items like tuna cheeks and sea urchin. 

What I order: 
The White Serpent: Shrimp, Crab, Cucumber, topped with Seared Super White Tuna and Eel Sauce
Hamachi Kama: Yellowtail Cheek; Salted and Slow Cooked, served with Cucumber, Jalapeno, Scallions, and Ponzu Sauce

South Main Sushi

Downtown Memphis needed a new, hot sushi spot and SMS delivered. Not only are their rolls on point, eating them on their South Main patio is such a vibe. Feelin’ frisky? Try their Sake Bombs with friends (they bring a gong out to your table!)

What I order: 
Saint’s Roll: Blue Crab, Crunchies, and Eel Sauce inside, Seared Smoked Salmon with Spicy Mayo on top
The Julia Roll: Tuna, Japanese Cucumber, and Wasabi Mayo inside, Tuna and Wasabi Flying Fish Roe on Top
 

Zen

One of my best friends refers to this spot as “The Nobu of Memphis.” When you go, you’ll see why. Everything is done right here: the plating, the quality, the atmosphere – heck, they even brew their own soy sauce in-house! If you’re searching for a new spot that has mastered the art of sushi and sashimi, you’ll wanna check this one out. 

What I order: 
Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeno: 6 pieces Yellowtail served with a Garlic Sweet Ponzu Sauce
Megu Roll: Spicy Tuna, Scallion, Avocado topped with Tuna, Crispy Crab-Stick Shard, and Spicy Mayo
No Cap Roll: Crispy Rice topped with Spicy Tuna

Takashi Bistro

I love to eat here, but they also do an incredible job with their take-out. Takashi has an extensive sushi menu as well as other Asian cuisines so there is something for everyone. The outside is unassuming, so if you’ve been waiting to try it, consider this your sign. (Do NOT skip out on the rainbow sashimi.)

What I order:
Rainbow Sashimi: Thinly Sliced Assorted Sashimi, Jalapeno, Asparagus, and Yuzu Sauce
Lobster Tempura Roll: Lobster tempura, Cucumber, Avocado, Lettuce, topped with Masago, Sweet Chili Sauce
Kabuki Roll: Spicy Crabmeat and Cream Cheese, topped with Pepper Tuna, Avocado, and Spicy Mayo

Ryu 

Located near the Asian Grocery store on Summer Ave, the food here is creative, authentic, and fresh. The menu isn’t as big as your typical sushi joint – and it doesn’t need to be. They have absolutely excelled at what they have to offer. I am not exaggerating when I say this is some of the freshest- tasting sushi I have ever had in Memphis. 

What I order:
Chirashi: Chef’s Choice of Sushi Rice and 12-piece Sashimi Assortment
Firecracker Roll: Crunchy Crab base, topped with Crab-Mix, Tempura Shrimps, Spicy Mayo and Sriracha
Any of the Hand Rolls: (Your choice of protein)

Wasabi Asian Fusion

Good for dinner, but great for lunch! Wasabi offers sushi roll bundles and sashimi lunches that make for great, quick, dine-in lunches that won’t weigh you down for the rest of the day. Located in the Sanderlin area, Wasabi also makes for a great, inexpensive sushi dinner spot that you won’t feel guilty about frequenting regularly. 

What I order:
Tokyo Roll: Spicy Crunchy Crab, Shrimp, and Caviar
Naruto Roll: Very Thin Cucumber Wrapped with Yellowtail, Salmon, Tuna, Asparagus, and Ponzu Sauce 
Green Roll: Cucumber, Sweet Potato Tempura, Asparagus, topped with Avocado and Eel Sauce 

Poke Paradise 901

If you have eaten something made by Sushi Jimmi before, you already know what I am about to say. If you haven’t, he’s pretty much a local legend for creating some of the most mouthwatering and visually appealing sushi and sashimi Memphis has ever seen. He brought the first iconic sushi burritos to Memphis. He finally has a brick and mortar again so now you can get his dishes take-out most days of the week! 

What I order:
Any of his Sashimis (It is soooo fresh)
Sexy Roll: Salmon, Cucumber, Crabstick, Topped with Tuna, Avocado, Jalapeno Sriracha
901 Sushi Burrito: Salmon, Spicy Tuna, Crab-Mix, Cucumber, Avocado, Greens

This list is not a fully comprehensive representation of all restaurants who serve sushi in Memphis. For more options you can also try:  

• Stix
• Nagasaki 
• Osaka
• Sushi Kingdom 
• A-Tan
• Tokyo Grill
• Rock and Roll Sushi

Thank you for reading along. I hope you found a suggestion that inspires you to try something new!