Let’s face it, sushi is a guilty pleasure food for many people. Although its importance is often underrated, a good sushi place is key to success for a night out with your best friends or take-out on your couch. As a sushi fanatic, I felt skeptical of the sushi in Madison at first. However, I’m here to reassure you that Madison does, in fact, have good Japanese cuisine, and these are the places to look out for:
1. Koi Sushi
Located right on State Street, Koi Sushi offers a variety of both Japanese and Chinese dishes. The tasty sushi rolls are fairly priced, and the restaurant makes for good experience overall. I visited Koi Sushi for the first time on a Monday evening, and I was very impressed by how busy it was. The Spicy Tuna Roll, Dragon Roll and Red Dragon Roll were all very flavorful. The only thing keeping me from going back is the slow service; it took almost an hour for my waiter to bring us our sushi. Nonetheless, if you have time, Koi Sushi is definitely a respectable option!
2. Osaka House Japanese Restaurant
“Awesome little hole in the wall joint with the best sushi in town,” one satisfied customer wrote. I, too, must agree with this statement as I was very satisfied after a lunch here. The friendly waitress informed me that the Lady Gaga and Fashion Rolls are two of their most popular orders, so I ordered them and was very pleased with what I received. The Lady Gaga Roll was rolled in soy paper, topped with the house sauce and had deep fried with salmon, shrimp, white tuna and avocado inside. The Fashion Roll had a delicious combination of spicy, crunchy tuna and avocado inside and was topped with salmon and yellowtail alongside the house sauce. These were just two of the many flavorful sushi options Osaka offers.
3. Sushi Express
A staple to many students at the university, Sushi Express is both delicious and convenient. It is extremely affordable for college kids’ budgets; plus, it can be delivered to right outside your dorm in under an hour. I am guilty of ordering from Sushi Express numerous times a week from EatStreet, since it’s perfect for fulfilling quick cravings. The Firecracker Roll, filled with shrimp tempura, avocado and cucumber, with spicy crab meat crunch and spicy mayo sauce on top, is one of their specialty rolls and a favorite of many. I also highly recommend the Mango Lover Roll and Spicy Tuna Roll.
4. Wasabi Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar
Very casual and laid-back, Wasabi is a good option for those who want fast service and quality sushi. The food itself it authentic, and the quaint, peaceful ambiance is perfect for a small group dinner. Their lunch specials are especially affordable for college students, which makes it a great spot to catch up with friends.
Red stands for “Refreshing,” “Elegant,” and “Delicious.” This hidden gem, just seconds away from the Capitol, proves all three of these things to be true. It’s extremely trendy and exciting — it’s definitely a great place to go with friends or for a birthday celebration. Their menu has all the sushi you could possibly want, from quail egg to scallop tempura. Every roll I’ve ever tried at Red has been amazingly fresh, and it’s safe to say that Red is the best sushi spot in Madison.
Be sure to check out all of these fantastic sushi spots in Madison!