Sushi joints are spreading through WNY like wild fire. In the Elmwood Village, independent restaurants are popping up left and right, while in the suburbs Wasabis and Fuji Grills are taking over, one strip mall at a time. It once felt as though only a small segment of the population in Buffalo truly enjoyed sushi, or even understood what it was. It used to be that a sushi enthusiast was required to venture to Saki's or Kuni's, where now it is available at nearly every supermarket. Sellers of chicken wings and subs might want to mind the influx of little shops, as sushi seems to be Buffalo's new favorite 'to go' option.
So who do you think serves the best sushi, and why?
Amongst the sushi cognoscenti, there are a few defining factors that must be attended to when answering such a question. Few of our area sushi bars or Japanese restaurants use formal steps of service (for example, the distribution of warm hand towels, etc.) that are in keeping with tradition. Without the regimen of such gestures, Buffalonians (and probably others in different parts of the country as well) seem to have lost the ability to tell traditional sushi from American-style sushi--or maybe we never really understood that there was a difference to begin with. That being said, there are many traditionalists who would turn their nose up at a spicy tuna roll or a California roll, and for them, the more blurred the line is between traditional and contemporary would certainly be an important consideration when choosing a favorite sushi establishment.
I also think that there is no comparing--forgive me if you disagree--quick, cheap sushi with the luxury and edible reward of sitting down at a sushi bar to enjoy omakase prepared by an itamae. At the very least, my response to the question of who serves the best sushi in our area would leave me in a position where I would have to choose a favorite high-end place and a favorite casual place.
For some, an even better way to frame the question of favorite sushi locale might be to strictly examine fish quality, which is especially important in a place where our sushi chefs don't have direct access to the catch of the day.
So in many ways, this question is asked with the reader left to weigh-in based on what considerations are most important to them, and I like that. It helps us better understand your answers. Of course, this is an informal poll with no trophy awarded, and you do have to be a registered user to add your answer, but that only takes a moment.
To aid you in your effort, here is a list of known sushi outlets in the city and surrounding suburbs. I hope we got them all, but please be sure to tell us if we didn't. And, if you'd like to learn a little bit more about sushi, I highly recommend that you read this book (or at least peruse the website for some lesser known facts and pointers).
Bangkok Tokyo Bistro
Encore
Fuji Grill (Amherst)
Fuji Grill (Hamburg)
Ichiban
Kuni's
Kyoto
Lexington Co-op
Orchid Asian Bistro
Papaya
Sake Cafe
Sakura
Samurai Grill
SeaBar
Shogun
Tokyo Shangahi Bistro
Tops
Wasabi (Blasdell)
Wasabi (Elmwood)
Wasabi (Williamsville)
Wegmans
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So who do you think serves the best sushi, and why?
Amongst the sushi cognoscenti, there are a few defining factors that must be attended to when answering such a question. Few of our area sushi bars or Japanese restaurants use formal steps of service (for example, the distribution of warm hand towels, etc.) that are in keeping with tradition. Without the regimen of such gestures, Buffalonians (and probably others in different parts of the country as well) seem to have lost the ability to tell traditional sushi from American-style sushi--or maybe we never really understood that there was a difference to begin with. That being said, there are many traditionalists who would turn their nose up at a spicy tuna roll or a California roll, and for them, the more blurred the line is between traditional and contemporary would certainly be an important consideration when choosing a favorite sushi establishment.
I also think that there is no comparing--forgive me if you disagree--quick, cheap sushi with the luxury and edible reward of sitting down at a sushi bar to enjoy omakase prepared by an itamae. At the very least, my response to the question of who serves the best sushi in our area would leave me in a position where I would have to choose a favorite high-end place and a favorite casual place.
For some, an even better way to frame the question of favorite sushi locale might be to strictly examine fish quality, which is especially important in a place where our sushi chefs don't have direct access to the catch of the day.
So in many ways, this question is asked with the reader left to weigh-in based on what considerations are most important to them, and I like that. It helps us better understand your answers. Of course, this is an informal poll with no trophy awarded, and you do have to be a registered user to add your answer, but that only takes a moment.
To aid you in your effort, here is a list of known sushi outlets in the city and surrounding suburbs. I hope we got them all, but please be sure to tell us if we didn't. And, if you'd like to learn a little bit more about sushi, I highly recommend that you read this book (or at least peruse the website for some lesser known facts and pointers).
Bangkok Tokyo Bistro
Encore
Fuji Grill (Amherst)
Fuji Grill (Hamburg)
Ichiban
Kuni's
Kyoto
Lexington Co-op
Orchid Asian Bistro
Papaya
Sake Cafe
Sakura
Samurai Grill
SeaBar
Shogun
Tokyo Shangahi Bistro
Tops
Wasabi (Blasdell)
Wasabi (Elmwood)
Wasabi (Williamsville)
Wegmans
None of the above.
Seriously, I've been to a number of sushi joints in the Buffalo area and the best of them (Kuni's) was mediocre compared to what you'd find in a city where people actually have standards.
Seriously?
Please enlighten me with these other cities with the sushi standards.
Um, Vancouver? Honolulu? Los Angeles? Those aren't really exotic places.
(If you'd like, I can recommend a place or two in Fukuoka...)
BTDT! Next.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-4WbjV1Jmo&feature=player_embedded
Ouch, Im not sure whether Im raising my eyebrow at BfloExpatAbroad for his condescention slamming Buffalo or whether its just brutal honesty lacking tact.
My associates in Japan have told me that americans have very different tastes and standards. Many Japanese do not like Sushi outside Japan. They dont believe its as fresh (remember raw food can be dangerous with bacteria, poisons, parasites even if freshly caught). They also said Japanese like food bland concerning themselves as much if not more with textures than strong flavors while americans want stronger flavors.
So my fellow Buffalonians and fellow BuffaloRisers, its a matter of taste and preference rather than being mediocre but as an expat Buffalo will never win an award for being pretensious. We are a city of comfort food and we are a city that socializes over food and drink. As an expat you should know your roots.
Last comment, concerning a slam and condescension. Many in Buffalo will complain about the litter, the potholes, the broken sewars, the leaking water mains, the abandoned homes, the unsupervised street kids, the homes that arent abandoned but simply ill maintained...etc. So Id recommend looking at it as brutal honesty rather than condescension.
My associates in Japan say they prefer a bacon, cheddar cheese burger with an ice cold Budweiser over sushi.
I agree with them.
A number of people here seem to be praising Seabar, so perhaps that one's worth a look.
Naturally, I'd need to go alone because everyone I'd invite out for sushi in Buffalo would think it was too "wierd" for them. Who needs maguro when you've got the fine dining of Cheektowaga to fall back on?
Judging by every single previous post you ever have posted on BR, which is quite a few, you come of as a real pleasant and happy person. I can't imagine anyone not wanting to dine with you.
If your so above lowly Buffalo and all it has to offer, may I ask why you spend so much time on this site? Do you crave the attention, not enough hugs when you were younger? Did the kids on the bus make fun of you, so talking down to people makes you feel better?
Hi, NorPark. I appreciate your sincere concern for my well being.
I think I've been pretty clear about what my real problem is: I don't think life in your city is really that great.
I dunno, maybe you enjoy having snow storms come-in during October to knock-out the power for a few weeks. Just not my idea of a good time, truth me told.
yeah, i guess you're right, expatabroad. losing your power for a few days is much more traumatic than having a tornado or hurricane wipe your house off the map, a wildfire burn down your neighborhood, or a flood destroy your city. why oh why do we put up with it? we must be gluttons for punishment.
Please stay abroad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-4WbjV1Jmo
Thank you for that.
Can't get it out of my head, but thank you for the belly laugh. :-)