Whether wrapped in seaweed, coated with sesame seeds or deep fried, sushi’s versatility and unique variations of flavors ensure that a large portion of people worldwide call it one of their favorite foods. Spending a little over two years living in Asia, I tried traditional sushi and often found it difficult to find equally appealing alternatives in the U.S.. Miami, considered an international city and cultural hub, offers authentic Japanese cuisine, yet also blends flavors from other countries to create an exquisite fusion of cultures, leaving behind a variety of choices to grab a taste of sushi in the area. For all budgets, here are some restaurants one can dine at in Miami when craving sushi:
Pubbelly Sushi
Located in Dadeland, Brickell, Miami Beach, as well as Greater Miami areas, Pubbelly is a sushi spot one cannot miss. The gastropub fuses Japanese and Latin cuisine and offers a wide selection of rolls, nigiri and beyond. José Mendín, the chef and founding partner, is a five-time semi-finalist for the “Best Chef, Southeast” James Beard Award.
The Panther recommends the Butter Krab Roll: shredded crab wrapped in rice and soy paper served with melted clarified butter on the side to dip. The buttery texture of the crab has a touch of sweetness and the warm butter adds an explosion of flavors. The Crispy Salmon Roll includes salmon, cream cheese and avocado all tucked in a layer of rice, deep fried with crispy panko crumbs and topped off with eel sauce and spicy mayo, creating the perfect blend of mildly spicy and sweet flavors. Besides rolls, the Panther also recommends the edamame, coated with sprinkles of barbecue spices and salt, serving as the perfect appetizer to pregame your rolls.
Varsol
Nestled in the busy 3423 Main Highway in Coconut Grove sits Varsol Sushi Bar, a long, narrow modern sushi place stemming from the 25-year-old Akashi Sushi in South Miami — but with a more social and contemporary twist. Offering an indoor seating area adorned with wooden panels, plants and a brick wall, the atmosphere makes you feel as if you were in an elevated garage-looking space, all while experiencing a top-notch Japanese culinary experience.
The Panther recommends the Shrimp Pop Roll with salmon, crab, avocado and crispy honey shrimp and the Mermaid Roll, containing spicy tuna, avocado, cucumber, masago and a final touch of seaweed salad topping. Varsol also offers riceless rolls rolled in cucumber, salads, wok and more.
Omakai
New to the abundance of restaurants in Coconut Grove, Omakai offers a unique sushi-tasting experience with their four selections of set menus: OMA Deluxe, OMA, OMA Bite and OMA Vegan. The Deluxe, priced at $40 during lunch hours, comes with 10 dishes; the OMA, bringing nine dishes, is the perfect middle ground that leaves you satisfied. The waiter brings out each individual plate one at a time to give one enough time to savor the sushi. Though one can order à la carte, Omakai is known for its seasonal flavors and fresh ingredients sampled through the set menu experience.
Some of the most popular dishes include a Blue Crab Hand Roll, Albacore Tuna Sushi and the Sashimi Special — all pre-sauced by the chef prior to serving.
Sushi Sake
Any Miami local knows the casual Friday night dinner hub that is Sushi Sake. A go-to when it comes to late-night cravings and affordable sushi, this location is best known for its fried rice and Yum Yum sauce, but is also home to various delicious sushi rolls.
The Panther recommends the Dragon Roll, which contains tempura shrimp, krab, asparagus, masago topped with avocado, spicy mayo and eel sauce; as well as the Rainbow Roll combining salmon, tuna and white fish — a basic yet delicious choice.
Osaka
Of the high-end restaurants in Miami, Osaka should be at the top of any list. As a Peruvian, the blend of Japanese and Peruvian cuisines known as Nikkei is a personal favorite. Osaka, located in Brickell, as well as Lima, Peru and other South American cities, brings the best of both culinary worlds. The modern design adorned with wooden accents creates the perfect fine dining ambiance. The excellent service, fresh ingredients, plate presentations and exquisite flavors do not disappoint.
The Panther recommends the Hotate Truffle Nigiri, a bed of rice with thinly sliced scallops, truffle butter and a hint of lime that melts in your mouth. Another staple on the menu is the Crispy Quinoa Roll, a sushi roll containing shrimp, crab and avocado wrapped in rice and coated in a layer of crunchy quinoa — a Peruvian grain. For a dish more on the Peruvian side, the Carpassion Tiradito is a must-try. Tiradito, similar to sashimi, is a Peruvian dish of thinly sliced raw fish, and the Carpassion, as seen in the name, is salmon mixed with a passion fruit honey sauce.
Planta Queen
Who says vegans cannot partake in sushi as well? Planta Queen, a vegan Asian spot in Coconut Grove’s Cocowalk, offers a selection on their menu dedicated to fish-free sushi alternatives, allowing non-meat eaters to enjoy sushi.
The Panther recommends the Torched and Pressed, a nigiri-style roll topped with avocado and a sweet miso truffle glaze — probably one of the best items on the menu. A take on the original Dragon Roll, Planta uses tempura broccoli as the “shrimp,” spinach, avocado and tops it off with a sweet yet slightly spicy sauce. The Crispy Rice, replicating tuna crispy rice, uses spicy ahi watermelon and has mashed avocado on top; no, it does not have the texture of watermelon yet it truly does imitate the look of tuna.
