Sushi in Warsaw
A guide for all those who value high quality Japanese cuisine
- Last updated: December 14, 2024
Sushi in Warsaw
A guide for all those who appreciate the highest quality of Japanese cuisine
- Last updated: December 14, 2024
Warsaw sushi restaurants are competing on the way to aesthetic excellence. Certainly, customers don't suffer from it, as they have a variety of sushi to choose from, ranging from white to gold! A speciality of a lot of restaurants in the capital is the possibility of observing the Sushi masters preparing the rolls right in front of your eyes.
To become a sushi master, you need special training and years of practice. In Japan to be able to be called a sushi master, one must undergo a course that lasts from 10 to 15 years. The course covers all the necessary steps for making the perfect sushi. Such a show is already a feast in itself.
(Nihhonno) osushi ga daisuki! - I love japanese sushi!
For a better understanding of the world of sushi, let's use the stereotype that convinces us that 'osushi' (the original name) is basic food in Japan, and let's focus mainly on this part of Japanese gastronomy. Japanese restaurants in Warsaw passionately and devotedly strive to recreate the original savoir-faire of authentic sushi. However, they also offer original compositions in their menus, based on the highest quality ingredients.
In this guide:
Sushi Zushi
Sushi Zushi restaurant was born out of the owner's passion for authentic Japanese sushi and the belief that it's possible to open a world-class restaurant in Warsaw. In 2008, Sushi Zushi became a permanent part of the landscape of Żurawia Street in Warsaw.
Colloquially known as 'Żurawia,' it has become one of the most exclusive sushi restaurants in Warsaw, paying attention to details in both taste and presentation of dishes. The restaurant is an ideal place for both a romantic dinner and a business meeting. Sushi Zushi specialises in authentic Japanese sushi and sashimi. Their menu includes a wide selection of fresh and high-quality ingredients, such as fresh fish, seafood, vegetables, and delicately prepared rice. What also deserves special attention are their warm meals. The unique duck, squid or selected steaks or wagyu beef rolls will please any palate.
The chefs at Sushi Zushi are known for their precision in cutting fish and creating beautiful, harmonious sets. Various sushi options are available, including traditional maki rolls, nigiri, sashimi, and unique compositions created by the chefs. It's a pleasure to watch the sushi chefs preparing orders. If you have something in mind, you can tell the head chef, and he prepares the dish right in front of you, served in just a few minutes. An extravagant bonus is the opportunity to watch masters ignite pieces of exquisite fish with the flames of a torch behind the bar. Be prepared for a significant expense. Is it worth it? Referring to TripAdvisor reviews, we emphatically say - yes! The highest quality plus the Master Show are worth it.
Sushi Kado
Are you a discerning customer and a lover of Asian cuisine? Sushi Kado is the best restaurant in Wola according to Google reviews. It's a place that takes guests on a flavorful journey to the world of traditional Japanese cuisine (nigiri, maki, uramaki, hosomaki, sashimi, maki in tempura) as well as a wide range of fusions for individual needs: special sets include items for children #Nemo, pregnant women #BabyonBoard, or those who are fitness-conscious. For people with allergies, on request, the Master will adjust the ingredients to individual needs.
Sushi Kado features an elegant and minimalist decor. Wooden elements, subdued colours, not too loud music, and subtle lighting create a friendly environment conducive to good conversation and savouring the moment. These decor elements create an atmosphere based on the Ikigai philosophy, which literally translates to "reason for being." The service at Sushi Kado is professional, polite, and always ready to help with dish selection or provide information about ingredients. The staff strives to introduce new improvements step by step according to the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen. So, don't hesitate to share your impressions with the staff! "Problems create opportunities": This approach is quite foreign to the Polish mentality, but at Sushi Kado, they are a daily source of inspiration and new ideas.
Does that sound convincing enough? If you're still expecting the cherry on top, here it is: drinks... They serve not only a classic menu but also signature cocktails, various teas, unconventional lemonades, selected craft beers, and wines in both white, rosé, and red varieties. Needless to say, it's a revelation!
Youmiko Vegan Sushi
Who said that the foundation of sushi must be raw fish? Are you ready to discover that plant-based cuisine can be fully valuable, aromatic, tasty, and... interesting? Even the Japanese themselves came up with a vegan version of sushi called kyuri, which is well-known to us as cucumber maki. Combining the traditional Japanese approach to cooking with Polish creativity at the Youmiko Vegan Sushi restaurant on Hoża Street, we get surprising recipes that often depend on the chef's idea for the day. Nothing is more spontaneous than surrendering to the availability of local vegetables and the chef's mood. It's what they call heart-made sushi. The basic set includes nigiri, torcik ('mini-pie'), hosomaki, uramaki, futomaki, and can be expanded with temari and gunkan. The Omakase tasting menu is highly recommended, which in Japanese means 'I leave the choice to you.' It's a presentation of flavours and techniques of Japanese cuisine, arranged in a unique journey through the culture of samurais.
For those tired of rolls, Master Sushi recommends the so-called 'Scattered Sushi' - rice with delicious roll ingredients, including tempura. And only here: Shoyu ramen based on the chef's own tare with seasonal additions and homemade aromatic oil. Just to avoid getting bored completely, the restaurant drew inspiration from Korea, serving a spicy dish based on the recipe of the culinary talented waiter Stan. At the beginning of the week, the place offers promotions: 20% off sets on Mondays, Happy Hours for appetizers on Tuesdays, and on Wednesdays, you can enjoy two glasses of plum wine choya for the price of one.
As for appetizers, traditionally, as befitting the cuisine of the Land of the Rising Sun, it wouldn't be complete without miso soup with tofu, edamame beans, seaweed wakame salads, and a bit less Japanese - kimchi, which is a Korean spicy pickled cabbage. In summary, it's not only one of the best sushi restaurants in Warsaw but certainly the most surprising. And who doesn't love pleasant surprises?
Wabu Sushi & Japanese Tapas
When describing the uniqueness of Wabu Sushi, it's hard to know where to start! The first thing that catches the eye, after crossing the threshold of the Warsaw Spire skyscraper in the centre of Warsaw, is the atmosphere built on the philosophy of izakaya, which means 'pub-restaurant,' where you can eat, drink, and talk for hours. According to this Japanese tradition, dishes are served in tapas style, and the idea of izakaya is to share them.
As we pay attention to the interior of the place, we are struck by the choice of dark colours, warm wood, and orange light, which has a calming effect on us. Does this have anything to do with the philosophy of the Chefs of Wabu Sushi & Japanese Tapas, which says that food should have the same effect on us as meditation? I guess everyone should experience it for themselves... It would be wonderful to personally step into the kitchen! Apparently, the Wabu Chefs are enthusiasts who pay attention to every grain of rice and carefully refine every detail. Sushi Masters create unique compositions according to their own style. These original fish compositions and culinary techniques faithfully capture the taste of the Land of the Rising Sun with a touch of finesse and modern accents.
So, let's get to the climax and see if the food is equally exceptional. The owners boast about fresh fish and seafood, specially imported to order. Unfortunately, they don't reveal their secret suppliers, but it's undoubtedly the key to their exceptional sushi. In the end, there's good news-they reveal other secrets during culinary workshops organised on-site. Nothing but to learn from the Masters themselves.
Oto! Sushi
Behold! Sushi has 13 years of experience in serving dishes inspired by Far Eastern cuisine. How can one stay in Warsaw's gastronomic market for so many years? Probably only with an excellent reputation. The owners swear that there's magic happening in their place, attracting only 'good things.' And a more down-to-earth factor of success is probably the constantly refined menu and adapting to the changing world. Catering, delivery, a mobile app, and... sharing knowledge are the ideas of the OTO!Sushi entrepreneurs going with the times. Some might think that there's another trivial reason for their success, namely the magic of Nowy Świat Street, but would they bother organising amazing live cooking shows then? Well, they seem to try! The Oto!Sushi staff even went so far as to rap during a fundraiser for nurses and doctors - true heroes during the pandemic. Watch their #hot16challenge clip on YouTube. Such a team is worth getting to know during a visit to the restaurant or during the culinary workshops they offer.
To get to know the menu, we recommend a personal visit to the restaurant or the website. Oto!Sushi's offerings are countless, with dozens of types of sushi with fish and vegetables. In most sets, tuna and salmon are traditionally featured, but not everyone would expect asparagus. The smartest thing would be to taste many different types of sushi before choosing your favourite set. Come during the week between 12:00 and 16:00 and compose your own lunch.
We also recommend the unique ones we've already mentioned, but hey, you have to remember them well: asparagus sushi in the form of hosomaki or futomaki with salmon, tuna, or shrimp, and of course, completely vegan with avocado - finger-licking good!
And finally, let's mention the street garden, where the sun always shines. Isn't that true magic?
Art Sushi
A restaurant for connoisseurs of authentic Japanese cuisine. It's not supposed to be better or, of course, worse; it should be just like in the Empire! For this, we'll need a little glossary; we can't go there without knowing the basic names of vegetables served in the restaurant's menu: pickled radish oshinko, shitake mushrooms, seaweed gomo, wakame seaweed. You're doing quite well to start. It's enough to shine.
Let's also remember the golden rule of eating with chopsticks in Japanese: sashimi YES, sushi NO. It might be a big surprise because in Poland, we usually get chopsticks right away with the dish. But the Japanese eat differently - they only use chopsticks for sashimi. We eat sushi without using chopsticks. The world belongs to the brave ones. Since we're in such an exquisite company, why not order a roll with edible gold? If you're going to indulge, go all the way; we recommend caviar.
The most traditional accent is undoubtedly Maneki-Neko, a popular symbol of luck in many Asian countries. The figurine depicts a cat with a raised peacock. If the animal lifts its right peacock, it is supposed to attract money, and if it's the left peacock, it's meant to invite guests or customers inside. For 10 years, the mascot has been guarding the prosperity of the restaurant, and it seems to be doing a great job. As you can see, it's a business combined with a true passion for hosting and honouring guests. Don't be surprised if you're served by the owners themselves.
Taste the best sushi in Warsaw and discover the secrets of Japanese cuisine
The best sushi is simply 'sour rice’ (literal translation), thanks to which the natural method of preserving fish, where the rice undergoes fermentation, and the fish maintains its freshness much longer. Do you know the difference between Sashimi, Nigiri, and Sushi? Sashimi is raw fish, pieces of seafood, or even meat served with soy sauce or wasabi without rice. Nigiri differs from Sashimi in that it is served on a rectangular piece of rice. Finally, Sushi is cooked rice seasoned with vinegar, served with other ingredients such as meat, vegetables, and seaweed (Nori). Sushi comes in the form of rolls or makis. The rice, meat, and vegetables are wrapped in seaweed paper, and this is called Sushi Maki. You can recognize Uramaki by the arrangement of ingredients in seaweed and rice on the outside of the roll. You’ll get to try all these types by visiting our selected Japanese restaurants serving the best sushi in Warsaw.