Sushi first gained mainstream popularity in the United States in the 1960s, and it didn’t take long for the Japanese snack to transform into a staple cuisine for diners across the country. But as much as you love the wonderful neighborhood sushi spot in your hometown, you should know that Las Vegas’ offerings in this brilliant food category always go beyond the standards of fresh seafood and perfectly prepared sushi rice.
Yu-Or-Mi Sushi
The new downtown Vegas hot spot is Yu-Or-Mi Sushi (702.473.5200), a favorite of locals and savvy visitors cruising the bustling Arts District. Eschewing the all-you-can-eat approach, Yu-Or-Mi focuses on quality and diverse dishes, serving up memorable bites like yellowtail ceviche, rock shrimp tempura crusted with wasabi, New Zealand lamb chops with shiso pesto and miso butter salmon. If you want to stick with your raw fish favorites, this place has everything your sashimi/nigiri heart desires, with a premium sake selection to sip along the way.
With a third restaurant set to open soon at Paris, Nobu could be described as the standard-bearer for sushi in the city, currently serving from its original local restaurant at the new Virgin Hotels Las Vegas (702.693.5090), as well as the flagship destination at the base of the Nobu Hotel tower at Caesars Palace (702.731.7110). This iconic brand is also recognized for its signature hot dishes, including miso black cod, sea bass in black bean sauce and beef tobanyaki. You also can’t go wrong with the omakase tasting menu, where the chef takes control of the experience. But these restaurants remain among the best places to enjoy simple sushi classics, whether it’s delicate pieces of nigiri salmon belly or Japanese red snapper, or maki rolls loaded with spicy scallops or tuna with asparagus.
If Nobu Matsuhisa laid the groundwork for Japanese food in America, Masaharu Morimoto took the baton and kept running. The Iron Chef legend’s restaurant Morimoto Las Vegas at MGM Grand (702.891.3001) serves some truly regal sushi creations, including pristine o-toro fatty tuna, freshwater eel, a deep-fried softshell crab roll with avocado and scallion, and Japanese wagyu beef served in sashimi or nigiri form.
Another Strip sushi palace can be found at Bellagio, the long-established Yellowtail (702.730.9300). Once known as an energetic restaurant and lounge priming visitors for a night at the clubs, Yellowtail maintains those vibes while specializing in innovative dishes such as the tuna pizza with truffle oil, seared albacore with crispy shiitake mushrooms, lobster carpaccio and grilled eggplant skewers. This kitchen’s twist on sushi rolls is all fun, from the Happa roll with its Cajun-spiced albacore and spicy aioli to the Popping Spicy Crab creation with cucumber, asparagus, and Pop Rocks.
Just like you, Las Vegas residents like to stick to their favorite local spots, and no restaurant fits that label like Soho Japanese Restaurant (702.776.7778), where veteran chef John Chien Lee has built a reputation for the best quality fish and stellar service. Take a tour of his top-selling dishes: Kumamoto oysters with uni and ikura, bluefin tuna paired with foie gras, cured salmon with a poached quail egg, and pan seared scallops. Be sure to order a couple of these to go with your favorite raw fish selections.
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