Best sushi I've had in Miami?!

**nefrocatracho** · 07-15-2010, 07:33 PM

There was a recent thread on favorite restaurants and I mentioned a gem of a place in Sunny Isles, NAOE. I've been craving sushi lately, and as NAOE is more of a sit down several course meal, i was looking for something I could go to on a regular basis. Now, sushi in Miami has generally been outstanding. But I eventually came across reviews for this place in North Bay Village called Japanese Market aka Sushi Deli. I made it over there and wow, just fantastic.

I'm hesitant to let people know about it as it is tiny. It is in fact a market with Japanese goods. The sushi bar looks like an afterthought off to the left, seating maybe 12. They have some standard and non-standard rolls all of which look very good. But the reason I love it is the selection of nigiri, stuff you will not find at 95% of sushi places. These included uni (sea urchin roe), toro (fatty tuna), aji (horse mackerel), tai (Japanese red snapper), and sayori (needlefish). Unfortunately, sayori is not in season now, so I'll have to try that one in the future. All of these were fresh, even the aji which gets flown in from Japan. The salmon belly was high quality and like butter, so much better than the typical sushi salmon you get.

To let you know Chef Kushi is serious, he adds a small touch of sauce and wasabi to complement each piece. I read that he will frown at you if you take a beautiful piece of fresh nigiri and put it in soy sauce. In fact I didn't use any extra soy sauce, only what he put on each piece. There was no need it was so good. I spoke with him a bit, he is very humble and kind. He told me to come back in September when sayori is in season. He gave me a piece of tempura shrimp head on the house. I also read that at times he has even more exotic fare that he does not put on the menu, reserved for regulars. This place is the antithesis of Nobu, mom and pop, very simple but excellent.

Oh yeah, the price. Prices are pretty amazing. 1.50 a piece for the salmon, hamachi, and other common items, 2.50 for less common stuff like the toro and uni, and market price for stuff like aji. I spent $18 including tip for 6 pieces and a cup of green tea. I think it's more for those who enjoy exotic nigiri, though the roils are probably great too. Anyway, if there's any sushi lovers out there this place is a must.

**Blackford Oakes** · 07-15-2010, 07:48 PM

Appreciate the info. I love these kind of places. Will have to check it out for sure.

I have a place nearby in Haines City, Mexican general store that caters to migrant workers toiling the orange groves. I know what you mean. It's hard to recommend it to anybody because of the ambiance, but it's the best mexican quick eats I've found in FL

**nefrocatracho** · 07-18-2010, 09:31 PM

Little places like that are gems. I'm still finding my way around south Florida but I now have a go to place for sushi. If you go I highly recommend the aji. He puts a mint leaf on it, a dab of wasabi and a touch of some sauce. Delicious.

**Carlos Miller** · 11-30-2011, 09:48 AM

I'm not a sushi expert at all, but I've been experimenting and there's a really good place in Doral called Sushi Joe.

I discovered it through a friend who is a big sushi lover and has frequent tweetups in various sushi restaurants around South Florida and even maintains a blog dedicated to sushi restaurants down here.

He lives in Boca but drives down to Doral for this place because it's so good. It's very inexpensive and humble and doesn't really stick out because it's just another restaurant in a strip shopping mall.

But each time I try a new place, I realize how good it is. I've realize that sushi has a lot to do with the taste of the rice as well as the freshness of the fish.

**Blackford Oakes** · 12-02-2011, 03:54 PM

Haven't ventured much into Miami's sushi realm. All I can contribute, is saying that the long sushi table at the Delano is OK.

**laurab** · 12-06-2011, 04:35 PM

That Japanese Market in North Bay Village is the best sushi place I have tasted here in Miami. I have tried about 8 or 9 places now.

**Christy** · 12-06-2011, 05:53 PM

My favorite place for sushi (ordering in) is Planet Sushi. Amazing! For going out I like Sushi Samba because there's a DJ, you can sit outside, and really great dishes and cocktails.

**Jelly024** · 12-20-2011, 11:25 PM

well here at the South Beach there is a small spot called Iron Sushi, I like that one, it is not expensive and delivery is pretty fast!

and ofcourse at Lincoln Rd. Sushi Samba rockz

**fredgarvin** · 12-21-2011, 01:27 PM

What a "gem" of a little family place!

Great prices, tasty fresh sushi!

There are some places that may be bit 'better' but for price/value I'd have to put them right up there!

Gr8 post!

**yanseyvaldes** · 02-15-2012, 10:06 AM

Hiro's in NMB.

**tnguyen723** · 04-23-2012, 02:40 PM

I would say Sushi Samba. But they have the best sushi places in Fort Lauderdale and Coral Springs

**Christy** · 04-26-2012, 11:58 PM

I love Sushi Samba but know a lot of other people like Dokaru on Lincoln. For take out or a casual dinner Planet Sushi is awesome.

**Blackford Oakes** · 04-28-2012, 03:24 PM

Haven't made an earnest effort to find great sushi in Miami. Sparing that chore, the long table at the Delano lobby is decent and serves it's purpose.

I had some ok chuchecas served as a boquita at a out of country bar. A different league and not exactly sushi, though it's a raw delicacy in some parts.