San Antonio may be best known for homegrown specialties like Tex-Mex and barbecue, but that doesn’t mean we shy away from celebrating other cuisines.

Case in point? Japanese and Japanese-inspired fare, especially sushi, are increasingly common in the Alamo City. We’re talking anything from nigiri and sashimi to specialty rolls and chirashi.

If you’re looking to nosh on sushi but don’t know where to start, this list of essential spots will get you rolling. (Pun intended.)

Shiro Japanese Bistro 107 W. Jones Ave., shirossan.com Shiro specializes in West Coast contemporary Japanese cuisine. The sushi menu features a variety of specialty rolls, including a selection of vegetarian and vegan options. Adventurous diners can also choose from the “I’ll leave it up to you” menu, which includes a variety of nigiri, sashimi and chirashi options curated by the chef. Credit: Photo via Instagram / shiro_riverwalk
Niki’s Tokyo Inn 819 W. Hildebrand Ave., (210) 736-5471, facebook.com/nikis.tokyo.inn Since 1970, Niki’s Tokyo Inn in Beacon Hill has offered traditional Japanese tatami seating and a sushi bar you’ll want to score a coveted seat in front of. Go solo, or take several friends, but get there early for the best results. Credit: Photo via Instagram / eat.food.travel.eat
Yellowfish Sushi Multiple Locations, yellowfishsushi.com This self-proclaimed “Japamex sushi bar” features an extensive menu of traditional and not-so-traditional menu items, including fried and baked roll options. Credit: Photo via Instagram / yellowfishsushi
Koi Kawa 4051 Broadway, (210) 805-8111, koikawasushi.com Into nigiri and sashimi? Alamo Heights joint Koi Kawa is the spot for you. Chilled tuna, mackerel, salmon, shrimp, squid and octopus rest atop lightly vinegared beds of sticky white rice in a delicious display of sushi chef artistry. Of course, the Broadway eatery offers an impressive selection of specialty rolls for those that prefer their sushi in that form. Credit: Photo via Instagram / rzapata_sa
Umiya 11075 W I-10 Suite 200, (210) 455-0299, umiyasa.com Corpus Christi-based sushi restaurant Umiya opened its first San Antonio location in 2022, serving all-you-can eat soups, salads, hibachi and sushi. The new eatery, which also includes a full bar, has taken over the far Northwest San Antonio space that formerly housed Drew Brees’ Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux. Credit: Michael Karlis
Tong’s Thai 1146 Austin Highway, (210) 829-7345, tongsthai.com Alamo Heights fixture Tong’s Thai has been serving traditional Thai food since 1995, but the sushi bar deserves its due too. Order the fan favorite Ariel Special roll with a glass of plum wine. Credit: Photo via Instagram / tongsthai
Botika 303 Pearl Parkway #111, (210) 670-7684, botikapearl.com Though Botika is so much more than just a sushi bar, Chef Geronimo Lopez and his team have lined up an array of 12 sushi options available at their restaurant: six rolls each on the lunch and dinner menus respectively. Botika’s focus on fine Japanese dining is complemented by an elaborate contemporary menu and dining room at a prime location in the Pearl. Credit: Photo via Instagram / botikapearl
Sapporo Sushi and Asian Fusion 5638 W. Hausman Road, (210) 314-4423, sapporosa.com This Northwest San Antonio sushi outpost offers a modest selection of basic Japanese entrees plus a selection of unique sushi rolls. Sapporo’s fresh nigiri, savory shoyu ramen and miso soup are hard to beat. Credit: Photo via Instagram / she_drinks_sa
Suck It Asian Kitchen 1167 E. Commerce St., (210) 564-9062, chefsuckit.com Suck It restaurant group has spent the last couple years expanding their empire in San Antonio and while their most recent project: Suck It Mixology Bar may be getting may be getting the most attention right now, Suck It Asian Kitchen is still slinging out quality sushi rolls to delight San Antonians. Credit: Photo via Instagram / stpaulsquare
Godai Sushi Bar & Japanese Restaurant 11203 West Ave., (210) 348-6781, facebook.com/GodaiSushiSA Tried-and-true Northside spot Godai has a classic Japanese menu: all the usual sushi suspects, in addition to an assortment of rice and noodle bowls. Credit: Photo via Instagram / godai_sushibar
Piranha Izakaya 260 E. Basse Road, (210) 822-1088, piranhaizakaya.com Formerly known as Piranha Killer Sushi, Piranha Izakaya graces the Alamo Quarry Village with hot and cold appetizers, sushi and seven kinds of Japanese ramen. Appetizers range from glistening edamame to takoyaki, or fried octopus balls. Credit: Photo via Instagram / piranhaizakaya
Sukeban 1420 S. Alamo St. Suite 101, (210) 562-3231, sukebansushi.com In Southtown’s Blue Star Arts Complex, you can expect a certain level of hip. What you might not expect, however, is a menu specializing in contemporary Japanese fare that’s enhanced by carefully curated wine, bubbles and cocktails. With an edgy atmosphere accompanied with a funky playlist that makes this Southtown gem a fun spot to imbibe in, Sukeban offers an array of authentic Japanese drinks — not to mention the creative rolls and sauces. Credit: Photo via Instagram / sukebansushi
Sake Cafe 19179 Blanco Road Suite 101, (210) 408-6388, sakesushisa.com Don’t let the strip-mall facade fool you: Sake Cafe offers an impressive selection of noodles, rice, rolls, soups, salad and apps. There’s something for everyone at this Stone Oak-area spot. Credit: Photo via Instagram / sakecafesushibarsa
Osaka Steakhouse & Sushi Multiple Locations, osakasteaknsushi.com The bento boxes are a must-try at this sushi restaurant with locations off Broadway in San Antonio and Bandera in Helotes. From 3-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 3-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday, the Broadway spot has daily happy hour specials, while the Bandera location features two- and three-roll chef specials. Credit: Photo via Google Maps
Sushi Seven Multiple Locations, sushi-seven.com This Stone Oak eatery’s menu has a slew of options including tempura, kushiage (or deep-fried kebabs), fried rice and teppanyaki, not to mention the 40-plus rolls and full-to-bursting bento boxes. Credit: Photo via Instagram / sushiseven
Sushishima Japanese Restaurant Multiple Locations, sushishima.com Sushishima offers plenty of sushi and sashimi, as well as ramen, tempura and other Japanese entrees, at its Castle Hills and Stone Oak locations. Credit: Photo via Instagram / sushishima
Kin Thai and Sushi 22211 I-10 W Access Road Suite 1102, (210) 474-0959, kinthaisushi.com This Dominion-area sushi spot just up the road from Friedrich Wilderness Park is not for the faint of heart, at least in terms of menu size. The menu is substantial, including entrees, sushi bowls, nigiri, sashimi, salads and more than 30 varieties of rolls. Credit: Photo via Instagram / kinthaiandsushi
Nama Ramen 6526 Babcock Road, (210) 641-2888, linktr.ee/namaramen While constructing their elaborate dishes, the kitchen at Nama focuses on plating: their sushi platters are decked out with bountiful orchids and specialty rolls, all of which are well worth waiting in line for. Credit: Photo via Instagram / nama_ramen
Sushi Haya 226 W. Bitters Road, (210) 370-9332, sushihayaus.com Sushi Haya’s extensive menu offers bento boxes, rolls, sushi and sashimi, along with Japanese and hibachi entrees. The all-you-can-eat offer holds guests to a few standard rules, including a two-hour time limit. Credit: Photo via Instagram / sushihayasa
Sushi Zushi Multiple Locations, sushizushi.com Spread across multiple locations in San Antonio, Sushi Zushi brings premier sushi delights with a variety of nigiri, sashimi, specialty rolls and chirashi bowls. Credit: Photo via Instagram / sushizushi
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar 255 E. Basse Road #384, (726) 208-0888, kurasushi.com The highly anticipated wait for San Antonio’s first conveyor-belt sushi bar, Kura, came to an end earlier this year. The sushi bar located at the Alamo Quarry is now up and running dishing out their famed handmade sushi, ramen and desserts. Kura’s expansion into San Antonio marks the ninth store which the Japan-based restaurant has established in Texas so far. Credit: Photo via Google Maps
Wild Goji Restaurant & Bar 7115 Blanco Road Suite 110, (210) 277-0638, wildgojisatx.com Bringing the Asian street food experience to San Antonio, guests at Wild Goji can get started with Japanese fried oysters lathered in cocktail sauce, then indulge in the Wild Goji signature roll to go with a variety selection of cocktails. This Northside SA joint also offers nigiri sushi or sashimi that you can wash down with their refreshing, complimentary Goji water. Credit: Photo via Instagram / wildgoji_sat
Yummi Sushi and Grill Multiple Locations, yummisushisa.com San Antonio sushi lovers will fall in love with the menu at Yummi Sushi’s two locations on the Northside and in Leon Springs. Complement your meal with a beer or wine from this restaurant’s delightful drink menu. Credit: Photo via Instagram / yummisushisa
Uni’ko Japanese House 17803 La Cantera Terrace Suite 1101, (210) 239-6610, unikojapanesehouse.com This Japanese-style sushi bar in the fancy AF retail complex Éilan just north of Six Flags offers a menu that’s spread across numerous appetizers, sushi rolls and plenty of nigiri and sashimi options. Credit: Photo via Instagram / unikojapanesehouse
Sushihana Japanese Restaurant 1810 NW Military Highway, (210) 340-7808, sushihanasan.com Castle Hills outpost Sushihana offers delicious traditional sushi and Japanese food in a comfortable setting. If you’re looking for innovative entrees and premium wine, sake and beer, then Sushihana is the place to go. Credit: Photo via Instagram / sushihana_
Thai Lucky 102 Navarro St., (210) 888-1096, thailuckysushibar.com This downtown spot at Navarro and South St. Mary’s offers low-key sushi rolls, sashimi, nigiri, chirashi bowls and more elaborate specialty rolls. Credit: Photo via Instagram / thailuckysushibar
Goro’s Sushi 2619 Mossrock, (210) 349-8117, gorossushisa.com This hole-in-the-wall sushi joint offers up inventive and traditional rolls at reasonable prices. With more than 50 types of maki sushi rolls to choose from, you’ll definitely find something here to satisfy that sushi craving. Credit: Photo via Instagram / gorossushisa
Izumi Sushi & Hibachi Multiple Locations, (210) 538-5121, izumiallyoucaneat.com This all-you-can-eat sushi spot also features hibachi, tempura and teriyaki dishes on its extensive menu. In 2023, Izumi debuted a new location in Schertz. Credit: Photo via Google Maps
Sumo Japanese Steakhouse 8342 W I-10, (210) 541-8999, sumosanantonio.com Traditional hibachi steakhouse Sumo offers a variety of rolls and touts on its website that it has the best sushi chefs in the city. Located near the Northwest Side medical center, this dining experience is a great way to feed the whole family. Credit: Photo via Google Maps
Kobe Japanese Steakhouse 1007 NW Loop 410, (210) 524-9333, kobesanantonio.com From sushi appetizers such as the sashimi sampler to the more committed large sushi boat that can feed the entire family, this Northside San Antonio staple in a bright red-orange building has everybody covered. Credit: Photo via Google Maps