I've never been to a bad sushi restaurant in Louisville. It was only about 2 years ago when I first started eating sushi. I remember in high school, my sister made me try sushi. Her first mistake was telling me that they pull the fish straight from the small pond at the entrance of the restaurant. I tried a basic roll, California Roll. I think I hated it because I wanted to hate it. Anyway, that was about 8 years ago.
It wasn't until after I graduated college that I tried sushi again. The only reason I tried it was because I was so hungry, there wasn't that much else around that would take 5 minutes, so I got a Philadelphia Roll. Anyone who knows me knows that I love anything with cream cheese. So that's when sushi and I became inseperable.
From then on, I craved sushi multiple times a week, and probably had it once every 2 weeks. I'm very particular with my fish and sushi. I pretty much only eat the basic rolls - California Roll, Philadephia Roll, Spicy Tuna, etc.
Now that you have my sushi background, here are my personal opinions about the sushi I've tried in Louisville. If you're like me and like the basic rolls, this may be helpful.
Pictures of Sushi rolls coming soon!
Oishi Sushi - 2245 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40205
This place must be good because it's always packed! I've been hearing for months how great this place is, and for the price, the sushi is incredible. So I decided to give it a shot, about 3 times before the wait was finally under 20 minutes. The service was good for how busy it was. The staff was very nice. However, the sushi was a little too fishy for my liking. You're probably thinking, "Uh...it's sushi, it's supposed to be fishy." But this was too fishy for me. It was an overwhelming taste of fish, it's all I could taste in each bite of sushi. I think they're opening up a 2nd location on Taylorsville Road, and I'm excited to check it out!
Cafe Mimosa - 1543 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40205
I LOVE this place. I have been there several times. It's convenient for me because it's less than a 5 minute walk from a friend's house. But they are quick and the sushi is good. I asked them once to make me a roll that wasn't on the menu, and without hesitation they made it. This place is extra good because they give you fortune cookies!
Maido - 1758 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206
This place is right near my office so every now and then I'll walk on over after work for their killer Happy Hour Deals. Check out their website for the details, but it is a great deal. The rolls are a little smaller than other restaurants, but that might just be during Happy Hour. I haven't been there outside of their Happy Hour. Their Mozarella Cheese Wontonws are deeeeelicious! Their Spicy Tuna Roll is a little too spicy for me to handle. My favorite rolls are here are the Bagel Roll and There Went Drew.
Osaka - 2039 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206
I've been here twice. Man their portions are huge! I got some chicken teryiaki dish and it looked like I barely made a dent in it! The sushi was yummy. My favorite thing to get here is their Tofu Salad. It is the usual salad you would get at a Japanese restaurant, with the ginger sauce, but with tons of deep fried tofu. I love love love it!
I know for sure there's at least 2 different locations, one in the far East End past Tinseltown Movie Theater, and another on the corner of Hurstbourne and Taylorsville Road. I think there is another one on or near Preston Highway. This was my first taste of sushi in high school. Finally braved it about a year and a half ago. Pretty good. Much better than my first experience that's for sure!
This is my most frequented sushi restaurant in all of Louisville. It is really close to my house but I also really love it. They have Hibachi, the guys who do it are funny and interactive. Then again, I can't recall a time where I've seen a boring Hibachi show. I always take leftover dinner home frmo Mikato. I can confidently say that Mikato has my favorite Philadelphia Roll in the whole city!
Wasabiya - 962 Baxter Avenue, Louisville, KY 40204
I think this place is fairly new. I've been eyeing it since March and finally went there about 2 months ago. They had some good drink special so my friends really enjoyed that. Pretty good sushi - the Spicy Tuna was just right. Parking can be a little tricky, but that won't stop a sushi lover from eating their sushi!
Kroger - You'd be surprised, but Kroger actually has really good sushi! And the price is good, about 12 rolls for $6-$8. It may be packaged and not served fresh to you at a restaurant, but it is still really good, and a great price.
There's so many sushi places in Louisville. Next on my list...Sapporo on Bardstown Road and Sake Blue!
