by Chris McMaster

Created on: August 16, 2011   Last Updated: August 17, 2011

Due to its small portion size, sushi can make both a fantastic meal and an excellent snack. However, quality is extremely important with sushi, as improperly prepared sushi will taste horrible and can make you extremely ill. New York, famous around the world for its wide variety of top-quality restaurants, is a haven for both the best and worse sushi in all of America. Instead of gambling with raw food, you should always look up a sushi bar’s reputation before going. Word of mouth spreads fast in New York, and the best restaurants will always rise above the worst. Of course, there are always hidden secrets, and knowing these trendy places will usually save you money and dazzle your friends.

Top Sushi Bars in New York

New York is home to some of the best sushi in the Western World, but it isn’t always cheap. Although expensive, the restaurants' reputations are well earned, and are a worthy experience. Masa is a perfect example of this, as their famous dishes will cost you, on average, $500 a person. The price is arguably worth it, though, with no sub-par dishes and an absolutely serene design and atmosphere. For something a little cheaper and a little more upbeat, Geisha would be a perfect destination. An eclectic restaurant, Geisha features elegant dining on the top floor, with a loud sushi “club” below. If you’re looking for a more understated restaurant, 15 East Restaurant is a great location featuring a strange variety of seafood dishes. Dishes like squid ink risotto and the rare sea eel will leave you perplexed and craving more. Whatever your tastes, if you’re looking to spend a little cash and  an amazing sushi experience, you can find it in New York City.

Best Kept Sushi Hideaways in New York

If you’re looking for quality sushi in New York but don’t want to spend a fortune, there are plenty of amazing places located throughout the city that just don’t have the popularity needed to make them huge. For example, Bondst is an easily missed triplex that features both romantic candlelight and casual sushi lounge atmosphere. The location is becoming popular with those who want to become popular; people wearing designer clothes and trendy gadgets, so Bondst will not remain overlooked for long.

For a little more variety, try Shimizu Sushi and Shochu, a restaurant famed not only for its sushi, but also for its distilled barley, potato, rice or sugarcane drink called Shochu. The tasty exotic drink goes well with some of Shimizu’s famous seafood, including a wide variety of sea vegetation such as watercress and seaweed.

For a festive atmosphere, Kurama Zushi is famed for its strange shouting/cheering that is performed upon every guest’s entry. Kurama’s most famous dish is its omakase; a wide variety of extremely fresh sushi and sashimi which ends in some amazing ice cream of your choosing. With such a great selection of Japanese cuisine in New York City, even the most fickle seafood lover is bound to find something to enjoy.

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