Sushi snobs

[Needafix]

We are very picky about our sushi. Are there any sushi restaurants that are truly fantastic at WDW? We are looking for more of a dedicated sushi restaurant, where you can pick things individually, not a restaurant that has specific sushi items as an appetizer.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would highly recommend the Kona Island Sushi Bar at the Polynesian and you don't need an ADR to eat there.

 

[safetymom]

Benihana's. It is located in the Hilton at DTD.

 

[TillyMarigold]

We are also very picky about our sushi. Kona's sushi bar was just okay. The fish wasn't *not* fresh, it was fine, and they were pretty inventive in making their rolls so I give them credit for that; but it wasn't the really top-quality, melt-in-your-mouth fresh fish that a truly great sushi restaurant would have.

We didn't have sushi anywhere else (actually we just ordered a sushi appetizer of 3 rolls from the sushi bar when eating at Kona Café). We did enjoy the rolls we had, because as I said they were interesting flavor combinations we'd never seen anywhere else; but we were glad that we didn't try to have whole meal of sushi, because we can get better sushi here ... and I mean, I live in the desert. I can't get anything near as good as what you'd get on the coasts.

There's a review in my signature, I probably described it better when I wrote the review because it was much closer to the date I ate there.

 

[MPLsDad]

Both Tokyo Dining in EPCOT and Kimonos at the Swan will not disappoint. Kimonos is only open after 5pm and is a karaoke bar too so you may have to endure the "entertainment". Tokyo Dining serves lunch and dinner and sometimes does live sushi demonstrations. Fresh fish and excellent service at both. Cali Grill has good sushi, but there is not a dedicated sushi menu so you may not be interested.

 

[BriarRosie]

I have to agree that Kona Sushi Bar is not the best choice for sushi snobs. They only have tuna, salmon and yellowtail for nigiri choices, and it's decent, but not the melt-in-your-mouth good you'd expect from really good sushi.

I thought the sushi bar at Wolfgang Puck's on the West Side Downtown Disney was pretty good, but it's been a few years since I've eaten at their sushi bar.

I would say Tokyo Dining and Kimono's probably have the best choices on property. And Benihana would probably be the off-property choice.

 

[eventamy]

I actually didn't like Kona's rolls. They were too sweet, too much Polynesian flavor for me. I LOVE a good shrimp tempura roll but I only ate 2 pieces of mine, yuck.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

I'll echo others' sentiments about Kimonos. It's been a couple years since I've been there, but I vividly remember that I enjoyed everything I tried. We went early in the evening and the karaoke hadn't started yet. I'd like to go back in the full swing of night and compare that atmosphere to the more relaxed one that I experienced.

 

[Needafix]

Thanks for everyone's responses, I'm so excited. We're staying at the Dolphin and getting in late the last night, so I was hoping Kimono's would have great sushi. I guess I'll get to see what a true Karaoke night is like. I'm surprised at all the suggestions for sushi in Epcot. I'm definitely going to test that out as well. The last time I had it there, it was good, but not great, but that was probably 12 years ago. Disney has really revamped most of their restaurants since then, so I'm looking forward to seeing how far they've come with their sushi.

Thanks again

 

[oybolshoi]

Kimonos will be your best best for dedicated sushi on property - it's been about two years since we ate there but what we had was truly incredible. I agree with BriarRosie about Wolfgang Puck's sushi bar - it was very good and very fresh; we were just there about a year ago.

We liked the Kona sushi bar but their offerings are pretty limited - tasty for a snack but not the kind of place I think you're looking for.

 

[JESW]

We loved ours at Tokyo dining in Epcot, altho dh will say the best is at The California Grill! Dh has taken dd10 to Kimono's and they both liked it there too.

Enjoy!

Jill

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

I would second the California Grill.

Yoshie is an incredibly inventive sushi chef that uses top quality ingredients to make superb sushi rolls

Here is a picture of a sushi platter we ordered in 2007. It was about $100, served three as a meal and was worth every penny!

My personal favorites are:

The Shrimp Tempura Roll.

This is an off menu item, simply ask your server for a Shrimp Tempura Roll ($18-20) and they will know exactly what you want.

It is crispy shrimp, paired with slivers of mango and watermelon, wrapped in white nori, soy paper, and served with an orange ginger dipping sauce.

It is sweet and refreshing without being cloying or overly intense. I could eat an entire roll happily.

The Spicy Kazan Roll.

This is tuna, crab and shrimp with tobiko, wrapped in nori in the inside out style and rolled in tempura crunch. It is served with fireball sauce mixed with bay scallops.

It is crunchy, spicy and wonderful.

You really can't go wrong with any of the sushi at CG

 

[jfinke]

Kimono's is the best sushi on property. Especially if you want a more traditional sushi restaurant. I think that the only comparison place is Japan. California Grill has always disappointed me with regards to sushi.

 

[jdisnut]

I'm also a big-time sushi snob and recommend Kimonos. The sushi at California Grill is delicious and fairly creative but not necessarily authentic. The same goes for Wolfgang Puck Cafe. Kimonos, and to a lesser extent Tokyo Dining, offer traditional and high-quality sushi.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

The spicy kazan roll was very good. I wanted more sushi but didn't so I could enjoy an entree. I'd love to come back and try more. California Grill has an excellent reputation for Sushi.....

 

[Needafix]

Yes, I am looking for a more authentic sushi place and we are absolutely going to try Kimono's. I have to say, I didn't expect to hear so many rave reviews about Kimono's and can't wait to try it myself now. With only 4 days and 3 kids, CG won't fit our needs/wants on this trip, but thanks for the pics. Even though we prefer the raw slabs of fish to the rolls, the pics had my mouth watering.

 

[gina2000]

If you have the capability of travelling offsite, Hanamizuki is fabulous.



http://www.hanamizuki.us/

If not, Kimonos is the best on the property.

 

[izzie-wizzie]

Me and dbf are big sushi lovers - we had sushi at the quick service place in Japan/Epcot - Yakitori house i think its called - which was ok.

but if you can go to I.Drive to a place called Kobe - its the best sushi i think I have ever had, it also has a wide selection of other things but we stuck to a selection of sushi (they have a menu where you can pick and choose what ones you like and they bring it to you) - they also have tables where the chefs cook at. we would have had a long wait for one of them but they have a section of 'normal' tables which was available immediately which is obviously fine if you're sticking to sushi like we were.

anyway here are a couple of pics from the sushi we had a Kobe:

 

[garneska]

I would suggest Wolfgang Puck first. Then Kimino's both were very good. I also like CA Grill but it is a little less authentic, very tasty though. I ate at Tokoyo Dining a few weeks ago. The sushi is good but I definitely think the sushi at the first two are better.