9 sushi superlatives in Columbia, SC

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Sushi + sashimi from Suishaya Restaurant. | Photo by @boxwithstrings

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We’ve been fishing around and Cola is swimming in sushi. From trendy menus to laidback atmospheres, we’ve rounded up some top spots to score sushi.

Date night dining

Camon Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar, 1332 Assembly St.

Camon is a great spot to take your date when you want to make it o-fish-al. It has been described as a “little corner of Japan” + was one of Columbia’s first sushi restaurants. Pro tip: Try the Lifesaver roll + split a bottle of MomoKawa Pearl Nigori Genshu Sake with your date.

Impress the foodies

Suishaya Restaurant, 1516 Ellie Dr.

Suishaya has premier sushi + service. The fresh Rainbow Maki will have those with even the most particular of palettes saying, “Oh, that’s good fish.” Oh, and the Golden Dragon Maki is a must-try.

Celebrate with sushi

Tsunami Vista, 700 Gervais St.
Tsunami is the perfect place to maki the moment special. It offers a vast selection of handcrafted rolls as well as Hibachi dishes + noodle entrees — there’s a little something for everyone in your party to enjoy.

Bang for your buck

Red Bowl Asian Bistro, Village at Sand Hill 481-11 Town Center Pl.

Who says sushi has to be expensive? Check out Red Bowl’s lunch sushi specials — you can get two rolls + and your choice of miso soup or salad for $10.25. Pro tip: Try the Fantasy roll + the Crunchy roll.

Tako-bout takeout

Sushi and Hibachi To Go, 1100 Elmwood Ave.

Stay in with your sashimi and try Sushi and Hibachi To Go. This local restaurant has a large menu with both sushi + Hibachi options. Get a sushi combo plate if you’re sharing with a friend. Pro tip — order ahead via the online portal + skip the line.

All you can eat

Red Sake Japanese Restaurant, 285 Columbiana Dr.

What’s better than sushi? More sushi. Get your fill with Red Sake’s all you can eat sushi and hibachi from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. + from 4 p.m. until close Tuesday-Friday or all day on Saturday and Sunday. This is for dine-in only + prices vary.

Drink up

SakiTumi Grill and Sushi Bar, 807 Gervais St.

An underrated element of the sushi experience? The booze. SakiTumi keeps the drinks flowing with a vast selection of beer, wine, sake, and cocktails. Plus, SakiTumi has happy hour deals Tuesday-Friday from 5-7 p.m. + half-price bottles of sake from 5-10 p.m. on Saturdays.

Tatami seating

Inakaya Japanese Restaurant, 224 Oneil Ct.

Inakaya has a seating arrangement known as zashiki, where diners sit at a low table on the floor. Enjoy your sushi from this traditional Japanese seating arrangement or at the sushi bar. Pro tip: Order the Love Boat sushi boat special — it can be made for two, three, or four per table.

Bonus: branch out

M Vista, 701 Lady St.

If you’re looking for a local establishment that has great sushi + traditional Japanese dishes, M Vista is the place to go. M Vista offers a robust selection of fried rice dishes, savory noodle bowls, and entrees from its Wok in addition to a menu of 30+ sushi rolls. Pro tip: Visit with a large group so you order a lot + try a little bit of everything.

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