While you can find plenty of affordable options no matter where you live, there’s nothing wrong with wanting the Most Expensive Sushi Fish. We’ve rounded up the most expensive sushi dishes available, which includes everything from world-famous restaurant experiences to sushi wrapped in gold and adorned with diamonds.
The world of sushi is more luxurious than many people realize. Here’s a rundown of the priciest sushi you can buy:
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Top 10 Most Expensive Sushi Dishes and Sushi Restaurants
What makes some types of sushi more expensive than others? The ingredients, craftsmanship, and other factors all play a role. Let’s take a look at these decadent dishes:
1. The Masa Restaurant in New York City
Masa isn’t just one of the most expensive sushi restaurants in the country. It’s one of the priciest places to eat, period. Winner of three Michelin stars, it’s found in Manhattan’s Time Warner Center.
A sushi dinner for two will cost you over $1,300, or more than a laptop. On the plus side, you don’t have to tip. A few years ago, Masa hiked their prices but eliminated tipping. It allows them to retain top talent while still creating a great customer experience.
Their sushi dinner costs $595 apiece, and it’s not even the most expensive item on the menu. That’d be the Ohmi beef supplement, which adds another $150 to the bill.
2. Chef Araneta’s Gold-Leaf Sushi
Renowned Pilipino chef Angelito Araneta Jr. holds a Guinness World Record for the “most expensive sushi.” The secret behind his costly creations? He adds diamonds and gold.
Nicknamed the “Karat Chef,” his five-piece special nigiri roll includes pink salmon from Norway and foie gras. However, instead of seaweed, the roll is wrapped in 24-karat edible gold leaf. But that’s not all. It also includes three Palawan pearls plus 20-carats of African diamonds. The total price is a hefty $1,978, making this a treat for your taste buds, if not necessarily your bank balance.
3. Lucky Direction Sushi Roll
Speaking of edible gold, you can find it used to make the Lucky Direction Sushi Rolls, a pricey option found in the basement restaurant of the Shinjuku Isetan Department Store, a famously posh spot in Japan. Each roll contains edible gold leaf wrapped around Nagasaki Longtooth Grouper or other high-end seafood.
Taste is the selling point here, not the presentation. If you want your roll to go, you can buy them pre-packaged in plastic. Are you looking to eat in? The $97 roll is served on a paper plate!
Lucky Day or Lucky Direction sushi rolls are a popular tradition thought to bring good fortune. When eating, be sure to speak and face in a certain direction, which changes with the year.
4. Urasawa, Los Angeles
Across the country from New York’s Masa, you’ll find Urasaw, a sushi bar in Beverly Hills. It’s frequently billed as “L.A.’s most expensive sushi restaurant.” They serve Omakase sushi, which is a Japanese phrase that means “I’ll leave it up to you,” so you allow the chef to choose your sushi. Prices start at $395.
Don’t expect to linger over your meal, as dinner is interactive. The restaurant gives diners strict instructions. You must eat every piece of sushi within 10 seconds of its arrival on the table. This ensures it has the specific, fresh taste the chef intends.
5. O Ya, Boston
Beantown isn’t the first place most people think of when they think of sushi, but Boston’s O Ya restaurant delivers a sushi dish that’s described as a work of art. Starting at $250, the Omakase menu is different every night, featuring nigiri, sashimi, and even cooked dishes.
Chef Tim Cushman, the winner of several James Beard awards, creates distinct sushi dishes with a modern, elegant twist. Along with sushi, you’ll want to also try their famous “Faberge” Onsen Egg. It’s made with black river osetra caviar, green onion, dashi sauce, and – as we’ve seen in other expensive sushi dishes – gold leaf.
6. Nobu, Miami
Nobu is a popular, high-end dining establishment with locations around the world. Situated in the Nobu Hotel Eden Roc, the Miami Nobu restaurant features opulent décor and loads of luxury. You can order your sushi off the regular menu or allow the chef to choose.
As far as prices go, you’re looking at one of the better deals compared to most, with pieces starting around $10 and going up to almost $70.
7. Sushi Taro, Washington DC
Located in the nation’s capital, this Michelin-starred restaurant is popular among sushi fans from all around town, including people who work at the Japanese embassy. Each meal at Sushi Taro costs about $160.
Their Omakase experience is a bit different than what you’ll find in other sushi places. Here, instead of relying on the chef’s choices entirely, you’re presented with an array of fishes at the counter that you can then choose or reject. It gives you a bit more control over the pace and selection of the meal, making it an excellent option if you prefer certain types of sushi over others.
8. Sushi Hashiri, San Francisco
As one of San Francisco’s most famous sushi shops, you can expect to pay upwards of $200 for the Omakase platter, but the real luxury experience is the Omakase at Chef’s Table. You’ll dine in a private room, where a sushi chef prepares a meal specifically for you and your party.
The Chef’s Table experience includes Edomae and Kaiseki sushi along with Kokury Ryu Fukui Sake and other treats. It’s about $500 per person, but the price isn’t the only reason it’s so exclusive. You also need to make reservations at least 14 days in advance, and it’s only available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
9. Mori Sushi, Los Angeles
Located in West LA, this trendy sushi spot adds modern, creative twists to traditional sushi dishes. Aside from the excellent preparation, the quality of the food is top-notch. All fish are naturally wild-caught, with all produce bought fresh at the local L.A. farmer’s market.
You know you’re dealing with expensive sushi dishes when the menu doesn’t list exact prices. Omakase starts at $160 for three pieces, but the cost of Premium options varies according to the market. However, with a commitment to authentic Japanese excellence, plus in-house tofu and soy sauce production, their sushi dishes are worth every penny.
10. Kurumazushi Restaurant, New York
Kurumazushi has been serving up sushi to New Yorkers since 1977, making it one of the oldest sushi spots on our list. With over 40 years of experience, head chef Toshihiro Uezu and his team deliver sushi and sashimi with expertly-crafted flavors and textures you won’t find anywhere else.
The sushi counter is the main draw here, with an authentic Omakase menu with nine pieces of sushi and a roll. Expect to pay around $300 for their premium options, although you can find other menu options in a more affordable price range.
Aside from the food, the ambiance also helps justify the high prices. Named after a restaurant in Tokyo where the chef originally learned his trade, the Manhattan restaurant has traditional Japanese décor to help create a truly authentic experience.
(You might also be interested in reading about the other Most Expensive Fish for Eating)
Other Expensive Sushi Options Worthy of Mention
Sushi is a fairly broad term for any type of dish with cold-cooked rice served with raw fish, vegetables, or egg. You can find cheap options sold as fast food or, as we’ve seen above, you can also find exquisite culinary treats crafted by some of the most skilled chefs in the world.
The type of sushi can have a big influence on price, so let’s take a closer look at the most popular options:
- Nigirizushi – More commonly known as Nigiri, this traditional type contains a single-topping. It’s hand pressed, so the skill of the chef plays a key role in its quality, price, and presentation.
- Makizushi – Maki is another popular option. Ingredients such as fruits, meats, or seafood are wrapped in sushi rice and seaweed.
- Sashimi – Sashimi is sushi without rice or seaweed, making it perfect for anyone who prefers the taste of fish.
- Uramaki – Typically loaded with toppings and sauces, this type is either cooked or raw. The filling is wrapped with seaweed and surrounded by rice.
- Temaki – This type of sushi is hand-rolled into the shape of a cone, requiring the culinary skills of a true artisan.
(Looking for more options? Try reading our article on Best Fish for Sushi)
Wrap-Up
Delicious sushi doesn’t have to cost a fortune, but there’s certainly something special about these most expensive sushi dishes. With fresh ingredients and an eye on traditional culinary expertise, the best sushi in the world is as much an experience as it is a meal. Whether wrapped in edible gold or prepared by a world-renowned chef, the sushi dishes listed above might cost a pretty penny, but they’re well worth it for any sushi connoisseur.
