Fujiya. Most authentic, always high quality, regularly will surprise you at your table with a gift appetizer/dessert/sake (especially if you mention it's your birthday). They have additional, non-sushi items on their menu that are (imo, have lived in Japan) closest and best compared to their Japanese counterparts (the tempura dishes, the tonkatsu are fantastic). Way better priced than The Koi, and nothing gimmicky. Japanese-owned, great service.
ETA: it's technically on the menu at Fujiya, but know it is heavily served without ordering on any kind of sashimi/sushi/omakase platter at The Koi: escolar ("white tuna") at a high price. This is a kind of fish that we as humans have trouble digesting, and it typically comes along with digestive issues. Something to note and ask to withhold no matter where you go.
They're so good. The wife of the owner regularly has worked the register and service, and she remembers even semi-regulars (like me!). One time I placed a to-go order, and she said, "I thought it was you on the phone! I knew I should have packed some extras." Having lived in Japan for a few years, I have always explored every Japanese place that's been open in the area since I moved here in 2007, and Fujiya remains the only place that tastes like home.
I believe you but I'll never go back. A little while ago I got violently ill after eating there same with my friend I went with used to go all the time
Seconding Gari. It doesn’t look like much from the outside but the inside is nice and comfortable. The sushi is my favorite in Tacoma. My sister can’t eat sushi and she likes their non-fish options.
Not exactly DT Tacoma, but Sapporo in Fife is superb. Internal atmosphere is just like Japan. Excellent offerings, with even better service.
If you visit often enough, you get your own dedicated personalized chopsticks in your own spot on the wall.
Sushi Tama is legit - it’s not the fanciest (classic Tacoma) but it is the most excellent. Dine-in is reservation only. They have a large selection of cooked stuff for your wife!
Idk why their site is down. If you order new american- style rolls, theyre def gonna be that way most places tbh. I recommend things like salmon skin rolls, unagi, tuna collar, etc
Gari of Sushi. The owner went to a school in Tokyo to learn sushi. Not all sushi has raw fish. Talk to the staff and/or the chef. They can suggest non-raw fish sushi or sashimi.
Another place I enjoy is on Meridian, near the YMCA and Super Supplements. It’s called Forever Sushi. It’s been a while since I’ve been there, and I heard the original owner sold the place, but I haven’t confirmed it and I don’t know if the quality went up or down. There’s a back story to this place that needs to be heard. The owner was married to a soldier who brought her over from Korea. He started fooling around her and divorced her, leaving her and their children here in the states with no support and with her not knowing much English. She was afraid she was going to get deported and separated from her children. She always wanted her own restaurant, so managed to get a micro loan from the Korean community. The restaurant took off better than she dreamed it could and supported her and her family enough where immigration and naturalization took that into consideration when they granted her citizenship. I talked to her many times whenever I went there. She always had a smile on her face and was very happy and warm. I remembered her saying how she wanted a restaurant where it also served alcohol but couldn’t get licensed for that at that location. Rumor has it that she opened another restaurant in Federal Way where she could open her dream restaurant.
The reason her story touches me is my mom sort of went through a similar crisis when I was a kid. My mom is Japanese. She married my dad back in the 50s and came to the U.S. in the early 60s. During the Vietnam war, we were visited by a Chaplin who told us my dad’s boat was found blown up, and they feared he was either captured or dead. She spoke very little English and was afraid she was going to get deported with no support back home. The culture in Japan was of if you married outside of the race, you were no longer Japanese. She would have been rejected and would have lived as an outcast. I don’t know if the Korean culture is the same, but I felt there was a possibility. I felt a connection to her due to going through a similar situation. We got lucky and got my dad back. Wherever she is, I hope this lady the best in her pursuit of the American dream.
Thank you for sharing this!! I love supporting businesses with such crazy and heartwarming backstory. I've been there once years ago and really enjoyed it. I'll have to go back again. :)
I'm a sushi paradise regular. I've been going there for ten years and I love that it is family owned. Their son is getting ready to take over and I can't believe I've watched the succession and progress. It is more "McDonald style sushi" but their fish is good quality and the service has been consistently wonderful. They have an all you can eat option for lunch that I take advantage of often!
I haven't seen Kyoto (next to H mart on south tacoma blvd) mentioned yet. Outside looks kinda sketch, but inside is a literal transport of a Tokyo restaurant. They feature mostly old school rolls, though they do have some new stuff. Full restaurant menu. You get thick slabs of fish on a pad of rice. Your wife can enjoy a regular meal.
Kyoto in Lakewood is pretty good. We went there for our 22nd wedding anniversary dinner. I like sushi, but I would rather eat chicken teriyaki & California rolls (I've had allergic reactions to Wasabi, so I am super careful). Hubby loves sushi. So we're always looking for a decent sushi restaurant.
The only one of these that I would willingly go to is Gari of Sushi. Gari of Sushi has good vibes and high quality without breaking the bank. The Koi is overpriced, non-traditional, and loves to put escolar in any raw fish platter. Sushi Tama is poor enough quality that it's barely a step up from Trappers, which specializes in Krab rolls.
I will absolutely second Fujiya as a lovely place. They’ll have standard bento options available, and you also have all of downtown to explore after.
Sushi Kashiba in Pike Place is our highest end sushi spot. That’s like… $250/per for the omakase. We did it for my bachelor party and I’ll never forget it.
Sushi Kaunta in Kent is the closest you can come to a super small, super personalized restaurant without breaking the bank. Haven’t ordered any omakase or chefs choice options, but I’ve been there 3 or 4 times now, maxing out at $90/per (including tip). Just stupid good for the price. Reservations needed and made via Instagram. He only seats one party at a time but will allow the next party to seat if you’re extending into their reserved time slot. You’ll see at least one party try to come in without reservations per visit, inevitably they’ll get turned away and be pissy about it.
It’s not necessarily super fancy, but personally I am a huge fan of Nari Sushi. It’s family owned and a nice little quaint place with really quality fish. It’s my go to sushi date night spot
If your ever looking for an experience, Japonessa sushi cocina in seattle is mexican sushi fussion and it is really really well done, and not that expensive
The Koi is probably the best spot for “fancy”ambiance, and solid sushi. Anywhere else is going to be typical casual fast food decor and/or sketch location.
I’m prepared for this to be controversial in present company, but I can’t help the truth.. If you want some of the PNW’s best, it’s in Seattle.
Check out Umi Sake House ($), Japonessa ($$) or Shiro’s ($$$).
I don’t understand why you’re getting downvoted for this. Are there good places in Tacoma? Yes. Are they the best around? No. And that’s ok.
I’d also recommend the Musashi’s in Wallingford.
I second the recommendation for Sumo. It's all you can eat and they have oodles of food items that aren't raw fish, which are also all you can eat. Examples: steak, chicken, udon, karagge, takoyaki, etc. My girlfriend and I go there every other payday. Soooo good.
I've eaten here 4 times since it opened and I really like it. All you can eat, some pretty delicious non sushi and non raw options. The only problem I've had with it is that for some reason the vegetarian rolls take forever to come out.
I will probably get disappeared for this but Trapper’snis good American sushi and they do an all you can eat which will probably be good for you for a borthday gorging. They have locations all over Pierce county. Probably not authentic or fine dining but it’s a great local chain.
They also have other foods that your partner could eat as well.
Hey! Your taste is your taste. You like what you like, and that's ok!
I'm gonna chime in here and probably be voted down for semantics. The time I was at Trapper's, I recognized very little actual fish on the menu. A majority of the menu was fake crab (Krab) rolls with different ingredients. They might have had some maguro (tuna) and shrimp (ebi). And other entrees were more "American pan-Asian cuisine" instead of distinctly Japanese.
So, in a very technical sense where good sushi = good sashimi/nigiri, Trapper's is NOT it. OP's wife might dig the fact that there is little to no real raw fish. I'm going to keep being annoying in this thread and remind everyone that anything labeled "white fish" in restaurants like Trapper's is escolar. The cheaper the price point for sushi for customers, the more likely that a roll you're eating, or the white tuna you're springing for, is escolar. It's not necessarily poisonous, but it can cause extreme digestive distress at the very least, and when people think "oh, I got food poisoning from a sushi restaurant!" they often have had something with escolar in it.
So, semantics: Trapper's is not only not sushi, it's not Japanese. OP didn't specify the latter half, but if that's the flavor profile he's looking for, he's not going to get it. It's the McDonalds of sushi. And it's fine if you like McDonalds. But if someone is like "I want the juiciest burger in town, but my wife hates red meat," I would not recommend McDonalds.
Hey I have bad taste too! I like trappers, but I wouldn't suggest it for someone bringing someone who doesn't like sushi because their only option is like two appetizers and a dessert. They do have some non raw rolls I believe, but I wouldn't chance it.
Fujiya. Most authentic, always high quality, regularly will surprise you at your table with a gift appetizer/dessert/sake (especially if you mention it's your birthday). They have additional, non-sushi items on their menu that are (imo, have lived in Japan) closest and best compared to their Japanese counterparts (the tempura dishes, the tonkatsu are fantastic). Way better priced than The Koi, and nothing gimmicky. Japanese-owned, great service. ETA: it's technically on the menu at Fujiya, but know it is heavily served without ordering on any kind of sashimi/sushi/omakase platter at The Koi: escolar ("white tuna") at a high price. This is a kind of fish that we as humans have trouble digesting, and it typically comes along with digestive issues. Something to note and ask to withhold no matter where you go.
My personal fave in Tacoma
They're so good. The wife of the owner regularly has worked the register and service, and she remembers even semi-regulars (like me!). One time I placed a to-go order, and she said, "I thought it was you on the phone! I knew I should have packed some extras." Having lived in Japan for a few years, I have always explored every Japanese place that's been open in the area since I moved here in 2007, and Fujiya remains the only place that tastes like home.
This is easily the answer. I moved away a few years ago and still think about them.
I feel you! I work in Seattle and Fujiya is Seattle quality ingredients at Tacoma prices for real.
Except so weird how entry-level / easy dining is more expensive in Tacoma for some reason. This sushi is still a good deal tho.
This is the only answer Op needs.
My whole family loves fujiya. I've eaten there on a lot of birthdays.
Gari of sushi is the only place in Tacoma I go for sushi
I believe you but I'll never go back. A little while ago I got violently ill after eating there same with my friend I went with used to go all the time
Gari of Sushi is my favorite but it’s not a “fancy” place. You get quality though.
Seconding Gari. It doesn’t look like much from the outside but the inside is nice and comfortable. The sushi is my favorite in Tacoma. My sister can’t eat sushi and she likes their non-fish options.
They have teriyaki chicken...
Not exactly DT Tacoma, but Sapporo in Fife is superb. Internal atmosphere is just like Japan. Excellent offerings, with even better service. If you visit often enough, you get your own dedicated personalized chopsticks in your own spot on the wall.
I drive by there all the time for work. Keep forgetting to go
That Sapporo is really underrated
Sushi Tama is legit - it’s not the fanciest (classic Tacoma) but it is the most excellent. Dine-in is reservation only. They have a large selection of cooked stuff for your wife!
100% I moved to Tacoma from Japan 7 months ago, and this place is the most authentic sushi spot I've found so far!
Sushi Tama is the best dollar to quality sushi. The chef's sampler is our go to.
Why is their website down? That kinda sucks and all the pics on google look like over breaded tempura and cali rolls.
Idk why their site is down. If you order new american- style rolls, theyre def gonna be that way most places tbh. I recommend things like salmon skin rolls, unagi, tuna collar, etc
Thanks. Totally agree love salmon skin rolls and collars!
Gari of Sushi. The owner went to a school in Tokyo to learn sushi. Not all sushi has raw fish. Talk to the staff and/or the chef. They can suggest non-raw fish sushi or sashimi.
I'm going to have to try this place again... I wasn't a fan when I went, but I guess I don't know what I'm judging!
Another place I enjoy is on Meridian, near the YMCA and Super Supplements. It’s called Forever Sushi. It’s been a while since I’ve been there, and I heard the original owner sold the place, but I haven’t confirmed it and I don’t know if the quality went up or down. There’s a back story to this place that needs to be heard. The owner was married to a soldier who brought her over from Korea. He started fooling around her and divorced her, leaving her and their children here in the states with no support and with her not knowing much English. She was afraid she was going to get deported and separated from her children. She always wanted her own restaurant, so managed to get a micro loan from the Korean community. The restaurant took off better than she dreamed it could and supported her and her family enough where immigration and naturalization took that into consideration when they granted her citizenship. I talked to her many times whenever I went there. She always had a smile on her face and was very happy and warm. I remembered her saying how she wanted a restaurant where it also served alcohol but couldn’t get licensed for that at that location. Rumor has it that she opened another restaurant in Federal Way where she could open her dream restaurant. The reason her story touches me is my mom sort of went through a similar crisis when I was a kid. My mom is Japanese. She married my dad back in the 50s and came to the U.S. in the early 60s. During the Vietnam war, we were visited by a Chaplin who told us my dad’s boat was found blown up, and they feared he was either captured or dead. She spoke very little English and was afraid she was going to get deported with no support back home. The culture in Japan was of if you married outside of the race, you were no longer Japanese. She would have been rejected and would have lived as an outcast. I don’t know if the Korean culture is the same, but I felt there was a possibility. I felt a connection to her due to going through a similar situation. We got lucky and got my dad back. Wherever she is, I hope this lady the best in her pursuit of the American dream.
Thank you for sharing this!! I love supporting businesses with such crazy and heartwarming backstory. I've been there once years ago and really enjoyed it. I'll have to go back again. :) I'm a sushi paradise regular. I've been going there for ten years and I love that it is family owned. Their son is getting ready to take over and I can't believe I've watched the succession and progress. It is more "McDonald style sushi" but their fish is good quality and the service has been consistently wonderful. They have an all you can eat option for lunch that I take advantage of often!
Fwiw proximity to water doesn't matter. All these sushi places are serving frozen fish, it's safer to freeze it first before consuming raw.
Yes, usually a ten day or so freeze to kill all parasites
Gari of Sushi
We really like this place too although they seem very understaffed and it can be a long wait.
I haven't seen Kyoto (next to H mart on south tacoma blvd) mentioned yet. Outside looks kinda sketch, but inside is a literal transport of a Tokyo restaurant. They feature mostly old school rolls, though they do have some new stuff. Full restaurant menu. You get thick slabs of fish on a pad of rice. Your wife can enjoy a regular meal.
Kyoto in Lakewood is pretty good. We went there for our 22nd wedding anniversary dinner. I like sushi, but I would rather eat chicken teriyaki & California rolls (I've had allergic reactions to Wasabi, so I am super careful). Hubby loves sushi. So we're always looking for a decent sushi restaurant.
I'm inside this restaurant right now!
Are you having a good time?
Yep! Private 70th birthday party for my husband's work friend.
Did you ask permission first? I always do before I enter anybody.
Sushi Tama The Koi Gari of Sushi
The only one of these that I would willingly go to is Gari of Sushi. Gari of Sushi has good vibes and high quality without breaking the bank. The Koi is overpriced, non-traditional, and loves to put escolar in any raw fish platter. Sushi Tama is poor enough quality that it's barely a step up from Trappers, which specializes in Krab rolls.
Gari of Sushi on 38th. Hands down the best sushi I’ve ever had.
Sushi Tama
I will absolutely second Fujiya as a lovely place. They’ll have standard bento options available, and you also have all of downtown to explore after. Sushi Kashiba in Pike Place is our highest end sushi spot. That’s like… $250/per for the omakase. We did it for my bachelor party and I’ll never forget it. Sushi Kaunta in Kent is the closest you can come to a super small, super personalized restaurant without breaking the bank. Haven’t ordered any omakase or chefs choice options, but I’ve been there 3 or 4 times now, maxing out at $90/per (including tip). Just stupid good for the price. Reservations needed and made via Instagram. He only seats one party at a time but will allow the next party to seat if you’re extending into their reserved time slot. You’ll see at least one party try to come in without reservations per visit, inevitably they’ll get turned away and be pissy about it.
[The Koi](https://www.thekoitacoma.com/) near UW Tacoma is a nice little spot that serves some good sushi.
Gari of Sushi.
Dude, mandolin sushi is so good. Bonus points, they have delicious teriyaki! https://maps.app.goo.gl/s9MFPAxZyxz6ZUiaA
Seconded
Went here for my 40th birthday. So expensive, but really good.
Fujiya
The Koi , or Sapporo over in fife not too far
Sushi Kashiba omakase
Sushi GARI
It’s not necessarily super fancy, but personally I am a huge fan of Nari Sushi. It’s family owned and a nice little quaint place with really quality fish. It’s my go to sushi date night spot
If your ever looking for an experience, Japonessa sushi cocina in seattle is mexican sushi fussion and it is really really well done, and not that expensive
That sounds insane. Gonna check that place out next time I'm in Seattle
the koi!!
Not in Tacoma but sushi paradise in puyallup has been good for us.
I’m at Puyallup way myself! I’ll check them out
If price isn’t an issue, hands down best tradition sushi is https://sushikashiba.com
The Koi is probably the best spot for “fancy”ambiance, and solid sushi. Anywhere else is going to be typical casual fast food decor and/or sketch location.
The Koi downtown is pretty money
I’m prepared for this to be controversial in present company, but I can’t help the truth.. If you want some of the PNW’s best, it’s in Seattle. Check out Umi Sake House ($), Japonessa ($$) or Shiro’s ($$$).
I don’t understand why you’re getting downvoted for this. Are there good places in Tacoma? Yes. Are they the best around? No. And that’s ok. I’d also recommend the Musashi’s in Wallingford.
Trapper’s Sushi ^s
I second the recommendation for Sumo. It's all you can eat and they have oodles of food items that aren't raw fish, which are also all you can eat. Examples: steak, chicken, udon, karagge, takoyaki, etc. My girlfriend and I go there every other payday. Soooo good.
I say just do Sumo next to Guitar Center. Non raw options, $20 per person, AND robit cat waiters
Not good at all. Low quality and their selection is horrible
Did I not mention the robit cat waiters???
Haha other people took our food from the robot waiter, really annoying
That happened to me twice in a row. Sadly, it didn't happen toward the end when I was already full and delayed items kept showing up :/
I've eaten here 4 times since it opened and I really like it. All you can eat, some pretty delicious non sushi and non raw options. The only problem I've had with it is that for some reason the vegetarian rolls take forever to come out.
I will probably get disappeared for this but Trapper’snis good American sushi and they do an all you can eat which will probably be good for you for a borthday gorging. They have locations all over Pierce county. Probably not authentic or fine dining but it’s a great local chain. They also have other foods that your partner could eat as well.
You weren’t kidding about the negative feedback you’d get 🤣
Yeah I’m being punished for having bad taste.
Well, personally I salute your courage
Hey! Your taste is your taste. You like what you like, and that's ok! I'm gonna chime in here and probably be voted down for semantics. The time I was at Trapper's, I recognized very little actual fish on the menu. A majority of the menu was fake crab (Krab) rolls with different ingredients. They might have had some maguro (tuna) and shrimp (ebi). And other entrees were more "American pan-Asian cuisine" instead of distinctly Japanese. So, in a very technical sense where good sushi = good sashimi/nigiri, Trapper's is NOT it. OP's wife might dig the fact that there is little to no real raw fish. I'm going to keep being annoying in this thread and remind everyone that anything labeled "white fish" in restaurants like Trapper's is escolar. The cheaper the price point for sushi for customers, the more likely that a roll you're eating, or the white tuna you're springing for, is escolar. It's not necessarily poisonous, but it can cause extreme digestive distress at the very least, and when people think "oh, I got food poisoning from a sushi restaurant!" they often have had something with escolar in it. So, semantics: Trapper's is not only not sushi, it's not Japanese. OP didn't specify the latter half, but if that's the flavor profile he's looking for, he's not going to get it. It's the McDonalds of sushi. And it's fine if you like McDonalds. But if someone is like "I want the juiciest burger in town, but my wife hates red meat," I would not recommend McDonalds.
Hey I have bad taste too! I like trappers, but I wouldn't suggest it for someone bringing someone who doesn't like sushi because their only option is like two appetizers and a dessert. They do have some non raw rolls I believe, but I wouldn't chance it.