The Rise of Sushi Restaurants — The History of SUSHI and Popular Restaurants
The History and Transition of SUSHI in the United States
The sight of Americans taking big bites of SUSHI is familiar in movies and dramas.
When exactly did SUSHI gain acceptance in the United States?
Let us trace the transition of SUSHI.
The First Authentic Sushi Restaurant Opened in 1966
It is said that authentic sushi landed in the United States in 1966.
"Kawafuku," which opened in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles, made traditional sushi using toppings like tuna and salmon roe its signature. The majority of its customers were Japanese living in the U.S., but among the Americans they brought along, the appeal of sushi gradually began to become a topic of conversation.
It is said that SUSHI aimed at Americans appeared in the late 1960s, when the California roll was devised at the "Tokyo Kaikan," also in Los Angeles.
Thanks to open-minded Americans, the new food culture of SUSHI spread across the United States in no time. The sushi restaurants that became a major boom in the 1990s steadily increased in number even after the boom settled down.
25,000 Stores Across the U.S.! The Power of Sushi Restaurants
A survey by the research firm IBIS World reports that, as of 2022, sushi restaurants are gaining momentum in the dining-out industry across the United States.
The number of sushi restaurants spread across the entire U.S. is a remarkable 24,700! (※1)
The number of stores, which declined in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, rose entering 2022, demonstrating the underlying strength of SUSHI's popularity.
※1. IBIS World "Sushi Restaurants in the US - Market Size 2003–2028"
Where Should You Go for SUSHI? Popular Sushi Restaurants in the U.S.
Sushi restaurants that originated in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles.
Today there are also many chain stores.
Among them, we introduce the most popular restaurants.
SUSHI HOUSE
In Palo Alto, to the southeast of San Francisco in California, SUSHI HOUSE has upheld the tradition of SUSHI for over 30 years.
Along with classic sushi toppings such as yellowtail and eel, it also offers a diverse menu of SUSHI bursting with spiciness from chili sauce.
It is a restaurant that continues to be loved by the locals.
Name: SUSHI HOUSE
Address: 855 El Camino Real Ste 158, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA
Phone: (650) 321-3453
Website: https://www.sushihousepaloalto.com/
SUMO+SUSHI
"SUMO+SUSHI," a mobile sushi restaurant that collaborates two of Japan's proud traditions, "SUMO" and "SUSHI."
The quintessentially American "SUMO+SUSHI" tours major cities, offering SUSHI as bento for spectators.
It is popular in major cities such as San Francisco and Seattle.
<Restaurant Information>
Name: SUMO+SUSHI
Website: https://www.sumoandsushi.com/
Masa's
Masa's, which operates in the western part of California, is a sushi restaurant whose selling point is a health-conscious orientation.
While it is typical American SUSHI, it also has a rich menu using locally produced organic ingredients.
It also accommodates vegetarian menus.
<Restaurant Information>
Name: Masa's
Address: 813 Grant Ave, Novato, CA, United States, California
Phone: (415) 892-0081
Website: https://www.masanovato.com/
MR.SUSHI
MR.SUSHI, founded in 1984 in Dallas, Texas, already has the air of a long-established restaurant.
Perhaps due to its geographical proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, the variety of fish used as toppings is extremely abundant.
There are also original SUSHI menu items using jalapeños (a spice used in Mexican cuisine).
Popular for catering as well, the restaurant is so popular that it has even released its own original goods!
<Restaurant Information>
Name: MR.SUSHI
Address: 4860 Beltline Road Dallas, TX 7525
Phone: (972) 385-0168
Website: http://www.mrsushidallas.com/
KATANA
KATANA, in San Diego, California, is a restaurant where you can eat SUSHI casually at lunch and amid a luxurious atmosphere in the evening.
With its wide variety of SUSHI, the style of eating it not only with soy sauce but also with mustard or olive oil is appealing too!
Name: KATANA
Address: 12750 Carmel Country Rd, San Diego, CA 92130
Phone: (858) 793-2931
Website: https://www.ktnsushi.com/home
Yoshi Sushi
Yoshi Sushi has been serving refined SUSHI for over 25 years in New York's historic Capital District.
Fitting for a city like New York, its SUSHI, which also emphasizes visual appeal, truly has the feel of being at the cutting edge of the times.
Name: Yoshi Sushi
Address: 640 Loudon Rd Latham, 3/4 Mi South of Latham Circle
Phone: (518) 783-6100
Website: https://yoshisushialbany.com/
Hiro Sushi
Hiro Sushi, in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a sushi restaurant gaining momentum in a district lined with exotic eateries.
It keeps its menu items limited and is known for carefully hand-pressing each piece of SUSHI.
Name: Hiro Sushi
Address: 9393 N 90th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Phone: (480) 314-4215
Website: http://hirosushiphx.com/index.html
LOVE SUSHI
LOVE SUSHI, in Newhall, California, is above all overwhelming for its rich roll menu.
In particular, the variety of TEMPURA ROLLs may be said to be unparalleled.
The cool menu overflowing with LOVE boasts outstanding popularity among the wealthy as well.
Name: LOVE SUSHI
Address: 24134 Lyons Ave, Newhall, CA 91321
Phone: (661) 255-6823
Website: https://lovesushi.us/
Akira Sushi
Akira Sushi, famous as a sushi restaurant in Ashburn, Virginia, is quick to adopt menu items that match the times.
It offers traditional sushi, American-style SUSHI, and even menus catering to low-carb and vegetarian diets.
It provides flavors that satisfy even health-conscious elites and has gained popularity.
Name: Akira Sushi
Address: 20035 Ashbrook Commons Plaza #176, Ashburn, VA 20147
Phone: (703) 723-6799
Website: https://akirasushiashburn.com/
SUSHI, Putting Down Roots in America and Continuing to Create the Food of the Future
Sushi brought in from Japan put down roots on American soil and has created its own unique menu items, starting with the California roll.
It is still fresh in memory how SUSHI spread in movies and dramas as a trendy food of stylish people, evolving into colorful, Instagram-worthy SUSHI.
In recent years, however, vegetarian sushi and sustainable sushi have become talking points in line with the trends of the times.
America, a great nation that leads the world, will likely continue to demonstrate flexibility with SUSHI as well and keep creating new food culture.
