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Sushi restaurants in Riyadh are gaining popularity fast. Japanese food, such as sushi, temaki, miso soup, and other Asian dishes are becoming people’s new favorites.
If you have never tasted sushi before or just want to find the best sushi spot, Riyadh has some fantastic places that will satisfy your cravings.
You can find a wide range of sushi options, from premium and luxury sushi experiences to more affordable choices, catering to every taste in Saudi Arabia’s capital.
In this article, we will explore two sushi restaurants that have established themselves as leaders in Riyadh’s thriving sushi scene. After trying out different sushi restaurants we shortlisted two of our favorites which are:
- Sushi Yoshi
- Shiro
Let me guide you through these restaurants so you don’t have to waste your time and money searching for the best sushi in Riyadh.
Sushi Yoshi Riyadh
If you are looking for authentic sushi in Riyadh at the best prices then this restaurant is for you. From fresh salads to Sashimi, you can find almost all kinds of Japanese food here.
The restaurant is mainly famous for it’s wide variety of sushi. You can find different kinds of vegetarian sushi rolls and tons of seafood options.
The restaurant has a welcoming and sleek ambiance that resembles the streets of Tokyo. Along with enjoying your sushi, you’ll also have the chance to showcase your chopstick skills!
I COULDN’T EAT WITH CHOPSTICKS
The restaurant started with one branch but after success has expanded to multiple branches nationwide.
If you’re not in the mood to drive to the restaurant, you can easily order their food, as they are available on almost all delivery apps in Riyadh.
Location Of Sushi Yoshi
The Riyadh branch is located at PP34+WFC، Dababt street، Al Hayat Newspaper Building, Riyadh Saudi Arabia.
Must-Try Dishes At Sushi Yoshi
We tried several different dishes at this restaurant and if you ask me I would recommend:
- Sashimi On Ice 15 Pcs – Fresh slices of raw fish, including tuna, salmon, saba, and octopus, served chilled.
- Salmon Set 16 Pcs – A variety of salmon dishes like sashimi, sushi, and crispy salmon.
- California Set 20 Pcs – Different types of California rolls with crab and avocado.
- Crispy Set 16 Pcs – Rolls with a crispy texture, featuring spicy tuna and crispy ingredients.
Positive Reviews
They have over 1.7k reviews on Google and the positive reviews are all about their food. People mentioned that they love the variety of Japanese food at this restaurant.
Some of their dishes that got praise in the comments were edamame and sushi.
Most reviewers mentioned that it is better to order sushi instead of visiting the restaurant because it may be far away from many people.
Their Yaki soba beef noodles and Beef teriyaki also got a lot of praise. Crazy California sushi is loved by many customers but they also added that it was only four pieces so the serving should be at least five.
Negative Reviews About Sushi Yoshi
Negative reviews had a very clear pattern to them. There are two things that were mentioned by the customers frequently about this sushi restaurant.
The first thing is that their closing time is 12 AM but most people mentioned that when they visited the restaurant it was closed before time. They tried knocking as the staff was present but didn’t get any response.
The second thing is their décor. They have a traditional Japanese décor which is not bad but hasn’t been updated ever since the restaurant launched.
Customers reviewed that the walls have cracks and the furniture is old and uncomfortable.
You wont find many negative comments related to the quality of their food but some people commented that sometimes the salt levels are high in their food.
My Experience At Sushi Yoshi
After reading reviews about them I tried to visit before 9 PM so they wont close their doors on me when I arrive.
I tried a few different kinds of dishes starting with California special sushi which were four pieces for SAR 31. One of my friends tried the chicken teriyaki maki and the other tried Godzilla.
The California sushi had a perfect blend of taste of both avocado and crab just like I would expect from any sushi restaurant.
Chicken Teriyaki Maki, was tender and flavorful, while the Godzilla Sushi, known for its bold and spicy flavors was above our expectations.
From the chef’s special section we tried Salmon Usuzukuri which tasted extremely fresh and authentic and that’s probably why it was in this section of the menu.
The ambiance of the restaurant was somewhat nice but at night time felt kind of depressing and quite and needs major improvements in both lighting and architecture.
Overall I would rate this place 9 out of 10 for it’s food and service while 6 out of 10 for its ambiance.
SHIRO Japanese Fine Dining In Riyadh
Since its launch in 2016, SHIRO has opened five branches across Saudi Arabia, with four of them located in Riyadh.
This is probably the most innovative and modern sushi restaurant in Riyadh. The restaurant has an open kitchen setup meaning that you will be able to watch their skilled chefs prepare your food.
I visited the branch on Al Urubah Road, and was really impressed by the interior design of this place. With a black and brown touch and a small Japanese tree on the counter side the place really looks sleek, elegant and premium.
From Miso soup to crab salad you will get everything at this Japanese restaurant.
The food is typically prepared in advance, so you won’t have to wait long for your sushi, and the staff is friendly and attentive.
Location
SHIRO has four branches in Riyadh and for this review I visited the branch located at Oruba Square Near King Khaled Mosque، Al Urubah Road, Riyadh Saudi Arabia.
Must Try Menu Items At SHIRO
- SHIRO Signature Sushi Roll: A creative sushi roll made with fresh seafood.
- Salmon Tataki: Lightly seared salmon served with a tangy sauce.
- Wagyu Beef Teppanyaki: Grilled wagyu beef with traditional Japanese flavors.
Positive Reviews About SHIRO
The first thing mentioned in almost all positive reviews was that interior design is decent and minimalist. The bar design for single customers is ideal for people who want to enjoy a nice sushi by themselves.
Dishes such as the fried calamari, Crazy crunchy fry, Lobster rolls, Beef Sio mai, Chicken Katsu, Shiro Special California Maki and Sunshine Roll were popular among the top reviews so they are a must try for sure.
People also mentioned that most ingredients taste fresh which is a big concern when you are visiting sushi restaurants in Riyadh.
Negative Reviews About SHIRO
Negative reviews were mostly from customers who have been ordering or dining in at SHIRO for quite some time.
Most reviews mentioned that when you order their food they usually forget items like ginger and wasabi. Many customers have mentioned that the restaurant often overlooks special requests, even when you ask to add specific items to your order.
Returning customers faced issues with the quality of food especially for the branch I mentioned. Reviews also mentioned the wagyu beef, which is consistently cooked the same way, regardless of whether you request it medium or well done.
Overall most of the negative reviews are about their rude staff and bad customer service which could really effect their image.
My Experience At SHIRO Sushi Restaurant
This time, I went alone to enjoy sushi at the bar. At first glance, I was impressed by the interior design. They’ve kept it minimalist, yet it still looks incredibly stylish.
I went with their signature roll and Salmon Teriyaki and my order was ready in just a few minutes or maybe even before that.
The signature role was fresh and tasty it was like it melted in my mouth. The Salmon Teriyaki was perfectly cooked, with a nice texture, and glazed with a rich, sweet teriyaki sauce.
I also tried the dragon roll and I have to say it was not the nicest of experience. I have tried dragon roll in several sushi places before but with this one the avocado tasted like it was a few days or maybe more older than that. The mango wasn’t sweet at all; instead, it was sour and tasted as if it was old.
If you are coming with a large group then you might get into seating problems because of the limited space inside the restaurant.
Overall I would rate this place 8 out of 10 for it’s food ambiance and service.
Conclusion
So these two are our picks for the top and best sushi restaurants in Riyadh. If you are looking for sushi as a first timer or someone who has tried it many times Sushi Yoshi and SHIRO are the top picks for you.
What are you waiting for? Try these restaurants and let us know your experience.
