The first Japanese immigrants began making their homes in Salt Lake City during the late 19th century, leading to the establishment of a community in the city that exists today. Each summer, the Japanese community hosts its free Odon dance festival at the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple. After attending the festival or throughout the year, visitors to Salt Lake City can find numerous Japanese restaurants in the city. Some of these establishments have earned high ratings or awards for their cuisine.
Takashi is on West Market Street in downtown Salt Lake City near the intersection with West Temple Street. The restaurant held "Zagat" dining guide ratings of "extraordinary to perfection for its food" and "very good to excellent" for its decor and service as of September 2010, making it the top-rated restaurant for food in all of Salt Lake City. The restaurant features numerous sushi and sashimi combination platters with items like Pacific mackerel, seared albacore, squid and salmon. The restaurant has a full bar and offers sake flights, which allow diners to sample three different varieties of the Japanese liquor. Takashi serves lunch Mondays through Fridays and dinner Mondays through Saturdays. The restaurant closes every Sunday. Takashi takes reservations for large groups. When busy, the dining room can become noisy; consider dining during off-peak hours if you wish to engage in quiet conversation over your meal. Casual attire is appropriate.
Takashi
18 West Market St.
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
801-519-9595
No Website
Ichiban Sushi is in Salt Lake City's Central City in a converted church built during the 19th century. The restaurant still has its original stained glass windows, displayed alongside Japanese-inspired murals that adorn the walls. The sushi menu includes 18 a la carte nigiri sushi and sashimi items like the amber jack and the escolar. Ichiban Sushi also features 20 specialty hand rolls. An example is the surf and turf, which consists of ribeye steak, in rice paper topped with crab salad, cilantro, jalapenos, tobiko caviar, peanuts and Asian vinaigrette dressing. Guests also may choose vegetarian sushi rolls. The restaurant does not serve alcohol, but offers "happy hour" discounts on sushi two nights per week. Ichiban Sushi serves dinner nightly. The restaurant takes reservations only for private parties. Business casual attire is appropriate.
Ichiban Sushi
336 South 400 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
801-532-7522
ichibanutah.com
The Naked Fish Japanese Bistro is on West 100 South in the Arrow Press Shopping Center, adjacent to the Salt Palace Convention Center and two blocks from the Latter Day Saints Temple Square. In 2010, the restaurant received the award for "Best Japanese Restaurant" in the Salt Lake Dining Awards. Much of the sushi featured on the menu is sustainable seafood, meaning it was caught using methods that help prevent the decimation of fish populations and the destruction of fish habitats. The a la carte menu includes 21 selections. These may include vegetarian options like egg plant and shellfish and sweet shrimp. The restaurant offers 24 versions of maki rolls, ranging from traditional California and spicy tuna to tempura-fried selections like the whitefish roll. The restaurant has a full bar, specializing in sake.The Naked Fish Japanese Bistro serves lunch Mondays through Fridays and dinner nightly. Reservations are highly recommended and taken online and by phone. Casual attire is the norm. The restaurant offers a gluten-free menu. Guests also may choose outdoor seating on the restaurant's patio, and the bistro presents live jazz music twice each week.
Naked Fish Japanese Bistro
67 West 100 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
801-595-8888
nakedfishbistro.com
