Sushi first hit the Californian eating scene within the Sixties, and since then, it has solely elevated in reputation throughout the US. The Japanese dish, which dates again centuries and sure began as a avenue meals, is historically made with white rice and uncooked fish. However over time, cooks have gotten more and more experimental with this bite-sized favourite. These days, you’ll find Americanized variations, just like the California roll (which options avocado and crab), in most sushi spots within the US. And vegan sushi can be extra common than ever.
Vegan sushi rises in reputation within the US
In accordance with Food52, sushi possible made its debut within the US within the late ’60s in Los Angeles. A Little Tokyo eating spot, known as Kawafuku Restaurant, was the primary to serve the Japanese delicacy, and it was successful. The restaurant impressed a handful of others to comply with go well with, and finally, this spiraled right into a nationwide increase within the Japanese eating scene within the US.
Quick-forward to 2023, and analysis suggests there are practically 16,000 sushi eating places throughout America, and practically 5 million US shoppers commonly indulge within the dish. However lately, as extra individuals have shifted their diets away from animal merchandise (greater than half of younger Individuals now determine as flexitarian), fish-free sushi has develop into extra commonplace.
Whereas the easy cucumber avocado roll has been round for many years, eating places are actually upping their vegan sport and experimenting with plant-based elements in new and artistic methods. They’re making vegan crab from mushrooms, for instance, or eel from eggplants—with regards to vegan sushi, the restrict doesn’t exist.
The place to search out vegan sushi within the US: 13 eating places to attempt
Wish to discover the most effective locations to pattern scrumptious vegan sushi for your self? We’ve acquired you. Take a look at only a few of our favourite picks under.
Past Sushi
1 Past Sushi
New York Metropolis, NY
This common chef-driven vegan sushi hotspot opened its first location again in 2012 and has since expanded to 3 thriving Manhattan eating places. Look forward to finding each single kind of vegan sushi you can need—after which some. Don’t skip on different scrumptious Asian-inspired favorites like Chick’n Banh Mi and Smoked Oyster Mushroom Bao too.
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Shojin Natural and Pure
2 Shojin Natural and Pure
Los Angeles and Culver Metropolis, CA
Led by Hiroshima-born Government Chef Jun Matoshiro, every part at this California two-unit restaurant chain is natural, vegan, gluten-free, macrobiotic, pure, and “made with love.” Dine in or take out relying in your temper, and ensure to bask in a few of Shojin’s Signature Rolls, like Saturday Night time Fever, which options barely torched mushroom crab, or the Crunchy Tiger, which options avocado wrapped soy rooster.
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Blue Sushi Sake Grill
3 Blue Sushi Sake Grill
A number of areas
This sushi chain isn’t vegan, nevertheless it affords a formidable vary of animal-free choices. Snack on starters like edamame or cucumber sunomono when you look ahead to the primary occasion, which incorporates vegan sushi choices like Kaluna with plant-based tuna, Inari with fried tofu, Unami with eggplant eel, and avocado nigiri.
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Shizen
4 Shizen
San Francisco, CA
Shizen is a must-visit for those who’re in San Francisco. The totally vegan sushi bar and izakaya combines “traditional shojin and sushi strategies with native, seasonal elements” to create its flavor-packed menu. Select from traditional nigiri and rolls, like avocado and California, in addition to a variety of specialty choices, just like the Open Invitation with pumpkin tempura or the Colonel’s Pipe with smoked beets.
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Chef Kenny’s
5 Chef Kenny’s Vegan Dim Sum
Las Vegas, NV
Because the identify suggests, that is the place to go in Las Vegas for those who’re within the temper for some vegan dim sum. However the intensive vegan menu at Chef Kenny’s additionally consists of loads of scrumptious sushi, too. Select from choices like Vegan Eel Nigiri, Mushroom Nigiri, and Vegan Spicy Tuna Hand Rolls.
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Tane
6 Tane
Honolulu, HI and Berkeley, CA
Made with greens, fruit, mushrooms, and flowers, Tane’s sushi is as beautiful-looking as it’s scrumptious. its distinctive menu consists of choices like Sundown, which is made with spicy tofu and seaweed pearls, and Kailua, which options ginger shoyu tomato and pickled mango.
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Wellness Sushi
7 Wellness Sushi
Denver, CO
Proper now, Wellness Sushi—which lately made Yelp’s listing of 100 Prime Locations to Eat within the US—has only one spot in Denver, nevertheless it’s seeking to open a second location very quickly. And, for those who just like the sound and style of its various, flavorful menu (with choices like Krunchy Krab Maki Rolls and Teriyaki Beef Onigiri) you’ll be able to really assist that occur by investing (discover out extra right here!).
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Planta
8 Planta
A number of areas
Vegan diners throughout the US can indulge within the scrumptious sushi choices at Planta, as a result of this common plant-based chain has areas in a number of cities, together with Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Chicago. You received’t be disenchanted with choices like Ahi Watermelon Nigiri, Spicy Tuna Rolls, and a lot extra.
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Ma-Kin
9 Ma-Kin
Agoura Hills, CA
Ma-Kin is on a mission to develop into “the most effective vegan restaurant in Agoura Hills,” and we’d say it’s making good on that purpose. Put it to the style take a look at for your self and check out mouthwatering dishes like Philly Tempura Rolls, Baked Lobster Rolls, and Dragon. The latter is made with seared candy tofu, shrimp tempura, crab, avocado, and eel sauce.
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Daikon
10 Daikon Vegan Sushi
Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas isn’t in need of tasty plant-based treats, however for vegan sushi lovers, Daikon must be on the listing of eating places to take a look at. Begin your meal with a aromatic bowl of miso soup and crunchy edamame, earlier than transferring on to a banquet of straightforward, traditional sushi choices, like Cucumber Rolls and Pickled Carrot Rolls, and extra ingenious creations, just like the Sizzling Woman Roll (with jalapeños and spicy vegan tuna).
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Sticky Rice
11 Sticky Rice
Washington, DC
Head to Sticky Rice in DC to get your repair of scrumptious, expertly crafted vegan sushi. Or, for those who really feel like doing issues DIY, the restaurant additionally sells its personal At House Sushi Chef Kits. Word that this spot isn’t completely vegan, so make certain to double-check verify your order is animal-free.
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Cha-Ya
12 Cha-Ya
San Francisco, CA
Situated within the coronary heart of San Francisco, Cha-Ya is an all-vegan restaurant specializing in the most effective of Japanese delicacies. Take a look at the intensive (and scrumptious) sushi choice, after all, but in addition make certain to not skip over different tasty choices, just like the Senroppon Shredded Salad and Agedashi Tofu.
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Franchia
13 Franchia
New York Metropolis, NY
This common vegan café affords each kind of meals you can probably crave. There are dumplings, crab muffins, ramen, Malaysian curry, and meatballs, for instance. And naturally, there’s loads of sushi. Select from choices just like the Tropical Mango and Avocado Roll, the Spicy Rooster Roll, and the traditional California Roll.
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For extra on US vegan eating places, learn:
Charlotte is a author and editor primarily based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.
