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Crystal Fish

4.1 (1.5k reviews)
ModerateJapanese, Sushi Bars
Open • 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Updated over 3 months ago

Order Crystal Fish Takeout or Delivery

Crystal Fish Photos

CRYSTAL FISH ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Dogs allowed
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Crystal Fish

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Reviews With Photos

Assorted sushi

If your a sushi aficionado do not miss Crystal Fish in Monterey. Very fresh, large assortment of sushi and other options. My husband had sesame chicken and it was delicious. No reserves but worth the wait. Small quaint place. Pictures enclosed.

Hamachi sashimi and Volcano Roll.
Daniel S.

$18.50 Volcano Roll: good $7.50 Hamachi: fresh. Small portions. Overpriced. 90% of their rolls are spicy and saucy, a great way to hide suboptimal flavors. That said, the volcano roll was still pretty delicious. Just a shame their portions are a bit small.

Nomani T.

Wow! Best sushi on the Monterey Peninsula - hands down. My daughter, nephew, and I sat down on a Saturday night at this place. I was worried because there always seems to be a line waiting outside the door to get in. We arrived about 7:30p and were seated right away. The store was nearly full with just a few tables open. Our server immediately greeted us and took our drink order. When she returned we ordered the teriyaki chicken, gyoza (appetizer), 2 rolls and six pieces of nigiri. The gyoza was wonderful. Pan fried - with a little crunch on the outside and a soft on the inside. Delicious. The rolls that we ordered we perfectly put together. The fish was tremendous. Very tender, soft, and tasty. The nigiri - the best! Beautifully crafted and topped with fresh fish that melted in my moUth. We liked the food so much that we ordered 2 more rolls and that were just as tasty as the first 2 that we ordered. It is a bit pricy, but definitely worth it. I'll be back for sure..

By far the best sushi I've tried in Monterey! The sushi is so fresh, soft, and literally melts in your mouth. Definitely a must try!

By far the best sushi I've tried in Monterey! The sushi is so fresh, soft, and literally melts in your mouth. Definitely a must try! If you want to try the same sushi in the picture, go to the sushi bar and ask for SAI. Tell him, "I want Miguel's Secret Sushi." He knows exactly how to make it and has it written down on a piece of paper.

Lots of awards - 8 years straight #1 Japanese in Monterey County
Daniel C.

Monterey is known for its excellent seafood, and that applies to sushi too. Crystal Fish is a small eatery that's easy to missed on crowded Lighthouse Avenue that seems to draw lines every time we drive between Monterey and Pacific Grove at night. It was less busy during lunch. Note they only have free street parking with 60-min limits, so be prepared to move your car or maybe try a block or two more for 90 mins. The food is excellent here, and I'm not alone in that opinion. Their shelved are lined with awards for beat Japanese/best sushi in the region over multiple years. Their nigiri omakase was a thing of beauty with each piece mouth-watering with umami. And they seasoned the rice properly ad well. We also got a combo bento with Teriyaki Chicken and Salmon. Generous portions of both and cooked juicy. The sides of miso soup and salad are mostly hit or miss at Japanese places but Crystal Fish took pride and made both of them good. Wife got the Nabeyaki Udon which is basically a kitchen sink of assorted seafood and tofu/bean curd both sweet and savory cooked on a rich broth with some soft chewy noodles. Surprised to see such a huge menu, and they serve alcohol as well. They also offer specials and premium nigiri so you can splurge as well.

Mango crunch, fire cracker, sunset, and Mama Mia
Kevin S.

Yummy food at a no frills sushi spot. They got busy and service was meh, they brought out our appetizer after we finished all our rolls and no one came to refill drinks. Would come back, just don't expect top notch service.

Lunch special - 3 entrees bento box with Fire Roll, sashimi and teriyaki salmon
Diem P.

Came here 15 minutes before the closed down for lunch and reopen for dinner..,I really appreciate the fact that they sat us and not rush us out the door! Loved my udon - the flavor was good and had lots of chicken, a whole egg and other toppings. The dashi broth was rich and tasty! Everything in the bento box was delicious and very fresh. Restaurant' was bright & clean. Tables were well spaced and we didn't feel cramped. Will come back to try sushi next time!

Irena S.

Came here for dinner on a Monday night right before closing, got the tea, 3 nigiris, 3 rolls for $75. Very tasty fish, efficient and kind service, delicious tea. Casual but clean ambiance. The perfect sushi fix near our hotel. Reasonably priced for the amount of food we got!

Sashimi Dinner
Devin M.

9/10 Fresh, Flavorful, and Worth the Wait! The sashimi was absolutely amazing each piece was incredibly fresh and full of flavor. The presentation was visually appealing, though a bit cluttered for my taste. Still, the quality of the fish more than made up for it, and I'd absolutely order it again. I also had two tekka rolls. While they were a little rough around the edges in terms of appearance, they still hit the spot. Service was friendly, but a bit slow especially when it came to getting the check and water refills. That said, they were clearly busy, which is understandable since this place is always packed. Highly recommend making a reservation in advance. The ambiance is cozy and welcoming, making it a great spot for a casual yet quality sushi night.

Chashu pork with zucchini noodles
Maria G.

This place was close to our hotel and since we just checked into and too tired to drive somewhere, we came here since it was a three minute walk. We got here around 6:30 on a Sunday evening and got the last table for two. Service was pretty quick. We ordered the Chashu Pork with the zucchini noodles for an appetizer. Then we got the Philadelphia Roll, Alaska Roll, and Monterey Roll. All were good. The pork was tender. The zucchini was a bit on the peppery side but good. The rolls were good, especially the Monterey Roll. Fish tasted fresh. Good seating. Good casual setting. I would give this place five stars if I didn't see the cockroach crawling down the wall behind my husband.

Multi rolls and fresh nigiri

I thought was very good,, but think Sushi Kuma is a better place. Thought to much rice in the rolls. The fresh Nigiri was great! Toro was grade A

Death Star roll
Cindy N.

3.5 It wasn't bad but not worth it to come back to. The roll was allllrightt, the fish and flavor just didn't tie together well for me. The sashimi felt like it came RIGHT out of the freezer. It was still very cold. I agree with the other reviews about the service being not so great. Out of all the tables they seated us at the only ones without sauce plates and they also forgot our waters. They were still very nice, just not attentive. I like that the restaurant was very spacious.

Tonkatsu/sashimi dinner combo
Monty H.

Solid spot for fresh sushi, the tonkatsu/sashimi combo was great for dinner; I eat a lot and was actually full with the dinner combo. As far as the atmosphere inside, it's a bit noisy especially when it's a full house, but overall the traditional plus fusion choices and fun types of rolls and dishes make this a good choice for Japanese cuisine.

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"Best sushi experience of my life" claims my fiancé. The sushi was fresh and flavors unique. The spicy edamame was the best I've ever had.

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Fantastic sashimi and cozy atmosphere. Absolutely loved it, can't wait to visit again!

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Page 6 of 38

Crystal Fish Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Crystal Fish

Do they use peanuts or peanut oil?

We use soy bean oil

Can you order to go?

yes of course

Is there a brown rice option?

Yes, but there will be extra charge.

Is this restaurant Japanese owned?

No. The new owner is Chinese.

Are there gluten free options specified on menu?

Do they take reservations?

Do you require a vax card to dine in?

No and masks are optional.

Is this business dog friendly?

I’m not sure what’s business dog mean, but we have quite a few customers bringing service dogs.

Does this restaurant have outdoor dining?

No they don't

Is this restaurant opened again from covid for dine-in?

Yes, open for dine in. Ate that last night.

Do they have all you can eat sushi?

No they don't.

Does this restaurant do take-out orders?

Yes they do; I've never dined in, I've ordered to go and it was just fine.

View All 13 Questions

Kuma - Apollo, Spicy Paula, California Roll

Kuma

4.3(455 reviews)
1.0 mi
•$$

I have been wanting to give this place a try and finally got the opportunity. Unfortunately I was…read morein the moment so I did not take any photos. Everything was really fresh and prepared well. The restaurant has beautiful vaulted ceilings and great vibes. Only note was the music was all over the place but not a big deal at all. We ordered a lot since we were both very hungry and left satisfied. Starters: Spicy garlic edamame - great flavor and not overly done (5/5) Shrimp & Veggie tempura- perfect amount of batter (5/5) Gyoza (5/5) Mains: Chicken Teriyaki served with miso soup, salad, and steamed rice. (4/5) only because the salad while good had a little too much dressing, not a deal breaker. Sake sashimi 5/5 Tiger roll 5/5 Would definitely recommend as a great sushi spot and will be back!

10 out of 10 for service. It is the saving grace of this place. Fish is fresh and good. However…read morethere are other sushi places that offer equivalent or better menu options at half the price. Tourist central, so expect a bit of noise. There's also a random disco ball? Cool but not sure what the heck Kuma is trying to go for here. Get the basic rolls, the specials are where they get you with price and overload it was sauces. The basics are delicious and authentic. As I said, the wait staff really are the only reason I've come back here. They always make me smile and know exactly what is best and freshest on the menu.

Photos
Kuma - Interior

Interior

Kuma - CARMEL VALLEY ROLL - @rayz

CARMEL VALLEY ROLL - @rayz

Kuma - SPICY SCALLOP HAND ROLL - @rayz

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SPICY SCALLOP HAND ROLL - @rayz

Züm Sushi - zum zum roll

Züm Sushi

4.3(858 reviews)
0.5 mi
•$$

Solid local sushi restaurant in the PG area of Monterey. Great service, high-quality cuts and fish…read moreprep that are generous and delicious. Fresh fish that is seasoned well and paired well with the right amount of seasoned rice. Plenty of sake selection to pair with your meal. Beers are cold and fantastic. Parking is very limited and street-based only. Indoor and outdoor seating is pretty limited, so it can be a little bit of a wait to get a seat during busy hours. Good for small groups and friends catching up. Can be a date night but can be a bit hectic during busy times. Kids are welcome but it's a boisterous place as well. Prices are a bit on the higher side, so dinner can be a bit more expensive than anticipated. Recommended.

One of my travel companions craved sushi so our Saturday lunch venue was here. We found street…read moreparking across the street a little before they opened around 10:50 am. As we walked towards the entrance, we noticed the building looks to be a house converted into the quaint eatery. The greeter led us to a table on the far left next to the fireplace for our party of five. They really did an interesting display above the fireplace (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=120&select=r42btqKfvvKsIOYknRbdjg). We studied the menu and discussed how we would craft our meal and what to order. We agreed to do everything family style. We started with the beef asparagus (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=RlbIYWT6B9eQt-RagCVKig), 6 pc, an interesting appetizer with a tender, lean beef piece wrapped around an asparagus spear. We also shared the combo tempura (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=QNLssRbP07gLE1f9UXJygg), comprised of two pieces of shrimp and assorted be vegetables to that include sweet potato/yam, onion, and zucchini, I believe. This was okay as I had the squash and one of the shrimp. The two meals that we ordered came with miso soup and salad (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=QNLssRbP07gLE1f9UXJygg) and I enjoyed the soup for this slightly chilly noon meal. We shared the chef's choice sashimi dinner (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=72&select=gDhRF8lrf4084V0nlOwLRg), 16 pieces assorted sashimi - tuna, salmon, hamachi, scallops, shrimp, and surf clam; everything tasted fresh and the fish pieces were generous. Next, we shared the sukiyaki with beef (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=f40nJOx1Pt_G1i3TnJkHkQ), tofu + vegetables, glass noodles, soy-based soup; this came with a bowl of rice and we apportioned the sukiyaki into personal bowls to enjoy. I liked that the flavors were balanced and there as plenty of glass noodles. Our last item was the King Kong roll sushi (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=XMUp9bipmbbacgqUG13mRA), In - shrimp tempura, spicy tuna, and cucumber, Top - Tuna, salmon, yellowtail, tobiko, and secret sauce. We were their first customers and the dining rooms gradually filled to about 3/4 capacity by the time we left. There were guests dining at the outdoor tables too with the comfortably sunny weather. Both the hostess and a waitress tended to our needs in bringing our food, removing empty plates and bowls, and refilling our water glasses, both friendly and efficient. We enjoyed our meals and it was convenient. *** note - I started having stomach issues later that afternoon so, though not confirmed, I am unsure whether there was an issue with one of the sashimi items. Our meal was on Saturday 9/12/26.

Photos
Züm Sushi - A

A

Züm Sushi
Züm Sushi - The restraint

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The restraint

Toro - Tuna, albacore, halibut sashimi and Carmel roll

Toro

4.0(567 reviews)
4.1 mi
•$$

After taking my pup to the beach, we decided to have lunch here at Toro. We were promptly greeted…read moreby the hostess and seated immediately in their pleasant patio area. Our server James was amazing. He had great knowledge of the menu and recommended a sushi roll they had on special. He was even super cool with my dog, Cash. I had the Tuna Togarashi roll, along with some nigiri. Sushi was delicious, and it tasted fresh. My boy Cash had the chicken & rice bowl off their dog menu. He scarfed it down in seconds! I was expecting a generic sushi experience, but got great food, impeccable service, all while sitting in a beautiful patio area. I will definitely be back in the near future, and so will Cash!

Our second time dining at Toro in Carmel-by-the-Sea was just as enjoyable as the first! We sat…read moreoutside on the patio, and the weather was absolutely perfect. We've made reservations through OpenTable both times and have been seated quickly. We started with a salad, edamame, and cocktails while enjoying the beautiful setting. Our server was attentive, and the service throughout the meal was great. I ordered the Tuna Togarashi roll, which had shrimp tempura, avocado, and snow crab on the inside, topped with tuna togarashi, unagi sauce, and green onions. It was absolutely delicious,fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. My husband is vegan and tried the shiitake mushroom and kappa maki rolls. While they were fairly basic veggie rolls, they were good and met his needs nicely. Overall, Toro is a great spot for fresh sushi, attentive service, and a relaxing atmosphere. We'll definitely be back the next time we're in Carmel!

Photos
Toro
Toro - Maine squeeze & spider. Both delicious

Maine squeeze & spider. Both delicious

Toro - Nice cold draft Sapporo!

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Nice cold draft Sapporo!

Nura Sushi & Island Grill - Super man roll

Nura Sushi & Island Grill

4.3(194 reviews)
1.1 mi
•$$

We walked into Nura sushi mostly because other restaurants closed at 8PM and Nura was open until…read more9PM, but we were not disappointed. The food was fresh, filling, and delicious! We got the Nura Sampler which had 6 nigiri pieces of huge slabs of Tuna, Yellowfin, and Salmon and 4 sashimi. The serving size was solid and it came with seaweed and cucumber salad. We also got a Lady In Red roll which was delicious. The copper tables are an interesting touch and service was great. Because it was late and there were only 3 tables, our food came out fast and we were in and out in 40 mins. Our only comments are: 1. The menu doesn't do the food justice because there are no pictures so it's hard to see what may be interesting to customers. Highly recommend updating the menu with photos. 2. We ordered house wine and they don't give a menu for alcohol. We were surprised by the $17/glass cost of a plain house cab.

It's a nice restaurant, they play hip music and the staff is absolutely amazing and super…read moreattentive! That was my favorite part. As for the food, I felt like it's overrated. I've had significantly better sushi than what they served at similar value. They do not have a drink menu since they have such limited options. It's unfortunate that is so difficult to find above average food in Monterey Bay. With that being said, I still enjoyed my visit and had a wonderful time.

Photos
Nura Sushi & Island Grill - Chef's Special with scallops, tuna

Chef's Special with scallops, tuna

Nura Sushi & Island Grill - Feast for eyes and taste buds!

Feast for eyes and taste buds!

Nura Sushi & Island Grill - Nura Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, and Lovers Point Rainbow Roll

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Nura Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, and Lovers Point Rainbow Roll

Toribashi - Tonkotsu Ramen

Toribashi

4.0(483 reviews)
1.1 mi
•$$
Healthy dining
Established in 2018

Perfect for those chilly coastal nights! We gave this spot a chance again and definitely a better…read moreexperience than my last! Great vegetarian options. Creamy ramen was recommended and it was good! 4.5/5. I ordered the spice on the side and that complimented the ramen very well. I also love that chili oil they have on the table. It's really good! The jammy egg is perfect. Honey got tonkatsu spicy ramen: 4/5. Solid ramen. Would return when around the area to warm up our bones!

The food was amazing, but what truly made our experience unforgettable was the kindness and…read morecompassion of one of the waitresses. Right before we arrived at the restaurant, my 3-year-old daughter had fallen and hit her head on the cement. Unfortunately, I didn't get the name of the wonderful older Asian woman who helped us, but I hope she somehow sees this review. She was incredibly attentive and kind. She had us sit down while we waited, brought my daughter ice and bandaids for her head, and continued to check on her throughout our time there. Before we left, she even came back to check on my daughter one more time. It may have seemed like a small gesture to her, but in that moment, it meant so much to us. It's the kind of kindness you don't forget. The food was delicious and the service was wonderful. If she happens to read this, thank you so much for taking care of my daughter and for being so incredibly kind to us. We truly appreciate you.

Photos
Toribashi - Beef Rice Bowl

Beef Rice Bowl

Toribashi - Tan Tan

Tan Tan

Toribashi - As ahi for the win

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As ahi for the win

Hula's Island Grill - Barramundi-Lemon Pepper Style

Hula's Island Grill

4.2(3.5k reviews)
0.1 mi
•$$

I have been to Hula's twice since moving to Monterey and have loved it both times! The food is…read morephenomenal, abundant, and affordable! The ingredients all feel of high quality and the dishes are unique, and fun! The ambience of the restaurant itself is that of a bar, with dimmer lighting, but without overtly loud music, making it great for a casual hangout or date! If you want to come just for drinks, they have an extensive drink menu, including designated dates and times for happy hour (tiki hour?) with a special menu with small appetizers to enjoy with your drink. During my last visit, I ordered the jerk pork plate which came with pulled spicy pork, coconut rice, a gingery cole slaw, fried sweet plantains (perfect contrast to the spicy pork), and a small piece of a Johny cake (imagine a corncake that is a little crispy). We also ordered the coconut shrimp rolls to share and wish we would have ordered a second plate! These were filled with small pieces of shrimp, wrapped in a crunchy (but not very oily) shell, and topped with shredded coconut. They were served alongside a sweet and sour pineapple sauce (delicious, but honestly the rolls tasted great even without the sauce). My dad ordered fish of the day (he chose Mahi mahi) encrusted in macadamias and loved it! It is nice that they offer options that feel more like a sit-down restaurant than strict "bar food." I hope to return to try more things on their menu! Maybe even for a little Friday night fun drink!

I've never been to Hulas when it wasn't busy. This time we manage the last two seats at the bar…read moreduring happy hour. Alice, our bartender can walk and chew gum, poor drinks and have a conversation all at the same time she is a jewel. My friend loves my ties. It had two. I had a marvelous martini made to perfection. We shared an appetizer of calamari. It's not really the kind of calamari I like it's a calamari steak. I prefer the tentacles and the rings. I would prefer if they use Panko rather than the heavy breaded covering that they use. It's not fine cuisine but it's a very fun and very noisy place. don't come here if you want to have a conversation.

Photos
Hula's Island Grill - Bar area, nice spot to sit

Bar area, nice spot to sit

Hula's Island Grill - Coconut shrimp rolls were sooooo good! And filling!

Coconut shrimp rolls were sooooo good! And filling!

Hula's Island Grill - A hurricane

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A hurricane

Crystal Fish - japanese - Updated October 2026

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