If you like sushi...GO to Kunis! Best Sushi place in Buffalo. Located on Lexington Avenue one would not think twice about entering because it looks so tiny, but this place is well worth it. First off it is always packed with people so on the weekends expect a little wait - trust me the place is so lively that you will still enjoy yourself. The above dish is called Cajun Tuna and I highly recommend it if you like freshness and flavor. read more

Been coming here since Kuni opened. I have never left unsatisfied. I love Kuni's I love shellfish Protip" Ask for the "I love Shellfish" read more

Best sushi in Buffalo with no comparison. Great quality & service with very reasonable prices for beer ($5 bottles) & sushi. I will back for seconds this weekend!!! read more

Man oh man, this place was amazing. Started off with the magical mist sake, and another milky honeydew one (the name I forget) and were both incredibly smooth and flavorful (the sake selection here is top-notch.) Then the miso soup - some of the best miso soup ever. So delicious and satisfying, and I thoroughly enjoyed slurping it up as I waited for our sashimi combo. Then, oh my god, the sashimi. SO. GOOD. There was some different tuna, mackerel, and something else super fishy. The seared tuna was soooo delicious, I would get just a plate of that if I came again. The mackerel was super fishy, but still good. I've had a lot of sushi and this was some of the highest quality sashimi I've had, the red tuna literally melted in mouth. I don't think I've ever had such thick and delicious slices of raw fish in my entire life; I'd definitely recommend trying out the sashimi here (pricier than other items on the menu, but for sure worth it). We got the smaller combo, so decided to get a roll as well - as per the recommendation of our lovely waitress (who was so sweet and helpful), we tried the scallop cucumber one. It did not disappoint. Everything was amazing, and the place itself was also super cute and zen ^_^ (my b for the complete void in photos on this review - I was too enamored by the splendor of my food that taking pics slipped my mind) read more

This place is phenomenal. We have been twice now. The staff is very accommodating and really recommend great choices based on your preference. The food is so fresh. We love going there. Their sushi is great and anything else we have tried is just as good. read more

buffalo's best sushi. Kuni is acutally Japanese and knows what he is doing. this is not your average Chinese run, get rich quick, strip mall sushi joint. Kuni & his crew are very friendly and offer kind greetings where appropriate. staffed with an attractive, knowledgeable and personable wait staff. atmosphere intimate and buffalo upscale. the menu is extensive and offer a variety of dishes in styles that you would see in Japan. Mentaiko & Kazunoko (cod & herring roe), Hijiki (seaweed), Uzaku (grilled eel & cucumber) etc. the specials menu changes frequently and always has something unique and delicious. last time, we had grilled spanish mackerel. sashimi always fresh. good selection of japanese beer and sake. if you are not adventerous and will order a California roll go somewhere else. read more

The best sushi place in buffalo!!! I'd even say one of the best restaurants in buffalo. The food is consistently amazing AND the service is just as great. Do yourself a favor and get dinner here, I promise you will not be disappointed!!! read more

Since I can't seem to keep my psyche out of my reviews, we will call this one my coming of age story. Ever since I can remember I always wanted to be an epicurean. Back when Kuni's first opened (Early 90's?) the original restaurant was on Elmwood. At that time, long before Ahi Tuna was overfished and ubiquitously omnipresent (redundant?), sushi was prepared with an eye towards simplicity. Back in the day the quality of sushi depended on the fish itself, not by gloppy sauces, crunchy bits or rolls which look like dragons. Leave it to the Americans to take a healthy, minimalist meal and turn it into a fount of decadence, but I digress. Kuni's is where I made my bones in the sushi world. Dining there often with my best friend, now a chef, we excitingly delved into Kuni's menu, each time becoming bolder in our choice of fish. I remember when I ordered unagi (bbq eel) for the first time. It was probably the scariest looking thing I had ever put into my mouth (at that point)...and it was amazing. Unagi changed my world: creamy, crusty on the outside, sweet and succulent, I realized that eel is absolutely amazing. What other culinary wonders were there to behold? We knew we had to push ourselves as far as we could go...where only brave men dared to tread. We had to try the ultimate underground delicacy: uni (sea urchin roe sack). Mind you, this was before Iron Chef made it to American TV so we had no idea what a culinary delicacy uni was, we only knew it was the scary, yellow thing that separated the men from the boys. We cleansed our palate with some pickled ginger, picked up the uni, dipped it into a bit of soy and took a bite. Creamy and metallic with a hint of the sea and the texture of foam, I was in love. Kuni's had popped my cherry turning me from a culinary boy, into to an epicurean man. Kuni retired shortly thereafter, as sushi restaurants popped up everywhere. Frankly, I did't blame him. People wanted rolls where the flavor of the fish disappeared and demanded Wegman's Prêt-à-Porter sushi. It was the day...the suuuuuushi died...and I was singing bye, bye... After that SeaBar opened, and Mike A started doing some crazy twists on sushi. I loved what Mike was doing, but I missed Kuni's. Kuni's was intimate and traditional, not avant garde and impersonal. Then Kuni unretired(?) and took over the old Lexington Co-Op, but I could not bring myself to go back. I was done with sushi; I was jaded after staring into the abyss and living to tell the tale. After years I decided to finally go back. I mean it's planted right next to my favorite bar, I could only avoid it for so long. I wanted to see if Kuni could still wow me after all this time. My Wife and I sat at the bar and my eyes dilated as they began to grasp the breadth and depth of liquors behind the bar. They had a wonderfully large selection of Saki, Shochu and Japanese Whiskey. So I opted for a single malt Yamazaki on the rocks to help me peruse the menu, and help me it did. I knew Kuni's is a go bold or go home kind of place, so I knew the only option for me was the large omakase, with a note to the chef that I wanted his boldest fare. I also ordered some jellyfish and fried octopus to start, it was amazing; I didn't even know jellyfish was edible up to that point. Well Kuni did not pull back any punches with me, and provided me with a plate of the rarest delicacies I have ever eaten in a sushi restaurant. To start, he had some of the standard fare, Ahi Tuni, Toro (fatty belly of Tuna), seared albacore and salmon. Then he added bolder selections like octopus and Spanish Mackerel. I have never liked Spanish Mackerel in the past as it usually has way too strong of a flavor. This Mackerel was smooth and mild, absolutely wonderful and one of the best fish on the plate. However, that merely whet my appetite for his rarer pairings: herring roe sack, codfish roe sack, Ika no Shiokara (Fermented Squid) and (wait for it) Monkfish liver (cue the Angelic music). The codfish roe sack was very salty with a firm, almost rubbery texture, while the herring roe sack was also salty, but was very soft and exploded a myriad of tiny bits of roe which popped in my mouth like fishy tasting pop rocks. These selections were a wonderful counterpoint to each other. The fermented squid was also wonderful, and much less bold tasting then I would have imagined. As for the crown jewel, it was definitely the monkfish liver. It had a foie gras taste, texture and consistency with a slight hint of the sea. It was one of the greatest things I have ever eaten. Mark my words, monkfish liver will become the underground food sensation that uni once was. Thank you Kuni! Not only have you ushered me through my awkward culinary teenage years, but as a jaded, aging food lover you have once again given me something new and exciting to keep me tethered to my path: To find the world's greatest foods...and eat them. read more

I've come to Kuni's countless times and it is hands down the BEST sushi place in Buffalo. You won't find "Americanized sushi" aka bastardization of Japanese cuisine here. The fish is consistent and service is good. I'd recommend coming here early in the night to avoid a long wait. The fish is always fresher on Tuesdays and Fridays! read more

Great sushi. Clean, minimalist, soothing and modern decor. Excellent service. Very fresh fish - all sashimi and rolls were melt-in-your mouth tender, the rice was slightly warm with optimal texture and the presentation was sharp. The prices are moderately high but not unexpected. We went for a birthday dinner and my sister-in-law loved it. The major downside to this place is its size - diminutive in light of its popularity. Parking can also be a blunder as it's in a residential neighborhood. Other than this, a lovely dining experience. read more

Went here a couple days ago while visiting Buffalo on a spontaneous bus trip with 5 other people. Our host recommended this place, because it was cheap and delicious. We came in for dinner, and were told the wait would be 30-40 minutes. No big deal, we were visiting out of town and more than happy to wander the street and get a drink. Our host told us that they actually don't do reservations, so either come early or be okay with wandering the shops that line the street. The bathrooms were small (one room), but clean, which does matter to me. We got a good seat, the booth in the corner near the door. Then the feasting began. Seriouslyyy. We got water, beer, Saki, and Plum Wine. The Plum Wine was so so so good. I would have gotten a glass if I hadn't already gotten the Asahi Super Dry beer. As for the food, we got a collection of the following: Tuna ($3.00 for a piece), Avocado roll ($3.00), Grilled Eel , Shrimp Tempura ($6.00), Vegetable Tempura ($7.00), Sashimi 21 ($14.00), Ebi Shumai ($5.00, steamed shrimp dumplings), KFC ($8.00, Kuni's Fried Chicken), Miso soup ($1.75), Sea Vegetable Salad ($6.00), and some kind of Fried Baby Octopus and Monkfish Liver dish that I can't remember the names of. The Monkfish Liver dish (sounds gross, the fish looks so gross, but the food? NOT GROSS) was delicious, all the sushi was delicious, the KFC was good, and I even liked the Sea Vegetable Salad. I didn't try the Fried Baby Octopus, but everyone else at the table agreed that it was one of the best things they ate out of everything. There were other things that other people got that I didn't sample, or that I don't remember the names of, but we got enough food for me to admit that the place is made with quality ingredients that taste excellent. That's all you can ask for in good sushi, really, and this place really does deliver. All in all, affordable, fresh, delicious sushi that I would visit regularly if I actually lived in the area. read more

Wow! If you are looking for really good tasting Japanese food in Buffalo, you have to visit Kunis. Fresh and clean and so delicious. Portions are perfect and affordable. Great service, friendly people. Get in early for seats or you will be waiting. read more

See all

Kuni doesn't mess around. I've had rolls, sashimi, various appetizers, soups and salads, and have even been forced to order a fully cooked entrée (due to pregnancy). Like I said in the 'tip', haven't been disappointed yet. I have to say the flavor and texted of the rice here is defiantly different and, I would say, better than you will have in other buffalo sushi places- same for the wasabi, not sure what it is, but it is better. They have a great beer and saki selection, and if you go early enough (without a big crowd) you can catch a table or easily a seat at the bar or sushi bar. Service has always been great. If you've seen Jiro Dreams of Sushi, it's not that. I wish it were. But folks, this is Buffalo and we are far from the fresh fish market so ill take what I can get, and for this area code, Kuni IS it. read more

You won't find more authentic sushi in Buffalo. The owner and chef is from Niigata prefecture where there are some of the highest snowfall totals on earth. As a result, the water, (which is some of the cleanest and freshest on earth) is the core element for the most delicious rice, soba noodles, and sake in the world. I recommend sitting at the counter and talking to Mr. Kuni himself because he'll tell you what the freshest fish is. On our visit, they had a very special Bluefin Tuna with the perfect amount of fat. Really outstanding. The waitresses were extremely knowledgeable of the menu. Chef Kuni even recommended an excellent Sake which was from his hometown. So if you're hankering for good quality sushi, you need not go further than Kuni's. This place is very popular, so be sure to go on the early side. If you don't know anything about sushi here are my 5 qualifications for good sushi: Here are the 5 elements of good sushi from a true expert, (my wife is Japanese, her uncle was a fish monger in Tokyo for 40 years, and who's other uncle was a fish importer). 1. The fish must be so fresh you can barely smell it. (if it has a strong fishy smell, it's not fresh). 2. The rice must either be imported from Japan or must be Japanese rice from California. Sorry, long grain rice any other country just doesn't cut it and usually falls apart. 3. The sushi chef must either be a Japanese person or have studied under a Japanese sushi chef. (If you need to ask me why this is true, then you already disqualify yourself from being any kind of judge of good sushi). The Japanese culture is by nature hell bent on attention to minutiae and detail. After all, why do they make such great cars? 4. Though delicious, you cannot judge good sushi by eating ROLLS. Though they are delicious, true sushi does not include California, "Boston," "Philadelphia," "Spider," or "Dragon." These are actually American inventions that have been exported to Japan and sometimes use heavy spices to disguise older, less fresh fish. 5. If you need to DROWN your sushi in soy sauce, you don't really like sushi, you like SALT! The soy sauce is meant to AUGEMENT the fish's flavor, not overpower it. Sorry, I used to do the same thing until a master sushi chef and friend taught me how to to truly appreciate each fish's flavor. He taught me to turn the sushi fish side down and gently dip the fish into your soy sauce to your taste. If you dip the rice in the soy sauce, the sushi will fall apart. For me, I dip about 1/4 of the fish piece in the soy sauce. read more

Me and my friends went there for couple weeks ago, but I will no going back again for sure. Terrible experience, we order few rolls. When it came,it just look like rice balls,too much RICE in the rolls felt disappointing. Don't waste money to order rice here.also some sushi roll are felling apart. read more

Everytime I'm craving for sashimi, I think of Kuni's. Yes, Kuni's is as "fresh" as it gets when it comes to raw fish fillets in Buffalo. People that are used to American-style sushi, bear in mind that you will be dissapointed to find it lack of "house specialty rolls", eel sauce, spicy mayonaise and msg-laced tobiko (yes, i do know for a fact that other sushi restaurants in town use them). It's a very small restaurant, good for a small crowd at a time. Service is ample. Timing could be a problem if you order your stuff at stages, like most of the sushi crowd would do. On a side note, it'd be a big plus if Kuni can pull a little fish specials on the weekend, like toro, awabi and aji to name a few. read more

Best sushi in Buffalo, hands down. Affordable prices and friendly staff to boot. It's a small place, and has an intimate feel. Offers a variety of sushi and daily specials. They don't take reservations, but you can put your name on the list and they will call you when a table is ready. Shrimp tempura and eel and avocado rolls are my go-to's. Can't go wrong with Kuni's. read more

Just left this place and have to say this was one of the top three sushi experiences of my life. I live in NYC which is the mecca for raw fish fans this side of the Pacific and the only thing that even compares in my book is Ushiwakamaru (although I haven't been to Sushi Nakazawa yet). We sat at the sushi bar right in front of Kuni and the man is just as interesting to talk to as he is intoxicating to watch work. We discussed the different regional variations of Japanese Ramen and our favorite places to find them in NYC while I watched him fillet a fresh Hamachi. He even recommended a few places I had not heard of (can't wait to get to Sushi Kyo Ya when I get home). Enough chitchat though, let's move on to the yields of his mastery! My friend who lives in Buffalo and eats here regularly insisted we start with Wasabi Shumai and I'm oh so glad he did. Just the right balance of wasabi infused into the dumpling skin that wraps the juicy steamed pork to open up the sinuses and palate to get our mouths watering before our feast. This friend is your typical "order boring rolls off the menu" type guy and had never heard of Omakase before (for those who may not be familiar, it is essentially the Japanese word for "Chef's choice") and in my opinion the only way to go. Be forewarned, however, there's a likely possibility that you see some weird shit you've either never heard of or never wanted to see in front of you! The best part is you can choose how much you want to spend on an Omakase here. Many restaurants have a set price point. We opted for $100 (fifty bucks each). I won't get into a detailed description of each fish, but rather here is a simple list of what we were presented over the course of a 2+ hour feast (may have forgotten some and probably have a few in the wrong order, but you'll get the idea): 1st course: Raw Jellyfish, Monkfish Liver, Baby Squid 2nd course: Salmon Skin Chips 3rd course: Grilled Mackerel 4th course (4 pieces each sashimi): Tuna, Spanish Mackerel, Salmon, Albacore, Octopus, Scallop, Sea Urchin and Amberjack 5th course: Baby Sardines followed by two pickled root vegetables (Daikon & Rencon maybe?) 6th course (2 pieces each sushi): Salmon Roe, Cod Roe, Unagi (eel), Tamago (Egg w/Eel inside), Crab, Spanish Mackerel, Hamachi (yellowtail), Tuna 7th course: from that fresh fish we watched him fillet, we finished with a Hamachi/Jalapeno roll While the fish was out of this world, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the amazing staff here. They're super friendly (and hot! I'm definitely crushing on one of them), extremely attentive and incredibly knowledgeable. They know every dish and will explain what you're looking at on the board filled with unique pieces of fish in front of you. I tried to test them a little by asking for "something sweet" at the end of the meal using the freshly cut Hamachi which they quickly disagreed with (bonus points to them) thus we finished with the jalapeno roll (I was tempted to place another order for dumplings to finish the marathon eating session full circle so this was a pleasant compromise). This meal would have easily cost over $400 in NYC. We got out for less than half of that with a belly full of love and a nice little buzz to weather the storm outside. Can't wait to do it again!! Arigatou gozaimasu, Kuni!!! read more

Always great quality sushi. Pretty pricey, though. Debatably worth it. A nice, but very small location and they don't take reservations, so you might wait if it's busy. read more

Best sushi in Buffalo! It's always busy and worth the wait. The grilled baby octopus is my favorite dish.

I am a huge fan of your food. The cod is delectable as is your cooked salmon, sushi and divine dumplings. But I am writing to you regarding your use of styrofoam and plastic take-out containers, plastic cutlery and plastic bags. Recycling is a myth. It takes 500 years for these materials to decompose in landfill. I appeal to you to change your take-out materials to truly compostable ones. I for one am happy to pay a surcharge if necessary. Please be a leader in sustainable practices in the community. read more

We are from California, and after visiting Niagara Falls, we thought it might be interesting and fun to see what Buffalo is about. We looked up this place on yelp and tried it for dinner. The food was better than most L.A. area sushi places, and it cost about half what it would cost where we live. It's also in a fun, nice neighborhood of Buffalo. If you're touring through Buffalo, you really ought to stop there. read more

Don't come here looking for a deep fried tempura monstrosity covered in mayo. Come here for thoughtful, artful seafood worth savoring. Excellent selection of small plates with many fun ever-rotating specials, and a classic slate of rolls to chose from. Great spot for dates, or nice to roll up to the bar on your own. read more

Kuni's is the best sushi in Buffalo hands down. The sashimi is so incredibly fresh and they always have great specials. What also makes Kuni's such a great place to go is really the staff. There is a great energy in there and you can tell that everyone just jives- no tension whatsoever. We always eat at the bar and it is so comfortable. You can never go wrong eating here. It is the most consistent restaurant and have never ever had a bad meal! (I have dined at Kuni's probably 100+ times no joke) read more

Amazing restaurant. Freshest seafood in town. Would go here every day if I could! It's a small restaurant that doesn't take reservations but the wait is so worth it! read more

The best SUSHI ON THE PLANET! I have traveled the world and Kuni's blows them all away!

Another great, small Sushi spot in Elmwood. It's tucked away a little bit on Lexington Ave. I came here for my first time and scanned the reviews before ordering. I made sure to order the "Hot Hot Hot Fish Salad" and it didn't disappoint. Who knew raw calamari was so good? Drinks are pretty reasonable as well. I grabbed a 22 oz Sapporo for $6. I enjoy the experience that comes along with the food and found something interesting about Kuni's. The sushi chefs will face straight ahead until they're required to put something together. I'll be back. read more

This is my absolute favorite sushi place in buffalo. Thanks Kuni for taking the time to make us feel so welcome. Every plate prepared for us was fresh , top quality seafood and not to mention delicious! I highly recommend this place. read more

When I lived in Buffalo, this was the only game in town as far as the discerning sushi customer was concerned. Kuni has scaled back from his Elmwood original to a delightful sushi take-out joint. Since the thought of waiting on line while visions of spicy tuna dance in your head was always a problem for this justifiably packed former incarnation, the take out is a wonderful option. Most of the times I enjoyed a gorgeous plate of this freshest of fresh fish was on a friend's front porch or huddled around a coffee table at home. Nothing was lost in the move and the fish is still off the boat fresh. After 10 years in NYC and 10 years of extraordinary sushi I still count Kuni's as one of my favorites. I always make time for a visit when I'm in town and trust me- so should you. read more

Great classic prepared sushi.... this is the place to go if you want have a nice sit down sushi or japanese dinner. I love sushi and sometime get a craving for it while at the aisle at wegmans or at any pan asian or fusion restaurant. But none of those compare to Kuni's. read more

This is by far the best sushi restaurant in the WNY area. It really stands out from all of the other others. I have been coming here since I was a little girl and I have never had a bad experience. I am obsessed with the Tako Su and the ginger dressing, I ask for double and drink it haha. The atmosphere is adorable and cozy and the fish is so fresh. read more

Kuni's is the freshest, most authentic, and reasonably priced sushi in Buffalo. I have been a fan since its earlier days right on Elmwood Avenue. Although the menu is small, there is room to experiment and I have never had a bad meal there. The lightly grilled, cajun spiced tuna is delicious, as are any of their salads, and shumai. As for sushi, you really can't go wrong. You won't find any crazy novelty rolls here, they let the quality of the fish come through. The wait time can be long, but there is always the takeout option! read more

I love it here. It's the best sushi I've ever had in Buffalo. It's fresh and cut properly! Which is basically impossible to find, trust me I tried multiple places! Really reminds me of the good places back home. And honestly, the prices are great here. read more

Best sushi I have ever had anywhere. Simple, traditional Japanese, no California mayo crap, just the freshest fish picked up by Kuni at the airport regularly. Beautiful and respectful preparation, and inexpensive to boot. Hot hot hot fish salad is one of my favorites (the three hots is an indication of how much water you might want), and the cool as a cucumber roll is really refreshing (that's fish rolled inside a paper-thin cucumber). read more

Simple, delicious and flavorful! Really I could stop there, but honestly, this place has gotten it right. Although their rolls don't come in rainbow formation, the simplicity and QUALITY of their fish is superb. I'm not sure exactly what it is that they do, but the meat, literally melts in your mouth. Thank you Kunis, not only for being directly across the street from me, but for the amazing taste you provide to my pallet at an affordable price. read more

My girlfriend and my favorite sushi spot in Buffalo. Love the location. The restaurant is small and reservations aren't taken so it can be tough to get a table right away especially on a Friday evening. The seafood tastes fresh, the sushi is excellent. They have a great sake menu, and crisp wine to pair with such fresh food. Haven't had a bad thing here. A must go if you haven't already! read more

Tiny sushi joint on Lexington in the Elmwood village area. Came here recently for dinner around 8PM. We had to park a few streets away but I actually didn't mind the walk through the neighborhood. Lots of beautiful old classic buffalo houses. It seemed to be relatively busy but we managed to get a table right away. Whenever I eat sushi I'm always worried about how much I'll have to eat in order to fill me up. That wasn't a problem here though. The miso soup was a simple but satisfying start, the edamame were great. All of the pieces that we ordered were great. I especially recommend the spicy tuna, and they even custom made an avocado scallop for me. I was very satisfied with both the food and the service here. Will be going back again. read more

Was at Kuni's last night and just wanted to add to my prior review. The menu has so much more than just great sushi that I recommend exploring. We had the grilled squid for the second time and again it was great. It's a whole squid grilled, cut into manageable pieces, and served with a spicy sesame bbq sauce. Nice. Also try any of the sashimi salads. I've had two and am working my way through them all. read more

Delicious, fresh-tasting sushi. Companion had sashimi that was very good. Very busy and service a bit slow, for simple things like tea, etc. not enough wait staff but worth it for the food. Small and friendly; not really the cleanest place I've ever been to but would go again. read more

Got take-out here a few days ago. I have been here on multiple occasions in the past and figured it's always super busy so why not get take-out! I was kind of frustrated to find that my boyfriend and I ended up spending around $60 for what we got... We ordered the "large sushi combo" which had 18 pieces of sushi in it, as well as a few rolls. When they say 18-20 pieces of sushi...they mean it... No side salad or soup, nada. We got home and were really excited to dig in. The rolls we ordered were excellent... The sushi combo....not so much. A lot of the fish had a really bad smell to it, I know it's raw fish, I eat sushi ALOT, but it was offsetting to me. We ended up throwing out 3-4 pieces of the sushi because of the smell... If I come here again, I will not be getting take out, I would rather pay the expensive pricing to get the full experience. read more