I want to like this place so bad! There is so much potential. But I have given it three tries, and there is something wrong every single time. I can no longer justify the high price point for a dining experience that has not once met it. Let's start with the good: the fried rice cakes are incredible. The ambience feels really nice and upscale. There are some delicious food items here. The service is friendly. Last night was my final straw though. The service was incredibly slow. We ordered a couple appetizers and a couple rolls. The appetizers were on the slower side, but within reason. But then we were there for over an hour (like actually timed, not me being hyperbolic), and we still hadn't gotten our rolls. Now full disclosure, my mom does have a shrimp and crab sensitivity. However, she made it clear to the server that this is not a contact allergy. She specified: She can handle things being fried in the same oil. A simple wipe down of the food prep service suffices. She has to actually ingest the food for it to affect her. Well. It had been over an hour, and they had not even started on her rolls. When I asked someone (who I think may have been the manager?) to check on them, she let us know that they were starting right then and that with an allergy they have to clean off an entire station in order to serve, and so on. Uhm. How does that justify the fact that they clearly didn't even start cleaning a station at all for over an hour after we had ordered?? Do they expect us to wait till all other customers have left?? An allergy doesn't mean we should be completely de-prioritized. I know that she wasn't intending to make excuses and was intending to explain, but an explanation at that point is completely inadequate. To try to explain to someone with an allergy that service is going to be slower because they have to clean off an entire station... Do they think we've never been to restaurants before?? We know how it works and there's just no justification for that. The rolls were also terrible. We substitute tempura asparagus for my mom due to her not being able to eat shrimp. In our experience, this is quite standard with sushi restaurants. They served it with steamed and it was terrible. The rolls were also very thick cut, falling apart, and- I kid you not - not even cut all the way through. We got chu toro, one of our favorite items--they didn't trim the sinewy parts off. I had to send back a drink because it felt like I was drinking perfume. They took these items off thankfully but overall, we still spent over $100 and didn't even get sushi. Ugh. So frustrating and I just can't imagine myself giving them another try. read more

Cute spot, feels very SF / LA vibes! The sushi is fresh and tasty, and not terribly priced for sushi. We went in for happy hour but found out it's only at the bar which is unideal if you have a group of more than two people. I'll be back for happy hour with a smaller crew! read more

Nama Sake Sushi and Restaurant - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chico, California

Holy crow. Amazing service. Great spot. But wow. The food and cocktails knock it out of the park. Sashimi platter Crispy rice cakes Carpachio Nama sake roll Yuzu drop And everything else we ordered. So good. Just go. read more

If there was a 6th star I would have chosen it! WOW...what a great dinner with friends at Nama Sake. The service was amazing and attentive ....the small plates to start were so yummy---had the crispy rice roll and still dreaming of it! We also had the Noelle roll (so good) and the Merriam Park which was the table favorite . We were able to really take out time in between our plates and had a great meal, rather, experience! read more

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Our server was awesome, helpful and gave great suggestions. We were able to get a table for 2 at 7 pm by calling instead of OpenTable availability at 7:30. read more

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I really wanted to love this place. The decor is lovely, clean and modern. The fish was good, but the price high and experience was mid. The service was good. I guess a couple things bothered me. I was the only customer of Japanese descent and all the diners were either on a date or geriatric white folks. We ordered the Hot Rocks wagyu, which was not possible bc the rocks were not hot yet, so they subsitituted with wagyu nigiri. It was good, as A5 should be, but it really wasnt the experience we were looking for. The escolar sashimi was bland with a strange wet texture that was not right at all. The dry aged chu toro was interesting, the velvety texture was indeed nice, but it ended up tasting like mackerel, but $20 for a pair of nigiri you can save your money on that one. The salad was unremarkable. The spicy tuna roll was not spicy at all. I don't think I will return here. read more

I've been twice and both times every thing was delicious. My favorites are the bone marrow, crispy rice cakes, spicy yellowtail roll and the matcha margaritas. read more

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It wasn't crowded when we walked in, but as soon as we sat down, people started coming in. Very comfortable, clean line decor. Service was great. Our waiter was funny and kind. The food was good. Definitely a hipster vibe. I had a back of the refrigerator martini. One is suffice! I had two! Oh boy! Pricey like everything in the world! But it was fun. Just looked back at my photos and I tagged them wrong. Only one martini! And don't drive! Hamachi carpaccio was delicious! read more

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My daughter is a huge sushi fan and has been after me (for years) to let her school me! Ok, so I did...we just went here for the second time on her birthday last month. EVERYTHING was delicious!! What beautiful presentation! I can't remember the names of the items we had but I am a fan of sushi now. Our server was very attentive and sweet. Then...I heard that they will be closing their doors soon...I am SO SAD read more

We tried Nama Sake last night for the first time and we were so happy to have enjoyed it! We have been bummed ever since Japanese Blossoms closed and we may have found our new favorite. The customer service was great. Our waiter was nice, knowledgeable, but also gave us our space to enjoy the food. He gave recommendations, was around when we needed him, and just did a great job. We tried the broccolini as our app which was so unique and flavorful. Garlicky, zesty, and perfectly cooked. Then we tried 3 rolls... the rainbow, the Kenny, and the sky sky which was recommended. All were really good! The fish tasted fresh and melted in your mouth. The Kenny was our favorite!! We will absolutely be back! They have a pretty full menu so we have several other rolls and small plates that we would love to try. Happy to have a new, delicious sushi place! read more

Nama Sake Sushi and Restaurant - (From left) Rainbow roll, Kenny roll, sky-sky roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chico, California

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Redoing an old review because we decided to try this place again and it impressed the second time around! The service was 100% better and the food was very high quality and delicious. Excited to go back for a 3rd time read more

Nama Sake Sushi and Restaurant - Chefs sampler shashimi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chico, California

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Stopped in for lunch. Great and knowledgeable service. Food came out without much of a wait and everything tasted great. The paradise and Meriam park rolls are seriously so good. read more

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Came here for dinner w my family, our waitress was super sweet as well as the hostess. We ordered the spicy edamame, gyoza, spicy Nama Sake roll, caterpillar roll & meriam park roll and they were all DELICIOUS!!! I loved the inside of the restaurant, super clean. We will definitely be back!! Looks like we finally found our new favorite sushi place!! read more

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I had the Tonkatsu Ramen and it was not good. The pork taste like it was been in the fridge for a couple of days and it didn't taste fresh. Didn't like the combo with pickled bamboo. No to the corn with the soup.. No fresh greens and taste milky and creamy. And the egg was cold. Needs work on the flavors. Maybe include a chili oil on the side? Not thr best thst I've had. Rolls weren't as creative and tasty and it didn't satisfied my liking. Will I go again? Probably not. read more

Nama Sake Sushi and Restaurant - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chico, California

The best thing here is the bluefin roll and the lobster bits. Service is always great. The place is clean. The food is fresh. It's just a wonderful place for dinner. read more

Okay first of all, the fish just melts in your mouth and has no "fishy" flavor whatsoever. This is some good ass sushi! We also ordered the Meriam Park roll (not pictured) and it was delicious, just not my fav. My personal favs were the green acres and Sevilla. Ambiance is lovely, super clean, chic, all the staff wear black-- it just looks, feels, & tastes like a classy sushi restaurant. Friendly service, knowledgeable staff, and decent prices! Great place for dates. AND there's a delicious, super cute ice cream shop right next door that completely saturates your sense of smell with their fresh waffle cones. Outdoor seating as well. Can't wait to come back read more

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Food was amazing. Service was excellent and wonderful ambiance. Everyone that works here is very friendly and you can tell they all like working here. Try anything on the menu and it won't let you down. read more

amazing toro!!!! service felt personal as usually by Arun. I asked for a yuzu margarita and they pulled off the best yuzu margarita I've ever had read more

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Some of the best sushi I've ever had! Every single item we ordered was amazing. The service was also phenomenal. One of my favorite things is they have a curated wine list that is specifically chosen for this cuisine, so you never have to guess if you're pairing your wine well. 10/10 - one of our fav sushi places that we'll continue to come back to. Fav rolls are the Sunset Heat and Spicy Nama Sake. Their Crispy Rice Cakes and Gyoza are also to die for! read more

Nama Sake Sushi and Restaurant - Sunset Heat - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chico, California

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Food was fantastic and well balanced. I would definitely recommend the Mariam Park or Noelle rolls. Very unique rolls individually. The Mariam Park has a very mild kick from the spicy mayo but the slightly torched fish on top paired with everything compliments the roll well. While the Noelle tastes more freshening and crisp with the lemon and apple hints. Service was great. We were walk ins and were able to get a spot for 2 at the sushi bar. Good atmosphere plus you could watch the chefs making sushi if you wanted to. The only negative I would consider is that it took a little to get our food, but they were rather busy at the time so it makes sense. Definitely a must try for special occasions read more

good and clean atmosphere. The service was great and the quality of the fish is really good! However, our rice was undercooked. this place is on the pricier side which is fine for top tier sushi. You would just think they would know how to cook rice. It just took away the quality of our nigiri :/ unlikely to come back if that IS the expected rice texture. read more

4.5 stars This is the best sushi in Chico 2025 Great ambience, good for a date night Pleasant service Good quality rolls and sashimi However prices are high for the portions, and while the sushi is great for Chico standards, the quality is not as good as say San Francisco or LA. Thats why 4.5 in my opinion. read more

The ambiance is that of a luxurious, highly elevated experience, the service is always incredible, but the reason time and time again we come back is the sushi: it doesn't matter the roll you will be happy and I try something knew every single time! read more

Nama Sake Sushi and Restaurant - Salmon sashimi sampler* sunset heat baked yaki sake - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chico, California

The best sushi in town, super fresh and excellent quality! Even the non-sushi items like the waygu hot plates are delicious! The service was quick and very attentive. And the ambiance makes you feel like you are not in Chico! If I could give more than 5 stars I would. read more

Our favorite food server is SPENCER! The food, ambiance and drinks are spectacular. We love this restaurant..

The atmosphere is always amazing and the food is fresh and so good! Ryan, one of the chefs was kind enough to alter a menu item to be less spicy for me! Camilla is amazing and responsive to customers! read more

Nama Sake Sushi and Restaurant - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chico, California

solid - food and service are excellent, nice options at the bar and now yelp tells me i need more characters to post read more

Excellent miso starter: genmi chagreen tea service in a beautiful ceramic tank and cup. Double white roll+ + + aaand I ate all the ginger: it has a unique flavor. read more

Nama Sake Sushi and Restaurant - Tea service - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chico, California

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My friends and i came here for a night out before going to a wedding and we were amazed. The food was all so great and so were the cocktails we got. There was 8 of us and we got seated immediately and the service was amazing throughout the night. The place was also very modern and clean. Definitely a must stop whenever you are in Chico! read more

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Ate there with my friend on Thursday and she apparently found a roach in her ramen! Crazy stuff. I took my left over home and sure enough found one in my miso soup! 0/10 would not recommend!!!!! Unless you like the extra protein read more

I would say this place has by far the best quality sushi in Chico and the staff do well. Aesthetically, it's a great date night spot and fun place to go. I will say I noticed a manager... not a worker kept touching their face and bringing people out food etc. and that grossed me out. Again, maybe they were off their A game but I watched them do this twice and not wash their hands. It didn't bother me enough to not eat my food but as I watched all the other workers in the kitchen none of them touched their face. read more

Ate there last night for the first time. Inside the rest is beautiful. Our server Leo was awesome. The food was very good and there's an ice cream shop right next-door. read more

Nama Sake Sushi and Restaurant - Had dinner there last night for the first time. It is beautiful inside the food was great. Our server Leo was awesome. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chico, California

Amazing food and the sushi chef was great, he chatted us up and was quite interesting. The fish quality is TOP NOTCH ( I'm a saltwater fishing guide so I truly know fresh fish and great quality) the bluefin is spot on! If I was going to say there would be any drawback whatsoever, it would be that they are missing some very good traditional Japanese dishes and that their menu is quite limited. I just wish all Sushi bars would get away from all of the crappy sticky sauces and move towards more traditional fair. The timing from the kitchen is way off but can be overlooked by the delicious food coming out of it. The absence of pepper fin is a little bewildering as well as any type of Kama ( hamachi or any other fish) And they don't have a chicken teriyaki that you can get at lunch by its self. They're new and I'm sure they're working the kinks out but these couple of items would really round out their menu. I hope management reads this ( especially about the sticky nasty sauce on the rolls) and listens to the advice so they can really set themselves apart from all the other wanna-be sushi places. Oh, I almost forgot, their sushi rice was absolutely 100% properly made and represented here, this is what makes great sushi!!! 9.5 on a scale of 1 to 10! The Kama is only served at dinner time. We live in Redding and travel to Chico for Dr appointments so this is a no brainer read more

I ordered the sashimi 25 piece this time. Freshness was all on point. The chef gave me a tasting of the dry aged fish, toro , king salmon, and Ajii. Loved all of it. I will have to do the omakase next time. Highly recommended to all the foodiies out there. Very chill atmosphere and the service was perfect . read more

Nama Sake Sushi and Restaurant - Sashimi salad - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chico, California

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Great ambiance, great service, and top-notch nigiri. As a matter of fact, Nama Sake probably serves some of the best nigiri you could get this far north of the Bay Area, at least in my experience. This is my favorite kind of place for a casual, yet elevated, dinner and drinks. Sitting at the sushi bar is a must! read more

I don't usually do this and I contemplated just letting it go, but my friend and I went to Nama Sake last Thursday evening. On our way out, we saw a cockroach. We laughed it off but she had taken soup home and found a baby cockroach in it! This is so disgusting, I will never be able to go back. read more

Excellent food! The sushi chef even sliced up some sashimi next to the bar for us to try, and it was DELICIOUS! I am going to rate Nama Sake a 3, specifically because I feel their ambiance is aiming for a higher income audience that frankly doesn't exist yet in chico, and if their intention is to attract that audience, I strongly feel this is contributing to the active gentrification that Meriam Park is creating in south chico. Izakaya Ichiban does an excellent job of attracting clientele of all backgrounds by being less pretentious and intimidating. College kids, business professionals, couples on their first dates. It serves as a third place. Its why they've opened up their third resturaunt in Chico now even after having a location burn down. While I think the service, drinks, and quality of food is great at Nama Sake, I think they should take themselves a little less seriously. This isn't an exclusive club for high earners, it's a place where people get to pretend they're in a higher tax bracket, and to be blunt, the people that are actually in that tax bracket are NOT eating at Name Sake. I really think Nama Sake, being a new business, would seriously benefit from evaluating the culture they are building and perhaps considering better ways to interact and draw in the community they feed, rather than creating a culture of exclusivity to justify their high prices. I'll give an example - my favorite cambodian resturaunt in Yuba City does a Karaoke night and invites all their regular customers out and will book tables just for the event. They do it once a week, and it really shows the care they've taken to build and maintain a client base. Overall, I would go back, maybe once out of one month of the year, but you can bet your *** im going to be at izakaya, gen kai, and rice bowl the other 11 months when I get a sushi craving. I would probably give Nama Sake 5 stars if I was able to see them make prices more accessible, and perhaps try building community through some evening event planning or community outreach. read more

Nama Sake Sushi and Restaurant - Blue fin tuna roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chico, California

Went in on Valentine's Day. 8:30pm. Spencer was our server and was amazing! So friendly and attentive! We sat at the sushi bar and it was actually fun watching the chefs make everything and all the dishes. Great atmosphere and vibe in there. Is upscale and classy but still fun and inviting! 10/10 recommend. read more

Nama Sake Sushi and Restaurant - California roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chico, California

Blown away by dinner here tonight! Let me take you on my journey. Showed up just before 8 tonight (Weds night). Place was busy but we were seated right away at the sushi bar. Both the drink menu and dinner menu have something for everyone. Hubs doesn't do raw fish, but there isn't a sea creature I don't love. Our waitress was great with drink suggestion and sushi suggestions. Started with miso soup and the shrimp & veggie tempura. Both were great, but the price point of the miso soup was too high. Rolls came out--keilana, negi-hama, and blue fin. WOW. Blue fin was my favorite of the night...it was spicy but didn't blow out my palate plus the kimchi ponzu I could've drank. I'm giving a shout out to how fresh everything tasted, included the sushi rice which was seasoned wonderfully and was perfectly moist. Loved the complexity of the rolls while appreciating the simplicity of the simpler rolls. Decided while eating that I want to sample the entire menu. So I'll be back! read more

Nama Sake Sushi and Restaurant - Keilana roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chico, California

Excellent service ! Food is amazing. Drinks are different and on point . Very comfortable ambiance. Is a great experience there .