Great little spot off the busy path. Sushi was great and lots of Saki choices! Will definitely be back on the next trip!

Walk into Samurai Sushi and you're walking into a cozy piece of Japan! Unlike many sushi restaurants that are staffed with personnel off the streets of Nashville, Samurai is authentic: sushi trained chefs who have spent years learning their craft. The hand rolls are unique. The fish fresh. Excellent masters of the sushi trade. Yummy choices. It's worth seeking this restaurant out! read more

Samurai Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Best sushi in Nashville. Been coming to this establishment since 2019! Love it! The Mr. Kaiser Roll

There are 4 sushi bars within 100 yards and I should have chosen any of the others. Maybe it would be okay for delivery or takeout, but it's a terrible dine in experience. I like dives, but this on didn't even have any charm. Fluorescent lights, 4 tables, no music, dingy, etc. The Jane roll was very good but that's the only thing that was good. I had the sashimi sampler, which did look good when it came out. It was arranged nicely, and had sizable pieces, but the sashimi was about 1 degree above freezing. When sushi is that cold, you don't really get much taste. The pickled ginger tasted like cleaning fluid. The server took my order and delivered my check, otherwise there was no interaction. Lastly, the only drink option is water. I should have turned around right when I walked in. read more

Great sushi, especially relative to other restaurants in Nashville. The chefs are very talented. Samurai is an intimate, genuine sushi restaurant that's well worth visiting. Ingredients are relatively fresh--to the degree that any seafood can be fresh when it's flown in from the shores. Service is above-par. Prices are quite reasonable. And, despite how solid of a restaurant this is, there's never a crowd. Don't be fooled by the lackluster exterior--it's a great hole-in-the-wall. read more

One of the best sushi restaurants in Nashville. Owner is Korean and the sushi chefs are Korean and Japanese. I had to give out this fact because any sushi restaurant runs by the Chinese is just a no-no for me. It is a very small restaurant, not good for big groups (more than 7). The sushi bar is tiny. I got stuck twice trying to get in and out of the sushi bar (the chairs are too big for a tiny bar). You literally will be rubbing shoulders with the person sits next to you. It could be a good thing if the one sitting next to you is hot! If not...well just enjoy your sushi! :) Keep in mind that Samurai specializes in sushi only and they do a wonderful job. The sashimi here are so fresh (Tip: put an "S" next to the item you order. For example: White tuna - S). My favorites are the White Tuna, Salmon, Unagi (get Nigiri - fresh fish with rice), Crab meat (special order, not on menu), and Yellow Tail. They serve the sashimi on top of cucumber salad, which was very crunchy and refreshing. The rolls are also very good. There isn't a roll I don't like from their Samurai Specialty Rolls and World Rolls menu. They have rolls that come with fruit. Very unique. If you like eel and avocado, I suggest getting the Red Dragon Roll. Tip: At the sushi bar, after you have filled out the sushi sheet, make sure to give it to the waiter. Don't put it on top of the glass case (other sushi restaurants do this) or your order won't get in. The only thing that kept me from visiting this place frequently is street parking. They don't have a private lot and it is a pain in the neck for me (not good with parallel parking). However I will be back when craving some good and fresh sushi :) 2013/#70 read more

Samurai Sushi - Fresh sashimi, Red Dragon Roll, and Spicy Tuna Roll. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Tiny but plenty tasty. That's exactly how I would describe Samurai... it's a bummer as I would be willing to give them 5 stars if only they offered more veg sushi options? There is nothing posh about the location, decor, or square footage but they serve up some great sushi. I sat at the sushi bar for a quiet little dinner retreat and welcomed the simple and affordable menu. I wished that they offered more options for vegetarians/vegans but the 2 rolls that I enjoyed were satisfying and delicious. The vegetable roll was large and filed with robust flavor while the cucumber roll was a nice compliment. I was able to enjoy 2 rolls and an iced tea for around $15 with tax and tip. Not too shabby. If you're seeking ambiance or flair, this is not the spot for you but if you're just craving a tasty sushi option... come here. read more

Samurai Sushi - Vegetable roll and cucumber roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Being out-of-towners, we walked to Samurai from our hotel based on the location and Yelp's reviews. Although I think people may be giving it a little too much credit, I'd say we made a decent choice. Samurai is pretty good. Not the best I've ever had, but certainly not the worst. We got there about 5:30-ish, so the wait wasn't an issue. But Cher and Erin are right - this place is fairly tiny. That also means that when it fills up, it gets loud. The tables are close together, so if you enjoy eavesdropping, this is your kind of place. I got to hear all about this girl's horrific experience with parking in Nashville, how she can't believe how expensive her car insurance was, and how the pastor at her church is awesome. Oh, and how her friends had an extra concert ticket and talked about it RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER AND DIDN'T INVITE HER BUT THAT'S JUST FINE WITH HER BECAUSE SHE HATES LADY ANTEBELLUM ANYWAY. The service was good. We had a couple different waitresses, which always throws me off a little when it comes time to tip, but they were both there when we needed them to be. We ordered two green salads with ginger dressing to start. These don't vary much from place to place, so no complaint there. For our dinner, we ordered several different kinds of nigiri (tuna, white tuna, salmon and what I thought was crab - more on that in a second) and three different rolls... the Aloha, Jane and Oops. There is a huge selection of rolls to choose from, so I had trouble narrowing it down. Okay, so the crab thing. It was listed in the menu as "kani" with "crab" written underneath it, so I thought I'd getting some king or snow crab. Turns out it was that shitty kanikama (which I'm pretty sure means "fake krab kreation" in Japanese)... this made the nigiri, as well as the Aloha roll (which was tempura krab, asparagus and cream cheese wrapped in soy paper and topped with eel sauce, macadamia nuts and kiwi fruit) rather disappointing. It'd be a lot better with tempura shrimp instead of krabtastic krap. Everything else was very good, especially the Oops Roll (several different kinds of tuna and three kinds of sauce). It made a big impression on the man, who generally shys away from rolls altogether. The sauces were tasty but didn't overpower the tuna. I'd come back just for that. Our total ended up being around $70. Not the cheapest, not the most expensive. We left full and happy, the sushi beast that lurks inside us tamed... for now. read more

Samurai Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Had a taste for some sushi and it definitely hit the spot! The service was amazing and it didnt take forever to get my rolls! I will be back next time im in Nashville! read more

A mom & pop restaurant at it's best. This is what you a consider a hole in the wall with a recent extension. The place is TINY. A friend and I came here a few weeks ago for some serious sushi cravings. I had the smoked salmon, the rainbow, and some other mysterious roll that I can't recall at the moment. I was really impressed by the freshness of the fish and the overall quickness of the service. Most places seem to take forever for sushi, I think we got ours in under 10 minutes. Not a bad look. My bill for 2 rolls, a beer, and 2 pieces of smoked salmon came in under $28. I think the quality here might be up there with any other place in Nashville. The speed of service and the prices will definitely keep me coming back. read more

Samurai Sushi - Rainbow and smoked salmon. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Uhh sorry for the typos. Looks like I typed too fast. Still love this place. Recently had the sushi burrito, solid and since I can't have raw dish at the moment I also did the Sunumono sub shrimp for the raw salmon. Was really good. Love this place. read more

Came to this place on a whim. Turned out to be some of the best and most affordable sushi I've had in Nashville. I had three rolls and they were all delicious. Chili edamame also an A+. Cool, low-key spot that doesn't try too hard to be "trendy". In one word: delectable. read more

Food was average. I ordered a roll with shrimp tempura but it was soft as if it had been sitting there awhile and not cooked fresh with my order. read more

Samurai Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

I have a new favorite sushi place in TN. The hamachi was very good and so was the Jane Roll. The crispy roll was meh. From a Californian, this place is good. I'm leaving my above review because this place has been wonderful every other time, but I just went for lunch and ordered a jane roll and a candy roll to go because I had my pooch with me. I ate it in my car right outside right away. It was average at best. If they offered me $20 in free sushi, I would take it happily, because it just wasn't worth it. I went back in to ask if there was any reason it just didn't seem fresh, but I think with the language barrier, I'm not quite sure they understood what I was asking. I certainly will be back no matter what, and this was the day after Christmas, so maybe it wasn't that fresh this one time, I don't know. It's just that if you're gonna charge me $20 for lunch, I'm gonna expect it to be good and fresh every single time. The owner was at a table right next to me when I was asking the waitress if it just wasn't very fresh and he didn't seem concerned at all. Maybe it's my fault for not asking him directly. read more

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Love the food and service. Sushi was the best in Nashville will come more. Weekly spot

Samurai has great rolls. Parts of the restaurant feel a little cramped, even after they expanded into some space next door, but that's just a sign of popularity. It's a great spot for parties of one to four, but more than that and you'll likely have to split up or get really cozy. The fish is above average freshness for the area, but Samurai focuses on rolls. The sashimi and nigiri are fresh but sometimes a little thin. Try the choo choo roll or one of the hand rolls. Prices, even for the premium rolls, are quite reasonable. Service is always friendly and generally efficient even on busy nights. Nearby parking is often full when there are concerts at a concert venue across the street, but I've always been able to park for free on Hayes Street, a block behind Samurai. read more

I wish I took a picture when I last went - but no doubt about it I would take anybody who was craving some authentic sushi here! It's doesn't break the bank and it's a small hole in the wall next to some clothing stores. Don't let the outside exterior fool you - this place has GOOD SUSHI! read more

Excellent sushi!! Yes, the location is small, but you just have to plan a little ahead of time so you get there at a good time (or expect to wait a bit)--it's well worth it either way. There were PLENTY of sushi rolls to choose from, as well as the usual appetizers and sashimi. Service was quick and courteous, and prices were great. My husband and I are already planning our next visit! We were seated in the main area with the sushi bar (which is aprox. 6 stools)--there was also an additional room, but I wasn't able to see if a large group could be seated. Depends on their table moving rules. I would call ahead of time to check on that. read more

Samurai Sushi - Caterpillar, Dr. Larry, Samurai, and Philly roll (top to bottom). Delicious!! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Stopped by and picked up a couple of deep fried sushi rolls to go. Best I've ever had! I went because of the high reviews and it was close to the place we had an appointment. I went right around noon and the place was busy but not packed out. Placed order and it took about 15 minutes. My friend and I ate it in the car and wished we had gotten more rolls. I will be back with my husband. They were incredible! read more

I am so glad that I dug around in the Nashville Yelp for something reasonably priced, really Japanese, and more classy than Ru-San. This is the place! I will drag everyone I work with over to Samurai the next time sushi is mentioned. Never again will I be subjected to horrible service, bland sushi, and techno with sushi while I'm in Nashville. I ordered seaweed salad, a spicy tuna roll, volcano roll, and the samurai roll. It was delicious. Watching the sushi chefs is almost magical. I think that watching the preperation is the best part of a good sushi restaurant. Go to Samurai, you'll be glad you did because they serve excellent sushi. read more

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Quick, friendly take-out service, but food wasn't right. Ordered online based on the website menu. One roll was supposed to have shrimp inside, but had the fake crab instead. Spicy tuna was hardly spicy (i do not have a high tolerance either) and looked like large pieces of plain tuna were mixed in. Another roll I thought was supposed to come with eel on top based off the menu description saying 'topped with eel & spicy mayo', but it was misleading as it must have meant topped with eel sauce. Def not what I was expecting or thought I paid for. Disappointing as I have had great dining experiences here in the past and it has a good, long reputation in Nashville. read more

In all my years of grabbing sushi before a show at Exit/In, I don't know why I have never been here and have always gone to O'Sake instead. I WAS WRONG. Some of the best sushi I've ever had in Nashville. They only have sushi and a very small selection of kitchen items (miso soup, salad, gyoza, edamame), so not a place to take your friend who only goes to sushi places for the tempura. I always judge a sushi place on their tamago and it was delicious. I shared three rolls, the Ninza (spicy tuna & cucumber inside, outside covered with tuna, salmon, whitefish, avocado & spicy mayo), the Snomono (cucumber wrap, tuna, salmon, crab, whitefish, avocado & ponzu sauce), and the YumYum (spicy crab & cucumber inside, crab on top, fish roe). All three were amazing but the Ninza was the highlight. The place was packed at 8:00 pm on a Saturday but we were seated at the bar quickly and our rolls came out remarkably fast. Bonus: the bassist for the band I was going to see was also eating there. read more

Never leave! Went recently after not having gone in sometime and this place is one place that always is a staple. Nashville better never get rid of you. Always consistent, quick and easy! read more

I was excited when I saw they did cucumber wrap rolls (Naruto), as my wife can't eat rolls with rice. I ordered her a special roll with salmon, white tuna, shrimp and avocado on the inside, with smelt roe and eel sauce. When I got back to the hotel room, she found the white tuna had been cooked, and there was no shrimp or avocado. For $14, Very disappointed. The Mr. Daniel roll was okay, but nothing special. read more

My husband and I moved to Nashville a year ago, and we have had so many amazing dining experiences, I have decided to start leaving reviews to show some love to our favorite places. Well Samurai is definitely in our top faves! We are BIG TIME sushi lovers. Honestly, we could eat sushi everyday and never get tired of it. So needless to say, we have been to a ridiculous amount of sushi restaurants all over the country, and this little gem really is one of our faves ever! It reminds us of our favorite hole in the wall sushi spots in NYC! If you are going to Samurai for a fancy ambiance, just don't. If you are looking for awesome sushi & generous portions for great prices, you will NOT be disappointed! I would say they have the best prices for value that I have seen in Nashville. My husband and I are BIG nigiri people, and my biggest pet peeve is when the nigiri fish portions are stingy. Skimpy piece of fish on top of a gigantic ball of rice? No thank you. And this is NOT the case at Samurai. The nigiri & sashimi portions are thick and wonderful! You cannot beat it, ESPECIALLY for the price. I am a creature of habit, and I usually get the same thing each time: Miso soup, a house salad with ginger dressing, several salmon nigiri (the salmon just MELTS in your mouth.) and a spicy tuna roll. Now, I am picky about my spicy tuna rolls. I do not like spicy tuna rolls that are spiced by using spicy mayo or a spice rub on the outside. I prefer a spicy tuna that is minced & has the spiciness mixed in. I'm sure this isn't everyone's preference, but it is definitely mine, and Samurai does this better than any other sushi place in Nashville. My absolute FAVORITE roll (and it is exclusive to Samurai) is the Ninza roll. It is a spicy tuna roll, covered on the outside with tuna, salmon, whitefish, avocado & spicy mayo. DE.LISH. If you like spicy tuna, you gotta try it. My husband loves the Music City roll, spicy yellowtail, several of the more obscure rolls, as well as almost all of the nigiri options (Salmon & seabass being his faves). I realize I've rambled on, but we really do love this place. Everyone there is very kind. They know us by name because of how often we either dine in or order take-out. We have never had a bad experience, the sushi is fresh, the sushi chef's are highly skilled & wonderful at what they do. If you are looking for wonderful sushi at a wonderful price, and you love a good hole in the wall gem (and honestly, even if you don't), you have to try Samurai. It's just a must in my book. read more

If you are looking for quality sushi in Nashville, this is definitely the place to come! From the presentation of their rolls to the freshness of the fish, Samurai does not skimp out. I loved that there were such a wide variety of truly unique rolls. The fish literally melted in your mouth. Rolls ran about $9 on average. It can add up, but that's to be expected with good sushi. Sure, after two rolls and a drink... my lunch bill came up to be about $24 (a little steep), but it was yummy in my tummy. To top off the experience, the service was most excellent! On another note, be prepared for metered parking (have change on hand).. that or a nearby parking garage are really the only options. read more

The exterior of the restaurant shows its age but the sushi itself is excellent. The texture of the rice blended so well with the fish, it only complimented each bite. read more

Samurai Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

We went here on a whim because they were open later than other sushi restaurants and I am so glad that we did! It was so amazing. Fresh sushi made right in front of your face! And the prices were so reasonable. For 5 rolls and two drinks was $50 including tip, most other places where I do that it's upwards of $80. The choices were overwhelming but after tonight having sampled 9 different rolls, I'm sure they're all amazing. It looks small but I genuinely love how cozy it feels inside! read more

Samurai Sushi - Top: Philadelphia roll Bottom: Big Daddy Hand Roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

I absolutely love Samurai. The main reason is their famous Choo Choo roll which is topped with strawberries, nuts, and a slightly sweet brown sauce. I was hesitant about sushi with fruit, but am now a fan of all of Samurai's fruit-topped options. The place is definitely small which can mean a bit of a wait, so come prepared. Also, if you think you're going to be able to fit more than three of your friends at your table prepare for disappointment. The bathroom is definitely a drawback size-wise as well. It's quite a squeeze getting in and out so don't drink too much of the complimentary green tea. read more

Samurai Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Amazing dinner! This is one of our favorite sushi places in Nashville. The sushi and rolls are tasty, and the portions are enormous. The place is somewhat small but it adds charm to the place. I highly recommend this place for those traveling through or native to Nashville. read more

Samurai Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Pretty good sushi, especially for Nashville. I stopped by for a quick dinner and ordered a green salad, salmon avocado roll and a Mr. Daniels roll. The fish was fresh and came in generous portion sizes, and I really enjoyed how soft the rice was. It did seem a bit bland though. I prefer Osake to samurai, mostly for its specials during happy hour but samurai is definitely one of the better sushi restaurants on this side of TN. read more

Samurai Sushi - Mr. Daniels roll and Alaska roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Not an abundance of great sushi in Nashville, but Samurai is helping that. The fish is fresh and the rolls are a healthy size. I had the Crazy Monkey roll with a green salad. The 8 piece roll came loaded with fish and a glaze of eel sauce. The salad was good but the ginger dressing was a little overwhelming. Won't stop me from getting it again though. The restaurant itself is a quaint and has a great feel for a sushi restaurant l. Perfect for a date or to come with a group of friends. read more

Samurai Sushi - Crazy monkey roll and green salad with ginger sauce - Sushi Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

This is a sushi/nigiri/sashimi restaurant--not a Japanese steakhouse or hibachi grill. Got the dinner combo: 7 varied nigiri and a California roll with choice of soup or salad. I ordered the soup--miso, which was so salty I couldn't finish it. Nigiri, however, were all fresh and the chef didn't skimp on the seafood slices. The California roll wasn't tightly packed and wasn't made inside out but was nonetheless tasty. Service was friendly and quick. Watch the chefs from a seat at the sushi counter or grab a table in this small space that's perfect for a date or casual meeting. read more

The chair of medicine recommended this place. Described as "hole-in-the-wall"-- perfect description. Needless to say, this place was much better than my previous dinner in Nashville. Walked in around 6pm on a Friday- not many people (maybe 2?). Seated immediately-- at the sushi bar. I was alone so that made sense. I also love watching my food made right before my eyes and it was made immediately. Got two specialty rolls-- the Choo Choo and the Iron Miss. Both have strawberries and unagi. Unagi is my favorite fish item (lol is this even a phrase..?) but I've never had strawberries in my sushi and for some odd reason I had the urge to order both. Well, it's mostly because I had trouble deciding and I figure that leftover sushi is never a bad thing. I believe the Iron Miss Roll was encased in some kind of strawberry soy paper? Delicious-- even the next day! Service was great, especially given that it's a university area! Got tea and water constantly refilled (that's really all it takes for me to willingly leave a good tip.) and asked how I was doing just the right amount. PARKING: Consistent with most hole-in-the-walls I've been to, no parking lot. :( If you're going for dinner, note that street parking is free after 6pm M-F. read more

Samurai Sushi - Sitting at the sushi bar & sneaking a photo of the sushi chef preparing my food! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Do you ever notice how alone you are? Even in close conversation with a dear friend, your spouse, a family member, there is this great separation of self and an awareness that no matter how we connect, we are all truly alone. I think there's some beauty and comfort in it, the solidarity of aloneness. The dragon roll here is superb, thanks for the excellent service! :) read more

This was my second time here! The restaurant is pretty small and hard to notice but I think the prices are amazing for what they give you. Definitely a better deal than Nama which is down the street from here! It's very homey and cozy. I would definitely come back with friends to kick back and just enjoy some sushi. The fried sushi choices were my favorite! There is bar seating and normal tables as well. They do not have their own lot, but there is street parking! read more

Maybe the best sushi in town. I've been going here since I was a kid y'all. I love it so much. Elliston place has changed but this place stays the same. So good. So fresh! Get some. read more

Gotta give yelp the credit/blame for sending me here on a recent visit. The reviews were fantastic and I love when restaurants get special with their specialty rolls, but was pretty disappointed overall. First off, there is little to no atmosphere at all. I don't need my sushi fancy, but it was like an american diner with chopsticks and bamboo. Just know that going in and you'll be fine, but with the reviews as one of the best places in Nashville, I expected more. Secondly, the service was awful. Our waitress had a sneer on her face the entire evening (and it wasn't near close at all) and was nearly impossible to track down for refills or another round of rolls. And now to the food...the rolls were ok, but nothing special. We did try the choo choo roll and I won't argue with the reviews, I'll just say to each their own and this roll was not for me. The flavors didn't meld well, so it literally tasted like a california-esque roll with strawberries on top. I will say that we both found one roll we really like...the Vanderbilt (I think) for my girlfriend and I can't remember which one I liked, but they're there to find. Just don't go with high expectations and you'll be fine. It's not awful, just not as spectacular as I'd hoped with the yelp rating it's garnered. read more

Samurai Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

We took my parents who came to visit us from California on a Saturday night. Unless you can find street parking, parking will cost you $16. Luckily when we got there the wait was about 5 minutes. It's a small sushi restaurant and we were seated in the back. They have a variety of speciality rolls as well as traditional ones. The miso soup was a little salty and the fish wasn't as fresh but also wasn't bad either. However I would much rather eat here any other sushi places in Nashville to fill my sushi needs. read more

Samurai Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Fantastic food always! This last order was for my husbands birthday and they really spoiled us. Thanks samurai!