Where to Find the Best Sushi in San Antonio

By Sara Branstetter | December 12, 2024

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In my quest to find the best sushi in San Antonio, I have spent the better part of the last three months eating my way through San Antonio’s sushi scene. And after what feels like the equivalent of consuming a lifetime of sushi, I have learned two very important things in the process. One, we have some truly FANTASTIC sushi restaurants here in San Antonio. And two, we also have some really TERRIBLE sushi restaurants here.

Let me tell you what, when it comes to sushi, you just don’t want terrible. Sure, a terrible burger from a national fast food chain might be better than no burger at all, but the same just doesn’t go for sushi. And that’s because sushi is all about the ingredients – specifically, the freshness and quality of the ingredients. When you skimp on those, sushi goes from amazing to absolutely yucky, and you end up posing a huge risk to your health (seriously, when consuming raw foods, only go with the best!).

Below is my short list of the best sushi in San Antonio and where to find it. I recognize that there are so many other places not on this list, so if you have something you like, stick with it. But if you are visiting the Alamo city and craving sushi, or if you have lived here for years and just haven’t found a place you like, you won’t go wrong with one of these six options.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sara Branstetter has called San Antonio, TX home for the last 20 years. She’s a wife of a veteran, mom of four, and a cuddler of the world's best dog. The army brought her family to San Antonio years ago, and the city, its culture, and its food have kept her here.

Best Sushi in San Antonio

Shiro Japanese Bistro

This. If you can only go to one, this is the one. Shiro Japanese Bistro is a pandemic miracle restaurant that has quickly become one of San Antonio’s best restaurants. It really is the whole package – with Riverwalk views, stellar service, and banging sushi that is so fresh you’ll feel like you’re on the coast, Shiro just CANNOT be beat for sushi in San Antonio.

Shiro’s menu isn’t huge (maybe the one drawback), but its chef special rolls are standouts for creativity and flavor. You will most definitely find flavor combos here that you have never had before but will want again and again.

I can’t say enough good things about the chef’s recommended nigiri. He knows what’s in, what’s fresh, and how to prepare it. So don’t miss out! Even if nigiri has been a little intimidating to you in the past, try stretching those culinary muscles. Shiro will not let you down.

WEBSITE | 107 W. Jones Ave., San Antonio, TX 78215

Sushihana Japanese Restaurant

Castle Hills has got it made in the shade when it comes to sushi, thanks to this fantastic, family-owned restaurant which has been in operation since 2002. Like Shiro, Sushihana offers a more upscale sushi experience and is a great place for both business lunches and date nights.

Sushihana’s menu is extremely well-rounded with a ton of sushi options, appetizers, hot entrees, bento boxes, noodle dishes, and desserts.

But my favorites are the sashimi and nigiri, which Sushihana does with perfection. I recommend ordering something (like a bento box or platter) that allows you to mix and match and try a bunch of the different fish and vegetarian options. Your mind will be blown by the colors, artistry, and above all, the flavors.

WEBSITE | 1810 NW Military Hwy, San Antonio, TX 78213

Toro'ko Sushi

While a little bit more casual than the first two restaurants, Toro’ko has still managed to maintain the highest standards for sushi, making for a relaxed meal with fantastic food.

Toro’ko’s menu is positively HUGE. Seriously, it feels like it goes on forever, so variety is most certainly one of its biggest strengths. Thankfully, the quality hasn’t lost out in favor of quantity, so I was equally impressed with the freshness of the dishes I tasted. Ingredients were clearly of the highest quality and had been prepared by knowledgeable sushi chefs.

WEBSITE | 158 E. Sonterra Blvd., Ste #101, San Antonio, TX 78258

Nineteen Hyaku

Nineteen Hyaku is a stunner. The restaurant itself is gorgeous – walking in feels like stepping into a chic LA bistro designed by a celebrity restauranteur. But it’s not just the décor that’s eye-popping, Nineteen Hyaku’s food, and specifically its sushi, is on point. Style and substance, right on.

The restaurant’s menu doesn’t read like a typical sushi joint. Chef’s here utilize a combination of both traditional and innovative ingredients to create truly one of a kind sushi rolls. When it comes to sushi in San Antonio, Nineteen Hyaku is an outlier worth trying.

If you’re feeling a little risky (and a little spendy), I recommend ordering either the omakase (chef’s choice) or the moriawase (a mixed sushi/sashimi platter). It’s a stretching experience for sure, but will expose you to an assortment of dishes and sushi, and who knows, you may just find your new favorite.

WEBSITE | 1900 Broadway St., Ste #119, San Antonio, TX 78215

Koikawa Sushi

Koikawa Sushi is an Alamo Heights sushi staple that has been around for years. Located near the University of the Incarnate Word, Koikawa is a lovely little restaurant in an area that has a distinctly boardwalk feel. More than that, it is located on the river, so the restaurant offers water views from the patio and tables near the windows.

Like Toro’ko, Koikawa’s strength lies in its depth of options. The huge menu features so many types of sushi and sashimi, it will make your head spin a bit. I recommend pairing some sushi with one of Koikawa’s excellent dinner entrees (like katsu, teriyaki, or teppanyaki), for a really filling meal.

WEBSITE | 4051 Broadway St., San Antonio, TX 78209

Sushishima Japanese Restaurant

Sushishima has two locations in San Antonio – one in Stone Oak and one in Castle Hills. Their more casual dining vibe has a distinctly friendly feel to it, and one that seems to attract regulars who return to order the same thing each time.

Their traditional menu is fairly sushi standard and has a number of options to customize your order with. While not sushi, I recommend adding a plate of harumaki spring rolls to any sushi you order because they are absolute FIRE. The perfect fried accompaniment to your fresh, raw fish.

WEBSITE | Multiple locations