Best Sushi Spots in Monmouth County, NJ.
Brown rice sushi lunch special from Sogo Sushi in Red Bank, NJ.
Sushi has had me wrapped around its finger since the moment I tried it as a dramatic ‘pre-teen’. I don’t remember the first time I had it but it has been a hot and heavy love affair ever since. I started with the gateway roll, spicy tuna, and never looked back. I often laugh to myself when I think about how I used to make $40 babysitting for a night in the 8th grade and would then spend it ALL on sushi. It pains me to think about how much money I have spent on sushi alone over the last 10 years of my life, and I have no intention of stopping. As a lifelong Monmouth County resident, I have been to my fair share of sushi restaurants in the area. Here is a list of my top 8 sushi spots and my favorite menu items from each place. Notice how it is top 8 and not 10, as I am still on the hunt for my next favorite spot. I have so many recommendations to get to, I am always ready for my next favorite meal.
Kanji: Steakhouse & Sushi - Tinton Falls, NJ
Kanji has been my favorite sushi spot for as long as I can remember. It is SO fresh, creative, and consistent. I have never had a bad meal here, ever. While going to a restaurant in a strip mall isn’t always my cup of tea, Kanji is the perfect example of never judging a book by its cover. It is in such an unassuming location off of 35 in Eatontown in a strip mall with a Workout World and an old deserted Sonic, yikes. But once you step inside the restaurant you’re welcomed with an inviting, modern, and super clean restaurant that I have enjoyed dozens of meals in. Here are some of my favorite sushi rolls and other menu items!
The Spring Breeze roll has been my go-to for years, it is light and fruity and so addictive. It has pineapple in it which makes my tastes bud very happy. The Century 21 roll is so well balanced and the perfect roll to add to any order, the plum sauce on top is a nice touch of sweetness. A recent favorite roll of mine has been the Tuna Amazing roll which has tuna three, count ‘em - THREE different ways in it. I would also like to give a shout-out to the tuna wasabi dumplings on the appetizer menu as well as the cucumber salad which is crisp, spicy, and refreshing, both are a must-order!!
2. Sogo Sushi - Red Bank, NJ
Anyone who has been to Sogo will tell you how ridiculously good it is. While it does not have all of the fanfare that Teak does right across the street, Sogo is a quaint little hole-in-the-wall type place that is perfect for a romantic dinner. The quality of their sushi is unmatched by so many and here is the real kicker, they only use brown rice with their sushi! The brown rice adds a whole other dimension of nutty flavor and it is some of the best rice I’ve had with my sushi. Sogo is a must-try for sushi enthusiasts. I am a huge fan of their sushi lunch special and think it's the best around, I will either get the sushi deluxe lunch special or a three-roll combo. My favorite rolls here are the Yummy Roll, the Dahlia Roll, and the Veggie Dragon roll. I am obsessed with sweet potato tempura rolls and the Veggie Dragon is sweet potato tempura topped with avocado and passion fruit sauce, my heart. I would also like to plug their Rock shrimp appetizer because it is the best rock shrimp I have ever had anywhere. There is ooey-gooey salty peanut butter mixed in the spicy sauce and it is just totally next level, trust me.
3. Teak Restaraunt & Bar - Red Bank, NJ
Teak has definitely become a must-try spot in Monmouth County for its sushi, fusion entrees, and fun atmosphere. Their sushi does not disappoint and I am obsessed with their unique offerings. Teak is the only spot I know of in Monmouth County that offers black rice with some of their rolls. Do I taste a difference with the black rice? Not really, but does it look impressive in pictures and on the center of the table? OH yeah, it does! Sushi is all about the presentation and Teak hits the nail on the head with their rolls. The eyes eat first, am I right? My favorite rolls here are the Black Mamba, the Crazy Monkey roll, a classic Spicy Tuna, and the Michi roll. The crazy monkey and black mamba are so unique and delicious because they use perfectly ripe BANANA in the rolls. Don’t knock it till you try it! Banana is a surprisingly nice compliment to many different types of rolls - balancing out the savory and spicy combos.
4. Fuji Asian Cuisine - Shrewsbury, NJ
I feel like Fuji is one of the lesser-known sushi spots in the area that is a true hidden gem. Fuji is not a fancy spot and is definitely my go-to casual place to grab dinner or take out with friends. I really love their menu and all of the rolls they offer. The first two rolls that come to mind are their Sweet Potato Tempura Roll (best around) and their Peanut Avocado Roll (so many spots don’t offer this). If you have never tried a Peanut Avocado Roll you need to STAT because it is savory and simple, it sounds weird but works so well. My favorite signature rolls from Fuji are the Shrimp Mango Special Roll, Angry Dragon Roll, Tuna Salmon Twister Roll (which has roasted peanuts in it, guys don’t sleep on peanut sushi!!), and the Pikachu Roll. You definitely need to try Fuji out as it is my go-to to-go spot….that was fun to type!
5. Taka - Asbury Park, NJ
Taka is such a fun restaurant and it is a stunning restaurant. This is definitely the most upscale restaurant on the list, with Yumi and Teak following close behind. Taka is the perfect spot for a special occasion dinner like a birthday or anniversary. I went here for my 24th birthday dinner and it did not disappoint, the sushi was spectacular and the ambiance was perfect. I love their Jun-san Roll (caramelized soy sauce hello), the Salmon Kimono Roll, and a not so classic Spicy Tuna Roll. What’s great about their spicy tuna and spicy salmon rolls is that instead of stuffing the roll with the fish, it is delicately placed on top of the roll with the avocado inside. It is perfection. Also, their Kani salad is the best Kani salad I’ve ever had. It is sooo spicy and bright BUT it is $14 while most places usually have it for $7 or $8. But everything on the menu at Taka comes at a higher price point so I wasn’t shocked - this is why Taka only ranks at #5 for me and not higher.
6. Yumi - Sea Bright, NJ
Yumi is very a popular sushi place in Monmouth County with two locations now in Sea Bright and Red Bank. I do find their sushi to be super fresh and well-thought-out. But I don’t find myself craving any specific roll from Yumi and find it to be a bit overpriced. Even though it is never my first choice, you cannot deny the quality of their fish, Yumi is very consistent and I know this is a lot of people’s favorite spot! My favorite things to get here are the tuna sashimi pizza (who doesn’t love a scallion pancaked topped with soft, fresh sashimi tuna!?), the Ocean Ave roll, and the Sandy Hook roll with a wasabi-pepper sauce, YUM!
7. Toki - Red Bank, NJ
Toki does not get enough credit, I really love their sushi and they have fabulous lunch specials. Toki is for sure overshadowed by the other sushi spots in Red Bank like Sogo, Teak, and Yumi but I am telling you to not sleep on Toki! Some of my favorite rolls here are the Amazing Roll which is a spicy crunch tuna roll with avocado topped with mango (kind of my perfect roll no big deal), the Jade roll, the Madness roll, and the Masa roll. Their menu is rock solid with many different types of rolls to choose from, I have never been disappointed here. But the real star from the Toki is their sushi party platters. Guys, they have the best bang for your buck sushi platters that will make you the coolest hostess in your friend group. I am a huge fan of Party Tray C, which gives you an obscene amount of sushi for just $105, it will easily feed 10 people.
8. Sono Sushi - Middletown, NJ
Last on the list is Sono Sushi in Middletown. Sono is a newer spot to me and I have only ever had their takeout as they’ve been closed for dine-in since the pandemic. I like to get takeout from here sometimes and it always hits the spot! I love their spicy Kani salad and they have one of the best maki roll menus around. It is nice to have a restaurant that is creative with their maki rolls and doesn’t just rely on the gigantic special rolls to have fun with their flavors. I love to get their Salmon and Scallion Roll, the New York Roll which is a salmon, apple, and spicy mayo roll (here I go again with the fruit sushi), and their Jalapeno Roll which has tender white tuna and zippy jalapeno inside, and the Highland Roll with salty seaweed salad and spicy crabmeat. All of these rolls are either $7.95, $8.95, or $6.50, which is a much-needed break from all the $14 rolls I usually crush.
