Where to Get the Best Sushi in Sonoma County
Sushi Kosho chef/owner Jake Rand prepares a Chef's Choice Seasonal Sashimi at the restaurant in Sebastopol's The Barlow. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
The Chirashi sushi bowl features a variety of fresh sashimi from Sushi Kosho in Sebastopol's Barlow District. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Bluefin avocado sashimi with Maui onion vinaigrette from Sushi Kosho in Sebastopol's Barlow District. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
A veggie sushi roll with avocado, cucumber, seaweed, carrot from Jake Rand, chef/owner of Sushi Kosho in Sebatopol's Barlow district. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
A Bento Box with, clockwise from top left, miso black cod, veggie roll, rice with pickles, miso soup, chilled spinach and sashimi from Sushi Kosho in Sebastopol. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Nigiri set at Sushi Kosho Japanese restaurant at the Barlow in Sebastopol. (Heather Irwin/The Press Democrat)
Snapper sushi at Sushi Kosho in Sebastopol. (Heather Irwin)
Nigiri Sushi and Sashimi Combo at Shige Sushi Japanese Kitchen in Cotati. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
Toki Roll at Shige Sushi. (Alvin Jornada)
Kaarage (fried chicken) at Shige Sushi restaurant in Sonoma. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Keita Tominaga’s chef choice, from left: omakase nigiri, hon-maguro, ishigakidai, katsuo, iwana, hotate, and uni at Hana Japanese Restaurant in Rohnert Park September 21, 2022. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)
Ken's Roll at Hanna Japanese Restaurant in Rohnert Park September 21, 2022. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)
Sukiyaki at Hana Japanese Restaurant in Rohnert Park September 21, 2022. (Chad Surmick / The Press Democrat)
Jidori Teriyaki chicken with Japanese style potato salad and fried Brussels sprouts served with a side of miso soup and rice at Hana Japanese Restaurant in Rohnert Park. (Erik Castro/for The Press Democrat)
Owner Nobuyuki Asahi grew up in Japan and spent many hours with his grandparents at the famed Toyosu fish market in Tokyo. He insists on both local and imported Japanese fish, mostly seasonal, for his restaurant. The difference in his delicate hamachi, buttery tuna, creamy scallops and velvety Mendocino uni make Asahi one of my top five in Sonoma County. 335 Healdsburg Ave., 707-395-0487, asahisushiandkitchen.com. (Courtesy of Asahi Sushi)
Sashimi appetizer at Asahi Sushi in Healdsburg. (Nobuyuki Asahi)
Tiger Roll at Asahi Sushi in Healdsburg. (Nobuyuki Asahi)
Chef's omakase nigiri at Asahi Sushi in Healdsburg. (Nobuyuki Asahi)
Hamachi carpaccio at Asahi Sushi in Healdsburg. (Nobuyuki Asahi)
Five-piece nigiri at Sake 107 in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin)
Melts in your mouth roll at Sake 107 in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin)
Special roll at Sake 107 in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin)
Edwardo Tejeda creates sushi platters at Ume Japanese Bistro in Windsor. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Christie Song takes a photo of her sushi before digging in at Ume Japanese Bistro in Windsor. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
A sushi boat from Kiraku in Santa Rosa. (Courtesy Kiraku)
Kiraku Sushi (formerly known as Ippinn Sushi & Ramen, pictured) is a sister restaurant to the nearby Ippinn Udon & Tempura in Santa Rosa. (Courtesy of Ippinn Sushi)
Hawaiian roll and Alaska roll at Sushiko in Rohnert Park. (Heather Irwin)
Sushi bar area of Toyo Japanese Restaurant in Santa Rosa. March 27, 2008. (Jeff Kan Lee/The Press Democrat)
Bazinga Roll at Haku Sushi in Santa Rosa. (Courtesy of Haku Sushi)
Yakisoba, a dish of seafood, wheat noodles, sauteed bell peppers and onion and Tsukemono, a platter of four pickled vegetables including turnips, carrots, eggplant and cucumber at Haku Sushi in Santa Rosa. (Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)
Hamachi Nigiri at Haku Sushi in Santa Rosa on Wednesday, May 22, 2013. (BETH SCHLANKER/ The Press Democrat)
Recently a friend told me about this low-profile sushi bar and grill with a special takeout and delivery special — five rolls for $60. Despite my skepticism, they’re the best rolls — especially the Oishii hand roll with shrimp tempura and lobster — we’ve had in the last six months. Hands down. 1950 Piner Road, Suite 110, Santa Rosa, 707-308-4528, oishiisushisr.square.site. (Yelp / Melissa S.)
The Oishii hand roll with shrimp tempura and lobster from Oishii Sushi in Santa Rosa is among the best around. (ArtFood / Getty Images)
Sustainable sourcing, solid sushi and ramen at Raku Ramen in Santa Rosa. (Chris Hardy)
Sashimi salad with tuna, salmon, crab at Raku Ramen and Rolls in Santa Rosa. (Heather Irwin/Press Democrat)
Otoro is a Healdsburg fave for a fast sushi meal. (Wine Country Table)
Bluefish Sushi & Grill in Santa Rosa has good quality sushi at reasonable prices. (Heather Irwin)
All you can eat sushi at Paradise Sushi in Santa Rosa (Heather Irwin / The Press Democrat)
When you know, you know. Sushi Kosho is officially the best sushi in Sonoma County.
Now, I don’t say this lightly, because sushi is a lifestyle choice for me — not just a meal. It’s about the warm (hand temperature), perfectly seasoned rice, pristine fish and just-so preparation. With expanded hours and an expanded menu that includes not only nigiri and sashimi, but poke bowls and traditional Japanese entrees, this Sebastopol sushi spot has always been good — but with a new sushi rice recipe, it’s head and shoulders above the rest.
In addition to Sushi Kosho, I have three other best runner-up restaurants for your sushi fix — Shige Sushi in Cotati and Sonoma, Hana Japanese in Rohnert Park and Aishi in Healdsburg — along with more casual sushi stops that offer up solid takes in the raw fish game.
Dining editor’s top picks
Sushi Kosho, Sebastopol
Chef Jake Rand is obsessed with authentic Japanese food and studied for years in Japan. Hands down, his sushi tops my list as perfectly seasoned, perfectly formed and perfectly impressive. Go for the Nigiri “set” with nine pieces of fish and a six-piece tekka maki. The space is comfortable to grab a lunchtime sushi plate or hunker down with a bottle of sake for a lengthier visit. Read full review here. 6750 McKinley St., Sebastopol, 707-827-6373, koshosushi.com
Shige Sushi, Cotati and Sonoma
Shige Sushi in Cotati is a bento-box sized sushi bar with just 22 seats, including the bar. Despite the diminutive size, the Japanese owners have cracked the code on affordable yet luxe Japanese favorites with authentic karaage (fried chicken), spicy poke salad, top-notch nigiri and sashimi and a laundry list of rolls (including plenty of gaijin-style mayonnaise/fried rolls). Open Tuesday through Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday. A large kitchen has expanded Shige Sushi’s offerings in Sonoma. Read full review here. 8235 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati; 19161 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-933-9331, shige-sushi.com
Hana Japanese, Rohnert Park
This Rohnert Park restaurant consistently tops my list both for service and sake bar, as well as their always-fresh fish flown in from Japan. The late owner Ken Tominaga, who died in May 2022, ensured the authenticity at the restaurant is spot on, training the staff to teach guests about the traditional Japanese cuisine Hana serves. Read full review here. 101 Golf Course Drive, Rohnert Park, 707-586-0270, hanajapanese.com
Asahi Sushi, Healdsburg
Owner Nobuyuki Asahi grew up in Japan and spent many hours with his grandparents at the famed Toyosu fish market in Tokyo. He insists on both local and imported Japanese fish, mostly seasonal, for his restaurant. The difference in his delicate hamachi, buttery tuna, creamy scallops and velvety Mendocino uni make Asahi one of my top five in Sonoma County. Read full review here. 335 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-395-0487, asahisushiandkitchen.com
Other great sushi spots
Sake 107, Petaluma
Put yourself in the chef’s hands with the five-piece nigiri. Personally, we wish we’d doubled or tripled that. There’s not a stinker in the bunch, but don’t miss the Hokkaido uni, ocean trout (umi masu), sake (salmon) or maguro (big eye tuna). Read full review here. 107 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 707-241-7580, sake107.com
Umé Japanese Bistro, Windsor
Tucked away in Windsor, Umé is the place that sushi connoisseurs talk about between themselves. The sushi is simple, minimal (not blobbed with wasabi or overly seasoned rice) letting the flavor of the fish express itself and sliced generously without being overdone. 8710 Old Redwood Highway, Windsor, 707-838-6700, umebistro.com
Kiraku Sushi & Ramen, Santa Rosa
Impressive “utility” sushi from this relative newcomer in the Santa Rosa Junior College neighborhood, formerly known as Ippinn Sushi & Ramen. By “utility,” I mean Wednesday afternoon California rolls, veggie tempura and tonkatsu ramen with a girlfriend rather than Friday night, once-in-a-blue-moon, break-the-bank sushi with Daiginjo sake. In my world, both are equally important. Kiraku Sushi is a sister restaurant to the nearby Ippinn Udon & Tempura. 1985 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-800-7699, kirakullc.com
Sushiko, Rohnert Park
With one of Northern California’s top sushi spots — Hana Japanese — just a mile away from this Rohnert Park sleeper, Sushiko has a lot to live up to. But this simple little sushi bar tucked quietly inside a floundering strip mall is getting lots of thumbs up from BiteClubbers who say it’s tops for everyday sushi cravings. 6265 Commerce Blvd., Suite 174, Rohnert Park, 707-585-2774.
Toyo, Santa Rosa
Presentation of everything from California rolls to simple Bento boxes are camera-ready, adding to the carefully-cultivated vibe of the spot. Nigiri and sashimi are fresh and spot-on. Rolls run an entire page, with the usual suspects – California, Alaskan, Rock & Roll, to wackier things with tempura and mangos, but we’re especially impressed by traditional vegetable maki with sweet tofu skin, natto, pickled radish or shitake mushrooms. 3082 Marlow Road, Santa Rosa, 707-527-8871, toyorestaurantsr.com
Haku Sushi, Santa Rosa
Located in downtown Santa Rosa, perilously near my office, this is my go-to, weekday sushi spot. I won’t lie, it can range from spectacular to lack-luster, but in general, things tend to be trending upward lately. Rolls are a specialty, and the names are worth the price of admission alone. Asking for a “Funny Feeling Down There” or “Silent But Deadly” is kind of priceless, no matter what’s inside. 518 Seventh St., Santa Rosa, 707-541-6359, hakusushi.top-cafes.com
Oishii Sushi, Santa Rosa
Recently a friend told me about this low-profile sushi bar and grill with a special takeout and delivery special — five rolls for $60. Despite my skepticism, they’re the best rolls — especially the Oishii hand roll with shrimp tempura and lobster — we’ve had in the last six months. Hands down. 1950 Piner Road, Suite 110, Santa Rosa, 707-308-4528, oishiisushibarandgrill.com
Raku Ramen, Santa Rosa
Sustainable sourcing, solid sushi and ramen. Read more here. 2424 Midway Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-623-9668, rakuramenandrolls.com
Otoro, Healdsburg
Healdsburg fave for a fast sushi meal. The massive menu includes everything from chef specials and Bento Boxes to sushi rolls and noodle soup. 1280 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-756-3932, otorohealdsburg.com
Bluefish Sushi & Grill, Santa Rosa
Where I take my kids for a big sushi boat dinner. Good quality, reasonable prices. 2700 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-791-7233, bluefishsantarosa.menu11.com
Paradise Sushi, Various Locations
All-you-can-eat utility sushi. Read more here. Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park and Petaluma, paradisesushi.net
