Sushi take-over of Jerusalem

by: Rebecca

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Just a few weeks ago, it was very difficult to come across sushi in Jerusalem, especially kosher sushi. Apparently, not anymore. It’s as if someone heard me wanting sushi and I got my wish - but did they take it too far? These sushi restaurants are starting to pop up in every Jerusalem neighborhood, including taking over what used to be a cute little cafe called Faza in the Katamon/Palmach neighborhood. I loved Faza - with their TV entertainment system in the bathroom and wireless internet. :( But I also like sushi. What to do.

Here’s the list of kosher sushi restaurants in Jerusalem I’ve come across. You can find more details and coupons at Eluna and rest.co.il. In case you’re too cold to leave your house, I’ve included the phone numbers since most of them offer delivery. I put them in order of the ones I want to try out. How’s that for organization. Oh, and in case you’re not in Jerusalem and want sushi, here’s the master Israel sushi list.

  • Japanika Sushi bar, Shlomzion Hamalka, city center, 02-624-7530
  • Osaka, 1 Helene Hamalka Russian compound, off of Yaffo, 02-623-3787
  • Korea House 23 Yoel Salomon, by Kikar Zion, 02-624-3355
  • Ginger’s Noodle Bar 103 Herzl Blvd, Kikar Denya, Beit HaKerem, 077-2114440
  • Sushi Bar Rehavia 21 Azza Street, Rehavia, 02-566 7477
  • Sushi Bar Rehavia Takeout (in Katamon?!) corner of Palmach and Mivze Kadish: 02-567-1791
  • Soya, Rahel Imeinu 1, German Colony, 02-5666777
  • Gong, 33 Yaffo St, Downtown, 02-6250818
  • Yoja 25 Emek Refaim Street, German Colony, 02-5611344
  • Sheyan 8 Ramban Street, Rehavia, 02-561 2007
  • Yakimonotoo Sushi Bar David Citadel Hotel, 7 King DavidSt, 02-621-1111
  • Fridays at The Hadar Mall in Talpiot, Pierre Koening St.
  • Little stand by the shuk - on Agrippas St. by Pashut Zol supermarket
  • Tamago, 48 Emek Refaim, 077-515-0140
  • Sushi Bar, where Faza was, corner of Mikve Kadesh and Palmach

Betayavon. In Japanese, of course.

January 23, 2008 | Essentials, Jerusalem Scene, Wisdom Gained | Comments

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15 Responses to “Sushi take-over of Jerusalem”

  1. Posted by: aliyah06 - 01/24/2008

    I’ve eaten at Sheyan and Yoja — Sheyan has wonderful Chinese, albeit a bit Americanized (ask for some extra ‘charif’ if you like Szechzuan style–they brought us hot chili oil to help with the hotness). Don’t know about sushi…

    Yoja is a waste of money if you’re looking for authentic Chinese or Japanese–very bland, very “New Jersey,” the kind of food made for the NJ suburbs where no one has a clue what authentic Japanese and Chinese taste like. (Apologies to NJ folks–there are wonderful things about NJ, but I’m from SF and have very definite ideas of what constitutes good wine and good food.)

    I’m trying to talk the Husband into trying Tamago since it just opened, but I’m not getting anywhere…the man hates fish, so the idea of fish wrapped in seaweed and rice just does NOT appeal to him. So if you get there soon, post a review, okay?

  2. Posted by: Israelity » Sushi? Don’t mind if I Do - 01/24/2008

    […] Big Felafel’s Rebecca writes that there’s been a noticeable sushi restaurant upsurge in Jerusalem… These […]

  3. Posted by: Rebecca - 01/24/2008

    Aliyah06 - I actually did get to eat at Tamago with my friend who treated me to dinner :) and thought it was pretty good although I might not be the best review person since I always try to order the cheapest thing on the menu. I got the miso soup which was decent and then a tuna roll and my friend got the salmon and avocado roll which turned out to be a much better choice. If I remember correctly the rolls were about 28 shekels each and the miso soup was 16. Not sooo steep, but not so filling either.

    Regarding the NJ thang, I’m actually from NJ and enjoy the food made specifically for the NJ suburbs - it helped me adjust quicker in Israel.

    Here’s my latest theory on Asian/ethnic food in Israel. Instead of copying actual Asian food, they’re imitating the American version of Asian food which might explain why the food you are served in a restaurant never quite measures up to what you were expecting. This pretty much applies to every other ethnic food too (ie. Big Apple Pizza).

    For now, I’m stickin’ with Sabich.

  4. Posted by: aliyah06 - 01/28/2008

    “Here’s my latest theory on Asian/ethnic food in Israel. Instead of copying actual Asian food, they’re imitating the American version of Asian food…”

    THIS explains everything! This thought crossed my mind briefly a few months back, but then I banished it with “Nawww…who would do THAT!?” But at tzodeket!! It covers everything but the Moroccan food, and even that is a bit toned down compared to the home-made stuff!

  5. Posted by: Where’s the Mexican food? | the big felafel - 02/27/2008

    […] a month ago, Rebecca (my co-blogger and skinny friend), exposed the sushi takeover in Jerusalem. Like a lot of people, she was happy to see Jerusalem swimming in seaweed. But me-I am still […]

  6. Posted by: TJ - 02/28/2008

    Ok, I think I may be talking about Osaka - but I cant remember the place. Its next to Cafe Hillel (the one across from The coffee bean and tea leaf) Just off yaffo…anyways they have a great business meal - 16 pieces of sushi plus a drink for 34 sheks. (they’ve got more expensive meals too) anyways it was well made and tasty. and they allowed me to swop the egg (egg is sooo not japenese) for avocado. Lat year I went to gong for sushi and it wasnt so great, and quite expensive….

  7. Posted by: TJ - 02/28/2008

    oooo, also, there is a new place on emek - yet again the name escapes me. Haven’t tried it…but there you go, it’s there!

  8. Posted by: TJ - 02/28/2008

    oh oops, its been posted…my bad!

  9. Posted by: Rebecca - 02/28/2008

    TJ - welcome and thanks for the great tip. Now I definitely want to try out Osaka.

  10. Posted by: devorah - 02/29/2008

    the best sushi i’ve had yet is “domo” on shamai downtown (as far as jerusalem goes). the atmosphere and service is great too.

  11. Posted by: TJ - 03/04/2008

    Thanks - love the blog by the way! I think your next list should be off great coffee places - the non-generic type! (This suggestion is no coincidence, it’s my birthday on Friday and I could think of nothing worse than going to cafe Hillel etc!)

  12. Posted by: Rebecca - 03/04/2008

  13. Posted by: sars a - 04/14/2008

    Nice list although i think you should have been more critical - Japanika is cheap indeed and so is their food- i went twice and its unedible!!!frozen fish is not my style!!!
    osaka, tamago and gong are out of my list sorry, they sell junk and im not going to eat it only cause its lamehadrin!
    The only place i like and go there very often is DOMO at Shami St just down the road from McDonalds. they dont have teuda, they open on shabbat, their food is kosher and hey, its just like having sushi in the states for me.
    highly recommended!

  14. Posted by: Debi_zyx - 04/29/2008

    Since we (hubby and I) only eat at places with a teuda, our favourites are Sushi Bar Rehavia on Azza, and the Monday evening “eat as much as you can” at the David’s Citadel (on other nights their a la carte is delicious but VERY expensive).
    By the way, the new Sushi Bar Rehavia that took over from Phaza is going to be the take-away version, with the same menu, as the one of rechov Azza.
    We like Yoja for most of what they have EXCEPT the sushi.
    We really really don’t like Sheyan - we find it pretentious, many of the dishes were smothered with an identical sauce, so you couldn’t tell the difference between them, and definitely not worth the money. And Tomago was only so-so - I was under-impressed.

  15. Posted by: Rebecca - 04/29/2008

    thanks for the update and an honest review Debi, i’ll add the take out to the list.

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