Tora Japanese Restaurant
Opened in 2017, this Chinatown spot is where fish aficionados go to get their sushi fix. It isn’t fancy, but what Tora lacks in pomp and circumstance it amply makes up for with execution. There are nigiri and roll options available, but the specialty here is kaisen-don rice bowls topped with an assortment of fresh raw fish. Tora isn’t afraid to cook up unusual takes on sushi, either, like grilled yellowtail collar, or a hamachi sashimi drizzled with sesame dressing and a hint of truffle oil. There are also some poke bowls and hot entrées like teriyaki broiled eel over rice on the menu.–––
Lola 42
A sister restaurant to Nantucket favorite Lola 41, Lola 42 is far from traditional, and instead stands for what American sushi has become today: global. The thesis of this restaurant is “cuisines from the 41st parallel,” which feels like more of a suggestion than a strict parameter. The menu here spans fabulous sushi, yes, but you’ll also find international dishes like Korean beef bulgogi, cavatelli bolognese, and indulgent lobster fried rice. It’s a curation that will leave sushi snobs reeling, but somehow, against all odds, works—which is why Lola 41 continues to expand with new locations in Naples, Florida, as well as in the White Elephant hotels in both Palm Beach and Aspen.
Matsunori
There’s an unwritten rule that restaurants in Fenway like to keep things moving—patrons in this part of town often have Red Sox games or concerts at MGM Music Hall to catch. So the no-reservations spot Matsunori fits right in. The specialty here is hand rolls made to order and served one at a time, so you can eat each one by hand while the nori is still crisp. But don’t presume that since this isn’t a three-hour omakase experience that any corners have been cut. Quite the opposite: fish is treated as the main star here, and rice is never used as filler; and the ingredients are exceptional, down to the A5 wagyu sourced from co-owner Kevin Liu’s family farm in Miyazaki, Japan.
Akami Omakase
Venture over to Coolidge Corner in neighboring Brookline and you’ll find Akami Omakase, an unpretentious omakase counter beloved by locals. In terms of value, this is probably your best bet for a proper omakase experience in Boston—with thirteen courses coming in at $89 per person and sixteen for $109. The room is small and cozy, and the experience is chef-led, with the focus on the fish and the progression of flavors. There might be non-traditional flourishes here and there such as blow-torched sushi, but the overall experience leans more old school than not.
