Roll into International Sushi Day with these 7 Columbia dishes
Aarik Danielsen
On a good plate of sushi, lovely, refreshing flavors conspire to satisfy the appetite.
Columbia knows good sushi, leaving diners plenty of options if they elect to celebrate International Sushi Day as it approaches June 18 — or treat many other days like sushi holidays.
Here are just seven promising sushi rolls within our city limits. There are many other quality options in Columbia, from freestanding restaurants to surprisingly good grocery-store fare. Note that price and availability are always subject to change.
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Geisha — Rainbow roll
What it is: Don't just settle for a California roll, but top it with salmon, tuna, tilapia, escolar fish, steamed shrimp and avocado.
Price: Check menu
Location: 804 E. Broadway
Website:https://www.geishasushibar.com/
I Am Korean BBQ and Sushi — Aloha roll
What it is: Hang with fried shrimp as they school with avocado, asparagus, Japanese mayo, eel sauce and sesame seeds.
Price: $13.99
Location: 4603 John Garry Drive No. 3
Website:https://www.iamkoreanbbq.com/
Jina Yoo's — Tia roll
What it is: Get spicy with this vibrant collection of flavors: salmon, squid salad, jalapeno, chili oil, sriracha and togarashi pepper, which is akin to a chili.
Price: Check menu
Location: 2200 Forum Blvd., No. 108
Website:https://www.jinayoos.com/
Kampai Alley — Coo Coo Nest
What it is: What's inside matters — but so does what's outside this roll. Salmon, tuna and crispy sweet potato top a roll containing kani, a crab-like meat, cream cheese and avocado.
Price: $16
Location: 907 Alley A
Website:https://kampaialley.com/
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Love Sushi — Mizzou Tiger Roll
What it is: Let a number of flavors collide with spicy tuna, cucumber and shrimp tempura rolled, then topped with pepper-seared tuna and shrimp.
Price: $13.50
Location: 2101 W. Broadway, Suite S
Website: https://lovesushimo.com/columbia/
Osaka — Spicy tuna roll
What it is: Sometimes you want to keep things simple — and spicy — and this classic flavor profile fits the bill.
Price: $7.15
Location: 120 E. Nifong Blvd.
Website:https://osakajapanesecm.com/
Sake — Dancing Marlin
What it is: Enjoy hamachi — sometimes known as Japanese amberjack — along with tempura shrimp and asparagus rolled and topped with chili oil and unagi sauce.
Price: $18
Location: 16 N. Tenth St.
Website:https://sakejapanesebistro.com/
Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@columbiatribune.com or by calling 573-815-1731. He's on Twitter @aarikdanielsen.