Nashville’s sushi scene has no business being as good as it is. A landlocked city in Tennessee shouldn’t have multiple serious contenders for best Japanese food in the South, but here we are. The answer depends entirely on what you’re looking for, because the options now range from wood-fired omakase to half-price happy hour rolls in a punk rock basement.
The Serious Answer: Noko
If you want one name, it’s Noko at 701 Porter Rd in East Nashville. Executive Chef Dung “Junior” Vo has landed consecutive James Beard Award semifinalist nominations in 2024 and 2025, which is not something Nashville restaurants typically pull off twice. The wood-fired approach distinguishes Noko from every other sushi spot in the city. Vo runs fish through a live-fire process that adds a smokiness you won’t find in conventional sushi preparation. The tuna crispy rice and East Side shrimp are the plates people talk about most, but the wagyu brisket reveals how far Noko strays from straight sushi while still centering the menu on Japanese technique. Reservations are essential on weekends.
The Omakase Option
If you want the most serious experience in the city, Kase x Noko (707 Porter Rd, essentially next door to Noko) runs a 14-course rotating omakase tasting menu. This is the room for fish-forward diners who want a chef-driven progression rather than ordering from a menu. It books out well in advance.
The New Arrivals Worth Watching
Two 2025 openings shifted the landscape. Sushi-san planted itself in 12 South, bringing a concept from Chicago helmed by Master Sushi Chef Kaze Chan. The restaurant’s old-school hip-hop soundtrack and precise knife work make for a fun experience that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Sushi Row opened in the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood as a Colorado transplant focused on fresh fish sourcing. Both are still establishing track records but have started well.
The Hidden Happy Hour
Punk Wok in Sylvan Supply runs half-price sushi from 3 to 6pm daily. The subterranean izakaya vibe and the pricing make it one of the more underrated spots in the city for casual sushi without the full-price commitment. It’s the kind of place regulars know about that most visitors miss entirely.
The Mid-Range Case
O-Ku offers a multi-course tasting menu with A5 Wagyu and a more traditional upscale Japanese approach. Sunda at 592 12th Ave S runs a Southeast Asian-influenced menu that mixes dim sum with sushi, with the tuna truffle pizza being the dish people mention most. International Market (Arnold Myint) covers pan-Asian territory and incorporates Japanese preparation into a broader menu.
The short version: book Noko for the best meal, Kase x Noko for the most serious experience, Punk Wok for the best deal, and Sushi-san if you want the newest room in the city that’s generating real buzz.
Sources
- Noko restaurant profile and James Beard Award semifinalist lists, 2024 and 2025
- Nashville Scene and Nashville Lifestyles reviews of Noko, Sushi-san, Sushi Row
- Punk Wok happy hour details via venue website
- Kase x Noko via Eater Nashville
- Sunda Nashville menu via sundanashville.com