Sushi is one of Japan’s most popular and recognizable dishes, and for good reason. While raw fish, rice, wasabi, and soy sauce make up the typical ingredients we all know and love, sushi has also been influenced by the cultures it’s interacted with, especially here in the United States. For example, the California roll was invented by a Japanese chef in Los Angeles who used avocado when he ran out of tuna. This roll appealed to local tastes by using a fruit common in California, albeit unknown to Japan — and would later become popular around the country.
We found five Westchester restaurants that add a new twist to the sushi experience — such as sushi prepared in new and innovative ways, paired alongside other cultural dishes, influenced by Mexican cuisine, and incorporating unique ingredients. Perhaps one day these sushi rolls will become just as much of a staple as the California roll. For now, you get to stay ahead of the trend right here in the 914.
Dai Sushi
8 Pleasantville Rd, Pleasantville; 914.769.0638
Dai Sushi grew from a tiny joint in Pleasantville, which mostly flew under the radar, to a local sensation. The Westchester restaurant uses fresh ingredients to serve flavorful sushi and non-sushi menu items.
Dai Sushi is all about the specialty rolls, such as the Shaggy Dog Roll, made with shrimp tempura topped with sweet crabmeat, spicy mayo, and eel sauce, that customers love. While you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, the Roll of Mexico stands out for its original flavor and culinary blend. As the name implies, this roll is inspired by Mexican cooking, made with scallops, red onion, and a cream cheese wrap with tortilla, ikura, baby greens, and a jalapeno topping.
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Exit 4 Food Hall
153 East Main St, Mount Kisco; 914.241.1200
Exit 4 Food Hall serves a variety of cuisines, from Italian to Asian to Mexican, meaning everyone in your group will be satisfied. As far as sushi goes, Exit 4 has developed the sushi burrito and the sushi donut, using the typical flavors of sushi, but in a new style.
For the donut, “the inspiration came from us making mozzarella and mac and cheese doughnuts that are still on our menu now,” says Isi Albanese, chef and owner of Exit 4. “Then I worked with the sushi chef to develop the sushi donut.”
This savory ring is as colorful as it is flavorful, made of white rice filled with spicy tuna, then topped with salmon, tuna, avocado, masago (fish roe), and sesame seeds (white and black).
As for the sushi burrito, Albanese says it “came from wanting a larger sushi roll that was inspired by our chicken burrito.”
This burrito is a giant handroll made with spicy tuna, cucumber, avocado, mixed greens, caviar, carrots, red pepper, and crab meat. If you choose to stop by Exit 4, make sure you bring your appetite!
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Haiku Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar
149 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains; 914.644.8887
Haiku Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar brings together cuisines from all over East and Southeast Asia, such as Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian, and, of course, Japanese. Some of the Westchester sushi bar’s specials include the Unagi Don lunch, which is toasted eel over a bed of sushi rice, or the Tekka Don lunch, which is slices of tuna over a bed of sushi rice.
What we really recommend, however, is one of the chef’s signature rolls, such as the rainbow tobiko roll with yellowtail, salmon, and avocado on the inside and four different kinds of caviar on the outside. Or, opt for the passion roll, with spicy crunchy tuna, spicy salmon, spicy yellowtail, spicy crab stick, and avocado on the inside. The outside is wrapped with tuna and formed into a heart shape.
Shiraz Kitchen & Wine Bar
80 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains; 914.345.6111
Shiraz Kitchen & Wine Bar offers a Persian-Mediterranean menu with recipes passed down from the mother of the owner, Reza Parhizkaran. Offerings include falafel, kabobs, and hummus alongside a robust wine list that’s perfect for events, catering, or just enjoying a meal with family and friends in an elegant environment.
Alongside Persian and Mediterranean cuisine, there is a sushi bar which serves familiar rolls such as California and spicy tuna alongside innovative rolls for when you want to try something new. The Monster, for example, is made with shrimp tempura, cucumber, and avocado and topped with eel and avocado. If you’re in the mood for spice, the yellowtail and scallop roll is made with spicy yellowtail and cucumber-topped scallops.
The most popular sushi roll, however, is the Shiraz Special. It’s made with salmon, tuna, and avocado and topped with tuna, salmon, and yellowtail. This dish is sure to have you coming back for more.
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Wild Fusion Asian Sushi Grill & Bar
1922 E. Main St, Mohegan Lake; 914.528.8888
Wild Fusion is a restaurant with a passion for bringing authentic, innovative flavors which combine traditional dishes with a modern, sophisticated twist. The eatery serves a fusion of Thai, Chinese, and Japanese cuisines.
The inspiration for the sushi rolls at this Westchester spot stems from a desire to create something unique by mixing traditional Japanese ingredients with unexpected influences from around the globe, staff say.
Some of the unique sushi offerings include Tuna on Fire, which pairs tuna, cucumber, jalapeno, mango, and onion in orange yuzu sauce. Visitors can also try the fusion special rolls, such as the dragon roll (eel and cucumber on the inside and avocado, tobiko, and eel sauce on the outside) or the Hawaii roll (shrimp, mango, crunch, cucumbers, and scallions on the inside and spicy tuna, avocado, and tobiko on the outside).
