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Sushi Kosho, Sebastopol: Chef Jake Rand is obsessed with authentic Japanese food and studied for years in Japan. Hands down, his sushi tops my list as perfectly seasoned, perfectly formed and perfectly impressive. Go for the Nigiri “set” with nine pieces of fish and a six-piece tekka maki. The space is comfortable to grab a lunchtime sushi plate or hunker down with a bottle of sake for a lengthier visit. Read full review here. 6750 McKinley St., Sebastopol, 707-827-6373, koshosushi.com. (Heather Irwin)
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Snapper sushi at Sushi Kosho in Sebastopol. (Heather Irwin)
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Shige Sushi, Cotati and Sonoma: Shige Sushi in Cotati is a bento-box sized sushi bar with just 22 seats, including the bar. Despite the diminutive size, the Japanese owners have cracked the code on affordable yet luxe Japanese favorites with authentic karaage (fried chicken), spicy poke salad, top-notch nigiri and sashimi and a laundry list of rolls (including plenty of gaijin-style mayonnaise/fried rolls). Open Tuesday through Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday. A large kitchen has expanded Shige Sushi's offerings in Sonoma. Read full review here. 8235 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati; 19161 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-933-9331, shige-sushi.com. (Alvin Jornada)
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Toki Roll at Shige Sushi. (Alvin Jornada)
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Hana Japanese, Rohnert Park: This Rohnert Park restaurant consistently tops my list both for service and sake bar, as well as their always-fresh fish flown in from Japan. The late owner Ken Tominaga, who died in May 2022, ensured the authenticity at the restaurant is spot on, training the staff to teach guests about the traditional Japanese cuisine Hana serves. 101 Golf Course Drive, Rohnert Park, 707-586-0270, hanajapanese.com. (Jeff Kan Lee)
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Asahi Sushi, Healdsburg: Owner Nobuyuki Asahi grew up in Japan and spent many hours with his grandparents at the famed Toyosu fish market in Tokyo. He insists on both local and imported Japanese fish, mostly seasonal, for his restaurant. The difference in his delicate hamachi, buttery tuna, creamy scallops and velvety Mendocino uni make Asahi one of my top five in Sonoma County. 335 Healdsburg Ave., 707-395-0487, asahisushiandkitchen.com. (Courtesy of Asahi Sushi)
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Tiger Roll at Asahi Sushi in Healdsburg. (Nobuyuki Asahi)
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Chef's omakase nigiri at Asahi Sushi in Healdsburg. A sister restaurant, Asahi Ramen, has opened in Healdsburg. (Nobuyuki Asahi)
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Sake 107, Petaluma: Put yourself in the chef’s hands with the five-piece nigiri. Personally, we wish we’d doubled or tripled that. There’s not a stinker in the bunch, but don’t miss the Hokkaido uni, ocean trout (umi masu), sake (salmon) or maguro (big eye tuna). Read full review here. 107 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, 241-7580, sake107.com. (Heather Irwin)
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Melts in your mouth roll at Sake 107 in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin)
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Special roll at Sake 107 in Petaluma. (Heather Irwin)
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Umé Japanese Bistro, Windsor: Tucked away in Windsor, Umé is the place that sushi connoisseurs talk about between themselves. The sushi is simple, minimal (not blobbed with wasabi or overly seasoned rice) letting the flavor of the fish express itself and sliced generously without being overdone. 8710 Old Redwood Highway, Windsor, 838-6700, umebistro.com. (John Burgess)
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Kinka Sushi, Petaluma: A Petaluma sushi spot with rave reviews and a focus on high quality fish. Omakase tastings include specific toro, tuna and salmon, Hokkaido scallops and deep-sea snow crab. 1410 S. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, 707-778-1872, kinkasushipetaluma.com. (Christopher Chung)
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The Bento Box served at Kinka Sushi in Petaluma, with salmon teriyaki, tonkatsu and California rolls with snow crab. (Christopher Chung)
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Kiraku Sushi & Ramen, Santa Rosa: Impressive “utility” sushi from this relative newcomer in the Santa Rosa Junior College neighborhood, formerly known as Ippinn Sushi & Ramen. By “utility,” I mean Wednesday afternoon California rolls, veggie tempura and tonkatsu ramen with a girlfriend rather than Friday night, once-in-a-blue-moon, break-the-bank sushi with Daiginjo sake. In my world, both are equally important. Kiraku Sushi is a sister restaurant to the nearby Ippinn Udon & Tempura. 1985 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-800-7699, kirakullc.com. (Courtesy of Ippinn Sushi)
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Sushiko, Rohnert Park: With one of Northern California’s top sushi spots — Hana Japanese — just a mile away from this Rohnert Park sleeper, Sushiko has a lot to live up to. But this simple little sushi bar tucked quietly inside a floundering strip mall is getting lots of thumbs up from BiteClubbers who say it’s tops for everyday sushi cravings. 6265 Commerce Blvd., Suite 174, Rohnert Park, 707-585-2774. (Yelp)
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Toyo, Santa Rosa: Presentation of everything from California rolls to simple Bento boxes are camera-ready, adding to the carefully-cultivated vibe of the spot. Nigiri and sashimi are fresh and spot-on. Rolls run an entire page, with the usual suspects–California, Alaskan, Rock & Roll, to wackier things with tempura and mangos, but we’re especially impressed by traditional vegetable maki with sweet tofu skin, natto, pickled radish or shitake mushrooms. 3082 Marlow Road, Santa Rosa, 707-527-8871, toyorestaurantsr.com. (Jeff Kan Lee)
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Haku Sushi, Santa Rosa: Located in downtown Santa Rosa, perilously near my office, this is my go-to, weekday sushi spot. I won’t lie, it can range from spectacular to lack-luster, but in general, things tend to be trending upward lately. Rolls are a specialty, and the names are worth the price of admission alone. Asking for a “Funny Feeling Down There” or “Silent But Deadly” is kind of priceless, no matter what’s inside. 518 Seventh St., Santa Rosa, 707-541-6359, hakusushi.top-cafes.com. (Courtesy of Haku Sushi)
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Oishii Sushi, Santa Rosa: Recently a friend told me about this low-profile sushi bar and grill with a special takeout and delivery special — five rolls for $60. Despite my skepticism, they’re the best rolls — especially the Oishii hand roll with shrimp tempura and lobster — we’ve had in the last six months. Hands down. 1950 Piner Road, Suite 110, Santa Rosa, 707-308-4528, oishiisushisr.square.site. (Yelp / Melissa S.)
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Raku Ramen, Santa Rosa: Sustainable sourcing, solid sushi and ramen. Read more here. 2424 Midway Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-623-9668, rakuramenandrolls.com. (Chris Hardy)
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Otoro, Healdsburg: Healdsburg fave for a fast sushi meal. The massive menu includes everything from chef specials and Bento Boxes to sushi rolls and noodle soup. 1280 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-756-3932, otorohealdsburg.com.
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Bluefish Sushi & Grill, Santa Rosa: Where I take my kids for a big sushi boat dinner. Good quality, reasonable prices. 2700 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-791-7233, santarosabluefish.com. (Heather Irwin)
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