Sushi Trail: Top 9 Restaurants in New Delhi

The floodgates for sushi opened in Delhi when Three Sixty Degrees at The Oberoi and Sakura at Connaught Place opened their doors close to a decade ago. Sushi in the capital city finally started pleasing the diner’s discerning palate, and traditional chefs were shocked. How could Indians be eating raw fish? As we traveled and were exposed to food across the world, we even became picky – sushi has to be just right, not fall apart, fresh and easy to pick up with chopsticks. A masterpiece in its own right. Fast forward to 2016 and you can even get your sushi fix when hunger strikes at midnight. Oh Delhi, you’ve come too far! With some of the city’s best restaurants catering to our growing fondness for Japanese fare, it’s a tough choice to make, but we come to your rescue with our curated shortlist. And if you’re a true sushi aficionado, you will truly appreciate these 9 high quality sushi dining experiences in the city.
 
9. Yum Yum Cha
Cost for Two: Rs. 1850Breaking away from the luxe stereotype of a Japanese restaurant, Yum Yum Cha is a 42-seater (read: compact) casual restaurant located in Saket's buzzing Select Citywalk Mall. This extension of the Yum Yum Tree family exudes a playful, happy vibe, and offers one of the widest selections of sushi and sashimi in the city. The kitchen at YYC churns out freshly rolled and perfectly balanced sushi, a cleverly presented and value for money Nigiri Sushi Tree, and a mean California Roll. Their nouvelle Enoki Tempura is divine too, but I admit, I have a soft corner for their Dynamite Roll. From the city's first sushi conveyor belt to our first origami-themed restaurant, the team behind brand Yum Yum has indeed created yet another eatery that merits repeat visits and a loyal following.8. Three Sixty Degrees, The Oberoi
Cost for Two: Rs. 6000Everything about this restaurant's decor and ambiance is built as a prelude to the food that follows. Don’t let the multi cuisine menu with Thai, Italian, North Indian, Mediterranean and Japanese dishes distract you from what you’ve set out to find – fabulous sushi. This under-rated cafe has a silent weapon, or at least serves some mind-blowing sushi. It offers the 5 star experience you are looking for, featuring an extensive sushi menu boasting of fresh Tuna, Yellow-tail,  Salmon and Soft Shell Crab. Don’t miss out on their signature Prawn Tempura Maki. And their California Roll? It’s perfection!
 Cost for Two: Rs. 1800Ever so often a restaurant emerges in the capital city that tumbles over the playing cards and shakes up the natural order. Arguably one of the best places to devour a plateful of baos; the beauty of Fatty Bao is that it does not aim to amaze you with panache or frills, it’s just really good food. And the sushi? It's the stuff dreams are made of. If this were a Harry Potter book, Chef Manu Chandra would surely be the Minister of Magic! Surrender yourself to his expertise and you will emerge wiser having seen a whole new dimension to Asian food, one you never knew existed. No one does a Spicy Mushroom Sushi Roll better than Fatty Bao, and their Asparagus Tempura & Cream Cheese Roll is delectable. Skip the usual Prawn Tempura and order the Tuna Gunkan and Smoked Salmon and Dill. Side note: The food here is a fun take on classic Asian dishes so don’t hold them to ransom if it's not authentic.
 6. Fuji, Connaught Place
Cost for Two: Rs. 2000At Fuji, the menu is perplexing, the prices are modest and the result is divine. The piece-de-resistamce here is the sushi, hands down. Each piece of sushi, whether the velvet-smooth salmon or the crunchy spicy tuna, begs you to go back for more. Believe it or not, Fuji calls the Spicy Salmon Roll, their ‘Goa Roll’ and the Teriyaki Chicken is the ‘Delhi Roll’, while the ‘Mumbai Roll’ is Ebi and Crab Stick Roll. The Prawn and Cucumber Ebi-Kyu Maki explodes with flavour. This is not a culinary fantasy, we promise. This is as real as it gets. Uncompromising and unapologetic. It has been a long-time favourite for Japanese-food lovers in the city, and for some - a hidden gem.
 
5. En, Ambawatta One, Mehrauli
Cost for Two: Rs. 3500As the hostess ushers you into a sea of chic and calm, En instills in you a kind of gentle reassurance; a feeling that you’re in for some seriously great food. The décor of this 100-year-old building is contemporary and smart with straight lines and makes you feel right at home. However, the food remains the star here. Have you ever eaten a cloud before? Because that’s what their rice tastes like, incredibly light on the palate and the stomach. Opt for their Chicken Tatsuta-Age Roll, Ebi Tornado and Asparagus Tempura Maki spruced up with cream cheese and a hint of wasabi. First, I marvelled at the myriad textures and flavours released with each bite, then at its rapid disappearance! This is my all-but-one favourite sushi spot in Delhi. Heavy on the pocket, but worth every penny. Do also try the Sashimi platter while you’re there, it’s mildly spicy with the perfect amount of citrus.
 
4. Guppy by Ai, Lodhi Colony
Cost for Two: Rs. 2600Everything that restaurateur A.D. Singh creates, turns into gold. And Guppy by Ai is just another example of that. It’s a quirky Japanese bistro, with décor so vibrant and colorful - you feel like you’ve wandered onto the pages of an anime cartoonist’s sketch pad. I do love the Pork Belly here, but the sushi is what makes me a regular at the restaurant. It’s amazing to find special places where food is created and presented as an art. The Chef prepares the sushi in front of you, and when you pop the roll in your mouth, it is the fresh and honest flavours that woo you. I often find the wasabi in India to be lacking in its signature ‘kick’ – not a problem here as they make their own. You must try their Edamame California Roll, Spicy Salmon Roll and Shrimp Tempura. It’s a fusion of flavours that makes this restaurant different from the likes of En and Sakura. And did you know: Their tuna is sourced from the Andaman’s?
 Cost for Two: Rs. 7500If you want the uber good stuff, we’ve got 3 words for you - Wasabi by Morimoto. Enough said.
It’s the gold standard for Japanese food in India, and if not my favourite restaurant per se, then it’s certainly my go-to sushi restaurant in New Delhi. Each dish here stems from the field of contemporary Japanese cuisine and is nothing short of spectacular. While other restaurants rely on heavy sauces, some even deep frying to mask questionable quality of ingredients, the food at Wasabi hides behind no such garb - celebrating flavors in their pure state. The sushi here is superlative and the live demonstration of wasabi being freshly grated in front of you adds a nice touch too. Warning: Your true devotion to sushi will come at a steep price here. So if you’re dining with a group of 8 or more, opt for Wasabi’s private dining for a private chef and exclusive access to their personalized choice of sushi. We highly recommend their Salmon Avocado Sushi Rolls, Shrimp Tempura Maki, Nigiri Sushi, and Eel Rolls. Yes, Wasabi spells luxury, and the food here is celebrated as an art. Itadakimasu!