Make a reservation! The waitress was stunned when we said we didn't have one. She was nice after that though and sat us at a great table. All I got was a mushroom roll and a cucumber roll because I'm not a huge sushi fan but the rest of my table got real sushi and loved it. In addition to the fresh tuna nigiri, they splurged on something fried and tasty called a tempura something or other and it was on their specials board, sorry I'm not more specific, but even though I'm not a seafood lover, it looked good. Prices are average, and no happy hour. Next time, I want to sit at the bar and watch the experts do their thing.
(4)
Mike S.
The sushi is not worth the wait. Me and my wife waited for 2hrs for food . The service was terrible , place is to dis organized , no point of making a reservation like they tell u , they have no clue what's going on . Me and wife eat sushi all the time and this was by far the worst place period .
(1)
Carlos H.
Kaisen Sushi seems to be very highly recommended on Yelp so I was really excited when my friends and I finally made it there, but I was a little disappointed when I finally got my sushi after the wait. I ordered their California Roll with imitation crab, it wasn't very delectable and when I dipped it in the soy sauce it tasted worse. I ended up giving away my Spider Roll to my friends because I didn't like it at all. I also had their Sylvia's Special which is like a salmon & cream cheese Roll with green onions. Not a nice complement, their green onions didn't add flavor and the salmon a big disappointment because I almost always love salmon rolls at sushi restaurants. I had their fried calamari as well, which was okay, but after a few bites I found myself not wanting much more and ended up giving that way too. Service was on-par, food came little by little but not too slowly. Overall it was alright...I had a few things that were not good and a few things that were average, but I'd rather spend my money somewhere else.
(2)
Janine A.
By far the best sushi in Tampa. The service may sometimes be slow, so go prepared to wait a little. This is not always the case, but it's worth the wait. The kid's plate is a great deal and wonderful way to introduce your child to Japanese cuisine. Ask for the kid's chopsticks too. They will set you up with trainers. Reservation recommended. The restaurant is small.
(5)
Diana L.
This rating is purely on the service. I have no idea as to the quality of the food. We came here on a Saturday evening and the place was fairly crowded. After waiting a minute or so, we were greeted and told that the only seats were at the sushi bar.. fine. We sat down at the bar and waited and waited and waited. While sitting there we looked at the sushi roll menu in the plastic stand... my menu was dirty (disgusting). It didn't seem like a good selection of rolls. Nobody came to give us a menu or ask if we wanted drinks. So we ended up asking the sushi chef and he had to ask one of the girls. She finally come over with a menu and asked if we wanted drinks... a coke and iced green tea. Drinks never came and we noticed that our 'waitress' was roaming around the dining area but still did not have our drinks. After waiting a few more minutes, we decided to leave and walk out. Thankfully, we found Sushi Alive down the road.
(2)
Christy S.
Best sushi in Tampa! We have been looking for a good quality (fresh fish and rice) sushi restaurant in tampa, this is it! Family owned and good service. Prices are good, especially for the quality in the fish you are getting. Try the blue crab roll it's very good, we have also had good uni, salmon, tuna, yellowtail and surf clam here.
(5)
Kevin A.
Fish is flown in from Japan, and was recomended to me by other chefs and industry friends. Order off the white board specials and you won't be dissapointed. I was very pleased
(4)
Jessica M.
We love Kaisen. It's the best sushi I have had in the Carrollwood/Citrus Park area. Service is great and both it and the food are always consistently top notch. It can be a bit pricey, but that is to be expected for quality sushi.
(5)
Emily K.
I have very simple tastes when it comes to sushi. While some may prefer their rolls dolloped with heavy cream sauces or tempura-fried, my taste buds find the true merit of any sushi restaurant lies in the salmon roll and the spicy tuna roll. For those with tastes like mine, there is no comparison to Kaisen Sushi. I like my dining atmosphere to also be un-dolloped with extra froofiness. Kaisen is a simple and pleasant place to eat. The servers and chefs are always interactive and friendly (usually with a playful helping of sass). It is easy to focus on food and friends when my brain isn't being blasted with the canned music of every other Asian food restaurant , as if there were some sort of "Asian Restaurant Classics" CD they mail out when you open for business. Kaisen's atmosphere is perfect and matches their expertly-executed sushi. Even for a sushi connoisseur, Kaisen has unique menu options you probably haven't tried before. the Spicy Sea Bug in particular is my favorite--order this adventure in a bowl and you will soon lock gazes with three bug-eyed, fully in-shell shrimp staring at your from their spicy-sweet-sour bath. The shrimp are cooked to perfection with unparalleled flavor. This dish is certainly an experience to remember.
(5)
Lance C.
Dale Mabry Tour de Sushi Continues! Typical strip mall sushi joint ambiance, and I don't mean that in a bad way. A few booths along one side, a few tables in the front and a "L" shaped sushi bar in the back corner. I headed straight to the sushi bar and was greeted by the sushi chef. Took a few minutes for the waitress to acknowledge us, a few minutes more before she brought the menus, a few minutes more to take our order (a trend is developing - plus I was there after the lunch time rush, so it was only about 25% full). Finally ordered, they have a two roll and salad lunch special for $9. The special comes with a Cali roll and a choice of others, I went with the spicy tuna for consistency sake, and added tuna and yellow tail nigiri. Took forever to get the salad, the sushi chef actually had to say something to the waitress - not so good. The salad was not typical, romaine replaced iceberg for the lettuce, it had shaved carrots and the dressing was not the normal ginger - points for the lettuce, taken away for the weak dressing. Sushi was delivered promptly by the sushi chef once the salad was finished. The rolls were pretty good, the Cali was half regular (imi crab, avo and cuke) and half a crab salad. The spicy tuna is ordered on a heat scale, I went with "8", it wasn't that hot, about right. The flavor was pretty good, the rolls were a little on the sloppy side, but not too much. The tuna was a lean piece, good flavor, a little on the the thick side. The rice had a good texture and flavor. Yellow tail was a darker than normal selection, but again not bad. Never had an offer to refill my glass. Took a while to get the check, but was turned fairly quickly. Overall the food rated a solid "4", but the service is sadly lacking. Will probably try again, hoping they get the service tighter.
(3)
Dana S.
I did not like the service there and the sushi wasn't anything special. I don't know why it has so many good reviews. I would rather go to Sushi Alive which is down the street from this.
(1)
Ben V.
Not only the best sushi in Tampa but dare I say the country. There, I said it!
(5)
Vinny T.
Visited Kaisen with some friends on a Friday evening. It's a typical strip center sushi joint; small in size with the bare essentials for decor and white washed walls. We were a party of five with varied items, everyone pleased. I ordered Edamame and the Sashimi Mori-Awase as a Tuna/Salmon mix 75/25 for $12 and received a great dozen or so pieces. The fish was fresh, cool, brightly colored and tasted excellent. The service was OK. Could have been a bit more attentive, esp. for refills and when we were ready to close out. Considering people were lining up at the door they could have turned our table 10-15 minutes quicker. Overall: Great food and a good experience in an uninspiring atmosphere.
(3)
Jen L.
Sushi is good, kitchen food is really good too. I like the fact, they have a changing board menu of specials. However, service can be quite slow.
(4)
A M.
This place is hidden in a strip mall off of Bearss and N.Dale Mabry. It's pretty small and quiet. Has a sushi bar as well as booths and tables to eat. The sake is great annd the sushi is very good. The service was ok, the sushi speaks more for this place than the service.
(3)
Annette G.
This is a very, very, very good sushi place. What they lack in decor, ambiance and exotic drinks, they more than make up for very tasty, super fresh food. Once again, strip mall sushi out paces the standalone, sushi chic places. You won't find a list of a hundred rolls that basically feature the same meat in different combinations. You will find a list of rolls with thoughtfully paired meats and veggies as well as a very impressive and unique selection of menu of items. For instance, the tuna tatake dish I shared. It was lightly seared tuna in ponzu and chili sauce. Whenever you order something spicy, you can ask for it in a range of hotness from 1-10. My dinner companions warned about going above 8, so we stayed there. The dish was fantastic, lots of tuna and sliced cucumbers. The ponzu was sweet and salty, the chili was there but not super strong. After dinner we concluded we could've gone 10 on it (or perhaps... 11?!) but we really like super spicy food. All the rolls were excellent, but I was really digging a veggie roll, tempura sweet potato and asparagus. Yum. Check the special board for things like monk fish liver and giant clam. When those things come in, they go fast. And by fast, I mean, the regulars even request phone calls and email alerts... Kaisen is a sushi diamond in the rough. I'll definitely be going back for more!
(5)
James H.
Freshest sushi around but price is very high if you don't go for lunch. Very good service on top of amazing food.
(5)
o m.
Yes, Tampa has a lot of mediocre sushi. Niri described character's of Kaisen well. My mouth is watering. Kaisen is strip mall non attractive looking place, first time I was at Kaisen standing at parking lot and I questioned myself "are you sure you want to really go inside?". It turn out to be the best sushi in Tampa with beautiful warm sweet rice. Very reasonably priced, wonderful flesh authentic sushi taste. I recommend it. 4 and 1/2 stars
(5)
Nuri G.
I've had lots of mediocre sushi in Tampa. From SB in Ybor City to CB near the stadium, there's a lot of just average... or restaurants trying too hard to be fusion. I grew up near Tampa, and every time I come back, there's only one requirement as far as dining -- I have to get in to see Ryo at Kaisen Sushi. Kaisen is a little known secret that Tampa has been hiding for years. Ryo initially opened over by Harpos, further south on Dale Mabry than their current location. I went in for the first time in 1999, and have been a repeat customer ever since, dining there sometimes twice a week. In all my years of eating at Kaisen, I've never once been disappointed. In fact, they know me by name now and I get that personal of service that keeps me coming back. Here are my highlights: Appetizer: Calamari -- I can't say enough about this stuff. It's not your typical frozen rings, this stuff is FRESH. They saute large chunks octopus, not just rings or tentacles, in a delicious sauce that has a mild tangy flavor to it. It's then topped with bonito flake, green onion, and a lemon. I could eat calamari appetizers as a meal and walk away satisfied... Stuffed Mushrooms -- Forget everything you know about stuffed mushrooms. Ryo takes large mushrooms, stuffs them with crab meat, tempura batters, and deep fries them. They're then coated with what I think is ponzu sauce for a delicious creation. Nigiri: One of my personal favorites is the zuke tuna. Ryo takes the best cuts of Tuna and marinates them in what I believe to be sesame oil, rice vinegar, and soy sauce, for about three days. The fish changes consistency and flavor, and becomes just ridiculously good. You have to try it. Ryo's fish selection and cuts are the absolute best in Tampa, in my opinion. He hand-selects everything, and he's committed to culinary excellence. You really can't go wrong. Rolls: My personal favorite, although not containing raw fish, is the Cynthia's Vegetable Tempura roll. The kitchen takes asparagus and sweet potatoes, tempura batters, then deep fries them. These scrumptious veggies are then rolled up and served with a side of ponzu sauce. It's HEAVENLY. The spicy tuna is by far the best I've ever had as well. Most restaurants pulverize the tuna or use shoddier quality of fish. Ryo takes his sushi tuna, cubes it, and mixes it with spicy sauce. You don't feel like you're eating some strange mush -- it has consistency, texture, and above all, great flavor. Dessert: I love the green tea ice cream. It's that simple. They also carry "Red Bean" ice cream, but I tend to stay away from that. It's a little too weird for me. For all you non-sushi lovers, they do a delicious cooked salmon and chicken teriyaki. I can't recommend Kaisen Sushi enough, that's plain and simple. If you're a first time sushi-er, or a seasoned expert, stop into Kaisen and prepare to be wowed. They also organize a yearly fishing trip, and I hear a lot of people have had a really good time on these excursions. You'll always see Ryo making sushi, and his Dad and sometimes his wife are there working to keep the place running smoothly. GO! NOW (unless it's Sunday or Monday)! DO IT! :-)
(5)
Sue G.
Thanks fellow Yelpers for leading me to this place! We are tired of the same menu from our regular sushi place so, I searched your reviews and tried this place. Outstanding service! The no-name roll was so yummy! The dog ate my homework was my daughter's favorite! Go figure... They had wonder sashimi tuna and a super rainbow roll. Nothing fishy here! Just fresh! Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Nemo L.
Kaisen is hands-down the best sushi place in Tampa. If I had to write about the food alone this would definitely be a 5 star review. I've been coming here off-and-on since it was next door to the K-Mart in the old Mission Bell plaza. I like it so much that I'm almost cagey about writing a good review. The ambiance is really simple, which is perfectly fine for a sushi joint to go minimalistic. It lets you know Kaisen is all about the food quality. If you're going to come here, come here to eat. * Their stuffed mushrooms are the best stuffed mushrooms I've had anywhere. * Their meat is always incredibly fresh. * Servings are generous. * Sushi is incredibly affordable. They have a handful of specialty rolls that appeal to the Tampa palate--such as grouper and tempura-fried-everything for you fat southerners. The Biscuit Roll & Dog Ate My Homework are guilty pleasures--but I actually prefer to just order nigiri or sashimi and keep it basic. Kaisen seems to be strongest in elements of simplicity (and don't confuse "simple" for "not flavorful" or "unsophisticated"). The only bad thing about Kaisen is service is decent at best and horrendous at worst. I believe one of the main waitresses is the owner's wife, and while she's nice, uhh, waitressing isn't her forte. Definitely don't come to Kaisen if you're in a rush--but if you're hanging out with friends and passing time, those slow food and drinks will come before you know it. But don't let the one star off for service and timeliness turn you off--if you want amazing sushi--come to Kaisen.
(4)
Brian C.
An excellent place to get no frills, fresh sushi in Tampa. I don't need my sushi done up in mayo and special sauce, I appreciate a good piece of delicious fresh fish and this is certainly a great place for it. I recommend sitting at the bar, getting to know Ryo San and finding out the best eating for the day and getting whatever he recommends.
(4)
Jason C.
Great food! I love their miso marinated, grilled mackerel. They also have a lot of fresh sushi options.
(4)
David H.
I have come back a number of times since my first review and I think Kaisen deserves a bump in rating. Whenever we come we usually just go with the omakase, where you set your price point, anything you want in particular or don't want (we always say no imitation krab) and then just let the chef do his thing with everything else. Although pointing out things you like or don't like kind of defeats the meaning of omakase.. it is not as formal here so that ensures you are happy with what is to come. On our last visit the chef had ankimo (monkfish liver) and we decided to give it a try. Since we asked for our omakase to all be nigiri, the monkfish liver was served as nigiri. Although, I don't think this is the typical way it is served, it was great! If you enjoy foie gras torchon or terrine, you will enjoy monkfish liver. The chef says he only gets it in a couple of times a year so we got lucky. I think next time we will try it how it is typically served, which is by itself with daikon, scallions, and ponzu sauce. That actually sounds better than being served as nigiri. Kaisen, may not appeal to some people because they don't have any crazy sauce drenched rolls. So if you are one of those BASIC people who love sauce drenched rolls... go to Koizi and stuff your BASIC face there. Pro Tip: He gets uni (sea urchin) early in the week, so if you are craving uni try to go earlier in the week. I usually go on the weekends, so I always miss out. :(
(5)
Wendy C.
My husband and I love the food here! They make something called a chop chop that has raw fish, cucumbers and a special sauce. This is my hubby's favorite. Mine is the volcano roll. It is a California roll with cream cheese stacked with a baked crab mixture. No one else makes it this way. It's amazing. Prices are reasonable. Small place so call ahead for a table on a weekend night. Enjoy!
(5)
Christopher K.
This place is always amazing, one of the best sushi places in tampa. Dog ate my homework is a must. More people need to frequent this restaurant.
(5)
James I.
The SFA3 World tour stops in Japan... Kaisen, like 4 rivers, is surprisingly closer than I thought. It is in a strip mall with Michael's goods and a Nutrition s'mart just south of the Bearss/Dale Mabry intersection. The decor is somewhat understated. It is clean and has a intimate feeling (on a weekday evening).I had 2 servers rotating but they were nice and prompt with food/drinks etc. Bonus points to the one who presented the omakase;she rattled off the entire list and description without error. You can tell it there are many regulars b/c one of the chefs is very gregarious, talking to the customers like long time friends. I've been to sushi places in Tampa,St Maarten, Detroit, and Chicago. I fall straight in the middle of being the sushi experience graph. I tend to be somewhat conservative and get 3 maki rolls, with 2 special and one simple. However, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and try the Omakase (chefs choice)at the 35 dollar level (I generally spend about 30 US give or take at sushi restaurants). I had 2 plates for the Omakase. The first was a mixture of cups filled with roe/other fish, sashimi, and nigiri. Usually Im pretty meticulous at remembering what I ate. The server told me everything in great deal but I couldnt remember it lol. I posted a picture if you want to try and ID it . I liked the "cups" the best, very flavorful especially the roe and the 2nd/3rd cups from the left side. The sashimi was the second best they were very melty in your mouth and yummy. The nigiri was solid, but loses to the other two. The second plate of omakase was an eel roll. This had a nice sauce (perhaps Ponzu?) and very flavorful. I was still hungry , so I ordered the Okonimiyaki on a whim. Man this thing is huge! I was expecting a dinky IHOP pancake. While seafood and pancake screams GI dysfunction, I found it an excellent combo. It was served piping hot and I inhaled the little that I could finish Note: It takes about 22-23 minutes minimum and is $11 but its worth it. There are 2 schools of thought wiith sushi. Some prefer American style sushi with many sauces and lots of combinations of fish, and some some prefer a more Japanese style with minimal sauce and just 1-2 fish. I cant say which is better;I like some of both. The fish quality is very good all around. The omakase and okonimiyaki are new experiences for me. Kaisen is better than many Tampa restaurants, but not the absolute best I've ever had. That honor goes to Toro Sushi in Chicago. (See my review. Blatant plug) The prices were very fair regarding the rolls. IIRC, the most expensive roll is about 12, whereas other Tampa specialty roll tend to go into the 15-16 range. I would come back to Kaisen though in the future. You should too.
(4)
Jef S.
I moved from Los Angeles 10 yrs. ago and tried every sushi bar in tampa until i found Kaisen then down the street about a mile. another reviewer said it best " A diamond in the rough" except no more rough. Ryo and gang always make my meals so mouth watering that I'm always leaving thinking when will i be back. LOVE the Scallop cups.
(5)
Steve E.
Kaisen Sushi is a very good sushi restaurant in northern Carrollwood - right off Dale Mabry at the intersection of Ehrlich Road. Kaisen is in the same shopping center as Nutrition S'mart and Miller's Ale House of Carrollwood. The restaurant is small, as are most good sushi restaurants; but the mood is more lively than the traditional quiet and subdued atmosphere. Every time that I've visited Kaisen the crowds are talking loudly back and forth between other people seated at the sushi bar and yucking it up with the sushi chefs. There seems to be a group of regulars who are in there each weekend, and they kind of take over the sushi bar. That can be a bit annoying if you're trying to have a conversation with the Itamae (sushi chef). The sushi is quite good, though limited in selection so it is common for them to run out of various choices as the evening wears on. My suggestion is to get there earlier in the evenings before the regulars show up and the selection grows thin. I prefer sashimi (slivers of raw fish) with some nigiri (raw fish served on top of a ball of rice), and steer clear of the Americanized sushi rolls which are loaded with fake Krab, cream cheese, and sweet sauces. Bletch! I've noticed that the regular crowd seems to prefer rolls, and they bark out their orders while talking over the other patrons. Since I've eaten at Kaisen a number of times I was comfortable asking the chef to go off-menu with me and prepare an omakase meal. Omakase literally means entrust; and you are basically telling the chef that you are placing your trust in his hands to show off his knife skills and to prepare the best possible sushi meal of his choosing. You set a price point with the chef, discuss your likes and dislikes, and then turn him loose to select from the available fish and seafood in the cooler in front of him. Normally you receive a series of small plates which are amazing works of art, and the chef teases your palate as you move from lighter-tasting fish up through more intense flavors like uni and eel. If the chef knows your particular likes and dislikes they will craft special dipping sauces, spicy rolls, and fish eggs wrapped in nori seaweed strips, along with some amazing preparations which you're not likely to see on the average menu. Unfortunately Kaisen fell short in the preparation of my omakase meal. Perhaps they had already run out of several varieties of fish, or perhaps the chef was rattled by the mouthy broad in the corner who was yelling at him to hurry up and make her special roll because she had been waiting ten minutes....*sighs* Regardless I expected more of a magical treat, and less of their standard fare. I will definitely go back to Kaisen, but it will be earlier in the evening, and well before the regulars show up and take over the chef's attention.
(4)
Amanda L.
YES, YES and YES. Could not be more thrilled, but this is it folks - this is the place in Tampa to have sashimi and other raw fish deliciousness! After almost a year and a half of searching, and a lot of oversauced rolls, a 30 min drive led us to Kaisen. Absolutely 5 stars for Tampa. I'll be honest, it's likely a 3.5 to 4 star place in major cities, but in Tampa - this is it! All the sushi making is done by a father and son team, so entrees were slow to come out. We were more than happy to wait though. Hub got the sushi and sashimi dinner - it's a lot of food! The "cups" that came with the dinner were filled with unique mixes of fish and sauces. I had the chirashi and it was wonderful to finally have good sashimi! We will definitely be back. Highly recommend if sashimi/nigiri is your thing.
(5)
Christy T.
Kaisen is now my FAVORITE sushi place in Tampa. I really do mean it. I now don't have to cross i4 often to satisfy my sushi fix. Plus, my fiance, the sushi connoisseur, can now visit me more in tampa, instead of me going to orlando :)). He now has no excuse to not come down if he has a sushi craving! It's a win win situation for me hehe. What makes Kaisen so different from other sushi places is their omakase. Unlike other places who asks that you call in advance if you want the omakase choice, Kaisen will let you order omakase on the spot. In addition, unlike other omakase menus, at Kaisen you choose the price (minimum of $25), and you tell them what you like and don't like; the omakase will revolve around your likings. And yes, the pricing you choose is not per person :). We decided to do a $60 omakase which we told the server that we like uni, ikura, squid, octopus, more sashimi and nigiri, no KRAB, and the rest for the sushi chef to surprise us. It's quite amazing how the sushi chef could think on the spot on what to do for our omakase, while handling other orders. We got 5 entrees in total. First dish: flounder sashimi with a miso vinegar sauce (i think I tasted ginger too) topped with scallions. Really good. Super good. Second dish: an octopus and squid cucumber salad, topped with masago and a sweet/tangy dressing . Love the texture, reminded me of vietnamese goi. Yum yum in my tum tum. Third dish: a large portion sashimi dish consisting of: Yellowtail, AJ, Tuna, FATTY salmon, Trout. This is the first place where I see fatty salmon used (instead of other salmon chunks) for a sashimi dish..but then its omakase. *DROOOL Fourth dish: A sushi roll/nigiri dish: Our sushi roll was the sylvia roll (Salmon, Avocado, G.O.) and our nigiri was: ikura, uni, seared salmon, and flounder. What can I say, it was all good. But the roll wasn't rolled tightly so it broke sometimes. *DROOOOOL Fifth and final dish: two eel nigiri topped with this seasoning. I was full by the fourth dish, so I let my fiance devour both of it. 0:) Overall, this meal was VERY good. I will go back again and again. I don't know if I'll order from the main menu because if you know what you like, and want to try something different, go with omakase. Trust me. It's worth it. Very fresh fish. Very. The only minor con is that our waitress was sort of clueless on what we are eating, when my fiance asks questions about the dishes being presented to us. I kind of understand that its up to the chef to tell the waitress whats on the dish, but in my head since its omakase, and its basically the chef's choice/creations, its ok that he doesn't tell the waitress. Since its omakase, you decided to trust the chef, and you should eat whatever the chef gives you...with no questions asked...that's what I think. :)
(5)
Brett N.
Why 3 stars? Because this is your average sushi experience. --- --- --- I came here at the recommendation of Yelper pal, Christy T, who claimed Kaisen to be the #1 sushi spot in Tampa Bay. Unfortunately all I walked away with was the knowledge that our taste buds do not see eye to eye. I went with the chef's choice sushi dinner, because I wanted to get the best of the best, and I fear nothing. Unfortunately, I found it to be rather unforgettable. Not to claim Kaisen, because it wasn't a bad experience, but nothing about what I ate screamed, "I must return!"
(3)
Tatum M.
Best sushi in Tampa if you like authentic sushi. There aren't a ton of fancy rolls, but it is meticulously executed with perfect rice and quality cuts of fish. Really happy we found this place.
(5)
Katherine W.
Here's all you need to know about Kaisen Sushi: the fish is so fresh that they run out of fish every night. Ponder that for a moment. Few other tips: it's in a strip mall, but who cares. It's clean. The service is a little slow, but there's only 2 waitresses, and the 2 sushi chefs make everything themselves. Come in with a relaxed attitude, take your time, enjoy your sushi. Make a reservation. Seriously. Larger parties will have to come early (see above- they run out of fish). Get the chef's choice- he will pick the best of the best for you. This isn't Samurai Blue. It's authentic & super fresh. If you really love sushi, it's the best place in town.
(5)
Adam A.
BEST. SUSHI. IN. TOWN. The place itself doesn't look like anything special; a few table and a sushi bar. However, the fish is always fresh and well prepared. If you're into sauces and fish combinations in a single roll, this might not be the place for you. The chirashi is priced very well during lunch and the portions are generous. For an authentic Japanese restaurant in town, this is it.
(5)
Arne A.
Let me start by saying that I've had sushi from all over the world, different states (including Nebraska and Arizona lol), and from a lot of different restaurants in Tampa. This place, HANDS DOWN, is the best sushi restaurant in the Tampa area. I'm a traditionalist when is comes to sushi though, and this is as close to traditional Edo style sushi that you can get in the area. That being said, if you're looking for the average western style sushi house that has a long list of fancy rolls covered with sauces and decorations then this probably isn't the place for you. They do have some pretty awesome specialty rolls though. I always start judging sushi with the rice and Kaisen has it perfected. Seasoned just right and kept at the perfect temperature with excellent texture. The fish is fresh and seasoned/aged perfectly. Keep an eye on the specials board, there's usually at least one great special item on there from monkfish liver to fresh uni to toro. They keep everything simple which is what I always look for in sushi. Stick with nigiri and you can't go wrong. As far as special rolls go get the volcano...usually a gimmicky roll at other places, theirs is just special. I don't usually eat cooked food at a sushi house but theirs is surprisingly good. At other sushi restaurants the cooked food is usually overlooked and it isn't here. The price is the best you'll find anywhere in Tampa for the quality of the food. No $1 rolls here lol chirashi for lunch hits the spot for under $15. It's a small restaurant but I would recommend it to anyone looking for really really good sushi in Tampa. The chefs and servers are all really nice and helpful especially if you're new to sushi. My one complaint is that they sometimes close early if they run out of rice/fish on busy nights, but I don't mind if it keeps the quality up. Don't be put off by the unassuming location and simple storefront. This is one if Tampa's hidden jems. Highly recommended!
(5)
Will C.
I think if you are going to be closed you should let your customers know! I called and your answering machine doesn't even have a notice. We drove 45 minutes since neither on your website nor answering machine noted that you were closed only to find a note on your door that says "We are closed, we will see you soon" Hopefully this wont deter me from coming by in the near future since the reviews are great.
(1)
Kevin F.
Very tasty. What's more to say? The rolls were a good portion and were prepared well. There wasn't as much variety as I would have liked, though, and not much extra effort was spent on presentation, but I felt it was decent for the cost.
(3)
Axis S.
NOTE: That door is locked from 2pm to 5pm -- there are a couple of places to kill time at near by if you're a little early (traffic was better than expected), so it wasn't a big deal. Walked in, shown a nice table. The place is clean, sparse, well laid out, no offensive smells, tile floor, blacks and natural wood decor. Nice space, they've done a great job with the strip mall confines. Staff are in comfortable basics, no faux kimonos or hopi coats -- so far, so good! Menu: This place has a active online presence, so do check the internets for daily specials and updates, but there's also a Specials board at the end of the sushi bar. On the printed menu I noticed a good number of what I call "a la" dishes, or items that had people's names attached to them -- most were variations on known classics, and that suits me just fine. I like it when a chef or an inspired customer make a dish their own and share the results. On the specials board, I saw "Fish Wings," got curious, asked, and ordered a small ($4.95). It was a tempura fried pectoral fin sauced with a sweet-spicy glaze, and it ROCKED. Firm, moist, perfect fish, fins left attached and fried crisp, tempura still slightly crispy under the glaze. You're going to be dodging some bones, of course, just like chicken wings, but the dish was a great start to the meal. Then two Salmon Skin hand rolls (off-menu) to see how those came out. The Nori was crisp, the Salmon skin broiled excellently with a decent amount of meat still attached, and the pack/form of the cone was very well done. Basic skills: passed handily. Time to see what the kitchen could do. Okonomiyaki ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ok… ) ($8.95) -- Took a while (10-12 minutes?), as it should, and it came out on a hot iron pan saved from the utter Hell that is Chili's fajita slinging. I'm a serious okonomiyaki fan, and this one was excellent -- browned perfectly, solid sauce, good amount of seafood that was cooked to firmness but not chewy, and the batter had tastes of daikon and dashi, as it should. At about nine buck it is the food bargain of the year! Had half of it for lunch today, and it still was good eating. I'm definitely going back to start working through the nigiri and rolls, probably just sit at the bar next time and do "chef's choice" for an evening. Seriously looking forward to it. Highly recommended, and a good value.
(4)
Ben B.
The service was inexcusably slow. While the kitchen staff moved at a leisurely snail's pace, the servers were frantically running around apologizing for how long the food was taking. Our server interrupted us in the middle of taking our order to answer the cordless phone in her pocket, then walked away while still talking. She returned several minutes later to finish with us. How nice. Neither the soup nor salad were remarkable. The volcano roll -that I ordered as a starter- didn't show until after the entree arrived, and it was a giant sloppy mess of cream cheese and stuck-together, lukewarm rice. The teriyaki chicken was the only redeeming part of the meal but sadly wasn't enough to keep me from swearing this place off.
(1)
James I.
The SFA3 World tour stops in Japan... Kaisen, like 4 rivers, is surprisingly closer than I thought. It is in a strip mall with Michael's goods and a Nutrition s'mart just south of the Bearss/Dale Mabry intersection. The decor is somewhat understated. It is clean and has a intimate feeling (on a weekday evening).I had 2 servers rotating but they were nice and prompt with food/drinks etc. Bonus points to the one who presented the omakase;she rattled off the entire list and description without error. You can tell it there are many regulars b/c one of the chefs is very gregarious, talking to the customers like long time friends. I've been to sushi places in Tampa,St Maarten, Detroit, and Chicago. I fall straight in the middle of being the sushi experience graph. I tend to be somewhat conservative and get 3 maki rolls, with 2 special and one simple. However, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and try the Omakase (chefs choice)at the 35 dollar level (I generally spend about 30 US give or take at sushi restaurants). I had 2 plates for the Omakase. The first was a mixture of cups filled with roe/other fish, sashimi, and nigiri. Usually Im pretty meticulous at remembering what I ate. The server told me everything in great deal but I couldnt remember it lol. I posted a picture if you want to try and ID it . I liked the "cups" the best, very flavorful especially the roe and the 2nd/3rd cups from the left side. The sashimi was the second best they were very melty in your mouth and yummy. The nigiri was solid, but loses to the other two. The second plate of omakase was an eel roll. This had a nice sauce (perhaps Ponzu?) and very flavorful. I was still hungry , so I ordered the Okonimiyaki on a whim. Man this thing is huge! I was expecting a dinky IHOP pancake. While seafood and pancake screams GI dysfunction, I found it an excellent combo. It was served piping hot and I inhaled the little that I could finish Note: It takes about 22-23 minutes minimum and is $11 but its worth it. There are 2 schools of thought wiith sushi. Some prefer American style sushi with many sauces and lots of combinations of fish, and some some prefer a more Japanese style with minimal sauce and just 1-2 fish. I cant say which is better;I like some of both. The fish quality is very good all around. The omakase and okonimiyaki are new experiences for me. Kaisen is better than many Tampa restaurants, but not the absolute best I've ever had. That honor goes to Toro Sushi in Chicago. (See my review. Blatant plug) The prices were very fair regarding the rolls. IIRC, the most expensive roll is about 12, whereas other Tampa specialty roll tend to go into the 15-16 range. I would come back to Kaisen though in the future. You should too.
(4)
Christopher K.
This place is always amazing, one of the best sushi places in tampa. Dog ate my homework is a must. More people need to frequent this restaurant.
(5)
Jef S.
I moved from Los Angeles 10 yrs. ago and tried every sushi bar in tampa until i found Kaisen then down the street about a mile. another reviewer said it best " A diamond in the rough" except no more rough. Ryo and gang always make my meals so mouth watering that I'm always leaving thinking when will i be back. LOVE the Scallop cups.
(5)
David H.
I have come back a number of times since my first review and I think Kaisen deserves a bump in rating. Whenever we come we usually just go with the omakase, where you set your price point, anything you want in particular or don't want (we always say no imitation krab) and then just let the chef do his thing with everything else. Although pointing out things you like or don't like kind of defeats the meaning of omakase.. it is not as formal here so that ensures you are happy with what is to come. On our last visit the chef had ankimo (monkfish liver) and we decided to give it a try. Since we asked for our omakase to all be nigiri, the monkfish liver was served as nigiri. Although, I don't think this is the typical way it is served, it was great! If you enjoy foie gras torchon or terrine, you will enjoy monkfish liver. The chef says he only gets it in a couple of times a year so we got lucky. I think next time we will try it how it is typically served, which is by itself with daikon, scallions, and ponzu sauce. That actually sounds better than being served as nigiri. Kaisen, may not appeal to some people because they don't have any crazy sauce drenched rolls. So if you are one of those BASIC people who love sauce drenched rolls... go to Koizi and stuff your BASIC face there. Pro Tip: He gets uni (sea urchin) early in the week, so if you are craving uni try to go earlier in the week. I usually go on the weekends, so I always miss out. :(
(5)
Wendy C.
My husband and I love the food here! They make something called a chop chop that has raw fish, cucumbers and a special sauce. This is my hubby's favorite. Mine is the volcano roll. It is a California roll with cream cheese stacked with a baked crab mixture. No one else makes it this way. It's amazing. Prices are reasonable. Small place so call ahead for a table on a weekend night. Enjoy!
(5)
Steve E.
Kaisen Sushi is a very good sushi restaurant in northern Carrollwood - right off Dale Mabry at the intersection of Ehrlich Road. Kaisen is in the same shopping center as Nutrition S'mart and Miller's Ale House of Carrollwood. The restaurant is small, as are most good sushi restaurants; but the mood is more lively than the traditional quiet and subdued atmosphere. Every time that I've visited Kaisen the crowds are talking loudly back and forth between other people seated at the sushi bar and yucking it up with the sushi chefs. There seems to be a group of regulars who are in there each weekend, and they kind of take over the sushi bar. That can be a bit annoying if you're trying to have a conversation with the Itamae (sushi chef). The sushi is quite good, though limited in selection so it is common for them to run out of various choices as the evening wears on. My suggestion is to get there earlier in the evenings before the regulars show up and the selection grows thin. I prefer sashimi (slivers of raw fish) with some nigiri (raw fish served on top of a ball of rice), and steer clear of the Americanized sushi rolls which are loaded with fake Krab, cream cheese, and sweet sauces. Bletch! I've noticed that the regular crowd seems to prefer rolls, and they bark out their orders while talking over the other patrons. Since I've eaten at Kaisen a number of times I was comfortable asking the chef to go off-menu with me and prepare an omakase meal. Omakase literally means entrust; and you are basically telling the chef that you are placing your trust in his hands to show off his knife skills and to prepare the best possible sushi meal of his choosing. You set a price point with the chef, discuss your likes and dislikes, and then turn him loose to select from the available fish and seafood in the cooler in front of him. Normally you receive a series of small plates which are amazing works of art, and the chef teases your palate as you move from lighter-tasting fish up through more intense flavors like uni and eel. If the chef knows your particular likes and dislikes they will craft special dipping sauces, spicy rolls, and fish eggs wrapped in nori seaweed strips, along with some amazing preparations which you're not likely to see on the average menu. Unfortunately Kaisen fell short in the preparation of my omakase meal. Perhaps they had already run out of several varieties of fish, or perhaps the chef was rattled by the mouthy broad in the corner who was yelling at him to hurry up and make her special roll because she had been waiting ten minutes....*sighs* Regardless I expected more of a magical treat, and less of their standard fare. I will definitely go back to Kaisen, but it will be earlier in the evening, and well before the regulars show up and take over the chef's attention.
(4)
Amanda L.
YES, YES and YES. Could not be more thrilled, but this is it folks - this is the place in Tampa to have sashimi and other raw fish deliciousness! After almost a year and a half of searching, and a lot of oversauced rolls, a 30 min drive led us to Kaisen. Absolutely 5 stars for Tampa. I'll be honest, it's likely a 3.5 to 4 star place in major cities, but in Tampa - this is it! All the sushi making is done by a father and son team, so entrees were slow to come out. We were more than happy to wait though. Hub got the sushi and sashimi dinner - it's a lot of food! The "cups" that came with the dinner were filled with unique mixes of fish and sauces. I had the chirashi and it was wonderful to finally have good sashimi! We will definitely be back. Highly recommend if sashimi/nigiri is your thing.
(5)
Christy T.
Kaisen is now my FAVORITE sushi place in Tampa. I really do mean it. I now don't have to cross i4 often to satisfy my sushi fix. Plus, my fiance, the sushi connoisseur, can now visit me more in tampa, instead of me going to orlando :)). He now has no excuse to not come down if he has a sushi craving! It's a win win situation for me hehe. What makes Kaisen so different from other sushi places is their omakase. Unlike other places who asks that you call in advance if you want the omakase choice, Kaisen will let you order omakase on the spot. In addition, unlike other omakase menus, at Kaisen you choose the price (minimum of $25), and you tell them what you like and don't like; the omakase will revolve around your likings. And yes, the pricing you choose is not per person :). We decided to do a $60 omakase which we told the server that we like uni, ikura, squid, octopus, more sashimi and nigiri, no KRAB, and the rest for the sushi chef to surprise us. It's quite amazing how the sushi chef could think on the spot on what to do for our omakase, while handling other orders. We got 5 entrees in total. First dish: flounder sashimi with a miso vinegar sauce (i think I tasted ginger too) topped with scallions. Really good. Super good. Second dish: an octopus and squid cucumber salad, topped with masago and a sweet/tangy dressing . Love the texture, reminded me of vietnamese goi. Yum yum in my tum tum. Third dish: a large portion sashimi dish consisting of: Yellowtail, AJ, Tuna, FATTY salmon, Trout. This is the first place where I see fatty salmon used (instead of other salmon chunks) for a sashimi dish..but then its omakase. *DROOOL Fourth dish: A sushi roll/nigiri dish: Our sushi roll was the sylvia roll (Salmon, Avocado, G.O.) and our nigiri was: ikura, uni, seared salmon, and flounder. What can I say, it was all good. But the roll wasn't rolled tightly so it broke sometimes. *DROOOOOL Fifth and final dish: two eel nigiri topped with this seasoning. I was full by the fourth dish, so I let my fiance devour both of it. 0:) Overall, this meal was VERY good. I will go back again and again. I don't know if I'll order from the main menu because if you know what you like, and want to try something different, go with omakase. Trust me. It's worth it. Very fresh fish. Very. The only minor con is that our waitress was sort of clueless on what we are eating, when my fiance asks questions about the dishes being presented to us. I kind of understand that its up to the chef to tell the waitress whats on the dish, but in my head since its omakase, and its basically the chef's choice/creations, its ok that he doesn't tell the waitress. Since its omakase, you decided to trust the chef, and you should eat whatever the chef gives you...with no questions asked...that's what I think. :)
(5)
Brett N.
Why 3 stars? Because this is your average sushi experience. --- --- --- I came here at the recommendation of Yelper pal, Christy T, who claimed Kaisen to be the #1 sushi spot in Tampa Bay. Unfortunately all I walked away with was the knowledge that our taste buds do not see eye to eye. I went with the chef's choice sushi dinner, because I wanted to get the best of the best, and I fear nothing. Unfortunately, I found it to be rather unforgettable. Not to claim Kaisen, because it wasn't a bad experience, but nothing about what I ate screamed, "I must return!"
(3)
Tatum M.
Best sushi in Tampa if you like authentic sushi. There aren't a ton of fancy rolls, but it is meticulously executed with perfect rice and quality cuts of fish. Really happy we found this place.
(5)
Arne A.
Let me start by saying that I've had sushi from all over the world, different states (including Nebraska and Arizona lol), and from a lot of different restaurants in Tampa. This place, HANDS DOWN, is the best sushi restaurant in the Tampa area. I'm a traditionalist when is comes to sushi though, and this is as close to traditional Edo style sushi that you can get in the area. That being said, if you're looking for the average western style sushi house that has a long list of fancy rolls covered with sauces and decorations then this probably isn't the place for you. They do have some pretty awesome specialty rolls though. I always start judging sushi with the rice and Kaisen has it perfected. Seasoned just right and kept at the perfect temperature with excellent texture. The fish is fresh and seasoned/aged perfectly. Keep an eye on the specials board, there's usually at least one great special item on there from monkfish liver to fresh uni to toro. They keep everything simple which is what I always look for in sushi. Stick with nigiri and you can't go wrong. As far as special rolls go get the volcano...usually a gimmicky roll at other places, theirs is just special. I don't usually eat cooked food at a sushi house but theirs is surprisingly good. At other sushi restaurants the cooked food is usually overlooked and it isn't here. The price is the best you'll find anywhere in Tampa for the quality of the food. No $1 rolls here lol chirashi for lunch hits the spot for under $15. It's a small restaurant but I would recommend it to anyone looking for really really good sushi in Tampa. The chefs and servers are all really nice and helpful especially if you're new to sushi. My one complaint is that they sometimes close early if they run out of rice/fish on busy nights, but I don't mind if it keeps the quality up. Don't be put off by the unassuming location and simple storefront. This is one if Tampa's hidden jems. Highly recommended!
(5)
Will C.
I think if you are going to be closed you should let your customers know! I called and your answering machine doesn't even have a notice. We drove 45 minutes since neither on your website nor answering machine noted that you were closed only to find a note on your door that says "We are closed, we will see you soon" Hopefully this wont deter me from coming by in the near future since the reviews are great.
(1)
Katherine W.
Here's all you need to know about Kaisen Sushi: the fish is so fresh that they run out of fish every night. Ponder that for a moment. Few other tips: it's in a strip mall, but who cares. It's clean. The service is a little slow, but there's only 2 waitresses, and the 2 sushi chefs make everything themselves. Come in with a relaxed attitude, take your time, enjoy your sushi. Make a reservation. Seriously. Larger parties will have to come early (see above- they run out of fish). Get the chef's choice- he will pick the best of the best for you. This isn't Samurai Blue. It's authentic & super fresh. If you really love sushi, it's the best place in town.
(5)
Kevin F.
Very tasty. What's more to say? The rolls were a good portion and were prepared well. There wasn't as much variety as I would have liked, though, and not much extra effort was spent on presentation, but I felt it was decent for the cost.
(3)
Axis S.
NOTE: That door is locked from 2pm to 5pm -- there are a couple of places to kill time at near by if you're a little early (traffic was better than expected), so it wasn't a big deal. Walked in, shown a nice table. The place is clean, sparse, well laid out, no offensive smells, tile floor, blacks and natural wood decor. Nice space, they've done a great job with the strip mall confines. Staff are in comfortable basics, no faux kimonos or hopi coats -- so far, so good! Menu: This place has a active online presence, so do check the internets for daily specials and updates, but there's also a Specials board at the end of the sushi bar. On the printed menu I noticed a good number of what I call "a la" dishes, or items that had people's names attached to them -- most were variations on known classics, and that suits me just fine. I like it when a chef or an inspired customer make a dish their own and share the results. On the specials board, I saw "Fish Wings," got curious, asked, and ordered a small ($4.95). It was a tempura fried pectoral fin sauced with a sweet-spicy glaze, and it ROCKED. Firm, moist, perfect fish, fins left attached and fried crisp, tempura still slightly crispy under the glaze. You're going to be dodging some bones, of course, just like chicken wings, but the dish was a great start to the meal. Then two Salmon Skin hand rolls (off-menu) to see how those came out. The Nori was crisp, the Salmon skin broiled excellently with a decent amount of meat still attached, and the pack/form of the cone was very well done. Basic skills: passed handily. Time to see what the kitchen could do. Okonomiyaki ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ok… ) ($8.95) -- Took a while (10-12 minutes?), as it should, and it came out on a hot iron pan saved from the utter Hell that is Chili's fajita slinging. I'm a serious okonomiyaki fan, and this one was excellent -- browned perfectly, solid sauce, good amount of seafood that was cooked to firmness but not chewy, and the batter had tastes of daikon and dashi, as it should. At about nine buck it is the food bargain of the year! Had half of it for lunch today, and it still was good eating. I'm definitely going back to start working through the nigiri and rolls, probably just sit at the bar next time and do "chef's choice" for an evening. Seriously looking forward to it. Highly recommended, and a good value.
(4)
Ben B.
The service was inexcusably slow. While the kitchen staff moved at a leisurely snail's pace, the servers were frantically running around apologizing for how long the food was taking. Our server interrupted us in the middle of taking our order to answer the cordless phone in her pocket, then walked away while still talking. She returned several minutes later to finish with us. How nice. Neither the soup nor salad were remarkable. The volcano roll -that I ordered as a starter- didn't show until after the entree arrived, and it was a giant sloppy mess of cream cheese and stuck-together, lukewarm rice. The teriyaki chicken was the only redeeming part of the meal but sadly wasn't enough to keep me from swearing this place off.
(1)
Adam A.
BEST. SUSHI. IN. TOWN. The place itself doesn't look like anything special; a few table and a sushi bar. However, the fish is always fresh and well prepared. If you're into sauces and fish combinations in a single roll, this might not be the place for you. The chirashi is priced very well during lunch and the portions are generous. For an authentic Japanese restaurant in town, this is it.
(5)
Nemo L.
Kaisen is hands-down the best sushi place in Tampa. If I had to write about the food alone this would definitely be a 5 star review. I've been coming here off-and-on since it was next door to the K-Mart in the old Mission Bell plaza. I like it so much that I'm almost cagey about writing a good review. The ambiance is really simple, which is perfectly fine for a sushi joint to go minimalistic. It lets you know Kaisen is all about the food quality. If you're going to come here, come here to eat. * Their stuffed mushrooms are the best stuffed mushrooms I've had anywhere. * Their meat is always incredibly fresh. * Servings are generous. * Sushi is incredibly affordable. They have a handful of specialty rolls that appeal to the Tampa palate--such as grouper and tempura-fried-everything for you fat southerners. The Biscuit Roll & Dog Ate My Homework are guilty pleasures--but I actually prefer to just order nigiri or sashimi and keep it basic. Kaisen seems to be strongest in elements of simplicity (and don't confuse "simple" for "not flavorful" or "unsophisticated"). The only bad thing about Kaisen is service is decent at best and horrendous at worst. I believe one of the main waitresses is the owner's wife, and while she's nice, uhh, waitressing isn't her forte. Definitely don't come to Kaisen if you're in a rush--but if you're hanging out with friends and passing time, those slow food and drinks will come before you know it. But don't let the one star off for service and timeliness turn you off--if you want amazing sushi--come to Kaisen.
(4)
Brian C.
An excellent place to get no frills, fresh sushi in Tampa. I don't need my sushi done up in mayo and special sauce, I appreciate a good piece of delicious fresh fish and this is certainly a great place for it. I recommend sitting at the bar, getting to know Ryo San and finding out the best eating for the day and getting whatever he recommends.
(4)
Jason C.
Great food! I love their miso marinated, grilled mackerel. They also have a lot of fresh sushi options.
(4)
Rachel H.
Make a reservation! The waitress was stunned when we said we didn't have one. She was nice after that though and sat us at a great table. All I got was a mushroom roll and a cucumber roll because I'm not a huge sushi fan but the rest of my table got real sushi and loved it. In addition to the fresh tuna nigiri, they splurged on something fried and tasty called a tempura something or other and it was on their specials board, sorry I'm not more specific, but even though I'm not a seafood lover, it looked good. Prices are average, and no happy hour. Next time, I want to sit at the bar and watch the experts do their thing.
(4)
Mike S.
The sushi is not worth the wait. Me and my wife waited for 2hrs for food . The service was terrible , place is to dis organized , no point of making a reservation like they tell u , they have no clue what's going on . Me and wife eat sushi all the time and this was by far the worst place period .
(1)
Carlos H.
Kaisen Sushi seems to be very highly recommended on Yelp so I was really excited when my friends and I finally made it there, but I was a little disappointed when I finally got my sushi after the wait. I ordered their California Roll with imitation crab, it wasn't very delectable and when I dipped it in the soy sauce it tasted worse. I ended up giving away my Spider Roll to my friends because I didn't like it at all. I also had their Sylvia's Special which is like a salmon & cream cheese Roll with green onions. Not a nice complement, their green onions didn't add flavor and the salmon a big disappointment because I almost always love salmon rolls at sushi restaurants. I had their fried calamari as well, which was okay, but after a few bites I found myself not wanting much more and ended up giving that way too. Service was on-par, food came little by little but not too slowly. Overall it was alright...I had a few things that were not good and a few things that were average, but I'd rather spend my money somewhere else.
(2)
Janine A.
By far the best sushi in Tampa. The service may sometimes be slow, so go prepared to wait a little. This is not always the case, but it's worth the wait. The kid's plate is a great deal and wonderful way to introduce your child to Japanese cuisine. Ask for the kid's chopsticks too. They will set you up with trainers. Reservation recommended. The restaurant is small.
(5)
Diana L.
This rating is purely on the service. I have no idea as to the quality of the food. We came here on a Saturday evening and the place was fairly crowded. After waiting a minute or so, we were greeted and told that the only seats were at the sushi bar.. fine. We sat down at the bar and waited and waited and waited. While sitting there we looked at the sushi roll menu in the plastic stand... my menu was dirty (disgusting). It didn't seem like a good selection of rolls. Nobody came to give us a menu or ask if we wanted drinks. So we ended up asking the sushi chef and he had to ask one of the girls. She finally come over with a menu and asked if we wanted drinks... a coke and iced green tea. Drinks never came and we noticed that our 'waitress' was roaming around the dining area but still did not have our drinks. After waiting a few more minutes, we decided to leave and walk out. Thankfully, we found Sushi Alive down the road.
(2)
Christy S.
Best sushi in Tampa! We have been looking for a good quality (fresh fish and rice) sushi restaurant in tampa, this is it! Family owned and good service. Prices are good, especially for the quality in the fish you are getting. Try the blue crab roll it's very good, we have also had good uni, salmon, tuna, yellowtail and surf clam here.
(5)
Kevin A.
Fish is flown in from Japan, and was recomended to me by other chefs and industry friends. Order off the white board specials and you won't be dissapointed. I was very pleased
(4)
Jessica M.
We love Kaisen. It's the best sushi I have had in the Carrollwood/Citrus Park area. Service is great and both it and the food are always consistently top notch. It can be a bit pricey, but that is to be expected for quality sushi.
(5)
Emily K.
I have very simple tastes when it comes to sushi. While some may prefer their rolls dolloped with heavy cream sauces or tempura-fried, my taste buds find the true merit of any sushi restaurant lies in the salmon roll and the spicy tuna roll. For those with tastes like mine, there is no comparison to Kaisen Sushi. I like my dining atmosphere to also be un-dolloped with extra froofiness. Kaisen is a simple and pleasant place to eat. The servers and chefs are always interactive and friendly (usually with a playful helping of sass). It is easy to focus on food and friends when my brain isn't being blasted with the canned music of every other Asian food restaurant , as if there were some sort of "Asian Restaurant Classics" CD they mail out when you open for business. Kaisen's atmosphere is perfect and matches their expertly-executed sushi. Even for a sushi connoisseur, Kaisen has unique menu options you probably haven't tried before. the Spicy Sea Bug in particular is my favorite--order this adventure in a bowl and you will soon lock gazes with three bug-eyed, fully in-shell shrimp staring at your from their spicy-sweet-sour bath. The shrimp are cooked to perfection with unparalleled flavor. This dish is certainly an experience to remember.
(5)
Lance C.
Dale Mabry Tour de Sushi Continues! Typical strip mall sushi joint ambiance, and I don't mean that in a bad way. A few booths along one side, a few tables in the front and a "L" shaped sushi bar in the back corner. I headed straight to the sushi bar and was greeted by the sushi chef. Took a few minutes for the waitress to acknowledge us, a few minutes more before she brought the menus, a few minutes more to take our order (a trend is developing - plus I was there after the lunch time rush, so it was only about 25% full). Finally ordered, they have a two roll and salad lunch special for $9. The special comes with a Cali roll and a choice of others, I went with the spicy tuna for consistency sake, and added tuna and yellow tail nigiri. Took forever to get the salad, the sushi chef actually had to say something to the waitress - not so good. The salad was not typical, romaine replaced iceberg for the lettuce, it had shaved carrots and the dressing was not the normal ginger - points for the lettuce, taken away for the weak dressing. Sushi was delivered promptly by the sushi chef once the salad was finished. The rolls were pretty good, the Cali was half regular (imi crab, avo and cuke) and half a crab salad. The spicy tuna is ordered on a heat scale, I went with "8", it wasn't that hot, about right. The flavor was pretty good, the rolls were a little on the sloppy side, but not too much. The tuna was a lean piece, good flavor, a little on the the thick side. The rice had a good texture and flavor. Yellow tail was a darker than normal selection, but again not bad. Never had an offer to refill my glass. Took a while to get the check, but was turned fairly quickly. Overall the food rated a solid "4", but the service is sadly lacking. Will probably try again, hoping they get the service tighter.
(3)
Dana S.
I did not like the service there and the sushi wasn't anything special. I don't know why it has so many good reviews. I would rather go to Sushi Alive which is down the street from this.
(1)
Ben V.
Not only the best sushi in Tampa but dare I say the country. There, I said it!
(5)
Nuri G.
I've had lots of mediocre sushi in Tampa. From SB in Ybor City to CB near the stadium, there's a lot of just average... or restaurants trying too hard to be fusion. I grew up near Tampa, and every time I come back, there's only one requirement as far as dining -- I have to get in to see Ryo at Kaisen Sushi. Kaisen is a little known secret that Tampa has been hiding for years. Ryo initially opened over by Harpos, further south on Dale Mabry than their current location. I went in for the first time in 1999, and have been a repeat customer ever since, dining there sometimes twice a week. In all my years of eating at Kaisen, I've never once been disappointed. In fact, they know me by name now and I get that personal of service that keeps me coming back. Here are my highlights: Appetizer: Calamari -- I can't say enough about this stuff. It's not your typical frozen rings, this stuff is FRESH. They saute large chunks octopus, not just rings or tentacles, in a delicious sauce that has a mild tangy flavor to it. It's then topped with bonito flake, green onion, and a lemon. I could eat calamari appetizers as a meal and walk away satisfied... Stuffed Mushrooms -- Forget everything you know about stuffed mushrooms. Ryo takes large mushrooms, stuffs them with crab meat, tempura batters, and deep fries them. They're then coated with what I think is ponzu sauce for a delicious creation. Nigiri: One of my personal favorites is the zuke tuna. Ryo takes the best cuts of Tuna and marinates them in what I believe to be sesame oil, rice vinegar, and soy sauce, for about three days. The fish changes consistency and flavor, and becomes just ridiculously good. You have to try it. Ryo's fish selection and cuts are the absolute best in Tampa, in my opinion. He hand-selects everything, and he's committed to culinary excellence. You really can't go wrong. Rolls: My personal favorite, although not containing raw fish, is the Cynthia's Vegetable Tempura roll. The kitchen takes asparagus and sweet potatoes, tempura batters, then deep fries them. These scrumptious veggies are then rolled up and served with a side of ponzu sauce. It's HEAVENLY. The spicy tuna is by far the best I've ever had as well. Most restaurants pulverize the tuna or use shoddier quality of fish. Ryo takes his sushi tuna, cubes it, and mixes it with spicy sauce. You don't feel like you're eating some strange mush -- it has consistency, texture, and above all, great flavor. Dessert: I love the green tea ice cream. It's that simple. They also carry "Red Bean" ice cream, but I tend to stay away from that. It's a little too weird for me. For all you non-sushi lovers, they do a delicious cooked salmon and chicken teriyaki. I can't recommend Kaisen Sushi enough, that's plain and simple. If you're a first time sushi-er, or a seasoned expert, stop into Kaisen and prepare to be wowed. They also organize a yearly fishing trip, and I hear a lot of people have had a really good time on these excursions. You'll always see Ryo making sushi, and his Dad and sometimes his wife are there working to keep the place running smoothly. GO! NOW (unless it's Sunday or Monday)! DO IT! :-)
(5)
Sue G.
Thanks fellow Yelpers for leading me to this place! We are tired of the same menu from our regular sushi place so, I searched your reviews and tried this place. Outstanding service! The no-name roll was so yummy! The dog ate my homework was my daughter's favorite! Go figure... They had wonder sashimi tuna and a super rainbow roll. Nothing fishy here! Just fresh! Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Vinny T.
Visited Kaisen with some friends on a Friday evening. It's a typical strip center sushi joint; small in size with the bare essentials for decor and white washed walls. We were a party of five with varied items, everyone pleased. I ordered Edamame and the Sashimi Mori-Awase as a Tuna/Salmon mix 75/25 for $12 and received a great dozen or so pieces. The fish was fresh, cool, brightly colored and tasted excellent. The service was OK. Could have been a bit more attentive, esp. for refills and when we were ready to close out. Considering people were lining up at the door they could have turned our table 10-15 minutes quicker. Overall: Great food and a good experience in an uninspiring atmosphere.
(3)
Jen L.
Sushi is good, kitchen food is really good too. I like the fact, they have a changing board menu of specials. However, service can be quite slow.
(4)
A M.
This place is hidden in a strip mall off of Bearss and N.Dale Mabry. It's pretty small and quiet. Has a sushi bar as well as booths and tables to eat. The sake is great annd the sushi is very good. The service was ok, the sushi speaks more for this place than the service.
(3)
Annette G.
This is a very, very, very good sushi place. What they lack in decor, ambiance and exotic drinks, they more than make up for very tasty, super fresh food. Once again, strip mall sushi out paces the standalone, sushi chic places. You won't find a list of a hundred rolls that basically feature the same meat in different combinations. You will find a list of rolls with thoughtfully paired meats and veggies as well as a very impressive and unique selection of menu of items. For instance, the tuna tatake dish I shared. It was lightly seared tuna in ponzu and chili sauce. Whenever you order something spicy, you can ask for it in a range of hotness from 1-10. My dinner companions warned about going above 8, so we stayed there. The dish was fantastic, lots of tuna and sliced cucumbers. The ponzu was sweet and salty, the chili was there but not super strong. After dinner we concluded we could've gone 10 on it (or perhaps... 11?!) but we really like super spicy food. All the rolls were excellent, but I was really digging a veggie roll, tempura sweet potato and asparagus. Yum. Check the special board for things like monk fish liver and giant clam. When those things come in, they go fast. And by fast, I mean, the regulars even request phone calls and email alerts... Kaisen is a sushi diamond in the rough. I'll definitely be going back for more!
(5)
James H.
Freshest sushi around but price is very high if you don't go for lunch. Very good service on top of amazing food.
(5)
o m.
Yes, Tampa has a lot of mediocre sushi. Niri described character's of Kaisen well. My mouth is watering. Kaisen is strip mall non attractive looking place, first time I was at Kaisen standing at parking lot and I questioned myself "are you sure you want to really go inside?". It turn out to be the best sushi in Tampa with beautiful warm sweet rice. Very reasonably priced, wonderful flesh authentic sushi taste. I recommend it. 4 and 1/2 stars
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
Rachel H.
Make a reservation! The waitress was stunned when we said we didn't have one. She was nice after that though and sat us at a great table. All I got was a mushroom roll and a cucumber roll because I'm not a huge sushi fan but the rest of my table got real sushi and loved it. In addition to the fresh tuna nigiri, they splurged on something fried and tasty called a tempura something or other and it was on their specials board, sorry I'm not more specific, but even though I'm not a seafood lover, it looked good. Prices are average, and no happy hour. Next time, I want to sit at the bar and watch the experts do their thing.
(4)Mike S.
The sushi is not worth the wait. Me and my wife waited for 2hrs for food . The service was terrible , place is to dis organized , no point of making a reservation like they tell u , they have no clue what's going on . Me and wife eat sushi all the time and this was by far the worst place period .
(1)Carlos H.
Kaisen Sushi seems to be very highly recommended on Yelp so I was really excited when my friends and I finally made it there, but I was a little disappointed when I finally got my sushi after the wait. I ordered their California Roll with imitation crab, it wasn't very delectable and when I dipped it in the soy sauce it tasted worse. I ended up giving away my Spider Roll to my friends because I didn't like it at all. I also had their Sylvia's Special which is like a salmon & cream cheese Roll with green onions. Not a nice complement, their green onions didn't add flavor and the salmon a big disappointment because I almost always love salmon rolls at sushi restaurants. I had their fried calamari as well, which was okay, but after a few bites I found myself not wanting much more and ended up giving that way too. Service was on-par, food came little by little but not too slowly. Overall it was alright...I had a few things that were not good and a few things that were average, but I'd rather spend my money somewhere else.
(2)Janine A.
By far the best sushi in Tampa. The service may sometimes be slow, so go prepared to wait a little. This is not always the case, but it's worth the wait. The kid's plate is a great deal and wonderful way to introduce your child to Japanese cuisine. Ask for the kid's chopsticks too. They will set you up with trainers. Reservation recommended. The restaurant is small.
(5)Diana L.
This rating is purely on the service. I have no idea as to the quality of the food. We came here on a Saturday evening and the place was fairly crowded. After waiting a minute or so, we were greeted and told that the only seats were at the sushi bar.. fine. We sat down at the bar and waited and waited and waited. While sitting there we looked at the sushi roll menu in the plastic stand... my menu was dirty (disgusting). It didn't seem like a good selection of rolls. Nobody came to give us a menu or ask if we wanted drinks. So we ended up asking the sushi chef and he had to ask one of the girls. She finally come over with a menu and asked if we wanted drinks... a coke and iced green tea. Drinks never came and we noticed that our 'waitress' was roaming around the dining area but still did not have our drinks. After waiting a few more minutes, we decided to leave and walk out. Thankfully, we found Sushi Alive down the road.
(2)Christy S.
Best sushi in Tampa! We have been looking for a good quality (fresh fish and rice) sushi restaurant in tampa, this is it! Family owned and good service. Prices are good, especially for the quality in the fish you are getting. Try the blue crab roll it's very good, we have also had good uni, salmon, tuna, yellowtail and surf clam here.
(5)Kevin A.
Fish is flown in from Japan, and was recomended to me by other chefs and industry friends. Order off the white board specials and you won't be dissapointed. I was very pleased
(4)Jessica M.
We love Kaisen. It's the best sushi I have had in the Carrollwood/Citrus Park area. Service is great and both it and the food are always consistently top notch. It can be a bit pricey, but that is to be expected for quality sushi.
(5)Emily K.
I have very simple tastes when it comes to sushi. While some may prefer their rolls dolloped with heavy cream sauces or tempura-fried, my taste buds find the true merit of any sushi restaurant lies in the salmon roll and the spicy tuna roll. For those with tastes like mine, there is no comparison to Kaisen Sushi. I like my dining atmosphere to also be un-dolloped with extra froofiness. Kaisen is a simple and pleasant place to eat. The servers and chefs are always interactive and friendly (usually with a playful helping of sass). It is easy to focus on food and friends when my brain isn't being blasted with the canned music of every other Asian food restaurant , as if there were some sort of "Asian Restaurant Classics" CD they mail out when you open for business. Kaisen's atmosphere is perfect and matches their expertly-executed sushi. Even for a sushi connoisseur, Kaisen has unique menu options you probably haven't tried before. the Spicy Sea Bug in particular is my favorite--order this adventure in a bowl and you will soon lock gazes with three bug-eyed, fully in-shell shrimp staring at your from their spicy-sweet-sour bath. The shrimp are cooked to perfection with unparalleled flavor. This dish is certainly an experience to remember.
(5)Lance C.
Dale Mabry Tour de Sushi Continues! Typical strip mall sushi joint ambiance, and I don't mean that in a bad way. A few booths along one side, a few tables in the front and a "L" shaped sushi bar in the back corner. I headed straight to the sushi bar and was greeted by the sushi chef. Took a few minutes for the waitress to acknowledge us, a few minutes more before she brought the menus, a few minutes more to take our order (a trend is developing - plus I was there after the lunch time rush, so it was only about 25% full). Finally ordered, they have a two roll and salad lunch special for $9. The special comes with a Cali roll and a choice of others, I went with the spicy tuna for consistency sake, and added tuna and yellow tail nigiri. Took forever to get the salad, the sushi chef actually had to say something to the waitress - not so good. The salad was not typical, romaine replaced iceberg for the lettuce, it had shaved carrots and the dressing was not the normal ginger - points for the lettuce, taken away for the weak dressing. Sushi was delivered promptly by the sushi chef once the salad was finished. The rolls were pretty good, the Cali was half regular (imi crab, avo and cuke) and half a crab salad. The spicy tuna is ordered on a heat scale, I went with "8", it wasn't that hot, about right. The flavor was pretty good, the rolls were a little on the sloppy side, but not too much. The tuna was a lean piece, good flavor, a little on the the thick side. The rice had a good texture and flavor. Yellow tail was a darker than normal selection, but again not bad. Never had an offer to refill my glass. Took a while to get the check, but was turned fairly quickly. Overall the food rated a solid "4", but the service is sadly lacking. Will probably try again, hoping they get the service tighter.
(3)Dana S.
I did not like the service there and the sushi wasn't anything special. I don't know why it has so many good reviews. I would rather go to Sushi Alive which is down the street from this.
(1)Ben V.
Not only the best sushi in Tampa but dare I say the country. There, I said it!
(5)Vinny T.
Visited Kaisen with some friends on a Friday evening. It's a typical strip center sushi joint; small in size with the bare essentials for decor and white washed walls. We were a party of five with varied items, everyone pleased. I ordered Edamame and the Sashimi Mori-Awase as a Tuna/Salmon mix 75/25 for $12 and received a great dozen or so pieces. The fish was fresh, cool, brightly colored and tasted excellent. The service was OK. Could have been a bit more attentive, esp. for refills and when we were ready to close out. Considering people were lining up at the door they could have turned our table 10-15 minutes quicker. Overall: Great food and a good experience in an uninspiring atmosphere.
(3)Jen L.
Sushi is good, kitchen food is really good too. I like the fact, they have a changing board menu of specials. However, service can be quite slow.
(4)A M.
This place is hidden in a strip mall off of Bearss and N.Dale Mabry. It's pretty small and quiet. Has a sushi bar as well as booths and tables to eat. The sake is great annd the sushi is very good. The service was ok, the sushi speaks more for this place than the service.
(3)Annette G.
This is a very, very, very good sushi place. What they lack in decor, ambiance and exotic drinks, they more than make up for very tasty, super fresh food. Once again, strip mall sushi out paces the standalone, sushi chic places. You won't find a list of a hundred rolls that basically feature the same meat in different combinations. You will find a list of rolls with thoughtfully paired meats and veggies as well as a very impressive and unique selection of menu of items. For instance, the tuna tatake dish I shared. It was lightly seared tuna in ponzu and chili sauce. Whenever you order something spicy, you can ask for it in a range of hotness from 1-10. My dinner companions warned about going above 8, so we stayed there. The dish was fantastic, lots of tuna and sliced cucumbers. The ponzu was sweet and salty, the chili was there but not super strong. After dinner we concluded we could've gone 10 on it (or perhaps... 11?!) but we really like super spicy food. All the rolls were excellent, but I was really digging a veggie roll, tempura sweet potato and asparagus. Yum. Check the special board for things like monk fish liver and giant clam. When those things come in, they go fast. And by fast, I mean, the regulars even request phone calls and email alerts... Kaisen is a sushi diamond in the rough. I'll definitely be going back for more!
(5)James H.
Freshest sushi around but price is very high if you don't go for lunch. Very good service on top of amazing food.
(5)o m.
Yes, Tampa has a lot of mediocre sushi. Niri described character's of Kaisen well. My mouth is watering. Kaisen is strip mall non attractive looking place, first time I was at Kaisen standing at parking lot and I questioned myself "are you sure you want to really go inside?". It turn out to be the best sushi in Tampa with beautiful warm sweet rice. Very reasonably priced, wonderful flesh authentic sushi taste. I recommend it. 4 and 1/2 stars
(5)Nuri G.
I've had lots of mediocre sushi in Tampa. From SB in Ybor City to CB near the stadium, there's a lot of just average... or restaurants trying too hard to be fusion. I grew up near Tampa, and every time I come back, there's only one requirement as far as dining -- I have to get in to see Ryo at Kaisen Sushi. Kaisen is a little known secret that Tampa has been hiding for years. Ryo initially opened over by Harpos, further south on Dale Mabry than their current location. I went in for the first time in 1999, and have been a repeat customer ever since, dining there sometimes twice a week. In all my years of eating at Kaisen, I've never once been disappointed. In fact, they know me by name now and I get that personal of service that keeps me coming back. Here are my highlights: Appetizer: Calamari -- I can't say enough about this stuff. It's not your typical frozen rings, this stuff is FRESH. They saute large chunks octopus, not just rings or tentacles, in a delicious sauce that has a mild tangy flavor to it. It's then topped with bonito flake, green onion, and a lemon. I could eat calamari appetizers as a meal and walk away satisfied... Stuffed Mushrooms -- Forget everything you know about stuffed mushrooms. Ryo takes large mushrooms, stuffs them with crab meat, tempura batters, and deep fries them. They're then coated with what I think is ponzu sauce for a delicious creation. Nigiri: One of my personal favorites is the zuke tuna. Ryo takes the best cuts of Tuna and marinates them in what I believe to be sesame oil, rice vinegar, and soy sauce, for about three days. The fish changes consistency and flavor, and becomes just ridiculously good. You have to try it. Ryo's fish selection and cuts are the absolute best in Tampa, in my opinion. He hand-selects everything, and he's committed to culinary excellence. You really can't go wrong. Rolls: My personal favorite, although not containing raw fish, is the Cynthia's Vegetable Tempura roll. The kitchen takes asparagus and sweet potatoes, tempura batters, then deep fries them. These scrumptious veggies are then rolled up and served with a side of ponzu sauce. It's HEAVENLY. The spicy tuna is by far the best I've ever had as well. Most restaurants pulverize the tuna or use shoddier quality of fish. Ryo takes his sushi tuna, cubes it, and mixes it with spicy sauce. You don't feel like you're eating some strange mush -- it has consistency, texture, and above all, great flavor. Dessert: I love the green tea ice cream. It's that simple. They also carry "Red Bean" ice cream, but I tend to stay away from that. It's a little too weird for me. For all you non-sushi lovers, they do a delicious cooked salmon and chicken teriyaki. I can't recommend Kaisen Sushi enough, that's plain and simple. If you're a first time sushi-er, or a seasoned expert, stop into Kaisen and prepare to be wowed. They also organize a yearly fishing trip, and I hear a lot of people have had a really good time on these excursions. You'll always see Ryo making sushi, and his Dad and sometimes his wife are there working to keep the place running smoothly. GO! NOW (unless it's Sunday or Monday)! DO IT! :-)
(5)Sue G.
Thanks fellow Yelpers for leading me to this place! We are tired of the same menu from our regular sushi place so, I searched your reviews and tried this place. Outstanding service! The no-name roll was so yummy! The dog ate my homework was my daughter's favorite! Go figure... They had wonder sashimi tuna and a super rainbow roll. Nothing fishy here! Just fresh! Can't wait to go back!
(4)Nemo L.
Kaisen is hands-down the best sushi place in Tampa. If I had to write about the food alone this would definitely be a 5 star review. I've been coming here off-and-on since it was next door to the K-Mart in the old Mission Bell plaza. I like it so much that I'm almost cagey about writing a good review. The ambiance is really simple, which is perfectly fine for a sushi joint to go minimalistic. It lets you know Kaisen is all about the food quality. If you're going to come here, come here to eat. * Their stuffed mushrooms are the best stuffed mushrooms I've had anywhere. * Their meat is always incredibly fresh. * Servings are generous. * Sushi is incredibly affordable. They have a handful of specialty rolls that appeal to the Tampa palate--such as grouper and tempura-fried-everything for you fat southerners. The Biscuit Roll & Dog Ate My Homework are guilty pleasures--but I actually prefer to just order nigiri or sashimi and keep it basic. Kaisen seems to be strongest in elements of simplicity (and don't confuse "simple" for "not flavorful" or "unsophisticated"). The only bad thing about Kaisen is service is decent at best and horrendous at worst. I believe one of the main waitresses is the owner's wife, and while she's nice, uhh, waitressing isn't her forte. Definitely don't come to Kaisen if you're in a rush--but if you're hanging out with friends and passing time, those slow food and drinks will come before you know it. But don't let the one star off for service and timeliness turn you off--if you want amazing sushi--come to Kaisen.
(4)Brian C.
An excellent place to get no frills, fresh sushi in Tampa. I don't need my sushi done up in mayo and special sauce, I appreciate a good piece of delicious fresh fish and this is certainly a great place for it. I recommend sitting at the bar, getting to know Ryo San and finding out the best eating for the day and getting whatever he recommends.
(4)Jason C.
Great food! I love their miso marinated, grilled mackerel. They also have a lot of fresh sushi options.
(4)David H.
I have come back a number of times since my first review and I think Kaisen deserves a bump in rating. Whenever we come we usually just go with the omakase, where you set your price point, anything you want in particular or don't want (we always say no imitation krab) and then just let the chef do his thing with everything else. Although pointing out things you like or don't like kind of defeats the meaning of omakase.. it is not as formal here so that ensures you are happy with what is to come. On our last visit the chef had ankimo (monkfish liver) and we decided to give it a try. Since we asked for our omakase to all be nigiri, the monkfish liver was served as nigiri. Although, I don't think this is the typical way it is served, it was great! If you enjoy foie gras torchon or terrine, you will enjoy monkfish liver. The chef says he only gets it in a couple of times a year so we got lucky. I think next time we will try it how it is typically served, which is by itself with daikon, scallions, and ponzu sauce. That actually sounds better than being served as nigiri. Kaisen, may not appeal to some people because they don't have any crazy sauce drenched rolls. So if you are one of those BASIC people who love sauce drenched rolls... go to Koizi and stuff your BASIC face there. Pro Tip: He gets uni (sea urchin) early in the week, so if you are craving uni try to go earlier in the week. I usually go on the weekends, so I always miss out. :(
(5)Wendy C.
My husband and I love the food here! They make something called a chop chop that has raw fish, cucumbers and a special sauce. This is my hubby's favorite. Mine is the volcano roll. It is a California roll with cream cheese stacked with a baked crab mixture. No one else makes it this way. It's amazing. Prices are reasonable. Small place so call ahead for a table on a weekend night. Enjoy!
(5)Christopher K.
This place is always amazing, one of the best sushi places in tampa. Dog ate my homework is a must. More people need to frequent this restaurant.
(5)James I.
The SFA3 World tour stops in Japan... Kaisen, like 4 rivers, is surprisingly closer than I thought. It is in a strip mall with Michael's goods and a Nutrition s'mart just south of the Bearss/Dale Mabry intersection. The decor is somewhat understated. It is clean and has a intimate feeling (on a weekday evening).I had 2 servers rotating but they were nice and prompt with food/drinks etc. Bonus points to the one who presented the omakase;she rattled off the entire list and description without error. You can tell it there are many regulars b/c one of the chefs is very gregarious, talking to the customers like long time friends. I've been to sushi places in Tampa,St Maarten, Detroit, and Chicago. I fall straight in the middle of being the sushi experience graph. I tend to be somewhat conservative and get 3 maki rolls, with 2 special and one simple. However, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and try the Omakase (chefs choice)at the 35 dollar level (I generally spend about 30 US give or take at sushi restaurants). I had 2 plates for the Omakase. The first was a mixture of cups filled with roe/other fish, sashimi, and nigiri. Usually Im pretty meticulous at remembering what I ate. The server told me everything in great deal but I couldnt remember it lol. I posted a picture if you want to try and ID it . I liked the "cups" the best, very flavorful especially the roe and the 2nd/3rd cups from the left side. The sashimi was the second best they were very melty in your mouth and yummy. The nigiri was solid, but loses to the other two. The second plate of omakase was an eel roll. This had a nice sauce (perhaps Ponzu?) and very flavorful. I was still hungry , so I ordered the Okonimiyaki on a whim. Man this thing is huge! I was expecting a dinky IHOP pancake. While seafood and pancake screams GI dysfunction, I found it an excellent combo. It was served piping hot and I inhaled the little that I could finish Note: It takes about 22-23 minutes minimum and is $11 but its worth it. There are 2 schools of thought wiith sushi. Some prefer American style sushi with many sauces and lots of combinations of fish, and some some prefer a more Japanese style with minimal sauce and just 1-2 fish. I cant say which is better;I like some of both. The fish quality is very good all around. The omakase and okonimiyaki are new experiences for me. Kaisen is better than many Tampa restaurants, but not the absolute best I've ever had. That honor goes to Toro Sushi in Chicago. (See my review. Blatant plug) The prices were very fair regarding the rolls. IIRC, the most expensive roll is about 12, whereas other Tampa specialty roll tend to go into the 15-16 range. I would come back to Kaisen though in the future. You should too.
(4)Jef S.
I moved from Los Angeles 10 yrs. ago and tried every sushi bar in tampa until i found Kaisen then down the street about a mile. another reviewer said it best " A diamond in the rough" except no more rough. Ryo and gang always make my meals so mouth watering that I'm always leaving thinking when will i be back. LOVE the Scallop cups.
(5)Steve E.
Kaisen Sushi is a very good sushi restaurant in northern Carrollwood - right off Dale Mabry at the intersection of Ehrlich Road. Kaisen is in the same shopping center as Nutrition S'mart and Miller's Ale House of Carrollwood. The restaurant is small, as are most good sushi restaurants; but the mood is more lively than the traditional quiet and subdued atmosphere. Every time that I've visited Kaisen the crowds are talking loudly back and forth between other people seated at the sushi bar and yucking it up with the sushi chefs. There seems to be a group of regulars who are in there each weekend, and they kind of take over the sushi bar. That can be a bit annoying if you're trying to have a conversation with the Itamae (sushi chef). The sushi is quite good, though limited in selection so it is common for them to run out of various choices as the evening wears on. My suggestion is to get there earlier in the evenings before the regulars show up and the selection grows thin. I prefer sashimi (slivers of raw fish) with some nigiri (raw fish served on top of a ball of rice), and steer clear of the Americanized sushi rolls which are loaded with fake Krab, cream cheese, and sweet sauces. Bletch! I've noticed that the regular crowd seems to prefer rolls, and they bark out their orders while talking over the other patrons. Since I've eaten at Kaisen a number of times I was comfortable asking the chef to go off-menu with me and prepare an omakase meal. Omakase literally means entrust; and you are basically telling the chef that you are placing your trust in his hands to show off his knife skills and to prepare the best possible sushi meal of his choosing. You set a price point with the chef, discuss your likes and dislikes, and then turn him loose to select from the available fish and seafood in the cooler in front of him. Normally you receive a series of small plates which are amazing works of art, and the chef teases your palate as you move from lighter-tasting fish up through more intense flavors like uni and eel. If the chef knows your particular likes and dislikes they will craft special dipping sauces, spicy rolls, and fish eggs wrapped in nori seaweed strips, along with some amazing preparations which you're not likely to see on the average menu. Unfortunately Kaisen fell short in the preparation of my omakase meal. Perhaps they had already run out of several varieties of fish, or perhaps the chef was rattled by the mouthy broad in the corner who was yelling at him to hurry up and make her special roll because she had been waiting ten minutes....*sighs* Regardless I expected more of a magical treat, and less of their standard fare. I will definitely go back to Kaisen, but it will be earlier in the evening, and well before the regulars show up and take over the chef's attention.
(4)Amanda L.
YES, YES and YES. Could not be more thrilled, but this is it folks - this is the place in Tampa to have sashimi and other raw fish deliciousness! After almost a year and a half of searching, and a lot of oversauced rolls, a 30 min drive led us to Kaisen. Absolutely 5 stars for Tampa. I'll be honest, it's likely a 3.5 to 4 star place in major cities, but in Tampa - this is it! All the sushi making is done by a father and son team, so entrees were slow to come out. We were more than happy to wait though. Hub got the sushi and sashimi dinner - it's a lot of food! The "cups" that came with the dinner were filled with unique mixes of fish and sauces. I had the chirashi and it was wonderful to finally have good sashimi! We will definitely be back. Highly recommend if sashimi/nigiri is your thing.
(5)Christy T.
Kaisen is now my FAVORITE sushi place in Tampa. I really do mean it. I now don't have to cross i4 often to satisfy my sushi fix. Plus, my fiance, the sushi connoisseur, can now visit me more in tampa, instead of me going to orlando :)). He now has no excuse to not come down if he has a sushi craving! It's a win win situation for me hehe. What makes Kaisen so different from other sushi places is their omakase. Unlike other places who asks that you call in advance if you want the omakase choice, Kaisen will let you order omakase on the spot. In addition, unlike other omakase menus, at Kaisen you choose the price (minimum of $25), and you tell them what you like and don't like; the omakase will revolve around your likings. And yes, the pricing you choose is not per person :). We decided to do a $60 omakase which we told the server that we like uni, ikura, squid, octopus, more sashimi and nigiri, no KRAB, and the rest for the sushi chef to surprise us. It's quite amazing how the sushi chef could think on the spot on what to do for our omakase, while handling other orders. We got 5 entrees in total. First dish: flounder sashimi with a miso vinegar sauce (i think I tasted ginger too) topped with scallions. Really good. Super good. Second dish: an octopus and squid cucumber salad, topped with masago and a sweet/tangy dressing . Love the texture, reminded me of vietnamese goi. Yum yum in my tum tum. Third dish: a large portion sashimi dish consisting of: Yellowtail, AJ, Tuna, FATTY salmon, Trout. This is the first place where I see fatty salmon used (instead of other salmon chunks) for a sashimi dish..but then its omakase. *DROOOL Fourth dish: A sushi roll/nigiri dish: Our sushi roll was the sylvia roll (Salmon, Avocado, G.O.) and our nigiri was: ikura, uni, seared salmon, and flounder. What can I say, it was all good. But the roll wasn't rolled tightly so it broke sometimes. *DROOOOOL Fifth and final dish: two eel nigiri topped with this seasoning. I was full by the fourth dish, so I let my fiance devour both of it. 0:) Overall, this meal was VERY good. I will go back again and again. I don't know if I'll order from the main menu because if you know what you like, and want to try something different, go with omakase. Trust me. It's worth it. Very fresh fish. Very. The only minor con is that our waitress was sort of clueless on what we are eating, when my fiance asks questions about the dishes being presented to us. I kind of understand that its up to the chef to tell the waitress whats on the dish, but in my head since its omakase, and its basically the chef's choice/creations, its ok that he doesn't tell the waitress. Since its omakase, you decided to trust the chef, and you should eat whatever the chef gives you...with no questions asked...that's what I think. :)
(5)Brett N.
Why 3 stars? Because this is your average sushi experience. --- --- --- I came here at the recommendation of Yelper pal, Christy T, who claimed Kaisen to be the #1 sushi spot in Tampa Bay. Unfortunately all I walked away with was the knowledge that our taste buds do not see eye to eye. I went with the chef's choice sushi dinner, because I wanted to get the best of the best, and I fear nothing. Unfortunately, I found it to be rather unforgettable. Not to claim Kaisen, because it wasn't a bad experience, but nothing about what I ate screamed, "I must return!"
(3)Tatum M.
Best sushi in Tampa if you like authentic sushi. There aren't a ton of fancy rolls, but it is meticulously executed with perfect rice and quality cuts of fish. Really happy we found this place.
(5)Katherine W.
Here's all you need to know about Kaisen Sushi: the fish is so fresh that they run out of fish every night. Ponder that for a moment. Few other tips: it's in a strip mall, but who cares. It's clean. The service is a little slow, but there's only 2 waitresses, and the 2 sushi chefs make everything themselves. Come in with a relaxed attitude, take your time, enjoy your sushi. Make a reservation. Seriously. Larger parties will have to come early (see above- they run out of fish). Get the chef's choice- he will pick the best of the best for you. This isn't Samurai Blue. It's authentic & super fresh. If you really love sushi, it's the best place in town.
(5)Adam A.
BEST. SUSHI. IN. TOWN. The place itself doesn't look like anything special; a few table and a sushi bar. However, the fish is always fresh and well prepared. If you're into sauces and fish combinations in a single roll, this might not be the place for you. The chirashi is priced very well during lunch and the portions are generous. For an authentic Japanese restaurant in town, this is it.
(5)Arne A.
Let me start by saying that I've had sushi from all over the world, different states (including Nebraska and Arizona lol), and from a lot of different restaurants in Tampa. This place, HANDS DOWN, is the best sushi restaurant in the Tampa area. I'm a traditionalist when is comes to sushi though, and this is as close to traditional Edo style sushi that you can get in the area. That being said, if you're looking for the average western style sushi house that has a long list of fancy rolls covered with sauces and decorations then this probably isn't the place for you. They do have some pretty awesome specialty rolls though. I always start judging sushi with the rice and Kaisen has it perfected. Seasoned just right and kept at the perfect temperature with excellent texture. The fish is fresh and seasoned/aged perfectly. Keep an eye on the specials board, there's usually at least one great special item on there from monkfish liver to fresh uni to toro. They keep everything simple which is what I always look for in sushi. Stick with nigiri and you can't go wrong. As far as special rolls go get the volcano...usually a gimmicky roll at other places, theirs is just special. I don't usually eat cooked food at a sushi house but theirs is surprisingly good. At other sushi restaurants the cooked food is usually overlooked and it isn't here. The price is the best you'll find anywhere in Tampa for the quality of the food. No $1 rolls here lol chirashi for lunch hits the spot for under $15. It's a small restaurant but I would recommend it to anyone looking for really really good sushi in Tampa. The chefs and servers are all really nice and helpful especially if you're new to sushi. My one complaint is that they sometimes close early if they run out of rice/fish on busy nights, but I don't mind if it keeps the quality up. Don't be put off by the unassuming location and simple storefront. This is one if Tampa's hidden jems. Highly recommended!
(5)Will C.
I think if you are going to be closed you should let your customers know! I called and your answering machine doesn't even have a notice. We drove 45 minutes since neither on your website nor answering machine noted that you were closed only to find a note on your door that says "We are closed, we will see you soon" Hopefully this wont deter me from coming by in the near future since the reviews are great.
(1)Kevin F.
Very tasty. What's more to say? The rolls were a good portion and were prepared well. There wasn't as much variety as I would have liked, though, and not much extra effort was spent on presentation, but I felt it was decent for the cost.
(3)Axis S.
NOTE: That door is locked from 2pm to 5pm -- there are a couple of places to kill time at near by if you're a little early (traffic was better than expected), so it wasn't a big deal. Walked in, shown a nice table. The place is clean, sparse, well laid out, no offensive smells, tile floor, blacks and natural wood decor. Nice space, they've done a great job with the strip mall confines. Staff are in comfortable basics, no faux kimonos or hopi coats -- so far, so good! Menu: This place has a active online presence, so do check the internets for daily specials and updates, but there's also a Specials board at the end of the sushi bar. On the printed menu I noticed a good number of what I call "a la" dishes, or items that had people's names attached to them -- most were variations on known classics, and that suits me just fine. I like it when a chef or an inspired customer make a dish their own and share the results. On the specials board, I saw "Fish Wings," got curious, asked, and ordered a small ($4.95). It was a tempura fried pectoral fin sauced with a sweet-spicy glaze, and it ROCKED. Firm, moist, perfect fish, fins left attached and fried crisp, tempura still slightly crispy under the glaze. You're going to be dodging some bones, of course, just like chicken wings, but the dish was a great start to the meal. Then two Salmon Skin hand rolls (off-menu) to see how those came out. The Nori was crisp, the Salmon skin broiled excellently with a decent amount of meat still attached, and the pack/form of the cone was very well done. Basic skills: passed handily. Time to see what the kitchen could do. Okonomiyaki ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ok… ) ($8.95) -- Took a while (10-12 minutes?), as it should, and it came out on a hot iron pan saved from the utter Hell that is Chili's fajita slinging. I'm a serious okonomiyaki fan, and this one was excellent -- browned perfectly, solid sauce, good amount of seafood that was cooked to firmness but not chewy, and the batter had tastes of daikon and dashi, as it should. At about nine buck it is the food bargain of the year! Had half of it for lunch today, and it still was good eating. I'm definitely going back to start working through the nigiri and rolls, probably just sit at the bar next time and do "chef's choice" for an evening. Seriously looking forward to it. Highly recommended, and a good value.
(4)Ben B.
The service was inexcusably slow. While the kitchen staff moved at a leisurely snail's pace, the servers were frantically running around apologizing for how long the food was taking. Our server interrupted us in the middle of taking our order to answer the cordless phone in her pocket, then walked away while still talking. She returned several minutes later to finish with us. How nice. Neither the soup nor salad were remarkable. The volcano roll -that I ordered as a starter- didn't show until after the entree arrived, and it was a giant sloppy mess of cream cheese and stuck-together, lukewarm rice. The teriyaki chicken was the only redeeming part of the meal but sadly wasn't enough to keep me from swearing this place off.
(1)James I.
The SFA3 World tour stops in Japan... Kaisen, like 4 rivers, is surprisingly closer than I thought. It is in a strip mall with Michael's goods and a Nutrition s'mart just south of the Bearss/Dale Mabry intersection. The decor is somewhat understated. It is clean and has a intimate feeling (on a weekday evening).I had 2 servers rotating but they were nice and prompt with food/drinks etc. Bonus points to the one who presented the omakase;she rattled off the entire list and description without error. You can tell it there are many regulars b/c one of the chefs is very gregarious, talking to the customers like long time friends. I've been to sushi places in Tampa,St Maarten, Detroit, and Chicago. I fall straight in the middle of being the sushi experience graph. I tend to be somewhat conservative and get 3 maki rolls, with 2 special and one simple. However, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and try the Omakase (chefs choice)at the 35 dollar level (I generally spend about 30 US give or take at sushi restaurants). I had 2 plates for the Omakase. The first was a mixture of cups filled with roe/other fish, sashimi, and nigiri. Usually Im pretty meticulous at remembering what I ate. The server told me everything in great deal but I couldnt remember it lol. I posted a picture if you want to try and ID it . I liked the "cups" the best, very flavorful especially the roe and the 2nd/3rd cups from the left side. The sashimi was the second best they were very melty in your mouth and yummy. The nigiri was solid, but loses to the other two. The second plate of omakase was an eel roll. This had a nice sauce (perhaps Ponzu?) and very flavorful. I was still hungry , so I ordered the Okonimiyaki on a whim. Man this thing is huge! I was expecting a dinky IHOP pancake. While seafood and pancake screams GI dysfunction, I found it an excellent combo. It was served piping hot and I inhaled the little that I could finish Note: It takes about 22-23 minutes minimum and is $11 but its worth it. There are 2 schools of thought wiith sushi. Some prefer American style sushi with many sauces and lots of combinations of fish, and some some prefer a more Japanese style with minimal sauce and just 1-2 fish. I cant say which is better;I like some of both. The fish quality is very good all around. The omakase and okonimiyaki are new experiences for me. Kaisen is better than many Tampa restaurants, but not the absolute best I've ever had. That honor goes to Toro Sushi in Chicago. (See my review. Blatant plug) The prices were very fair regarding the rolls. IIRC, the most expensive roll is about 12, whereas other Tampa specialty roll tend to go into the 15-16 range. I would come back to Kaisen though in the future. You should too.
(4)Christopher K.
This place is always amazing, one of the best sushi places in tampa. Dog ate my homework is a must. More people need to frequent this restaurant.
(5)Jef S.
I moved from Los Angeles 10 yrs. ago and tried every sushi bar in tampa until i found Kaisen then down the street about a mile. another reviewer said it best " A diamond in the rough" except no more rough. Ryo and gang always make my meals so mouth watering that I'm always leaving thinking when will i be back. LOVE the Scallop cups.
(5)David H.
I have come back a number of times since my first review and I think Kaisen deserves a bump in rating. Whenever we come we usually just go with the omakase, where you set your price point, anything you want in particular or don't want (we always say no imitation krab) and then just let the chef do his thing with everything else. Although pointing out things you like or don't like kind of defeats the meaning of omakase.. it is not as formal here so that ensures you are happy with what is to come. On our last visit the chef had ankimo (monkfish liver) and we decided to give it a try. Since we asked for our omakase to all be nigiri, the monkfish liver was served as nigiri. Although, I don't think this is the typical way it is served, it was great! If you enjoy foie gras torchon or terrine, you will enjoy monkfish liver. The chef says he only gets it in a couple of times a year so we got lucky. I think next time we will try it how it is typically served, which is by itself with daikon, scallions, and ponzu sauce. That actually sounds better than being served as nigiri. Kaisen, may not appeal to some people because they don't have any crazy sauce drenched rolls. So if you are one of those BASIC people who love sauce drenched rolls... go to Koizi and stuff your BASIC face there. Pro Tip: He gets uni (sea urchin) early in the week, so if you are craving uni try to go earlier in the week. I usually go on the weekends, so I always miss out. :(
(5)Wendy C.
My husband and I love the food here! They make something called a chop chop that has raw fish, cucumbers and a special sauce. This is my hubby's favorite. Mine is the volcano roll. It is a California roll with cream cheese stacked with a baked crab mixture. No one else makes it this way. It's amazing. Prices are reasonable. Small place so call ahead for a table on a weekend night. Enjoy!
(5)Steve E.
Kaisen Sushi is a very good sushi restaurant in northern Carrollwood - right off Dale Mabry at the intersection of Ehrlich Road. Kaisen is in the same shopping center as Nutrition S'mart and Miller's Ale House of Carrollwood. The restaurant is small, as are most good sushi restaurants; but the mood is more lively than the traditional quiet and subdued atmosphere. Every time that I've visited Kaisen the crowds are talking loudly back and forth between other people seated at the sushi bar and yucking it up with the sushi chefs. There seems to be a group of regulars who are in there each weekend, and they kind of take over the sushi bar. That can be a bit annoying if you're trying to have a conversation with the Itamae (sushi chef). The sushi is quite good, though limited in selection so it is common for them to run out of various choices as the evening wears on. My suggestion is to get there earlier in the evenings before the regulars show up and the selection grows thin. I prefer sashimi (slivers of raw fish) with some nigiri (raw fish served on top of a ball of rice), and steer clear of the Americanized sushi rolls which are loaded with fake Krab, cream cheese, and sweet sauces. Bletch! I've noticed that the regular crowd seems to prefer rolls, and they bark out their orders while talking over the other patrons. Since I've eaten at Kaisen a number of times I was comfortable asking the chef to go off-menu with me and prepare an omakase meal. Omakase literally means entrust; and you are basically telling the chef that you are placing your trust in his hands to show off his knife skills and to prepare the best possible sushi meal of his choosing. You set a price point with the chef, discuss your likes and dislikes, and then turn him loose to select from the available fish and seafood in the cooler in front of him. Normally you receive a series of small plates which are amazing works of art, and the chef teases your palate as you move from lighter-tasting fish up through more intense flavors like uni and eel. If the chef knows your particular likes and dislikes they will craft special dipping sauces, spicy rolls, and fish eggs wrapped in nori seaweed strips, along with some amazing preparations which you're not likely to see on the average menu. Unfortunately Kaisen fell short in the preparation of my omakase meal. Perhaps they had already run out of several varieties of fish, or perhaps the chef was rattled by the mouthy broad in the corner who was yelling at him to hurry up and make her special roll because she had been waiting ten minutes....*sighs* Regardless I expected more of a magical treat, and less of their standard fare. I will definitely go back to Kaisen, but it will be earlier in the evening, and well before the regulars show up and take over the chef's attention.
(4)Amanda L.
YES, YES and YES. Could not be more thrilled, but this is it folks - this is the place in Tampa to have sashimi and other raw fish deliciousness! After almost a year and a half of searching, and a lot of oversauced rolls, a 30 min drive led us to Kaisen. Absolutely 5 stars for Tampa. I'll be honest, it's likely a 3.5 to 4 star place in major cities, but in Tampa - this is it! All the sushi making is done by a father and son team, so entrees were slow to come out. We were more than happy to wait though. Hub got the sushi and sashimi dinner - it's a lot of food! The "cups" that came with the dinner were filled with unique mixes of fish and sauces. I had the chirashi and it was wonderful to finally have good sashimi! We will definitely be back. Highly recommend if sashimi/nigiri is your thing.
(5)Christy T.
Kaisen is now my FAVORITE sushi place in Tampa. I really do mean it. I now don't have to cross i4 often to satisfy my sushi fix. Plus, my fiance, the sushi connoisseur, can now visit me more in tampa, instead of me going to orlando :)). He now has no excuse to not come down if he has a sushi craving! It's a win win situation for me hehe. What makes Kaisen so different from other sushi places is their omakase. Unlike other places who asks that you call in advance if you want the omakase choice, Kaisen will let you order omakase on the spot. In addition, unlike other omakase menus, at Kaisen you choose the price (minimum of $25), and you tell them what you like and don't like; the omakase will revolve around your likings. And yes, the pricing you choose is not per person :). We decided to do a $60 omakase which we told the server that we like uni, ikura, squid, octopus, more sashimi and nigiri, no KRAB, and the rest for the sushi chef to surprise us. It's quite amazing how the sushi chef could think on the spot on what to do for our omakase, while handling other orders. We got 5 entrees in total. First dish: flounder sashimi with a miso vinegar sauce (i think I tasted ginger too) topped with scallions. Really good. Super good. Second dish: an octopus and squid cucumber salad, topped with masago and a sweet/tangy dressing . Love the texture, reminded me of vietnamese goi. Yum yum in my tum tum. Third dish: a large portion sashimi dish consisting of: Yellowtail, AJ, Tuna, FATTY salmon, Trout. This is the first place where I see fatty salmon used (instead of other salmon chunks) for a sashimi dish..but then its omakase. *DROOOL Fourth dish: A sushi roll/nigiri dish: Our sushi roll was the sylvia roll (Salmon, Avocado, G.O.) and our nigiri was: ikura, uni, seared salmon, and flounder. What can I say, it was all good. But the roll wasn't rolled tightly so it broke sometimes. *DROOOOOL Fifth and final dish: two eel nigiri topped with this seasoning. I was full by the fourth dish, so I let my fiance devour both of it. 0:) Overall, this meal was VERY good. I will go back again and again. I don't know if I'll order from the main menu because if you know what you like, and want to try something different, go with omakase. Trust me. It's worth it. Very fresh fish. Very. The only minor con is that our waitress was sort of clueless on what we are eating, when my fiance asks questions about the dishes being presented to us. I kind of understand that its up to the chef to tell the waitress whats on the dish, but in my head since its omakase, and its basically the chef's choice/creations, its ok that he doesn't tell the waitress. Since its omakase, you decided to trust the chef, and you should eat whatever the chef gives you...with no questions asked...that's what I think. :)
(5)Brett N.
Why 3 stars? Because this is your average sushi experience. --- --- --- I came here at the recommendation of Yelper pal, Christy T, who claimed Kaisen to be the #1 sushi spot in Tampa Bay. Unfortunately all I walked away with was the knowledge that our taste buds do not see eye to eye. I went with the chef's choice sushi dinner, because I wanted to get the best of the best, and I fear nothing. Unfortunately, I found it to be rather unforgettable. Not to claim Kaisen, because it wasn't a bad experience, but nothing about what I ate screamed, "I must return!"
(3)Tatum M.
Best sushi in Tampa if you like authentic sushi. There aren't a ton of fancy rolls, but it is meticulously executed with perfect rice and quality cuts of fish. Really happy we found this place.
(5)Arne A.
Let me start by saying that I've had sushi from all over the world, different states (including Nebraska and Arizona lol), and from a lot of different restaurants in Tampa. This place, HANDS DOWN, is the best sushi restaurant in the Tampa area. I'm a traditionalist when is comes to sushi though, and this is as close to traditional Edo style sushi that you can get in the area. That being said, if you're looking for the average western style sushi house that has a long list of fancy rolls covered with sauces and decorations then this probably isn't the place for you. They do have some pretty awesome specialty rolls though. I always start judging sushi with the rice and Kaisen has it perfected. Seasoned just right and kept at the perfect temperature with excellent texture. The fish is fresh and seasoned/aged perfectly. Keep an eye on the specials board, there's usually at least one great special item on there from monkfish liver to fresh uni to toro. They keep everything simple which is what I always look for in sushi. Stick with nigiri and you can't go wrong. As far as special rolls go get the volcano...usually a gimmicky roll at other places, theirs is just special. I don't usually eat cooked food at a sushi house but theirs is surprisingly good. At other sushi restaurants the cooked food is usually overlooked and it isn't here. The price is the best you'll find anywhere in Tampa for the quality of the food. No $1 rolls here lol chirashi for lunch hits the spot for under $15. It's a small restaurant but I would recommend it to anyone looking for really really good sushi in Tampa. The chefs and servers are all really nice and helpful especially if you're new to sushi. My one complaint is that they sometimes close early if they run out of rice/fish on busy nights, but I don't mind if it keeps the quality up. Don't be put off by the unassuming location and simple storefront. This is one if Tampa's hidden jems. Highly recommended!
(5)Will C.
I think if you are going to be closed you should let your customers know! I called and your answering machine doesn't even have a notice. We drove 45 minutes since neither on your website nor answering machine noted that you were closed only to find a note on your door that says "We are closed, we will see you soon" Hopefully this wont deter me from coming by in the near future since the reviews are great.
(1)Katherine W.
Here's all you need to know about Kaisen Sushi: the fish is so fresh that they run out of fish every night. Ponder that for a moment. Few other tips: it's in a strip mall, but who cares. It's clean. The service is a little slow, but there's only 2 waitresses, and the 2 sushi chefs make everything themselves. Come in with a relaxed attitude, take your time, enjoy your sushi. Make a reservation. Seriously. Larger parties will have to come early (see above- they run out of fish). Get the chef's choice- he will pick the best of the best for you. This isn't Samurai Blue. It's authentic & super fresh. If you really love sushi, it's the best place in town.
(5)Kevin F.
Very tasty. What's more to say? The rolls were a good portion and were prepared well. There wasn't as much variety as I would have liked, though, and not much extra effort was spent on presentation, but I felt it was decent for the cost.
(3)Axis S.
NOTE: That door is locked from 2pm to 5pm -- there are a couple of places to kill time at near by if you're a little early (traffic was better than expected), so it wasn't a big deal. Walked in, shown a nice table. The place is clean, sparse, well laid out, no offensive smells, tile floor, blacks and natural wood decor. Nice space, they've done a great job with the strip mall confines. Staff are in comfortable basics, no faux kimonos or hopi coats -- so far, so good! Menu: This place has a active online presence, so do check the internets for daily specials and updates, but there's also a Specials board at the end of the sushi bar. On the printed menu I noticed a good number of what I call "a la" dishes, or items that had people's names attached to them -- most were variations on known classics, and that suits me just fine. I like it when a chef or an inspired customer make a dish their own and share the results. On the specials board, I saw "Fish Wings," got curious, asked, and ordered a small ($4.95). It was a tempura fried pectoral fin sauced with a sweet-spicy glaze, and it ROCKED. Firm, moist, perfect fish, fins left attached and fried crisp, tempura still slightly crispy under the glaze. You're going to be dodging some bones, of course, just like chicken wings, but the dish was a great start to the meal. Then two Salmon Skin hand rolls (off-menu) to see how those came out. The Nori was crisp, the Salmon skin broiled excellently with a decent amount of meat still attached, and the pack/form of the cone was very well done. Basic skills: passed handily. Time to see what the kitchen could do. Okonomiyaki ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ok… ) ($8.95) -- Took a while (10-12 minutes?), as it should, and it came out on a hot iron pan saved from the utter Hell that is Chili's fajita slinging. I'm a serious okonomiyaki fan, and this one was excellent -- browned perfectly, solid sauce, good amount of seafood that was cooked to firmness but not chewy, and the batter had tastes of daikon and dashi, as it should. At about nine buck it is the food bargain of the year! Had half of it for lunch today, and it still was good eating. I'm definitely going back to start working through the nigiri and rolls, probably just sit at the bar next time and do "chef's choice" for an evening. Seriously looking forward to it. Highly recommended, and a good value.
(4)Ben B.
The service was inexcusably slow. While the kitchen staff moved at a leisurely snail's pace, the servers were frantically running around apologizing for how long the food was taking. Our server interrupted us in the middle of taking our order to answer the cordless phone in her pocket, then walked away while still talking. She returned several minutes later to finish with us. How nice. Neither the soup nor salad were remarkable. The volcano roll -that I ordered as a starter- didn't show until after the entree arrived, and it was a giant sloppy mess of cream cheese and stuck-together, lukewarm rice. The teriyaki chicken was the only redeeming part of the meal but sadly wasn't enough to keep me from swearing this place off.
(1)Adam A.
BEST. SUSHI. IN. TOWN. The place itself doesn't look like anything special; a few table and a sushi bar. However, the fish is always fresh and well prepared. If you're into sauces and fish combinations in a single roll, this might not be the place for you. The chirashi is priced very well during lunch and the portions are generous. For an authentic Japanese restaurant in town, this is it.
(5)Nemo L.
Kaisen is hands-down the best sushi place in Tampa. If I had to write about the food alone this would definitely be a 5 star review. I've been coming here off-and-on since it was next door to the K-Mart in the old Mission Bell plaza. I like it so much that I'm almost cagey about writing a good review. The ambiance is really simple, which is perfectly fine for a sushi joint to go minimalistic. It lets you know Kaisen is all about the food quality. If you're going to come here, come here to eat. * Their stuffed mushrooms are the best stuffed mushrooms I've had anywhere. * Their meat is always incredibly fresh. * Servings are generous. * Sushi is incredibly affordable. They have a handful of specialty rolls that appeal to the Tampa palate--such as grouper and tempura-fried-everything for you fat southerners. The Biscuit Roll & Dog Ate My Homework are guilty pleasures--but I actually prefer to just order nigiri or sashimi and keep it basic. Kaisen seems to be strongest in elements of simplicity (and don't confuse "simple" for "not flavorful" or "unsophisticated"). The only bad thing about Kaisen is service is decent at best and horrendous at worst. I believe one of the main waitresses is the owner's wife, and while she's nice, uhh, waitressing isn't her forte. Definitely don't come to Kaisen if you're in a rush--but if you're hanging out with friends and passing time, those slow food and drinks will come before you know it. But don't let the one star off for service and timeliness turn you off--if you want amazing sushi--come to Kaisen.
(4)Brian C.
An excellent place to get no frills, fresh sushi in Tampa. I don't need my sushi done up in mayo and special sauce, I appreciate a good piece of delicious fresh fish and this is certainly a great place for it. I recommend sitting at the bar, getting to know Ryo San and finding out the best eating for the day and getting whatever he recommends.
(4)Jason C.
Great food! I love their miso marinated, grilled mackerel. They also have a lot of fresh sushi options.
(4)Rachel H.
Make a reservation! The waitress was stunned when we said we didn't have one. She was nice after that though and sat us at a great table. All I got was a mushroom roll and a cucumber roll because I'm not a huge sushi fan but the rest of my table got real sushi and loved it. In addition to the fresh tuna nigiri, they splurged on something fried and tasty called a tempura something or other and it was on their specials board, sorry I'm not more specific, but even though I'm not a seafood lover, it looked good. Prices are average, and no happy hour. Next time, I want to sit at the bar and watch the experts do their thing.
(4)Mike S.
The sushi is not worth the wait. Me and my wife waited for 2hrs for food . The service was terrible , place is to dis organized , no point of making a reservation like they tell u , they have no clue what's going on . Me and wife eat sushi all the time and this was by far the worst place period .
(1)Carlos H.
Kaisen Sushi seems to be very highly recommended on Yelp so I was really excited when my friends and I finally made it there, but I was a little disappointed when I finally got my sushi after the wait. I ordered their California Roll with imitation crab, it wasn't very delectable and when I dipped it in the soy sauce it tasted worse. I ended up giving away my Spider Roll to my friends because I didn't like it at all. I also had their Sylvia's Special which is like a salmon & cream cheese Roll with green onions. Not a nice complement, their green onions didn't add flavor and the salmon a big disappointment because I almost always love salmon rolls at sushi restaurants. I had their fried calamari as well, which was okay, but after a few bites I found myself not wanting much more and ended up giving that way too. Service was on-par, food came little by little but not too slowly. Overall it was alright...I had a few things that were not good and a few things that were average, but I'd rather spend my money somewhere else.
(2)Janine A.
By far the best sushi in Tampa. The service may sometimes be slow, so go prepared to wait a little. This is not always the case, but it's worth the wait. The kid's plate is a great deal and wonderful way to introduce your child to Japanese cuisine. Ask for the kid's chopsticks too. They will set you up with trainers. Reservation recommended. The restaurant is small.
(5)Diana L.
This rating is purely on the service. I have no idea as to the quality of the food. We came here on a Saturday evening and the place was fairly crowded. After waiting a minute or so, we were greeted and told that the only seats were at the sushi bar.. fine. We sat down at the bar and waited and waited and waited. While sitting there we looked at the sushi roll menu in the plastic stand... my menu was dirty (disgusting). It didn't seem like a good selection of rolls. Nobody came to give us a menu or ask if we wanted drinks. So we ended up asking the sushi chef and he had to ask one of the girls. She finally come over with a menu and asked if we wanted drinks... a coke and iced green tea. Drinks never came and we noticed that our 'waitress' was roaming around the dining area but still did not have our drinks. After waiting a few more minutes, we decided to leave and walk out. Thankfully, we found Sushi Alive down the road.
(2)Christy S.
Best sushi in Tampa! We have been looking for a good quality (fresh fish and rice) sushi restaurant in tampa, this is it! Family owned and good service. Prices are good, especially for the quality in the fish you are getting. Try the blue crab roll it's very good, we have also had good uni, salmon, tuna, yellowtail and surf clam here.
(5)Kevin A.
Fish is flown in from Japan, and was recomended to me by other chefs and industry friends. Order off the white board specials and you won't be dissapointed. I was very pleased
(4)Jessica M.
We love Kaisen. It's the best sushi I have had in the Carrollwood/Citrus Park area. Service is great and both it and the food are always consistently top notch. It can be a bit pricey, but that is to be expected for quality sushi.
(5)Emily K.
I have very simple tastes when it comes to sushi. While some may prefer their rolls dolloped with heavy cream sauces or tempura-fried, my taste buds find the true merit of any sushi restaurant lies in the salmon roll and the spicy tuna roll. For those with tastes like mine, there is no comparison to Kaisen Sushi. I like my dining atmosphere to also be un-dolloped with extra froofiness. Kaisen is a simple and pleasant place to eat. The servers and chefs are always interactive and friendly (usually with a playful helping of sass). It is easy to focus on food and friends when my brain isn't being blasted with the canned music of every other Asian food restaurant , as if there were some sort of "Asian Restaurant Classics" CD they mail out when you open for business. Kaisen's atmosphere is perfect and matches their expertly-executed sushi. Even for a sushi connoisseur, Kaisen has unique menu options you probably haven't tried before. the Spicy Sea Bug in particular is my favorite--order this adventure in a bowl and you will soon lock gazes with three bug-eyed, fully in-shell shrimp staring at your from their spicy-sweet-sour bath. The shrimp are cooked to perfection with unparalleled flavor. This dish is certainly an experience to remember.
(5)Lance C.
Dale Mabry Tour de Sushi Continues! Typical strip mall sushi joint ambiance, and I don't mean that in a bad way. A few booths along one side, a few tables in the front and a "L" shaped sushi bar in the back corner. I headed straight to the sushi bar and was greeted by the sushi chef. Took a few minutes for the waitress to acknowledge us, a few minutes more before she brought the menus, a few minutes more to take our order (a trend is developing - plus I was there after the lunch time rush, so it was only about 25% full). Finally ordered, they have a two roll and salad lunch special for $9. The special comes with a Cali roll and a choice of others, I went with the spicy tuna for consistency sake, and added tuna and yellow tail nigiri. Took forever to get the salad, the sushi chef actually had to say something to the waitress - not so good. The salad was not typical, romaine replaced iceberg for the lettuce, it had shaved carrots and the dressing was not the normal ginger - points for the lettuce, taken away for the weak dressing. Sushi was delivered promptly by the sushi chef once the salad was finished. The rolls were pretty good, the Cali was half regular (imi crab, avo and cuke) and half a crab salad. The spicy tuna is ordered on a heat scale, I went with "8", it wasn't that hot, about right. The flavor was pretty good, the rolls were a little on the sloppy side, but not too much. The tuna was a lean piece, good flavor, a little on the the thick side. The rice had a good texture and flavor. Yellow tail was a darker than normal selection, but again not bad. Never had an offer to refill my glass. Took a while to get the check, but was turned fairly quickly. Overall the food rated a solid "4", but the service is sadly lacking. Will probably try again, hoping they get the service tighter.
(3)Dana S.
I did not like the service there and the sushi wasn't anything special. I don't know why it has so many good reviews. I would rather go to Sushi Alive which is down the street from this.
(1)Ben V.
Not only the best sushi in Tampa but dare I say the country. There, I said it!
(5)Nuri G.
I've had lots of mediocre sushi in Tampa. From SB in Ybor City to CB near the stadium, there's a lot of just average... or restaurants trying too hard to be fusion. I grew up near Tampa, and every time I come back, there's only one requirement as far as dining -- I have to get in to see Ryo at Kaisen Sushi. Kaisen is a little known secret that Tampa has been hiding for years. Ryo initially opened over by Harpos, further south on Dale Mabry than their current location. I went in for the first time in 1999, and have been a repeat customer ever since, dining there sometimes twice a week. In all my years of eating at Kaisen, I've never once been disappointed. In fact, they know me by name now and I get that personal of service that keeps me coming back. Here are my highlights: Appetizer: Calamari -- I can't say enough about this stuff. It's not your typical frozen rings, this stuff is FRESH. They saute large chunks octopus, not just rings or tentacles, in a delicious sauce that has a mild tangy flavor to it. It's then topped with bonito flake, green onion, and a lemon. I could eat calamari appetizers as a meal and walk away satisfied... Stuffed Mushrooms -- Forget everything you know about stuffed mushrooms. Ryo takes large mushrooms, stuffs them with crab meat, tempura batters, and deep fries them. They're then coated with what I think is ponzu sauce for a delicious creation. Nigiri: One of my personal favorites is the zuke tuna. Ryo takes the best cuts of Tuna and marinates them in what I believe to be sesame oil, rice vinegar, and soy sauce, for about three days. The fish changes consistency and flavor, and becomes just ridiculously good. You have to try it. Ryo's fish selection and cuts are the absolute best in Tampa, in my opinion. He hand-selects everything, and he's committed to culinary excellence. You really can't go wrong. Rolls: My personal favorite, although not containing raw fish, is the Cynthia's Vegetable Tempura roll. The kitchen takes asparagus and sweet potatoes, tempura batters, then deep fries them. These scrumptious veggies are then rolled up and served with a side of ponzu sauce. It's HEAVENLY. The spicy tuna is by far the best I've ever had as well. Most restaurants pulverize the tuna or use shoddier quality of fish. Ryo takes his sushi tuna, cubes it, and mixes it with spicy sauce. You don't feel like you're eating some strange mush -- it has consistency, texture, and above all, great flavor. Dessert: I love the green tea ice cream. It's that simple. They also carry "Red Bean" ice cream, but I tend to stay away from that. It's a little too weird for me. For all you non-sushi lovers, they do a delicious cooked salmon and chicken teriyaki. I can't recommend Kaisen Sushi enough, that's plain and simple. If you're a first time sushi-er, or a seasoned expert, stop into Kaisen and prepare to be wowed. They also organize a yearly fishing trip, and I hear a lot of people have had a really good time on these excursions. You'll always see Ryo making sushi, and his Dad and sometimes his wife are there working to keep the place running smoothly. GO! NOW (unless it's Sunday or Monday)! DO IT! :-)
(5)Sue G.
Thanks fellow Yelpers for leading me to this place! We are tired of the same menu from our regular sushi place so, I searched your reviews and tried this place. Outstanding service! The no-name roll was so yummy! The dog ate my homework was my daughter's favorite! Go figure... They had wonder sashimi tuna and a super rainbow roll. Nothing fishy here! Just fresh! Can't wait to go back!
(4)Vinny T.
Visited Kaisen with some friends on a Friday evening. It's a typical strip center sushi joint; small in size with the bare essentials for decor and white washed walls. We were a party of five with varied items, everyone pleased. I ordered Edamame and the Sashimi Mori-Awase as a Tuna/Salmon mix 75/25 for $12 and received a great dozen or so pieces. The fish was fresh, cool, brightly colored and tasted excellent. The service was OK. Could have been a bit more attentive, esp. for refills and when we were ready to close out. Considering people were lining up at the door they could have turned our table 10-15 minutes quicker. Overall: Great food and a good experience in an uninspiring atmosphere.
(3)Jen L.
Sushi is good, kitchen food is really good too. I like the fact, they have a changing board menu of specials. However, service can be quite slow.
(4)A M.
This place is hidden in a strip mall off of Bearss and N.Dale Mabry. It's pretty small and quiet. Has a sushi bar as well as booths and tables to eat. The sake is great annd the sushi is very good. The service was ok, the sushi speaks more for this place than the service.
(3)Annette G.
This is a very, very, very good sushi place. What they lack in decor, ambiance and exotic drinks, they more than make up for very tasty, super fresh food. Once again, strip mall sushi out paces the standalone, sushi chic places. You won't find a list of a hundred rolls that basically feature the same meat in different combinations. You will find a list of rolls with thoughtfully paired meats and veggies as well as a very impressive and unique selection of menu of items. For instance, the tuna tatake dish I shared. It was lightly seared tuna in ponzu and chili sauce. Whenever you order something spicy, you can ask for it in a range of hotness from 1-10. My dinner companions warned about going above 8, so we stayed there. The dish was fantastic, lots of tuna and sliced cucumbers. The ponzu was sweet and salty, the chili was there but not super strong. After dinner we concluded we could've gone 10 on it (or perhaps... 11?!) but we really like super spicy food. All the rolls were excellent, but I was really digging a veggie roll, tempura sweet potato and asparagus. Yum. Check the special board for things like monk fish liver and giant clam. When those things come in, they go fast. And by fast, I mean, the regulars even request phone calls and email alerts... Kaisen is a sushi diamond in the rough. I'll definitely be going back for more!
(5)James H.
Freshest sushi around but price is very high if you don't go for lunch. Very good service on top of amazing food.
(5)o m.
Yes, Tampa has a lot of mediocre sushi. Niri described character's of Kaisen well. My mouth is watering. Kaisen is strip mall non attractive looking place, first time I was at Kaisen standing at parking lot and I questioned myself "are you sure you want to really go inside?". It turn out to be the best sushi in Tampa with beautiful warm sweet rice. Very reasonably priced, wonderful flesh authentic sushi taste. I recommend it. 4 and 1/2 stars
(5)