Sushi Express
1038 Beacon St, Brookline, MA, 02446
Sushi Express Menu
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Address :
1038 Beacon St
Brookline, MA, 02446 - Phone (617) 738-5658
- Website https://www.sushiexpress-ma.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :12:00 pm - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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Luke A.
Good. Small and mildly sketchy the places holds 2 sushi chefs a few tables and a waitress. There is a small kitchen, but I never order any cooked food options here. It is small and discreet and can easily be passed by (luckily they have a sign to show that they exist!) The food is very good and is fair in pricing. I only order a few rolls here because they are very filling and quite flavorful. This place has been here for awhile and yet when I come in, it never seems packed or anything (I usually visit at odd hours though). The sushi chefs are always willing to make any creations you request too (for a price of course!). I like to ask for the Naruto (cucumber wrapped, filled with avocado, shrimp, tobiko, crabstick) with some vinegar on the side. This is a quaint place that works well for a quick bite or a casual meal; usually ranges within $20-30 per person for a good meal. Recommended!
(4)Yuka Y.
++Recommend the 'Sushi Deluxe' set: 10 pieces of a variety of nigiri (salmon, octopus, tuna, etc.) + 1 roll of spicy maki + seaweed soup + salad. You know that feeling when you go out with friends and you order sushi ala carte at a non-buffet place? There
(4)Allie B.
Sushi can be $u$hi (expensive). This place is well priced, fresh and FAST. looks a little sketchy, like the other reviews say, but its great take out sushi. not bad to eat outside on their small lower-level patio (enough room for 2 tables) but the only downside is no liquor licence. Best place to satisfy your deepest darkest immediate sushi desires- especially if you live in the area.
(4)Steven R.
I can't say I was blown away, but all the sushi we had was good. It's a small place with only a few tables so keep that in mind if you are going to eat with a group.
(3)Nina K.
So I like this place... but I don't LOVE it. The sushi is good quality, but definitely not the best sushi I have ever had. As mentioned, they are very quick with preparing the food. I have sat down to eat at Sushi Express, but I often order online and pick it up at the store. The problem is however, they have messed up my order a few times (a food item or two was missing). But its close, its convenient, and everyone is friendly.
(4)Shaun L.
Great sushi value. It's a small place so groups are not recommended. I suggest going here for regular sushi, if you want a creative Maki roll, this is not your place.
(4)Laura S.
The quality of the sushi was ok. I did order three rolls for $23 which was pretty decent priced and I was full off them. It did the job I wanted it to, but I would rather have better quality for more I guess. They used a lot of rice around their sushi so that played a factor. LOCATION: downstairs area, very cute shop owned by Chinese peopel
(3)Sarah G.
$9.95 for a lunch special including salad, miso soup, a spicy tuna roll and a chef's choice nigiri?? That's a steal, especially in Boston. That alone gets this place 4 stars from me. It is hard to eat out at lunch for less than $10 but Sushi Express, you did it! You did it, you! Plus their bento boxes are about the same price then too for those of you out there who still haven't jumped on the sushi band wagon yet :-) And the sushi tasted pretty fresh too! The fish all seemed like pretty good product, the service was very attentive, even with our hefty water drinking, and this place is small enough that they definitely remember all of their customers here, since Stacey D. who I went with is a frequent customer here, they definitely welcomed her back which I love. And other people brought their kids here too while we were here, and even for a small underground type of spot, this place does a great job. I can't report about dinner or any other fanicer rolls, but if you are in this area for lunch and looking for a cheap way to get full off of some pretty decent sushi, then this is your spot!
(4)Michelle C.
I've been here 2 times and just had delivery and I have never been disappointed. The restaurant is small but cozy and everyone is always friendly. Sushi is great and inexpensive.
(5)Ambrose C.
This place was special to me because this was the place I usually went to for good sushi at reasonable prices when I was a student on a really tight budget. Whenever I had lunch appointments with friends that wanted sushi, we usually went to this place, and I did not spend more than $20 on average for a sushi meal here, especially for lunch. During my most recent visit, I got four orders of nigiri sushi, a pair of Yellowtail and a pair Salmon, along with a Spicy Tuna Roll. I also got a Home Run Maki, which is a combination of cream cheese, eel, avocado, and it is deep fried. I would say that they make a decently good Spicy Tuna Roll. It's not the best Spicy Tuna Roll I had, but it sufficed and it had a good flavor. The Yellowtail was fresh, and I liked the slight juiciness of the fish. As for the Salmon, it was decently fresh as well, and tasted all right. The wasabi was reasonably strong, but not too strong and it did give some additional kick to the flavor of the nigiri sushi. The gari was also pretty good, and made the Yellowtail and the Salmon tastier. A pair of Yellowtail nigiri sushi and a pair of salmon nigiri sushi, along with a Spicy Tuna Roll should be enough for a light lunch, and should not cost more than $15. The Home Run Maki, although it is a little expensive, is a great choice to share with two people along with a generous portion of good sushi. Each mouthful had this incredible combination of creaminess, crispiness, and tenderness, and it's probably worth spending the $12. I spent about $26 total including tip, which is an average price, but I was really full after eating this much sushi. I was actually surprised by the service, because the sushi came in fairly quick, probably under 15 minutes. Overall, this is probably the place I would recommend if you want decently good sushi at a reasonable price along with decently good service. It is also the place I would recommend if you are actually looking for sushi and if you do not want to spend more than $30 for a generous amount of sushi in Brookline.
(4)Alicia C.
I love this place. Great prices for the quality of sushi and sashimi! This is my new favorite sushi restaurant in Boston. The only trade off is you can't really bring a party of more than 2-3 people here due to the size of the shop. Other than that, I love every everything about the food and service. Keep it up, Sushi Express!
(4)Vivian C.
I stopped by after work for a take-out roll and found a nearly empty restaurant with smiley staff ready to please. The Home Run Maki $12 (eel, tobiko, cream cheese, avocado, squash, deep fried with seaweed & breadcrumbs. Served with house special sauce. 8 pieces) was rich creamy goodness by the piece. Although I must admit the eel flavor was kind of overwhelmed by said creaminess. One roll makes for a decent light meal. I counted 4 seats along the counter, and I forget... was it 5 tall tables around the room, each set with a pair of stools?
(4)Lila F.
They are so fast! The fish tastes really fresh. It's nice to be able to sit outside when the weather is good.
(4)Nadia S.
I first ordered delivery sashimi dinner - fantastic and affordable. I knew I was taking a big chance getting raw fish delivered but I had such a craving and it was literally a 5 minute delivery of fresh pieces of fish! The second time I came in for a solo dinner at the sushi bar before going salsa dancing. Everyone was friendly, quick and happy to share their knowledge of maki and fish. The toro, omg the toro...when they have it, get it! Also had the veg roll and volcano roll, both delicious. I had a happy experience hanging out with the sushi chef; I had a wonderful dinner and my servers took care of me. Cute and cozy place. Now they just need to get sake in there!
(5)Irina N.
This place is a hole in the wall but they are cheap and they are fast! Some of them don't speak good English and you will have to repeat but they would always greet you when you walk in, smile, offer and deliver in a timely manner! It is not a fancy place but they make up with good quality and fast turn around time. I love sushi and I love that i have to walk by this place on my way home from work! It is a guilty pleasure but a healthy and affordable one! They don't serve liquor. They just recently started delivering, which is a plus! Won't accommodate huge crowd but would be an intimate place for few friends to meet and catch up I've had friends order party platters from them and variety and freshness never disappoints! I am not a huge connoisseur in different style sushi or fish but I know what tastes good to me and these guys always make it just right!
(5)Anna P.
Hands down the best sushi I've ever had. We were talking about it for days. We had some "Chef's Special" that was unlike anything I've ever tasted - something with a scallop and cream cheese (which I normally don't like) and the whole thing was flash fried (which I normally don't like) and it was one of the best things I've ever eaten. I am having severe regrets that I didn't get more information on it because I don't live nearby and don't know if I will ever experience it again. I almost stayed in town just to eat there again. Oh yes, and an added bonus: it is unbelievably underpriced.
(5)Kelly O.
4.5 stars. I've finally realized that Sushi Express's Salmon Melt Nigri is one of my absolute favorite kinds of sushi, possibly ever. I've always loved it, but only after years of sushi consumption at other pleases has it dawned on me just how phenomenal it is (and how unique, since I haven't seen it anywhere else)... delicate, flavorful, fresh pieces of salmon melted onto sushi rice with a blow torch ever so gently, resulting in a slightly cooked exterior and slightly raw interior. It literally does melt in your mouth and is something I crave often. If you're a salmon fan, you must try this. They don't have a ton of menu variety, or seating/atmosphere for that matter (so if you're looking for any of those things, head to Fugakyu). But if you want a cheap, delicious take-out sushi meal, look no further.
(4)Gillian J.
A little gem of a sushi place have tried others but not even the well known and more popular ones compare. Small but the staff is very nice the quality is fresh and very tasty, one of the best in Boston.
(5)Alan T.
Good sushi at prices that won't crater your wallet. This gem is a small, cozy restaurant offering fresh, good quality sushi. By cozy, I mean 5 tables for two and a bar that seats 6-7. We were glad to find this place since the last sushi place we tried was not that great and also more expensive. So if you're in Boston and need a sushi fix, give this place a try.
(4)Jessica H.
Great neighborhood sushi joint. Always my go too for good reasonably priced sushi. Great service, nice people, always happy to support my local neighborhood. Honestly I would say this has better sushi than sit down places that cost a lot more (ie:Fugakyu down the street) Has outdoor seating in the summer, great for takeout all the time.
(4)June-Young C.
They have really great sushi here and for a decent price.The udon on the other ahnd isn't the best. I tried the tempura udon and expected at least a fishcake, but no dice. I am reminded of the udon at Tsunami at Ackerman Union except with 2 tempura shrimp and 2 tempura yams. The place is kind of small, but it is meant for to-go anyway. This place has a lot of specialty rolls, and they are all pretty good.
(4)Ellie W.
I used to live a few blocks from Sushi Express, and between my addiction to this and Nud Pob, I was probably sweating wasabi and peanut sauce. I love Sushi Express--it's one of the few Japanese restaurants in Boston run by ACTUAL Japanese people. It's not to say that only Japanese people are capable of making great sushi, but having been to Japan, somehow I naturally trust people who grew up eating sushi a bit more when it comes to my beloved sushi/sashimi. Be forewarned, this place is SMALL. It reminds me of going over to your high school friend's basement to hang out and eat take-out and drink soda. It's very casual, and great for ordering take-out. Pretty yummy sushi without breaking the bank, so thumbs way up.
(4)Wendy L.
This used to be my default sushi restaurant during college until Fish Market opened. Reasonably priced, fairly fresh and quick service. I like the 18 piece nigiri special here because you can't find that anywhere in Boston for that price. I think its around $20 or so thats about $1 a piece...what a deal! I don't enjoy the rolls and appetizers here too much though. I also think that the freshness of their fish is inconsistent. Somedays I'll get really fresh raw fish and other days it will taste stringy and fishy. It's really hit or miss with this place...I say its a 70/30 chance that it will be fresh. I like their beef bowl here also called Gyu Don. It comes with juicy sliced beef with flavorful sauce over rice. They only deliver after 5pm and sometimes don't deliver on random nights.
(3)Steven F.
This place is great! I like how everything is set up and the service is pretty decent. The sushi is pretty good for the price. The Lobster Maki special they had was awesome. They roll everything up pretty quick. Don't know what else to say but eat here.
(5)Alana L.
A friend and I were looking for sushi and first went to Ginza. After deciding we didn't want to drop $75 on dinner, we started walking and spied Sushi Express. Deciding it was more within our price range, we went in and decided it give it a shot. Now, Sushi Express is teeny. There are 5 tables of 2. Their name says it all; it's meant to be an express sort of place. I had a salmon roll, tamago roll, and unagi/avocado roll, while my companion had a roll I can't remember the name of that had spicy fish on top and was crispy inside. My rolls were pretty good, above average, but what really made it was his roll. It was absolutely sublime. The textures were interesting, the flavour was killer, and I could have eaten an entire platter of the stuff and gone back for more. They also have mochi ice cream, which they put rather unceremoniously in front of you in a plastic package, but hey, I wasn't expecting frills. It came to under $30 for each of us. For the quality and price, no complaints whatsoever. I'll be going back.
(4)Grace Y.
The lobster roll and scallop sashimi are the best I ever had, definitely a must go place!!
(5)Colleen B.
The valentine maki w/ shrimp & mango & mango sauce is amazing! I'm now having it once a week. I don't know if you should get anything else, but that....really. Ok maybe the eel & avacado. And I guess the tuna & salmon are really good too. I've even dabbled in the friend pork gyoza. Prices are cheap, the sushi is good & it usually pretty quick. Just make sure you have cash. I think they charge ya extra if you use a credit card cuz they get charged fees and all.
(4)Karen H.
I've been eating at Sushi Express since my last year of college when I lived right around the block on Park Drive, a convenient 2 minute walk. My friends and I used to order so much sushi (read: party platters) that the guys working there recognized us and would giggle to themselves when we walked in. We loved it and they loved it. It's cozy, simple, and no frills. The nigiri sushi is big, fresh, and everything is always served quickly. The prices are cheap so I always split a 32 pc combo with a friend or just order per item. If you bring cash for take-out or dining in, they don't charge you tax so that's pretty sweet. I'd definitely recommend this place to anyone!
(5)Kaitlyn S.
So. Good. Came here on a date, and I loved the ambiance. Tiny tables, great sushi, I love it. I imagine it to be like a tiny hole in the wall in Japan :)
(4)A A.
Good but inexpensive sushi. Don't come here for the atmosphere. It's small and casual, but it's perfect if you're looking for a sushi quick fix.
(4)Shawday R.
I have been buying food from sushi express for over one year. I have been to other sushi restaurants in town and I really think they are one of the best. Recently every saturday I order delivery. The food is always fresh. The delivery is always on time. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Rani P.
The name says it all- they sell sushi and you can charge your Amex if it's over $10. The fast definition of express is also applicable, especially appropriate for their minimal seating options and convenient location to my stroll home from all things Coolidge Corner. For being such a small joint- I was pleasantly surprised by the freshness of their avocado and accompaniments. They also give you sizable chunks of goodness wrapped in your rice, and the flavors are spot-on. So although I barely had enough time between ordering and receiving to check-in on my trusty smartphone, the late-night treat was mucho perfecto (wish I spoke some Japanese).
(4)Ai C.
Decent prices, friendly service, and *amazing* sushi selection make this my must-go spot when I'm in the mood for some rolls and sashimi.
(4)Sara M.
This place was a favorite to bring friends to in college, and when class got out early today, I decided to pop in. The sushi is not the best I have had, but it was tasty and not too expensive. My only gripe was the eh service when there were only two people in the place...and its hard to enjoy a late lunch when the chefs are shouting back and forth.
(3)Sarah B.
I tried to like Sushi Express. I did. It'd been recommended to me as a really cheap, fresh place, but I was not impressed. I tried it three times and concluded: It's not that cheap, and it's not that fresh. The service is friendly, but I can't keep going somewhere just because they're nice. If you're not yet familiar with Yokohama, check it out instead of Sushi Express. Similar no-frills place, yet a huge improvement on price and quality.
(2)EricaLynn J.
Returned to Sushi Express and the sushi tastes even better now! Really happy about that. Lots and lots of sushi for cheap, and it's quick, and really tasty too. Score!
(4)Thaddeus M.
Sushi Express, where the sushi is cheap. You come here and you look at the prices so you expect all the sushi to be bad. That is not the case, the sushi is actually quite good. I always am happy to come to this restaurant and order five or six different rolls and actually feel full from sushi. My bill would only be around $26 too. Which for a lot of sushi I am glad to spend on. It is a great place. Small, cozy and comfortable. Nothing fancy just get there and enjoy.
(4)Eva K.
Everyone expects to pay a premium for sushi, right? Not at Sushi express! This is a great place to get good sushi takeout for an awesome price, or to dine-in with a friend. Be forewarned, the place is small, so no good for groups.
(5)Eileen C.
Wow, I really can't believe this place gets pretty decent reviews. If this place is the best sushi you've ever tasted... I don't know, I suppose your first time with good sushi will be an awesome experience! I'll keep it short because I don't like to dwell on the negatives. They don't use real crab, which is not a big deal for generic places like this. Only a handful of places use real crab instead of imitation, so it's not too bad in that respect. The sushi just isn't anything to write home about. The actual fish doesn't taste especially fresh/flavorful. The rolls are alright. On the other hand, at an average of 5 dollars a basic roll with 6 pieces in each, the prices aren't half bad if you're absolutely going to have an epileptic fit without raw fish injected into your bloodstream immediately (which, believe me, has happened to me plenty of times). Though this is only the basic rolls. The special rolls cost twice as much and aren't worth the money in that respect. I ordered a rainbow roll and it was definitely not worth what I paid for it in amount or quality. The one thing that tips me off the most about the average-ness of Sushi Express is that when you walk in you're hit with the most pungent smell of tempura and fishy-fish (fresh fish smells like the ocean, not like fish!) I'm starting to sound like a snob... so I'm going to stop here. Bottom line is that Sushi Express is definitely for when you need express sushi. If you have to, it won't kill you. But if you have the time/money/energy/etc., go somewhere better, because better places DO exist!
(2)Alena K.
update I will never go here again, I couldn't even eat my sushi after what I witnessed here the other day. 1. The usually sushi man was on break I guess and the guy who is usually the waiter made our sushi. After taking our order, he walked over to the sushi bar and started taking the fish out with his bare hands, didn't even wash his hands before doing that even though he just took our order with his dirty pen. Once he realized I was watching him doing that, he stopped and put gloves on. 2. Halfway into making the sushi, he sneezed into his gloved hands right at the sushi bar. EWWW. and not only that, instead of changing his gloves like a normal person would, he just rinsed his hands under water with the gloves on and preceded to finnish making my sushi. Now, I don't know if this has happened before, for all I know, it happens all the time, but I never sit at the sushi bar so I never really pay attention. For some reason I did this time because I was confused as to where the sushi man was. But this is absolutely disgusting, contaminated raw fish can be extremely hazardous and what he did proved his disregard for his costumers. After being a loyal costumer for years, I will never step foot into this place ever again. Not only that, but now I'm going to have to spy on every sushi man no matter what sushi place I am at! ughh xo alena
(1)Adriana L.
I ordered 3 rolls for $16, which is pretty amazing. Definitely the best value sushi I've ordered in Boston. They were good, but not great. They got one of my rolls wrong and one of them kind of fell apart as I ate it. The fish was fresh, though, and it was extremely fast (for take-out), so they really live up to their name in that regard. I live nearby, so for the convenience and the price, I'd probably pick up sushi again.
(3)Giuseppe C.
The name is 'Sushi EXPRESS,' so obviously this isnt an all out sushi place. But, for the prices, there really is no competition. I've been going here for two years, at least once a month, and probably only once have I not been totally satisfied. Overall, great place for some raw fish. The lunch combos are also a steal, so definitely give it a try on weekdays if you can
(4)Ari F.
Sushi Express is perfect for lunch. Their rolls are generally of average price, but above-average quality. They don't do much fancy stuff, but they do the basics pretty well with solid fish quality. Also, they have excellent lunch specials. My favorite is the 3-roll Salmon special with miso soup for $10.50- a Geisha Roll (salmon, cucumber, avocado, tobbiko), a plain Salmon Roll, and a California Roll. Sushi Express is unpretentious and cozy, with five small tables and a bar with about 4 seats. The lighting is good and low, the music is usually japanese pop, and the guys working the place are smiley and attentive. If you've got time, it's a good place to sit with some reading material and a few green tea refills.
(4)Paola C.
Not all that bad. Food comes out a lot quicker than Shino's on Newbury St. You get unlimited ginger which is great too and a greater variety of rolls to choose from which I liked as well. Shino only gives you so much but their presentation is very nice. Sushi Ex the presentation is a little less on the presentation but the quality was pretty good too. It is crowded though and has only like 5 tables from what I remember unless there's something int he backroom I didn't know about. Wasn't very happy with that seeing as people kept bumping into my chair and you're already sitting up on these high stools you feel you're going to fall off of. The prices were great! We paid $25 for one miso soup, four rolls, one specialty roll and three peices of nigiri! You just cannot beat that! Definitely a good place for when you want sushi fast and cheap!
(4)L W.
Let me preface by saying that 4 stars at Drink means something different than 4 stars at your favorite dive bar. That said, I really like this place for what it is: 15 seats, staff of 4, never a wait, really cheap. I have a few rolls that I always get after a long day of work, like the spicy yellowtail or a few sea urchin nigiri, and the price is totally non-guilt-inducing. There are just nights when you want to eat sushi, but pay Thai food prices. It's not necessarily the place for an impressive first date, or fancy rolls with a blowtorch, but the staff is super friendly, and the maki is definitely better than supermarket quality, for less than supermarket price.
(4)Carla B.
This place is wonderful. The store is cozy but as many other people say, the staff are great. And they have pictures of the special rolls on the wall which was incredibly helpful and a wonderful idea. The staff were friendly, patient, and not overbearing. And the rolls really were some of the absolute best I've ever had. I've traveled all over the world (including Japan) and these rolls were great. The Fujisan Maki and Volcano rolls were absolutely amazing. And the value for the price is unbeatable. Definitely the best priced sushi, which makes the place ever better given that the quality is better than most expensive places. I would highly recommend Sushi Express and will continue to go there as long as I live in Boston.
(5)Sara S.
Arestia R. suggested we visit Sushi Express for our next lunch outing. In Brookline, never been, and is one of her favorite places for sushi lunch. Checking another place off the list! It's basement level and bigger than I imagined. Come on guys, it's not THAT small. There are probably 15/20 seats between the high-top tables and sushi bar. You fill out your own order form for sushi, but there's also a menu explaining the different rolls and other Japanese offerings. Additionally, there are special rolls posted on the walls. I ordered miso soup, spicy tuna roll, cucumber roll, and una-avo roll. The miso soup was great. Not too salty, not too watered down. There was a generous amount of seaweed and tofu, which I like :) The sushi itself was pretty damn awesome. The tuna in the spicy tuna roll tasted super-refreshing and fresh. The only thing that I didn't like about the STR is that the spicy mayo was drizzled over the top rather than be mixed in with the roll. They were a little heavy handed with the drizzle, so I ended up taking a lot of it off. Next time, I'll specifically ask for them to mix the mayo (only a little!) in WITH the roll. The cucumber roll was yummy and good, but you can't really mess that one up. The unaavo roll was very good, but a little "messy". Not an equal distribution of inside ingredients. All in all, everything tasted great. Sushi Express is a terrific value ($13 for everything!) and a fun environment for a casual lunch. Everything was really nicely presented, too. I love their square dishes! They were playing some pretty rocking top 40 hits, which I obviously appreciate. Little improvements can be made... probably things that are all my own preference. But I will totally be back! Thanks, Arestia :)
(4)Simply E.
I must say I absolutely LOVE this place!! The service is great and everyone greets me as soon as I hit the door and make eye contact. The gentleman even took our wet umbrellas aside to dry while we ate. I love the kani-kama, ebi and spicy shrimp tempura maki with spicy mayo on the side. I do not remember what my boyfriend eats but he loves it too, along with the sugar free green tea. I try to take a platter of sushi (from Sushi Express, of course) to different events that I attend just to get friends to try the sushi and they LOVE it too! The place is small in size but BIG on taste and freshness!!!! Bet I won't go any where else!!! Small gem is an understatement!!!! I will forever be a client and bring others to taste their food. By the way, why are you still reading this and not on your way down there to get some food????!!!!!! :)
(5)Carolyn L.
Sushi Express has been my family's and my go-to sushi joint for a good 7+ years. I'm not going to lie: the main reason I come back is for their seaweed udon. Friends and family can attest to my abnormal affinity to this particular noodle and I haven't found udon like this anywhere else in Boston. They just make an amazing broth for the seaweed udon. The sushi is tasty, well prepared, and decently priced. Party platters start at around $20 for 18 pieces, which is difficult to beat. The place itself is small but not cramped even though you are sitting on bar stools and counter tables. The servers are always attentive and it's one of the few places left where the entire staff at a Japanese restaurant - is actually Japanese. I love the casual low-key ambiance compared to the more trendy sushi places around town. All in all, Sushi Express is a great place to go for a casual dinner of some darn good sushi and udon. Be prepared- you WILL come out smelling like food so don't wear anything you can't stick in the laundry immediately after.
(4)Tan E.
Wow this place is a hidden gem. Came here for the first time, a nice small place on a street of many variety of restaurants. There were 4 of us. I personally don't care what sushi was ordered. I just wanted some fish. Ordered a sushi platter, 70 pieces: 40 nigiri & 30 pieces of maki sushi (5 rolls). And it was off the hook! We ordered all of our favorites; tuna, salmon, yellowtail, eel, etc. And it was very satisfying. It gave me my sushi fix for about a week. For $65.00, not bad for a group of 4. Of course u could get the normal stuff on menu and eat the way you want to and there is no shame in that. This place is on my hit list for quick, inexpensive, good quality sushi. Hole in the walls are never usually a bad choice.
(4)Steven E.
I've been here twice, about a year ago. The sushi prices were ridiculously cheap and I hear still are; however, if that is what you are going for - I would suggest going for Zen 320 on Washington St. in Brookline where sushi tastes better, and all of it is 1/2 price off (all the time.) Their sushi are in fact "express." on your table in less then 10 minutes, which is fantastic. The service is not the best and both times that I have been there, my stomach was really upset at "Sushi Express."
(2)Angela M.
Great sushi at a reasonable price. They have really good lunch specials, I wish they did the same for dinner. The restaurant itself is rather small; most tables fit 3 people max. The service is really quick and super friendly. The only downside is that they charge more if you use a debit/credit card instead of cash.
(5)M Z.
Fresh sushi, clean place. Very small but the food makes up for it. The prices are also great.
(5)Fred S.
I've always been a fan, but I think that recently the quality has gone UP. The fish has been great in my last few visits. It's reasonably (low) priced, and the service is very friendly. Now I have a hard decision to make between sushi express and Minato. To Louise R. in the revew below mine: They give a discount, not a tax. They let you pay a reduced cash price so you can choose between getting your miles or saving some cash. They are doing you a service by allowing you to back out the CC transaction costs if you choose to do so. It's way better than having to increase their prices to average out the costs of credit cards sales across all customers.
(4)Natasha A.
Big love to sushi express...devoted fan since high school. This hidden jem has the best and cheapest sushi anywhere. We always order the 32 piece special for only $25 and get all nigiri. The have recently added a few non-sushi japanese appetizers as well. I guess if you are trying to impress a first date this basement, 5 table place is not for you, but if you are a sushi fanatic that must have it every week, then head on over to sushi express. Update: Just went to Sushi Express again (early July). The place fell from a 5 to 1 star...it is under new ownershp with a fresh coat of paint. But the sushi has drastically deteriorated in quality. The rice tasted like pure vinegar and there were bones in our nigiri!
(1)Kevin W.
The only reason I went to this place was because it was conveniently located near BU. It was an alright place for sushi. I would usually get a chirashi which was very standard and the fish was adequately fresh.
(3)Ryan M.
Generally speaking, you pay for what you get. This place has extremely affordable sushi and the food is pretty good. We really enjoyed it. We will definitely be back.
(4)Anita A.
Sushi is ok, but its cheap and fast!
(3)Tom E.
In the run for express sushi you can grab and go at a supermarket (yuck yuck sushi) or you can sit down pay the big bucks and wait your turn for fresh quality stuff (yum yum sushi). The latter is especially easy to do around Coolidge Corner/Beacon St with enough decent sushi places to shake a stick at. So where does Sushi Express find its niche? Well - it attempts to be the fast sushi that is better than the supermarket sushi. How fast? Express fast? Using a blowtorch to cook beef teriyaki fast? (Yes they do!) Well, not lightning fast - but pretty quick. It's a good stop of for a 15 dollar lunch - especially if you like endless pickled ginger. But really, the speed sacrifices the quality and the sushi here is a little disappointing. Even worse is to come here for dinner. It's not pretty and the service can really be overstretched. Orders are confused and you will always feel second-best to the take-out crew who are popping in every minute. Best things to get - the beef bowl or mackerel nigri Best comedy item on the menu - Califolnia Roll (is the spelling indicative of the pronunciation?)
(3)Geoffrey R.
Let's start off with what 4 stars means. to me this means that in this class of restaurant, (a fast in fast out sushi place) it exceeds my expectations. I am NOT saying that this place is better than Duzo or Oishii. But it does a damn good job for getting in and out of a sushi place in A. under 5 minutes, and B. under 10-12 bucks. My friend and I walked right in, no line. We ordered 3 roles each. We also had some sides; He had miso soup, I had the edamame. While we watched the guys make our dinner, we talked to the waitress and guys making the sushi. They were all very nice and jovial and even gave us some samples of a few new things the one chef was working on. (an interesting concoction of fish with a slightly citrus sauce) Presto Change-O! SUSHI, and all this for under 25 bucks for 2 people. I am SOOO glad I live in Cambridge or I would be here for half my meals and Anna's for the other... (just kidding I do need a bit more variety... on the other hand...) When we got home we sat down watched the Pats pull a squeaker out and ate. The rice was actually quite decent, as some had mentioned it not being, and the fish was not fishy and seemed fresh. It was more meaty than Bluefin but not as much as at a high end place. The only thing I wish they would have done, and would actually still fit in this price range, is fix how they serve the spicy tuna etc. I feel that spicy anything needs to have been diced up a bit with the sauce mixed in, versus just putting some of the spicy mayo on the fish as it is rolled. I shall return... oh yes... i shall return...
(4)Mon R.
I don't mean to be unkind, but this is not a sushi place I would ever visit. According to another Yelper on here, it seems as though this place has changed owners. This would probably explain the bad experience I had here today. Last year I probably would have rated this place at least a 4, but I was quite appalled at what happened today. Generally everything was fine until I recieved my edamame. Generally, GENERALLY edamame comes warm, if not HOT from having been boiled/steamed in salt water. I got my edamame cold, and somewhat discolored. It was clear parts of it were lukewarm, but generally it was cold. In addition to this, he handed me a salt shaker with table salt so I could salt it myself (I've never experienced this before). All I could think was that it had not been freshly prepared but instead had been sitting out/reheated when I arrived. I got the waiter's attention, told him it was cold, he looked at me and asked, "so, you want your edamame warm?" Of course, this makes me puzzled because every time I've ever eaten edamame at a sushi restaurant my edamame has come piping hot... it was as if he thought it peculiar or unforeign that I wanted it warm. He then proceeds to TOUCH my edamame with his DIRTY hands, then disappears with it. He returns, I touch it (and a few beans inside) and realize that its still not much warmer... but also grossed out by the fact that I'm almost positive this is the same edamame he touched with his bare hands. I mean, generally there's a standard of cleanliness at restaurants and this was NOT that. The sushi I got was mediocre. Of course, I'm not sure you can expect much else along this brookline strip. Regardless, the whole edamame ordeal freaked me out. Needless to say, I will NOT be going back.
(1)Sonia T.
We had a great dining experience our first time here. Even though you're down in a little basement, the friendly service and affordable sushi made up for it. I've been back a few times, trying to support it because its a little mom-and-pop, and I've just been disappointed too many times now by the value. The quality is ok, but the service is hit or miss- once they told me a 5 minute wait for some sashimi takeout and it was more than 40 minutes (maybe they forgot about me because i was waiting outside so as not to crowd their tiny entry way?)
(3)Naomi U.
SImple but clean decent and cheap that's why we used to come to this half a flight down off of the street joint. Last night we went and it was really an off night...the wrong rice, not cooked enough, the wrong rice wine in the sushi (or a really really bad one) and so-so neta. I hope it was just an off night..or a manager is away for the summer and this in not the result of a change in ownership.
(2)Cara P.
What happened? This place used to be so cheap. Their prices have gone way up! I never used to mind the fact that it was a whole in the wall, or that I had to do most of the ordering myself on the form. The price has gone up and the pieces have gotten smaller. There aren't as many deals either. It does still take good, but .... are you serious?
(2)Sandra C.
Excellent cheap sushi. I find that the quality of sushi does somewhat correlate with price, and this place is a good deal. You can stuff yourself food on pretty decent stuff. Defintely try their salmon melt. It's something I've never seen anywhere else. They have a piece of salmon nigiri and they take a blow torch to just cook the outside so when you eat it, it's warm and melts in your mouth. Yum!! They also have other special rolls like soft shell crab rolls and spicy shrimp tempura rolls. The place is very very small though so I wouldn't bring a party of more than 3 people. I think the whole place only seats about a dozen. They do take-out though too.
(5)Vanessa W.
Good (no frills), cheap, but good quality sushi and quick delivery (I got delivery in Inman Sq in Cambridge). My favorite.
(4)Anna K.
Not the best of the best, but still really good and extremely cheap. Staff is also really nice & they offer takeout.
(4)Hayley M.
Just ordered a spicy tuna maki, spicy salmon maki, California maki, spicy shrimp maki, two pieces of maguro, and a miso soup for $23 (don't worry, it wasn't all for me). That's a boatload of sushi for pretty darn cheap. But the thing about cheap sushi is, it tastes cheap. It reminded me of sushi I'd get in a cafeteria. Sometimes you want the sushi dining experience, with the fancy serving dishes and crazy makis. That's what Fugaku, about 4 blocks away, is for. If you are in the mood for some cheap and quick sushi, I would recommend Sushi Express. But don't expect it to knock your socks off.
(3)Kayloni A.
I just moved down the street from this place a couple days before and had to get my sushi fix quickly over the weekend. They were really quick yes, and the sushi was average. My rolls were mostly rice, with the eel role having almost nothing in it. Would I go back? possibly if I was in a rush or just wanted a really basic roll. It was far from the best sushi I've had, but was it the worst? no.
(3)Gabe L.
So, this place isn't big, and it's not fancy. It's not somewhere you'd take a date. It is clean, and it's cheap, and the sushi is good. You're not getting the prime freshest fish. Sometimes it's very fresh, and sometimes not so. But it's always fresh enough to be tasty, and the price is mad affordable (for sushi), and they have a sushi combo which allows you to pick from the selection, which is rare. They don't have a whole lot to offer as far as special rolls, but service is friendly. There's a reason why there's always a line! Note: I haven't been there since late last year (November 06?). Apparently it's been under new ownership as of July 07, and that's not a good thing. I'll have to check it out again and taste for myself
(5)Louise R.
Went there once and will never go back. It's bad enough that many small business owners break the law by insisting on a minimum purchase for using a credit card. It is illegal but I usually respect their position and don't fuss. I had lunch by myself there and the bill came to $14-something. Wanting to keep my cash in my pocket I handed over my card. The waitress came back and said she had to charge me "extra tax". I asked for what and she said "credit card tax". I told her there was no such thing, but she insisted and refused to bend. I told her they cannot charge me more than the person at the next table - it's illegal and insanely rude. I paid her in cash and told her to tell her boss he is breaking the law and I will never eat there again. I am a small business owner who tries to support other small fries, but they went a little too far.
(1)Maria C.
Good sushi...quiet and friendly setting with excellent service
(4)Sarah M.
The positives: the sushi was cheap, they had great combo meals, the service was incredibly fast, and the sushi tasted great. The negatives: the place was kind of a tiny hole-in-the-wall...there were six of us and we took up all but one of the tables. The whole place seemed really cramped. Also, you have to write out your own order slip (isn't that the waiter's job?). The sushi itself was also tiny compared to most places. Overall, I think the positives outweight the negatives. I would definitely go there again.
(4)Allison H.
Hmmm. Yes, I was a huge fan when I lived in the Boston area. Small little haunt with amazing sushi. Years have passed now & I can still remember the joy that came with those first bites. Road trip soon??
(4)Chu H.
Good sushi at good price! :) The sushi is average but certainly at an inexpensive price compared to others.
(4)Adam U.
No thank you. When I went (2006), this place was kinda run down looking. I went simply because it was the cheapest Sushi in the area. But boy do you get what you pay for...there are much better Sushi places in Boston. Maybe it's changed since then, but my experience was not great.
(2)Pam S.
The price and the taste of their sushi are reasonable, The only complaint for this place is the poor ventilation. When you leave, you have the greasy smell of your clothes. Indeed, the restaurant has recently renovated, it is cleaner and the ventilation is much better than before. I am glad to see this improvement as a frequent customer.
(4)Yoav S.
This is my favorite place for quick and cheap sushi. The quality is fairly consistently good, the prices great, service efficient. If you're looking for something high-end, there are plenty of choices in Boston, like Oishii, Ginza, or Fugakyu. But for truly express sushi, this is the best.
(4)Arestia R.
I don't like the bad reviews Sushi Express is getting here...I can't believe I've never written about it before! It is hands down my favorite sushi place in town. It's delicious and inexpensive and they have all my favorite kinds of sushi. I always get some tofu skins stuffed with rice as a palate cleanse and always start it off with a miso soup and end with a mochi ice cream. The place is small...5 tables and the bar and you can fit a max of 3 people per table. But I like the quaintness of it and I always tend to go on rainy nights to meet up with a friend. If you're looking for good sushi without the fuss, then this is your place!
(4)Skyler K.
I love the seaweed udon here! The sushi is also pretty good (and cheap). Best part of all, instead of just giving you a few pieces of pickled ginger on the side of the plate, there is a giant jar in the middle of the table so you can dig in with abandon. Mmmm, ginger...
(4)Cheryl Y.
The people who work here are very friendly and helpful. Like another reviewer said, you get what you paid for. Yes, the prices are cheaper by a few dollars. I usually get two rolls when I have sushi: one shrimp tempura roll and one unagi maki (eel) roll. Price wise, that will cost about $2-3 less than at better places. The food doesn't taste bad so much as that it's less food, and a much smaller filling-to-rice ratio. My advice? Pay a few extra bucks and go to Mr. Sushi on Harvard Ave. That is the cheapest place in Coolidge Corner and far superior to Sushi Express. P.S. -- They won't take credit cards for orders under $10, so have cash on hand.
(3)Alex T.
Quick, relatively inexpensive sushi is what you should aim for when you come to this local. I've read some reviews of Yelpers that feel kind of insulted that they have to write in their own order but this is a common practice at many sushi joints. I actually kind of like it. This place is perfect before a movie. I recommend the Seared Squid Nigiri special. You won't be impressed by this place but you will be satisfied.
(2)Drew V.
Sushi Express. I think the name says it all. Quick, painless, average sushi. There are plenty of other alternatives around the area for good sushi, but when im looking for something fast, this place is on top of my list. The prices are pretty reasonable - miso soup, seaweed salad, and 2 rolls for $11. I say its comparable to a take out chinese food place but for sushi.
(3)Allison T.
Can't beat the price! The sushi is good - I've had slightly better sushi, but for the price, you really can't go wrong. The staff is very nice and quick to serve. I have always walked away happy and full.
(4)Chris L.
Good value overall. Eating 100+ sushi for ~$100 is absolutely the best bang for the buck value in town. Wait! Don't Japanese look down on inexpensive sushi? Inexpensive sushi gives me chills.
(2)A K.
Just tried out the newly opened Sushi Express in JP. There had been a lot of hype so I was anxious to eat there, especially since they had the balls to open right across the street from the consistently good and very well established JP Seafood. The space is awkward, the service is friendly but poor. Oh, and the staff is not Japanese. And the sushi. While it isn't horrible, the cuts are way too long and too thin. They were grocery store quality at best. The rolls were poorly constructed and sloppy. The bill was close to $70. For that much money, I could have gone to JP Seafood, or Fugaku. Do yourself a favor and stick with those two. Or do takeout from Sea To You. Far better options for around the same price.
(1)Anthony C.
My sister used to live down the block from this place. And to this day, I can't say I've had better quality seaweed salad. For what it is (an express sushi place), it's amazing. Quick, quality, and consistent sushi.
(4)Courtney E.
Cheap is the word. I thought it was a mistake when my total (miso soup and 6 pieces of sushi) came down to under $5. It was alright, (probably the smallest pieces of sushi I've ever seen!) though for the quality and the price, I've had better sushi from Trader Joe's. Ouch.
(2)Chris M.
I love little holes in the wall like this. This place is pretty cheap, the service is fast, and the sushi I got was all quality. Yes, the rolls are perhaps 2/3 the size of average ones, but they are still good for the price. I will definitely get back here UPDATE - The prices have gone up 10%. Hello, recession.
(4)Bene K.
Hey, if you want it cheap and fast ---Sushi Express is your place. I dig it and i used to go there all the time when i lived on Beacon near Elephant Walk, but now, i just go to Mr. Sushi in Brookline. But, i wish they had a Sushi Express in Allston. I think the service is average, but for a bargain in the sushi market this place is golden!
(4)Matt W.
I like cheap. Cheap is very good. Sushi Express fulfills that love and then some. The quality isn't what you will find at higher priced places, but then again how hard is it to make a tasty California Roll or piece of Yellowtail. Granted, I'm not very picky about my sushi so long as the fishyness is kept to a minimum. My one beef (...hmm maybe "bone to pick" works better) with this place is that they can make you wait awhile if there are a bunch of to go orders. On that same note, call your to go order in before you get there to save yourself some serious time on a busy night. Basically, go to this place to satisfy a sushi craving with a big appetite and not if you want the finest quality.
(3)Nathalie S.
Sushi here is not only low in price, but is also low in quality. The maki rolls were made of a tiny piece of fish and was rolled in lots of vinegary rice. The specialty rolls (caterpillar and rainbow) had little bits of eel in it and barely any avocado. In short, the sushi was 95% rice and 5% other ingredients. Inside, the venue is small, warm, and smelled of vinegar. The service was average. I would not recommend eating here.
(2)Katie D.
We're obsessed! Last night we got four rolls, a few pieces of Maki, edamame and drinks... it was $25 with the tip. Not to mention, the sushi was really good. The rolls were a bit smaller than other places (Mr. Sushi or Gari), but the amount of fish seemed to be the same. I think they take the rice volume down, which is nice as far as I'm concerned. If you, like us, want sushi multiple times a week then Sushi express is the way to go. There are no frills, but the food is solid.
(4)Lindsey M.
Sushi on the go. Definitely the best for cheap fast sushi.
(4)joan b.
Definitely get what you pay for here. Worst sushi I ever had. Salmon nigiri was only $1 but it was very fatty. Eel roll was $3.50 but didn't taste fresh or of quality. The ginger is stored in a "jar" on the side of the table and it reeked of a moldy dishrag -- I'm curious as to how well and often they clean it and change the ginger. Well, you get what you pay for here so you can't expect anything amazing, but I still wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.
(1)Deborah B.
I love Sushi Express! They do some nice special rolls, but really, it's all about the fish. At some places there is so much stuff in the sushi that you can't even taste the fish itself. Also, it is very fresh and very, very reasonably priced. As for the cash discount- yes, okay, it's questionably legal. But they have signs everywhere, and it's the cheapest, best sushi I've found in Boston. Hit the ATM, or fork over the extra. You'll still probably come out ahead- we wound up getting sushi dinner for two for about 20 bucks. I just wish they did delivery!
(5)Jenna H.
This is definitely my favorite and most affordable sushi place I've ever found! My friend Jen lives a block away, so I always have an excuse to make a date at this place. It is TINY, but there is seating for approximately ten at the tables and bar. They have incredibly fresh ingrediants and you can watch them roll it right there. It is also CHEAP, which combined with delicious makes for a must try restaurant!
(4)Inci K.
If you love sushi, you will love Sushi Express. Because you can get lots of sushi to your hearts content without a killer price tag. Small, casual setting, really laid back place, but again, good sushi for a great price. You can't go wrong. Besides, there aren't too many cheap and good eats on Newbury Street. They don' t stay open too late though so come before 9 pm if you want to eat.
(4)Jesse N.
Sushi Express is on the same street as Ginza and Fugakyu, right in the middle. It is great for a quick sushi meal, and even better for takeout. The best part about this little sushi restaurant is that it probably sells the cheapest sushi around. a piece of nigri is pretty much a dollar, while make rolls (6 pieces) average around $3-$4. If you are having a sushi craving, and you want fast service, this is the place to go. I admit, the rice in the sushi isn't as tightly packed as it would be in neighboring restaurants, but with the cheap prices, I'll deal with it.
(4)juliet b.
quite delicious. the prices are cheap and the sushi is pretty decent. of course fugakyu and haru or something of that quality is better. but i believe this sushi is better than ginza (rice overcooked- my pet peeve) and privus (new lounge in allston-again overcooked and small small pieces)
(4)K. A.
This place is fantastic- cheap, clean, and almost always busy. While I'll admit that I've had a couple of less than ideal experiences- once the eel was a smidge bony, and once the salmon was a little fatty-- none of them were anything horrific. All places have off nights, right? Right! The party sets to go are greatest things ever: i get the smaller ones for myself and my boyfriend and order the larger ones for parties at home and potlucks.
(4)Irene F.
definitely amazing sushi for way way cheap...a must eat!!
(5)