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Name: Sushi Sono Japanese Restaurant
Address: 10215 Wincopin Cir, Columbia, MD, 21044
Telephone: (410) 997-6131
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.92

Sushi Sono Japanese Restaurant

10215 Wincopin Cir, Columbia, MD, 21044

(410) 997-6131
Store is closed

Sushi Sono Japanese Restaurant Menu

Appetizers

Yakitori

Gyoza

Shumai

Agedofu

Shishamo

Shrimp Tempura

Kani Kara Age

Kaba Yaki

Beef Negi Maki

Beef On Skewer

Sunomono

Takosu

Jelly Fish Salad

Edamame

Oshinko

Hijiki

Ohitashi

Seaweed Salad

Ika Masago Ae (raw)

Sashimi (raw)

Hirame Usuzukuri (raw)

Tuna Sashimi (raw)

Toro Sashimi (raw)
Soups & Salads

Green Salad

Dobin Mushi

Osuimono

Misoshiru

Rice
Tempura

Vegetable Tempura

Tonkatsu

Ebi Assorted Tempura

Ebi Tempura

Seafood Tempura

Chicken Tempura
Nabi Mono

Nabe Yaki Udon

Sukiyaki

Yosenabe

Shabu-shabu
Teriyaki

Chicken Teriyaki

Pork Shoga Yaki

Tuna Teriyaki

Salmon Teriyaki

Beef Teriyaki

Salmon Shioyaki

Seafood Teriyaki

Beef Negi Maki

Kushi Yaki Combo

Vegetable Teriyaki
Sushi Sashimi

Futomaki

Una Jyu

Chirashi Sushi

Tekka Don

Hana Sushi

Sushi Moriawase

Sashimi Moriawase Assorted

Sashimi And Sushi Moriawase

Sashimi Boat

Healthy Meal suggestions for Sushi Sono Japanese Restaurant

Appetizers

Yakitori [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gyoza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shumai [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Agedofu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shishamo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Tempura [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kani Kara Age [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kaba Yaki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Negi Maki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef On Skewer [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sunomono [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Takosu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jelly Fish Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Edamame [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Oshinko [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hijiki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ohitashi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seaweed Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ika Masago Ae (raw) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sashimi (raw) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hirame Usuzukuri (raw) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Sashimi (raw) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Toro Sashimi (raw) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Soups & Salads

Green Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dobin Mushi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Osuimono [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Misoshiru [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Tempura

Vegetable Tempura [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tonkatsu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ebi Assorted Tempura [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ebi Tempura [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Tempura [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Tempura [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Nabi Mono

Nabe Yaki Udon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sukiyaki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yosenabe [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shabu-shabu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Teriyaki

Chicken Teriyaki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork Shoga Yaki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Teriyaki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon Teriyaki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Teriyaki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon Shioyaki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Teriyaki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Negi Maki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kushi Yaki Combo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetable Teriyaki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sushi Sashimi

Futomaki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Una Jyu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chirashi Sushi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tekka Don [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hana Sushi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sushi Moriawase [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sashimi Moriawase Assorted [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sashimi And Sushi Moriawase [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sashimi Boat [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Columbia for healthy meals suggestion.

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Visit below restaurant in Columbia for healthy meals suggestion.

Auntie Anne’s Pretzels ( 10300 Little Patuxent Pkwy,Ste 1375 )

Write An Anonymous Review

Tanja P.

This was our first time here. We were in the area Christmas shopping and thought we would grab an early dinner before we headed home. The location was a little confusing to find-guess that's Columbia for you-but we made it!. The hostess that greeted us was very friendly and seated us immediately. We were provided heated towels to cleanse our hands and our waitress was very tempting with the specials of the day. I read great reviews about the Bridal Veil roll so that was a must and my boyfriend got the hurricane eye roll and a spicy tuna. Both specialty rolls were amazing. The spicy tuna was even a little spicy- I find many places don't really make it so-and I saw one of the previous reviewers comment on that issue. Maybe they got better. The prices were a little high but the excellent customer and speedy service made up for it. All in all great first time! Thank you Sushi Sono!
(4)
Jane p.

Rude
(1)
Hana K.

Sushi is fresh. Dont get the boat. I recommend pieces. The tempura ice cream is off the hook though.
(3)
Rebecca G.

Sushi Sono, in Columbia, was featured in the Baltimore Sun list of best restaurants as a favorite that isn't well known. I did lunch takeout on a slow Friday at work, hoping for a good list of lunch specials and a new sushi place for lunches. The lunch special options didn't look great for me this visit, mostly because I wanted to try the crunchy spicy tuna roll. The lunch options are mostly based on small versions of entrees (tempura, teriyaki, etc.) or nigiri, not maki selections. Her plate: two crunchy spicy tuna rolls, miso soup, green salad The sushi's not bad - it's quite fresh, the fish has good flavor, and it's a nice balanced ratio of rice-to-fish. It's nothing super special, and the rolls are a bit small for the price. (I'd adjust the price, not the size - but it is worth noting that they're much smaller than the less expensive giants at Sushi Hana, which are delicious, but overly massive.) Sushi Sono does seem to really love their masago - so if you're not a fan, remember to ask them to leave it off. Miso soup is good, but the salad can be left out next time - barely any flavor to the carrot-ginger dressing, one obligatory slice of cucumber, and a bunch of wet iceberg is not really a great addition to my day. I realize that this is somewhat representative of the typical takeout salad... but... Sushi Hana and Thai One On get by with nicer versions, why can't more places follow suit?
(3)
Anja W.

Sushi is good; fish seems fresh. Chicken teriyaki is also good. Service is friendly. Prices are little high on their specialty rolls.
(3)
Jen W.

I haven't been here in several years, but this place never disappoints. It's not your everday sushi, though I wish it were. Everything is super fresh and prepared with an expert hand. As soon as you walk off the lakefront, you walk into a Japanese style garden entrance. The interior has blonde wood tables and chairs plus a long low bar next to the sushi prep area. If you have a large group or want privacy, reserve one of the rooms where you can sit on the tatami mats. The Japanese style is highlighted with the blue & white kimono dressed waitstaff shuffling about the restaurant - yes, this is a busy place. Though this place is busy, it serves excellent sushi. We started with the horse mackarel. It is fileted and presented as sashimi and nigiri with light garnish of ginger and micro greens. It was served with a great smoky dipping sauce different from the standard soy sauce and wasabi. The mackarel is skewered on the plate (and it may stare at you while you eat), and then later served deep fried or served in a miso based soup. We opted for the soup which was excellent. This just feels decadent. The nigiri hamachi was served on a separate ceramic rectangle and perfectly sliced and presented. It was like butter! Moving onto the rolls, the soft shell crab, spicy tuna rolls (regular and crunchy), rainbow roll, and eel with cucumber were fantastic. Fresh and tasty. The sushi rolls don't last long - you just can't get it in your mouth fast enough. We finished off dinner with their softball sized ice creams. We tried the red bean, mango and black sesame. All were creamy and delicious. The mango was the most refreshing and the black sesame the most unique of the 3 flavors. I'd definitely go back!
(5)
Bren P.

My first time in columbia, md and my first time here! We called ahead and made reservations for 4, which is a great idea because this place was packed! We were seated shortly after we arrived and we ordered a bunch of stuff. For appetizer we ordered the Agedofu to share. And for our entree we ordered Nabe Yaki Udon also to share, a slew of sushi rolls: Bridal Veil Roll, Royal Crab Roll, Dragon Roll, soft shell crab roll and a few others. My favorite was the Royal Crab roll and the Bridal Veil..in that order too! BTW the dragon roll was good, but the presentation is just amazing! Also, got my usual, Uni, Tobiko with Quail egg, salmon nigri and hamachi (Yellow tail) nigri. The quality and portion was above par. (I'm craving it again as I write this) We ended the meal with Tempura Green Tea ice cream! Definitely recommend ordering this for dessert. Can't wait to come back to this place again!
(5)
Collyn B.

This is by far the best sushi I have ever had. I don't get a chance to come here as much because I have moved, but there are many good sushi restaurants around Annapolis and nothing is as delicious as this. The hurricane eye roll and the shrimp tempura a roll are to die for. The tuna roll, salmon roll, and soft-shell crab roll aren't as good but are still fresh and delicious. The service here is quick and the owner/waiters and waitresses are all kind. They have little mints at the front and when you are getting the check they bring you japanese gum (which is delicious). If I had the chance I would come here much more often and would recommend this anybody who is nearby at the time..
(5)
Diwi G.

Hate to buck the trend here, but I think this place has jumped the shark, so to speak. As other reviewers have stated, the signs of an utter lack of authenticity are apparent: the clientele is mostly white, and the sushi chefs are Chinese, not Japanese. On a crowded weekend at dinner time, there were also far too many crying/whining children. Next to my table was one particularly insufferable 7-year-old loudly complaining about her grilled mackerel having eyes. I mean, wake up and smell the marine biology. Fish have eyes! They do not come out out of the ocean already cut up into little bite-sized portions. At least the prices aren't abhorrent. Next time, however, I will stay closer to home for just-as-fresh sushi that is no more (or less) authentic.
(1)
Dana R.

Sushi Sono is one of my favorite places to go with my friends for lunch or dinner. The atmosphere is really nice since it sits right on the Columbia lakefront and the food is outstanding! The service is speedy and extremely friendly. The seating is a little cramped since it is a small place, but my friends and I have always found it helpful so we can lean over and ask "What is that? I looks so good!" I highly recommend trying some of the special rolls, my favorites are the Shrimp and Asparagus Roll and the Spicy Grill Roll. Sushi Sono is by far my favorite Sushi restaurant in the area.
(4)
Alex M.

Not impressed AT ALL. The rolls were bland. the menu was exceptionally short on detail.... ie. spider rolls are not universally the same from one sushi restaurant to the next. The employees were overly a tentative and actually came off as pushy. And it was all overpriced. The view is really nice.
(1)
Mike V.

God bless my girl for taking me here not once but twice. And thank godness they ran out of the oysters the FIRST time and not the second (because they were so creamy and sweet and perfect I would have really regretted not having them had I known what I was missing) The box with the ahi kiwi is killer. the service is great. and they even gave us both some delicious sake while we waited...which wasn't even that long!). Loved the sakana tower both times too. And the Uni is delicious and buttery. I'm thinking this has to be a Sunday tradition now. Can't wait.
(5)
Rob N.

The more sushi I sample from different places, the happier I am with Sushi Sono. It's probably the best sushi in the state, and it compares well to very good sushi restaurants elsewhere. The freshness and preparation of the fish is just perfectly consistent, but not flashy. The rice is fantastic and complements the fish. I've rarely had better sushi for my tastes, and while not everything is mind-blowing, it is all very consistently good and tasty.
(4)
Nancy T.

Loved my entire dining experience here. It started with a steaming hot towel to wipe down the hands - very refreshing - and a drink order. Then we placed our food order and enjoyed the lake view at dusk. The ambiance of the restaurant is really nice. The noise level isn't obnoxious and the lighting is soft. There are private rooms with traditional Japanese seating (no shoes) if you desire. The service is excellent. We went right at dinnertime and there was no wait for a table and each course came out quickly. The food was great! We started with the agedofu and miso. The miso was very rich and salty, not watered down at all (which I hate) and the agedofu came with a delicious sauce that was flavored with melted bonito flakes and green onions. I really think it was the best miso I've had. The agedofu is addictive, but hot like lava, so don't pop a whole one into your mouth without letting it cool a bit first. Next we had our sushi. The unagi nigiri and toro nigiri were both excellent. The toro in particular just melted in your mouth. I've had toro many places and this was one of the best. We got two "chef's special" rolls to split - the Bridal Veil roll (spicy lobster salad, tempura flakes, wrapped with rice paper and topped with tuna) and the Hurricane Eye roll (spicy tuna and crab meat, wrapped with soy paper, covered with crispy brown rice, and garnished with a hot sauce dot). Both were awesome! The Bridal Veil had a nice little crunch in the middle from the tempura flakes and the Hurricane Eye had a wonderful crunchy coating with the light and crispy brown rice. It wasn't hot at all, though. But then again, I eat habanero sauce on a regular basis so it takes a lot of heat to ring my bell. If you are looking for a date place, this is right next to a lake with a really romantic setting, complete with pier and benches and grassy knolls and lots of places to stroll off your dinner. All-around Lovely!
(5)
Eric C.

After my first visit to Sushi Sono, I am willing to say that the restaurant made a pretty good first impression. The sushi is what people obviously come here for, and Sushi Sono did not disappoint. Due to a strain on time, I went and got my food to go. I ordered the Cucumber Rolls and the California Rolls. Both orders of Maki came out fresh and tasted great (total order came to $8.48). If you are ordering food to go, the waiter or waitress will supply you with water or hot tea while you wait. The wait for the rolls wasn't long, being that there wasn't a lot of people here anyways. Next time that I come here, I'm going straight for the chef's special rolls. The Hurricane Eye Roll sounds too good to pass up.
(4)
Renee W.

It's crowded but definitely worth the wait. Always make reservations. I recommend the Bridal Veil roll. Bring lots of money, for this place cost more than the average sushi place. Where I usually spend about $60 on a sushi meal (with another person), it costs about $80 here.
(4)
Glenn E.

The atmosphere is nice. They have private booths, dinning tables and a sushi bar for seating options. There are a lot of wonderful choices on the menu and you can tell the shushi chefs take pride in there art. The waitresses are very attentive to your needs and kind. The quality of sushi is average to a little above average and the price is a little steep. However I am new to the area I sort of expect a little higher price due to its location.
(4)
Amanda H.

1 of my top 3 favorite sushi places. A date night consideration when ever the craving for sushi or romance hits. Location - Nice abide a tucked away spot. Lake view, easy parking and the option for a stroll after a filling meal on a beautiful night. Positives upon arrival - You walk in and the staff makes you feel like you are a regular with a Johns Hopkins Neurologist pay check. They are happy to see you and welcome you into their delicious sushi home! Negatives upon arrival - The waiting area is non existent and can be an annoyance to maneuver around if you are waiting for a table. The spot is tiny and fills up fast. The first few tables located right near the entrance are not a prime spots in the winter months with the door opening and closing. If you are a party of 2 they basically don't take reservations. They might put your name on the list but chances are you will be waiting if they are filled. Hours - They close from 3-5 and that can drive a wedge in particular plans. Especially in one case where I wanted to grab a bite before seeing a 5:45 movie at the mall. So plan accordingly. Sushi- Fresh, creative and delicious. Spicy crunchy tuna roll, bridal veil, hurricane roll and rainbow roll are my tops favs. Be sure to check out the white board for specials. A glass of plum wine never hurts either. Only thing I have had that I was not wild about were the snow balls. A friend recommended them and they just did nothing for me. Service - Top notch, very polite and attentive. I recommend.
(4)
Jacqueline T.

Food was high quality. Very fresh. Also pretty expensive, but that's just how Japanese food are. Ordered the smallest sashimi boat. and a crunch roll, of some sort (forgot the name). Delicious! Would probably go back, since I am working in the area. Right next to the columbia mall!
(4)
Amy P.

I saw the reviews for this place and had high hopes for it. It was little hard to find because it's kind of hidden, but the area where it's located is very nice and romantic. It sits by a lake and can see people hanging out. When you walk in, you're greeted by a friendly staff, most of them dressed in traditaional japanese attire. When you sit down, they hand you a warm hand towel to clean your hands. The food was nothing special though. I've seen sushi places with a lot better selection. One of the roll I ordered was a fresh salmon roll and I found bones in many of my rolls. I almost chocked on one. The other rolls were blande and falling apart as soon as I tried to pick them up. I wouldn't have been so dissatisfied if the price was at least low, but they were on a bit pricey side with the quality of food I was getting. I probably wouldn't go back here again. I'll try my luck somewhere else.
(2)
Brooke L.

THE BEST SUSHI IN THE COLUMBIA AREA! I love this sushi restaurant. Every time, the sushi is consistent no variation in quality. There signature specials are the best; Royal Crab, Bridal Vial, Sono # 12 (those are my favorites) I would recommend this restaurant as a great first date, causal, going with work friends, etc.
(5)
Anne P.

In my opinion, the perfect chirashi would contain the following ingredients: *multiple slices of sake, hamachi, saba, hotate, maguro, unagi, amaebi, tamago, white tuna *ikura (salmon roe) *slices of sweeten braised shiitake mushroom *pickled radish or daikon *seaweed salad (optional) This restaurant's chirashi had the following pros and cons, relative to my notion of the perfect chirashi: Pros: To provide context, this chirashi had hamachi, maguro, sake, saba, tai (red snapper), some really white fish, tamago and fake crab. The fish that *did* come with the chirashi was fresh and the portion size for each type of fish was sizable and respectable. Cons: For the price ($23), i'd expect the chirashi to have a lot more variety. The tamago was nice and sweet, but i'm turned off by tamago that is too artificially yellow. It didn't have a lot of what i consider basics, such as white tuna, unagi, tobiko/ikura, or ebi...nor did it have any of the 'freebies' such as wakama, daikon or marinated mushrooms....so of course it naturally did not have any of the more 'exotic' ingredients, such as hotate or amaebi. Overall, based on the chirashi, i was pretty disappointed. However, we did order a grilled hamachi cheek which was really soft and buttery and my mother seemed to enjoy her salmon shioyaki. In summary, I would say this place has a good quality fish supplier; however, its chirashi needed to be more inspired especially if they are going to be able to justify its price. Another intangible this restaurant *did* have going for it, was its waterfront views. That was a nice touch for sure!
(3)
Mathew M.

One of the worst sushi places I've been to and i've been to a lot! Bland rolls - spicy tuna not spicy. Menu was very short and overpriced! The employees were overly a tentative and actually came off as pushy. The view is really nice though but that didn't help the food.
(1)
Kimberly B.

My hubby and I just had dinner there tonight and we both enjoyed ourselves. The view from the restaurant as the sun begins to set is just perfect for couples:) We had the Spicy Crunchy Tuna, Hurricane Roll, Scallop Roll, Sea Urchin Roll and Shrimp Roll (we were hungry). No complaints--everything was delicious. I read some of the reviews about the staff being overly attentive. While I would agree that they are very attentive, I found the service just right. They were very prompt to check on you and to make sure your needs were being met. This was our first time there and it surely won't be the last!
(4)
Robert G.

Try the seafood soup - very good, light with a great taste. Sushi is above average, nice atmosphere, a little pricey but I would expect good for the area in which it is located.
(3)
debbie a.

Overpriced in some ways. Also, reference my other reviews for insight on why I prefer Korean/Japanese run Sushi joints. Food: The fish is fresh, but the portions are smaller than what I have seen. I have seen a greater selection of fish here, though.. and more of those are fresh. Miso soup was over salted with way too much miso - this is 1 thing that should be on point for any sushi place. Rolls, untidy, unblanaced (too much rice or missing rice on the last 2 pieces entirely) The creativeness in the rolls - Very nice. I liked to see the crabmeat without the mayo in lots of rolls. White seaweed is a nice touch! Green Tea Ice Cream - Listen, it doesn't take a genius to know that dairy is a sponge.. if you scoop the ice cream with the same scoop you used to dish out green onion.. the ice cream will have an onion flavor! Service: Very attentive in some ways, but can lapse at times. The ladies are wearing traditional Japanese clothing - nice touch. Decor - There are 2 traditional Japanese dining rooms - be prepared to take your shoes off and sitting on the floor =) Backdrop is the lake.. beautiful! Make reservations for the sushi counter (MUST) make reservations for the restaurant it gets busy FAST.
(3)
Glory W.

My friends and I have made a tradition out of going to Sushi Sono. The sushi is great, my personal favorites are the spicy tuna roll, tempura, and california rolls. I haven't had plum wine anywhere else, so I don't have anything to compare it to sadly, but the plum wine there is great and given at a good temperature. We're always greeted with warm welcomes, and the servers are always friendly. We usually stay far longer after the bill, and it's a great atmosphere. I never feel rushed.
(4)
Jang C.

My review probably isn't fair because I didn't try their sushi, and this place looked like a place that specialized in sushi. They did have some non-sushi items, but they were definitely not the focus. Instead, I opted to try one of their non-sushi item: the unajyu don. The unajyu don tasted pretty good. But the portion was pretty small for its cost. The eel was cooked well and was flavorful. I also tried my wife's chirashi don. The sashimi in the don was fresh and good. So I figure their sushi must be good. Overall everything was solid. Although there were a few things I can nitpick. First complaint is the cost. I don't know if it's because it was in Maryland, but the price seemed a bit too steep for the amount of food we get. The food was good, but it didn't blow me away. Also, our waitress was a super salesperson. She pushed us buy all sorts of stuff (we didn't). It was quite comical how hard she was trying to sell certain dishes. I wonder if she gets commission on certain dishes. It was kind of annoying though. Overall, I give it 3.5 stars.
(3)
HighStandard S.

Got sick from the food here. Miserable service, over-priced, mediocre food. Don't let the pretensions of the place fool you. Never again!
(1)
Priscilla S.

My favorite sushi place of all time in Maryland. I recommend a lot of people to come here. I tried different sushi places all over Maryland, west coast, and east coast. This is by far the best place I been. I get greeted by the hostess (Amy) she knows everybody by name. She shouts a very friendly hello as soon as I walk in the door. If I don't go there for a long period of time she wonders where I am. Most of the servers know me either by face or name. I get excellent service here. I love love can't express how much I love there dobin mushi soup (seafood soup). It comes in a small tea pot with a slice of lemon. I only found one other place in MD that makes this soup. The other place is alright not bad at all. Sushi sono sushi is by far fresh and yummy. I usually get a shrimp hand roll ever bite the nori is very crispy. I also get crunchy roll, salmon nigiri with a big fresh chunk of raw salmon, sono 12, and bridal veil (sushi sono famous roll). Even there non sushi dishes are excellent. I tried there gyoza perfectly fried with dipping sauce. The tonkatsu (breaded fried pork) is perfectly breaded deep fried served with rice, and salad with mayonaise. House sid salad with ginger sauce is fresh crispy lettuce, and dressing homemade it's light and refreshing. I use to be a frequent customer almost once a week. But now I only go maybe once in awhile. I wish to go frequently again. I miss there sushi and food. Staff is friendly food is amazing. What more can you ask for? If you get to know Amy she will greet you with friendly smile and hug every time you walk in. Please everyone try sushi sono you will not regret it.
(5)
Jen B.

Sono is without competition the best sushi restaurant around because the quality of their fish is tops. Very genuine welcoming staff. Odd that it's in Columbia across from the mall
(5)
LA A.

Although there are better sushi places nationally, I'm yet to find a better sushi place in the greater Balt-Wash area. I recommend Sono #12! Also, the service was always great!
(4)
Jason H.

Wonderful, as always! I've been going once or more a year for over eight years. This place is actually my gold standard for sushi. Other DC places will occasionally beat it, but no where is as consistently excellent as this Sushi Sono. I wish I lived closer! Get the boats! Especially the B and C boats. Completely fun, and completely worth it! Also: they've been fairly busy the last few times I've gone. Call for reservations, even if you're only 30 minutes away it might save you time.
(5)
Becca R.

I can't believe Sushi Sono doesn't have a 5 star rating. It's my favorite place to get sushi. It's a nice environment, the service is good, the prices are reasonable and definitely worth it for the quality. It's a great place to go with friends.
(5)
Courtney F.

This is my favorite sushi place in central Maryland. The quality of the fish is consistently high. It's worth paying attention to the specials.
(4)
Eric L.

If I have to categorize this place, I'd call it expensive and good, quality over quantity. This place is for adults, not for kids. Service is great and friendly, which is great because they treated us well. They are good at selling their special rolls since all of them are a favorite apparently. lol. My friend and I got the raw thinly sliced flounder appetizer, the rainbow roll, white tuna nigiri and a tuna roll. The fish was SO fresh and COLD and flavorful. I didn't need much wasabi or soy sauce at all. I'm so glad I didn't get warm sushi. After we hit the white tuna nigiri, though, we wished we got straight sashimi and rice haha. the fish was tender and soft and juicy, it melted in my mouth like butter/jello. I'm still dreaming I missed how they don't have lots of rolls on the menu like Yuraku. i speculate that the selection of rolls and "special" rolls they had weren't that great anyway. but i think straight up fish is good enough. Now I can understand how it stays in business while the restaurant next door has been changing over and over. The $50 bill was probly double what I'd expect for the amount of food we ate.
(4)
Beth L.

Great sushi. I recommend the tuna, yellowtail, and salmon. The miso soup is too salty. Nice traditional decor. They have you take off your shoes. Good service. The waitresses wear kimonos. Prices are very high.
(4)
Sandy T.

QUALITY SUSHI!! The ambiance of the restaurant isn't the best, but the dishes made up for it. Service was also great. The waitresses came back to check up on our table ever couple minutes and even gave recommendations and told us about their specials. We tried a variety of the items on the menu. What ever you do, DO NOT ORDER THE TERIYAKI! It's horrilbe. Everything else on the menu, however is quite good. The sushi is a bit high in price, but worth it. Lovely place for a date. It's in a nice area with waterfront view and a variety of other bars/restaurants around it. And noise level is also good. It's not too loud nor crowded. 4.5 If you're ever around for some good Japanese cuisine, definitely hit up this place!
(4)
Bangali A.

One of my favorite place to get Sushi. Their plum wine is to die for. Still didn't have the gut's to try Saki. Soon i will and this will be the place i will go. My 5 years old love all of their food. Their lunch box is worth the price and the food.
(4)
Jason Y.

Udo noodle is OK but sushi itself is not impressive at all. The usher had heavy makeups and Chinese waitresses in Japaness wafuku doesn't make the whole place like a Japaness restaurant because they are always chatting back in front of kichen, in Chinese, and loudly. I will rethink if my friends invite me to his place. Maybe I will search for other options.
(3)
Yaka H.

SX and I came here for dinner, trying to get our sushi fix. SX was a bit leery since he feels like I can be a bit of a diva when it comes to Japanese food (not true, just my family makes very good Japanese food!). The food here is not bad. SX and I ordered the sushi boat (comes with tuna, white tuna, salmon, yellow tail, red snapper, and ika nigiri [2 pieces each], a spicy tuna roll, a seafood roll and a golden roll f or $55. In addition, we also ordered the hurricane eye roll ($11). The sushi boat comes with two orders of miso soup. Complimentary edamame start the meal and complimentary fruit bubble gum end the meal. The nigiri pieces were just the right size. The fish slices weren't too thin or too thick. The ika (squid) was spot on and fresh. The white tuna is usually SX's favorite nigiri, but at Sushi Sono tonight, it wasn't that good. It was still a bit frozen, so it had an unpleasant mouth feel, which was quite a shame. On the sushi sheet, there are no descriptions for the sushi rolls (non-specialty). So I'm unsure which was the golden roll and which one was the seafood roll. One roll, which was a tempura fried roll encased with rice and tobiko was served piping hot (which was delightful to have something warm). The only issue was that the slices were abnormally thin. Thinner than any of the other rolls and it was hard to carry the piece to eat without falling apart. The hurricane roll was something new and it had a nice textural play to it with the crispy rice on the outside (instead of the typical tempura flakes). The miso soup was made on the strong side (good), but the tofu pieces were so minuscule, which seems to be the norm for most Japanese restaurants nowadays (sadness). Also, the wakame had not been soaked in water long enough (wakame comes dried and is rolled up as a result, it needs to be either soaked or cooked long enough for it to unfurl and be a tender, soft seaweed), which can be unpleasant for one who is familiar with wakame. This place is relatively small, so expect a decent wait during peak hours. Space between tables is a bit tight. I can understand why this place is so popular, with the fish relatively fresh, but unfortunately the wakame, white tuna, and thinly sliced roll makes this review only 3 stars. Perhaps, next time Sushi Sono! On another note, this place is much better than the other Howard County Japanese places I've tried.
(3)
Russell R.

My wife and I love to grab lunch here when I'm in the area. The food is excellent, the menu extensive, and the restaurant itself is laid out nicely. Kathleen often gets a Tempura dish and I go for the Sashimi, though I usually manage to grab a piece of Tempura from her. Like many Columbia restaurants it's crazy on the weekend, which makes us grateful that we work close by and can grab lunch!
(4)
Andrew K.

I wish sushi wasn't so expensive so I could come here at least once a week. The fish is always fresh and service is excellent. The rock n roll is ok, but not my favorite. The sushi nugget is a new specialty fully cooked roll with crabs on top and it was really good but it only comes as 5 pieces and took me a minute to finish. The chicken teriyaki is ok but for $20, I don't think it is a good deal. Things I would always order here are salmon and white tuna sushi and sushi sono #12.
(5)
Lauren H.

We went here for our anniversary last night because a good friend recommended it and it was just OK. We ordered a boat, the shrimp tempura appetizer, crunchy tuna roll and the eel cucumber roll. The eel was really good (according to my husband, I don't eat eel). As for me, I've had better. The crunchy tuna tuna roll was really yummy but the sushi was lacking... Lacking things like ummm, buttery-ness (not a word?). You know when you get a piece of salmon and it's like butter, no teeth needed. You can just smush it with your tongue and its creamy and smooth and buttery. Yeah, the salmon was thick, and the white part (don't know what its technically called nor do I want to know) between the segments of flesh were thick and chewy. I don't think it was the freshest either. The tuna also was not as smooth as I expect. We used to eat at Morimoto's all the time in Philly and I think that is the gold-standard for sushi (this calls into character my what-I-think-is-exceptional taste in sushi) If I were you, I would go to Sushi King (I know the name is lacking or just right, depending how you look at it). The people here were very nice though. I probably won't go back. Side notes- the portions were right for the price. Go early (we got there at 5:30 and it was empty but a few minutes later it was packed). A nice view of the fake lake while you eat. Just try the weird iceberg salad, the dressing is very good, you know you wanna try it!
(3)
Monica T.

Came on a Saturday night. We made a reservation for dinner at 730 but when we arrived, we were put on a waiting list. We waited 45 minutes until we got seated. Sushi is only ok. The eel was a bit too seafood-y for me. I've been here twice; one to try it out and the second time for a friend's birthday and both times I left disappointed. However, I will say the hostess and our waitress provided friendly service.
(2)
Sam B.

Dragon roll and shitaki mushroom time! Awesome place. Awesome food. Awesome surroundings. If you like sushi this place will not disappoint. Great environment and services. Go eat here!
(5)
joe H.

Hand's down the best sushi I've ever had and I've had it in Japan. Get the (toro) fatty tuna. The tempura ice cream is a delicious dessert. Some may complain the prices are high but they are appropriate to the quality of the fish. They aren't price gouging. You get what you pay for and if you order correctly you can easily get out of there with a delicious meal for a reasonable price. This is my favorite restaurant hands down.
(5)
E.E. R.

This is our favorite sushi place. We've had sushi all across the country, even prepared by Chef Morimoto himself, and I still like Sushi Sono better. The Salmon sushi is to die for. Our favorites are the Royal Crab Roll, Spicy Crunchy Tuna roll, eel nigiri, Salmon Sushi, crispy and tempura roll. If they have the tuna tar tar appetizer, get it! So good.
(4)
HowChow B.

Sushi Sono has added two new rolls -- master pieces of fish and vegetables that push their already-imaginative food. The new rolls come on top of one of the best restaurants in Howard County. It's pricey. About $50 for three large rolls, a soda, and edamame. But those rolls are unique and inventive: * The "sunshine roll" -- tuna with crunchy seaweed topped with spicy tuna tataki and a dallop of mango sauce. It's a spectacular roll. Fish with the spicy edge, the sweet of fruit, and the crunch of the seaweed. Special seaweed, the Sushi Sono folks explained. Cooked to create the crunch. Not the crackling of a cracker, but more the crunch of bean sprouts. * The "sushi nugget" -- cooked tuna with onion, topped with scallop and then baked. You get five pieces laid on their side. It's rich and cozy. The wrapper has a slight crunch, but the real flavor comes from the fish and, I think, some type of sauce. The sunshine roll matches the No. 12 roll that the Columbia restaurant introduced earlier this year. That was a delicious roll with a tempura shrimp topped with tuna and a spicy sauce. The sunshine is light and flavorful. The tuna is spiced, then seared before its sliced on top. The roll fulfills sushi's best promise of fresh fish dressed up for a party. In contrast, the sushi nugget was a complete surprise. The roll comes hot. It's not the clean, light notes of most sushi. The warm, mellow flavor comes more like a winter soup, a restaurant soup where someone with skill has balanced ingredients into some special. It's closer to Volt than a sushi bar. Rich and concentrated like a stuffed mushroom, but sweet with the scallops on top. I don't throw Volt around lightly. This was a dish that someone thought about. "Small plate" cuisine where some chef has experimented and turned out bites that I couldn't figure out, let alone replicate. Hustle over. It's worth a drive.
(5)
Twinkie B.

The food is ALWAYS fresh. The chef picks out the fish daily and he works on the frontlines every evening. The service is quick and the prices are decent. The only problem is that this place is always packed. Basically, don't bother going any time between 5:30 and 8:30 past midweek. (And the restaurant is SONO, not Seno.) POST-edit: Note my recommendation to NOT hit this place up after mid-week. POST-edit: Anybody who knows authentic "Japanese" (which I do, but rather enjoy the Sushi Sono-Japanese food experience) knows that "authentic Japanese" is few and far between in Maryland. %80+ of Japanese restaurants in Maryland are run by Chinese. That's just how it is here. Period.
(4)
amy v.

My friend mentioned this little gem to us a few weeks ago and we finally got around to going last week. It's a bit hidden but worth the find. We came right exactly as they reopened, around 5pm. The place is very nicely decorated and the staff is super friendly. She told us all about the specials and her recommendations, making it harder for us to decide what we wanted. We ended up ordering a good variety of sushi, a couple rolls, a few sashimi dishes. We got the Bridal Viel, an eel roll, spicy tuna, Tuna tartar, a seared tuna tazki and a ssahimi plate of sea scallops. It was so fresh and yummy, though the tartar could have used some more seasoning. I loved that the rolls had very little rice, i hate places pack the rolls with rice and contain very little fish. Also there black sesame ice cream was delicious. The only drawbacks are the specials aren't lised on a menu, our waiter just spilled out a eassy full of specials that we couldn't keep up with. It is also on the more expensive side but it worth it for thr quality fish the serve.
(5)
Jim C.

Great service was highlighted by an always-smiling staff! Excellent cuts of fish, very fresh and good rolls. All I could have asked for was a better menu with more explanations of special rolls.
(4)
Jennifer S.

Sushi sono is one of my favorite local sushi restaurants. I'm pretty spoiled by the one place I go to back in Boston so sushi is hard to live up to for me. I would have given sushi sono 5 stars but I had to knock it down 1 star because they make the spicy tuna with red pepper flakes instead of spicy mayo. I hate that, and so I'm forced to not order one of my favorites whenever I go there. Otherwise their sushi is fantastic. Their eel and shrimp rolls have some spice blend on the outside of the rice and I'm not sure what it is but it's aboslutely savory and delicious. It's a staple restaurant in my household!
(4)
Albert L.

Although located next to the (man-made) lake, a seemingly picturesque location, the value and quality to price ratio is one of the lowest I have ever experienced at a sushi restaurant. The exclusive extras that come with this restaurant, like a warm handcloth before dining and pack of bubblegum after dining, do not cover up the fact that their sushi simply lacks taste. I do not believe that a small roll with only 1 or 2 types of fish can cost more than 23 dollars, even if it's the restaurant's signature roll. in addition, the soup we ordered came out lukewarm at best. Overall, despite the decent quality of the fish offered here, the execution can be greatly improved. The service was pretty lacking here as well. Despite being well-staffed during a saturday night dinner, it took too much effort to get the waitress to come to our table. One of my friends was not feeling too well after the miso soup, and when the waitress came to take the bowl away, she proceeded to direct my friend to finish the bowl of soup. Much of the kimono-dressed staff were simply not waiting, and instead were gathered near the kitchen, gossiping in chinese. Although the appearance of the restaurant is nice, I would not recommend this place if you want good sushi at a relatively reasonable price. I would make the effort to drive to Baltimore, or if you are up for big inexpensive rolls, take a ride to one of the multiple locations of Katana Sushi.
(2)
Brian R.

Bar none the sushi gold standard of the area. Sono has wonderful ambiance with the setting and decor. I've always found the staff to be very pleasant and helpful. Most every house special roll is not wired for sound. I particularly LOVE the Sono Roll and the Hurricane Eye. Nothing else in the area comes close.
(5)
X J P.

This is my favorite area sushi restaurant and I've been to many. I'm a sushi connoisseur/chef and have been to Japan many times and I love this place. They have the standard sushi and sashimi selections as well as a number of amazing specialty rolls. Oh! And the seaweed salad - excellent! Everything is fresh and expertly prepared. Pro tip: There are always a couple of fine choices on the daily special board, so don't forget to check the board before ordering. It's only downside is it's popularity and small space. Expect a modest wait in the cramped waiting area during dinner hours on almost any night of the week.
(5)
Manda G.

Always fresh sushi and excellent service. Faves are salmon skin roll and sushi sono #12. Also the gyoza. Only down side is that it's very pricy compared to similarly great places in Baltimore area.
(4)
Terri P.

always call ahead for a reservation, it's a small place and it gets filled quickly. always trust the specials board. we got an amazing mackerel whole fish, sashimi and nigiri, and then they take the rest of the fish back and fry it up. it was awesome, definitely one of the best sushi experiences i've ever had. the regular nigiri is not always 100% fantastic (we had an albacore that had been sitting a bit too long pre-cut, but the rest of the nigiri we got was good), however, the specials are to die for. rolls are very good, too. they are very friendly and totally service oriented, and the sushi chefs are nice, too. lots of neighborhood people on repeat visits who seemed to know the staff, so you know it's good. have been twice now and will definitely be back.
(4)
Shine S.

The food here is exceptional. I don't know how authentic this is in comparison to real Japanese Sushi, so It's hard to compare, but I would say, I can intake only so much seafood (allergic) before I get nauseous. But, I will make a distant trip to come here when I have my cravings. The service is good, though everytime I've been there somehow, I am in the private rooms in the back with the same waitress. Her snark humour actually is entertaining and she has made each time a memorable trip.
(5)
Todd K.

We've been coming here for years now and its as good now as it was the first time. Our fav. is the royal crab roll. The service is the best, by far, of any restaurant in the area.
(5)
Mary W.

I've been here twice: once with my boyfriend and once with a group of friends. Although the environment and location are awesome, I have a lot of complaints about the variety/quality of sushi/food and the service. 1. The miso soup is watery, the portion is very small and it's always lukewarm. 2. The boats don't really have that much to offer. . . 3. Even the specialty rolls are very typical rolls that you would find at ANY japanese restaurant. For example, the caterpillar, dragon, phoenix etc. . . 4. The sashimi is cut slightly on the thin side, forcing you to order more food b/c you're just not filled up. 5. A waitress harassed my friend b/c she overheard my friend saying that she did not like fish. "Why you come eat sushi if you no like fish?" asked the waitress, who made my friend feel very uncomfortable b/c she was put on the spot. Overall, this place is way overpriced for the type of sushi offered and the portion sizes given. Unless you happen to be at the lake front in Columbia when you're craving sushi, I would drive to Katana Sushi in Clarksville to get REALLY BIG ROLLS & quality sushi.
(2)
anon r.

seriously?! best feature was lake view (and even that was somewhat plasticky). totally overpriced. chopstick wrappers (made for restaurant) have how-to instructions -- which speaks volume for clientele. horse mackerel was nice fish, but expensive. for $32 hotpot, i was expecting more interesting vegetables than napa cabbage and cellophane noodles. female servers are nice enough, but this place is mostly chinese-run and mandarin speaking. afterwards my dad said that the chinese-speaking chefs were joking with each other about how taiwan had purchased weapons from the us that didn't work, and that china sent troops for earthquake relief that had been intended for attack on taiwan. my family is taiwanese.
(2)
Alice K.

My boyfriend and I go here quite often- it is definitely a solid place. The waits are never too long, and you have the wonderful scenery outside to keep you entertained until you are called. Service is very friendly and the manager(?) comes around often asking if everything is okay- she even does small talk lol There are two large rooms for large private parties, sushi bar area, and the usual casual dining area. They have specials every day and their sushi is pretty fresh. I usually go for their special rolls and sashimi- always a delight! They are moderately priced and pretty decent sushi so you can even make this a regular sushi spot :) You get a warm to hot cloth for cleaning your hands but sometimes it's TOO hot. Their tea is wonderful and authentic- definitely not teabag quality! Their green tea ice cream is delicious and they also have friend ice cream. Their atmosphere is suitable for everyone so you can bring a date here, your parents, your friends, or your family here! You also get yummy fruit flavored gum when you get your check :)
(4)
Adina K.

My favorite sushi restaurant! I live in Baltimore and drive out to Columbia just for the sushi. I've been coming here for years now. The hostess is lovely and if you start to come semi-regularly, she will greet you by name. To start, order the shumai. I don't know why, but most places serve it either with soy sauce or yellow mustard (why yellow mustard? I don't get it!). Sushi Sono serves theirs with a delectable and vinegary sauce that complements the shumai perfectly. The Otoro is worth the price. Otoro is fatty tuna and it is probably the best thing you will ever put in your mouth. Trust me, treat yourself to this specialty and you will not be disappointed. The special rolls vary from week to week and they are always a good bet. Favorites of mine are the dragon roll, bridal veil, and hurricane. Yes, it is more expensive than your average sushi place, but you are paying for the quality of the fish here.
(5)
Felix T.

As good as it gets. I'd drive 30 miles from home just to come here. Portions are very generous. I'd highly recommend the Agadashi Dofu and any of their Sushi/Sashimi items. Pairing their food with some hot sake is also recommended.
(5)
mike s.

Went here with a friend and had the watershed moment that not all sushi tastes tasteless and cheap; I confess, all other prior sushi spots for me were at pseudo-sushi joints run by koreans. I know, I should have known better. This place is run by Taiwanese and the sushi tastes immaculate, buttery, melt in your mouth, fresh, and full on flavorful. I can't wait to eat sushi run by real Japanese people! Maybe that's only in the movies. At the bar is where we sat. And the sushi chef guy, a middle-aged man with an accent that makes him seem like a metal pipe is permanently placed in his mouth, is very accommodating, nice and funny! Ordered the white tuna (super yum), red tuna, uni, salmon roe, california roll, dragon roll (very good), and seafood tempura (stay away, it's a waste of money. a lot of veggies in tempura batter and slim pickings for seafood). Again sushi was fantabulous. Can get extremely pricey if you've got a big appetite.
(4)
Becky H.

I've heard lots of great things about this place and was looking forward to some amazing sushi. Unfortunately, the sashimi seemed a bit off ....room temperatured and didn't seem so fresh. It's pretty pricy so I ate it anyway...and then was sick for the rest of the night. The tofu appetizer was good, and the sushi specials had great presentation....but no excuse for bad sashimi, especially for a highly acclaimed place.
(2)
Nancy Y.

The food is spectacular at Sushi Sono, however, it's become way too expensive. When they were affordable, me & friends were there at least twice a week and always for every occasion. Now that it's become so popular and prices have sky rocketed, we no longer go...so sad.
(3)
Sara F.

The first time I went to Sushi Sono was when I was a little girl. My aunt loved this place so much they knew her by name. Years later in High School, I found myself eating here once again until I too became a regular. As far as sushi goes, I highly recommend the shrimp hand rolls, eel roll, spicy tuna roll, and Philadelphia roll. If you have money to burn, you must get the Otoro. It is the fatty tuna, which is market price and can range from $14-18 I think. It literally melts in your mouth and is amazingly delicious. I also like the miso soup and the seaweed salad. If you have room for dessert, the tempura ice cream is delightful. The service is outstanding. If you eat here, you'll notice the hostess and waitresses and sushi chefs greeting people by name, and they really make an effort to get to know you. Yes, the majority of the people working here are Chinese or Korean, but it doesn't take away from the fact that the food is amazing and the service is impeccable. Whenever I'm home, they always ask me how school is going and they still remember my face even though I've been gone on and off again for three years now. Even if you don't become a regular, you'll notice that the staff is attentive to refilling your glass and tea, clearing your plates, making sure everything is to your liking. I noticed that a lot of people voted that Sushi Sono is not good for kids. If your kids aren't really into something different, I would not recommend sushi in general. However, I have noticed a lot of families bring kids occasionally to expose them to different cuisine. If you bring kids, the staff is incredibly attentive and helpful. They tie the chopstick wrapper around the top of the chopsticks to make it easier for kids to use. Also, once wrapped, kids are less likely to bang the chopsticks on the table like drumsticks. For large groups, you can make reservations for the traditional rooms in the back, which are separated from the main eating area. When I was in 7th grade, my Japanese class took a field trip to have sushi. We didn't eat in the traditional rooms, but they still seated a large group of at least 10 for lunch. I remember one of my classmates with extensive food allergies listed out all of his requirements, and they were incredibly helpful and accommodating. Sushi Sono is fantastic for a delicious meal with excellent service. I would recommend this for huge groups, eating by yourself at the sushi bar, or a nice date. There isn't a lot of seating, so get there early on busy nights or make reservations. If you haven't been there, the outstanding service will win your heart, and before long, you'll probably become a regular.
(5)
Heidi M.

I've been going to this place for the last 8 years and it never disappointing. The food is always fresh and they're specials are unique and always a treat. The sushi is a bit on the high side, but its sushi and its well worth the quality of food being served. Even after all these years, the servers and the owner still remember me and always greet me with a smile! Best sushi place in the state of Maryland!
(5)
Lilian Y.

SO OVERRATED! So I tried to come here 3 times but they have weird business hours. And with how people have talked about Sushi Sono, I thought it'd be a GREAT sushi place but no. It's so Americanized you can't get any good sushi. Everything is so overpriced and there's a very small range of sushi you can order from. Not coming again. Not any time soon.
(2)
joe w.

Aside from the thirty-five minute wait for seating, this restaurant was packed with virtually every table and seat packed. The view is adjacent to a lake which is aesthetically pleasing to look at in the day time more so than in the evening. The serving sizes were generous in the fish portion on the nigri was about 1 cm thick. The fish was fresh. The service speed could be enhanced as people who had reservations were complaining about delays in seating. Parking in the garage is sufficient. I personally recommend a sushi combo dish.
(4)
Jamila T.

The sushi is delicious and the presentation was great also. You get more fish than rice, but depending on the roll that could be a good or a bad thing. The menu isn't extensive as some other sushi places that I've been to. I expected the restaurant to be bigger... it is pretty small. We ordered the Royal Crab and the Bridal Veil- and out of the two my favorite was the Royal Crab. I will probably go back in the future- but it won't be on the regular because it was quite pricey-
(4)
Karen S.

Love this place, but it's getting so hard to get a table now. If you're running late, as we were last weekend, call them and they will hold your table. We were 17 minutes late - 3 minutes past their threshold - and ended up waiting 45 minutes for another table. It was our fault and the hostess did her best to seat us and it as worth the wait. But, lesson learned: if you're going to be late, call. Favorite rolls this time: Yasai-maki and our perennial favorite, Bridal Veil. Spicy crunchy tuna was good, but nothing to write home about. In my book, warm mayo is a no-no, which made the Royal Crab Roll a little odd, but still tasty.
(5)
J P.

you can't order anything bad here. everything taste really good, down to the miso soup and sorbet icecream. the icecream is a generous portion to share and is a popular item to end the dinner with. the atmosphere is really nice and the staff is very attentive and friendly. the prices and size of rolls are on the average side. however, i do have to say that their rolls are not as unique compared to other sushi restaurants.
(4)
Courtney C.

We got carryout from here last night. The rolls were small and more expensive than most sushi places. They lacked flavor and I was really disappointed. Not worth the price at all.
(2)
K K.

The edamame was very soggy/mushy. The majority of the sushi wasn't terrible, but not overly flavorful. The yellowtail roll was awful, and I usually really like yellowtail. On the plus side, the rolls had plenty of fish. Also, the service was excellent!
(3)
Fat T.

Been here crazy number of times. The food never disappoints and is always fresh. You can easily rack up $100 for two with sushi rolls and sake but it's worth it. You're not going to get much better sushi without driving to Annapolis (Joss'), DC or NYC.
(5)
Michele D.

The night before the big race called for something light, healthy, and rich with carbs and protein. I had to pick up my race packet at the Sheraton next door, so when I saw that Sushi Sono was so close, I was more than pleased. I had found this restaurant through Yelp (is there another way?!?) and was glad I had the opportunity to try it. The first thing I noticed is its proximity to a small lake, which provides a nice view. I sat at the bar, which faces away from the lake (boo). I was presented with a menu, a sushi menu, and a "special" menu. I didn't like that the "special" menu didn't have any prices on them This is rather strange to me, as I don't see why they can't be posted like they are on the other two menus. I learned my lesson about ordering from "no price listed" menus YEARS ago when I went to Matsuhisa in LA. I will NEVER make that mistake again. I asked the price of the Bridal Veil Roll and was told it was 14. Ouch, but fine, I want it and I'll take it. I also ordered the saba (mackerel). I won't describe the BVR since it's already been done so here with previously written reviews. I will say that it was very good. It wasn't *delicious*, like some of the rolls I've had at other favorite establishments, but it was good and I'd order it again. The saba was wonderful; I just love that fish. After dinner, I scooted on out of there to take one last look at the race course. Very nice staff (well, the owners and one of the sushi chefs were beyond nice, they were just very attentive to customers) and great view. I'd love to return one day when I have more time to actually enjoy it!
(3)
Tom O.

Well, their selection of sushi was not overwhelming, just the usual fare, nothing special. Preparation of the sushi wasn't impressive either. In another review I mentioned the fish was cut too thick, well, the same here. It could have been because it was a slow day with Hurricane Irene barreling down on the area but still, if you need to make sure you don't end up with left over fish that might go bad, instead of serving two chunks of Lego size block of fish, offer 3 pieces that are not that thick.
(2)
Nicholette P.

A few years ago I wouldn't go near sushi, until my bf introduced me to bridal veil roll. I never looked back. SO good! They have really really good sushi, cute restaurant, went with the bf's fam and we sat in our own room on the floor, cute japanese style! If your looking for some great sushi in columbia, this is a great place to go, but let me tell you, you will be dropping some $$ because of all the amazing rolls you will want to try!
(4)
Alph G.

Sushi Sono is some of the best sushi I've ever had. It is just delicious. The negative? The special rolls are expensive, some are $19. There seems to be a wait a lot of the time. And for some reason, it's always cold in there. But besides that, the food is just wonderful. It's making me hungry just thinking about it....mmmm.... My faves are the dragon roll, bridal veil, spicy tuna, shrimp tempura. I always get miso soup too. Great location, great food - a treat.
(5)
Joon K.

extremely good quality service and foods ... U should go
(5)
sindi e.

Always good - at least in the past. Haven't been there in a while.
(3)
Christie W.

This is my favorite sushi spot in HOCO. My all time favorite will always be TAKO in Bethesda, but when I'm not into driving back out to Bethesda after work, I hit up Sushi Sono. The service is always very friendly and efficient. They give you warm wash cloths before you eat to wash you hands, and a pack of bubble gum when you leave. The sushi is fresh, the sake is hot. My favorite roll here is by far one of their speciality rolls, the bridal veil roll is fantastic everytime! I higly recommend you order one if you find yourself at Sushi Sono.
(4)
Ralph G.

If you're looking for some quality sushi in the Columbia area, this would probably be the place to go. The ambiance is nice, grainy wood tables the waitresses (no waiters?) wear blue kimonos. There are many sushi specials that are not on the menu, so make sure you ask! The vegetarian selection might seem drab at first (avocado, inari, etc) but there are some exquisite vegetarian specials. Make reservations if you have a group of 4 or greater, or on weekend nights you will have a long wait. However, it's along the water, and probably one of the prettiest areas that this suburban sprawl has to offer.
(4)
Kendall M.

This place is a real find! Great sushi! We've had plenty of good sushi on the west coast, but I think this sushi was better than I've ever had before! The staff was friendly and helpful. Environment was very comfortable. The view of the lake was amazing! If you're in the Columbia area and you like sushi, this is a must try!
(5)
Jennifer H.

Beautiful atmosphere because it's right on the lake in Columbia. Sushi is wonderful! Their other dishes, not so great. Wasn't a fan of the tempura or their teriyaki entrees. Prices are on the expensive side, probably because of their location. Sodas aren't free refills and it's not a big deal but they really should tell a person before they give them a refill. Service is really good and the staff is really nice. Quiet little spot and definitely a great place for a romantic date.
(4)
Alison B.

My husband and my favorite sushi restaurant, and we have tried many. They have amazing creations and unusual choices that they bring in, that you can not find anywhere else. Our favorites that are on the regular menu include the Bridal Veil, wrapped in rice paper and the Dragon roll, made with fresh lobster. It is expensive, as sushi always is, it adds up fast. We love sitting at the sushi bar and watching it be prepared. We are always pleased and impressed with the taste and the presentation of our sushi at Sushi Sono
(5)
Eileen L.

Best sushi, best view and best service. Definately try the bridal veil roles, best combination around (other than the explosion roles at Suhsi King -which they will make there).
(4)
Teresa H.

Top 3 sushi restaurant in all the DC area. Hands down. Although owned by Chinese, the sushi there is the best quality I've tasted. The fish is so good and so fresh. The rice makes the sushi, and the rice here is absolutely perfect. The rolls are unique and are out of this world. The best ones can't be found on the regular menu. - Dragon Roll - Shrimp tempura & tobiko rolled in a flour wrapping, topped with a whole lobster tail. OMG - this is sooooo delicious. - Bridal Veil Roll - Crunchy, spicy tuna in the middle, wrapped in rice paper and topped with slices of tuna. The other rolls on the menu are good, but these rolls are a must-try. This place is pretty expensive even for sushi standards. The Dragon roll is $24 and the Bridal Veil is $18. Nigiri pieces start at $4, hamachi is $6. Everytime I come here with my friend, the 2 of us would rack up a bill over $200 (no alcohol)...but it's soooo worth it. The ootoro is super expensive ($15 for 2 pieces), but it's the best piece of melt-in-your-mouth fish you will ever expose your palate to. I don't think I've ever eaten anything here I didn't highly approve of. The average person can definitely eat for less than $100/person, but it's still going to cost you here. Not only the food is great, the ambience is awesome. Located in front of a small lake in Columbia, the setting is great to take your date. The service is great too (maybe because they remember I spend ridiculous amounts of $$ there). This place is a must-try...6-stars!
(5)
Chris L.

Wow! Fantastic sushi, great service, nice and clean location. I'm not a sushi connesieur by any stretch of the imagination (I gets mines from Tar-jay baby), but I was very impressed with the quality of the sashimi. I didn't really pay attention to what I was eating, but it was firm, nutty, and delicious. I had the Sashimi Moriawase. I highly recommend it.
(5)
Ina C.

I love, love, love this restaurant because... 1) they are so generous with their cuts of sushi! For the nigiri sushi, the fish COVERS the rice - the way it should be. 2) they have fried ice cream! 3) the hostess remembers your name FOREVER if you make a reservation there. She knows my entire dating history without me having told her a thing! 4) parking is easy. Dishes to get: - Bridal veil roll (BVR). I believe it's crispy tempura shrimp inside a roll topped with tuna and wrapped in rice paper. The mix of soft/crunchy textures is perfection. - Royal crab roll. This one has no raw fish in it, but it's still delicious :) It's topped with some kinda cheese and thinly sliced bacon. Sounds strange, but everyone I know who's tried it fell in love. - Yellow tail & scallion roll. Simple, tried & true. - Spicy tuna roll. The roll is perfectly spicy and practically bursting with tuna. - Nabeyaki udon. Who knows how to spell this? It's good. - Edamame. Never brown, always salted just right. - Tuna tartar. Otoro tartar. Something with tuna, otoro or tartar. Get it, it's good. - Fried ice cream. It's pretty much like tempura ice cream. Stick a shrimp in there and you've got shrimp tempura. It's really delicious. Warning: They are closed on Sunday. Reservations are for parties 4+. If you're a party of 2, you can reserve at the sushi bar only.
(5)
Brianne C.

3.5 stars. We enjoyed an impromptu date at Sushi Sono, strolling in on a Tuesday evening after making a series of biking purchases. Settling at the swooping sushi bar, we ordered from many areas of the menu, sampling a fancy roll with caviar and avocado, miso soup, shrimp tempura, seaweed salad, toro and yellowfin sashimis, and lots of plum wine. Our sushi chef immediately started chatting with us, and willingly answered our questions about traditional Japanese dishes and what people who live in the countryside typically eat in their homes. The salad, shrimp tempura (beautiful with a light soy sauce enhanced with radish), and toro sashimi were easily the standouts of the meal, the beautifully colored fresh toro displaying an unctuous texture and finishing with its characteristic dark flavors. The other items were unremarkable, as the yellowfin lacked butteriness and flavor, while the miso soup was overly salted. Still, the relaxed atmosphere and comfortable setting, along with the friendly service and those assorted memorable dishes guarantee that we will be returning when visiting Columbia.
(3)
J M.

I have eaten sushi all over North America, Sushi Sono is the freshest and most delicious sushi I have ever had. I recommend the Dragon Roll (you might have to ask for it), red snapper nigiri and any of their specials. The chefs and waitresses are very nice.
(5)
Larry P.

i had heard about this place for years and finally went this weekend. We had a great, late lunch on Saturday. There was a beautiful view of te lake, the service was good and the food was great. I think the prices were very reasonable for the quality of the food.
(5)
Leeann D.

The best sushi in Columbia, hand down! Excellent place to take your out of town guests.
(5)
Jeffrey L.

I will NEVER go back to this restaurant! When I arrived, there was one guest before me; she arrived at almost the same time as I did. I told the hostess that I would like a table for one person. She promptly asked if I wouldn't you like to sit at the sushi bar and I responded no. Her response was: "Are you sure?". I replied, "Yes, I'm sure. I would like a table". Her immediate response was "Okay, it may be a while". I said "Okay". Almost immediately after this, there were several parties, large and small, that arrived. All of these parties, including the one person ahead of me (who was actually waiting on a second person to arrive), were seated. The hostess finally came up to me and asked again if I was sure I didn't want to sit at the sushi bar, to which I replied, "You have seated all of these people ahead of me". Her response was: "That's not true". I said that yes it was and she said something along the lines of don't accuse me of not telling the truth. I promptly said you can take me off the list and I left. This scenario was a clear demonstration of discriminating against single individuals all in the interest of seating more people so as to make more money or else the hostess is simply rude and a discredit to the restaurant. Very disappointing because I have always enjoyed the food at this restaurant.
(1)
Peter T.

Nice atmosphere. Fresh sushi.
(4)
Maurice K.

Best sushi I have had in the area. Outstanding! I highly recommend you visit this place and ask for King. He is the best. Not inexpensive, but worth every dollar.
(5)
Phil B.

Hands down best sushi in MD/DC/NoVA. Don't let the location fool you I've tried plenty of other places in DC and my new home in Arlington but still make a special trip to go to Sono whenever I'm back up in MD. The nigiri is huge and delicious. Dragon Roll is perfect and ootoro is definitely worth the price if its available, it melts in your mouth and is topped with fresh REAL wasabi, not the standard horseradish stuff. I can't comment on the california/cucumber blah rolls because when I come here I'm focused on the real thing, eating til I'm full, and worrying about the bill later. Make a point to come here if you love sushi.
(5)
Aaron R.

This place is the cat's pajama's. Is it the best ever? Well... no. Is it the best in Maryland? I don't know, but if I had to guess, no. Is it the best you'll get in Columbia? I believe so. Service and feel are pretty good. It's really open with two walls being entirely windows. The bar is in a good position, the wait staff is friendly, and the chefs don't talk down to you. A lot of people have complained about the place being package all the time. A sushi place is the kind of place you want to have packed all the time. It means it's good. Packed sushi place = fresh food. This place is busy enough to run out of things. If I go into a burger joint and they are out of burger patties, I'm thinking, "Well someone didn't think ahead, and now my day is ruined. RAH!". When my first choice order is out at a sushi place, I'm thinking, "Snap, I guess that was really good today. What do you recommend?" and I'm happy. A lot of people think the prices here are high. I disagree. I don't really have anything more to say about that. What really matters? The food. And the food is friggin' awesome. As you've already read for the other four hundred reviews of both places, Sushi-Sono and Sushi-King are owned by the same family. The also have pretty much the same menu. I just think Sono's is better. Think nothin', it IS better. It's so fresh, so well prepared, so yum. It's the only food that I can take one bite and need to lean back into my chair for a while to just enjoy it. Yeah... I could go for some right now. I think I'm gunna.
(5)
Shieva R.

The sushi is very good, they have lots of fun, creative rolls to choose from. In Columbia, this has to be the best spot for sushi, it also makes it a great date spot being so close to a lake.
(4)
Cam B.

Best sushi in the area. BUT some of the servers need to take it down a notch. One kept interrupting my friends and I and tried to insert herself in our conversation. Another hit me on the shoulder when I didn't finish a roll.
(4)
shinhaeya k.

Everyone goes on and on about how great the sushi is, ambiance, service, etc. I totally agree. But I'm here to rave about the delicious tasty Shabu-shabu. Ever since I watched "Cooking with Dog" (the cute grey poodle actually narrates) on YouTube and saw the episode with Shabu-shabu...I had to try this dish. This is the second time I've had Shabu-shabu. The first was at Sushi King. And I have to say, Sushi Sono delivered it better. It's a hot pot cooked at your table...typically eaten during winter time. Tofu, cabbage, green onions, clear noodles, and sprouts all cooking in a delicious broth. The waitress brings out a plate of thinly sliced raw beef (looks like pho meat) and some lemony soy sauce. Reasons why I liked Sushi Sono better: 1. The waitress explains in detail how to cook and eat it. (She gasped at us when we tried to eat the broth before putting meat in. Said that beef needs to cook in the broth to add more flavor and smacked our spoons away) Sushi King just left the hotpot at our table and we just guessed how to eat it. 2. She made recommendations for our next visit (Seafood kind with all sorts of sea creatures cooking in the broth...omg drool!) 3. Waitress brought us more broth! (extra food is always a plus in my book) 4. The broth tasted better at Sushi Sono. Less oily so it tasted healthier. They also gave us some spicy seasoning mix to add to your own bowl. The hotpot is good enough for 2, maybe 3 people (our waitress teased us for having leftovers) Tell the waitress how you like the beef cooked (I like rare...gf likes well done). Enjoy the broth and get ready to sweat... $30 for Shabu-shabu...definitely returning to try the seafood one.
(5)
steve h.

Woah, some really tough critics. I find the service rather good. Everyone is very friendly and they keep the water filled. The hostess and staff are really good to the locals/regulars and knows them well - a sign of good service and relationship with customers. At busy times, you may feel that service is more rushed, but heck, this isn't a 5-star several hundreds of dollars restaurant. Yes, I agree the sushi chefs are a little on the quiet side, but I actually prefer that rather than the screaming chefs that welcome a person. They are very friendly if you talk to them. As for the food, it is great. The rolls are certainly quite unique and the tempura is consistently good. I've noticed it's lighter on oil content and crispier than any place I've been to. The fish is consistently high quality. Talk to the chefs and they will let you know what the freshest fish are of that day. I do recommend reservations for groups though! *Note: As for the Chinese comment below. It may be true, but FYI the original owner lived and trained in Japan.
(5)
Christine P.

Food is great but the service needs much improvement. Location: It is located next to the Columbia Mall and is relatively easy to find if you know where to look (I've gotten lost going to this restaurant more than I care to admit.) You can't see this place from the main road, so look out. It is situated overlooking a lake but be aware, the lake stinks. Food: I've had better sushi and other restaurants but the rolls are the best around DC area. I especially like the Dragon and the Bridal Veil rolls. Some of their fancy daily special sushi are good but not worth the money. Service: It sucks if you go there during dinner time (always so crowded make SURE you have a reservation.) I wouldn't recommend for romantic dinner out for two but great place to go on double dates or with your pals. Try to stay away if you have kids under 10. This place can't handle much kids due to limited space. You can reserve one of two (or three?) private rooms but you can hear EVERYTHING that's going on in the next room so it's not a free pass for your kids to get rowdy.
(3)
A C.

I ate here several years ago, so this may be out of date (though it doesn't seem so, reading some reviews). Supermarket sushi. Dull, falling apart, stale seaweed, some of it appeared pre-made. The egg sushi was spoiled - HUGE ammonia smell - made my lips and tongue tingle. I didn't eat it, and I told the waitress, who promised to take it off the bill, but didn't. When I asked, she said the "chef" tasted it and it was ok for him. Even though she knew I hadn't eaten it because of this (and I pointed this out), she said too bad - we're not taking it off the bill. $3 isn't a lot of money, but this shows the quality of the people running the place, which seemed lower than the poor quality of the food. Do not waste your time. I won't.
(1)
Alex L.

Took the bf here for his birthday. It was tucked away in a little courtyard thingy, so if you dont know where youre going, it might be a bit of a hassle....however, we were seated right away even though it was 730 on a friday night. The waitress was very friendly and helpful right off the bat. We ordered the gyoza dumplings for an app and a beer each. Both came out promptly, though my beer tasted like fizzy water. whatever. The dumplings were amazing! We then got: -an order of hamachi ngiri (yellow tail) which was mellow and buttery -spicy tuna roll which was average -shrimp tempura roll which was divine, minus the attached shrimp tails which made eating it a wee bit tricky. Me and chopsticks arent always best friends. -the auspicious bridal veil roll, which was gorgeous and as good as every other review says. The lobster salad was spicy, the tempura flakes gave the perfect crunch and the tuna around the outside melted perfectly. Worth every penny! -the scallop roll, which was (more) shrimp tempura and steamed asparagus, rice/seaweed and covered in a steam scallop. I think bf liked it more than I did, but it was nice. To his major horror, I accidentally mentioned that it was his birthday in front of the waitress. She brought him complimentary melon sorbet and made me sing to him. He blew out the candle, gave me evil eyes and then pounded it. I managed to snag a tiny taste--it was good. I ordered the green tea ice cream which was just meh. Wouldn't get it again. All in all, I really like the atmosphere, the selection, the service and the bridal veil. Will definitely be going again!
(4)
Jean L.

My tummy is so happy. I just downed a piece of chutoro nigirizushi and a whole Bridal Veil Roll. Toro is just something that you can expect to be good, as long as the fish is fresh. One order of the chutoro sushi was $12. My dining buddy, who never had toro before looked at the pink piece of fatty fish covering about two finger digits of sushi apprehensively. After I explained that out of the fish used for sushi, it doesn't get much better than toro, he took a bite and summed it up perfectly with "Oh that's ridiculous. It's like butter." I wonder what his response would have been to otoro... The Bridal Veil Roll is as good as everyone says it is. Lobster salad and tempura flakes rolled in nori and rice, topped with tuna and again rolled in rice paper (think summer roll). It sets you back $14 a roll, but it's so good and the generous cut of tuna that it's topped with makes it about as filling as a roll can be. The s.o. who says he doesn't really like sushi polished off half a takeout B.V. roll, claiming it was "not bad." I've tried the tuna and spicy tuna rolls on a previous trip and they were on the decent side, but leaning towards average. This is about as "pretentious snob" as I'm going to get: I'm too spoiled off fish that had been caught that day to really rave about the quality here. It isn't bad--I've had plenty worse... it just isn't the absolute bestest. Sigh, the memory of eating a fresh catch in Korea in a little boat with some gochu jang (pepper paste)--it's going to be a while before I accept sushi-grade as sushi-grade again. I like how they give you a hot towel before you eat... it's a nice touch. What brought this place down a notch was the service. Maybe I shouldn't complain, maybe I'm being overly pretentious... I don't know. It's just that aside from our host and hostess, I found myself wondering if it'd hurt the staff to smile? Unapproachable came to mind. My dining buddy even thought he caught a dirty look from our server. The only thing that can disrupt my enjoyment of good food is the feeling that I'm being judged while I'm eating it, even if it's ever-so-subtle or it's a misunderstanding on my part. Don't get me wrong, they did everything they should have done. My water was filled, they checked back to see how everything was, service was prompt... I guess I'd be asking too much by wanting the service to seem friendlier. Our hostess was actually a friend of ours so I wouldn't be an impartial judge of her service--but her and the man who greeted us were the only ones who seemed happy there. We didn't have to wait for a table for two on a Friday afternoon and I remember it being pretty quiet on a Monday. Personally, the final touch is subtle but really seals the deal for me. They give you boxes of Marukawa gum balls. LOVE. It sure beats starbrite peppermints.
(4)
Jeff M.

One of the area's best sushi and with a handful of chefs behind the counter the service matches the food. We've been eating there since it opened. The Bridal Veil and Spicy Tuna Tartare are musts when you visit.
(5)
Jon D.

Have had better sushi, but I would go back
(3)
Larry G.

Five star potential with three star execution. Sushi Sono is located on a man made lake. The restaurant is small and pretty, although hardly fancy. Servers are dressed in Japanese style clothing. Overall, I like the feel of the place. The menu is ambitious, with offerings such as shishamo (small whole smelt filled with roe, grilled whole) and ika masago ae (squid with roe and a quail egg). There are many interesting daily specials, e.g., hamachi kama (grilled yellowtail cheeks). I sat at the sushi bar. The servers were friendly and efficient. So far, so good. So why did I say "five star potential with three star execution?" The first negative: the sushi chefs were all very quiet. There was no greeting when I sat down, and limited chance for interaction. My server insisted on taking my initial order, as well as for each additional order of sushi. Only near the end of the meal did I get a chance to talk to one of the sushi chefs, and order directly from him. I started with the above mentioned ika masago ae. The squid was very tender, and the combination of flavors was very good. A promising start. My remaining choices were not as good. Uni (sea urchin) sushi was very firm and fresh, but was a very small piece, easily overwhelmed by the flavor of the rice. Ama ebi (raw shrimp) were OK, and the tempura heads were presented very nicely. Unfortunately they were overcooked, and were dry instead of deliciously juicy. Unagi (grilled eel) was attractively presented, well heated and probably tasty. I say "probably" because there was so much barbecue sauce that the flavor was hard to discern. Perhaps these failings only occur at lunch time. Perhaps regulars get more of a chance to order directly from the chefs. I'm inclined to try it again, this time for dinner.
(3)
carla H.

okay, so I first grew to love sushi out in Southern California & I just relocated back to MD....In socal, sushi joints are like starbucks ....on every street corner! :)... i feel like out here it's really hard to find sushi spots....another thing about socal I liked is that almost every sushi joint had a 50% off roll discount. The sushi in MD is overpriced! I went to Sushi sono - with two of my besties last week - the sushi was honestly just ok - I've had better....it's actually kind of sad that this is the top rated sushi joint out here...We spent about $40 each and there were three of us...I think that's expensive ;/ You def. pay for the ambience - which is nice being on the lake ...The service was good, and the sushi wasn't bad...it just wasn't anything that stood out to me... I will be trying sushi king next and reporting back ;p
(2)
Jason C.

Went for lunch and got sushi and some basic rolls. Didn't get any specialty rolls but they looked REALLY good (need to go back). The sushi was outstanding. Very fresh, buttery, delicious! The service was great -- attentive but not overly so. Had a nearly 2 hour lunch (business meeting) that didn't feel rushed at all. Definitely going back to try some more....
(4)
Sue C.

My most favorite sushi restaurant of all time. My usual consists of the #12 roll, fatty tuna (melts in your mouth!), bridal veil, and spicy crunchy tuna. The sushi is incredibly fresh and the waitresses are super sweet.
(5)
Miji C.

This place is no secret! Ever since college, (I graduated nearly 10 years ago) Sushi Sono has been my favorite sushi restaurant...I waitressed throughout my college days at a fancy sushi place so I'm used to all the great, sushi...let me tell ya~ you can not go wrong with this place!!! What do I miss most about MD now that I am a Virginian? It would be hands down, Sushi Sono!!!!!! Their rolls are to die for, Sashimi so fresh, and the ambiance isn't bad either...overlooking the lake...great place to take a first date!! oh how I miss thee, sushi sono! Try the Bridal Veil Roll~ it's AMAZING!! I think it's crispy tempura shrimp inside with tuna on top wrapped in rice paper. (thus, the bridal veil) They also have a private Tatami room inside for a special experience!
(5)
Ned F.

the most ignorant thing i've seen to date on a review for this restaurant: "Also, reference my other reviews for insight on why I prefer Korean/Japanese run Sushi joints." Sushi made by real Japanese folks is legit. This is the spot for sushi. I had sushi for the first time here 12 years ago and went back two days ago. I could find nothing wrong and it's refreshing to see sushi not bastardized by korean-run sushi spots.
(5)
Dee M.

I like this place. It is better than Tako Grill in Bethesda! Great service and the food was excellent. I'm planning my next visit soon.
(5)
Susan E.

Ok, so the sushi is decent, although a little pricey for what you get. What makes me hesitant to give this place more stars is the service. VERY pushy.
(3)
N S.

Yes, I enjoyed my meal at Sushi Sono, but, quite honestly, $18 for veggie tempura is pretty steep, and I also ordered a maki-roll, plus green tea ice cream for dessert, and also had some seaweed salad to start which was very good. So plan to drop some cash because there will be alot of temptation to try several items.
(4)
Trevin P.

Was recently on assignment in Columbia and discovered this place for lunch. I had the combination with skewers of chicken, steak, and tempura shrimp and veggies. It also came with miso soup and small salad. Fantastic! Excellent service (maybe a bit much....someone was always asking how things were) and looks out over a park-like setting with a lake. A really tasty experience for a reasonable cost ($13). Wish I still worked in the area so I could try more of the menu.
(4)
Shirley L.

MY ABSOLUTELY FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT SINCE I HAVE MOVED TO MARYLAND! when i first went there, i wasn't too impressed since i've been to some amazing sushi places back at home but then i had lunch with my dear friend heidi and she introduced me to the special menu. now, if i could afford it, i'd eat here every day! i go with friends and order the neptune roll, bridal veil, and the royal crab. even with the worst day ever, a meal here can always make me happier!
(5)
Brian G.

I was never into sushi while I lived in columbia but my friends constantly talked this place up. When I came up from VA to visit friends/family I thought I'd give this place a try. I would give this 3.5 stars for a few reasons. First, nothing we had was bad. Second, nothing we had was great. The miso soup was some of the best I've had in recent history, but the sushi was nothing to really rave about. Things seemed fresh enough, but I've had better versions of every roll we tried in the area for similar or cheaper prices. I'd go back for the cool group rooms and because my friends seem to love it, but otherwise I wouldnt go out of my way to get here!
(3)
MiniVan D.

This is as good as it gets! I went here with my friends and the sushi was amazing. Now every place I go eat i compare to this. It is my favorite place no doubt. There ebi came with fried shimp head that i just loved so much. This is now a favortie place of mine.
(5)
Cassandra S.

This is the best sushi that you will ever eat. Everything is fresh and worth the cost. The atmosphere is great and the staff falls over you to make sure you are taken care of. Once you have sushi here, you will be spoiled for everywhere else!
(5)
Lindsey S.

I have this obsession with Unagi and out of all the places I've tried (which is at least 20+ Japanese places around the east coast) this is definitely in the top 5. Their Unagi and Sashimi pieces are huge with just the right amount of flavor to it. And as a plus the Unagi is warm and just melts in your mouth. The waitstaff are all these little middleaged asian women who are extremely nice and make excellent recommendations about your order (I don't mean this in any negative connotation; they remind me of my aunts) I wish I didn't live so far away from here or else I'd stuff my face with their nigiri every day. The restaurant is also tiny so expect long waits in their teenier waiting section (standing room only) on weekends.
(5)
Linda T.

Great little restaurant. Very busy but the service was still great. If you sit at the sushi bar you can get great ideas for what to order if you adventurous and don't mind ordering something you've never had before. Get the hot tea, it will never be empty.
(5)
Sunmy B.

If I had to choose the best sushi restaurant in the Columbia area, then it would have to be Sushi Sono. The sushi rolls are awesome. I particularly enjoy the Spicy tuna roll, Dragon Roll, and Rainbow Roll. It is usually packed at this place, so it's best to get there before the lunch or dinner crowd. Another bonus about Sushi Sono is that it's located right by the lake, which means you can walk off your meal afterwards.
(4)
Danny L.

Decent sushi. Crowded all the time. Good service. The sushi is fresh due to the volume of people served.
(3)
Tim N.

I have been to dozens of sushi restaurants all over the country. This ranks up there with the best. Service is excellent, and the Royal Crab Roll is absolutely awesome -- impossible to get just one. Hard to get just two! We went on a Tuesday in October and the place was packed; apparently it's no secret how excellent this restaurant is! I've been here three or four times. Always impressed.
(5)
Brook H.

A wonderful sushi joint, I can say I enjoyed everything about this place. From the atmosphere to the food, you get plenty for your money. Of course, being a sushi restaurant in Columbia, you also spend a fair amount of money. If it weren't for my favorite hole-in-the-wall place elsewhere, I would recommend this place for anyone looking for good sushi and Japanese cuisine.
(4)
Edward T.

My favorite sushi anywhere. Every time I visit MD, I have to go at least once and order a Sono #12, Bridal Veil, and Hurricane Eye.
(5)
Veronica V.

Easily my favorite sushi place in the area and yes, this includes Sushi King. The sushi is quality and the service is really quick; I'm usually out of there in an hour. I don't consider them any more expensive than quality sushi anywhere else and they have really good lunch specials if price is really an issue for you.
(5)
Andrew S.

Sushi Soso.
(3)
nic j.

I have had sushi from both coasts and I spent two months traveling around southern Japan. Sushi sono is equivalent to the quality of the best sushi restaurants I've been to in Japan. Their wasabi is fantastic, their Toro (fatty tuna) is the best I've had in the United States. The prices are appropriate to the quality of the fish. I've had some bad fatty tuna and I have had excellent fatty toro. Their fatty tuna is five stars and they give a large portions. Yes I am sound like a bit of a snob, but I am tired of west coasters trying to claim the monopoly on good Sushi. I've never had anything but their sushi so I cannot comment on the quality of their regular entrees. I can say, for dessert, their tempura ice cream is highly addictive. I cannot say enough about this place and honestly this review is inadequate.
(5)
Allison S.

Great service and food! This place has by far the best sushi of anywhere in the area. It is also great for non-sushi lovers. The chicken teriakyi was also delicious. The atmosphere of the restaurant was also excellent, as well as the lake front view. We have found a new sushi place and will definitely going back often!
(5)
Daniela M.

The sushi is definitely good (above average), and the varied menu pleases all palates. However, it was a little cramped with tables too close together. For this reason, it was not a pleasant experience and I'm reluctant to return to Sushi Sono.
(3)
Mickey L.

To enjoy a fancy dining experience on a budget ($35/person), I suggest creating your own what I call "Tasting of the Sea" by ordering the following per party of two: A. 2 entrÃ©e portions + 1-2 appetizer portions B. 1 entrÃ©e portion + 3-4 appetizer portions C. 5-7 appetizer portions APPETIZER PORTION: - One order of O-toro Nigiri (2 pieces) - Two orders of other Nigiri (4 pieces) My favorites are Yellowtail, Snapper or Mackerel from Japan, "Spicy" Salmon, Uni, Sweet Shrimp (served with deep-fried heads) - One order of Sweet Shrimp Nigiri and Miso Soup made with Sweet Shrimp heads - Chutoro Tartare, perfectly refreshing during the hot months - Abalone or Conch appetizer - Salt-baked Yellowtail Jaw - Miso-marinated broiled Sablefish (aka Black Cod) - Deep fried whale-sized Soft-Shelled Crab Roll - Two orders of Giant Clam Ginger Soup - Tempura Ice Cream ENTRÃ‰E PORTION: - Small whole fish from Japan: Kasugo Tai ("Young Snapper") or Aji ("Horse Mackerel"). Each is two courses in one order! First, Chef King stunningly presents the fish as nigiri/sashimi. Then, he offers the remnant to be deep-fried or made into a divine soup. - Dragon Roll (sweet shrimp tempura, avocado, and flying fish roe wrapped in special white seaweed, topped with steamed lobster) is pure luxury by the bounty!
(5)
Daniel L.

4 stars! The restaurant is located right by the lake so you get a nice view wherever you get seates (except in those private rooms). All the waitresses are dressed in kimonos which is a nice touch. The food is delicious! We got an assortment of different rolls and sushi, as well as the shrimp and vegetable tempura. (Sorry, drafted this review a few weeks ago so I can't remember everything we ordered). Our waitress suggested we order an extra dish because she said we'd be hungry. So we obliged, and we definitely could've done without the last set of rolls. For desert, we ordered the vanilla ice cream tempura, but she brought the green tea one. Minus one point for that as well as the pushiness to order another item. Not a big deal, the food was really great. Definitely recommend making a reservation because it was packed Saturday evening. Price is $$ - $$$.
(4)
Katrina W.

If your looking for a fun sushi joint where the staff dresses up in Geisha costume this is your place. The also have private rooms with doors for large private parties, please note you have to call to book well in advance. Great service and sushi. A bit on the pricey side but you get your moneys worth for sure.
(4)
Amy M.

Sushi was underwhelming and bland. A+ for presentation and look of sushi but the taste was not comparable. Good for them I was starving. Staff was pushy, pushy, pushy. Before I could swallow my last bite, my plate was whisked away. Had 2 secs after putting the credit card down before it was snatched from our glance. Washingtonian and Zagat survey should take a second look at their review. Don't let the pretense fool you. Definitely overpriced for suboptimal-tasting sushi.
(1)
Aaron C.

One of the better locations for sushi in the area, however priced a little high.
(4)
Andy G.

This is hands down the best sushi place in the area. I sat down for an early dinner with my dad, and we shared some maki and some nigiri. The waitress informed us that they had both big-eye and bluefin tuna, and we had one of each. We also had octopus, and it was actually pretty tender. I've never had an experience like that. Every piece of sushi was fresh and prepared expertly. Our waitress was able to explain the difference between the two tunas and she was spot on. My only complaint is the price, but then again, you pay for quality.
(5)
Farida A.

For sushi in the 'burbs, this place is pretty good. The sushi is pretty cheap and although the rolls feel a little small, they are well-made. Try the special grilled sushi roll ($7 on the specialty roll menu) - it's fantastic!
(4)
Brian C.

Very happy with this place. Prices are a little steeper than other comparable sushi restaurants so this isn't on my regular go-to list, but I will be back for sure occasion permitting. Moderate to spendy depending on what you order. At least the good view is free! Ordered: sashimi appetizer, several rolls (seafood, spicy tuna, and crispy), and spicy tuna hand roll. +1: I am a big fan of sashimi and I was pretty pleased with the offering. We had been deliberating whether or not to get the sashimi boat - perhaps I will try that next time. Sashimi was fresh and meaty, no hint of frozenness at all, cut generously. Included portions of tuna, yellowtail, and salmon - a good size for 2. +1: Overall the rolls were quite good as well. In the greater DMV area, definitely on the better end of sushi I had in terms of quality. Delicately-enough made given the speed (it was super busy when we went and a line had been building out the door) and ingredients were tasty and fresh. Didn't get to try any of the specialty rolls to sample the chefs' creativity. +1: Sat at the sushi bar so they watched our progress from the counter and prepared everything according to the speed we were eating. That way everything we got was fresh made/rolled, including hand rolls. -1: Didn't get to try the dessert but I was disappointed they didn't have mochi ice cream when I asked. I highly recommend they add this to the menu - I'd drop money on that without a second thought.
(4)
Gabriel K.

The best sushi in Maryland hands down I had moriawase and the yellow snapper directly imported from Japan. It was excellent.
(4)
Andrew W.

I will defend the honor of Sushi Sono untill death. Ok that maybe a little extreme but no place in the area comes close to Sushi Sono and I am a die hard fan. Do not come here if you want "Americanized Sushi" with cream cheese and other elborate sauces. This is not the place for Sushi noobs. Do come here if you want the freshest sushi in MD and other specilites like Oo-Toro, Baby Snapper, Horse Mackrel, Awesome Uni, and Oysters. If you are true sushi lover I suggest only ordering off the special board above the sushi bar or ask your waitress. My personal favorate is the Baby Snapper. It comes with 4 pieces to the order and the fish is on the plate when they serve it. After you are done they take the fish body and make an awesome Ginger Soup out of it at no cost. While this place can get expensive qucikly it is well worth it. And again if youre favoriate rolls involve cream cheese or are soaked in a special sauce stay out of SONO so I dont have to hear you complain and the wait on Friday night is less.
(5)
Paulina N.

Their mango/green tea/red bean ice cream is banging. Staff was wonderful and very funny! I felt like the food there was closer to authentic than the places in Louisiana. Rolls included many different ingredients so there's something for everyone. One particular roll had some kind of squid flakes on it... didn't like that so much. It took away from the roll :( Ponzu sauce an A+ AND they give you those Marukawa bubble gum packets when they hand you the bill. Brings back memories.
(5)
George L.

This is by far the best sushi on the east coast!
(5)
Jessica C.

I came here about 4 years ago on one of my first trips to Maryland, and I remembered it being amazing. But this time back I was kind of disappointed. We ordered 3 lunch boxes ($10.95 each) and I got the sashimi boat B for $42. The normal yum fishes hamachi and maguro I could already tell from looking at the veins that it would have this freshly defrosted flavor, and boy was I right. The salmon was good as most places are, I think it was the makajiki that was decent, but the great part was the kurodai which normally tastes super fishy if not fresh. But here it was really good, as was the hirame. The two fishes I normally hate because they just aren't fresh. The teriyaki chicken was on par but nothing spectacular. The one great thing was my tea was always filled to the brim. I'd literally turn around and out of the corner of my eye I'd see the waitress sneak up on my cup like a ninja and fill it while it was still in my hand. I almost didn't notice that all together.
(3)
June A.

Sushi Sono is one of THE highest rated restaurants in my Zagat book. I disagree with Zagat's rating just a bit, it's not the best Japanese restaurant I've ever been to (that would be Ninja in the city of Walnut, Southern California). But Sono has become a regular place for my wife and me. The atmosphere is awesome. The greeter knows everyone by name and she is a social dynamo. The service is friendly, and we love the fact that the waitresses are either chinese or korean (or some other asian descent). We have yet to have a Japanese waitress there, haha. The reason for 4 stars instead of 5... we haven't found the Japanese dishes to be all that. However, we love the sushi and the rolls they make. Combined with the fun atmosphere, it is a solid 4 stars. A great place to go.
(4)
Tam T.

I am a huge lover of Sushi- I gotta have it! And with that, this place is probably the best place in the Columbia/Howard County area to get traditional sushi. The fish is always fresh, and the presentation of the sushi is always done with care, as opposed to just tossing a roll on a plate as some places do. You can't really go wrong ordering any of the standard nigiro susho or maki rolls. The rice is alwys perfectly cooked and has the right amount of vinegar and is always fresh and soft, but still maintains it's structure and texture. It's amazing how many sushi places mess up the sushi rice. Not here. So as far as the sushi, you will not find a better place in the area. Now, let's look at what I think is the drawbacks. The non-sushi items, such as the "teriyaki beef", "shabu shabu" and other "entrees" are average at best. But hey, this is a sushi place so why come here for a dry piece of chicken breast smothered in a salty soy sauce? If you want that, then go to PF Changs. So stick with the sushi. The biggest negative with this place is that it is more expensive than normal. Yes, I do understand that you are paying for the time/effort and labor that goes into making sushi and that is not my complaint. My complaint is geared more towards the items just being across the board more expensive than what they "should" be at comparable sushi joints. The specialty rolls are very expensive about $15-$20 a roll, and as good as they are, that's alot of bucks for 1-2 bites if you are splitting it with a guest. My normal bill with a partner always tops close to $100, and that normally includes 3 rolls, 3-4 nigiri sushi items, miso soup or salad, and regular drinks! Think about it. 3 rolls at $15 each, 4 nigi sushi at $5 each, $10 for small miso soups, and easily $15 for drinks adds up to $90 plus tax and you are at $100 before tip! And honestly, you are still quite hungry! Now before some of you attack me for not budgeting or ordering efficiently, let me add that when I go to a sushi place, I do not get a "lunch box" or a "dinner special" which run about $15-$20 each because that is not why I go to a sushi place! Going to a sushi place is to eat SUSHI and SUSHI only! I can easily toss down 5 rolls and 20 pieces of sashimi and still have plenty of room, and I have been known to spend over $100/person when I do eat til I am satisfied. So if you have the dough, then no problem. But beware! Beware that Sushi Sono will CHARGE you for refills on any drinks. I am not talking alcohol! I am talking about pepsi, ice tea etc!! I never realized this until last week, when my date refilled her Cca-Cola 3 times and on the bill they charged her $2.95 each time! What made me internally angry was that the drinks come in a wine-type glass which holds maybe 6 ounces with ice cubes at best (that's half a can of soda!), and the waitress just refills the glass without asking! Both times the glass was refilled, it was about 2/3rds empty but not all the way and they still charged us $3 for the refills! When I got home that nigt, I pulled up some of my old receipts, especially the ones with a group of people, and sure enough on the receipt there would be charges for refills of ice tea or soda! On one receipt of 5 people, the total tally for Coke was over $31! And that was only for 3 people who drank soda that day! NOT acceptable, especially when you are told even asked for a refill and that they do not tell you they charge for it. Now, I am fortunate to not be in finanical difficulties so I rarely ever complain about things like this- after all, I look at it as paying for overall service and food, but for a place like Sono that is already more expensive than any sushi place I have gone to in the area, charging $3 for 5 ounces of coke refills WITHOUT asking is a little over the top. So yes this review is a bit longwinded and I will close by saying that Sushi Sono is a great place with great sushi (stay away from the "regular entrees"), but be prepared to pay a much higher premium than what you are accustomed to. The specials and the specialty rolls are, in my eyes, ridiculously high at $15-$20 a roll. They should be $8-$12. Many of the specials do not list a price so make sure you ask. They had oysters one time and I ordered it and 6 very, very tiny oysters on the half shells came out- they were good, but very small-about 1/5th (yes 1/5th) of the size of regular bluepoints. No problem though cus they were just a tasting. But on the bill they ran $15. They also had baby snapper sashimi and you do get a nice presentation with about 5 pieces of sashimi. Cost = $18. Ordered Toro once and never again because as good as it was, for 2 pieces it ran $24. I recommend this place for good quality sushi if price is not a concern. If it is, go to Sushi King which is nearby & owned by the same people, but is actually cheaper in the menu. How do they explain that?
(4)
Kelly J.

Wow I loved the atmosphere here but it's a little overpriced for me. I really wish I could have gotten the closed off rooms where you ate at the tables in the traditional manner. The hostess was extremely friendly and she kept coming over to our table for small chat. I loved how each server helped each other out. There was never a moment where our glasses were not full. I still can't stress this enough on how overpriced this place is. I enjoyed the food but I'd rather drive the hour to my favorite sushi bar then pay these steep prices. I did however find a new sushi roll that I've fallen in love with, and will definitely come back even if only to get the one roll. One of my friend ordered the beef teriyaki and though incredibly expensive for the portion you received, I was incredibly impressed at the quality of the meat! The next time I come back here, I intend to try a dish (other then the sushi...well except for my new favorite roll). Though this place does not rank as number one in my all time favorite sushi joints, I did enjoy the overall experience.
(4)
Eric K.

Great service! Best sushi in the area!
(5)
Fred D.

Outstanding sushi and even more outstanding service... really top-notch. The vegetarian roll, whose name escapes me but contained avocado, mushroom, squash, and sweet potato, was exquisite!
(5)
A K.

It's pretty good, but pricey for what you get. I like to just chill out and relax when I eat Japanese food, but whenever I go here, the atmosphere feels rushed and almost chaotic. The staff is friendly, but I prefer going elsewhere.
(3)
Abhi K.

This place is overrated. I can't knock the quality of the sushi because its consistently good, but the wait is long and the prices are high. I think you can get comparable sushi at Sushi King or Hanamura with a lot less hassle and pretentious-ness.
(3)
Alan D.

First of all the sushi is fairly good, rolls are generous and filling. Taste pretty good too. I was here for a friends birthday 2 years ago, the restaurant is noisy and crowded. Also quite small, it is also Taiwanese owned. I'd consider going back if it were not so noisy.
(3)
Robert F.

It's ok and that's about it. It's set in a beautiful part of Columbia next to the lake, but that's about all it has going for it. There is usually a wait and I always ask myself why, which is when I ask myself why we are back here again (besides to make someone else wait). Seriously though, it's not bad; it's just not GOOD. Everything is average at best. Many things I've tried (most their weekly specials) have been sub-par. The place is always very clean and the staff nice. It's a good place for a date, especially if they don't know anything about Asian food.
(3)
Michael M.

In my experience, this place has the best sushi in the Baltimore-Washington area. The nigiri was great, and the maki was even better. It was pretty expensive. You get what you pay for, though. We had some gyoza for a starter. The Gyoza was nice, but nothing out of the ordinary. Their wine prices are a bit steep ($32 for a run-of-the-mill Pinot Grigio I can get at a liquor store for $12), but they are paired nicely with the food. We arrived at about 8:30 on a Friday, and there was no wait. Go back, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Jeff C.

We went to Sushi Sono after it appeared as the only sushi place on the Washingtonian near Columbia. We went there on a Saturday night, with about half an hour wait. This is a Chinese run place doing a quite nice job in chatting up the patrons. The service is excellent. Next, they start enticing you with the "specials" which I got the baby snapper with four small pieces of fish for $17 dollars. It's got good presentation, but I think the price is still high even if they took the rest of the fish and made soup with it. The Toro is another one. Lots of money, but the fish is covered in oil so you can't taste the real quality of the fish. I could take any tuna, cut it thin, put some oil on it and make it taste "fatty." If it's quality, the price is not an issue. But it only appears impressive without the taste. The rest of the meal was okay, consistent to the bill of $100 for two. If you want the best sushi in Columbia, this is probably it to tell you the sorry state of restaurant food in the area. I believe Sushi Taro beats this place out of the water, but it's another hour's drive away. So for sushi in Columbia, they do a decent job. Beyond the service, the decor and fancy presentation, somethings are still missing.
(4)
Becca B.

I really love this place; it's the only place I'll go for sushi when I'm in MD. Everything is really fresh, and the menu is extensive. Only downside is it seems everyone else in Howard County also knows that this is the only good sushi place around (result: it's always packed).
(4)
B. J.

Great Japanese reataurant. This and Sushi King are the only two places in Howard County where the sushi and sashimi are very good and to be trusted. The chefs have been there for a long time and know their craft. Good location and good service. Try thier signature Dragon Roll - excellent!
(5)
Steve K.

I think this is the some of the very best sushi I've had in the DC/Baltimore area - and I've been to most of the top DC places. The fish is fresh and sushi is well arranged - the presentation is excellent. They seem to excel at both traditional sushi and rolls - I haven't had a bad experience here. They definitely deserve the good reviews they've had.
(5)
Dave Z.

This is the best place for sushi in Columbia, and really one of the best in the area, I'd say. Every sushi you order is masterfully prepared. The flavors are amazing, and the presentation is beautiful. After dining again tonight, I remember why I keep returning to Sushi Sono despite having tried some other very good sushi in the area. The service has always been excellent, as well. There's usually a unique roll or appetizer you can order each time. The only downside to Sushi Sono is that it can be a little expensive, especially if you're ordering the special rolls. I'd recommend a reservation on the weekend, too.
(5)
Alicyn D.

I have tried many sushi restaurants, throughout Maryland and several other states, and this has always been and remains my favorite. The rolls are inventive, high quality, fresh, plentiful, and delicious. The service is always spot on and the atmosphere and ambiance can't be beat (lakefront). The edamame are perfectly cooked (most of the time, the mushroom soup with lemongrass is awesome, especially on a cold day, and the seaweed salad is fantastic (it seems as though they increased the portion for this and have now spruced it up by putting it on leaf lettuce). The agedofu is flavorful and the tuna appetizer is plentiful and fresh. Favorite rolls to order are: No 12 (OUT OF THIS WORLD) with tuna, shrimp, and tempura; Bridal Veil - lobster and tuna; Lobster w/Asparagus, and Yasai Maki - sweet potato, mushroom, avocado, and seaweed (great non-fish option). While their special roll list is not super expansive, they have a great variety, unlike many places that have a huge list with all of the same ingredients. On the pricier side but many sushi places are catching up in price. Always make a reservation or at least call ahead to ensure you will be able to be sat in a reasonable amount of time as well.
(5)
lee s.

2nd best sushi in the area, behind sushi king. we went before we went to merriweather for a concert. highly recommend. they recovered from the weak opening. we were 15 minutes late for reservation and they made us wait 20 minutes plus and were hungry on a saturday night. show up early for your reservation. it is at columbia mall and there is traffic. overall great experience. food, ambiance, and service were great.
(4)
F D.

I wasn't impressed by the food or service; but I think we caught sono on a bad night. The wait ended up being an hour longer than estimated, and I bet the staff was exhausted.
(2)
Seiko H.

Being Japanese, I am very picky about my Japanese food. I was going to Merriweather, so decided to stop by with my boyfriend to eat some Japanese, seeing the reviews were high. When I made reservations, I could tell the lady had a Chinese accent. Already a red flag right there, but decided to keep an open mind. These are the type of places that put Japanese food to shame. Places that have great reviews, but are not real Japanese food. I ordered AGEDOFU as one of the appetizers, and it was made with TEMPURA fry. That is basic Japanese Food 101 they got wrong. I will not recommend this place, nor will I come back here for good Japanese food. Zagat and CitySearch really screwed up the reviews for this one.
(1)
A K.

It is our go out sushi place. Sushi is great. Too bad you usually have to wait.
(5)
Aisha K.

When I went The service was horrible because the place was too busy. The tables are so close together that there was barely a pathway. I was trying to have a romantic dinner with my husband but I couldn't hear over the guy next to me. He was literally two feet away. I could smell his drunken breath! It was awful! The food was not cheap either. I have no idea what Twinkie B. is talking about.
(1)
Mike G.

Best Sushi in Howard County! Sushi Sono has been my daughter's only choice for her Birthday dinner for years. The restaurant is always busy so I strongly recommend calling for a reservation, especially on weekends. They are closed on Sundays. Service is great and the servers are always willing to discuss the menu and share their favorites. There special rolls are very good.
(5)
Tim M.

Having been to LA's finest sushi shops as well as those in NYC I have to say my first experience with this place was very impressive. I could do without the 'authentic' garb and I don't really care if the chefs yell at me when I come in the door. My GF and I went on a Friday night right after work (i.e. rush hour) and we had to wait about 10 minutes for a table. It's small but I didn't find it as crowded as another reviewer did. I ordered Shabu-Shabu since I haven't had that since leaving Lost Angeles - you don't see that on the menus around MD at all. It was actually fairly unremarkable in flavor - not bad at all just not really stunning and there were simply way too many noodles. The service was a tad over-attentive and I'm still always stunned when these places actually give you chop sticks - this is the USA tho not Japan I guess. I followed up with a few of my favorite tester sushi items including Uni w/ quail egg and Bonito sashimi - both fabulous and I also had the raw shrimp complete with roe and my fried shrimp heads were perfect. I finished with a dessert of monk fish liver (a daily special I never pass up when its on the menu). My GF had fried green tea ice cream for dessert - I think I made the better choice although the waitress thought it was pretty weird (it was). I'm going back soon and will update this review if necessary. It's worth the drive from Annapolis to keep experimenting with their menu. Twinkie B. brings up a very good point about most Japanese restaurants around here being owned and operated by the Chinese - this is a true foodie factoid!
(4)
Jack S.

This is the best sushi anywhere near DC including DC itself. The sushi is bettter than most places in NYC and LA. The service is excellent and they treat you as a regular after a couple of times. The salmon is insanely good, the rolls are creative and unique. I drive 45 min each way, live in the district but go here when I want the best sushi without going all the way to manhattan.
(5)
Floyd M.

I had heard quite a few good reviews about this place, and decided to try it out when my mother came to visit from out of town. We went in on a Saturday at about 7:30 and the place was packed; we waited outside on the patio for about half an hour until we were called in. I had heard there would be a wait, so I wasn't put off by it, and the weather was nice outside, and we were able to get drinks while we waited (although I got the impression they didn't like the idea). We were seated towards the middle, and boy was it loud inside. The place was certainly bustling with waitstaff and such, people checking on us every couple of minutes. The menu was nice enough, nothing particularly unique save a few sushi rolls. We ordered some basic Japanese entrees, and they were quite generous, much larger than what I get in most other Japanese places for the same entree. Unfortunately, the taste left something to be desired, and neither of us finished our meals due to not wanting to continue. The sushi itself wasn't great but a solid 3/5, but I cannot justify waiting half an hour and straining to converse in exchange for food I really don't even want to finish. The bill was just a little more than what the Zagat certificate suggested, 35-40 dollars per person, which is on the upper end of price spectrum for a non-ritzy Japanese place. I don't plan on returning as there is a sufficient and less congested alternative not too far away.
(2)
Zachary S.

Great place for a date night! Great atmosphere, very attentive and friendly staff. Went there for our anniversary and had a wonderful time. The location is also ideal for a walk around the water or movie in the park afterward. Wouldn't recommend for a sushi novice because they offer premium rolls, but if you are a tenured sushi-goer than you will enjoy the selection, even the chef's specials. Will definitely be going back for another Royal Crab meat roll
(5)
Richard Y.

Wasn't sure if should be 3 or 4. Great view of the lake and customer service is good. Waiters responsive and great customer service. Downside is mediocre food that's a bit expensive.
(4)
Layla G.

Best sushi ever! The sashimi is beautifully cut and presented and has amazing flavor!!! I've been coming here for almost 10 years and it's only gotten better.
(5)
Ann V.

Was close to my hotel, but lackluster service is driving my 3 star review. Dragon roll was $24 and overpriced for what it was. Uni was better than average.
(3)
Jane A.

Dropped by here one night amist a dress hunt at the Columbia Mall. I needed a dinner break and this place boasted good reviews. And for good reason. I had a glass of white wine, the Bridal Veil roll, and one of their special appetizers (baby yellowtail sashimi, the proper name escapes me now). Everything was absolutely delicious. The fish was fresh and well presented. The service was attentive but not overbearing. There was one waitress who was kind and funny. She kept joking that I couldn't be full due to the small amount of food that I ordered. The decor is simple and the staff, minus the owner, are in traditional garb. Overall it was a nice experience and it's convenient to the mall. I'll be back!
(4)
Tunaidi A.

Gosh... Where do I start? The good. Service is decent (our wait staff missed portions of our order, but one of the managing staff was friendly, always checking in, and conversational). The location is great. You're right next to the water. The ambiance is undoubtedly a enticing. The decor is great. The restaurant is clean. There's ample seating and even two large party-sized rooms. The not-so-good. Price. That usually sets the tone. I'm an avid sushi lover and am always willing to pay for high quality sushi. I've heard great things about Sushi Sono, saw the high prices (presumably for great sushi, which is hard to come by in Maryland), was excited, and thought I'd found a winner. The price point here is comparable to places I've been to in NYC, Chicago, LA, and SF. Obviously, I wasn't going to expect the same quality, but was hoping for probably something a little less than DC sushi quality. Nope... I was shocked and dismayed. Quality. The nigiri is hit or miss. Even the hits aren't that great. The amount of fish is reasonable. The rice is decent. But the fish-rice combination was just mediocre. The uni was good. But it's hard to mess up uni nigiri unless you use non-fresh uni. The unagi was difficult to eat since it was not tender. The yellow tail and tuna varieties weren't the best, and not even close. Portions. The maki rolls were a huge disappointment. Not only were they average tasting and extremely overpriced, the sizes are surprisingly small. Even in Baltimore and DC, you can get larger, better-tasting rolls for a faction of the cost. Furthermore, on some rolls, the ingredients weren't aligned evenly. In one cut, you can taste predominantly one fish. On another cut, a different fish, which kind of defeats the purpose of the maki rolls that utilize more than one fish. Bottom line... I think I'll just have to make a trip outside of the Maryland cities and burbs in order to find decent sushi.
(2)
Stefanie C.

Grabbed some sushi here before a show at Merriweather. It would get 3.5 stars if possible. For every positive there is a nagging negative to balance it out. The sushi is above average in terms of freshness, flavor, and creativity in terms of rolls. The hurricane eye roll (Spicy tuna, crab, soy paper, crispy brown rice, and hot sauce) was innovative and tasty, while the crunchy spicy tuna roll was a nice twist on an old classic. That said, the rolls themselves were quite small considering the price, as was the trend with the other rolls we ordered. We originally ordered 5 rolls and an appetizer between the two of us, and ended up having to order more food as we were still hungry (we are two small gals!). Wine selection was standard, no special cocktails or surprises in terms of drinks. Our server was great - we sat at the sushi bar and she was attentive and responsive even though the place was packed. The hostess, however, was very rude. This many have been a miscommunication so I'm willing to write it off, as she was kinder to us in a later interaction. The location is as nice as it gets for Columbia, situated right on one of the fake lakes with views from most tables in the restaurant. I believe they also have outdoor seating in the summer months. Parking is free at the lots out front and we were able to leave our car there for the duration of the concert as well, which was a plus. If not for the geographic advantages this place has in terms of concert convenience, there are other suhi places in Columbia I'd look to first before coming back to Sushi Sono.
(3)
Dave M.

First: I'm not some big sushi connoisseur. I eat it a couple of times a year, maybe. So it's not like I can compare the food to other sushi places. We had 8 people in one of those little side rooms. It was hot ... practically no ventilation. Everyone was perspiring. The service was terribly slow. They served the entrees to two of our people. Then, a few minutes later, one more person. Then a few minutes after that, another person. Then, five minutes later two more people. Then, a few minutes later, the last two people. So, basically, 10 or 15 minutes after the first two people were served their entrees, the last people were served and everyone could finally start eating. The food itself was fine but all sushi kind of tastes the same to me. Sashimi was fresh. Sushi was good. A couple of people got the grilled salmon which was tasty. So, really, the food was fine. And the glass of wine was filled and ample, so that was nice, too. Yes, it's expensive ... but what isn't? The service and air temperature is two stars. The food, I guess, is four stars. So, I rated the place three stars. (The place was packed on a Saturday night so a lot of people must like this restaurant.)
(3)
Melanie C.

Husband and I decided to go to this place largely based on it's appearance in the Washingtonian Top 100 list, and because it'd been a long time since we'd eaten any Japanese food. Overall, I'd say it's solid, but it didn't "wow" me as much as I was expecting. Based on recommendations on Yelp and elsewhere, I had planned to get one of the specials, even though I was aware that I would be committing to paying $55 for a fish. But, I generally trust that Japanese restaurants (good ones, that is!) can be counted on to get quality fish. The night we were there, the special was whole kurodai, so that's what I ordered. It was presented beautifully, with the fish carcass in the center of the plate, and nigiri on one side, sashimi on the other. Probably this is intended to be split between several people, but whatever, I made it my entree and ate it all myself! I was not disappointed - it was excellent! Once I was almost done with the nigiri and sashimi, the waitress came and took the carcass away, and it was made into two more dishes. First, I received the grilled cheeks of the fish, and second it was made into a fairly substantial amount of miso soup that I split with my husband. So yes, it was $55, but I basically got three dishes. :) A few things prevented this restaurant from getting 5 stars. The setting/ambience was much more casual than I was expecting, given the price point of the fish I ordered. On the plus side, it seemed like a fairly kid-friendly place (I would consider taking my son there - I saw several young kids when we were there, even though it was around 7pm on a Friday evening) - but on the flip side, I was expecting more of a date night place. We ordered the gyoza and agedofu appetizers. Although the agedofu was good, the gyoza filling was under seasoned. I wouldn't order it again. They also have a pretty limited selection of desserts - not necessarily unexpected for a Japanese restaurant. All they had were variations of ice cream: green tea or vanilla tempura (aka fried) ice cream, and several kinds of regular ice cream (the same flavors as the tempura, as well as red bean, mango, and maybe one or two others). The green tea tempura ice cream was good but not outstanding. Would I come back? Yes. I'd also bring my 4-year-old with me, and probably try some of the regular sushi and special rolls - they had a lot of interesting-sounding options.
(4)
Lisa N.

You can never go wrong with sushi. But the place you eat at for sushi is either a hit or miss and thank goodness my friend brought me here! Like another reviewer said "it was like a fiesta in my mouth!" Food - We ordered 5-6 different rolls. I wish I could remember all the rolls we ordered but I don't. But let me just tell you, what amazed me was the quality of the raw fish. Definitely very fresh and appetizing. They have your typical rolls that you'll find at any other sushi restaurant and they also have specialty rolls, that I highly recommend to order at least one of. Price - This restaurant is definitely on the pricer side and is definitely a spot I will go to if I wanted to treat myself. Service - Our server was very nice and came back to refill our water numerous times. She also joked around with us at the end which was unexpected but made herself seem very charming! There was nothing bad I could possibly say about her service.
(5)
John W.

Hands down best sushi in Maryland. As soon as you walk in the small intimate atmosphere is welcoming as well as the staff. Lots of locals and return customers. Beautiful presentations and always the freshest ingredients used. Ask about the specials, sometimes they aren't all listed on the board. Honey Honey is my fav appetizer and the salmon sashimi is probably the freshest I've ever tasted. They don't sacrifice quality to make a buck. So know when you're ordering you're getting the best quality for the money.
(5)
Irene A.

HANDS DOWN THE BEST SUSHI EVER! Got almost every roll on the menu and the vegetable dumplings for appetizer. Everything was amazing. I would definitely go back. And I suggest you go as well.
(5)
Ella L.

Their specials are delicious! The two I've tried so far are the Red Snapper and the Black Snapper...couldn't really taste the difference between the two but both were really good. The first part of this special comes out with the entire fish with many pieces of nigiri and sashimi (you can get all sashimi if that's what you prefer). After you're finished with that plate, they'll take the fish and put it in a miso or ginger soup. The miso soup had a sweeter taste and the ginger soup was a bit lighter. I can't really choose between the two because they were both good :) As for the service, the waitresses were extremely helpful and nice. I'm not sure how to describe the atmosphere here..but it feels very cozy/comfortable every time.
(4)
Joanna K.

Atmosphere is cute. Waitstaff seems friendly. Sashimi pieces were thick and not easy to eat. Fish didn't taste amazing but wasn't bad either. Rolls were not very impressive either. I'll venture out to other sushi places..
(3)
Kimberly T.

This place is super delicious, I wish I was a baller so that I could afford going here a lot. It is really good. I love their volcano roll and dragon roll. Their agetofu is amazing, warm and cripsy at the same time. The thing I absolutely LOVE here is the fried green tea ice cream. It is a MUST every time I come here. Even though I am lactose intolerant, I risk my stomach for this deliciousness.
(5)
Doug S.

Had this place recommended to me by a friend, and it ended up being better sushi than previously had elsewhere, and at a lower price. On top of this, it's close to the mall, but tucked away in a less crowded shopping/business center, and the views from the restaurant are nice. It overlooks a small park and lake. Service here has always been great, and I've never had to wait an unreasonable amount of time. I'd definitely return.
(4)
Matthew L.

This place has a great view of the lake in Columbia. The staff is friendly and courteous. The fish is fresh and good quality. It is a tad bit boring decor and a bit pricey for what it is. Still with all the lines at the other restaurants in the area, it is a great option.
(3)
Sherris M.

First time here. Selections were okay. I was impressed that they have won an award from Washingtonian Magazine for the past 5 years. Atmosphere: Quaint and intimate. They have a room for large parties where seating is traditional Japanese style. Staff: very courteous and friendly. Food: I ordered the sunomo (Japanese cucumber salad) and the spicy tuna roll. They were adequate, but didn't knock my socks off. Hubby had the beef skewers, which had a strong flavor not to my liking, but he loved them. And he had the Neptune roll. I didn't taste it, but he said it was really good. Drinks: Kikoman plum wine and Bogle vineyard Chardonnay. Both pretty tasty. Overall: a pretty good place to eat. I wouldn't break my neck to come again, but I wouldn't avoid it either. Why don't you try it out and be the judge.
(3)
Leah G.

Favorite sushi restaurant in the area! I love the view of the lakefront and the food. The service is always very attentive and friendly. I have been here many times and found it easiest to make a reservation ahead of time, especially on a weekend evening. The sushi is delicious, the portions are perfect, and the atmosphere is welcoming and fun. I definitely recommend the Sono #12 roll.
(5)
Daniella H.

Mmmmm, sushi! Love this place for the freshness of the fish and view of the lake! My husband and I ordered a variety of rolls, all of which were delicious. This is one of the best sushi restaurants in the area.
(4)
Crabby C.

We usually go to the other sushi place in Columbia but it was a nice day and they are on the lake so we came here for lunch. The food was nowhere near as good as other local places. 10 minutes after eating my wife and I both felt extremely sick for 6 hours. Major stomach cramping. We will not be back
(1)
Linda D.

The best sushi I have ever had. Period. I have been going to Sushi Sono for years. It never disappoints. The freshest sushi you will ever have! The staff is attentive and polite. I had the fresh crab roll and the shrimp and asparagus roll. Delicious!
(5)
Emily K.

This is a very charming little Japanese restaurant on the Lake in Columbia. Perfect for dates or an intimate gathering of friends. The sushi is one of the best in the area.
(4)
Joy G.

This has been so far the best sushi restaurant I've been to. The fish is always fresh and to its perfection. Service is superb. The owner who is so sweet and lovely. Restaurant is clean. I would recommend this place!!!
(5)
Rick G.

Always enjoy coming to this location. It's comfortable and large enough to entertain groups. Plus the location near the lake is a relaxing view. Then, the sushi is A. MA. ZING! I often enjoy the lunch bento boxes which is plenty of food and a nice variety of choices. Servers are very responsive and friendly.
(5)
Boss M.

This place is really good. I had a vendor take me here and I'm so glad that they did. Every roll that we ordered was so good! I didn't do my usual exotic sushi thing since I didn't want to freak my guests out but when I come back here I am going that route. Def come here and eat if you're in the area. Worth your money.
(4)
D W.

Excellent!!!! This was my first time on a recommendation from family. I enjoy sushi a lot but was not expecting this! It was fantastic and I will be going back soon. I was expecting a belly ache later on but it didn't happen because the food was so fresh and tasty!! The prices were great for lunch but be warned those prices double for dinner! The sushi rolls with hot sake was heaven!!!
(4)
Kaleo R.

We have been coming here since we moved to the Area in 2007! Continues to be the best sushi I've had in Maryland! Everything is delicious, but the Royal Crab roll is my favorite! I highly recommend sushi Sono! to all!
(5)
Ross G.

My fiancÃ© and I were in the area and wanted some sushi. We saw the good ratings and decided to check it out. In short, we were blown away. This was some of the best sushi we had ever had. Would definitely go back.
(5)
Fei Y.

just normal. sashimi was too thick, not easy for eat. soy sauce was normal too. everything was just fine. I don't think I'll come back.
(3)
Natasha R.

Very good sushi! Cool location on the lake but a bit pricey for the offerings. Very friendly people! Good for a treat.
(4)
Jason N.

da most bangin sushi ever. it was like a fuckin fiesta in my mouth. awesome service and even more awesome food. all jokes aside, the sushi and the aji special absolutely amazing. exceptional customer service. would come back again.
(5)
Michael G.

It wasn't extremely memorable. For the price, I'd certainly expect a higher quality of fish or some more variety. I had a chirashi, which was fairly limited. I'd almost not even call it a chirashi. It was really just rice with some sashimi on top. Now, I understand that's what chirashi is in a lot of places. But to merit more than a mediocre rating, you need more than a mediocre and standard chirashi. I've been to many places which have a nice assortment of vegetables, japanese pickled vegetables, and other garnishes on their chirashi. That's a good chirashi. Of course the fish also makes the place. The fish here didn't taste bad, but it didn't taste particularly fresh either. It didn't melt in my mouth, that's for certain. On the plus side, they do have fresh wasabi (if you ask for it), rather than the regular fake wasabi that most places serve (and they serve by default). Overall, I'd say it's good. But not worth the price and not worth going out of the way for.
(3)
Virgie M.

My husband and I can't stop coming here. Sono sets the standard for sushi for us. And we have it everywhere. Lynn always greets us by name and always checks in with us. King and all the sushi chefs are masters at what they do. All of the waitresses have always been sweet and attentive. We like the nigiri because Sono has the freshest fish any where and they dont skimp on it. I hate places that give you a ball of rice and a sliver of fish. At Sono, you get a sashimi slice of fish with a little rice. My husband loves the mackerel with a smidgen of fresh wasabi, squeeze of lemon, and a dash of spicy sauce. The expression on my husband's face when he's eating it is almost sexual... LOL! I bring him back here just for that alone! I love the fresh salmon, eel, and sweet shrimp. Our new favorite is the red snapper, prepared similarly to the mackerel. We usually get one roll and it's usually the #12 or #14. We recently discovered the sono Maki (crab meat and avocado wrapped in cucumber) from a couple we met at the sushi bar. We now finish our meal with it. The refreshing taste cleans the palate. I can't say enough about this place. We love it and highly recommended it.
(5)
Wayne G.

The place is very clean and the service is very good, however the food is mediocre. The box lunch included California Roll that was so loose some of the pieces fell apart while being picked up, the chicken and beef were cool rather than hot as was experienced in the past, and the other sushi like the eel were just a tad better than the California Roll. We are done with this place.
(3)
Jethro T.

This restaurant does sushi really well, and is located on this beautiful little chunk of land next to the lake. If you are going for lunch I recommend making a reservation or else going before 11:30am because this place fills up fast. The bento boxes are a very satisfying deal.
(5)
XI X.

Great sushi and great service. I did not like that when I ordered a beer I was upsold without being asked. Prices are in line with the location next to the lake. The uni wasn't the best though so 4 out of 5. The sashimi is the best in the area.
(4)
Monica T.

This is the SECOND time I have ordered pineapple rice and there was NO pineapple in it.
(3)
Brian B.

Really good food but the waitresses are nasty at times along with being nasty if you ask to sit in a less crowded area the hostess will tell you NO! Until you threaten to leave. Place would be great if they weren't so bitchy
(2)
Donna Y.

We had my sister's graduation dinner here. They gave us the special enclosed rooms in the back corner which was nice and cozy. We ordered off the specials menu and most of the ones they've listed were been pretty solid. A little pricy IMO but okay for a restaurant by the lakefront. For dessert we try the fried green tea ice cream. It's tasty but you HAVE to eat it quickly. The service was great. The waitresses were nice and attentive... always coming by to check up on us and refilling our tea/waters.
(4)
Robert W.

This place is good. Over time, I've become a self admitted sushi snob. While I still think the rolls with the weird sauces have their place, I appreciate the freshness from better sushi places. Since I didn't want to drop $$ at Pabu, we decided to try Sono again. I made a reservation, but the place was busy. The main hostess (I don't know her name) is friendly, lively and instills images of the fun Aunt you wished you had. Anyways, the fish was pretty darn fresh (uni, toro, sweet shrimp) and service was pretty spot on. We had a couple of rolls which were quite good too. So, the combination of rolls and nigiri at a reasonable price make this a good second choice to Pabu.
(4)
Sam S.

It used to be amazing Sushi place.. But now quality is gone down and few staff member just plane old rude! It's convenient for lunch won't go there for special event
(2)
K Sera S.

Their fish is always fresh and the flavor subtle and clear. But their menu has been unchanged for years, and while there's something to be said for consistency, I find it dull. I'm also a fan of rolls, and theirs seem to be nearly all cooked and/or tempura and/or Krab with a "k". If you just want nigiri or sashimi made with the basics, you'll be very happy. But if you want creative raw fish rolls, try other options.
(3)
Breezy T.

I LOVE THE authenticity here! The seats are cool too if you can sit in one of the rooms where you take your shoes off. It's a bit pricey, but by far one of the BEST sushi places around Columbia. Good location too, very romantic for a date night b/c you can walk around the lake just outside the restaurant. There are surrounding bars within walking distance and across the street from the mall. Location is GREAT! Food is incredible. There will be long waits on BUSY weekend dinner time frames, so be warned. People love this spot and they stay BUSY.
(4)
Erin O.

The best sushi in Columbia. Hands down.
(5)
Priscilla Y.

This is a cute, clean Japanese restaurant, but it's pricier than many other ones. It's not even authentic Japanese. I wasn't hungry, but for some reason I decided to stop by here to kill time before going to the Fun. concert at Merriweather. I ordered salmon sashimi, salmon roll, and spicy tuna roll. The salmon was fresh and fatty. The sushi roll had big chunks of salmon, which is awesome for a salmon lover like me. The spicy tuna, on the other hand, was not so great. It tasted weird and different from the other spicy tuna rolls I've had. It was like the tuna was minced and mixed in sauce. There were plenty of waitresses here. I don't think they are actually assigned to a table so you can flag down anyone for help. They are pretty nice and attentive.
(3)
Kris L.

The service here doesn't deal with any funny business. You order something weird and they will yell at you. It's all in good faith and I actually found it really amusing. The best part though is that the service itself is efficient and never messes up an order. The servers are very knowledgeable about the entire menu. Arrived early (around 6 pm) for a party of 2 on a saturday night. Had no wait. Five minutes later looked at the door and the crowd was enormous. Get here early people...or make rez! Our favs were the gyoza (yes, surprisingly good though simple) and their seasonal rolls! Love that they have a partially rotating sushi menu. Prices are not cheap but is worth the $!
(3)
Traci H.

Amazing! From the location on the water, of course the food, to the super efficient wait staff, this is our go to sushi spot and we're Sushi lovers! Try the specials ... Our favorites are sono #12, sono #15 and the royal crab. Go hungry ... Enjoy!
(5)
Frank L.

The search for a great sushi restaurant continues. Sushi Sono is much better than the last few places I've tried, but we're not quite there yet. I give these guys somewhere between three and four stars, rounded. The food is pretty good, but pricey. The three adults tried 5 different rolls there. The presentation is gorgeous, but the food is what matters and three of the five were okay, with two of them getting to good. None of the rolls were very memorable except for the Bridal Veil and that's just because it was almost too pretty to eat...almost. I was also a little bummed that there weren't really any choices for kids. The little one isn't into sushi and paying $22 for chicken teriyaki is a little bit much. We settled for chicken skewers and side of rice. Not what I'd call kid friendly. The restaurant itself is in a great location. The decor is great and all of the wait staff were wearing kimonos. But the food is the thing, and decor doesn't do it for me. I'll probably give these guys another try in the future, but for now the search continues.
(3)
Timothy C.

We went here on Valentine's Day, so it was pretty crowded. By the time we left, there were 10 people waiting for a table near the crowded coat area. Settled by a nice little lake that probably looks 5x better in the spring, you take a short stroll along the water to get to Sushi Sono. The layout is long and skinny with the sushi bar along the right side and a few private dining area larger tables. The staff is dressed in traditional garb, which adds a nice touch. We ordered the Dragon roll, the Rainbow roll, a smaller sashimi boat "A" (16 pcs), The spicy crunchy tuna roll, and the Neptune garden roll. We aren't sushi snobs or especially experienced in the finer art of raw fish served Japanese style, but we are adventurous and we like 90% of sushi-related cuisine. We enjoyed all the rolls with a little wasabi soy sauce, though because of the crowds we waited an average of 5 minutes too long in between each roll. They brought out miso soup and salad to start, and then 1-2 rolls, then the sashimi boat, and then then another roll, and then the last roll. And we would eat the dish and then sit for 3 minutes, and then look around, and then right as we were about to flag someone down (hard b/c of the busy night) and ask them about our order, they would bring something else. The sashimi was fresh and delicious, but per usual with sushi, there is no beginners course, and we didn't know what we were eating and it was too busy for our server to explain, so we don't know what what we liked was called. A few possibilities here: 1) Sushi restaurants like to keep us dumb so they can serve us the fish that would go bad without us knowing that it isn't what we ordered. This is my theory why they say 'chef's choice' on the sashimi platters. 2) Some kind of cultural difference involving the restaurant staff being offended that we even care 3) It was too busy to pay attention to us (still a minus; bring some help in on busy nights; don't ignore customers!) Overall the food was good but the service and any kind of personality was lacking, at least on Valentines Day. I'm gonna bet that on a less busier day, we would have been treated better.
(3)
Markella T.

Absolutely love this place nice views and a great walk from the mall! Every time I come I'm so excited and leave craving more! The food is excellent and timely. Everyone is so nice! I can't wait to go back again! It's a little far from me but is totally worth my trip!
(5)
Sarah C.

For the past 2 years, I've been going to Sushi Sono for my birthday. My friends really enjoy the food and the atmosphere. I like how they're always so welcoming and they make sure to check up on us. Food wise, I haven't had any problems with it, they all taste delicious. My favorite is the Dragon Roll and of course their desert Tempera Green tea icecream. YUMM. I wouldn't complain about the price. I feel like I'm getting my money's worth.
(4)
Saif A.

I have to say I have been to Sushi Soni twice now and I am just not impressed. Maybe I am not ordering the right things. I much prefer Katana sushi. The last time I went there I thought it was the best sushi I ever had. It may just be that everyone has a slightly different expectation for their sushi. Its a shame because I love the location for Sono. Oh well at least most other people like them.
(3)
Monica C.

What I ordered: Sea Urchin (uni) nigiri Soft shell crab appetizer Chef's selection Sushi combination What I thought: The urchin tasted like it was frozen and had only been thawed out very recently before I sank my teeth into it. The soft shell crab was crisp, crunchy and well seasoned in a generous pile on a large plate. The sushi combination was your usual serving of California rolls and mixed nigiri pieces. Most of the fish tasted like it had been frozen prior to. Why you would go: It's got a great view and if you're not a pro sushi eater like me, you probably won't be bothered by the fish being the frozen kind. Having said that, you're paying for the view and not the food. If you're looking to get lucky by spending a lot of money on one bill, then this is your destination. Why I would NOT return: I don't need to spend money to get lucky.
(2)
Samuel C.

We called ahead and make a reservations for 4, which is a great idea because this place was packed. I always wanted to try this place because I am fan of sushi. My sister and I surprised my mom for Mother's Day dinner out. This restaurant is small and fancy. The staff is nice and friendly. I get great service here. For appetizer we ordered the Agedofu and much more. It was really good. For entree we ordered Nabe Yaki Udon and some slew of sushi roll to share. Bridal veil roll, Royal crabs, Dragon roll, scallop rolls, etc. My favorite was dragon rolls and Royal crabs. We ended up meal with Tempura Green Tea/Vanallia, mango ice-cream! We all share them. Definitely recommend ordering this for desert. It's really really good and tasty. Can't wait come back to this place again. I tried different sushi restaurant and this is the best sushi restaurant i been so far.
(5)
Natasha S.

This is probably one of the best sushi places I have been to in this area. Very good quality fish. There was a line for the Saturday night we decided to come in on a whim. Next time we will definitely make reservations instead of waiting the hour we had to wait. The owner was very nice. They have a pretty good menu - especially the daily specials. The only thing I would say is that they need to create a better special roll menu. The regular maki, sashimi and nigiri options are good. Even though it was super busy, food didn't take too long to come out. We ordered 7 different special rolls, fish liver special, agedashi tofu and seaweed salad. I thought everything was delicious and very fresh. No complaints at all. The only thing I would say is that this is not really a baby friendly restaurant. We had a 5 month old baby with us who cried on and off. The staff was very irritated and were more bothered than the actual patrons. A lot of the patrons had young children that were screaming and being loud. They probably tuned out having to deal with their own children, yet the staff was just very rude about the baby crying. Otherwise, it's a great place with great quality food. Pricey but you pay for what you get. Right near the lake, great place for dates!
(4)
Andy W.

This sushi restaurant was great. The prices are fair, reasonable compared to other sushi places. The decor was great, right on the lake. The service was excellent. Everyone was great and friendly. If you're a sushi fan, this is the best in the Columbia area.
(4)
Stacy R.

I ate here, alone, on Saturday for a quick dinner. I had one roll and a hot sake. It was not only very good, but the wait staff and sushi chefs were wonderful! I will definitely go back often.
(5)
Cam W.

This place is a favorite. In the lakefront area of downtown Columbia. They have amazing rolls - I love the Bridal Veil and Dragon Roll. They also have nice veggie options like the one made with sweet potato. Also regular luxury specials like horse mackerel and live scallops. This is a winner!
(5)
Michelle H.

This place is back in my good graces. It was never a food thing - it's my favorite sushi place in all of greater Baltimore, hands down - but the confusion as to when they are (or are not) open. Perhaps it was just a glitch... With most of their specialty rolls around the $10 price range, you're not necessarily getting a cheap eats meal. But it's sushi - really good sushi at that - and you get what you pay for. Not to mention that the staff is incredibly friendly and attentive, so you're guaranteed an enjoyable dining experience. You'll be hooked once you come here.
(5)
C W.

***Rating: 3.5 stars**** My husband and I went here to dine for our anniversary dinner. We had a little trouble finding it since it's tucked away, but the street signs show where to park for each restaurant. The restaurant has a nice view of the lake and paddleboats. When we walked, I was pleased by the traditional decor and nodded with approval, thinking "yes--this is legit". (I'm a sushi lover!) The server brought out warm towels and took our order. We tried the Bridal veil roll, crunchy spicy tuna, eel and cucumber, and salmon skin roll. All of the items were made fast considering how busy it was. I enjoyed all the rolls (the tuna was fresh), except the salmon skin had a lot of texture to it (extremely crunchy) and tasted burnt. I would not order it again. Service here was as superb, as all the other reviewers have noted. The hostess seemed to know a lot of the customers and would greet them and check up on everyone, which I thought was nice. My only disappointment was the dessert. There was no menu, but the server indicated they had tempura ice cream..listing green tea, mango, black sesame, vanilla. I chose vanilla. When the dessert arrived, we stared at a plain scoop of ice cream. When I asked the server she said "we don't have the tempura vanilla, did you want me to take it back?" Maybe it was poor communication but I thought when she said had listed vanilla that it would be the fried ice cream. Although she offered to take it back, I thought that'd be silly to send it back so I ate it anyways. Overall, this was a nice restaurant and I would go here again for a special occasion since it is pricey compared to other places. The atmosphere and view were a definetely plus.
(3)
Tiffany V.

My friends raved about this sushi place as one of the best. Our party of four ordered several sushi a la cart, the royal crab roll chef's special, salmon roll, sono #12 chef special. The fish was very fresh which is clearly very important. The ambiance was intimate, fun with a beautiful view over a lake. I give it 4 stars for the service, ambiance, atmosphere but it wasn't the best sushi we've tasted. Despite being quite fresh, the taste was slightly bland. I recommend this place to anyone looking to try sushi in Columbia, MD that also wants a nice dinner (or lunch) in an inviting, warm setting. It's also hidden. Glad our friends showed us the way. But once found, we saw how others would be attracted to this restaurant as it sits right over a lake
(4)
Leticia M.

My family comes here for dinner every Friday. We are of Japanese descent and this is definitely our favorite sushi places in the area. Make sure you make reservations before you go. The service is very quick, and this is always impressive. The sushimen definitely seem like they were trained in Japan because even the presentation of the food is very Japanese. The location is also great because you can take a walk before or after dinner by the lakefront.
(5)
Dan A.

Sushi Sono has been around Columbia for quite some time... and it's probably one of Howard County's best places to get sushi. Fresh fish, beautiful presentation, and good service. Plus it's right on the Columbia lakefront, which is beautiful too. Although they are somewhat expensive, the Chef's Special Rolls are really, really good here. The Bridal Veil roll, Spicy Crunchy tuna, and Dragon roll are all great here. I felt bad eating some of the rolls here (like the Dragon roll)... they're so beautifully presented and works of art. Of course, if it just looked good but didn't taste good, it'd be a waste. Fortunately, the fish here is fresh and flavorful. I also had tempura ice cream here. It was good too. But the star of Sushi Sono is the sushi. Although it gets expensive, it's certainly a great place to go if you want to splurge on sushi.
(5)
Taheerah B.

Since I had eaten sushi the night before, I had very low expectations. I assumed that it was like any other sushi place in the DMV, Baltimore, or any place in between. I was wrong!!!! There was a wait because the place is Very small and narrow. The seating is cramped, but the service is prompt and friendly. I didn't really know what to order because I really wasn't in the mood for sushi, but my date insisted on it. I was just going to opt for just edamame, but the waitress AND hostess suggested the Yasai Maki. Both stated that it was their favorite. This roll is by far the best vegetarian roll I have had! I will drive to Columbia just for this roll alone. Regrettably, I should have gotten two. My date had the Rock and Roll, Japanese squash roll, and something else. He LOVED the Rock and Roll. If you are in Columbia and need a nice place to eat, this is it!!!! Go!!!!
(5)
Lucy X.

Got their "must-try" bridal veil roll and to be honest it was nothing spectacular. So if that was their most popular roll, then I really don't know about the rest... However the waitresses were very welcoming and friendly and the view of the lake and just overall location is nice. The fried tempura green tea icecream was delicious though!
(3)
Peter P.

Like many reviewers have said, this place is not as good as Zagat rating suggests. I came here to give it another chance after mediocre sushi.. and result was the same. Its not stellar and there's no way to justify lofty price they charge for mediocre sushi. -- not even with nice lake view! Also their salad dressing was sub par...
(3)
Megan S.

Sushi Sono was average. There was nothing great about it, but nothing bad either. I went with my husband for dinner during a weekday, and the restaurant was fairly slow. We were attended to in a timely manner throughout our dining experience. We started off with edamame and gyoza (fried dumplings) and shared an assortment of sashimi and nigiri. The sushi was tasty, but overpriced. Maybe I'm just a sushi snob since I'm used to extremely fresh fish having most recently moved from Hawaii. Anyway, the location of the restaurant is beautiful. It overlooks a manmade lake in Columbia, which is surrounded by other businesses. However, the atmosphere of the restaurant is plain cheesy. The waitresses wear traditional kimonos and flip flops with socks to give the restaurant a more "authentic" Japanese feel. Needless to say, I would try Sushi Sono again during lunchtime to try their more reasonably priced lunch specials.
(3)
Quorum A.

Always a good experience here. Good and adventurous selections of fresh fish and shellfish. Very friendly staff. Specials were always excellent. Recommend aji horse mackerel, black snapper, uni, live scallops on the half shells. Did not like the oysters..too strong for my taste. Tuna deluxe was also good. Liked rock and roll and yellow tail rolls. Nice sake selections. I would come back here any day and would recommend private rooms for special events.
(5)
Marianna R.

Great atmosphere, great food! The view from the restaurant is charming. The menu is shorter than most sushi places but everything we had was delicious! The waitress brought hot towels to start the meal. We ordered tempura shrimp and gyoza to start. Shrimp and veggies were perfect. I like crunchy veggies and they did it just right. Gyoza were worth the wait and tasted fresh. We also ordered sushi. Immediately noticed they were full of fish and had less rice than most places. Philadelphia roll had onion which made it amazing! Also ordered spicy tuna (perfectly spicy) and Sono Roll. Everything was fantastic. Highly recommend
(5)
Latonya H.

Great service! Personal touch! Dragon roll is great if you love eel! Tables are authentic (please remove shoes!) Will continue to visit when in Columbia.
(4)
Mitch S.

Great food! Expensive but not too bad given the location and good food. 3 stars for the waitress making comments about my kids being loud....they are are 1 and 2 years old so yes they make noise.
(3)
Valerie C.

I've had lunch here once and ordered to-go 2. Crunchy roll is delish and service and atmosphere are nice.
(4)
Mike P.

Arguably the best sushi in the area, including Baltimore. Get there early though, like many places in Columbia you'll be waiting on weekends.
(5)
Kristin K.

On a recent trip to Baltimore, a good friend took me to this place. He is searching for a new favorite sushi place. Well, unfortunately, this one isn't it. The hostess seated us right away, and the wait staff seemed attentive. However, there was one waitress that was SO loud, verging on rude. She almost scolded me for not eating the crappy salad. In addition, there was no greeting from the staff as we entered & no "thank you" when we left (something that always happens in other sushi restaurants back in Hawaii). Overall, service was pretty lackluster. We ordered an octopus salad (octo on picked veggies), seaweed salad, and gyoza for our starters. The octo and gyoza were pretty bland. The seaweed salad was ok. For dinner, I had the chirashi (assortment of raw fish on rice), & Friend had the moriawase. Both come with miso soup and crappy "salad" (iceberg lettuce with orange-colored bland dressing). Soup was fine (hard to mess up miso soup!). The main dishes were just ok. The first thing that Friend said after we left was "my tuna was mushy". Wasn't just my tuna that was mushy. I thought that some of the fish weren't taken from the best parts (i.e., not cut correctly). Presentation of the fish in our dishes were maybe a "B". Portions of my friend's dinner looked like some items were just thrown into the dish. (Did the chefs skip the lessons on presentation?) Total tab for the above plus 2 beers was well over $100. Not a problem for high-quality Japanese food. Less than ok here. So, as we were walking back to the car, I told Friend that we would make sure to hit the best places for sushi in Honolulu, if and when he ever made it (t)here. :)
(2)
Michael L.

The quality of sushi is average at most. Everything is way overpriced for the amount of food given. Their menu is very short. They do not offer enough variety of specialty rolls.
(2)
Maria M.

Went here with a couple of friends. If you call to make a reservation, there should be no problem with seating especially at night. We were lucky to get one of the rooms in the back - so it was a little more private. The servers were really nice and very accomodating. We had a 7 mo old with us who accidentally toppled over soy sauce and our waitress came right away to wipe off the mess for us. No harm done =) Sushi is great here! Fresh and definitely top of the line. However, I did order chicken teriyaki and wasn't really impressed. So if you go here, go for the sushi. Very few can beat it =).
(4)
Kristina H.

While the prices can seem a little steep, the quality of the sushi is worth it. The fish always taste fresh and the flavors of all of the rolls are delicious. The staff is extremely friendly. When dining at sushi sono it's more like the staff is a family and they are welcoming you to their home. They even recognize you when you return. The food is authentic and has been some of the best sushi I have ever tasted. While I have tried almost everything on the menu, if you are going for a good Japanese sushi experience, I recommend first ordering the miso soup and/or the seaweed salad. Then I would order the spicy crunchy tuna, sono#14, and/or the scallop roll. Or if you want to stick to a basic roll, the yellowtail with scallion and the rock and roll are delicious. If you see baby snapper or red snapper as a specialty on the board, i would order the sashimi!! It's incredible! A delicate fish with a ginger sauce on top! No need to dip it into your soy sauce it has the perfect balance of flavor as its ordered. If you looking to try dessert, go with the tempura ice cream! You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Tammy M.

Based on Yelp reviews, we tried this restaurant after shopping at the mall one day. It was a little challenging to find in the dark, as it's located behind large office-looking buildings. We thought our GPS had taken us to the wrong place! Once we found it, the free parking was a lovely bonus. While we were deciding on what to order, the waitress chose to stand by our table and WAIT for us to decide. We had to ask her to come back later, since we had not yet decided. She was pushy and came back several times, even though we weren't there but 5 minutes before we actually decided on what to eat. We ordered two appetizers, four rolls and salmon nigiri. Oddly, the food was not delivered to our table in the correct order at al! First, one of the appetizers, then the nigiri, then the sushi rolls, and finally the second appetizer! I find this very frustrating. I know that timing food to come out at the right time is very challenging, but the restaurant was not busy, so it doesn't seem like there was any excuse for this. One of the appetizers, pickled vegetables, had one very bad tasting item in it. So bad, my friend couldn't finish eating it. When the waitress came to take the dish, she asked if we were done, and we said yes. Since one of the disgusting pieces was left in the bowl, she then rudely asked if we wanted to eat the last piece. We had already said we were finished, so this seemed like a very distasteful comment to make. Similarly, when we were finished with our sushi, there were two small pieces left. We were already full, and didn't want to stuff ourselves to being sick, so we left them. The same thing happened, and she rudely suggested that we should finish the last two pieces. Our second appetizer, which was served to us last, was fried meat dumplings. They had a bland flavor to them, and were large. The four sushi rolls were tasty, and seemed to be fresh. One piece was definitely not cut correctly, as it was difficult to eat, and tough. We were impressed by the look of the space, and of the private room in which a meeting of a large group of Asian men was being held. The women who were serving all wore kimono's and flip flops. The view of the water was also nice, though in the dark it was difficult to see much of anything outside. Overall the treatment of the servers was a huge turn-off, and the fact that the food came out at all the wrong times was very disappointing.
(2)
Zachary S.

Great place for a date night! Great atmosphere, very attentive and friendly staff. Went there for our anniversary and had a wonderful time. The location is also ideal for a walk around the water or movie in the park afterward. Wouldn't recommend for a sushi novice because they offer premium rolls, but if you are a tenured sushi-goer than you will enjoy the selection, even the chef's specials. Will definitely be going back for another Royal Crab meat roll
(5)
Richard Y.

Wasn't sure if should be 3 or 4. Great view of the lake and customer service is good. Waiters responsive and great customer service. Downside is mediocre food that's a bit expensive.
(4)
Layla G.

Best sushi ever! The sashimi is beautifully cut and presented and has amazing flavor!!! I've been coming here for almost 10 years and it's only gotten better.
(5)
Ann V.

Was close to my hotel, but lackluster service is driving my 3 star review. Dragon roll was $24 and overpriced for what it was. Uni was better than average.
(3)
Jane A.

Dropped by here one night amist a dress hunt at the Columbia Mall. I needed a dinner break and this place boasted good reviews. And for good reason. I had a glass of white wine, the Bridal Veil roll, and one of their special appetizers (baby yellowtail sashimi, the proper name escapes me now). Everything was absolutely delicious. The fish was fresh and well presented. The service was attentive but not overbearing. There was one waitress who was kind and funny. She kept joking that I couldn't be full due to the small amount of food that I ordered. The decor is simple and the staff, minus the owner, are in traditional garb. Overall it was a nice experience and it's convenient to the mall. I'll be back!
(4)
Tunaidi A.

Gosh... Where do I start? The good. Service is decent (our wait staff missed portions of our order, but one of the managing staff was friendly, always checking in, and conversational). The location is great. You're right next to the water. The ambiance is undoubtedly a enticing. The decor is great. The restaurant is clean. There's ample seating and even two large party-sized rooms. The not-so-good. Price. That usually sets the tone. I'm an avid sushi lover and am always willing to pay for high quality sushi. I've heard great things about Sushi Sono, saw the high prices (presumably for great sushi, which is hard to come by in Maryland), was excited, and thought I'd found a winner. The price point here is comparable to places I've been to in NYC, Chicago, LA, and SF. Obviously, I wasn't going to expect the same quality, but was hoping for probably something a little less than DC sushi quality. Nope... I was shocked and dismayed. Quality. The nigiri is hit or miss. Even the hits aren't that great. The amount of fish is reasonable. The rice is decent. But the fish-rice combination was just mediocre. The uni was good. But it's hard to mess up uni nigiri unless you use non-fresh uni. The unagi was difficult to eat since it was not tender. The yellow tail and tuna varieties weren't the best, and not even close. Portions. The maki rolls were a huge disappointment. Not only were they average tasting and extremely overpriced, the sizes are surprisingly small. Even in Baltimore and DC, you can get larger, better-tasting rolls for a faction of the cost. Furthermore, on some rolls, the ingredients weren't aligned evenly. In one cut, you can taste predominantly one fish. On another cut, a different fish, which kind of defeats the purpose of the maki rolls that utilize more than one fish. Bottom line... I think I'll just have to make a trip outside of the Maryland cities and burbs in order to find decent sushi.
(2)
Stefanie C.

Grabbed some sushi here before a show at Merriweather. It would get 3.5 stars if possible. For every positive there is a nagging negative to balance it out. The sushi is above average in terms of freshness, flavor, and creativity in terms of rolls. The hurricane eye roll (Spicy tuna, crab, soy paper, crispy brown rice, and hot sauce) was innovative and tasty, while the crunchy spicy tuna roll was a nice twist on an old classic. That said, the rolls themselves were quite small considering the price, as was the trend with the other rolls we ordered. We originally ordered 5 rolls and an appetizer between the two of us, and ended up having to order more food as we were still hungry (we are two small gals!). Wine selection was standard, no special cocktails or surprises in terms of drinks. Our server was great - we sat at the sushi bar and she was attentive and responsive even though the place was packed. The hostess, however, was very rude. This many have been a miscommunication so I'm willing to write it off, as she was kinder to us in a later interaction. The location is as nice as it gets for Columbia, situated right on one of the fake lakes with views from most tables in the restaurant. I believe they also have outdoor seating in the summer months. Parking is free at the lots out front and we were able to leave our car there for the duration of the concert as well, which was a plus. If not for the geographic advantages this place has in terms of concert convenience, there are other suhi places in Columbia I'd look to first before coming back to Sushi Sono.
(3)
Dave M.

First: I'm not some big sushi connoisseur. I eat it a couple of times a year, maybe. So it's not like I can compare the food to other sushi places. We had 8 people in one of those little side rooms. It was hot ... practically no ventilation. Everyone was perspiring. The service was terribly slow. They served the entrees to two of our people. Then, a few minutes later, one more person. Then a few minutes after that, another person. Then, five minutes later two more people. Then, a few minutes later, the last two people. So, basically, 10 or 15 minutes after the first two people were served their entrees, the last people were served and everyone could finally start eating. The food itself was fine but all sushi kind of tastes the same to me. Sashimi was fresh. Sushi was good. A couple of people got the grilled salmon which was tasty. So, really, the food was fine. And the glass of wine was filled and ample, so that was nice, too. Yes, it's expensive ... but what isn't? The service and air temperature is two stars. The food, I guess, is four stars. So, I rated the place three stars. (The place was packed on a Saturday night so a lot of people must like this restaurant.)
(3)
Melanie C.

Husband and I decided to go to this place largely based on it's appearance in the Washingtonian Top 100 list, and because it'd been a long time since we'd eaten any Japanese food. Overall, I'd say it's solid, but it didn't "wow" me as much as I was expecting. Based on recommendations on Yelp and elsewhere, I had planned to get one of the specials, even though I was aware that I would be committing to paying $55 for a fish. But, I generally trust that Japanese restaurants (good ones, that is!) can be counted on to get quality fish. The night we were there, the special was whole kurodai, so that's what I ordered. It was presented beautifully, with the fish carcass in the center of the plate, and nigiri on one side, sashimi on the other. Probably this is intended to be split between several people, but whatever, I made it my entree and ate it all myself! I was not disappointed - it was excellent! Once I was almost done with the nigiri and sashimi, the waitress came and took the carcass away, and it was made into two more dishes. First, I received the grilled cheeks of the fish, and second it was made into a fairly substantial amount of miso soup that I split with my husband. So yes, it was $55, but I basically got three dishes. :) A few things prevented this restaurant from getting 5 stars. The setting/ambience was much more casual than I was expecting, given the price point of the fish I ordered. On the plus side, it seemed like a fairly kid-friendly place (I would consider taking my son there - I saw several young kids when we were there, even though it was around 7pm on a Friday evening) - but on the flip side, I was expecting more of a date night place. We ordered the gyoza and agedofu appetizers. Although the agedofu was good, the gyoza filling was under seasoned. I wouldn't order it again. They also have a pretty limited selection of desserts - not necessarily unexpected for a Japanese restaurant. All they had were variations of ice cream: green tea or vanilla tempura (aka fried) ice cream, and several kinds of regular ice cream (the same flavors as the tempura, as well as red bean, mango, and maybe one or two others). The green tea tempura ice cream was good but not outstanding. Would I come back? Yes. I'd also bring my 4-year-old with me, and probably try some of the regular sushi and special rolls - they had a lot of interesting-sounding options.
(4)
Lisa N.

You can never go wrong with sushi. But the place you eat at for sushi is either a hit or miss and thank goodness my friend brought me here! Like another reviewer said "it was like a fiesta in my mouth!" Food - We ordered 5-6 different rolls. I wish I could remember all the rolls we ordered but I don't. But let me just tell you, what amazed me was the quality of the raw fish. Definitely very fresh and appetizing. They have your typical rolls that you'll find at any other sushi restaurant and they also have specialty rolls, that I highly recommend to order at least one of. Price - This restaurant is definitely on the pricer side and is definitely a spot I will go to if I wanted to treat myself. Service - Our server was very nice and came back to refill our water numerous times. She also joked around with us at the end which was unexpected but made herself seem very charming! There was nothing bad I could possibly say about her service.
(5)
John W.

Hands down best sushi in Maryland. As soon as you walk in the small intimate atmosphere is welcoming as well as the staff. Lots of locals and return customers. Beautiful presentations and always the freshest ingredients used. Ask about the specials, sometimes they aren't all listed on the board. Honey Honey is my fav appetizer and the salmon sashimi is probably the freshest I've ever tasted. They don't sacrifice quality to make a buck. So know when you're ordering you're getting the best quality for the money.
(5)
Irene A.

HANDS DOWN THE BEST SUSHI EVER! Got almost every roll on the menu and the vegetable dumplings for appetizer. Everything was amazing. I would definitely go back. And I suggest you go as well.
(5)
Ella L.

Their specials are delicious! The two I've tried so far are the Red Snapper and the Black Snapper...couldn't really taste the difference between the two but both were really good. The first part of this special comes out with the entire fish with many pieces of nigiri and sashimi (you can get all sashimi if that's what you prefer). After you're finished with that plate, they'll take the fish and put it in a miso or ginger soup. The miso soup had a sweeter taste and the ginger soup was a bit lighter. I can't really choose between the two because they were both good :) As for the service, the waitresses were extremely helpful and nice. I'm not sure how to describe the atmosphere here..but it feels very cozy/comfortable every time.
(4)
Joanna K.

Atmosphere is cute. Waitstaff seems friendly. Sashimi pieces were thick and not easy to eat. Fish didn't taste amazing but wasn't bad either. Rolls were not very impressive either. I'll venture out to other sushi places..
(3)
Kimberly T.

This place is super delicious, I wish I was a baller so that I could afford going here a lot. It is really good. I love their volcano roll and dragon roll. Their agetofu is amazing, warm and cripsy at the same time. The thing I absolutely LOVE here is the fried green tea ice cream. It is a MUST every time I come here. Even though I am lactose intolerant, I risk my stomach for this deliciousness.
(5)
Doug S.

Had this place recommended to me by a friend, and it ended up being better sushi than previously had elsewhere, and at a lower price. On top of this, it's close to the mall, but tucked away in a less crowded shopping/business center, and the views from the restaurant are nice. It overlooks a small park and lake. Service here has always been great, and I've never had to wait an unreasonable amount of time. I'd definitely return.
(4)
Matthew L.

This place has a great view of the lake in Columbia. The staff is friendly and courteous. The fish is fresh and good quality. It is a tad bit boring decor and a bit pricey for what it is. Still with all the lines at the other restaurants in the area, it is a great option.
(3)
Sherris M.

First time here. Selections were okay. I was impressed that they have won an award from Washingtonian Magazine for the past 5 years. Atmosphere: Quaint and intimate. They have a room for large parties where seating is traditional Japanese style. Staff: very courteous and friendly. Food: I ordered the sunomo (Japanese cucumber salad) and the spicy tuna roll. They were adequate, but didn't knock my socks off. Hubby had the beef skewers, which had a strong flavor not to my liking, but he loved them. And he had the Neptune roll. I didn't taste it, but he said it was really good. Drinks: Kikoman plum wine and Bogle vineyard Chardonnay. Both pretty tasty. Overall: a pretty good place to eat. I wouldn't break my neck to come again, but I wouldn't avoid it either. Why don't you try it out and be the judge.
(3)
Leah G.

Favorite sushi restaurant in the area! I love the view of the lakefront and the food. The service is always very attentive and friendly. I have been here many times and found it easiest to make a reservation ahead of time, especially on a weekend evening. The sushi is delicious, the portions are perfect, and the atmosphere is welcoming and fun. I definitely recommend the Sono #12 roll.
(5)
Daniella H.

Mmmmm, sushi! Love this place for the freshness of the fish and view of the lake! My husband and I ordered a variety of rolls, all of which were delicious. This is one of the best sushi restaurants in the area.
(4)
Crabby C.

We usually go to the other sushi place in Columbia but it was a nice day and they are on the lake so we came here for lunch. The food was nowhere near as good as other local places. 10 minutes after eating my wife and I both felt extremely sick for 6 hours. Major stomach cramping. We will not be back
(1)
Linda D.

The best sushi I have ever had. Period. I have been going to Sushi Sono for years. It never disappoints. The freshest sushi you will ever have! The staff is attentive and polite. I had the fresh crab roll and the shrimp and asparagus roll. Delicious!
(5)
Emily K.

This is a very charming little Japanese restaurant on the Lake in Columbia. Perfect for dates or an intimate gathering of friends. The sushi is one of the best in the area.
(4)
Joy G.

This has been so far the best sushi restaurant I've been to. The fish is always fresh and to its perfection. Service is superb. The owner who is so sweet and lovely. Restaurant is clean. I would recommend this place!!!
(5)
Rick G.

Always enjoy coming to this location. It's comfortable and large enough to entertain groups. Plus the location near the lake is a relaxing view. Then, the sushi is A. MA. ZING! I often enjoy the lunch bento boxes which is plenty of food and a nice variety of choices. Servers are very responsive and friendly.
(5)
Boss M.

This place is really good. I had a vendor take me here and I'm so glad that they did. Every roll that we ordered was so good! I didn't do my usual exotic sushi thing since I didn't want to freak my guests out but when I come back here I am going that route. Def come here and eat if you're in the area. Worth your money.
(4)
D W.

Excellent!!!! This was my first time on a recommendation from family. I enjoy sushi a lot but was not expecting this! It was fantastic and I will be going back soon. I was expecting a belly ache later on but it didn't happen because the food was so fresh and tasty!! The prices were great for lunch but be warned those prices double for dinner! The sushi rolls with hot sake was heaven!!!
(4)
Kaleo R.

We have been coming here since we moved to the Area in 2007! Continues to be the best sushi I've had in Maryland! Everything is delicious, but the Royal Crab roll is my favorite! I highly recommend sushi Sono! to all!
(5)
Ross G.

My fiancÃ© and I were in the area and wanted some sushi. We saw the good ratings and decided to check it out. In short, we were blown away. This was some of the best sushi we had ever had. Would definitely go back.
(5)
Fei Y.

just normal. sashimi was too thick, not easy for eat. soy sauce was normal too. everything was just fine. I don't think I'll come back.
(3)
Natasha R.

Very good sushi! Cool location on the lake but a bit pricey for the offerings. Very friendly people! Good for a treat.
(4)
Jason N.

da most bangin sushi ever. it was like a fuckin fiesta in my mouth. awesome service and even more awesome food. all jokes aside, the sushi and the aji special absolutely amazing. exceptional customer service. would come back again.
(5)
Michael G.

It wasn't extremely memorable. For the price, I'd certainly expect a higher quality of fish or some more variety. I had a chirashi, which was fairly limited. I'd almost not even call it a chirashi. It was really just rice with some sashimi on top. Now, I understand that's what chirashi is in a lot of places. But to merit more than a mediocre rating, you need more than a mediocre and standard chirashi. I've been to many places which have a nice assortment of vegetables, japanese pickled vegetables, and other garnishes on their chirashi. That's a good chirashi. Of course the fish also makes the place. The fish here didn't taste bad, but it didn't taste particularly fresh either. It didn't melt in my mouth, that's for certain. On the plus side, they do have fresh wasabi (if you ask for it), rather than the regular fake wasabi that most places serve (and they serve by default). Overall, I'd say it's good. But not worth the price and not worth going out of the way for.
(3)
Virgie M.

My husband and I can't stop coming here. Sono sets the standard for sushi for us. And we have it everywhere. Lynn always greets us by name and always checks in with us. King and all the sushi chefs are masters at what they do. All of the waitresses have always been sweet and attentive. We like the nigiri because Sono has the freshest fish any where and they dont skimp on it. I hate places that give you a ball of rice and a sliver of fish. At Sono, you get a sashimi slice of fish with a little rice. My husband loves the mackerel with a smidgen of fresh wasabi, squeeze of lemon, and a dash of spicy sauce. The expression on my husband's face when he's eating it is almost sexual... LOL! I bring him back here just for that alone! I love the fresh salmon, eel, and sweet shrimp. Our new favorite is the red snapper, prepared similarly to the mackerel. We usually get one roll and it's usually the #12 or #14. We recently discovered the sono Maki (crab meat and avocado wrapped in cucumber) from a couple we met at the sushi bar. We now finish our meal with it. The refreshing taste cleans the palate. I can't say enough about this place. We love it and highly recommended it.
(5)
Wayne G.

The place is very clean and the service is very good, however the food is mediocre. The box lunch included California Roll that was so loose some of the pieces fell apart while being picked up, the chicken and beef were cool rather than hot as was experienced in the past, and the other sushi like the eel were just a tad better than the California Roll. We are done with this place.
(3)
Jethro T.

This restaurant does sushi really well, and is located on this beautiful little chunk of land next to the lake. If you are going for lunch I recommend making a reservation or else going before 11:30am because this place fills up fast. The bento boxes are a very satisfying deal.
(5)
XI X.

Great sushi and great service. I did not like that when I ordered a beer I was upsold without being asked. Prices are in line with the location next to the lake. The uni wasn't the best though so 4 out of 5. The sashimi is the best in the area.
(4)
Monica T.

This is the SECOND time I have ordered pineapple rice and there was NO pineapple in it.
(3)
Brian B.

Really good food but the waitresses are nasty at times along with being nasty if you ask to sit in a less crowded area the hostess will tell you NO! Until you threaten to leave. Place would be great if they weren't so bitchy
(2)
Donna Y.

We had my sister's graduation dinner here. They gave us the special enclosed rooms in the back corner which was nice and cozy. We ordered off the specials menu and most of the ones they've listed were been pretty solid. A little pricy IMO but okay for a restaurant by the lakefront. For dessert we try the fried green tea ice cream. It's tasty but you HAVE to eat it quickly. The service was great. The waitresses were nice and attentive... always coming by to check up on us and refilling our tea/waters.
(4)
Robert W.

This place is good. Over time, I've become a self admitted sushi snob. While I still think the rolls with the weird sauces have their place, I appreciate the freshness from better sushi places. Since I didn't want to drop $$ at Pabu, we decided to try Sono again. I made a reservation, but the place was busy. The main hostess (I don't know her name) is friendly, lively and instills images of the fun Aunt you wished you had. Anyways, the fish was pretty darn fresh (uni, toro, sweet shrimp) and service was pretty spot on. We had a couple of rolls which were quite good too. So, the combination of rolls and nigiri at a reasonable price make this a good second choice to Pabu.
(4)
Sam S.

It used to be amazing Sushi place.. But now quality is gone down and few staff member just plane old rude! It's convenient for lunch won't go there for special event
(2)
K Sera S.

Their fish is always fresh and the flavor subtle and clear. But their menu has been unchanged for years, and while there's something to be said for consistency, I find it dull. I'm also a fan of rolls, and theirs seem to be nearly all cooked and/or tempura and/or Krab with a "k". If you just want nigiri or sashimi made with the basics, you'll be very happy. But if you want creative raw fish rolls, try other options.
(3)
Breezy T.

I LOVE THE authenticity here! The seats are cool too if you can sit in one of the rooms where you take your shoes off. It's a bit pricey, but by far one of the BEST sushi places around Columbia. Good location too, very romantic for a date night b/c you can walk around the lake just outside the restaurant. There are surrounding bars within walking distance and across the street from the mall. Location is GREAT! Food is incredible. There will be long waits on BUSY weekend dinner time frames, so be warned. People love this spot and they stay BUSY.
(4)
Erin O.

The best sushi in Columbia. Hands down.
(5)
Priscilla Y.

This is a cute, clean Japanese restaurant, but it's pricier than many other ones. It's not even authentic Japanese. I wasn't hungry, but for some reason I decided to stop by here to kill time before going to the Fun. concert at Merriweather. I ordered salmon sashimi, salmon roll, and spicy tuna roll. The salmon was fresh and fatty. The sushi roll had big chunks of salmon, which is awesome for a salmon lover like me. The spicy tuna, on the other hand, was not so great. It tasted weird and different from the other spicy tuna rolls I've had. It was like the tuna was minced and mixed in sauce. There were plenty of waitresses here. I don't think they are actually assigned to a table so you can flag down anyone for help. They are pretty nice and attentive.
(3)
Kris L.

The service here doesn't deal with any funny business. You order something weird and they will yell at you. It's all in good faith and I actually found it really amusing. The best part though is that the service itself is efficient and never messes up an order. The servers are very knowledgeable about the entire menu. Arrived early (around 6 pm) for a party of 2 on a saturday night. Had no wait. Five minutes later looked at the door and the crowd was enormous. Get here early people...or make rez! Our favs were the gyoza (yes, surprisingly good though simple) and their seasonal rolls! Love that they have a partially rotating sushi menu. Prices are not cheap but is worth the $!
(3)
Traci H.

Amazing! From the location on the water, of course the food, to the super efficient wait staff, this is our go to sushi spot and we're Sushi lovers! Try the specials ... Our favorites are sono #12, sono #15 and the royal crab. Go hungry ... Enjoy!
(5)
Frank L.

The search for a great sushi restaurant continues. Sushi Sono is much better than the last few places I've tried, but we're not quite there yet. I give these guys somewhere between three and four stars, rounded. The food is pretty good, but pricey. The three adults tried 5 different rolls there. The presentation is gorgeous, but the food is what matters and three of the five were okay, with two of them getting to good. None of the rolls were very memorable except for the Bridal Veil and that's just because it was almost too pretty to eat...almost. I was also a little bummed that there weren't really any choices for kids. The little one isn't into sushi and paying $22 for chicken teriyaki is a little bit much. We settled for chicken skewers and side of rice. Not what I'd call kid friendly. The restaurant itself is in a great location. The decor is great and all of the wait staff were wearing kimonos. But the food is the thing, and decor doesn't do it for me. I'll probably give these guys another try in the future, but for now the search continues.
(3)
Timothy C.

We went here on Valentine's Day, so it was pretty crowded. By the time we left, there were 10 people waiting for a table near the crowded coat area. Settled by a nice little lake that probably looks 5x better in the spring, you take a short stroll along the water to get to Sushi Sono. The layout is long and skinny with the sushi bar along the right side and a few private dining area larger tables. The staff is dressed in traditional garb, which adds a nice touch. We ordered the Dragon roll, the Rainbow roll, a smaller sashimi boat "A" (16 pcs), The spicy crunchy tuna roll, and the Neptune garden roll. We aren't sushi snobs or especially experienced in the finer art of raw fish served Japanese style, but we are adventurous and we like 90% of sushi-related cuisine. We enjoyed all the rolls with a little wasabi soy sauce, though because of the crowds we waited an average of 5 minutes too long in between each roll. They brought out miso soup and salad to start, and then 1-2 rolls, then the sashimi boat, and then then another roll, and then the last roll. And we would eat the dish and then sit for 3 minutes, and then look around, and then right as we were about to flag someone down (hard b/c of the busy night) and ask them about our order, they would bring something else. The sashimi was fresh and delicious, but per usual with sushi, there is no beginners course, and we didn't know what we were eating and it was too busy for our server to explain, so we don't know what what we liked was called. A few possibilities here: 1) Sushi restaurants like to keep us dumb so they can serve us the fish that would go bad without us knowing that it isn't what we ordered. This is my theory why they say 'chef's choice' on the sashimi platters. 2) Some kind of cultural difference involving the restaurant staff being offended that we even care 3) It was too busy to pay attention to us (still a minus; bring some help in on busy nights; don't ignore customers!) Overall the food was good but the service and any kind of personality was lacking, at least on Valentines Day. I'm gonna bet that on a less busier day, we would have been treated better.
(3)
Markella T.

Absolutely love this place nice views and a great walk from the mall! Every time I come I'm so excited and leave craving more! The food is excellent and timely. Everyone is so nice! I can't wait to go back again! It's a little far from me but is totally worth my trip!
(5)
Sarah C.

For the past 2 years, I've been going to Sushi Sono for my birthday. My friends really enjoy the food and the atmosphere. I like how they're always so welcoming and they make sure to check up on us. Food wise, I haven't had any problems with it, they all taste delicious. My favorite is the Dragon Roll and of course their desert Tempera Green tea icecream. YUMM. I wouldn't complain about the price. I feel like I'm getting my money's worth.
(4)
Saif A.

I have to say I have been to Sushi Soni twice now and I am just not impressed. Maybe I am not ordering the right things. I much prefer Katana sushi. The last time I went there I thought it was the best sushi I ever had. It may just be that everyone has a slightly different expectation for their sushi. Its a shame because I love the location for Sono. Oh well at least most other people like them.
(3)
Monica C.

What I ordered: Sea Urchin (uni) nigiri Soft shell crab appetizer Chef's selection Sushi combination What I thought: The urchin tasted like it was frozen and had only been thawed out very recently before I sank my teeth into it. The soft shell crab was crisp, crunchy and well seasoned in a generous pile on a large plate. The sushi combination was your usual serving of California rolls and mixed nigiri pieces. Most of the fish tasted like it had been frozen prior to. Why you would go: It's got a great view and if you're not a pro sushi eater like me, you probably won't be bothered by the fish being the frozen kind. Having said that, you're paying for the view and not the food. If you're looking to get lucky by spending a lot of money on one bill, then this is your destination. Why I would NOT return: I don't need to spend money to get lucky.
(2)
Samuel C.

We called ahead and make a reservations for 4, which is a great idea because this place was packed. I always wanted to try this place because I am fan of sushi. My sister and I surprised my mom for Mother's Day dinner out. This restaurant is small and fancy. The staff is nice and friendly. I get great service here. For appetizer we ordered the Agedofu and much more. It was really good. For entree we ordered Nabe Yaki Udon and some slew of sushi roll to share. Bridal veil roll, Royal crabs, Dragon roll, scallop rolls, etc. My favorite was dragon rolls and Royal crabs. We ended up meal with Tempura Green Tea/Vanallia, mango ice-cream! We all share them. Definitely recommend ordering this for desert. It's really really good and tasty. Can't wait come back to this place again. I tried different sushi restaurant and this is the best sushi restaurant i been so far.
(5)
Natasha S.

This is probably one of the best sushi places I have been to in this area. Very good quality fish. There was a line for the Saturday night we decided to come in on a whim. Next time we will definitely make reservations instead of waiting the hour we had to wait. The owner was very nice. They have a pretty good menu - especially the daily specials. The only thing I would say is that they need to create a better special roll menu. The regular maki, sashimi and nigiri options are good. Even though it was super busy, food didn't take too long to come out. We ordered 7 different special rolls, fish liver special, agedashi tofu and seaweed salad. I thought everything was delicious and very fresh. No complaints at all. The only thing I would say is that this is not really a baby friendly restaurant. We had a 5 month old baby with us who cried on and off. The staff was very irritated and were more bothered than the actual patrons. A lot of the patrons had young children that were screaming and being loud. They probably tuned out having to deal with their own children, yet the staff was just very rude about the baby crying. Otherwise, it's a great place with great quality food. Pricey but you pay for what you get. Right near the lake, great place for dates!
(4)
Andy W.

This sushi restaurant was great. The prices are fair, reasonable compared to other sushi places. The decor was great, right on the lake. The service was excellent. Everyone was great and friendly. If you're a sushi fan, this is the best in the Columbia area.
(4)
Stacy R.

I ate here, alone, on Saturday for a quick dinner. I had one roll and a hot sake. It was not only very good, but the wait staff and sushi chefs were wonderful! I will definitely go back often.
(5)
Cam W.

This place is a favorite. In the lakefront area of downtown Columbia. They have amazing rolls - I love the Bridal Veil and Dragon Roll. They also have nice veggie options like the one made with sweet potato. Also regular luxury specials like horse mackerel and live scallops. This is a winner!
(5)
Michelle H.

This place is back in my good graces. It was never a food thing - it's my favorite sushi place in all of greater Baltimore, hands down - but the confusion as to when they are (or are not) open. Perhaps it was just a glitch... With most of their specialty rolls around the $10 price range, you're not necessarily getting a cheap eats meal. But it's sushi - really good sushi at that - and you get what you pay for. Not to mention that the staff is incredibly friendly and attentive, so you're guaranteed an enjoyable dining experience. You'll be hooked once you come here.
(5)
C W.

***Rating: 3.5 stars**** My husband and I went here to dine for our anniversary dinner. We had a little trouble finding it since it's tucked away, but the street signs show where to park for each restaurant. The restaurant has a nice view of the lake and paddleboats. When we walked, I was pleased by the traditional decor and nodded with approval, thinking "yes--this is legit". (I'm a sushi lover!) The server brought out warm towels and took our order. We tried the Bridal veil roll, crunchy spicy tuna, eel and cucumber, and salmon skin roll. All of the items were made fast considering how busy it was. I enjoyed all the rolls (the tuna was fresh), except the salmon skin had a lot of texture to it (extremely crunchy) and tasted burnt. I would not order it again. Service here was as superb, as all the other reviewers have noted. The hostess seemed to know a lot of the customers and would greet them and check up on everyone, which I thought was nice. My only disappointment was the dessert. There was no menu, but the server indicated they had tempura ice cream..listing green tea, mango, black sesame, vanilla. I chose vanilla. When the dessert arrived, we stared at a plain scoop of ice cream. When I asked the server she said "we don't have the tempura vanilla, did you want me to take it back?" Maybe it was poor communication but I thought when she said had listed vanilla that it would be the fried ice cream. Although she offered to take it back, I thought that'd be silly to send it back so I ate it anyways. Overall, this was a nice restaurant and I would go here again for a special occasion since it is pricey compared to other places. The atmosphere and view were a definetely plus.
(3)
Tiffany V.

My friends raved about this sushi place as one of the best. Our party of four ordered several sushi a la cart, the royal crab roll chef's special, salmon roll, sono #12 chef special. The fish was very fresh which is clearly very important. The ambiance was intimate, fun with a beautiful view over a lake. I give it 4 stars for the service, ambiance, atmosphere but it wasn't the best sushi we've tasted. Despite being quite fresh, the taste was slightly bland. I recommend this place to anyone looking to try sushi in Columbia, MD that also wants a nice dinner (or lunch) in an inviting, warm setting. It's also hidden. Glad our friends showed us the way. But once found, we saw how others would be attracted to this restaurant as it sits right over a lake
(4)
Leticia M.

My family comes here for dinner every Friday. We are of Japanese descent and this is definitely our favorite sushi places in the area. Make sure you make reservations before you go. The service is very quick, and this is always impressive. The sushimen definitely seem like they were trained in Japan because even the presentation of the food is very Japanese. The location is also great because you can take a walk before or after dinner by the lakefront.
(5)
Dan A.

Sushi Sono has been around Columbia for quite some time... and it's probably one of Howard County's best places to get sushi. Fresh fish, beautiful presentation, and good service. Plus it's right on the Columbia lakefront, which is beautiful too. Although they are somewhat expensive, the Chef's Special Rolls are really, really good here. The Bridal Veil roll, Spicy Crunchy tuna, and Dragon roll are all great here. I felt bad eating some of the rolls here (like the Dragon roll)... they're so beautifully presented and works of art. Of course, if it just looked good but didn't taste good, it'd be a waste. Fortunately, the fish here is fresh and flavorful. I also had tempura ice cream here. It was good too. But the star of Sushi Sono is the sushi. Although it gets expensive, it's certainly a great place to go if you want to splurge on sushi.
(5)
Taheerah B.

Since I had eaten sushi the night before, I had very low expectations. I assumed that it was like any other sushi place in the DMV, Baltimore, or any place in between. I was wrong!!!! There was a wait because the place is Very small and narrow. The seating is cramped, but the service is prompt and friendly. I didn't really know what to order because I really wasn't in the mood for sushi, but my date insisted on it. I was just going to opt for just edamame, but the waitress AND hostess suggested the Yasai Maki. Both stated that it was their favorite. This roll is by far the best vegetarian roll I have had! I will drive to Columbia just for this roll alone. Regrettably, I should have gotten two. My date had the Rock and Roll, Japanese squash roll, and something else. He LOVED the Rock and Roll. If you are in Columbia and need a nice place to eat, this is it!!!! Go!!!!
(5)
Lucy X.

Got their "must-try" bridal veil roll and to be honest it was nothing spectacular. So if that was their most popular roll, then I really don't know about the rest... However the waitresses were very welcoming and friendly and the view of the lake and just overall location is nice. The fried tempura green tea icecream was delicious though!
(3)
Peter P.

Like many reviewers have said, this place is not as good as Zagat rating suggests. I came here to give it another chance after mediocre sushi.. and result was the same. Its not stellar and there's no way to justify lofty price they charge for mediocre sushi. -- not even with nice lake view! Also their salad dressing was sub par...
(3)
Megan S.

Sushi Sono was average. There was nothing great about it, but nothing bad either. I went with my husband for dinner during a weekday, and the restaurant was fairly slow. We were attended to in a timely manner throughout our dining experience. We started off with edamame and gyoza (fried dumplings) and shared an assortment of sashimi and nigiri. The sushi was tasty, but overpriced. Maybe I'm just a sushi snob since I'm used to extremely fresh fish having most recently moved from Hawaii. Anyway, the location of the restaurant is beautiful. It overlooks a manmade lake in Columbia, which is surrounded by other businesses. However, the atmosphere of the restaurant is plain cheesy. The waitresses wear traditional kimonos and flip flops with socks to give the restaurant a more "authentic" Japanese feel. Needless to say, I would try Sushi Sono again during lunchtime to try their more reasonably priced lunch specials.
(3)
Quorum A.

Always a good experience here. Good and adventurous selections of fresh fish and shellfish. Very friendly staff. Specials were always excellent. Recommend aji horse mackerel, black snapper, uni, live scallops on the half shells. Did not like the oysters..too strong for my taste. Tuna deluxe was also good. Liked rock and roll and yellow tail rolls. Nice sake selections. I would come back here any day and would recommend private rooms for special events.
(5)
Marianna R.

Great atmosphere, great food! The view from the restaurant is charming. The menu is shorter than most sushi places but everything we had was delicious! The waitress brought hot towels to start the meal. We ordered tempura shrimp and gyoza to start. Shrimp and veggies were perfect. I like crunchy veggies and they did it just right. Gyoza were worth the wait and tasted fresh. We also ordered sushi. Immediately noticed they were full of fish and had less rice than most places. Philadelphia roll had onion which made it amazing! Also ordered spicy tuna (perfectly spicy) and Sono Roll. Everything was fantastic. Highly recommend
(5)
Latonya H.

Great service! Personal touch! Dragon roll is great if you love eel! Tables are authentic (please remove shoes!) Will continue to visit when in Columbia.
(4)
Mitch S.

Great food! Expensive but not too bad given the location and good food. 3 stars for the waitress making comments about my kids being loud....they are are 1 and 2 years old so yes they make noise.
(3)
Valerie C.

I've had lunch here once and ordered to-go 2. Crunchy roll is delish and service and atmosphere are nice.
(4)
Mike P.

Arguably the best sushi in the area, including Baltimore. Get there early though, like many places in Columbia you'll be waiting on weekends.
(5)
Kristin K.

On a recent trip to Baltimore, a good friend took me to this place. He is searching for a new favorite sushi place. Well, unfortunately, this one isn't it. The hostess seated us right away, and the wait staff seemed attentive. However, there was one waitress that was SO loud, verging on rude. She almost scolded me for not eating the crappy salad. In addition, there was no greeting from the staff as we entered & no "thank you" when we left (something that always happens in other sushi restaurants back in Hawaii). Overall, service was pretty lackluster. We ordered an octopus salad (octo on picked veggies), seaweed salad, and gyoza for our starters. The octo and gyoza were pretty bland. The seaweed salad was ok. For dinner, I had the chirashi (assortment of raw fish on rice), & Friend had the moriawase. Both come with miso soup and crappy "salad" (iceberg lettuce with orange-colored bland dressing). Soup was fine (hard to mess up miso soup!). The main dishes were just ok. The first thing that Friend said after we left was "my tuna was mushy". Wasn't just my tuna that was mushy. I thought that some of the fish weren't taken from the best parts (i.e., not cut correctly). Presentation of the fish in our dishes were maybe a "B". Portions of my friend's dinner looked like some items were just thrown into the dish. (Did the chefs skip the lessons on presentation?) Total tab for the above plus 2 beers was well over $100. Not a problem for high-quality Japanese food. Less than ok here. So, as we were walking back to the car, I told Friend that we would make sure to hit the best places for sushi in Honolulu, if and when he ever made it (t)here. :)
(2)
Michael L.

The quality of sushi is average at most. Everything is way overpriced for the amount of food given. Their menu is very short. They do not offer enough variety of specialty rolls.
(2)
Anja W.

Sushi is good; fish seems fresh. Chicken teriyaki is also good. Service is friendly. Prices are little high on their specialty rolls.
(3)
Kristina H.

While the prices can seem a little steep, the quality of the sushi is worth it. The fish always taste fresh and the flavors of all of the rolls are delicious. The staff is extremely friendly. When dining at sushi sono it's more like the staff is a family and they are welcoming you to their home. They even recognize you when you return. The food is authentic and has been some of the best sushi I have ever tasted. While I have tried almost everything on the menu, if you are going for a good Japanese sushi experience, I recommend first ordering the miso soup and/or the seaweed salad. Then I would order the spicy crunchy tuna, sono#14, and/or the scallop roll. Or if you want to stick to a basic roll, the yellowtail with scallion and the rock and roll are delicious. If you see baby snapper or red snapper as a specialty on the board, i would order the sashimi!! It's incredible! A delicate fish with a ginger sauce on top! No need to dip it into your soy sauce it has the perfect balance of flavor as its ordered. If you looking to try dessert, go with the tempura ice cream! You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Tammy M.

Based on Yelp reviews, we tried this restaurant after shopping at the mall one day. It was a little challenging to find in the dark, as it's located behind large office-looking buildings. We thought our GPS had taken us to the wrong place! Once we found it, the free parking was a lovely bonus. While we were deciding on what to order, the waitress chose to stand by our table and WAIT for us to decide. We had to ask her to come back later, since we had not yet decided. She was pushy and came back several times, even though we weren't there but 5 minutes before we actually decided on what to eat. We ordered two appetizers, four rolls and salmon nigiri. Oddly, the food was not delivered to our table in the correct order at al! First, one of the appetizers, then the nigiri, then the sushi rolls, and finally the second appetizer! I find this very frustrating. I know that timing food to come out at the right time is very challenging, but the restaurant was not busy, so it doesn't seem like there was any excuse for this. One of the appetizers, pickled vegetables, had one very bad tasting item in it. So bad, my friend couldn't finish eating it. When the waitress came to take the dish, she asked if we were done, and we said yes. Since one of the disgusting pieces was left in the bowl, she then rudely asked if we wanted to eat the last piece. We had already said we were finished, so this seemed like a very distasteful comment to make. Similarly, when we were finished with our sushi, there were two small pieces left. We were already full, and didn't want to stuff ourselves to being sick, so we left them. The same thing happened, and she rudely suggested that we should finish the last two pieces. Our second appetizer, which was served to us last, was fried meat dumplings. They had a bland flavor to them, and were large. The four sushi rolls were tasty, and seemed to be fresh. One piece was definitely not cut correctly, as it was difficult to eat, and tough. We were impressed by the look of the space, and of the private room in which a meeting of a large group of Asian men was being held. The women who were serving all wore kimono's and flip flops. The view of the water was also nice, though in the dark it was difficult to see much of anything outside. Overall the treatment of the servers was a huge turn-off, and the fact that the food came out at all the wrong times was very disappointing.
(2)
Tanja P.

This was our first time here. We were in the area Christmas shopping and thought we would grab an early dinner before we headed home. The location was a little confusing to find-guess that's Columbia for you-but we made it!. The hostess that greeted us was very friendly and seated us immediately. We were provided heated towels to cleanse our hands and our waitress was very tempting with the specials of the day. I read great reviews about the Bridal Veil roll so that was a must and my boyfriend got the hurricane eye roll and a spicy tuna. Both specialty rolls were amazing. The spicy tuna was even a little spicy- I find many places don't really make it so-and I saw one of the previous reviewers comment on that issue. Maybe they got better. The prices were a little high but the excellent customer and speedy service made up for it. All in all great first time! Thank you Sushi Sono!
(4)
Jane p.

Rude
(1)
Hana K.

Sushi is fresh. Dont get the boat. I recommend pieces. The tempura ice cream is off the hook though.
(3)
Collyn B.

This is by far the best sushi I have ever had. I don't get a chance to come here as much because I have moved, but there are many good sushi restaurants around Annapolis and nothing is as delicious as this. The hurricane eye roll and the shrimp tempura a roll are to die for. The tuna roll, salmon roll, and soft-shell crab roll aren't as good but are still fresh and delicious. The service here is quick and the owner/waiters and waitresses are all kind. They have little mints at the front and when you are getting the check they bring you japanese gum (which is delicious). If I had the chance I would come here much more often and would recommend this anybody who is nearby at the time..
(5)
Diwi G.

Hate to buck the trend here, but I think this place has jumped the shark, so to speak. As other reviewers have stated, the signs of an utter lack of authenticity are apparent: the clientele is mostly white, and the sushi chefs are Chinese, not Japanese. On a crowded weekend at dinner time, there were also far too many crying/whining children. Next to my table was one particularly insufferable 7-year-old loudly complaining about her grilled mackerel having eyes. I mean, wake up and smell the marine biology. Fish have eyes! They do not come out out of the ocean already cut up into little bite-sized portions. At least the prices aren't abhorrent. Next time, however, I will stay closer to home for just-as-fresh sushi that is no more (or less) authentic.
(1)
Dana R.

Sushi Sono is one of my favorite places to go with my friends for lunch or dinner. The atmosphere is really nice since it sits right on the Columbia lakefront and the food is outstanding! The service is speedy and extremely friendly. The seating is a little cramped since it is a small place, but my friends and I have always found it helpful so we can lean over and ask "What is that? I looks so good!" I highly recommend trying some of the special rolls, my favorites are the Shrimp and Asparagus Roll and the Spicy Grill Roll. Sushi Sono is by far my favorite Sushi restaurant in the area.
(4)
Alex M.

Not impressed AT ALL. The rolls were bland. the menu was exceptionally short on detail.... ie. spider rolls are not universally the same from one sushi restaurant to the next. The employees were overly a tentative and actually came off as pushy. And it was all overpriced. The view is really nice.
(1)
Mike V.

God bless my girl for taking me here not once but twice. And thank godness they ran out of the oysters the FIRST time and not the second (because they were so creamy and sweet and perfect I would have really regretted not having them had I known what I was missing) The box with the ahi kiwi is killer. the service is great. and they even gave us both some delicious sake while we waited...which wasn't even that long!). Loved the sakana tower both times too. And the Uni is delicious and buttery. I'm thinking this has to be a Sunday tradition now. Can't wait.
(5)
Rob N.

The more sushi I sample from different places, the happier I am with Sushi Sono. It's probably the best sushi in the state, and it compares well to very good sushi restaurants elsewhere. The freshness and preparation of the fish is just perfectly consistent, but not flashy. The rice is fantastic and complements the fish. I've rarely had better sushi for my tastes, and while not everything is mind-blowing, it is all very consistently good and tasty.
(4)
Nancy T.

Loved my entire dining experience here. It started with a steaming hot towel to wipe down the hands - very refreshing - and a drink order. Then we placed our food order and enjoyed the lake view at dusk. The ambiance of the restaurant is really nice. The noise level isn't obnoxious and the lighting is soft. There are private rooms with traditional Japanese seating (no shoes) if you desire. The service is excellent. We went right at dinnertime and there was no wait for a table and each course came out quickly. The food was great! We started with the agedofu and miso. The miso was very rich and salty, not watered down at all (which I hate) and the agedofu came with a delicious sauce that was flavored with melted bonito flakes and green onions. I really think it was the best miso I've had. The agedofu is addictive, but hot like lava, so don't pop a whole one into your mouth without letting it cool a bit first. Next we had our sushi. The unagi nigiri and toro nigiri were both excellent. The toro in particular just melted in your mouth. I've had toro many places and this was one of the best. We got two "chef's special" rolls to split - the Bridal Veil roll (spicy lobster salad, tempura flakes, wrapped with rice paper and topped with tuna) and the Hurricane Eye roll (spicy tuna and crab meat, wrapped with soy paper, covered with crispy brown rice, and garnished with a hot sauce dot). Both were awesome! The Bridal Veil had a nice little crunch in the middle from the tempura flakes and the Hurricane Eye had a wonderful crunchy coating with the light and crispy brown rice. It wasn't hot at all, though. But then again, I eat habanero sauce on a regular basis so it takes a lot of heat to ring my bell. If you are looking for a date place, this is right next to a lake with a really romantic setting, complete with pier and benches and grassy knolls and lots of places to stroll off your dinner. All-around Lovely!
(5)
Eric C.

After my first visit to Sushi Sono, I am willing to say that the restaurant made a pretty good first impression. The sushi is what people obviously come here for, and Sushi Sono did not disappoint. Due to a strain on time, I went and got my food to go. I ordered the Cucumber Rolls and the California Rolls. Both orders of Maki came out fresh and tasted great (total order came to $8.48). If you are ordering food to go, the waiter or waitress will supply you with water or hot tea while you wait. The wait for the rolls wasn't long, being that there wasn't a lot of people here anyways. Next time that I come here, I'm going straight for the chef's special rolls. The Hurricane Eye Roll sounds too good to pass up.
(4)
Renee W.

It's crowded but definitely worth the wait. Always make reservations. I recommend the Bridal Veil roll. Bring lots of money, for this place cost more than the average sushi place. Where I usually spend about $60 on a sushi meal (with another person), it costs about $80 here.
(4)
Glenn E.

The atmosphere is nice. They have private booths, dinning tables and a sushi bar for seating options. There are a lot of wonderful choices on the menu and you can tell the shushi chefs take pride in there art. The waitresses are very attentive to your needs and kind. The quality of sushi is average to a little above average and the price is a little steep. However I am new to the area I sort of expect a little higher price due to its location.
(4)
Amanda H.

1 of my top 3 favorite sushi places. A date night consideration when ever the craving for sushi or romance hits. Location - Nice abide a tucked away spot. Lake view, easy parking and the option for a stroll after a filling meal on a beautiful night. Positives upon arrival - You walk in and the staff makes you feel like you are a regular with a Johns Hopkins Neurologist pay check. They are happy to see you and welcome you into their delicious sushi home! Negatives upon arrival - The waiting area is non existent and can be an annoyance to maneuver around if you are waiting for a table. The spot is tiny and fills up fast. The first few tables located right near the entrance are not a prime spots in the winter months with the door opening and closing. If you are a party of 2 they basically don't take reservations. They might put your name on the list but chances are you will be waiting if they are filled. Hours - They close from 3-5 and that can drive a wedge in particular plans. Especially in one case where I wanted to grab a bite before seeing a 5:45 movie at the mall. So plan accordingly. Sushi- Fresh, creative and delicious. Spicy crunchy tuna roll, bridal veil, hurricane roll and rainbow roll are my tops favs. Be sure to check out the white board for specials. A glass of plum wine never hurts either. Only thing I have had that I was not wild about were the snow balls. A friend recommended them and they just did nothing for me. Service - Top notch, very polite and attentive. I recommend.
(4)
Jacqueline T.

Food was high quality. Very fresh. Also pretty expensive, but that's just how Japanese food are. Ordered the smallest sashimi boat. and a crunch roll, of some sort (forgot the name). Delicious! Would probably go back, since I am working in the area. Right next to the columbia mall!
(4)
Amy P.

I saw the reviews for this place and had high hopes for it. It was little hard to find because it's kind of hidden, but the area where it's located is very nice and romantic. It sits by a lake and can see people hanging out. When you walk in, you're greeted by a friendly staff, most of them dressed in traditaional japanese attire. When you sit down, they hand you a warm hand towel to clean your hands. The food was nothing special though. I've seen sushi places with a lot better selection. One of the roll I ordered was a fresh salmon roll and I found bones in many of my rolls. I almost chocked on one. The other rolls were blande and falling apart as soon as I tried to pick them up. I wouldn't have been so dissatisfied if the price was at least low, but they were on a bit pricey side with the quality of food I was getting. I probably wouldn't go back here again. I'll try my luck somewhere else.
(2)
Brooke L.

THE BEST SUSHI IN THE COLUMBIA AREA! I love this sushi restaurant. Every time, the sushi is consistent no variation in quality. There signature specials are the best; Royal Crab, Bridal Vial, Sono # 12 (those are my favorites) I would recommend this restaurant as a great first date, causal, going with work friends, etc.
(5)
Anne P.

In my opinion, the perfect chirashi would contain the following ingredients: *multiple slices of sake, hamachi, saba, hotate, maguro, unagi, amaebi, tamago, white tuna *ikura (salmon roe) *slices of sweeten braised shiitake mushroom *pickled radish or daikon *seaweed salad (optional) This restaurant's chirashi had the following pros and cons, relative to my notion of the perfect chirashi: Pros: To provide context, this chirashi had hamachi, maguro, sake, saba, tai (red snapper), some really white fish, tamago and fake crab. The fish that *did* come with the chirashi was fresh and the portion size for each type of fish was sizable and respectable. Cons: For the price ($23), i'd expect the chirashi to have a lot more variety. The tamago was nice and sweet, but i'm turned off by tamago that is too artificially yellow. It didn't have a lot of what i consider basics, such as white tuna, unagi, tobiko/ikura, or ebi...nor did it have any of the 'freebies' such as wakama, daikon or marinated mushrooms....so of course it naturally did not have any of the more 'exotic' ingredients, such as hotate or amaebi. Overall, based on the chirashi, i was pretty disappointed. However, we did order a grilled hamachi cheek which was really soft and buttery and my mother seemed to enjoy her salmon shioyaki. In summary, I would say this place has a good quality fish supplier; however, its chirashi needed to be more inspired especially if they are going to be able to justify its price. Another intangible this restaurant *did* have going for it, was its waterfront views. That was a nice touch for sure!
(3)
Mathew M.

One of the worst sushi places I've been to and i've been to a lot! Bland rolls - spicy tuna not spicy. Menu was very short and overpriced! The employees were overly a tentative and actually came off as pushy. The view is really nice though but that didn't help the food.
(1)
Kimberly B.

My hubby and I just had dinner there tonight and we both enjoyed ourselves. The view from the restaurant as the sun begins to set is just perfect for couples:) We had the Spicy Crunchy Tuna, Hurricane Roll, Scallop Roll, Sea Urchin Roll and Shrimp Roll (we were hungry). No complaints--everything was delicious. I read some of the reviews about the staff being overly attentive. While I would agree that they are very attentive, I found the service just right. They were very prompt to check on you and to make sure your needs were being met. This was our first time there and it surely won't be the last!
(4)
Robert G.

Try the seafood soup - very good, light with a great taste. Sushi is above average, nice atmosphere, a little pricey but I would expect good for the area in which it is located.
(3)
debbie a.

Overpriced in some ways. Also, reference my other reviews for insight on why I prefer Korean/Japanese run Sushi joints. Food: The fish is fresh, but the portions are smaller than what I have seen. I have seen a greater selection of fish here, though.. and more of those are fresh. Miso soup was over salted with way too much miso - this is 1 thing that should be on point for any sushi place. Rolls, untidy, unblanaced (too much rice or missing rice on the last 2 pieces entirely) The creativeness in the rolls - Very nice. I liked to see the crabmeat without the mayo in lots of rolls. White seaweed is a nice touch! Green Tea Ice Cream - Listen, it doesn't take a genius to know that dairy is a sponge.. if you scoop the ice cream with the same scoop you used to dish out green onion.. the ice cream will have an onion flavor! Service: Very attentive in some ways, but can lapse at times. The ladies are wearing traditional Japanese clothing - nice touch. Decor - There are 2 traditional Japanese dining rooms - be prepared to take your shoes off and sitting on the floor =) Backdrop is the lake.. beautiful! Make reservations for the sushi counter (MUST) make reservations for the restaurant it gets busy FAST.
(3)
Glory W.

My friends and I have made a tradition out of going to Sushi Sono. The sushi is great, my personal favorites are the spicy tuna roll, tempura, and california rolls. I haven't had plum wine anywhere else, so I don't have anything to compare it to sadly, but the plum wine there is great and given at a good temperature. We're always greeted with warm welcomes, and the servers are always friendly. We usually stay far longer after the bill, and it's a great atmosphere. I never feel rushed.
(4)
Jang C.

My review probably isn't fair because I didn't try their sushi, and this place looked like a place that specialized in sushi. They did have some non-sushi items, but they were definitely not the focus. Instead, I opted to try one of their non-sushi item: the unajyu don. The unajyu don tasted pretty good. But the portion was pretty small for its cost. The eel was cooked well and was flavorful. I also tried my wife's chirashi don. The sashimi in the don was fresh and good. So I figure their sushi must be good. Overall everything was solid. Although there were a few things I can nitpick. First complaint is the cost. I don't know if it's because it was in Maryland, but the price seemed a bit too steep for the amount of food we get. The food was good, but it didn't blow me away. Also, our waitress was a super salesperson. She pushed us buy all sorts of stuff (we didn't). It was quite comical how hard she was trying to sell certain dishes. I wonder if she gets commission on certain dishes. It was kind of annoying though. Overall, I give it 3.5 stars.
(3)
HighStandard S.

Got sick from the food here. Miserable service, over-priced, mediocre food. Don't let the pretensions of the place fool you. Never again!
(1)
Priscilla S.

My favorite sushi place of all time in Maryland. I recommend a lot of people to come here. I tried different sushi places all over Maryland, west coast, and east coast. This is by far the best place I been. I get greeted by the hostess (Amy) she knows everybody by name. She shouts a very friendly hello as soon as I walk in the door. If I don't go there for a long period of time she wonders where I am. Most of the servers know me either by face or name. I get excellent service here. I love love can't express how much I love there dobin mushi soup (seafood soup). It comes in a small tea pot with a slice of lemon. I only found one other place in MD that makes this soup. The other place is alright not bad at all. Sushi sono sushi is by far fresh and yummy. I usually get a shrimp hand roll ever bite the nori is very crispy. I also get crunchy roll, salmon nigiri with a big fresh chunk of raw salmon, sono 12, and bridal veil (sushi sono famous roll). Even there non sushi dishes are excellent. I tried there gyoza perfectly fried with dipping sauce. The tonkatsu (breaded fried pork) is perfectly breaded deep fried served with rice, and salad with mayonaise. House sid salad with ginger sauce is fresh crispy lettuce, and dressing homemade it's light and refreshing. I use to be a frequent customer almost once a week. But now I only go maybe once in awhile. I wish to go frequently again. I miss there sushi and food. Staff is friendly food is amazing. What more can you ask for? If you get to know Amy she will greet you with friendly smile and hug every time you walk in. Please everyone try sushi sono you will not regret it.
(5)
Jen B.

Sono is without competition the best sushi restaurant around because the quality of their fish is tops. Very genuine welcoming staff. Odd that it's in Columbia across from the mall
(5)
LA A.

Although there are better sushi places nationally, I'm yet to find a better sushi place in the greater Balt-Wash area. I recommend Sono #12! Also, the service was always great!
(4)
Jason H.

Wonderful, as always! I've been going once or more a year for over eight years. This place is actually my gold standard for sushi. Other DC places will occasionally beat it, but no where is as consistently excellent as this Sushi Sono. I wish I lived closer! Get the boats! Especially the B and C boats. Completely fun, and completely worth it! Also: they've been fairly busy the last few times I've gone. Call for reservations, even if you're only 30 minutes away it might save you time.
(5)
Becca R.

I can't believe Sushi Sono doesn't have a 5 star rating. It's my favorite place to get sushi. It's a nice environment, the service is good, the prices are reasonable and definitely worth it for the quality. It's a great place to go with friends.
(5)
Courtney F.

This is my favorite sushi place in central Maryland. The quality of the fish is consistently high. It's worth paying attention to the specials.
(4)
Eric L.

If I have to categorize this place, I'd call it expensive and good, quality over quantity. This place is for adults, not for kids. Service is great and friendly, which is great because they treated us well. They are good at selling their special rolls since all of them are a favorite apparently. lol. My friend and I got the raw thinly sliced flounder appetizer, the rainbow roll, white tuna nigiri and a tuna roll. The fish was SO fresh and COLD and flavorful. I didn't need much wasabi or soy sauce at all. I'm so glad I didn't get warm sushi. After we hit the white tuna nigiri, though, we wished we got straight sashimi and rice haha. the fish was tender and soft and juicy, it melted in my mouth like butter/jello. I'm still dreaming I missed how they don't have lots of rolls on the menu like Yuraku. i speculate that the selection of rolls and "special" rolls they had weren't that great anyway. but i think straight up fish is good enough. Now I can understand how it stays in business while the restaurant next door has been changing over and over. The $50 bill was probly double what I'd expect for the amount of food we ate.
(4)
Beth L.

Great sushi. I recommend the tuna, yellowtail, and salmon. The miso soup is too salty. Nice traditional decor. They have you take off your shoes. Good service. The waitresses wear kimonos. Prices are very high.
(4)
Sandy T.

QUALITY SUSHI!! The ambiance of the restaurant isn't the best, but the dishes made up for it. Service was also great. The waitresses came back to check up on our table ever couple minutes and even gave recommendations and told us about their specials. We tried a variety of the items on the menu. What ever you do, DO NOT ORDER THE TERIYAKI! It's horrilbe. Everything else on the menu, however is quite good. The sushi is a bit high in price, but worth it. Lovely place for a date. It's in a nice area with waterfront view and a variety of other bars/restaurants around it. And noise level is also good. It's not too loud nor crowded. 4.5 If you're ever around for some good Japanese cuisine, definitely hit up this place!
(4)
Bangali A.

One of my favorite place to get Sushi. Their plum wine is to die for. Still didn't have the gut's to try Saki. Soon i will and this will be the place i will go. My 5 years old love all of their food. Their lunch box is worth the price and the food.
(4)
Jason Y.

Udo noodle is OK but sushi itself is not impressive at all. The usher had heavy makeups and Chinese waitresses in Japaness wafuku doesn't make the whole place like a Japaness restaurant because they are always chatting back in front of kichen, in Chinese, and loudly. I will rethink if my friends invite me to his place. Maybe I will search for other options.
(3)
Yaka H.

SX and I came here for dinner, trying to get our sushi fix. SX was a bit leery since he feels like I can be a bit of a diva when it comes to Japanese food (not true, just my family makes very good Japanese food!). The food here is not bad. SX and I ordered the sushi boat (comes with tuna, white tuna, salmon, yellow tail, red snapper, and ika nigiri [2 pieces each], a spicy tuna roll, a seafood roll and a golden roll f or $55. In addition, we also ordered the hurricane eye roll ($11). The sushi boat comes with two orders of miso soup. Complimentary edamame start the meal and complimentary fruit bubble gum end the meal. The nigiri pieces were just the right size. The fish slices weren't too thin or too thick. The ika (squid) was spot on and fresh. The white tuna is usually SX's favorite nigiri, but at Sushi Sono tonight, it wasn't that good. It was still a bit frozen, so it had an unpleasant mouth feel, which was quite a shame. On the sushi sheet, there are no descriptions for the sushi rolls (non-specialty). So I'm unsure which was the golden roll and which one was the seafood roll. One roll, which was a tempura fried roll encased with rice and tobiko was served piping hot (which was delightful to have something warm). The only issue was that the slices were abnormally thin. Thinner than any of the other rolls and it was hard to carry the piece to eat without falling apart. The hurricane roll was something new and it had a nice textural play to it with the crispy rice on the outside (instead of the typical tempura flakes). The miso soup was made on the strong side (good), but the tofu pieces were so minuscule, which seems to be the norm for most Japanese restaurants nowadays (sadness). Also, the wakame had not been soaked in water long enough (wakame comes dried and is rolled up as a result, it needs to be either soaked or cooked long enough for it to unfurl and be a tender, soft seaweed), which can be unpleasant for one who is familiar with wakame. This place is relatively small, so expect a decent wait during peak hours. Space between tables is a bit tight. I can understand why this place is so popular, with the fish relatively fresh, but unfortunately the wakame, white tuna, and thinly sliced roll makes this review only 3 stars. Perhaps, next time Sushi Sono! On another note, this place is much better than the other Howard County Japanese places I've tried.
(3)
Russell R.

My wife and I love to grab lunch here when I'm in the area. The food is excellent, the menu extensive, and the restaurant itself is laid out nicely. Kathleen often gets a Tempura dish and I go for the Sashimi, though I usually manage to grab a piece of Tempura from her. Like many Columbia restaurants it's crazy on the weekend, which makes us grateful that we work close by and can grab lunch!
(4)
Andrew K.

I wish sushi wasn't so expensive so I could come here at least once a week. The fish is always fresh and service is excellent. The rock n roll is ok, but not my favorite. The sushi nugget is a new specialty fully cooked roll with crabs on top and it was really good but it only comes as 5 pieces and took me a minute to finish. The chicken teriyaki is ok but for $20, I don't think it is a good deal. Things I would always order here are salmon and white tuna sushi and sushi sono #12.
(5)
Lauren H.

We went here for our anniversary last night because a good friend recommended it and it was just OK. We ordered a boat, the shrimp tempura appetizer, crunchy tuna roll and the eel cucumber roll. The eel was really good (according to my husband, I don't eat eel). As for me, I've had better. The crunchy tuna tuna roll was really yummy but the sushi was lacking... Lacking things like ummm, buttery-ness (not a word?). You know when you get a piece of salmon and it's like butter, no teeth needed. You can just smush it with your tongue and its creamy and smooth and buttery. Yeah, the salmon was thick, and the white part (don't know what its technically called nor do I want to know) between the segments of flesh were thick and chewy. I don't think it was the freshest either. The tuna also was not as smooth as I expect. We used to eat at Morimoto's all the time in Philly and I think that is the gold-standard for sushi (this calls into character my what-I-think-is-exceptional taste in sushi) If I were you, I would go to Sushi King (I know the name is lacking or just right, depending how you look at it). The people here were very nice though. I probably won't go back. Side notes- the portions were right for the price. Go early (we got there at 5:30 and it was empty but a few minutes later it was packed). A nice view of the fake lake while you eat. Just try the weird iceberg salad, the dressing is very good, you know you wanna try it!
(3)
Monica T.

Came on a Saturday night. We made a reservation for dinner at 730 but when we arrived, we were put on a waiting list. We waited 45 minutes until we got seated. Sushi is only ok. The eel was a bit too seafood-y for me. I've been here twice; one to try it out and the second time for a friend's birthday and both times I left disappointed. However, I will say the hostess and our waitress provided friendly service.
(2)
Sam B.

Dragon roll and shitaki mushroom time! Awesome place. Awesome food. Awesome surroundings. If you like sushi this place will not disappoint. Great environment and services. Go eat here!
(5)
joe H.

Hand's down the best sushi I've ever had and I've had it in Japan. Get the (toro) fatty tuna. The tempura ice cream is a delicious dessert. Some may complain the prices are high but they are appropriate to the quality of the fish. They aren't price gouging. You get what you pay for and if you order correctly you can easily get out of there with a delicious meal for a reasonable price. This is my favorite restaurant hands down.
(5)
E.E. R.

This is our favorite sushi place. We've had sushi all across the country, even prepared by Chef Morimoto himself, and I still like Sushi Sono better. The Salmon sushi is to die for. Our favorites are the Royal Crab Roll, Spicy Crunchy Tuna roll, eel nigiri, Salmon Sushi, crispy and tempura roll. If they have the tuna tar tar appetizer, get it! So good.
(4)
HowChow B.

Sushi Sono has added two new rolls -- master pieces of fish and vegetables that push their already-imaginative food. The new rolls come on top of one of the best restaurants in Howard County. It's pricey. About $50 for three large rolls, a soda, and edamame. But those rolls are unique and inventive: * The "sunshine roll" -- tuna with crunchy seaweed topped with spicy tuna tataki and a dallop of mango sauce. It's a spectacular roll. Fish with the spicy edge, the sweet of fruit, and the crunch of the seaweed. Special seaweed, the Sushi Sono folks explained. Cooked to create the crunch. Not the crackling of a cracker, but more the crunch of bean sprouts. * The "sushi nugget" -- cooked tuna with onion, topped with scallop and then baked. You get five pieces laid on their side. It's rich and cozy. The wrapper has a slight crunch, but the real flavor comes from the fish and, I think, some type of sauce. The sunshine roll matches the No. 12 roll that the Columbia restaurant introduced earlier this year. That was a delicious roll with a tempura shrimp topped with tuna and a spicy sauce. The sunshine is light and flavorful. The tuna is spiced, then seared before its sliced on top. The roll fulfills sushi's best promise of fresh fish dressed up for a party. In contrast, the sushi nugget was a complete surprise. The roll comes hot. It's not the clean, light notes of most sushi. The warm, mellow flavor comes more like a winter soup, a restaurant soup where someone with skill has balanced ingredients into some special. It's closer to Volt than a sushi bar. Rich and concentrated like a stuffed mushroom, but sweet with the scallops on top. I don't throw Volt around lightly. This was a dish that someone thought about. "Small plate" cuisine where some chef has experimented and turned out bites that I couldn't figure out, let alone replicate. Hustle over. It's worth a drive.
(5)
Tim N.

I have been to dozens of sushi restaurants all over the country. This ranks up there with the best. Service is excellent, and the Royal Crab Roll is absolutely awesome -- impossible to get just one. Hard to get just two! We went on a Tuesday in October and the place was packed; apparently it's no secret how excellent this restaurant is! I've been here three or four times. Always impressed.
(5)
Brook H.

A wonderful sushi joint, I can say I enjoyed everything about this place. From the atmosphere to the food, you get plenty for your money. Of course, being a sushi restaurant in Columbia, you also spend a fair amount of money. If it weren't for my favorite hole-in-the-wall place elsewhere, I would recommend this place for anyone looking for good sushi and Japanese cuisine.
(4)
Edward T.

My favorite sushi anywhere. Every time I visit MD, I have to go at least once and order a Sono #12, Bridal Veil, and Hurricane Eye.
(5)
Veronica V.

Easily my favorite sushi place in the area and yes, this includes Sushi King. The sushi is quality and the service is really quick; I'm usually out of there in an hour. I don't consider them any more expensive than quality sushi anywhere else and they have really good lunch specials if price is really an issue for you.
(5)
Andrew S.

Sushi Soso.
(3)
nic j.

I have had sushi from both coasts and I spent two months traveling around southern Japan. Sushi sono is equivalent to the quality of the best sushi restaurants I've been to in Japan. Their wasabi is fantastic, their Toro (fatty tuna) is the best I've had in the United States. The prices are appropriate to the quality of the fish. I've had some bad fatty tuna and I have had excellent fatty toro. Their fatty tuna is five stars and they give a large portions. Yes I am sound like a bit of a snob, but I am tired of west coasters trying to claim the monopoly on good Sushi. I've never had anything but their sushi so I cannot comment on the quality of their regular entrees. I can say, for dessert, their tempura ice cream is highly addictive. I cannot say enough about this place and honestly this review is inadequate.
(5)
Allison S.

Great service and food! This place has by far the best sushi of anywhere in the area. It is also great for non-sushi lovers. The chicken teriakyi was also delicious. The atmosphere of the restaurant was also excellent, as well as the lake front view. We have found a new sushi place and will definitely going back often!
(5)
Daniela M.

The sushi is definitely good (above average), and the varied menu pleases all palates. However, it was a little cramped with tables too close together. For this reason, it was not a pleasant experience and I'm reluctant to return to Sushi Sono.
(3)
Mickey L.

To enjoy a fancy dining experience on a budget ($35/person), I suggest creating your own what I call "Tasting of the Sea" by ordering the following per party of two: A. 2 entrÃ©e portions + 1-2 appetizer portions B. 1 entrÃ©e portion + 3-4 appetizer portions C. 5-7 appetizer portions APPETIZER PORTION: - One order of O-toro Nigiri (2 pieces) - Two orders of other Nigiri (4 pieces) My favorites are Yellowtail, Snapper or Mackerel from Japan, "Spicy" Salmon, Uni, Sweet Shrimp (served with deep-fried heads) - One order of Sweet Shrimp Nigiri and Miso Soup made with Sweet Shrimp heads - Chutoro Tartare, perfectly refreshing during the hot months - Abalone or Conch appetizer - Salt-baked Yellowtail Jaw - Miso-marinated broiled Sablefish (aka Black Cod) - Deep fried whale-sized Soft-Shelled Crab Roll - Two orders of Giant Clam Ginger Soup - Tempura Ice Cream ENTRÃ‰E PORTION: - Small whole fish from Japan: Kasugo Tai ("Young Snapper") or Aji ("Horse Mackerel"). Each is two courses in one order! First, Chef King stunningly presents the fish as nigiri/sashimi. Then, he offers the remnant to be deep-fried or made into a divine soup. - Dragon Roll (sweet shrimp tempura, avocado, and flying fish roe wrapped in special white seaweed, topped with steamed lobster) is pure luxury by the bounty!
(5)
Daniel L.

4 stars! The restaurant is located right by the lake so you get a nice view wherever you get seates (except in those private rooms). All the waitresses are dressed in kimonos which is a nice touch. The food is delicious! We got an assortment of different rolls and sushi, as well as the shrimp and vegetable tempura. (Sorry, drafted this review a few weeks ago so I can't remember everything we ordered). Our waitress suggested we order an extra dish because she said we'd be hungry. So we obliged, and we definitely could've done without the last set of rolls. For desert, we ordered the vanilla ice cream tempura, but she brought the green tea one. Minus one point for that as well as the pushiness to order another item. Not a big deal, the food was really great. Definitely recommend making a reservation because it was packed Saturday evening. Price is $$ - $$$.
(4)
Katrina W.

If your looking for a fun sushi joint where the staff dresses up in Geisha costume this is your place. The also have private rooms with doors for large private parties, please note you have to call to book well in advance. Great service and sushi. A bit on the pricey side but you get your moneys worth for sure.
(4)
Amy M.

Sushi was underwhelming and bland. A+ for presentation and look of sushi but the taste was not comparable. Good for them I was starving. Staff was pushy, pushy, pushy. Before I could swallow my last bite, my plate was whisked away. Had 2 secs after putting the credit card down before it was snatched from our glance. Washingtonian and Zagat survey should take a second look at their review. Don't let the pretense fool you. Definitely overpriced for suboptimal-tasting sushi.
(1)
Aaron C.

One of the better locations for sushi in the area, however priced a little high.
(4)
Andy G.

This is hands down the best sushi place in the area. I sat down for an early dinner with my dad, and we shared some maki and some nigiri. The waitress informed us that they had both big-eye and bluefin tuna, and we had one of each. We also had octopus, and it was actually pretty tender. I've never had an experience like that. Every piece of sushi was fresh and prepared expertly. Our waitress was able to explain the difference between the two tunas and she was spot on. My only complaint is the price, but then again, you pay for quality.
(5)
Farida A.

For sushi in the 'burbs, this place is pretty good. The sushi is pretty cheap and although the rolls feel a little small, they are well-made. Try the special grilled sushi roll ($7 on the specialty roll menu) - it's fantastic!
(4)
Brian C.

Very happy with this place. Prices are a little steeper than other comparable sushi restaurants so this isn't on my regular go-to list, but I will be back for sure occasion permitting. Moderate to spendy depending on what you order. At least the good view is free! Ordered: sashimi appetizer, several rolls (seafood, spicy tuna, and crispy), and spicy tuna hand roll. +1: I am a big fan of sashimi and I was pretty pleased with the offering. We had been deliberating whether or not to get the sashimi boat - perhaps I will try that next time. Sashimi was fresh and meaty, no hint of frozenness at all, cut generously. Included portions of tuna, yellowtail, and salmon - a good size for 2. +1: Overall the rolls were quite good as well. In the greater DMV area, definitely on the better end of sushi I had in terms of quality. Delicately-enough made given the speed (it was super busy when we went and a line had been building out the door) and ingredients were tasty and fresh. Didn't get to try any of the specialty rolls to sample the chefs' creativity. +1: Sat at the sushi bar so they watched our progress from the counter and prepared everything according to the speed we were eating. That way everything we got was fresh made/rolled, including hand rolls. -1: Didn't get to try the dessert but I was disappointed they didn't have mochi ice cream when I asked. I highly recommend they add this to the menu - I'd drop money on that without a second thought.
(4)
Gabriel K.

The best sushi in Maryland hands down I had moriawase and the yellow snapper directly imported from Japan. It was excellent.
(4)
Andrew W.

I will defend the honor of Sushi Sono untill death. Ok that maybe a little extreme but no place in the area comes close to Sushi Sono and I am a die hard fan. Do not come here if you want "Americanized Sushi" with cream cheese and other elborate sauces. This is not the place for Sushi noobs. Do come here if you want the freshest sushi in MD and other specilites like Oo-Toro, Baby Snapper, Horse Mackrel, Awesome Uni, and Oysters. If you are true sushi lover I suggest only ordering off the special board above the sushi bar or ask your waitress. My personal favorate is the Baby Snapper. It comes with 4 pieces to the order and the fish is on the plate when they serve it. After you are done they take the fish body and make an awesome Ginger Soup out of it at no cost. While this place can get expensive qucikly it is well worth it. And again if youre favoriate rolls involve cream cheese or are soaked in a special sauce stay out of SONO so I dont have to hear you complain and the wait on Friday night is less.
(5)
Paulina N.

Their mango/green tea/red bean ice cream is banging. Staff was wonderful and very funny! I felt like the food there was closer to authentic than the places in Louisiana. Rolls included many different ingredients so there's something for everyone. One particular roll had some kind of squid flakes on it... didn't like that so much. It took away from the roll :( Ponzu sauce an A+ AND they give you those Marukawa bubble gum packets when they hand you the bill. Brings back memories.
(5)
George L.

This is by far the best sushi on the east coast!
(5)
Jessica C.

I came here about 4 years ago on one of my first trips to Maryland, and I remembered it being amazing. But this time back I was kind of disappointed. We ordered 3 lunch boxes ($10.95 each) and I got the sashimi boat B for $42. The normal yum fishes hamachi and maguro I could already tell from looking at the veins that it would have this freshly defrosted flavor, and boy was I right. The salmon was good as most places are, I think it was the makajiki that was decent, but the great part was the kurodai which normally tastes super fishy if not fresh. But here it was really good, as was the hirame. The two fishes I normally hate because they just aren't fresh. The teriyaki chicken was on par but nothing spectacular. The one great thing was my tea was always filled to the brim. I'd literally turn around and out of the corner of my eye I'd see the waitress sneak up on my cup like a ninja and fill it while it was still in my hand. I almost didn't notice that all together.
(3)
June A.

Sushi Sono is one of THE highest rated restaurants in my Zagat book. I disagree with Zagat's rating just a bit, it's not the best Japanese restaurant I've ever been to (that would be Ninja in the city of Walnut, Southern California). But Sono has become a regular place for my wife and me. The atmosphere is awesome. The greeter knows everyone by name and she is a social dynamo. The service is friendly, and we love the fact that the waitresses are either chinese or korean (or some other asian descent). We have yet to have a Japanese waitress there, haha. The reason for 4 stars instead of 5... we haven't found the Japanese dishes to be all that. However, we love the sushi and the rolls they make. Combined with the fun atmosphere, it is a solid 4 stars. A great place to go.
(4)
Tam T.

I am a huge lover of Sushi- I gotta have it! And with that, this place is probably the best place in the Columbia/Howard County area to get traditional sushi. The fish is always fresh, and the presentation of the sushi is always done with care, as opposed to just tossing a roll on a plate as some places do. You can't really go wrong ordering any of the standard nigiro susho or maki rolls. The rice is alwys perfectly cooked and has the right amount of vinegar and is always fresh and soft, but still maintains it's structure and texture. It's amazing how many sushi places mess up the sushi rice. Not here. So as far as the sushi, you will not find a better place in the area. Now, let's look at what I think is the drawbacks. The non-sushi items, such as the "teriyaki beef", "shabu shabu" and other "entrees" are average at best. But hey, this is a sushi place so why come here for a dry piece of chicken breast smothered in a salty soy sauce? If you want that, then go to PF Changs. So stick with the sushi. The biggest negative with this place is that it is more expensive than normal. Yes, I do understand that you are paying for the time/effort and labor that goes into making sushi and that is not my complaint. My complaint is geared more towards the items just being across the board more expensive than what they "should" be at comparable sushi joints. The specialty rolls are very expensive about $15-$20 a roll, and as good as they are, that's alot of bucks for 1-2 bites if you are splitting it with a guest. My normal bill with a partner always tops close to $100, and that normally includes 3 rolls, 3-4 nigiri sushi items, miso soup or salad, and regular drinks! Think about it. 3 rolls at $15 each, 4 nigi sushi at $5 each, $10 for small miso soups, and easily $15 for drinks adds up to $90 plus tax and you are at $100 before tip! And honestly, you are still quite hungry! Now before some of you attack me for not budgeting or ordering efficiently, let me add that when I go to a sushi place, I do not get a "lunch box" or a "dinner special" which run about $15-$20 each because that is not why I go to a sushi place! Going to a sushi place is to eat SUSHI and SUSHI only! I can easily toss down 5 rolls and 20 pieces of sashimi and still have plenty of room, and I have been known to spend over $100/person when I do eat til I am satisfied. So if you have the dough, then no problem. But beware! Beware that Sushi Sono will CHARGE you for refills on any drinks. I am not talking alcohol! I am talking about pepsi, ice tea etc!! I never realized this until last week, when my date refilled her Cca-Cola 3 times and on the bill they charged her $2.95 each time! What made me internally angry was that the drinks come in a wine-type glass which holds maybe 6 ounces with ice cubes at best (that's half a can of soda!), and the waitress just refills the glass without asking! Both times the glass was refilled, it was about 2/3rds empty but not all the way and they still charged us $3 for the refills! When I got home that nigt, I pulled up some of my old receipts, especially the ones with a group of people, and sure enough on the receipt there would be charges for refills of ice tea or soda! On one receipt of 5 people, the total tally for Coke was over $31! And that was only for 3 people who drank soda that day! NOT acceptable, especially when you are told even asked for a refill and that they do not tell you they charge for it. Now, I am fortunate to not be in finanical difficulties so I rarely ever complain about things like this- after all, I look at it as paying for overall service and food, but for a place like Sono that is already more expensive than any sushi place I have gone to in the area, charging $3 for 5 ounces of coke refills WITHOUT asking is a little over the top. So yes this review is a bit longwinded and I will close by saying that Sushi Sono is a great place with great sushi (stay away from the "regular entrees"), but be prepared to pay a much higher premium than what you are accustomed to. The specials and the specialty rolls are, in my eyes, ridiculously high at $15-$20 a roll. They should be $8-$12. Many of the specials do not list a price so make sure you ask. They had oysters one time and I ordered it and 6 very, very tiny oysters on the half shells came out- they were good, but very small-about 1/5th (yes 1/5th) of the size of regular bluepoints. No problem though cus they were just a tasting. But on the bill they ran $15. They also had baby snapper sashimi and you do get a nice presentation with about 5 pieces of sashimi. Cost = $18. Ordered Toro once and never again because as good as it was, for 2 pieces it ran $24. I recommend this place for good quality sushi if price is not a concern. If it is, go to Sushi King which is nearby & owned by the same people, but is actually cheaper in the menu. How do they explain that?
(4)
Kelly J.

Wow I loved the atmosphere here but it's a little overpriced for me. I really wish I could have gotten the closed off rooms where you ate at the tables in the traditional manner. The hostess was extremely friendly and she kept coming over to our table for small chat. I loved how each server helped each other out. There was never a moment where our glasses were not full. I still can't stress this enough on how overpriced this place is. I enjoyed the food but I'd rather drive the hour to my favorite sushi bar then pay these steep prices. I did however find a new sushi roll that I've fallen in love with, and will definitely come back even if only to get the one roll. One of my friend ordered the beef teriyaki and though incredibly expensive for the portion you received, I was incredibly impressed at the quality of the meat! The next time I come back here, I intend to try a dish (other then the sushi...well except for my new favorite roll). Though this place does not rank as number one in my all time favorite sushi joints, I did enjoy the overall experience.
(4)
amy v.

My friend mentioned this little gem to us a few weeks ago and we finally got around to going last week. It's a bit hidden but worth the find. We came right exactly as they reopened, around 5pm. The place is very nicely decorated and the staff is super friendly. She told us all about the specials and her recommendations, making it harder for us to decide what we wanted. We ended up ordering a good variety of sushi, a couple rolls, a few sashimi dishes. We got the Bridal Viel, an eel roll, spicy tuna, Tuna tartar, a seared tuna tazki and a ssahimi plate of sea scallops. It was so fresh and yummy, though the tartar could have used some more seasoning. I loved that the rolls had very little rice, i hate places pack the rolls with rice and contain very little fish. Also there black sesame ice cream was delicious. The only drawbacks are the specials aren't lised on a menu, our waiter just spilled out a eassy full of specials that we couldn't keep up with. It is also on the more expensive side but it worth it for thr quality fish the serve.
(5)
Jim C.

Great service was highlighted by an always-smiling staff! Excellent cuts of fish, very fresh and good rolls. All I could have asked for was a better menu with more explanations of special rolls.
(4)
Jennifer S.

Sushi sono is one of my favorite local sushi restaurants. I'm pretty spoiled by the one place I go to back in Boston so sushi is hard to live up to for me. I would have given sushi sono 5 stars but I had to knock it down 1 star because they make the spicy tuna with red pepper flakes instead of spicy mayo. I hate that, and so I'm forced to not order one of my favorites whenever I go there. Otherwise their sushi is fantastic. Their eel and shrimp rolls have some spice blend on the outside of the rice and I'm not sure what it is but it's aboslutely savory and delicious. It's a staple restaurant in my household!
(4)
Albert L.

Although located next to the (man-made) lake, a seemingly picturesque location, the value and quality to price ratio is one of the lowest I have ever experienced at a sushi restaurant. The exclusive extras that come with this restaurant, like a warm handcloth before dining and pack of bubblegum after dining, do not cover up the fact that their sushi simply lacks taste. I do not believe that a small roll with only 1 or 2 types of fish can cost more than 23 dollars, even if it's the restaurant's signature roll. in addition, the soup we ordered came out lukewarm at best. Overall, despite the decent quality of the fish offered here, the execution can be greatly improved. The service was pretty lacking here as well. Despite being well-staffed during a saturday night dinner, it took too much effort to get the waitress to come to our table. One of my friends was not feeling too well after the miso soup, and when the waitress came to take the bowl away, she proceeded to direct my friend to finish the bowl of soup. Much of the kimono-dressed staff were simply not waiting, and instead were gathered near the kitchen, gossiping in chinese. Although the appearance of the restaurant is nice, I would not recommend this place if you want good sushi at a relatively reasonable price. I would make the effort to drive to Baltimore, or if you are up for big inexpensive rolls, take a ride to one of the multiple locations of Katana Sushi.
(2)
Brian R.

Bar none the sushi gold standard of the area. Sono has wonderful ambiance with the setting and decor. I've always found the staff to be very pleasant and helpful. Most every house special roll is not wired for sound. I particularly LOVE the Sono Roll and the Hurricane Eye. Nothing else in the area comes close.
(5)
X J P.

This is my favorite area sushi restaurant and I've been to many. I'm a sushi connoisseur/chef and have been to Japan many times and I love this place. They have the standard sushi and sashimi selections as well as a number of amazing specialty rolls. Oh! And the seaweed salad - excellent! Everything is fresh and expertly prepared. Pro tip: There are always a couple of fine choices on the daily special board, so don't forget to check the board before ordering. It's only downside is it's popularity and small space. Expect a modest wait in the cramped waiting area during dinner hours on almost any night of the week.
(5)
Manda G.

Always fresh sushi and excellent service. Faves are salmon skin roll and sushi sono #12. Also the gyoza. Only down side is that it's very pricy compared to similarly great places in Baltimore area.
(4)
Terri P.

always call ahead for a reservation, it's a small place and it gets filled quickly. always trust the specials board. we got an amazing mackerel whole fish, sashimi and nigiri, and then they take the rest of the fish back and fry it up. it was awesome, definitely one of the best sushi experiences i've ever had. the regular nigiri is not always 100% fantastic (we had an albacore that had been sitting a bit too long pre-cut, but the rest of the nigiri we got was good), however, the specials are to die for. rolls are very good, too. they are very friendly and totally service oriented, and the sushi chefs are nice, too. lots of neighborhood people on repeat visits who seemed to know the staff, so you know it's good. have been twice now and will definitely be back.
(4)
Shine S.

The food here is exceptional. I don't know how authentic this is in comparison to real Japanese Sushi, so It's hard to compare, but I would say, I can intake only so much seafood (allergic) before I get nauseous. But, I will make a distant trip to come here when I have my cravings. The service is good, though everytime I've been there somehow, I am in the private rooms in the back with the same waitress. Her snark humour actually is entertaining and she has made each time a memorable trip.
(5)
Todd K.

We've been coming here for years now and its as good now as it was the first time. Our fav. is the royal crab roll. The service is the best, by far, of any restaurant in the area.
(5)
Mary W.

I've been here twice: once with my boyfriend and once with a group of friends. Although the environment and location are awesome, I have a lot of complaints about the variety/quality of sushi/food and the service. 1. The miso soup is watery, the portion is very small and it's always lukewarm. 2. The boats don't really have that much to offer. . . 3. Even the specialty rolls are very typical rolls that you would find at ANY japanese restaurant. For example, the caterpillar, dragon, phoenix etc. . . 4. The sashimi is cut slightly on the thin side, forcing you to order more food b/c you're just not filled up. 5. A waitress harassed my friend b/c she overheard my friend saying that she did not like fish. "Why you come eat sushi if you no like fish?" asked the waitress, who made my friend feel very uncomfortable b/c she was put on the spot. Overall, this place is way overpriced for the type of sushi offered and the portion sizes given. Unless you happen to be at the lake front in Columbia when you're craving sushi, I would drive to Katana Sushi in Clarksville to get REALLY BIG ROLLS & quality sushi.
(2)
anon r.

seriously?! best feature was lake view (and even that was somewhat plasticky). totally overpriced. chopstick wrappers (made for restaurant) have how-to instructions -- which speaks volume for clientele. horse mackerel was nice fish, but expensive. for $32 hotpot, i was expecting more interesting vegetables than napa cabbage and cellophane noodles. female servers are nice enough, but this place is mostly chinese-run and mandarin speaking. afterwards my dad said that the chinese-speaking chefs were joking with each other about how taiwan had purchased weapons from the us that didn't work, and that china sent troops for earthquake relief that had been intended for attack on taiwan. my family is taiwanese.
(2)
Alice K.

My boyfriend and I go here quite often- it is definitely a solid place. The waits are never too long, and you have the wonderful scenery outside to keep you entertained until you are called. Service is very friendly and the manager(?) comes around often asking if everything is okay- she even does small talk lol There are two large rooms for large private parties, sushi bar area, and the usual casual dining area. They have specials every day and their sushi is pretty fresh. I usually go for their special rolls and sashimi- always a delight! They are moderately priced and pretty decent sushi so you can even make this a regular sushi spot :) You get a warm to hot cloth for cleaning your hands but sometimes it's TOO hot. Their tea is wonderful and authentic- definitely not teabag quality! Their green tea ice cream is delicious and they also have friend ice cream. Their atmosphere is suitable for everyone so you can bring a date here, your parents, your friends, or your family here! You also get yummy fruit flavored gum when you get your check :)
(4)
Adina K.

My favorite sushi restaurant! I live in Baltimore and drive out to Columbia just for the sushi. I've been coming here for years now. The hostess is lovely and if you start to come semi-regularly, she will greet you by name. To start, order the shumai. I don't know why, but most places serve it either with soy sauce or yellow mustard (why yellow mustard? I don't get it!). Sushi Sono serves theirs with a delectable and vinegary sauce that complements the shumai perfectly. The Otoro is worth the price. Otoro is fatty tuna and it is probably the best thing you will ever put in your mouth. Trust me, treat yourself to this specialty and you will not be disappointed. The special rolls vary from week to week and they are always a good bet. Favorites of mine are the dragon roll, bridal veil, and hurricane. Yes, it is more expensive than your average sushi place, but you are paying for the quality of the fish here.
(5)
Felix T.

As good as it gets. I'd drive 30 miles from home just to come here. Portions are very generous. I'd highly recommend the Agadashi Dofu and any of their Sushi/Sashimi items. Pairing their food with some hot sake is also recommended.
(5)
mike s.

Went here with a friend and had the watershed moment that not all sushi tastes tasteless and cheap; I confess, all other prior sushi spots for me were at pseudo-sushi joints run by koreans. I know, I should have known better. This place is run by Taiwanese and the sushi tastes immaculate, buttery, melt in your mouth, fresh, and full on flavorful. I can't wait to eat sushi run by real Japanese people! Maybe that's only in the movies. At the bar is where we sat. And the sushi chef guy, a middle-aged man with an accent that makes him seem like a metal pipe is permanently placed in his mouth, is very accommodating, nice and funny! Ordered the white tuna (super yum), red tuna, uni, salmon roe, california roll, dragon roll (very good), and seafood tempura (stay away, it's a waste of money. a lot of veggies in tempura batter and slim pickings for seafood). Again sushi was fantabulous. Can get extremely pricey if you've got a big appetite.
(4)
Becky H.

I've heard lots of great things about this place and was looking forward to some amazing sushi. Unfortunately, the sashimi seemed a bit off ....room temperatured and didn't seem so fresh. It's pretty pricy so I ate it anyway...and then was sick for the rest of the night. The tofu appetizer was good, and the sushi specials had great presentation....but no excuse for bad sashimi, especially for a highly acclaimed place.
(2)
Nancy Y.

The food is spectacular at Sushi Sono, however, it's become way too expensive. When they were affordable, me & friends were there at least twice a week and always for every occasion. Now that it's become so popular and prices have sky rocketed, we no longer go...so sad.
(3)
Sara F.

The first time I went to Sushi Sono was when I was a little girl. My aunt loved this place so much they knew her by name. Years later in High School, I found myself eating here once again until I too became a regular. As far as sushi goes, I highly recommend the shrimp hand rolls, eel roll, spicy tuna roll, and Philadelphia roll. If you have money to burn, you must get the Otoro. It is the fatty tuna, which is market price and can range from $14-18 I think. It literally melts in your mouth and is amazingly delicious. I also like the miso soup and the seaweed salad. If you have room for dessert, the tempura ice cream is delightful. The service is outstanding. If you eat here, you'll notice the hostess and waitresses and sushi chefs greeting people by name, and they really make an effort to get to know you. Yes, the majority of the people working here are Chinese or Korean, but it doesn't take away from the fact that the food is amazing and the service is impeccable. Whenever I'm home, they always ask me how school is going and they still remember my face even though I've been gone on and off again for three years now. Even if you don't become a regular, you'll notice that the staff is attentive to refilling your glass and tea, clearing your plates, making sure everything is to your liking. I noticed that a lot of people voted that Sushi Sono is not good for kids. If your kids aren't really into something different, I would not recommend sushi in general. However, I have noticed a lot of families bring kids occasionally to expose them to different cuisine. If you bring kids, the staff is incredibly attentive and helpful. They tie the chopstick wrapper around the top of the chopsticks to make it easier for kids to use. Also, once wrapped, kids are less likely to bang the chopsticks on the table like drumsticks. For large groups, you can make reservations for the traditional rooms in the back, which are separated from the main eating area. When I was in 7th grade, my Japanese class took a field trip to have sushi. We didn't eat in the traditional rooms, but they still seated a large group of at least 10 for lunch. I remember one of my classmates with extensive food allergies listed out all of his requirements, and they were incredibly helpful and accommodating. Sushi Sono is fantastic for a delicious meal with excellent service. I would recommend this for huge groups, eating by yourself at the sushi bar, or a nice date. There isn't a lot of seating, so get there early on busy nights or make reservations. If you haven't been there, the outstanding service will win your heart, and before long, you'll probably become a regular.
(5)
Heidi M.

I've been going to this place for the last 8 years and it never disappointing. The food is always fresh and they're specials are unique and always a treat. The sushi is a bit on the high side, but its sushi and its well worth the quality of food being served. Even after all these years, the servers and the owner still remember me and always greet me with a smile! Best sushi place in the state of Maryland!
(5)
Lilian Y.

SO OVERRATED! So I tried to come here 3 times but they have weird business hours. And with how people have talked about Sushi Sono, I thought it'd be a GREAT sushi place but no. It's so Americanized you can't get any good sushi. Everything is so overpriced and there's a very small range of sushi you can order from. Not coming again. Not any time soon.
(2)
joe w.

Aside from the thirty-five minute wait for seating, this restaurant was packed with virtually every table and seat packed. The view is adjacent to a lake which is aesthetically pleasing to look at in the day time more so than in the evening. The serving sizes were generous in the fish portion on the nigri was about 1 cm thick. The fish was fresh. The service speed could be enhanced as people who had reservations were complaining about delays in seating. Parking in the garage is sufficient. I personally recommend a sushi combo dish.
(4)
Jamila T.

The sushi is delicious and the presentation was great also. You get more fish than rice, but depending on the roll that could be a good or a bad thing. The menu isn't extensive as some other sushi places that I've been to. I expected the restaurant to be bigger... it is pretty small. We ordered the Royal Crab and the Bridal Veil- and out of the two my favorite was the Royal Crab. I will probably go back in the future- but it won't be on the regular because it was quite pricey-
(4)
Karen S.

Love this place, but it's getting so hard to get a table now. If you're running late, as we were last weekend, call them and they will hold your table. We were 17 minutes late - 3 minutes past their threshold - and ended up waiting 45 minutes for another table. It was our fault and the hostess did her best to seat us and it as worth the wait. But, lesson learned: if you're going to be late, call. Favorite rolls this time: Yasai-maki and our perennial favorite, Bridal Veil. Spicy crunchy tuna was good, but nothing to write home about. In my book, warm mayo is a no-no, which made the Royal Crab Roll a little odd, but still tasty.
(5)
J P.

you can't order anything bad here. everything taste really good, down to the miso soup and sorbet icecream. the icecream is a generous portion to share and is a popular item to end the dinner with. the atmosphere is really nice and the staff is very attentive and friendly. the prices and size of rolls are on the average side. however, i do have to say that their rolls are not as unique compared to other sushi restaurants.
(4)
Courtney C.

We got carryout from here last night. The rolls were small and more expensive than most sushi places. They lacked flavor and I was really disappointed. Not worth the price at all.
(2)
K K.

The edamame was very soggy/mushy. The majority of the sushi wasn't terrible, but not overly flavorful. The yellowtail roll was awful, and I usually really like yellowtail. On the plus side, the rolls had plenty of fish. Also, the service was excellent!
(3)
Fat T.

Been here crazy number of times. The food never disappoints and is always fresh. You can easily rack up $100 for two with sushi rolls and sake but it's worth it. You're not going to get much better sushi without driving to Annapolis (Joss'), DC or NYC.
(5)
Michele D.

The night before the big race called for something light, healthy, and rich with carbs and protein. I had to pick up my race packet at the Sheraton next door, so when I saw that Sushi Sono was so close, I was more than pleased. I had found this restaurant through Yelp (is there another way?!?) and was glad I had the opportunity to try it. The first thing I noticed is its proximity to a small lake, which provides a nice view. I sat at the bar, which faces away from the lake (boo). I was presented with a menu, a sushi menu, and a "special" menu. I didn't like that the "special" menu didn't have any prices on them This is rather strange to me, as I don't see why they can't be posted like they are on the other two menus. I learned my lesson about ordering from "no price listed" menus YEARS ago when I went to Matsuhisa in LA. I will NEVER make that mistake again. I asked the price of the Bridal Veil Roll and was told it was 14. Ouch, but fine, I want it and I'll take it. I also ordered the saba (mackerel). I won't describe the BVR since it's already been done so here with previously written reviews. I will say that it was very good. It wasn't *delicious*, like some of the rolls I've had at other favorite establishments, but it was good and I'd order it again. The saba was wonderful; I just love that fish. After dinner, I scooted on out of there to take one last look at the race course. Very nice staff (well, the owners and one of the sushi chefs were beyond nice, they were just very attentive to customers) and great view. I'd love to return one day when I have more time to actually enjoy it!
(3)
Tom O.

Well, their selection of sushi was not overwhelming, just the usual fare, nothing special. Preparation of the sushi wasn't impressive either. In another review I mentioned the fish was cut too thick, well, the same here. It could have been because it was a slow day with Hurricane Irene barreling down on the area but still, if you need to make sure you don't end up with left over fish that might go bad, instead of serving two chunks of Lego size block of fish, offer 3 pieces that are not that thick.
(2)
Nicholette P.

A few years ago I wouldn't go near sushi, until my bf introduced me to bridal veil roll. I never looked back. SO good! They have really really good sushi, cute restaurant, went with the bf's fam and we sat in our own room on the floor, cute japanese style! If your looking for some great sushi in columbia, this is a great place to go, but let me tell you, you will be dropping some $$ because of all the amazing rolls you will want to try!
(4)
Alph G.

Sushi Sono is some of the best sushi I've ever had. It is just delicious. The negative? The special rolls are expensive, some are $19. There seems to be a wait a lot of the time. And for some reason, it's always cold in there. But besides that, the food is just wonderful. It's making me hungry just thinking about it....mmmm.... My faves are the dragon roll, bridal veil, spicy tuna, shrimp tempura. I always get miso soup too. Great location, great food - a treat.
(5)
Joon K.

extremely good quality service and foods ... U should go
(5)
sindi e.

Always good - at least in the past. Haven't been there in a while.
(3)
Christie W.

This is my favorite sushi spot in HOCO. My all time favorite will always be TAKO in Bethesda, but when I'm not into driving back out to Bethesda after work, I hit up Sushi Sono. The service is always very friendly and efficient. They give you warm wash cloths before you eat to wash you hands, and a pack of bubble gum when you leave. The sushi is fresh, the sake is hot. My favorite roll here is by far one of their speciality rolls, the bridal veil roll is fantastic everytime! I higly recommend you order one if you find yourself at Sushi Sono.
(4)
Ralph G.

If you're looking for some quality sushi in the Columbia area, this would probably be the place to go. The ambiance is nice, grainy wood tables the waitresses (no waiters?) wear blue kimonos. There are many sushi specials that are not on the menu, so make sure you ask! The vegetarian selection might seem drab at first (avocado, inari, etc) but there are some exquisite vegetarian specials. Make reservations if you have a group of 4 or greater, or on weekend nights you will have a long wait. However, it's along the water, and probably one of the prettiest areas that this suburban sprawl has to offer.
(4)
Kendall M.

This place is a real find! Great sushi! We've had plenty of good sushi on the west coast, but I think this sushi was better than I've ever had before! The staff was friendly and helpful. Environment was very comfortable. The view of the lake was amazing! If you're in the Columbia area and you like sushi, this is a must try!
(5)
Jennifer H.

Beautiful atmosphere because it's right on the lake in Columbia. Sushi is wonderful! Their other dishes, not so great. Wasn't a fan of the tempura or their teriyaki entrees. Prices are on the expensive side, probably because of their location. Sodas aren't free refills and it's not a big deal but they really should tell a person before they give them a refill. Service is really good and the staff is really nice. Quiet little spot and definitely a great place for a romantic date.
(4)
Alison B.

My husband and my favorite sushi restaurant, and we have tried many. They have amazing creations and unusual choices that they bring in, that you can not find anywhere else. Our favorites that are on the regular menu include the Bridal Veil, wrapped in rice paper and the Dragon roll, made with fresh lobster. It is expensive, as sushi always is, it adds up fast. We love sitting at the sushi bar and watching it be prepared. We are always pleased and impressed with the taste and the presentation of our sushi at Sushi Sono
(5)
Eileen L.

Best sushi, best view and best service. Definately try the bridal veil roles, best combination around (other than the explosion roles at Suhsi King -which they will make there).
(4)
Teresa H.

Top 3 sushi restaurant in all the DC area. Hands down. Although owned by Chinese, the sushi there is the best quality I've tasted. The fish is so good and so fresh. The rice makes the sushi, and the rice here is absolutely perfect. The rolls are unique and are out of this world. The best ones can't be found on the regular menu. - Dragon Roll - Shrimp tempura & tobiko rolled in a flour wrapping, topped with a whole lobster tail. OMG - this is sooooo delicious. - Bridal Veil Roll - Crunchy, spicy tuna in the middle, wrapped in rice paper and topped with slices of tuna. The other rolls on the menu are good, but these rolls are a must-try. This place is pretty expensive even for sushi standards. The Dragon roll is $24 and the Bridal Veil is $18. Nigiri pieces start at $4, hamachi is $6. Everytime I come here with my friend, the 2 of us would rack up a bill over $200 (no alcohol)...but it's soooo worth it. The ootoro is super expensive ($15 for 2 pieces), but it's the best piece of melt-in-your-mouth fish you will ever expose your palate to. I don't think I've ever eaten anything here I didn't highly approve of. The average person can definitely eat for less than $100/person, but it's still going to cost you here. Not only the food is great, the ambience is awesome. Located in front of a small lake in Columbia, the setting is great to take your date. The service is great too (maybe because they remember I spend ridiculous amounts of $$ there). This place is a must-try...6-stars!
(5)
Chris L.

Wow! Fantastic sushi, great service, nice and clean location. I'm not a sushi connesieur by any stretch of the imagination (I gets mines from Tar-jay baby), but I was very impressed with the quality of the sashimi. I didn't really pay attention to what I was eating, but it was firm, nutty, and delicious. I had the Sashimi Moriawase. I highly recommend it.
(5)
Ina C.

I love, love, love this restaurant because... 1) they are so generous with their cuts of sushi! For the nigiri sushi, the fish COVERS the rice - the way it should be. 2) they have fried ice cream! 3) the hostess remembers your name FOREVER if you make a reservation there. She knows my entire dating history without me having told her a thing! 4) parking is easy. Dishes to get: - Bridal veil roll (BVR). I believe it's crispy tempura shrimp inside a roll topped with tuna and wrapped in rice paper. The mix of soft/crunchy textures is perfection. - Royal crab roll. This one has no raw fish in it, but it's still delicious :) It's topped with some kinda cheese and thinly sliced bacon. Sounds strange, but everyone I know who's tried it fell in love. - Yellow tail & scallion roll. Simple, tried & true. - Spicy tuna roll. The roll is perfectly spicy and practically bursting with tuna. - Nabeyaki udon. Who knows how to spell this? It's good. - Edamame. Never brown, always salted just right. - Tuna tartar. Otoro tartar. Something with tuna, otoro or tartar. Get it, it's good. - Fried ice cream. It's pretty much like tempura ice cream. Stick a shrimp in there and you've got shrimp tempura. It's really delicious. Warning: They are closed on Sunday. Reservations are for parties 4+. If you're a party of 2, you can reserve at the sushi bar only.
(5)
Brianne C.

3.5 stars. We enjoyed an impromptu date at Sushi Sono, strolling in on a Tuesday evening after making a series of biking purchases. Settling at the swooping sushi bar, we ordered from many areas of the menu, sampling a fancy roll with caviar and avocado, miso soup, shrimp tempura, seaweed salad, toro and yellowfin sashimis, and lots of plum wine. Our sushi chef immediately started chatting with us, and willingly answered our questions about traditional Japanese dishes and what people who live in the countryside typically eat in their homes. The salad, shrimp tempura (beautiful with a light soy sauce enhanced with radish), and toro sashimi were easily the standouts of the meal, the beautifully colored fresh toro displaying an unctuous texture and finishing with its characteristic dark flavors. The other items were unremarkable, as the yellowfin lacked butteriness and flavor, while the miso soup was overly salted. Still, the relaxed atmosphere and comfortable setting, along with the friendly service and those assorted memorable dishes guarantee that we will be returning when visiting Columbia.
(3)
J M.

I have eaten sushi all over North America, Sushi Sono is the freshest and most delicious sushi I have ever had. I recommend the Dragon Roll (you might have to ask for it), red snapper nigiri and any of their specials. The chefs and waitresses are very nice.
(5)
Larry P.

i had heard about this place for years and finally went this weekend. We had a great, late lunch on Saturday. There was a beautiful view of te lake, the service was good and the food was great. I think the prices were very reasonable for the quality of the food.
(5)
Leeann D.

The best sushi in Columbia, hand down! Excellent place to take your out of town guests.
(5)
Jeffrey L.

I will NEVER go back to this restaurant! When I arrived, there was one guest before me; she arrived at almost the same time as I did. I told the hostess that I would like a table for one person. She promptly asked if I wouldn't you like to sit at the sushi bar and I responded no. Her response was: "Are you sure?". I replied, "Yes, I'm sure. I would like a table". Her immediate response was "Okay, it may be a while". I said "Okay". Almost immediately after this, there were several parties, large and small, that arrived. All of these parties, including the one person ahead of me (who was actually waiting on a second person to arrive), were seated. The hostess finally came up to me and asked again if I was sure I didn't want to sit at the sushi bar, to which I replied, "You have seated all of these people ahead of me". Her response was: "That's not true". I said that yes it was and she said something along the lines of don't accuse me of not telling the truth. I promptly said you can take me off the list and I left. This scenario was a clear demonstration of discriminating against single individuals all in the interest of seating more people so as to make more money or else the hostess is simply rude and a discredit to the restaurant. Very disappointing because I have always enjoyed the food at this restaurant.
(1)
Peter T.

Nice atmosphere. Fresh sushi.
(4)
Maurice K.

Best sushi I have had in the area. Outstanding! I highly recommend you visit this place and ask for King. He is the best. Not inexpensive, but worth every dollar.
(5)
Phil B.

Hands down best sushi in MD/DC/NoVA. Don't let the location fool you I've tried plenty of other places in DC and my new home in Arlington but still make a special trip to go to Sono whenever I'm back up in MD. The nigiri is huge and delicious. Dragon Roll is perfect and ootoro is definitely worth the price if its available, it melts in your mouth and is topped with fresh REAL wasabi, not the standard horseradish stuff. I can't comment on the california/cucumber blah rolls because when I come here I'm focused on the real thing, eating til I'm full, and worrying about the bill later. Make a point to come here if you love sushi.
(5)
Aaron R.

This place is the cat's pajama's. Is it the best ever? Well... no. Is it the best in Maryland? I don't know, but if I had to guess, no. Is it the best you'll get in Columbia? I believe so. Service and feel are pretty good. It's really open with two walls being entirely windows. The bar is in a good position, the wait staff is friendly, and the chefs don't talk down to you. A lot of people have complained about the place being package all the time. A sushi place is the kind of place you want to have packed all the time. It means it's good. Packed sushi place = fresh food. This place is busy enough to run out of things. If I go into a burger joint and they are out of burger patties, I'm thinking, "Well someone didn't think ahead, and now my day is ruined. RAH!". When my first choice order is out at a sushi place, I'm thinking, "Snap, I guess that was really good today. What do you recommend?" and I'm happy. A lot of people think the prices here are high. I disagree. I don't really have anything more to say about that. What really matters? The food. And the food is friggin' awesome. As you've already read for the other four hundred reviews of both places, Sushi-Sono and Sushi-King are owned by the same family. The also have pretty much the same menu. I just think Sono's is better. Think nothin', it IS better. It's so fresh, so well prepared, so yum. It's the only food that I can take one bite and need to lean back into my chair for a while to just enjoy it. Yeah... I could go for some right now. I think I'm gunna.
(5)
Shieva R.

The sushi is very good, they have lots of fun, creative rolls to choose from. In Columbia, this has to be the best spot for sushi, it also makes it a great date spot being so close to a lake.
(4)
Cam B.

Best sushi in the area. BUT some of the servers need to take it down a notch. One kept interrupting my friends and I and tried to insert herself in our conversation. Another hit me on the shoulder when I didn't finish a roll.
(4)
shinhaeya k.

Everyone goes on and on about how great the sushi is, ambiance, service, etc. I totally agree. But I'm here to rave about the delicious tasty Shabu-shabu. Ever since I watched "Cooking with Dog" (the cute grey poodle actually narrates) on YouTube and saw the episode with Shabu-shabu...I had to try this dish. This is the second time I've had Shabu-shabu. The first was at Sushi King. And I have to say, Sushi Sono delivered it better. It's a hot pot cooked at your table...typically eaten during winter time. Tofu, cabbage, green onions, clear noodles, and sprouts all cooking in a delicious broth. The waitress brings out a plate of thinly sliced raw beef (looks like pho meat) and some lemony soy sauce. Reasons why I liked Sushi Sono better: 1. The waitress explains in detail how to cook and eat it. (She gasped at us when we tried to eat the broth before putting meat in. Said that beef needs to cook in the broth to add more flavor and smacked our spoons away) Sushi King just left the hotpot at our table and we just guessed how to eat it. 2. She made recommendations for our next visit (Seafood kind with all sorts of sea creatures cooking in the broth...omg drool!) 3. Waitress brought us more broth! (extra food is always a plus in my book) 4. The broth tasted better at Sushi Sono. Less oily so it tasted healthier. They also gave us some spicy seasoning mix to add to your own bowl. The hotpot is good enough for 2, maybe 3 people (our waitress teased us for having leftovers) Tell the waitress how you like the beef cooked (I like rare...gf likes well done). Enjoy the broth and get ready to sweat... $30 for Shabu-shabu...definitely returning to try the seafood one.
(5)
steve h.

Woah, some really tough critics. I find the service rather good. Everyone is very friendly and they keep the water filled. The hostess and staff are really good to the locals/regulars and knows them well - a sign of good service and relationship with customers. At busy times, you may feel that service is more rushed, but heck, this isn't a 5-star several hundreds of dollars restaurant. Yes, I agree the sushi chefs are a little on the quiet side, but I actually prefer that rather than the screaming chefs that welcome a person. They are very friendly if you talk to them. As for the food, it is great. The rolls are certainly quite unique and the tempura is consistently good. I've noticed it's lighter on oil content and crispier than any place I've been to. The fish is consistently high quality. Talk to the chefs and they will let you know what the freshest fish are of that day. I do recommend reservations for groups though! *Note: As for the Chinese comment below. It may be true, but FYI the original owner lived and trained in Japan.
(5)
Mike G.

Best Sushi in Howard County! Sushi Sono has been my daughter's only choice for her Birthday dinner for years. The restaurant is always busy so I strongly recommend calling for a reservation, especially on weekends. They are closed on Sundays. Service is great and the servers are always willing to discuss the menu and share their favorites. There special rolls are very good.
(5)
Christine P.

Food is great but the service needs much improvement. Location: It is located next to the Columbia Mall and is relatively easy to find if you know where to look (I've gotten lost going to this restaurant more than I care to admit.) You can't see this place from the main road, so look out. It is situated overlooking a lake but be aware, the lake stinks. Food: I've had better sushi and other restaurants but the rolls are the best around DC area. I especially like the Dragon and the Bridal Veil rolls. Some of their fancy daily special sushi are good but not worth the money. Service: It sucks if you go there during dinner time (always so crowded make SURE you have a reservation.) I wouldn't recommend for romantic dinner out for two but great place to go on double dates or with your pals. Try to stay away if you have kids under 10. This place can't handle much kids due to limited space. You can reserve one of two (or three?) private rooms but you can hear EVERYTHING that's going on in the next room so it's not a free pass for your kids to get rowdy.
(3)
A C.

I ate here several years ago, so this may be out of date (though it doesn't seem so, reading some reviews). Supermarket sushi. Dull, falling apart, stale seaweed, some of it appeared pre-made. The egg sushi was spoiled - HUGE ammonia smell - made my lips and tongue tingle. I didn't eat it, and I told the waitress, who promised to take it off the bill, but didn't. When I asked, she said the "chef" tasted it and it was ok for him. Even though she knew I hadn't eaten it because of this (and I pointed this out), she said too bad - we're not taking it off the bill. $3 isn't a lot of money, but this shows the quality of the people running the place, which seemed lower than the poor quality of the food. Do not waste your time. I won't.
(1)
Alex L.

Took the bf here for his birthday. It was tucked away in a little courtyard thingy, so if you dont know where youre going, it might be a bit of a hassle....however, we were seated right away even though it was 730 on a friday night. The waitress was very friendly and helpful right off the bat. We ordered the gyoza dumplings for an app and a beer each. Both came out promptly, though my beer tasted like fizzy water. whatever. The dumplings were amazing! We then got: -an order of hamachi ngiri (yellow tail) which was mellow and buttery -spicy tuna roll which was average -shrimp tempura roll which was divine, minus the attached shrimp tails which made eating it a wee bit tricky. Me and chopsticks arent always best friends. -the auspicious bridal veil roll, which was gorgeous and as good as every other review says. The lobster salad was spicy, the tempura flakes gave the perfect crunch and the tuna around the outside melted perfectly. Worth every penny! -the scallop roll, which was (more) shrimp tempura and steamed asparagus, rice/seaweed and covered in a steam scallop. I think bf liked it more than I did, but it was nice. To his major horror, I accidentally mentioned that it was his birthday in front of the waitress. She brought him complimentary melon sorbet and made me sing to him. He blew out the candle, gave me evil eyes and then pounded it. I managed to snag a tiny taste--it was good. I ordered the green tea ice cream which was just meh. Wouldn't get it again. All in all, I really like the atmosphere, the selection, the service and the bridal veil. Will definitely be going again!
(4)
Jean L.

My tummy is so happy. I just downed a piece of chutoro nigirizushi and a whole Bridal Veil Roll. Toro is just something that you can expect to be good, as long as the fish is fresh. One order of the chutoro sushi was $12. My dining buddy, who never had toro before looked at the pink piece of fatty fish covering about two finger digits of sushi apprehensively. After I explained that out of the fish used for sushi, it doesn't get much better than toro, he took a bite and summed it up perfectly with "Oh that's ridiculous. It's like butter." I wonder what his response would have been to otoro... The Bridal Veil Roll is as good as everyone says it is. Lobster salad and tempura flakes rolled in nori and rice, topped with tuna and again rolled in rice paper (think summer roll). It sets you back $14 a roll, but it's so good and the generous cut of tuna that it's topped with makes it about as filling as a roll can be. The s.o. who says he doesn't really like sushi polished off half a takeout B.V. roll, claiming it was "not bad." I've tried the tuna and spicy tuna rolls on a previous trip and they were on the decent side, but leaning towards average. This is about as "pretentious snob" as I'm going to get: I'm too spoiled off fish that had been caught that day to really rave about the quality here. It isn't bad--I've had plenty worse... it just isn't the absolute bestest. Sigh, the memory of eating a fresh catch in Korea in a little boat with some gochu jang (pepper paste)--it's going to be a while before I accept sushi-grade as sushi-grade again. I like how they give you a hot towel before you eat... it's a nice touch. What brought this place down a notch was the service. Maybe I shouldn't complain, maybe I'm being overly pretentious... I don't know. It's just that aside from our host and hostess, I found myself wondering if it'd hurt the staff to smile? Unapproachable came to mind. My dining buddy even thought he caught a dirty look from our server. The only thing that can disrupt my enjoyment of good food is the feeling that I'm being judged while I'm eating it, even if it's ever-so-subtle or it's a misunderstanding on my part. Don't get me wrong, they did everything they should have done. My water was filled, they checked back to see how everything was, service was prompt... I guess I'd be asking too much by wanting the service to seem friendlier. Our hostess was actually a friend of ours so I wouldn't be an impartial judge of her service--but her and the man who greeted us were the only ones who seemed happy there. We didn't have to wait for a table for two on a Friday afternoon and I remember it being pretty quiet on a Monday. Personally, the final touch is subtle but really seals the deal for me. They give you boxes of Marukawa gum balls. LOVE. It sure beats starbrite peppermints.
(4)
Jeff M.

One of the area's best sushi and with a handful of chefs behind the counter the service matches the food. We've been eating there since it opened. The Bridal Veil and Spicy Tuna Tartare are musts when you visit.
(5)
Jon D.

Have had better sushi, but I would go back
(3)
Larry G.

Five star potential with three star execution. Sushi Sono is located on a man made lake. The restaurant is small and pretty, although hardly fancy. Servers are dressed in Japanese style clothing. Overall, I like the feel of the place. The menu is ambitious, with offerings such as shishamo (small whole smelt filled with roe, grilled whole) and ika masago ae (squid with roe and a quail egg). There are many interesting daily specials, e.g., hamachi kama (grilled yellowtail cheeks). I sat at the sushi bar. The servers were friendly and efficient. So far, so good. So why did I say "five star potential with three star execution?" The first negative: the sushi chefs were all very quiet. There was no greeting when I sat down, and limited chance for interaction. My server insisted on taking my initial order, as well as for each additional order of sushi. Only near the end of the meal did I get a chance to talk to one of the sushi chefs, and order directly from him. I started with the above mentioned ika masago ae. The squid was very tender, and the combination of flavors was very good. A promising start. My remaining choices were not as good. Uni (sea urchin) sushi was very firm and fresh, but was a very small piece, easily overwhelmed by the flavor of the rice. Ama ebi (raw shrimp) were OK, and the tempura heads were presented very nicely. Unfortunately they were overcooked, and were dry instead of deliciously juicy. Unagi (grilled eel) was attractively presented, well heated and probably tasty. I say "probably" because there was so much barbecue sauce that the flavor was hard to discern. Perhaps these failings only occur at lunch time. Perhaps regulars get more of a chance to order directly from the chefs. I'm inclined to try it again, this time for dinner.
(3)
carla H.

okay, so I first grew to love sushi out in Southern California & I just relocated back to MD....In socal, sushi joints are like starbucks ....on every street corner! :)... i feel like out here it's really hard to find sushi spots....another thing about socal I liked is that almost every sushi joint had a 50% off roll discount. The sushi in MD is overpriced! I went to Sushi sono - with two of my besties last week - the sushi was honestly just ok - I've had better....it's actually kind of sad that this is the top rated sushi joint out here...We spent about $40 each and there were three of us...I think that's expensive ;/ You def. pay for the ambience - which is nice being on the lake ...The service was good, and the sushi wasn't bad...it just wasn't anything that stood out to me... I will be trying sushi king next and reporting back ;p
(2)
Jason C.

Went for lunch and got sushi and some basic rolls. Didn't get any specialty rolls but they looked REALLY good (need to go back). The sushi was outstanding. Very fresh, buttery, delicious! The service was great -- attentive but not overly so. Had a nearly 2 hour lunch (business meeting) that didn't feel rushed at all. Definitely going back to try some more....
(4)
Sue C.

My most favorite sushi restaurant of all time. My usual consists of the #12 roll, fatty tuna (melts in your mouth!), bridal veil, and spicy crunchy tuna. The sushi is incredibly fresh and the waitresses are super sweet.
(5)
Miji C.

This place is no secret! Ever since college, (I graduated nearly 10 years ago) Sushi Sono has been my favorite sushi restaurant...I waitressed throughout my college days at a fancy sushi place so I'm used to all the great, sushi...let me tell ya~ you can not go wrong with this place!!! What do I miss most about MD now that I am a Virginian? It would be hands down, Sushi Sono!!!!!! Their rolls are to die for, Sashimi so fresh, and the ambiance isn't bad either...overlooking the lake...great place to take a first date!! oh how I miss thee, sushi sono! Try the Bridal Veil Roll~ it's AMAZING!! I think it's crispy tempura shrimp inside with tuna on top wrapped in rice paper. (thus, the bridal veil) They also have a private Tatami room inside for a special experience!
(5)
Ned F.

the most ignorant thing i've seen to date on a review for this restaurant: "Also, reference my other reviews for insight on why I prefer Korean/Japanese run Sushi joints." Sushi made by real Japanese folks is legit. This is the spot for sushi. I had sushi for the first time here 12 years ago and went back two days ago. I could find nothing wrong and it's refreshing to see sushi not bastardized by korean-run sushi spots.
(5)
Dee M.

I like this place. It is better than Tako Grill in Bethesda! Great service and the food was excellent. I'm planning my next visit soon.
(5)
Susan E.

Ok, so the sushi is decent, although a little pricey for what you get. What makes me hesitant to give this place more stars is the service. VERY pushy.
(3)
N S.

Yes, I enjoyed my meal at Sushi Sono, but, quite honestly, $18 for veggie tempura is pretty steep, and I also ordered a maki-roll, plus green tea ice cream for dessert, and also had some seaweed salad to start which was very good. So plan to drop some cash because there will be alot of temptation to try several items.
(4)
Trevin P.

Was recently on assignment in Columbia and discovered this place for lunch. I had the combination with skewers of chicken, steak, and tempura shrimp and veggies. It also came with miso soup and small salad. Fantastic! Excellent service (maybe a bit much....someone was always asking how things were) and looks out over a park-like setting with a lake. A really tasty experience for a reasonable cost ($13). Wish I still worked in the area so I could try more of the menu.
(4)
Shirley L.

MY ABSOLUTELY FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT SINCE I HAVE MOVED TO MARYLAND! when i first went there, i wasn't too impressed since i've been to some amazing sushi places back at home but then i had lunch with my dear friend heidi and she introduced me to the special menu. now, if i could afford it, i'd eat here every day! i go with friends and order the neptune roll, bridal veil, and the royal crab. even with the worst day ever, a meal here can always make me happier!
(5)
Brian G.

I was never into sushi while I lived in columbia but my friends constantly talked this place up. When I came up from VA to visit friends/family I thought I'd give this place a try. I would give this 3.5 stars for a few reasons. First, nothing we had was bad. Second, nothing we had was great. The miso soup was some of the best I've had in recent history, but the sushi was nothing to really rave about. Things seemed fresh enough, but I've had better versions of every roll we tried in the area for similar or cheaper prices. I'd go back for the cool group rooms and because my friends seem to love it, but otherwise I wouldnt go out of my way to get here!
(3)
MiniVan D.

This is as good as it gets! I went here with my friends and the sushi was amazing. Now every place I go eat i compare to this. It is my favorite place no doubt. There ebi came with fried shimp head that i just loved so much. This is now a favortie place of mine.
(5)
Cassandra S.

This is the best sushi that you will ever eat. Everything is fresh and worth the cost. The atmosphere is great and the staff falls over you to make sure you are taken care of. Once you have sushi here, you will be spoiled for everywhere else!
(5)
Lindsey S.

I have this obsession with Unagi and out of all the places I've tried (which is at least 20+ Japanese places around the east coast) this is definitely in the top 5. Their Unagi and Sashimi pieces are huge with just the right amount of flavor to it. And as a plus the Unagi is warm and just melts in your mouth. The waitstaff are all these little middleaged asian women who are extremely nice and make excellent recommendations about your order (I don't mean this in any negative connotation; they remind me of my aunts) I wish I didn't live so far away from here or else I'd stuff my face with their nigiri every day. The restaurant is also tiny so expect long waits in their teenier waiting section (standing room only) on weekends.
(5)
Linda T.

Great little restaurant. Very busy but the service was still great. If you sit at the sushi bar you can get great ideas for what to order if you adventurous and don't mind ordering something you've never had before. Get the hot tea, it will never be empty.
(5)
Sunmy B.

If I had to choose the best sushi restaurant in the Columbia area, then it would have to be Sushi Sono. The sushi rolls are awesome. I particularly enjoy the Spicy tuna roll, Dragon Roll, and Rainbow Roll. It is usually packed at this place, so it's best to get there before the lunch or dinner crowd. Another bonus about Sushi Sono is that it's located right by the lake, which means you can walk off your meal afterwards.
(4)
Danny L.

Decent sushi. Crowded all the time. Good service. The sushi is fresh due to the volume of people served.
(3)
Twinkie B.

The food is ALWAYS fresh. The chef picks out the fish daily and he works on the frontlines every evening. The service is quick and the prices are decent. The only problem is that this place is always packed. Basically, don't bother going any time between 5:30 and 8:30 past midweek. (And the restaurant is SONO, not Seno.) POST-edit: Note my recommendation to NOT hit this place up after mid-week. POST-edit: Anybody who knows authentic "Japanese" (which I do, but rather enjoy the Sushi Sono-Japanese food experience) knows that "authentic Japanese" is few and far between in Maryland. %80+ of Japanese restaurants in Maryland are run by Chinese. That's just how it is here. Period.
(4)
Fred D.

Outstanding sushi and even more outstanding service... really top-notch. The vegetarian roll, whose name escapes me but contained avocado, mushroom, squash, and sweet potato, was exquisite!
(5)
A K.

It's pretty good, but pricey for what you get. I like to just chill out and relax when I eat Japanese food, but whenever I go here, the atmosphere feels rushed and almost chaotic. The staff is friendly, but I prefer going elsewhere.
(3)
Abhi K.

This place is overrated. I can't knock the quality of the sushi because its consistently good, but the wait is long and the prices are high. I think you can get comparable sushi at Sushi King or Hanamura with a lot less hassle and pretentious-ness.
(3)
Alan D.

First of all the sushi is fairly good, rolls are generous and filling. Taste pretty good too. I was here for a friends birthday 2 years ago, the restaurant is noisy and crowded. Also quite small, it is also Taiwanese owned. I'd consider going back if it were not so noisy.
(3)
Robert F.

It's ok and that's about it. It's set in a beautiful part of Columbia next to the lake, but that's about all it has going for it. There is usually a wait and I always ask myself why, which is when I ask myself why we are back here again (besides to make someone else wait). Seriously though, it's not bad; it's just not GOOD. Everything is average at best. Many things I've tried (most their weekly specials) have been sub-par. The place is always very clean and the staff nice. It's a good place for a date, especially if they don't know anything about Asian food.
(3)
Michael M.

In my experience, this place has the best sushi in the Baltimore-Washington area. The nigiri was great, and the maki was even better. It was pretty expensive. You get what you pay for, though. We had some gyoza for a starter. The Gyoza was nice, but nothing out of the ordinary. Their wine prices are a bit steep ($32 for a run-of-the-mill Pinot Grigio I can get at a liquor store for $12), but they are paired nicely with the food. We arrived at about 8:30 on a Friday, and there was no wait. Go back, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Jeff C.

We went to Sushi Sono after it appeared as the only sushi place on the Washingtonian near Columbia. We went there on a Saturday night, with about half an hour wait. This is a Chinese run place doing a quite nice job in chatting up the patrons. The service is excellent. Next, they start enticing you with the "specials" which I got the baby snapper with four small pieces of fish for $17 dollars. It's got good presentation, but I think the price is still high even if they took the rest of the fish and made soup with it. The Toro is another one. Lots of money, but the fish is covered in oil so you can't taste the real quality of the fish. I could take any tuna, cut it thin, put some oil on it and make it taste "fatty." If it's quality, the price is not an issue. But it only appears impressive without the taste. The rest of the meal was okay, consistent to the bill of $100 for two. If you want the best sushi in Columbia, this is probably it to tell you the sorry state of restaurant food in the area. I believe Sushi Taro beats this place out of the water, but it's another hour's drive away. So for sushi in Columbia, they do a decent job. Beyond the service, the decor and fancy presentation, somethings are still missing.
(4)
Eric K.

Great service! Best sushi in the area!
(5)
Becca B.

I really love this place; it's the only place I'll go for sushi when I'm in MD. Everything is really fresh, and the menu is extensive. Only downside is it seems everyone else in Howard County also knows that this is the only good sushi place around (result: it's always packed).
(4)
B. J.

Great Japanese reataurant. This and Sushi King are the only two places in Howard County where the sushi and sashimi are very good and to be trusted. The chefs have been there for a long time and know their craft. Good location and good service. Try thier signature Dragon Roll - excellent!
(5)
Steve K.

I think this is the some of the very best sushi I've had in the DC/Baltimore area - and I've been to most of the top DC places. The fish is fresh and sushi is well arranged - the presentation is excellent. They seem to excel at both traditional sushi and rolls - I haven't had a bad experience here. They definitely deserve the good reviews they've had.
(5)
Dave Z.

This is the best place for sushi in Columbia, and really one of the best in the area, I'd say. Every sushi you order is masterfully prepared. The flavors are amazing, and the presentation is beautiful. After dining again tonight, I remember why I keep returning to Sushi Sono despite having tried some other very good sushi in the area. The service has always been excellent, as well. There's usually a unique roll or appetizer you can order each time. The only downside to Sushi Sono is that it can be a little expensive, especially if you're ordering the special rolls. I'd recommend a reservation on the weekend, too.
(5)
Alicyn D.

I have tried many sushi restaurants, throughout Maryland and several other states, and this has always been and remains my favorite. The rolls are inventive, high quality, fresh, plentiful, and delicious. The service is always spot on and the atmosphere and ambiance can't be beat (lakefront). The edamame are perfectly cooked (most of the time, the mushroom soup with lemongrass is awesome, especially on a cold day, and the seaweed salad is fantastic (it seems as though they increased the portion for this and have now spruced it up by putting it on leaf lettuce). The agedofu is flavorful and the tuna appetizer is plentiful and fresh. Favorite rolls to order are: No 12 (OUT OF THIS WORLD) with tuna, shrimp, and tempura; Bridal Veil - lobster and tuna; Lobster w/Asparagus, and Yasai Maki - sweet potato, mushroom, avocado, and seaweed (great non-fish option). While their special roll list is not super expansive, they have a great variety, unlike many places that have a huge list with all of the same ingredients. On the pricier side but many sushi places are catching up in price. Always make a reservation or at least call ahead to ensure you will be able to be sat in a reasonable amount of time as well.
(5)
lee s.

2nd best sushi in the area, behind sushi king. we went before we went to merriweather for a concert. highly recommend. they recovered from the weak opening. we were 15 minutes late for reservation and they made us wait 20 minutes plus and were hungry on a saturday night. show up early for your reservation. it is at columbia mall and there is traffic. overall great experience. food, ambiance, and service were great.
(4)
F D.

I wasn't impressed by the food or service; but I think we caught sono on a bad night. The wait ended up being an hour longer than estimated, and I bet the staff was exhausted.
(2)
Seiko H.

Being Japanese, I am very picky about my Japanese food. I was going to Merriweather, so decided to stop by with my boyfriend to eat some Japanese, seeing the reviews were high. When I made reservations, I could tell the lady had a Chinese accent. Already a red flag right there, but decided to keep an open mind. These are the type of places that put Japanese food to shame. Places that have great reviews, but are not real Japanese food. I ordered AGEDOFU as one of the appetizers, and it was made with TEMPURA fry. That is basic Japanese Food 101 they got wrong. I will not recommend this place, nor will I come back here for good Japanese food. Zagat and CitySearch really screwed up the reviews for this one.
(1)
A K.

It is our go out sushi place. Sushi is great. Too bad you usually have to wait.
(5)
Aisha K.

When I went The service was horrible because the place was too busy. The tables are so close together that there was barely a pathway. I was trying to have a romantic dinner with my husband but I couldn't hear over the guy next to me. He was literally two feet away. I could smell his drunken breath! It was awful! The food was not cheap either. I have no idea what Twinkie B. is talking about.
(1)
Tim M.

Having been to LA's finest sushi shops as well as those in NYC I have to say my first experience with this place was very impressive. I could do without the 'authentic' garb and I don't really care if the chefs yell at me when I come in the door. My GF and I went on a Friday night right after work (i.e. rush hour) and we had to wait about 10 minutes for a table. It's small but I didn't find it as crowded as another reviewer did. I ordered Shabu-Shabu since I haven't had that since leaving Lost Angeles - you don't see that on the menus around MD at all. It was actually fairly unremarkable in flavor - not bad at all just not really stunning and there were simply way too many noodles. The service was a tad over-attentive and I'm still always stunned when these places actually give you chop sticks - this is the USA tho not Japan I guess. I followed up with a few of my favorite tester sushi items including Uni w/ quail egg and Bonito sashimi - both fabulous and I also had the raw shrimp complete with roe and my fried shrimp heads were perfect. I finished with a dessert of monk fish liver (a daily special I never pass up when its on the menu). My GF had fried green tea ice cream for dessert - I think I made the better choice although the waitress thought it was pretty weird (it was). I'm going back soon and will update this review if necessary. It's worth the drive from Annapolis to keep experimenting with their menu. Twinkie B. brings up a very good point about most Japanese restaurants around here being owned and operated by the Chinese - this is a true foodie factoid!
(4)
Jack S.

This is the best sushi anywhere near DC including DC itself. The sushi is bettter than most places in NYC and LA. The service is excellent and they treat you as a regular after a couple of times. The salmon is insanely good, the rolls are creative and unique. I drive 45 min each way, live in the district but go here when I want the best sushi without going all the way to manhattan.
(5)
Floyd M.

I had heard quite a few good reviews about this place, and decided to try it out when my mother came to visit from out of town. We went in on a Saturday at about 7:30 and the place was packed; we waited outside on the patio for about half an hour until we were called in. I had heard there would be a wait, so I wasn't put off by it, and the weather was nice outside, and we were able to get drinks while we waited (although I got the impression they didn't like the idea). We were seated towards the middle, and boy was it loud inside. The place was certainly bustling with waitstaff and such, people checking on us every couple of minutes. The menu was nice enough, nothing particularly unique save a few sushi rolls. We ordered some basic Japanese entrees, and they were quite generous, much larger than what I get in most other Japanese places for the same entree. Unfortunately, the taste left something to be desired, and neither of us finished our meals due to not wanting to continue. The sushi itself wasn't great but a solid 3/5, but I cannot justify waiting half an hour and straining to converse in exchange for food I really don't even want to finish. The bill was just a little more than what the Zagat certificate suggested, 35-40 dollars per person, which is on the upper end of price spectrum for a non-ritzy Japanese place. I don't plan on returning as there is a sufficient and less congested alternative not too far away.
(2)
Rebecca G.

Sushi Sono, in Columbia, was featured in the Baltimore Sun list of best restaurants as a favorite that isn't well known. I did lunch takeout on a slow Friday at work, hoping for a good list of lunch specials and a new sushi place for lunches. The lunch special options didn't look great for me this visit, mostly because I wanted to try the crunchy spicy tuna roll. The lunch options are mostly based on small versions of entrees (tempura, teriyaki, etc.) or nigiri, not maki selections. Her plate: two crunchy spicy tuna rolls, miso soup, green salad The sushi's not bad - it's quite fresh, the fish has good flavor, and it's a nice balanced ratio of rice-to-fish. It's nothing super special, and the rolls are a bit small for the price. (I'd adjust the price, not the size - but it is worth noting that they're much smaller than the less expensive giants at Sushi Hana, which are delicious, but overly massive.) Sushi Sono does seem to really love their masago - so if you're not a fan, remember to ask them to leave it off. Miso soup is good, but the salad can be left out next time - barely any flavor to the carrot-ginger dressing, one obligatory slice of cucumber, and a bunch of wet iceberg is not really a great addition to my day. I realize that this is somewhat representative of the typical takeout salad... but... Sushi Hana and Thai One On get by with nicer versions, why can't more places follow suit?
(3)
Maria M.

Went here with a couple of friends. If you call to make a reservation, there should be no problem with seating especially at night. We were lucky to get one of the rooms in the back - so it was a little more private. The servers were really nice and very accomodating. We had a 7 mo old with us who accidentally toppled over soy sauce and our waitress came right away to wipe off the mess for us. No harm done =) Sushi is great here! Fresh and definitely top of the line. However, I did order chicken teriyaki and wasn't really impressed. So if you go here, go for the sushi. Very few can beat it =).
(4)
Jen W.

I haven't been here in several years, but this place never disappoints. It's not your everday sushi, though I wish it were. Everything is super fresh and prepared with an expert hand. As soon as you walk off the lakefront, you walk into a Japanese style garden entrance. The interior has blonde wood tables and chairs plus a long low bar next to the sushi prep area. If you have a large group or want privacy, reserve one of the rooms where you can sit on the tatami mats. The Japanese style is highlighted with the blue & white kimono dressed waitstaff shuffling about the restaurant - yes, this is a busy place. Though this place is busy, it serves excellent sushi. We started with the horse mackarel. It is fileted and presented as sashimi and nigiri with light garnish of ginger and micro greens. It was served with a great smoky dipping sauce different from the standard soy sauce and wasabi. The mackarel is skewered on the plate (and it may stare at you while you eat), and then later served deep fried or served in a miso based soup. We opted for the soup which was excellent. This just feels decadent. The nigiri hamachi was served on a separate ceramic rectangle and perfectly sliced and presented. It was like butter! Moving onto the rolls, the soft shell crab, spicy tuna rolls (regular and crunchy), rainbow roll, and eel with cucumber were fantastic. Fresh and tasty. The sushi rolls don't last long - you just can't get it in your mouth fast enough. We finished off dinner with their softball sized ice creams. We tried the red bean, mango and black sesame. All were creamy and delicious. The mango was the most refreshing and the black sesame the most unique of the 3 flavors. I'd definitely go back!
(5)
Bren P.

My first time in columbia, md and my first time here! We called ahead and made reservations for 4, which is a great idea because this place was packed! We were seated shortly after we arrived and we ordered a bunch of stuff. For appetizer we ordered the Agedofu to share. And for our entree we ordered Nabe Yaki Udon also to share, a slew of sushi rolls: Bridal Veil Roll, Royal Crab Roll, Dragon Roll, soft shell crab roll and a few others. My favorite was the Royal Crab roll and the Bridal Veil..in that order too! BTW the dragon roll was good, but the presentation is just amazing! Also, got my usual, Uni, Tobiko with Quail egg, salmon nigri and hamachi (Yellow tail) nigri. The quality and portion was above par. (I'm craving it again as I write this) We ended the meal with Tempura Green Tea ice cream! Definitely recommend ordering this for dessert. Can't wait to come back to this place again!
(5)

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Address : 10215 Wincopin Cir
Columbia, MD, 21044
Phone (410) 997-6131
Website https://www.sushisonomd.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:30 am - 3:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Garage
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
Caters : No

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Sushi Sono Japanese Restaurant

10215 Wincopin Cir, Columbia, MD, 21044

Sushi Sono Japanese Restaurant Menu

Appetizers

Soups & Salads

Tempura

Nabi Mono

Teriyaki

Sushi Sashimi

Healthy Meal suggestions for Sushi Sono Japanese Restaurant

Appetizers

Soups & Salads

Tempura

Nabi Mono

Teriyaki

Sushi Sashimi

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