4. Restaurants

Sticky Rice

2232 W Main St, Richmond, VA, 23220
  • (804) 358-7870
  • Store is closed

Sticky Rice Menu

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  • Molica N.

    One of Richmond's many local spots. Two things you must get is a bucket of tater tots and sticky balls. I know it doesn't sound pleasant but once you see the dish and taste it for yourself you'll love it! You go here for the ambiance. The sushi isn't amazing but it's decent. Themed Nights Sundays-trivia starts at 11 Mondays-half off sushi from 10:30-12:30 Tuesdays-karaoke Thursdays-blingo Fridays/Saturdays-DJ/music videos* *Fridays may still be half priced sushi from 5-6 though not listed on the website I'm glad to see their hours have changed for the better.

    (4)

  • Roc G.

    This review is short and sweet...one of my favs! From the atmosphere to the drinks to the sushi and tots , it's all good. If you're searching for quiet or polished then this isn't for you .... and welcome to Richmond..... but if you're searching for a fun time with good eats than roll in.

    (4)

  • Nancy L.

    So overrated. Tried it once & it was a waste of time & calories.

    (1)

  • Anna Y.

    I have to admit I like this place. Even though I had to wait almost a half an hour outside on the weekend for a dinner. It was worth it to get a table. It's popular to say the least. You need to get the tator tots. They come out in a small pail. I could honestly be happy with just the tator tots. The noodle dishes are bland. The sushi is expensive, but good. Isn't sushi expensive everywhere? It's dark, noisy, and busy. Did I mention the tator tots are good? Oh! and the sticky rice dessert? It's... okay.

    (3)

  • Cynthia C.

    Way over hyped, but I guess it's one of the few pan-Asian restaurants in the area. Don't come here on a Friday night with a party bigger than 2 because you will be waiting outside for an hour plus! The service is HORRENDOUS, what happened to Southern hospitality? Food is an odd mix of Asian and they serve a side of tater tots with pretty much everything. I have to grudgingly admit that they were the best TTs I have had. None of the food stood out, but it was edible. If you want to talk to the person or people you are with, go elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Jonas K.

    I am not shy to eat sushi, but sitting at the sticky rice sushi bar I had opportunity to examine the fish put into rolls in this establishment. I have seen 3 day old bait look better. Hence I opted for a grilled tuna sandwich. This came on a hard bun that may have been as old as the fish. The tuna was cooked to my specification, and served with their famous tater tots. Would you believe these taste just like frozen tater tots at home!

    (2)

  • t.sa c.

    I went to undergrad at VCU and frequent Sticky Rice for their great happy hour deal. I love the uniqueness of sticky rice, they're creative with their sushi, they have their own style and it's a place where you go for a good time. The sushi has always been good (in an unorthodox way), not so big on their noodle dishes. Now that there's a Sticky Rice in DC I can keep on the tradition!

    (4)

  • Heather T.

    The sushi here is SO good and more inventive than you'd typically find in Richmond. The service can sometimes be slow, as the staff behind the sushi bar seem to enjoy goofing around more than making sushi. I don't mind the wait, though, because it's worth it. Oh, and the dip they serve with the tater tots is like crack. There's usually a long wait for a table, too, but if you can get a seat at the bar (good luck), it makes it less of a chore. Otherwise you have to stand outside or dodge the staff in the middle of the restaurant. If you're looking for a quiet place, this isn't it! It's just a fun, lively place with good food.

    (4)

  • Ben l.

    Extremely crowded on weekends, but worth the wait to get inside. Fun atmosphere and the sushi rocks. Definitely a good place to experience the tattooed/VCU alumni side of RIchmond.

    (3)

  • Jason D.

    I try to go here whenever I'm in Richmond. It's the only place where you can eat tater tots with chopsticks (and the dipping sauce is amazing). I could easily just eat the tots all day, but I usually get the Sticky Balls and another roll, though the Sticky Balls can easily be an entire meal. The food is very good, but don't expect incredible sushi. If you're looking for an energetic crowd, friendly service and a fully belly, Sticky Rice is a sure thing.

    (5)

  • Jeez L.

    I'm not sure why people hate on Sticky Rice so much. I am a vegetarian and go there for their veggie rolls. Silence of the yams, spicy avocado and south roll are scrumptious. Their miso and teriyaki mushrooms are delicious too. Food takes a while but thats not unusual for Richmond restaurants.

    (4)

  • Denise J.

    mmmmm...Sticky balls! If you go you should definitely order them in multiples...deep fried sushi goodness. Indeed this is not traditional sushi but is mighty good food. Totally inventive sushi...think pineapple and jalapeno..and sweet potato and honey. Oh yeah, the tater tots with remoulade are insanely addictive.

    (4)

  • Drew S.

    Not your typical sushi - so keep that in mind. But I'd almost give it 5 stars for the Garden Balls alone! Plus - the steak was a BEAST!

    (4)

  • Jeff S.

    I love going to Sticky Rice. It's an experience. No shortage of variety on the rolls, if you like sauces and tempura and some unorthodox options. I personally like tots and a PBR very much so I got nothing to complain about here. It does get INSANELY crowded in here even during the week. So if you're not looking to socialize and you want purist sushi this isn't what you're bargaining for. If you want to make some new friends and demand a good bartender drop in.

    (4)

  • blain t.

    Everyone else on here was basically just about right for this place. The Sushi is good, and the tater tots are great. It is more like a small bar. For what it is I really like it. 1) Do not go expecting a nice quiet meal 2) Do not expect a big lavish sushi bar If you avoid those two items above and want to have 1) Some interesting sushi which is of a pretty good quaity 2) Unique items (bucket of tater tots) 3) A fun meal in a small, loud place with pretty friendly service then you'll be satisfied.

    (5)

  • Mos D.

    Just updated because I said Obama might become President... looks like he won.

    (1)

  • Jared G.

    After graduation lunch - so glad a restaurant was open at 3pm! Better yet when it was your first choice. We started with the Tots and Edamame. Both were a great size - not too big or small - and very tasty. The Bucket-o-Tots was so great - the perfect chopstick training food. And the sauce was excellent, but we couldn't quite figure out what was in it. We had the spring roll - so fresh and crunchy, but the sauce was a little sweet. Loved the sashimi - best taste and texture I have had around RVA - fresh! Someone had the Godzirra roll - great presentation and delicious. Spicy Thai bowl - crunchy veggies, tender chicken, AND Thai hot - killer combo. Everything we had was fantastic. The waitress was wonderful, attentive, friendly and patient, as we had a Grandma in he crowd. Decor was fine. Why 4 instead of 5 stars? Too much Iced Tea- made the mistake of using the Men's room. CLEAN THE BATHROOMS FOR #%¥£$ SAKE!! J

    (4)

  • Jamie D.

    Oh, Sticky Rice. Although you are not on my list of frequented stomping grounds, I visited you the other day (for the first time in months, mind you) and I gotta give you props for quieting my growling stomach and pleasing my opinionated tastebuds. Typically, Sticky Rice isn't my choice for sushi. Except in the middle of the afternoon (say around 3pm) when every single sushi restaurant near me is closed until the dinner hour and I am fiending for some raw fish. My must-have menu item? The Billy Goat's Gruff. It combines a few of my absolute favorite foods- yellowtail and goat cheese- into one poppin little package. Although it's listed under the specialty sashimi section on the menu, the yellowtail is actually not completely raw. It's broiled and incredibly tasty. Anything paired with goat cheese automatically makes it a must-eat for me, and the BGG is no exception. The spicy salmon roll is a classic and Sticky Rice managed to satisfy with this standard as well. It wasn't the best I've ever had, but I don't expect the best sushi from this joint. If you're looking for tater tots, however, this is the spot to snag a bucket. Sticky Rice, you came through in the clutch, fed me well, and allowed me to leave happy and satisfied. I may just visit you again soon.

    (3)

  • Andrei U.

    Anyone who says this place has great sushi clearly hasn't had sushi in New York or the West Coast. Just average, and so is the rest of the menu.

    (3)

  • Sherman W.

    So... I went to this place with a friend because they said they had ''FRESH" Fish. Well... Let me tell you the truth, this place sells FROZEN fish... We went there at a busy night, and they didn't even have enough time to de-frozen the fish. it was icey! Eating their sushi made me feel like eating rocks. I have been eating real fresh salmon my whole life, so I can tell you how fresh the fish is, right away. The color of their salmon were DARK ORANGE and it must been there for days!!! PLEASE! charge less for those frozen shit! I could get a better deal at the super market!! This place is not worth your time and money.

    (1)

  • Erica T.

    Sticky Rice seems to be a divisive sort of restaurant - people either love it or hate it. I fall somewhere in the middle. Sticky Rice is very "Richmond." As a result, it is very laid back and relaxed, with inventive and unique food on the menu (including plenty of vegan and vegetarian options), and interesting PBR specials. Where else can you get an honest-to-god BUCKET full of tater tots, which you are encouraged to eat with chopsticks? Where else has $1 PBR specials contingent on the weather? Sticky Rice, like Richmond and the people who live here, doesn't take itself too seriously. That said, a place being very "Richmond" usually means a few unintended or unpleasant side effects. For instance, the restaurant and the people who work there are more than a little scruffy. The bathroom is terrifying - maybe the worst I've encountered. It's at the bottom of a steep, dark staircase, and in the ladies' room there is a full-length mirror directly opposite the toilet, so you're staring yourself right in the face when you "go". Not a great place for a mirror. Another side effect is that the service is surly and tending towards disdainful, but then, Richmonders have come to expect to be abused at least a little by their servers. An anecdote: during a meal here, I once dropped my chopsticks on the floor. I knew I was going to be in trouble with my server. When she came by the table, I sheepishly admitted that I had dropped my utensils on the floor. She stared at me for a moment and said, "So?" I said that I'd like another pair, please. She huffed at my incompetence and rolled her eyes, but she brought me more chopsticks anyway. I wasn't bothered, but my friend from out of town was shocked at the treatment we received. We just explained, "It's a Richmond thing." The food is usually pretty tasty. The Sticky Balls (vegan!) are amazing: deep-fried inari pockets stuffed with sriracha rice, red bell peppers, scallions, and shiitake mushrooms, drizzled with eel sauce. There are some great rolls on the menu, too, and vegans and vegetarians won't feel left out at all. Favorites include: the fantabulous amazing roll, the silence of the yams, the hot hippy, and the godzirra. See what I mean about an inventive menu? Noodle dishes at Sticky Rice are a better value than the sushi, and are tasty and filling. The "dirty vegan" with udon noodles is a great choice. If you want to skip the skeevey atmosphere and surly service, just order delivery. Sticky to GoGo delivers after 5pm, and nine times out of ten, the food arrives on time, tastes fresh, food that is supposed to be cold is still cold, and food that is supposed to be hot is still hot. If you're feeling brave, and you want a real taste of Richmond, give Sticky Rice a try.

    (3)

  • Melanie M.

    The food is bad. the prices are way to high for what you get. I could order the same thing at a nicer restaurant for the same price, and the food would be far better. Not worth it!

    (2)

  • Steve W.

    Definitely worth the trip every time I end up in RVA. Plenty of vegan and veg options. Tots are totally worth it. Tofu bites are pretty good. The Garden of Eden roll is my favorite... the Shiitake Happens roll is just okay. Plus, y'know, a well stocked bar always helps.

    (4)

  • Diane M.

    I always enjoyed Sticky Rice until tonight. I lost my appetite after I flicked a roach off my leg. It will be a long time before we return. Nasty.

    (1)

  • Stephane B.

    I had the worst experience here today. Usually, its great. But not today! Our waitress ignored us from the start, brought us water and disappeared. The tables around us got their orders taken and drinks brought to them and we still were looking for our server. Once we were finally able to order food, we got the Salmon Skin Roll. My first bite, I had 3 bones in it, how horrible is it to have a whole sushi roll in your mouth and have a bunch of bones in it! Then my husband and I found 4 more rolls with bones in them. We waited to try to flag down the waitress, we couldn't find her, of course. She was chatting away at the computer screen and not paying attention to her tables (we saw her 3 times there ignoring us). When we asked for our check she took forever to come and get our money. And when she returned there was $1 missing. Needless to say, it will be a while until we go back.

    (1)

  • Jessica L.

    No thanks, I'll stick to Kabuto! The rice in both rolls I tried was definitely sticky, and not in a good way at all. The only thing I half-heartedly enjoyed were the tater tots, but the sauce they came with was nothing special. It's something I could whip up myself at home. Won't be coming back!

    (2)

  • Michelle A.

    One of the more compelling things to me about Sticky Rice is actually that if you are willing to stay up late on Monday night, you can get half price sushi at like 10pm... And on the weekends it's pretty bangin- they have a DJ and it's standing room only. The crowd is definitely urban hipster so if you want to meet a rich doctor this probably isn't the place... but it is fun. The dragon roll is pretty good, and some of their more inventive sushi rolls are worth trying, but don't expect traditional sushi... it's definitely fusion. I've had some of the noodle bowls, and they are pretty good... but not the best. Definitely Americanized. Also, parking is a beast, go around the corner and park on Floyd or on Strawberry street... It's a fun and unique place to take visitors, and definitely worth getting a drink at if you are looking for a good weekend spot...

    (3)

  • Valerie F.

    My favorite sushi restaurant in Richmond. It is the only place that does spicy tuna the at it should be. Crunchy shrimp and sticky balls are also two of our favs. If you are looking for a casual sushi place with a fun, eclectic atmosphere Sticky Rice is the place to go. We love their carry out as well which is located across the street.

    (5)

  • Susan L.

    We've been before so nothing surprising here, but were reminded why we don't go often (maybe once a year) and then some. Maybe it was the gray damp weather outside, but it definitely felt sticky inside (like there was a pool downstairs, which was only enhanced by a bathroom trip). A random glance overhead revealed a return vent clogged with fluffy gray lint. And just looking around as we waited the dried splatters on the booth "walls" were kind of a turn off. Our service was fine, attentive. The food was fine. We had the veggie tempura and three types of veggie sushi. Nothing really remarkable. Then as we were leaving happened to notice the guy behind the sushi bar was busy eating with his hands. This place Is maybe best visited late at night....

    (3)

  • Jeremy S.

    Dig this place. Lots a funky shit to choose from and since it's a hipster joint you can enjoy a PBR.

    (4)

  • David R.

    A dive bar in the shape of a sushi place. This is Richmond....VCU, to be precise. T Rex and Dazed and Confused playing on the big screen (no sports...imagine that!), a variety of beers in cans (and two on tap....Samuel Adams Summer Ale and Starr Hill--no Miller Lite, imagine that!) I'm not a big sushi eater but what I had (something with spicy tuna, and another with shrimp) tasted fine by me. They also have basic Asian dishes as well as sushi offerings. That bathroom took me back to my college years. It's safe to say the location in DC is probably not as wonderfully scuzzy. Oh yeah, $1 cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon until 9 PM each night.

    (4)

  • Megan W.

    We went here for my sister's birthday last year. The sushi, although it may not be "authentic" was so good! The only complaint I have is that it's so expensive.

    (4)

  • Latoyia Z.

    Sushi, shrimp tempura, and salad with orange ginger were awesome! The ambience didn't match the food (smokey and heavy medal), but it was so good eventually we didn't care. The server we had was pretty bad very unattentive.

    (4)

  • Angela K.

    I don't have much to say about the sushi or tater tots since they were nothing special, but the review is for the service. Our waitress was extremely rude/angry and just made the whole experience awful to even think about. We will not be coming back.

    (1)

  • Angie A.

    The husband and I love little dives and hole-in-the-wall places, so we were so excited to try Sticky Rice. Due to the constant raves from friends and acquaintainces, my expectations were set a little high. Sadly, I was a bit disappointed to find that the food was nothing extraordinary. The Tots were just that-- tots. And the supposedly world-famous sauce that it came with was nothing more than mayo/ketchup/assortment of other things. My shrimp tempura and spicy salmon maki rolls were okay. They were sloppily made, and a bit bland. My husband's crab cake sandwich wasn't anything spectacular either, although our waitress did say that it was made with real crab meat. The ambience in the restaurant was nice, considering we were there when they first opened up on a Monday afternoon. We would probably give Sticky Rice another go, just to see if other things on the menu are better.

    (3)

  • Alicia B.

    Sticky rice is a Richmond institution and there are many reasons why. It's quirky, blares rock music and in addition to sushi serves atypical fare of a sushi joint like tater tots, sandwiches, and delectable deep fried balls of rice and crab lovingly named "sticky balls". I love this place for its unique charm and combination of sushi and tater tots. Sticky rice always keeps me coming back for more.

    (5)

  • K D.

    What can I say about Sticky Rice? It's a mixed bag. Despite the food itself being borderline meh, I've probably gone there more times than any other restaurant in RVA just because of everyone else I know: coworkers want to meet up after work for a cheap beer and some "sushi" (let's not kid ourselves), someone wants to watch Game 4 of the Stanley Cup on the big screen while having a cheap beer with some sushi, someone could go for some happy hours drinks and some sushi, a friend is aching for some Tots, and, now that they think about it, they could also really go for a cheap beer and....you get the idea. To call the stuff they serve at Sticky Rice sushi is a bit indulgent. Drowning in cream cheese, fried tempura, and spicy mayo, there is rarely a speciality sushi roll that doesn't feature some form of inevitable fattening Americanization. I get that a lot of sushi places do that now, but for some reason it seems particularly prevalent here. However, that's not to say the stuff is bad: it's food, and it tastes good, and I'm just as guilty of getting an occasional Godzirra roll as the next twentysomething you pass on the street in Richmond and yet....I just can't bring myself to be endeared to it like so many other people I know in the area. Also, their presumed crown jewels: the Sticky Balls, the tots? Not that good. This isn't to say I vehemently dislike Sticky Rice in any way, it's just not for me, and not for anyone out looking for an authentic sushi experience.

    (2)

  • Edmund R.

    Always get excited to go here. The tots are well done and a crowd favorite. We sat at the bar in front of the chef's station. It's always fun to see the ingredients being used and wonderful creations come to life. This time we got a free sample, I forgot the name but it was good. Usually crowded unless you go early. I try to fit in a visit here frequently.

    (4)

  • Stacey T.

    Sushi was quick and great!

    (3)

  • Matt C.

    C'mon, Sticky Rice - this is yours to lose. We all know that in order to have a successful restaurant you need a few elements: good food, fun atmosphere, solid service, fair pricing, decent location and a healthy environment. They have 2 of those, that I can tell. It's really a fun place to go for people watching, but the service... ugh. I've had some of my most notorious run-ins there and the other night was no exception. My girlfriend and I went there, had a decent meal, a couple of drinks and were ready to go on our way. Our only issue was that our server didn't come back. For 25 minutes. And that's when we gave up and had the hostess run our check! Seriously! It's not hard to tell us (as you're walking by, briskly) that you're weeded and someone else would help us. Nothing. Nada. But she sure seemed entertained by the table behind us, as she spent a lot of time chatting it up with them. Please, please, Sticky Rice: all customers are created equal, regardless of the skinniness of their jeans.

    (2)

  • Laura S.

    Sad to say that after finally going to this "RIchmond tradition" our consensus was a big "that was such a letdown". Tater tots were the best part of the meal. The rice and tofu bowl had only 4 pieces of tofu and the peppers/onions tasted burnt. My husband's shrimp bowl was no better. I really liked the inside atmosphere - dark, kind of loud, and laid back. Too bad the food didn't match the vibe.

    (2)

  • Ronnie B.

    Service was great on a recent crowded Friday night. The calamari appetizer was amongst the best I've ever had. Spiced just right, not rubbery texture, and the included dipping sauce had a flavor that complimented the calamaris seasoning perfectly. The Miso soup was very flavorful and the fried banana desert was excellent. Will definitely return.

    (4)

  • Joel S.

    So good!

    (5)

  • D M.

    Went during a Monday. Pretty quiet but still a positive vibe. Only had drinks but a full bar and brews. I would definitely return for a late night weekday meeting, love the hours and location!

    (3)

  • Adelina G.

    Stiky rice is good for a laid back night out with friends. Their sushi is okay. Maybe not the best description but pretty accurate. They do however have a nice variety and the specialty rolls are worth perusing. Bucket of tater totpiano is a fave of mine and their noodle bowls are decent. The downside of sticky rice is the place itself. It is never clean! And the restrooms in a word are grotesue!! Service tends to be pretty perfunctory but note rude or anything. On crowded busy nights waitstaff does seem overworked...

    (3)

  • Tony H.

    One of the categories is dive bars. In my opinion there is nothing exciting about this restaurant. It is not a place I'll dine in again. Nothing terrible, just forgettable, but that's my opinion!

    (2)

  • Derick K.

    As the original Sticky Rice this place is a bit iconic to me. The crowd waiting, the crowd inside. The cramped seating. Richmonders. This place is awesome. My staples are the Spicy Salmon Rolls and Spicy Tuna Rolls. No matter where I order my sushi from, that's the basis that I start from. That tradition started with this place. I have a list and here it is: 5. Bucket of Tots - these will ruin your dinner, but are an absolute MUST.. please eat with chopsticks and get extra sauce, you'll find out why 4. Sticky Balls - I mean with a name like that, how could you turn them down? 3. Snap, Crackle, Pop - Salmon and jalapeños.. what else could you want? Tempura crunchies?!?! DONE! 2. G.I. Joe - Crunchy wasabe + yellowtail = smiles 1. Godzirra - shrimp, avocado and spice.. enough said Take a group, order those 5 things (or 7 if you're gonna include my staples) and you can't be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Daniel S.

    I like Sticky Rice the food is pretty good but the sushi is over priced and sub par compared to say Tokyo Joes. The place needs a clean up BAD. Look to the ceiling and pipes and see layers of dust and grime. Service was friendly but our particular waitress this time did not feel it necessary to clear the old dirty plates and finished items. Still the best place for tator tots and cheap PBR!

    (3)

  • Sara G.

    Meh, I didn't have any problem with this restaurant and i would be willing to try int again but i probably wouldn't choose it. We had the tater tots as an appetizer and they were good but not really any different from my high school cafeterias and that is not saying much.

    (2)

  • Lilly N.

    A very trendy and hip joint in the fan district, the place was packed on my arrival for half-off sushi Friday between 5 and 6 pm. For half-priced sushi, I didn't mind as much forking over money, but I would definitely not pay full price for the quality of sushi they provide. There are a couple of requisites that sushi must meet. First and foremost -- freshness. The grade of fish was mediocre. Certainly nothing that impressed me and not all that fresh -- the raw sushi had a little bit of fishiness to it. Secondly but almost just as important is style and execution. The Japanese pride themselves on the attractiveness of their cuisine, and to watch my maki-sushi falling apart into grotesque lumps of rice, seaweed, and fish was an abomination to the art of sushi. Rice quality is also a large factor, but on this note, I have nothing to mention. Meh. Summary: While I thought their asian-fusion menu items were interesting, they simply could not deliver. Just another place in the fan district that might be fun to hang out in, but serves at best mediocre food.

    (1)

  • Jordan F.

    I've been here a few more times since my initial review. The server we seem to always have is still kind of snide (maybe its just her personality?).....But anyway. Its good vegan sushi and they have sushi heaven on fridays (HALF OFF SUSHI :D) and I really enjoyed their beer selection last time. I'm also starting to enjoy the atmosphere more and more. Will def be coming back.

    (4)

  • Richmond V.

    The customer service is AWFUL... the workers always seem to have poor attitudes and don't seem to care about the service. The place is usually packed and it's a tiny restaurant with no waiting room so the workers end up making you feel like you are in the way while waiting when really there is nowhere else to go except outside. The food takes a long time to come out 90% of my visits. The bathrooms are in poor condition and the restaurant as a whole seems unsanitary. Will not be going back.

    (1)

  • Audra S.

    Don't let the college-dive flavor throw you, the food is delicious. The dirty hippy was my favorite and the lettuce wraps could have been an entree. My husband said the teriyaki pineapple burger "put any burger to shame". The sticky balls were flavorful and crunchy. All in all a delightful meal.

    (4)

  • Brad G.

    The sushi and food are ok, not great. I really like the tots! The prices are great and it stays packed which was something about it.

    (3)

  • Ali P.

    I enjoyed the artistic ambient student atmosphere. I felt a lil out of place though b/c we had our 3 y/o daughter with us. The food was great, the service was awesome, and we will be returning. + Sticky Rice is the main rice dish in Laos culture. I just wish they serve the purple sticky rice dish as dessert. That would be phenomenal. Also kinda funky I guess that it was operation by white people, but that's cool Sushi is universal!

    (5)

  • Quang N.

    A great atmosphere to hang out with a large group of friends to have a good time. The scene late nights is pretty packed with good music. The sushi itself, however, is substandard and overpriced. If their famed sticky balls were nothing to write home about. There are far better places in the area to get sushi.

    (3)

  • Laureen N.

    This is a 'sushi' place that is hip and always packed. My roommates raved about this place and frequent it often so I decided to give it a try to see what all the hoopla was about. We were told we MUST order the tater tots here. Tater tots at a sushi restaurant? WTF. My verdict? This place is so overrated. Parking is on the street so be prepared to walk awhile to get to the restaurant. It was really packed, loud and full of hipsters. It is a White American sushi run restaurant. Service was really slow and frustrating.The sushi was really BAD. Prices were expensive and not worth it. The tater tots however were actually the only good thing about this place. Yes, the tots at this SUSHI restaurant were the only highlight. It comes with two different sauces which went very well with the tots. This is a place for people looking to have drinks and hang out with their friends. Not a place for you if you are looking for food requiring culinary skill. If you are looking for authentic sushi, I would look elsewhere.

    (1)

  • Ashley S.

    I've noticed some of these harsh reviews about my beloved sushi place, Sticky Rice. If you're expecting a fancy restaurant with amazing ass-kissing service, go elsewhere. However, the sushi at Sticky Rice is absolutely delicious. I've since moved to Boston, but I make sure to visit Sticky Rice each time I'm in RVA. Their tots are to die for, and they also have an extensive menu including many vegetarian options. Yeah, it's a little divey... but that's all part of its charm. I adore everything about this place!

    (5)

  • Ryan C.

    This place rules. Tofu lettuce wrap with the Goochland roll is my go-to. Do it.

    (4)

  • Megan M.

    So I know everyone and their brother has reviewed Sticky Rice, but I feel the need to weigh in on this debate. And what I have to say is ... (drum roll) ... OVERRATED. I'm sorry, but I really think Sticky Rice's sushi sucks. The fish always tastes like it's low quality, there's too much rice and many of the rolls just lack flavor. And, because people in Richmond think it's super cool, you always have to wait. I'd rather just go to a less crowded actual sushi restaurant. That said, the tots and tot sauce are pretty good. But who screws up tots? Cheap canned PBR and Tecate: also good. I also think the sticky balls are decent as are the lettuce wraps. But nothing is really good. There's nothing I'd go to Sticky Rice for, except when I have a group of dumb friends who think it's awesome, and I have to go meet them here (roll eyes with extreme annoyance). Also, the bar here is small but it gets super crowded. If I'm going somewhere for the purpose of drinking, I'll just go to a bar with room. I guess Tuesday karaoke night is fun, but this does not a good restaurant make. Sticky Rice's concept is good for Richmond, a place that's lacking in "hip" establishments, but execution is sorely lacking.

    (2)

  • Trish A.

    If only I were updating my review to add stars. A few weeks ago, the same people I last went with wanted to go here for dinner, so I acquiesced. The place still smelled like the bathrooms at Kings Dominion, the sushi was still meh (I did not order any myself), and everybody at my table was picking at my bowl of shrimp fried rice after they polished off their sushi. I mention this not because I'm basking in triumph for ordering a better, non-sushi dish, but because I really do think you're better off getting something cooked and bigger in size for your buck IF you must eat here. Big, cooked, steaming bowl of something that tastes fine vs. really small amount of mediocre sushi: when they're the same price, I think the decision is clear. If you're going for the bar/hipster/Richmond atmosphere, be my guest. Please just go somewhere else if you're looking for delicious food.

    (1)

  • Doug H.

    Wow! If you were sat down in Sticky Rice you would never expect to see a menu with sushi on it. The atmosphere is more of a typical 'american' bar; Duy N. got it right: "Hipster infused sushi" - best way to describe this place. We ordered a couple rolls and shared; I wouldn't call it the best sushi around but I'd go back with no hesitation. I have to recommend the 'bucket of tots', more than anyone (or two people) should eat, but you wouldn't want to run of of these treats.

    (4)

  • Michelle G.

    This place really isn't that great.. the sushi was not very good compared to what you would get to an average sushi place. I've lived in Japan for 12 years and the sushi here is really a huge disgrace. I know, I know.. I'm being a snob and I'm not giving them a chance. But you have to understand, I've visited this establishment a couple times to give them a chance. I thought that maybe the sushi guy was having a bad day, but each time I came the sushi seemed to get worse and worse. The sushi wasn't rolled very well, it was too loose. I'm so use to seeing Asian men making sushi I was shocked to see that a hippie looking "dude" was making it. I'm sure that they have other food that tastes good, but I came for sushi and they made an epic fail. I'm sorry to say this but I wont be revisiting this place to waste my money anymore.

    (1)

  • Michael L.

    Probably one of the worst sushi places in town, just better than Sushi Ninja. I don't really consider a sushi restaurant, it's more like college kids drinking hangout. I won't go back again but if I had to I would probably only go there to drink.

    (1)

  • Jenna G.

    I know John Y and he is one of the most creative people I know. Sticky Rice is fun, good food, they have PBR! There is always some wacky event taking place there on any given night. I really like the sushi there. I would kill for a GI Jane roll now and a side of tater tots!!! It is a bit smokey for me, but whenever I am visiting I have to stop by and eat, say hello to John and try to catch up with old friends! I had my going away party there and it was a blast!

    (4)

  • Nic S.

    I have tried Sticky Rice four times. (Twice willingly, twice because I was convinced to give it another chance). With the exception of the tater tots, the food here is sub-par. The quality of the sushi is iffy and the "thai" and "vietnamese" inspired dishes are inedible. Why do people continue to go??

    (1)

  • Erin C.

    Sticky Rice is pretty and hip. That's it. That's the whole reason to go there. Every single time I've gone there (always for dinner) it has been packed to the rafters with aggressive, boisterous and loud hipsters. I don't understand why restaurants think that cranking up the music when a lot of people are talking will make it more tolerable but Sticky Rice is a really bad offender here. The music is club volume most all of the time. Yes, I have hipster friends. I don't know how this happened, but it did. Because of this I've been to Sticky Rice more times than I'd like to have been. For a while their bathrooms were broken or something so the whole place smelled like portaloos but they fixed that with their renovations. The sushi is pretty bad, honestly. The rolls are really creative but anything that doesn't say "spicy" on it will have zero flavor and a ridiculous amount of rice (perhaps causative). A friend who is a sushi connoisseur was appalled by how old their fish tasted but I've never really noticed. If it doesn't gross you out to eat an entire bucket (seriously, a bucket, it comes in a metal candle pail the size of a citronella candle) of tater tots they're pretty good at that. The sauce for the tots is addictive and it's hard to screw up tater tots. The servers are sullen, slow and always busy. Every time I've come here the person who was supposed to seat diners just glared at us for several moments before coming to seat us or yelling at us to seat ourselves. Many times I've come here and it's been really dirty and yuck. Parking is pretty miserable because it's in the fan but not as miserable as trying to park near VCU.

    (2)

  • Leah M.

    A restaurant that makes a family date possible + let's us feel somewhat cool at the same time = like. My husband and I go for sushi and Sopporo, while our kids binge on tater tots (we look the other way and pretend fried potatoes have a Nutritional value... Sigh). Crowd doesn't seem to mind b/c they tuck us away in a booth and it's loud enough to mask my kids "not that quiet" inside voices. Then we get to take a stroll back to the car and ware out the kids a bit more before bedtime. Hard to beat when craving sushi w/kids.

    (4)

  • Lisa N.

    I do not understand the hype. This place is run-down and super busy, so good luck getting a table at peak lunch and dinner times. My friend and I ordered some specialty sushi rolls which were sub-par and nothing special. Service was decent, but parking can be difficult. I will probably not be coming back.

    (2)

  • Kara W.

    Really did not like the one in Baltimore, but figured this one might be different. Nope. awful food, no flavor.

    (1)

  • Joe P.

    The sushi here is neither terrible nor outstanding, but is worth a wait on Fridays between 5 and 6 for half price sushi, tots, and $1 PBR. However the customer service is terrible. My party arrived at 5:15 and wasn't seated until after 6. Our waitress refused to give us the half price deal because we were not seated until after 6. Needless to say, we won't be coming back anytime soon. If you're into music so loud you can't hear people at your table and ugly hipster decor, this is a place for you. Otherwise, there are many other local establishments with better sushi and service.

    (1)

  • John K.

    Sticky Rice, located near Carytown-Downtown vicinity serving Asian fusion cuisine. Sticky Rice is a really good example of gentrification in the Richmond area and I think Sticky Rice has done a great job fixing up the restaurant into a nice outing location, but I'm not here to comment on the interiors :) Couple things to consider at Sticky Rice. I ran across Sticky Rice beginning of 2008 and heard so much about this place, and me being a sushi chef and a sushi fanatic, I couldn't possibly miss out on another sushi experience. Out of the 3 times I've been there, the food has just been average. So average, it's not worth going back again (after careful review/analysis). Starting with the food, Sticky Rice offers sushi and fusion cuisine which I have to admit are pretty neat, but the chefs at Sticky Rice don't cut it for me. - As an experience sushi chef, I can tell the fish they get are fresh, but I don't think it is either put away correctly or they just use their fish for a long time. (The texture of the sushi, smell, and distinctive taste for each type of fish). I'm not saying it's not edible, but it just wasn't fresh, which something I was looking for. Another thing that bothered me alot was the sushi chefs. I'm sure they are nice folks with talent, but... if you're used to seeing traditional clean cut chefs, this isn't it. I saw at least 3-4 sushi chefs behind the sushi bar, and it's not that big (2 experienced sushi with one helper is definitely enough). Take in mind that the problem isn't having 3-4 people behind the small bar, but it's the problem of all 3-4 people reaching in to get whatever fish/condiments they need to create a dish. Of course there are many things to consider when it comes down to sanitary conditions, but it just didn't look too clean for me. - The sushi here is a bit overpriced vs. other sushi houses in Richmond (Keep in mind however sushi is prized and people will pay a little bit more to get that bang). The portions on the fusion cuisine are good. I think you definitely get what you paid for, but sushi I thought could've been little less for its quality. - Weekends are packed, and I mean packed. The waitresses are not as friendly --probably because everyone's giving them a hard time or they're just bad waitresses. Overall, Sticky Rice is a popular fusion Asian restaurant, but I really don't see what the big ole' craze is about.

    (2)

  • Jess M.

    Yes, I did start the night off right with a bucket of tots...takes you straight back to school lunch in the 5th grade, but with far more delicious sauce and crisped to perfection- don't skip them! The edamame are also delicious- they sprinkle something delicious on top that makes them even more mouth watering. This place serves up my kind of sushi! The roles are inventive and delicious. I LOVED the vegetarian roll with the butternut squash and honey, also really enjoyed the Fabulous Amazing roll and the chili roll with pineapple- YUM. Contrary to previous reviews, I really enjoyed the noodles! I had the chicken teriyaki with soba noodles and I thought they were delicious, not bland at all. Cons- the place is noisy as hell, the service was poor and we did wait for at least 45 minutes which was no fun since I was starving.

    (3)

  • Sara H.

    Any restaurant permitting saki bombing immediately next to the hostess station on a crowded, rainy Saturday is okay in my books. Sticky Rice showed us a good time with fast service. Food was solid, nothing outstanding, but proved the restaurant to be a reliable source for Asian-inspired dishes. Only advice is don't visit if you plan to linger. In a restaurant this small the waitstaff pushes to turn over their tables in a rapid manner.

    (3)

  • Food C.

    I will start by saying this is our second time there. First was not a good experience and did not post a review because it was not worth my time to write it. We went back and gave it a second chance today. Restaurant was not busy at all maybe 6 people in there on a Sunday at 11:30AM. I ordered the Gotoza with pork I got chicken which was ok they also tasted good. Wife had 6 Samurai Shrimp which also were good. I ordered the Curry Fried Rice which was terrible. It was no more than sticky rice with soy sauce . Absolutely no Curry taste at all and very dry. Said it was in a sauce on the menu but there was no sauce to it. I picked the few pieces of chicken out and left the rest. Wife said she was getting a hamburger as she remembered the last time we were there and no one could mess up a hamburger. Sticky rice could. She picked it up to eat it and the burger grease had soaked the bottom of the bun so bad it fell apart like wet bread. She at the burger without the bun at this point. Service was extremely slow also and the restaurant was not busy. If someone were to give me a free meal there we would not return. $40.32 plus tip you can do much better

    (1)

  • John B.

    I don't get to Richmond as often as I used to, but I've been hearing about this place and decided it was time to try it this last trip. I wandered over with my daughter after checking out the Halloween festivities on Hanover Street, and although the place was pretty full we were able to get a booth right away. The noodle dishes on the menu were tempting, but we both opted for sushi, with me trying the "Walk in the Woods" roll and some assorted nigiri. The service was prompt and the sushi was good, not stellar, but it hit the spot. The assorted crowd of locals, some dressed for Halloween, added to the hip ambience of the place. I would definitely drop in again.

    (3)

  • Charlie R.

    I eat a lot of sushi, mostly in the NJ and NYC area, where I live. I'm used to extremely fresh sushi, as in made when ordered, or at most within the past hour. There's a difference between fresh and what I got at Sticky Rice - all three rolls we had tasted like they were made that day, maybe. Not good.

    (2)

  • M G.

    Food was okay, not great. Service was TERRIBLE. Not really sure I'll ever go back.

    (1)

  • Tessa W.

    The only thing good about sticky rice is their happy hour which includes 1/2 off sushi on Fridays between 5-6pm. The first thing I ordered was the bucket of tots due to their good reviews on yelp. These ended up being plain tater tots but the remoulade sauce that it came with was decent. The next two things I ordered was the sticky rice volcano roll and their sticky balls. Both were nothing to write home. Overall I was disappointed in my experience at Sticky Rice... But what can you expect from a sushi restaurant that has tater tots and burgers on their menu??

    (1)

  • Zaynah A.

    I love Sticky Rice, I think the food is great. But if I had the choice, I would eat at To Go Go across the street. Sticky Rice is generally packed at peak hours, and not with the most pleasant people, and the waitress we had last time seemed to be averse to smiling... Anyway, food is great, and the service is okay, and the atmosphere is alright when it's not crowded.

    (3)

  • Jason O.

    Fun atmosphere, casual and good food. Other reviewers need to get over themselves. If you're looking for eclectic, Asian comfort food where everyone in your group can find something yummy-this is your place. Bonus: drinks and service are both fun and good. Sticky Rice is what it is - a fun place to go with friends for good food and drinks. :)

    (5)

  • Lisa G.

    If you're looking for a hangout -- a bar with lively atmosphere -- then Sticky Rice is your place. It's a Fan institution. If you're looking for delicious food with great service, fuggetaboutit. The sushi is just okay. Noah the bartender is crazy cool and good with the drinks.

    (2)

  • VA W.

    I thought the food here was good but could not top Wabi Sabi's sushi. Creative but not as adventurous as I expected sushi to be in RVA. Our server was great and the venue had a hipster/grunge metal vibe. Sticky Rice is kid friendly so do not be weary of bringing the kiddos. Meals are around $10-20 and desserts are no more than $5. The sushi was fresh and veggies cooked very nicely. I would go back in a heartbeat well especially if I did not want to drive to Petersburg, VA.

    (3)

  • TartanZia ..

    I have never seen a place that has tots and sushi together on the menu. Since I like both, it seemed perfect. The tots were very good at tasted surprisingly good with soy sauce and wasabi. I also enjoyed the sushi varieties including some unusual combinations. We enjoyed the Chili Roll quite a lot. It is a place with an interesting vibe with both PBR and sake on the menu. Good neighborhood joint.

    (4)

  • Janelle T.

    Were going to a concert at the national and needed something close by.... Think this is my new go to before a concert there! Sat at the bar as tables were all taken (a party of 3), were immediately greeted and got some Hardywood beers on tap (yum!). Decided to splurge and we ordered things to share, the seaweed salad, thai shrimp rolls, two sushi rolls, edamame and a tempura fried burger with tots. Hands down some of the best food we've had in a while and service was super speedy. Opted to get two desserts as well, sticky rice and fried bananas, both great. Fun atmosphere and great food at reasonable prices. Looking forward to going back before a concert in Sept!

    (5)

  • Lance O.

    I came to try sticky rice's take on bahn mi, the vietnamese pork sandwich. I also had the purple rain sushi roll and my wife had the mongolian beef. Each dish was disappointing and the customer service was lacking. When we walked in not a single person greeted us, so after a couple minutes we seated ourselves. Another couple minutes before the waitress showed up. We started with the purple rain sushi which feature cucumber, avocado, and eggplant. The rice was undercooked and falling off the roll, the eggplant had skin so hard I had to spit ot out. I moved onto my bahn mi which came on a potato roll, not the traditional french baguette, at first I liked the soft bread but it didnt really compliment the other flavors. The pork was dry and I found a small bone mixed in. There wasn't enough pickled carrot, daikon, or cilantro. The mongolian beef looked great but tasted bland. It was very spicy which I normally like but this was heat without flavor. My wife had a couple bites and lost her appetite. To be honest the restaurant was beautiful and featured a full bar. My expectations were high which made the shortcomings even harder to swallow. At least they took the mongolian beef off our check.

    (1)

  • Tony A.

    Sticky Rice reminds me of The Little Engine That Could. Sushi is a tricky thing and to be really good at it... well, it takes a lot practice. Who in Richmond hasn't been to sticky rice? It's a landmark in the area. I've been here three times and the most recent time was this past Saturday (4/18/15). The crowds were big because due to the Game of Thrones Pub Crawl (which I was a part of) we got it without much fuss and ate and drank heartily. The staff are super cool and the TOTS are epic. Really, this bucket of tots gimmick is fantastic. I always have a good time and I really appreciate actual crab meat. I mean, actual crab meat, imagine that. Anyway, as much as I enjoy the place and the people the food sucks. I'm sorry but it does. It's ghetto as all hell. But does it really matter? It's more about the experience and I don't think people go here for the food but rather the good time. I don't think there is a Yelp review in the world that will cause Sticky Rice to lose business and that's a good thing. Just keep doing *you* Sticky Rice and thanks for being an RVA team player. Sorry for the low rank but I have to keep it real on the food front.

    (2)

  • Carter S.

    The epitome of Richmond hipster chic. Stand offish waitresses, 1 dollar PBRs with sticky rice tattoo on your person, sushi titled "Sticky Balls," oh yeah--and you gotta get the tots. It just wouldn't be right without the tots! A classic RVA spot, and it's pretty good too. I've sat at the bar many times--just try not to sit close to the hall near the stairs/bathroom. Not the most pleasant of smells. My favorites: Tofu Bites, Hot Hippy, and Silence of the Yams. Ask the waiter what the TWP drink stands for.

    (3)

  • Steve D.

    I really liked this place - even though i was very leery about it based on the reviews - we had a lot of fun, the food was good - and i love sushi - i mean its just a fun place to go with friends , the service was good - Katie - and the drinks were really good - I'll be back ! :) Summary, you cant believe what everyone says - try some places out - and make your own decisions. i give this place a 5 star because they don't deserve a 3 star from others - they need to be a 4 star! :) its sorta like canceling out a republican in VA when voting Democrat! :)

    (5)

  • Bryan N.

    Sticky Rice is a fun place to come have a few drinks/pregame before going to another bar, but definitely not the place to have some good sushi. Their food is pretty much dog food when it comes to the Japanese cuisine and the service is horrendous. The waitresses are rude as can be and act as if you owe them something. For drinks, ok. For food/good service: FORGET IT!

    (1)

  • Kasha W.

    We came here for a Sunday lunch. Very good service. Restaurant itself is a bit run down, but our meal was very good. Dirty vegan tofu bowl is more peanut than we were expecting. The mock schezuan chicken was very tasty, but had a lot of pineapple and a very sweet sauce, so again not what I was expecting. The service was quick. Food hit the spot and I love that they have many vegan options. Inexpensive.

    (4)

  • Jason C.

    Worst sushi experience of my life. I'd rather eat an asshole of a roadkill possum that's been sitting in a hot summer day in June. Tots were best thing on the menu.

    (1)

  • Vex V.

    Richmond, VA is not a place to find above average sushi, this was a major disappointment. I ordered the Spicy Salmon roll & California roll, with a order of miso soup as an appetizer. The soup was fine and tasty, did not taste fresh but instead heat up. The food came out in a timely fashion, however the sushi was not cool, it was more luke-warm. I found both rolls to be tasteless and did not contain enough fish, tasting more of rice and the innards of the roll itself (I forgot what exactly is inside of these). I felt as if I was paying $16 for eating rice balls, I would pass in the future for ordering sushi and just sticking to their night life persona.

    (1)

  • William M.

    Meh, over rated. Not great sushi that everyone says is amazing because this place IS an amazing bar. The tots are godly though.

    (3)

  • Rich S.

    I'll preface this review by saying I'm NOT a sushi eater, which is clearly the biggest draw of the restaurant. That being said, I actually really enjoyed my burger and felt the prices were very reasonable. I came with a group of 6 at around 8 PM on a Saturday. There were not any tables available to accommodate our size, so we waited for about 15 minutes for one to open up. The space quite "intimate" and it doesn't seem to be suitable for large groups. So we all ordered drinks at the bar and sort of stood awkwardly in the middle of the restaurant (limited standing space) until a table opened up. My friend had told me their noodle dishes were great, but I was feeling a burger. And I'm happy I ordered one because it was ended up really hitting the spot. Called the "Tokyo Burger" it was glazed with a teriyaki sauce that gave it a nice sweet flavor and was topped with fried onions (I thought it was supposed to come with pineapple slices, but did not- which was actually fine by me). Despite it being cooked more medium-well than medium-rare as I had ordered, it was still juicy and full the smoky flavor from the grill paired nicely with the sweetness from the glaze. I opted for the sticky rice instead of the tater tots (no upcharge), which was a good choice. I was pleasantly surprised by the house salad that I had as an appetizer. They didn't skimp of veggies at all. The presentation was lovely and everything was super fresh. Our table also enjoyed the edamame and spring roll apps. I felt like the oddball pf the group, as everyone else ordered sushi. They all loved what they got (and knew what to expect as they had eaten the sushi here before). I kinda wished we had stayed a bit longer and had a few more drinks. Despite it being kind of small and cramped, the atmosphere is casual and friendly and the patrons are more laid back and chill than in some of the other restaurant/bars along this stretch of Main. The service was pretty good.

    (4)

  • Katie W.

    Favorite sushi restaurant in Richmond. I've tried most of their sushi and have yet to find something that I don't like. They have really good, cheap sushi and their tots baskets are to die for. Really chill and laid back atmosphere, and nice to go to to hang out with friends. They have karaoke and bands late nights which is cool.

    (5)

  • Mel C.

    Food was decent. We had an order of wings and the seafood ragoon. The food was a bit too salty for our taste. I am more use to ragoons that are a bit sweeter in taste. Although it was a nice hangout spot in the Fan.

    (3)

  • Sean D.

    My fiancée and I were really looking forward to trying Sticky Rice tonight based on the ravings of college friends from VCU. For starters the location and the theme itself were nice but right from the beginning, we knew it was a place for drinking and not so much for eating. First we ordered red wine. Pinot Noir and Cabernet. This was the batch of wine that most find at the bottom of your local food market shelf. The kind which leaves a film lining the inside of your mouth and lacks general flavor overall. $8 each glass. Next, an appetizer. Deep fried and overly cooked calamari on a bed of cabbage and assorted vegetables. Again, the flavor was zapped out and the squid was dryer than an arid desert. The chili sauce was tasty but couldn't overpower the burnt breading taste stuck in the back of my mouth. Sushi was third. My spider roll was the best out of the bunch. Sticky Balls was my second choice and for a reason. Warm, slimy, and raw tuna was its primary ingredient. A perfect fit for it's name. The final slice had me gagging but the cheap wine gargled it down and did the trick. Our waitress was pleasant and timely, asked the right questions and cleared the table as needed. She deserved a great tip after dealing with the food she has to unfortunately serve all night. Overall we were simply disappointed. I don't know if we'll ever go back. Especially since the tab came out to a whopping $75, a price one would expect at a high class, soft spoken dining setting. Try it out, but don't expect much.

    (2)

  • Chelsea R.

    The most bland Curry I've ever had. I got the curry fried rice with chicken and I had to save it with a ton of sriracha. It basically tasted like soy sauce before - super salty. The bartender was cool.

    (2)

  • Lendsey C.

    We went in expecting an explosion of flavor all neatly wrapped in rice but came out feeling like something was missing. On the hipster rating scale this place is pushing a definite 7 as it tries to appeal to a younger crowd. Blushing reds, close-knit seating, and a Pandora mix playing leads you into a false sense of something more. The menu on the other hand is a horse of a different color. You can read what each roll is (and they all do SOUND appealing) but when we finally got ours, after waiting over 20 minutes, color me unimpressed. On top of being a little miffed that the lighting was so incredibly dim taking pics of my food was hard I didn't go ga-ga over the presentation. Our waitress seemed like she was too busy to really give any interests to our meal even though we were one of only five sets of of people in the place. The meal itself: meh. I've had much much better sushi. I've also had much much worse sushi. Take that as you will but with a place named "Sticky Rice" I expect to eat rice something just modern tasting as its name, not some bland ball of fish poorly wrapped in said rice. Will I return? Well that's a "sticky" question....

    (2)

  • Taylor C.

    I only tried the California roll. I was initially excited that they use lump crab meat instead of imitation crab. It was edible, but the rice was pretty hard, the crab was sparse and had an unpleasant salty flavor, and the avocado was brown in some parts. Six medium size pieces for $6. Not worth it. Very limited selection on the menu. The waitresses were very nice, but service was a bit slow.

    (2)

  • Keegan Z.

    Sticky Rice is a well-regarded place to go in the Fan area. Why this is, I'm not terribly sure. Came to this area to go to a restaurant which turned out to be out of business (never wait too long to use Groupons!), so my lady friend and I settled on Sticky Rice. I had been here once before with mixed results, though I decided to give it another try. It was quite busy for the early evening, though I found out that was because it was 1/2 off sushi happy hour (cool!). We ended up waiting for a while to get seated, and our table ended up being a far corner one (still relatively comfortable though). Our server seemed nice enough, answering questions we had about the menu. It just so happened that they were doing $1 PBRs as well, so I availed myself of one of those and turned to the menu. Naturally, it being the sushi happy hour, we opted for sushi. HERE'S THE CATCH: while the monster rolls are indeed sushi, they for some reason are not considered part of the happy hour, and this fact is not noted anywhere nor did our server inform us of this. Let me tell you why this doesn't make sense: if I order 5 orders of smaller sushi or 1 big order (the monster roll), I'm getting the same amount of food, yet the server claimed "oh no, we'd be giving away too much food to do that same deal for the Monster rolls". No, actually, you wouldn't: your prices for the monster rolls don't save anything over ordering several smaller orders (no bulk discounts here), so buying a big size is the same value as buying several smaller sizes, and would result in the same discount per food volume if both were on the 1/2 off sushi happy hour. Now, it's your restaurant, run it how you want to, though at least state your exclusions to deals where I can see them so I can know what isn't included. After all this, the sushi turned out to be sub-par. It wasn't terribly flavorful and the presentation fell short of what I've experienced at most other sushi restaurants I've frequented in the past. Also, no special orders here are doable on their happy hour, so I hope you like cucumbers. Got a side order of tater tots which turned out to be good, though I doubt it's even possible for anyone to mess up tater tots. Thank god for the cheap beer. If you're local and you just want a little sushi for relatively cheap, this place will suit your needs. However, if you want to get full off of great sushi and don't mind a short drive or paying a bit more, Sushi King is a much better choice. I'm all for supporting local restaurants, though they've got to be good ones, and this one doesn't qualify, sad to say. Overall: 2.0 stars -------------- Pros: - Cheap beer makes life better ($1 PBRs on certain occasions) - Nice atmosphere, if a perpetually busy one. Cons: - Sushi just isn't that great. - To summarize their weird exclusion of monster rolls in their sushi hour, "Your math is bad and you should feel bad." - Trying to find a place to park around here is a pain and a half. Expect to have to bust out your parallel-parking skills.

    (2)

  • Renée G.

    Okay, Sticky Rice and I have finally come to an understanding. It involves me, as a cranky old fart, not coming here on the packed, frenzied weekend evenings. ;o) Came here most recently on a Sunday afternoon with a large party and we had a lovely time. Our server was sweet and attentive, the tots flowed plentifully, and the sushi was yummy as always. It was even raining, which = $1 PBRs. Heck yes!

    (4)

  • Lemuria C.

    What an amazing dive bar with awesome sushi! This is my favorite sushi restaurant in Richmond (and it makes the list of my top five all-time favorite sushi spots anywhere :-) Regarding the decor, this place doesn't quite meet the criteria for a hole-in-the wall, but it's pretty close. Yet, it's grungy interior adds to it's charm. On the weekends, its always packed. It's in an artsy neighborhood near VCU so there's always an interesting, eclectic crowd. You MUST TRY the bucket of tater tots served with their secret, signature sauce! Its delicious! It's a very simple starter, but for some reason I can't get enough of it. The portion is pretty large. So if you're not that hungry just order them as a side. The sushi is divine. It's so fresh and they use high quality ingredients. They make their California roll with real crab meat (not imitation meat like most other places). It tastes sooo much better. I also love their spicy tuna roll, the drawn-N-buttered roll, and the ceviche roll. I must worn you, the restroom is not the most welcoming place. It's in the basement and it smells really weird (unlike anything I've ever smelt). I try not to use it. I make sure I go before I come or I just hold it until after I leave. This inconvenience is the reason I gave them four stars instead of five. Overall, this place is wonderful. All of the sushi here is delicious. I always stop by when I'm in town.

    (4)

  • James C.

    Worst place for sushi hands down. I order sushi with salmon in it and i literally had to try and find the salmon in each roll. I got frustrated so i asked them why there is such lack of meat and they give me a new roll. But even in the new roll there was a little more but nothing like sushi places such as Akida where generous portions are given. Sushi isnt cheap at sticky rice but i dont pay $11 for a roll of rice and some veggies. That was the first and last time for me. Id recommend vcu campus sushi or akida.

    (1)

  • Sarah M.

    Great server she was able to recommend some food too. Had a good time every one in my group enjoyed their meals.

    (4)

  • Brandi O.

    I don't care how many of my friends and delusional hipsters are obsessed with this place: it's just not good. Asian food! Let's go and get some crudely named rolls slapped together by apathetic bearded college kids and claim it as a Richmond staple! Well if this is a Richmond staple, then I feel terribly sorry for this city. Broaden your horizons, people. The sushi is not good, plain and simple. The rolls are poorly constructed, falling apart before you can even bring the chopsticks to your mouth. Might as well just put it in a bowl and eat it with a spoon. One word: "Godzirra". Are you freaking serious? You're going to stereotype and make fun of the culture who's cuisine you're completing butchering in the first place? I understand it's all in good-fun, but I am failing to see the humor. Service is inattentive. Our waitress acted like we were inconveniencing her by being there. Hey woman. Guess what. If we have a party of 6 people and we're ordering at least $100 in your crap sushi, the least you can do is act like you care. And lastly. The tator tots. They are tater tots. There is nothing magical about them. Slap some frozen potatoes in a deep fryer and you have Sticky Rice tots. Wtf does a tater tot even have to do with sushi? All the food was bland. I'm sorry but if your restaurant gets so much hype, then you better live up to it or you're gonna have a lot of pissed off people. The only thing I like about this place is the location. And that's it. Never again.

    (1)

  • Taylor S.

    Oh sticky rice how I love you. I really do love this place. Not only because their food is awesome sauce but because even when I go there without ordering food they have super fun activities. They do blingo almost every Wednesday and karaoke I think every Tuesday. When they have these, the sushi bar closes and all you can order really is their tater tots and alcohol. Their tater tots are delicious especially good after you've had a couple drinks. This place is great for friends to come hang out if your bored on a Tuesday or Wednesday night, or poor like me cause blingo and karaoke is FREE! Also if you have money and want to eat some sushi come here cause you won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Michelle W.

    Soooo, this is not your typical sushi place. The first time I was here was on a bar hopping escapade through RVA and I didn't eat. The place was packed that Saturday night of people getting their drink on, so if you want to come for a meal where you can actually hear people talking I would go before 9 or 10. The second time I came for dinner. The sushi was ok, as some other reviews said, some items are better than others. I did like the Gozirrrra (or however you spell it) roll. It had many items I enjoy in it & is a pretty americanized roll, but delicious none the less. My second favorite thing was the tater tots. Yes, tots. That's what I mean not your typical sushi place. They have all kinds of random stuff on the menu...so I suppose most people, even if they don't like sushi, could find something to put in their bellies from this menu. Probably not a place I will seek out for sushi, but I would eat here again and try some other things. Hopefully I pick the good ones!

    (3)

  • Abbie A.

    Back when I was in undergrad, I heard about just how amazing this place is and how I just had to try it. I dunno who I heard this from when I think about it, but there's not much to rave about the place. It's more of a dive. Pretty cramped entranceway and there's nothing glamorous when you walk in. The Food. -Bucket of Tots- This is what this place is known for and I can't help but order it anytime I'm here. It comes with some special sauce which is really just mayo & siracha sauce. Like another reviewer said, you could probably whip this up at home. But this place did come up with the idea of tots and that sauce. -Godzirra Roll- My all time favorite roll at this place. It seems to have gotten smaller in this past visit, but the it tasted just how I always expect it to taste. Delicious! The Service. Friendly enough. Our waitress was nice enough to realize that my friend and I had some catching up to do so we didn't feel forced to leave in a hurry. Overall, it's a decent place to come to when you've got an appetite for tots and sushi.

    (3)

  • Erika F.

    The place is definitely has an eclectic feel to it! The decor is modern and simple; perfect for the Fan area. I've been here a few times and the service is always wonderful. The bartenders and sushi makers are fast and efficient while the servers have wonderful attitudes and seem like they enjoy their job. The last time I went there it was before the dinner rush and I loved it! The food (dumplings) was good and the place seemed more open. I have to admit, I definitely enjoyed the place more with less people there. I think during their busy times it feels very small and you don't have too many places to move around and I get a little claustrophobic. But, during off hours, this place definitely has decent food with some very fun characters at the bar!

    (3)

  • Meredith B.

    I like sushi. I want to like sticky Rice, particularly since I have friends who are fans and the hours are really good when other places I might go aren't open half so late but somehow... My first visit unfortunately colored my opinion on later attempts to enjoy myself rather badly. The food was pretty solid, but the waitress, while attentive, was wearing pretty heavy scent of some kind which was a little off-putting, my coffee was full of grounds and the bartender's choice of videos for the TVs over the bar was some odd music video that included, I kid you not, close-ups of dental surgery. Subsequent visits haven't been as bad, but they all seem to end up rather uninspiring. I've ordered falafel bites [they don't even Have these any longer] and found it flavorless and utterly soggy, I've had sushi with rice that was rather on the chewy side, I've had cold soup, and I've never been able to hear my dining companions over the music and the nose... There are other sushi places, I shall enjoy them and leave this place to the crowds that love it.

    (2)

  • Quannette W.

    The food was good however, as I was enjoying my chilli calamari the trash was being taken out at the same damn time. And I had to move to let the guy through.... smh the music was waay to loud. Were sitting a table distance away and can't hear one another. Turn the music down!

    (2)

  • Dave J.

    Love this place. Sushi always great, and the noodle bowls are fantastic.

    (5)

  • Han V.

    I don't think Sticky Rice really offers anything special to rave about. The rice of the rolls was too soft and the fish itself was inferior in quality to other places in Richmond. It tasted and smelled like the fish was a little old as well [fish should never smell fishy!]. Taters were ok, but nothing mind blowing that will make me want to come back. The dark and dank atmosphere and inattentive service also takes away from the experience as well. Food: 1 Value: 1 Service: 2 Overall: 1

    (1)

  • Hawn E.

    Bucket of Tators with spicy mayo sauce was nom nom and using chopsticks to dip them in made it authentic. Spicy ribs weren't too spicy for our 13 yo to eat. Ribs were so tender and chili sauce made them very succulent that they melted in your mouth. Yum yum. Sticky Balls weren't sticky but delectable made of tuna, crab and sriracha rice fried in tempura and topped with tobiko, scallions,eel sauce was great. Better than I thought. Defn will get the same things again when I come here.

    (3)

  • Luke P.

    This is a dive bar with dollar PBRs that specializes in tater tots. There's a large menu and it does have sushi and other Japanese cuisine, but it's the exactly the quality you should expect from a dollar PBR dive bar. It's not good - it's just authentic enough to fool people who don't know any better and are also very drunk. The place is vaguely dressed up in cheap Japanese party favor art, but it's got some charm to it. As a dive bar it's decent, and will remind you of bars from your college days. Just don't expect good food or beer - it's a dollar PBR place.

    (1)

  • Ellie G.

    One of the more underrated bars in RVA. Excellent bartenders. Rough atmosphere that makes you want to go get a tat sleeve that night. But you never feel threatened to. Overall, sushi is good but the PBR tallboy is even better. Put your best 90s band tee on for a fun time. Cheers

    (5)

  • Toni T.

    I enjoyed Sticky Rice's sushi (and tots) when I first visited the place a handful of times a few years or so ago. Not so much on a recent return visit. In addition, a slow Saturday afternoon at the restaurant became long and drawn out because someone along the line was taking way too long to get our food to our table. So not only was the sushi just ok and the tots a bit too crispy, but I was peeved as well. Or did my high level of piss-tivity cause me to have jaded views of the food? Either way, I left feeling I could get better sushi and tots elsewhere. I'll leave this dive to the college kids and young professionals who live nearby to and like to frequent it during happy hour and karaoke.

    (2)

  • Victoria S.

    Sweet potato sushi was very tasty. I had the dirty vegan and it was delicious. Too much rice (next time I will order with no rice), but the sauce was yummy and the tofu was perfect texture. I would love to see one in Norfolk, VA.

    (4)

  • Lisa G.

    Sushi tasted fishy. Not the friendliest staff. Seems to be a hipster spot for VCU art kids. Pros: Interesting atmosphere Decent tater tots - nothing I couldn't microwave though Cons: Overpriced Kind of divey Slow service Sushi is medicore Snotty customers/staff

    (2)

  • Taylor V.

    My boyfriend and I were in town just for the day and wanted to find somewhere nice, yet casual and relatively cheap to grab dinner. We got stuck eating at the sushi bar in the corner when we would have rather been at a table. I love sushi and he doesn't, so he got the chicken thai, which he said was good. I'm a vegetarian, so didn't try it. I was a little disappointed in the sushi. I'm from the coast and am always used to the freshest sushi. The menu said the rolls were 6-10 pieces. Both of mine were only 6 (my fault, I should have asked). My sushi would not stay together. The rice wasn't holding it together. And I'm normally full after two rolls, but was still hungry. On the other hand, the mood was nice and I did enjoy how the sushi is made for customers to see.

    (3)

  • Bill C.

    Definitely need soy sauce and wasabi...

    (2)

  • Brandy A.

    I was rooting for this place. I love sushi. I had two other spots in the Richmond area that I preferred but wanted to try something new with a few sushi loving friends from work. We arrived on a Saturday afternoon, right before a soccer (futbol for non-Americans) match so we beat the sports crowd that came to watch the game. Sticky Rice is located in an area of Richmond that is primarily residential with some local businesses here and there. Parking in this area can be pretty brutal depending on the time but there was a bit of lot parking available behind the building. If that doesn't work for you, start practicing your parallel skills and grab a spot on the street. Our party of four was seated promptly. There were at least three other tables filled with people there in the smallish dining room but we were served timely. A friend ordered the bucket of tots (smh...she was way too excited about those...lol) which were just a bucket of tots. If you're looking for an appetizer to share with a group of people w/o breaking the bank then maybe that's the way to go. We ordered Godzirra (love the name - crunchy shrimp, avocado, cream cheese), The Millenium Roll (crab, eel, salmon), South Roll (sweet potato) and another I can't remember the name of. They offer a variety of creative rolls and staples. I wasn't super impressed but didn't have anything that I didn't like. If you're in the area, this may not be your #1 spot to hit up for sushi, but this place is big on character and seems to provide a social scene for those looking for it.

    (3)

  • Terry G.

    Really like this sticky rice location, with great portions, excellent bar staff, and just darn good sushi.

    (4)

  • Robin J.

    It was a nice place to meet after work for a drink - staff was nice and service pretty good. For that I kept my rating at a 3. I was not impressed with the sushi or with the cocktails. I have two vodka based drinks - I weigh 100 lbs so I feel it when I have a drink. I felt nothing and honestly think there was very little vodka in the drink so I am feeling a little cheated on my drink. Based on the drink and the food, I would have given it a 2 star, but the service was good and the atmosphere was good. If you're a foodie, this is not your place - if you're looking for a great place to meet, have a beer, and have fun - this will do just fine.

    (3)

  • Wes F.

    I used to dislike this place because I thought it was too cramped and too scenester-y. I think that's relaxed a little bit because I've been twice recently and had great experiences. I actually don't care for sushi, so I never order it. I have no opinion on the sushi. I get noodle and rice bowls when I go, and I consider them to be pretty tasty and fairly reasonably priced. Love the soba and the tofu is good. My boyfriend is from elsewhere in the state, and I took him here for dinner because so many consider it to be quintessentially Richmond in atmosphere (dark, dingy, underachieving, divey, fun, full of tatted youth). But I promised an overabundance of hipsters and a surly waitress, and we didn't get them. It wasn't packed, not a ton of scenesters, and our waitress was delightful. He got the Dirty Vegan and thought it was delicious. Since that evening went so well, I ate there again, by myself. I just got apps and a dessert, but they were awesome. I always thought cake pops were kind of a rip-off because I thought you basically got one bite of cake for $3. I got one today for kicks and it was awesome - the cake had a dense brownie-like sticky texture and the dipped shell was really thick and tasty. It took me 6 bites to eat it all, and I liked that it was a small portion. I would get one again. I've also gone at earlier times in the evening (6 and 7), so maybe it's still cramped late at night, but I've had two great dinners here recently and am including it in my rotation now.

    (3)

  • Dominic B.

    I've been to Sticky Rice occasionally over the years. I've eaten different sushi off the menu. The sushi is hit or miss. Some rolls are tasty, while others are average at best. I mainly go to Sticky Rice for the bucket of tots and drinks. The bucket of tots is a winner in my book. Enjoying some drinks with tater tots is a good combination for me. The service is hit or miss. The employees are friendly. On weekend nights, Sticky Rice is usually crowded especially in the summer. Sticky Rice has a social live atmosphere. The street parking can be a hassle on weekends.

    (3)

  • Tara C.

    Um, wow let me get straight to the point here. How come no one else mentions the putrid smell by the stairs?!?!? I've worked in restaurants & this is the smell of OLD rot, grease, trash that you usually only smell by dumpsters. Maybe if you're not seated near the stairs & don't use the bathroom you'll be ok. The portion in my dirty vegan was much smaller, but still couldn't finish it as the smell finally overtook me. This place has gone downhill, really just good for tater tots & fun drinks. So sad, this used to be our all time fave place to go when visiting Richmond. The DC one sux too.

    (2)

  • Anna T.

    Just kidding on the super good looking hipsters. I was a tad drunk that night. Tator tots are still a win! Bar seats are still a pain in the a** to find and I learned that you need to be slightly buzzed in order to have a good time in such a cramp & crowded space So sling a few drinks, knock down a few tots and belch out a few tunes.

    (3)

  • Heather M.

    Let me start off by saying, if you are looking for authentic sushi, this is not the place for you. When I first moved to Richmond, my husband couldn't stop raving about this place. I worked at a traditional sushi restaurant in undergrad, and I was in for a shock when I came to Sticky Rice. They food is eclectic, creatively named, and has a great ambiance. I know that Sticky Rice is not for everyone, but I absolutely love it. Their weekly specials make it appropriate to celebrate the weather, whatever it may be. If it's raining, $1 PBR, if it is really hot, $1 PBR, if it is really cold, $1 PBR, you get the point. :-) The fact that you can get a bucket of tots, in an actual pail is highly entertaining. But, the sauce is by far the highlight of this dish. Trust me, this stuff is addicting. While the tots taste like your average tots, the sauce will leave you coming back for more. The Sticky Balls are a go-to favorite of mine, as well as many of the monster and specialty rolls like the Godzirra. With the eclectic and healthy eaters of Richmond, it is wise that they also have a decent vegetarian selection. If you don't like sushi, no worries, they also have noodle dishes which recently got expanded. They now offer General Tsao's and even a barbecue sandwich. Overall, I love the environment here, and the food. It may not be fine dining, or traditional sushi, but it is definitely delicious!

    (4)

  • Judith L.

    If you're looking for real/authentic sushi, you'll probably want to skip this place. But if you don't mind waiting for a table, squeezing into a table between a bunch of pbr drinking hipsters, and eating a creative take on sushi/Japanese fare made by non Japanese sushi chefs, you'll probably like it here. On paper, I should hate everything about this place. It's loud, it's crowded, I'm surrounded by people who will probably judge me because I'm too "mainstream", I'm Asian so this sushi is an abomination, the place is drab and dingy, the list goes on... That being said, I am definitely not a regular here. But you won't find another place that will give you a bucket (yes, literally) of tots and an opportunity to order a "godzirra" roll (as an Asian person, should I be offended?) and sticky balls (try not to chuckle when you order). I actually do like the garden balls (mushrooms, peppers, rice fried with eel sauce: I know, I know... But I can technically said I had my veggies that day). I don't mind coming here to introduce my out of town/never been here friends to a unique experience (or on the rare occasion that I'm craving tots/garden balls) but this place wouldn't make it's way into my regular rotation of places to eat.

    (3)

  • Jessica C.

    It's a sushi bar dive, which has adopted this kind of punked out feeling. Everyone had neck tattoos there, but me. It tries a little too hard, but slangs pretty tasty sushi, and cheap PBR. There are definitely better spots to get your sushi fix at than Sticky Rice, but there is an interesting ambiance to it, if you're a drunk college student.

    (3)

  • Erica A.

    Sticky Rice is my go-to for affordable, decent sushi. It's not the best in Richmond, but they have a nice variety and some creative special rolls with fun names. I get the Yum Yum roll every time (sometimes two of them!). You can't go here and pass up on the bucket of tots either. To everyone wondering what that tasty little spicy dipping sauce is for the tots, I'm almost positive it's ranch mixed with sriracha (I'm sorry, Sticky Rice, but the world NEEDS to know!). I'm also a big fan of their tuna tempura and the Absolutely Fantabulous roll. They have tons of specials and fun events during the week (trivia, karaoke, etc). I also love that when it rains you can get Richmond's have (PBR) for $1 a can. Now how could you not love that? Overall, it's decently priced, fun and casual. I've spent nights here drinking the night way, and I've dined in for a quick dinner. Also, don't miss half priced sushi after 10 PM on Monday nights and then again on Friday afternoons 4 PM - 6 PM!

    (3)

  • Trey B.

    They are always on point when it comes to the food. I enjoy the sushi the most, but not really the environment. Mostly hipsters when it gets later in the evening, but I sit at the bar and get pretty good service. Can't go wrong with the sushi, but I wouldn't really bring a date here thou I've noticed a lot of people do. Go early if you want peace, somewhat. Go late if you plan to drink and possibly eat, that's my advice

    (3)

  • Miriam O.

    So many friends of mine have touted Sticky Rice as one of Richmond's best sushi places, but I'm not sure why. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to like this place. I thought it was creative, but the execution and quality did not deliver. While sitting at the bar with my friends, I noticed the prepared fish in the glass case looked discolored (grey is not a good look for seafood), and once our food arrived, I saw the avocado was oxidized and not very fresh. We ordered several rolls, Godzirra, Yum Yum, Garden of Eden, but I couldn't distinguish much of it, due to the heavy-handed array of sauces decorating the tops of our rolls which obscured any flavor. The textures did not mesh well together, and were at times, somewhat mealy. The tater tots were good, served in a cute bucket with some sort of creamy dipping sauce, but they were tater tots. It's hard to mess that up. Shout-out to our stressed yet extremely attentive server and the $1 PBRs that made the experience somewhat bearable.

    (1)

  • Liz J.

    I got take out from Sticky Rice, and if the best thing that came out of that restaurant were the tater tots, they have some major work to do. I am so glad that we ordered the tater tots, because I could not force myself to eat more than a few bites of sushi. Although I'm not a vegan we had read that Sticky Rice had one of the best vegan sushi options in the country, so we had some pretty high expectations. We ordered the Avocado, Garden of Eden, and Silence of the Yams. This ended up being the worst sushi I have ever had. I had better sushi at a small town buffet in rural Ohio. We also tried the tofu bites appetizer; the flavor was okay, but the texture was just so weird. Definitely not going back.

    (1)

  • Giovanna H.

    Wide vegan options!

    (4)

  • Craig H.

    We went on a Friday afternoon before the dinner rush, and were seated right away and had good service. Our sushi came out quickly. This is definitely an Americanized-sushi, but among the best we've had. Everything was fresh, with delicate texture, thoughtful flavor combinations, and artsy presentation. The godzilla roll and tempura tuna roll were standouts, as was the salmon and goat cheese roll. We would definitely go back. Really the only downside is that it's a typical Richmond hipster joint. So if you're not a hipster, be prepared to look and feel like a bunch of squares and stick out as the cleanest people in the restaurant. I can see how this would be a crowded hipster hive after 7pm, so schedule your visit accordingly.

    (4)

  • Tina K.

    The sushi is, quite simply, horrible. The waitresses act like they're doing a favor by taking care of you. Unless you're drunk, this place blows.

    (1)

  • S R.

    If you're a sushi connoisseur looking for the real deal, sticky rice is not for you. It's an Americanized version of sushi and it seems like a lot of people reviewing don't seem to get that. (I mean, they have tater tots on the appetizer menus guys) I personally have always loved this place. I never got into the traditional fish sushi and even though I am not a vegan or vegetarian, I love the veg sushi menu and usually order exclusively off of it. As for the many folks who seem to be offended by "all the hipsters" it just sounds like you may have some personal insecurities. I have been going to this place for 10 years and while the staff is not going to kiss your ass (try applebees) they're not unfriendly.

    (4)

  • Kyle G.

    Super American-ized nasty tasting sushi. Terrible hipster atmosphere, everyone is too cool to be there.

    (1)

  • Denise T.

    Went to Sticky Rice after a few recommendations from various Richmonders. We are new to the area and have been looking for a great sushi restaurant. Sticky Rice will definitely not be our go to sushi spot. First impression of the restaurant is that it is tiny and dirty. The hostess told us we should wait outside which was a bit of a turn off. The sushi bar looked unappetizing. The cooks looked unkempt. The prep space looked unkempt. The storage refrigerator looked unkempt. The restroom area was dirty. Most sushi restaurants look orderly, clean, and pristine. The food was ok. The miso soup was pretty good. I can't say I really enjoyed my meal. Our waitress"M" was horrible. She seemed like she didn't want to help us. I asked for a sushi recommendation and didn't get positive feedback. I asked if they made a shrimp tempura roll and she pointed at two rolls and said they had shrimp in them. M never asked if we wanted a refill on our drinks. She never asked how our meal was. She took about 15 minutes to bring the check after we had finished our meal. She just put the check on the table and didn't say anything. She was not friendly. I always feel like as younger people we are stereotyped as bad tippers, so we left a $.70 tip with a note explaining why. A little customer service goes a long way. I won't be back to sticky rice.

    (1)

  • Maya G.

    This place has some of the worst food I've had in years. Truly disgusting. Worse than getting sushi at Safeway. Bad service. Bad food. Do not eat it. This place caters to people with no understanding of Japanese cuisine or just quality food at all. Overpriced. Bad. Inedible.

    (1)

  • Chelsea M.

    Good, reasonably priced sushi can be found here. Tightly packed, fair not great service, and a limited selection of beer on tap were a few of the drawbacks. The sticky balls were a definite must. The chili roll was another favorite, with unique flavors of pineapple and lime, it was definitely unique.

    (4)

  • Dylan G.

    Really disappointed with the bouncer's treatment of customers. Before closing time he aggressively told people to "get out, because I'm trying to go home." Being that the bar didn't close for another 15 minutes, we stayed and finished our drinks. He came back around and initiated a confrontation, calling someone in our party a "cocksucker". He continued using homophobic slurs and threatening violence (stating he wanted to punch several people in our group) until we left that bar at it's official closing time. Will never return again, due to of poor treatment of customers.

    (1)

  • Kendall D.

    Overall good experience. Sushi was yummy and they offer a variety of special rolls but would like to see more simple offerings. You must get the bucket of tots when you go. Little bit pricey.

    (3)

  • Traci W.

    Oh yes. Now I remember why I stopped coming. I still love the creative, delicious food with a vegan-friendly attitude. But I forgot that's where the friendliness ends. The servers can be pretentious, outrageously inattentive, and are seemingly more interested in loud karaoke-style serenades to one another than actually waiting on customers.

    (3)

  • Tawheed H.

    I love to drink here, and definitely do not come here as often as I used to just cause my liver can't take it anymore, but I'm not a fan of their sushi. Sure, they're sticky balls, godzira roll and tots are delicious but the rest of the menu items are not very good. If you want to try for yourself, go on half price sushi night.

    (3)

  • Chris D.

    Not a great dining experience. Had heard this place was good. Maybe I caught them on an off day. It started with a flat diet coke. I noticed they weren't using a standard coke bar gun. I suspect I got diet cola, not diet coke. The miso soup wasn't bad, wasn't great either. I ordered the Mongolian beef bowl. It wasn't bad, just really dry. I left full, but not satisfied. The service was 10 times better than the food. Rumor has it that they lost their cook to another place down the street. They should try to get him back.

    (2)

  • Megan P.

    Now I've been to Sticky a few times. It usually involves PBR and dancing (sometimes on the booths...) while watching music videos. But I had a day drinking/lunch date with a girlfriend and we ordered the chili calamari to start. The chili calamari is why I am writing this review. I could have not ordered sushi at all and just eaten 3 orders of the chili calamari. (Yes I am aware of how many times I've said it.) Perfectly battered and the sauce was amazing. My friend was almost brought to tears when she didn't she the Chalupa roll on the menu (it's true it's no longer there) but our waitress did ask if they could still make it. They can (lunch was saved!) However, I cannot give Sticky 4 stars just for amazing chili calamari (last time I swear.). The sushi is fine but not the best, the service every time is meh, and the basement bathrooms make me cringe.

    (3)

  • David N.

    I don't get to RVA that often but I am quickly learning that there is a huge assortment of cool places to eat. At a friend's recommendation, this was my first stop on this trip. I am a fan of sushi but unfortunately am still relatively new to the cuisine. So forgive me if my terminology or descriptions are a bit off. Someone had called this hipster sushi. Not exactly sure what 'hipster' is but that description seems appropriate. The staff was younger and without shortage of ink or other bodily accoutrements. The clientele was younger as well. It looks bigger form the outside then it is. It's small and dark on the inside. Several TV's mounted on walls all playing sports. I got there just before six and the only seating was at the sushi bar. It was fairly loud but acceptable. It had started to rain and I was not offered $1 PBR. Not sure if this is advertised or local knowledge. Didn't much matter, I almost always drink sake with my sushi. And tonight was no different. Are tator tots really their signature dish??? Sounds strange. They might be good and if I make it back in a group, perhaps I will give them a try. They do have an android app which I find pretty cool but the prices are different on the app. than in the restaurant. I had a large sake - $9 (name escapes me), It came in the standard little white bottle with a small glass in which to drink it. It was good. Maguro - $6. Two pieces nigiri prepared tuna. This was good and favorable. Godzirra - $12.50. This is a large specialty roll of crunchy shrimp (fried), avocado, cream cheese, spicy (not really) sauce, cucumbers, w/tempura crunchies and tobiko - flying fish roe, had to look that up. This was very good with a nice array of flavors and contrasting textures. The menu is pretty diverse. This place would be better with a group of people so you can try different things. To be honest, I am not sure I even know what is good and not good sushi. I liked it, therefore it's good to me. My favorite sushi is Joss (in Baltimore) but that is mostly because they have fried shrimp heads (not on menu) that get's a lot of attention when ordered/eaten. I would both recommend and return.

    (4)

  • Navia G.

    This is still my favorite place to get sushi in this city. They consistently deliver a great meal and they have weekly specials (not discounts) so there's always something new to try. I love maki, and they have a ton of different combinations and I love to try them. My favorite is the drawn-n-buttered which is an inside out roll stuffed with tempura shrimp, crab meat, and cucumber. It comes with melted butter to dip the sushi in. I knowwww that isn't typical sushi, but hey, they get creative here, plus they have tons on their menu to satisfy classic sushi eaters. My favorite part about sticky rice is that there is no "k"rab found here. Its all real crab meat here, which sounds simple, but that krab stuff is ubiquitous. Last night we tried one of the appetizer specials (something not on the standard menu) which was crab rangoon. It was sooo delicious and unlike any other crab rangoon I've ever had. It was more like a wonton considering the depth of flavors, and the chunks of real crabmeat used. The service, unfortunately, is hit or miss because this place is the epitome of the richmond hipster scene and you will encounter long wait times, loud/cramped dining area, and listless servers, but it will be worth it! Last night, our experience was atypical, and deserves a mention. Our waitress was super-friendly, very attentive, and she smiled a lot. I think she's new, since I hadn't seen her before, but hopefully they keep her around :) FYI: Despite the well-earned hipster reputation, dining patrons of Sticky Rice are a diverse crowd, so don't let that be a factor in your decision to dine (or not) there.

    (5)

  • Cammy K.

    Best place to go at 2pm in the afternoon when most sushi bars are closed. Be classy and grab a PBR to go with an order of their Sticky Balls. Go ahead and grab a second beer and one of the monster rolls. Nothing better than a belly full of sushi and beer on an afternoon, which was an atypical Tuesday for me.

    (5)

  • Austin S.

    I've been here a few times, but went again last night and had better service than I was given before so...yeah. Went to a get together with some friends. Lots of drinks, but I stuck with coke and got some tots & hot dogs. I know, not really the traditional fare from a sushi place, but SUPER yummy! My husband had the mongolian beef and said it was really good. Everyone pretty much destroyed whatever they ordered! The whole table had a few rounds of lemon drops, goldschlauger, and redbull & vodkas. Service was really good. Loud as a bar should be, but not overwhelming where you couldn't talk. I dig it. :) Oh! I also had a chocolate cake pop. Didn't really care for the cake, it was a little too rich/dark for me, but the white chocolate on the outside was yummy!

    (4)

  • Heather L.

    I seriously can't see how anyone could give this place 5 stars...I've had a lot of fun at sticky rice before, but the food was anything but 5 stars... Their sushi is meh at best and always falls apart. I usually get the Godzirra roll. I mean, if you want cheap and ok tasting sushi I guess this is your place, but so help me God, while I was waiting for the disgusting bathroom in the dungeon area, a MOUSE ran across my foot and into the the kitchen!!!!! Stuff like that can't help but ruin my experience somewhere and I haven't been back since...I prefer Akida. It's pricier but I haven't seen any rodents as of yet. ;)

    (2)

  • Jacqui R.

    Been wanting to go to Sticky Rice for fo-eva because all my friends are constantly talking about it. I'm from the Hampton Roads area so a friend and I decided to take the drive up to Richmond for the day for The Poe Museum and to go to Sticky Rice. We went at about 4:30 pm on a Saturday, so it wasn't crowded yet (although the dinner crowd was starting to arrive by the time we left). It has a really cool and laid back atmosphere with a super friendly waitstaff. I liked the vibe on the place and the booths were large and comfortable. We ordered the teriyaki mushrooms and the falafel balls to start. I loved the mushrooms, they were salty and delicious and came with a ginger dipping sauce. The falafel balls were good but they were a bit rich for my taste plus I'm not a huge fan of cucumbers so the cucumber dipping sauce wasn't really my thing. There were almost too many rolls to choose from and everything sounded delicious but we finally decided on The Chalupa Roll and The Drawn N Buttered. They were both outstanding! The Chalupa Roll was spicy and crispy and the Drawn N Buttered was rich and hearty. They were actually perfect together as the flavors were completely complimentary to each other. I will absolutely come back, hopefully on a day when it's raining so I can get my PBR discount (rainy day special!)

    (4)

  • Grace C.

    I don't understand...how this place does so well. Perhaps it's the catchy name, or the location where there are an abundance of hipsters, or maybe it's because they can handle loud drunk kids who I love so very much =). I'm fine with the atmosphere, but the food, I don't get it. When you go to their website, you see a huge picture of tator-tots. You know who has good tator-tots? Mojos, chik-fil-a for breakfast, everywhere that has them. It's hard to f-up these overpriced love-handle-formers. So I only had their sushi because it's a "sushi restaurant". I agree with people who commented how they are creative, but being creative doesn't always mean a good thing. For example, "Well.... he is creative...." The descriptions are long and it makes the sushi sounds incredible, but that's because if it wasn't there, no one would be brain washed enough to think that they are pretty good. I understand the city lacks good sushi in general, but for expensive a$$ tacky little units, I rather go to a sushi buffet and eat to be full. This place is absolutely amazing at how they make people say they have good sushi. I cringe every time my roommate says her bf is taking her on a date there to eat their delicious sushi, which is once a week. Saying they have a great atmosphere, now that would better hide the Pinocchio noses.

    (1)

  • Casey C.

    People suck. I can't stand reading Sticky Rice reviews, because I end up making fun of all the stupid people. Sticky Rice makes delicious sushi rolls at a very reasonable price. I've never had the tater tots and don't intend to; when the miso soup, edamame, lettuce wraps and sushi all taste good, why would I? We just had the Rainbow roll which was fishy and delicious. The avocado roll is so awesomely creamy and only $3.50. I wouldn't bother with the spicy avocado roll unless you tell them to spice it up. There's no real different between the two. Other great things about Sticky Rice: lots of vegan and vegetarian options. The lettuce wraps with fried tofu is SO GOOD. We have to push ourselves to try something else. $1 PBR's when its raining. Some people don't appreciate the "hip/hipster" vibe that Sticky Rice has, but I love it. I'm not use to cool sushi restaurants, and this is one of them. Also, Sticky Rice To Go Go may be a separate location, but its also equally awesome. They deliver!

    (5)

  • Andy G.

    Every time you walk in this place.....you get hit with the smell of a disgusting wet dog. The service is usually okay, nothing special. The food is overpriced. And, it's always cramped in there. I haven't eaten there in more than a year, I don't plan on going back, the smell is really intense.

    (3)

  • Julie W.

    Who likes $1 PBRs when it's raining?! Not me, but a lot of people do evidently. If only they had $1 glasses of boxed wine during rainstorms. I do like the ambience (hipster-y, bar-y, lots of booths-y), good music, fun menu item names (Godzirra Roll) and yummy rolls (same). I'm no sushi expert but I liked the summer special of some sort of sashimi - I'll try to remember the name next time. The edamame is always a good choice as are the buckets of tater tots. The service is pretty okay, and the prices are too.

    (3)

  • David K.

    FYI - This place opens at 11:30 a.m. and if you get there too early they won't let you in. Seriously. I know from experience. Anyway... I was talking with a co-worker about wanting sticky rice (the generic, Japanese kind) and she thought I meant the restaurant. That wasn't what I meant, but it was a nice suggestion and I'm glad we went. This is a small place with a very eclectic sushi menu. I decided to get the chicken friend rice lunch special along with a few different sushi rolls. Everything was delicious and the only thing that I could complain about is the service. In addition to being made to stand outside in the cold for 5 minutes, I had to walk up to request a water refill.

    (3)

  • Jess H.

    I'm confused by Sticky Rice. It's like a Westerner's idea of what is "Asian"...koi fish and godzilla on the walls, gong behind the bar, sushi served on Chinese plastic plates and giant paper lanterns hanging overhead. Very confused. The pork gyoza are not fried particularly well. They tasted more like Chinese dumplings. I got the spicy tuna and philly rolls as well, which were alright. The spicy tuna is rolled in a way where there are these red pepper flakes on the outside of the rice...their food just confuses me. It's not bad and it's not good. I just don't get it. The Dirty Vegan with udon noodles was okay. The coconut curry is pretty tasty at first, but after a while it starts to get too rich for the palate.

    (2)

  • Duy N.

    Hipsters infused sushi! The food is good and the price is fair. The place is a little small and can get quite noisy. Expect a hipster college crowd and on the weekends after 9pm, it gets packed.

    (3)

  • Gee C.

    I am giving them 3 stars only because im in love with the bucket of tots and their Godzilla Roll. Besides that, there is nothing extraordinary about Sticky Rice. Their rolls are inventive and creative but does not suit my taste buds. The place itself is cramped and when it gets busy, its crazy, I will have to scream across the table to get anywhere in a conversation. The place is dark and dingy and you cant tell if its dirty or lighting. probably a little bit of both. anyways, i'll come here just for the tots and roll but thats about it. be ready to walk into this with an appetite though, i always leave feeling full and busting at the seams. they are bit pricey but very reasonable proportions.

    (3)

  • Joseph H.

    Good drink deals, completely average tots, worst sushi in town. For real, kroger has better sushi. But the staff are all nice. And they do have a large selection of vegetarian sushi which is unusual and could be of great value to some.

    (3)

  • Tom O.

    Got in town late, SR came up as serving late night sushi. Packed. Gentleman greets me as I enter. No space at bar, but a booth was leaving. He says it's not too busy and I should take it, then hands me the sushi menu, half price! Tells me the server will be right over to take my order. It"s 1130 and packed. Jessie shows up within a minute or two. Have my Hardywood iPad in another minute. Only drafts they have are 3 Hardywoods, very cool. Very good local brewery. Sushi comes about 10 minutes later. Again, it's packed. Don't know how they do it, but it was always with a smile. Can't say the sushi was like sitting at Morimoto, but it was 1000% less pretentious, and five times less expensive. Very serviceable sushi, with an amazing staff, cool vibe. Go.

    (5)

  • Sarah F.

    Godzirra, sticky balls and Goochland roll. Delicious. The man ate general tsos chicken. Hardywood beer on tap. Fabulous lunch v

    (5)

  • Ellen H.

    Coming here for drinks and the people? Awesome. Coming for the food? Wouldn't be my first choice. The prices are a bit high, especially for the protion size. Not as fresh as some of the other sushi places around town, but beer and good bartenders ARE here so come here after you have dinner elsewhere. Leave your kids at home, by the way. This is more of a student-party-type place.

    (3)

  • Marvin S.

    Went here for RVA burger week. Their deep fried tempura patty was so greasy that the bottom bun was soggy. Service was... Okay. Wasn't the servers fault, they just more staff.

    (2)

  • Aaron S.

    This place is hard to review. It's a terrible sushi restaurant but it's a great bar. Almost nothing can make up for the layer of grime covering this place and it's unforgivably nasty bathrooms oh and the rotten smell coming from the kitchen area next to the bathrooms. I say almost because their tots and dipping sauce some how do make up a little for the funk. Go, play, drink and eat tots. Stay away from food items not boiled in a frier and for gods sake don't use the bathroom. Positives, if you drink to much, your vomit will blend in.

    (3)

  • Thomas P.

    Pretty decent sushi, cool little place, interesting rolls and cool variations. Not bad prices either. The hot hippy was very good.

    (3)

  • Britt A.

    It is what it is... I walked through the fan at 1015 and went into three other places. Never greeted or asked if interested In eating at any of the others-- might as well of been a night club. Cheers for good service!

    (5)

  • Deb E.

    Sushi was great along with their tots. First time I was there for lunch at 12:30. They had 1 waitress but a lot of employees just hanging around. 3 girls were manning the sushi bar. My husband didn't get sushi so his food came out first. I waited 10 mins for 2 rolls and 1 shrimp. The place was dirty. Walls not wiped down and the ceiling had cobwebs. Wish they would just clean better! Especially when eating raw fish.

    (3)

  • Hannah G.

    Every time I go to Sticky Rice, I really can't wait to come back. Unfortunately, you can never be sure whether there is immediate seating or a 2-hour wait outside. Just give me tots, sushi, and karaoke night and I'm a happy girl.

    (4)

  • Virginia P.

    The food is really great and fun, but dine-in is a madhouse. I highly recommend just getting delivery or takeout from Sticky-To-Go across the street.

    (4)

  • Laci H.

    Sticky Rice. It's like a mainstream indie rock or folk rock poser band. You know what I'm saying: if you're in the mood for true indie rock or folk rock music, then Mumford and Sons just don't cut it. But a long road trip with avid Bieber fans and your breathing a sigh of relief when "I Will Wait" comes on the radio. Sticky Rice does a great job of creating food that non-sushi lovers enjoy; including making trendy-named rolls that are lower than normal sushi taste and presentation standards of the average asian-owned sushi joint but appeal in a hip way to people who "aren't usually sushi eaters." However, apparently they have great tater tots.... What Sticky Rice does a great job at is selling an experience. They have a cult-like following and most people rave about their non-sushi items, which evidently taste amazing. No arguing here. That being said, they advertise themselves not only as a sushi bar but as an Asian Fusion restaurant. And they do the "fusion" well. Bottom line: if you love sushi, have been to Japan, eat raw fish for 3 meals a day after catching it in the ocean yourself...maybe skip the sushi bar at Sticky Rice. But if you love a good experience and atmosphere, want to impress some friends who are in town for a visit who like asian noodles or have an obsession with tots: Sticky Rice is your place. Pay for the vibe, not the rolls. Oh, and in the spirit of writing an actual taste review of my last visit: we had the Miso Soup, Wakame Salad, Poke, Spicy Tuna Roll, Snap Crackle Pop roll, and Yellow Brick Road roll. Miso was tasty, but way overpriced for it's small size (at $3 for one verrrrrry small bowl); Wakame had decent taste but overdressed, the Poke wasn't flavorful, and all the rolls were good (despite the fish hiding beneath all the other elements of the rolls). All-in-all, it didn't measure up to most sushi places but it was clearly fresh and the rolls were beautiful. And our waitress was awesome. Take sushi lovers who have been living in a landlocked back-country town to Sticky Rice and bring your non-sushi loving friends here to convert them. Ok, now you can all hate me for sounding so pretentious about everything from sushi to indie music....(I promise I'm nice in person!)

    (3)

  • Ashley M.

    Coming here is either a hit or a miss. Sometimes it's awesome and sometimes its mediocre. Their tots are always awesome and the so is the dipping sauce that comes with it. Godzrilla roll is delicious. The miso soup had a slight chemical aftertaste, almost brassy. The sticky rice dessert was slightly bland but ok. The bathroom is in the basement next to the kitchen and is a bit dirty/ dingy. Servers are friendly.

    (3)

  • Amanda S.

    Went back to Sticky Rice not even a week after my first review to meet up with some friends and I had a completely different experience. Ordered the infamous tot bucket, tots were delicious. I think per reading all the yelp reviews on their sauce you would think they had angel tears in them they were so good. The sauce was decent IMO but not anything mind blowing. I'm pretty sure it's just mayo with siracha. It is an amazing appetizer to get with your buds though. Who doesn't love tater tots? This time I stayed away from the sushi and got the Coconut Shrimp noodle bowl which was super tasty. It was extremely flavorful and just the right amount of spicy. I loved that it had an equal parts noodles, shrimp, and veggies. I will probably be sticking with their noodle bowls in the future. I was there on Friday night, got there about 8:20 and had to wait an additional 20 minutes for a table. It wouldn't have been so bad if it wasn't so cold outside so we kind of had to cram in behind the bar. The waitstaff were really friendly and attentive the entire time despite being really busy and crowded. We got our food quickly and our drinks got refilled about 5 times throughout the duration of our meal. I would still suggest staying away from their sushi, it's mostly rice, I tried a few of my friends rolls just to make sure I wasn't just judging from my first time. Otherwise I had a great time there and will probably continue to go back.

    (4)

  • Allison R.

    I really, really wanted to like Sticky Rice after hearing so many things about this place. Let me start by saying that the service was great - really fast and friendly. We went for lunch on a Saturday at noon and were really pleased with how quickly we were seated and got our food. The food, though. The good: awesome tater tots with dipping sauce. When they say a bucket, they literally mean a bucket. So many tots. The bad: the sushi isn't really that high quality (our spicy tuna roll looked a bit sloppy and just wasn't impressive), and our chicken lettuce wraps were just average at best. The teriyaki sauce on the wraps wasn't anything special, and the pieces of lettuce were so small you couldn't really wrap anything! Come for the tots, but otherwise not worth a major trip.

    (2)

  • Khalid A.

    To me this place set such a hard standard for sushi, that I don't enjoy sushi at any other place anymore!! Godzirra and sticky balls are my all time favorites and a must every time I go there. The place is a bit small and can get overcrowded, however, I like the vibe it has. Will always be my favorite sushi place.

    (5)

  • Ayesha Z.

    I think people may pay for the experience rather than the food here. The sushi was not good at all, the buckets of tots was what saved the meal. If you know food sushi. I wouldn't recommend this place

    (2)

  • Doochie D.

    I was recommended to go here and I did. I was not wowed but I wasn't disappointed neither. It was slam packed at about 5:30pm so we sat at the bar. They only had 2 or 3 tap lines I believe and every other beer was in a bottle. We were serviced fast and with no problem. I was also told to order sticky balls which I did and they were decent. They were not great but they were not nasty either. Overall I would visit again for sushi.

    (3)

  • Sarah K.

    Went here last night with my best friend for dinner and happy hour. Having lived in Japan for two years, I have extremely high expectations of my sushi. I'm rating five stars based on the food. The food was outstanding. It's the best sushi I've had in America. I am visiting from California and you would think you'd find amazing sushi in California but no. Never did I expect that my best sushi experience would come from RVA. Hands down, the best. We sat at the bar because by 5 PM there was already a wait. There was only one bar tender and he did an awesome job. The wait for our drinks was a little lengthy but for being the sole bartender for a packed restaurant and a full bar, he handled himself well. Recommend: sticky balls are a MUST. We ordered off the happy hour menu. PBR's are $1. And all listed sushi and appetizers were half off. We also ordered a spider roll, a sweet potato tempura roll, spicy tuna, crunchy shrimp and a drawn and buttered, all incredible. I would eat here again and again.

    (5)

  • Morgan P.

    I've been coming here since high school, and have loved it ever since. I know this place has mixed reviews and such, but I love the food and the staff is efficient as well as good. I enjoy their vegetarian sushi (where my food review will be coming from), and their inventive flavors for us Veg Heads as well as their accommodations to vegans. I also have tried their Dirty Vegan, bucket of tots, garden balls, and Mock Chicken Szechuan. The Dirty Vegan is my all time favorite entree with soba noodles. The spice level is good and the flavors meld well together. It reminds me of Southeast Asian food a little bit. I will always be one of their customers, even if the people I take don't appreciate the atmosphere or whatever else people complain about.

    (5)

  • Caitlyn l.

    Freaking amazing!!!! You must get the asian ribs and tots sooo good!! The enviroment is so chill and relaxed. I wish i lived in rva so i could eat here everyday!

    (5)

  • Haley L.

    I went with my dad and the place was packed. You would think this was good news. However, they sat us in the small sushi bar area and it smelled like pee. The sushi isn't that great either. I was also concerned about where the sushi was. It was not clean.

    (1)

  • Tommy B.

    This is my SPOT! Sticky Rice is a hipster haven, with fun late night activities EVERY night. The food is not to be missed either, with both traditional and unconventional rolls. The tots are amazing, and I don't know what the sauce is, but it's delicious. Best nights are Tuesday karaoke, Wednesday bingo and Sunday trivia, but Friday night can get kinda wild too. The Johns will keep your glass full, Al will humiliate you and you'll party til you puke! Definitely a must for any out of towner.

    (5)

  • Dani D.

    Tater tots and dipping sauce are good. The sushi was low quality and tasted off. Not what you want when eating raw fish. I was also grossed out by the terrible smell coming from the menu's. Something was spilled, not cleaned off well and curdled. Not a great start. Trying to end on a positive- cool atmosphere, great tots. Maybe stick with that and drinks.

    (2)

  • Christene P.

    I've lived in Richmond for many years and always have heard such great things about Sticky Rice, so the mixed reviews here were a little surprising. However, I was really excited to try it anyway. My husband, daughter and I decided on the spur of the moment to grab a late lunch there. We generally tend to avoid the Fan area just because the parking is such a pain. I know we are missing out on a lot of good eateries because of this, but it's a choice that does factor in. So, parking....eh, hit or miss, but the location is pretty decent and easy to get to. I had heard that this place was simply amazing, so I was expecting to be wowed. I wasn't really. The place was much smaller on the inside than expected, and when I looked around at the speakers and shelves, they were coated in a pretty thick layer of dust. Ick. But that stuff is higher up than the tables, so I didn't let it bother me too much. Our waitress was pleasant, and we were seated right away as the restaurant was not super busy. We were brought menus and drinks quickly. The menu was filled with great choices, including a decent vegan/vegetarian section. We ordered the calamari and scallop appetizers, and they were pretty good. The problem is that the food took much longer than anticipated to arrive at our table. Puzzling, since the place was not crowded and it was not peak lunch hours. Our lunch entrees were solidly good, but they didn't blow me away. I ordered the dirty vegan noodle bowl with tofu, and it was tasty. My husband and daughter enjoyed their meals as well. When we got our check, the price for the three of us for two appetizers and three lunches was $80 (including tip). I guess we didn't pay close enough attention to the menu prices, but that seemed like a pricey lunch for three people! Next time, we will skip the appetizers for sure as they were very small and didn't really add much to the meal. Long story short, pretty good food, smallish restaurant and bar, longer than average wait for food, and a little bit of sticker shock for lunch (which is probably our fault for not paying close enough attention to the prices on the menu). I'm not sure I'd be willing to go back as there are lots of places in Richmond more easily accessible with better food for around the same $$, but it wasn't horrible. It just didn't make me want to go out of my way to return.

    (3)

  • Alyssa K.

    How do you describe sticky rice... It is a very trendy, hip restaurant, and it has a cult like following. Every time I drive by it looks pretty busy. The food is pretty good, but not great. They do put an interesting American twist on the menu. Bottom line: is it the best sushi I've had? No, and I wouldn't take any true sushi lover there to impress them. But, they do have good specials from time to time, and it's usually an enjoyable experience.

    (3)

  • Krystal C.

    NEVER EVER GO HERE!! Not only was the food not so great but the service was awful. I gave this place 2 chances and both times were the worst. Our "server" never ever came to check on us. She stood there and doodled. When her friend walked in, she stood there forever talking to him. When I finally verbally said something the sushi bar ladies starred at me and laughed because I was verbally complaining to my boyfriend. WHAT TYPE OF CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THAT?!?! The food is not good at all and neither is their service. Save yourself a trip. Panda Express is better than this crap hole.

    (1)

  • Olivia L.

    I've been to Sticky Rice twice now, and as someone who usually doesn't eat sushi, I absolutely love theirs! Sticky Rice offers a large menu and fair prices. Their tots and the dipping sauce that comes with them are another reason I will keep coming back.

    (4)

  • Al L.

    The food is just okay, I would probably only give the food 3 stars. The sushi is a good value, but wasn't great. I gave it 4 stars because the service was great and the atmosphere is fantastic. It is unlike any other sushi place, it has a great young culture. I would go back just for the bar scene.

    (4)

  • Laureston H.

    Anywhere I can get a bucket of tater tots I will frequent. The Godzirra roll is fantastic and the Moscow Mule is liquid gold. Definitely recommend for a great meal and fun atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Brian B.

    Stopped by here on a Wednesday night to watch the VCU game. My friend and I ordered a couple of beers, edamame and tater tots as our starters. For the main course we ordered the Drawn n' Buttered, Sticky Balls, Yellow Brick Road, Philly roll and the south roll. All the food arrived promptly and was throughly enjoyed. For dessert we shared the fried bananas (which was not included on our check because they didn't have the full order, we were also asked if we wanted anything in place which was also complimentary). Definitely enjoyed it here tonight. The service was also stellar from our waitress. Do yourself a favor and come by Sticky Rice.

    (5)

  • Jennifer F.

    This place is amazing!! The Sticky Balls are SO good! And the tots are a must! The Godzilla roll (not sure if that is the exact name) and the buttered roll are incredible!!

    (5)

  • Alex S.

    I went for dinner last night. It was a friday. The place was crowded, but not so bad where you feel like you are shoved in there. I orded a seaweed salad, which was expensive for the amount i got, and the sargasso roll, which I thought was good. There was a lot of rice on the roll, so if you like that, then you will like that roll. We also got the tub of tater tots. They are exactly what it sounds like. They were very good about refilling our drinks, sometimes I would have only taken a sip and then someone will have come by and refilled it to the top again. very attentive staff. I was also a fan of the music selections they had. it varied kind of dramatically from song to song, but they all meshed very well.

    (4)

  • Kathryn F.

    Great service & atmosphere. Bangin' tater tot sauce. Sub par sushi, not fresh & fell apart.

    (3)

  • Erin K.

    Sorry, but two starts for sushi. Barely any fish in the sushi rolls and the one with pineapple/cilantro was just odd. Basic spicy tuna and salmon rolls were a disappoint. Cool inside and I heard there better things on the menu, but don't go for the sushi if you want to enjoy quality fish.

    (2)

  • Amber R.

    Very good! I tried the sticky balls this is my first time here and I am very pleased! They don't have sweet tea which I find very odd - considering where in the south! It's okay I'll take a coke! Am very pleased with service and menu my boyfriend doesn't eat sushi and he had the pork sandwich and loved it (thank goodness cause e doesn't like anything!) I wi be back

    (5)

  • Steve S.

    Always a great time when I go there. Godzirra roll is the best!! I enjoy coming in for Karaoke. There is always a bunch of craziness when you mix alcohol and singing. The tots are an excellent choice after a late night bar crawl.

    (5)

  • Alex K.

    All the people that say 'oh its not a REAL sushi place' need a reality check. its in RICHMOND, VA not Kyoto or Tokyo (both of places I have been and had sushi there too). This is a hipster, trendy (Carytown, what else would you expect?) modern sushi fusion kinda place. They serve tater tots for christ sake! Which, by the way, might be the best food on the face of the planet. Its a little grubby but that comes with the territory of Richmond and adds some charm in my opinion. I go for the amazing food and am more than pleased every time I go. What more do you need to hear? Very interesting and tasty if not traditional sushi. The actual entrees are great as well. Big thumbs up Sticky Rice, keep it up! oh and I generally hate the Carytown hipster crowd but I'm willing to put up with their non-sense for the food here (yea, I'm a UR 'eliteist')

    (4)

  • Nate B.

    I'd say three stars is about right. If you want a place that has no wait, good sushi and cheap PBR; go to Moshi Moshi in Cary town. If you want a place that has cool music and good looking hipster chicks, go to Sticky Rice. The sushi is ok for being rolled by a bunch of hipster dudes. But it's a Richmond destination you should at least check it out once. Monday half off sushi after 10-ish. but get there early or wait forever.

    (3)

  • Ethan C.

    I love Sticky Rice, Its my favorite!

    (5)

  • Randy T.

    Kind of a let down. I had heard so much about the place and I was excited to find it on a recent trip to Richmond. Unfortunately I must echo other reviewers in saying this place is a hipster hangout as evidenced by the PBR specials. The "sushi chefs" oversauce everything and are obviously not traditionally trained. Not terrible, but not much better than you can find at any local grocery store sushi counter. The tots are pretty good though, but would you expect any different at a hipster bar? So crack open that tallboy of PBR and do some people watching.

    (2)

  • Andra J.

    Oh Sticky Rice. I want to love you, but your sushi is so very bad. I'll come back for a beer and maybe some tater tots, but never again for your sushi.

    (2)

  • Inigo M.

    This hip-looking place where college-age-and-beyond beautiful people stand around like it's a bar serves "fusion" food-- bland, decidedly not Asian, and full of carrots, i.e., the slop you'd get out of a TV dinner. Order anything but the 'Asian' food and you might get lucky.

    (1)

  • Daniel R.

    I called the health department on this "sushi" place when the "sushi chef" sneezed then wiped his foul, hipster nose on his "sterile" plastic gloves. Gross.... it is sad that a gentrified sushi place is so popular when it is not only bad but literally disgusting and there exist real SUSHI bars

    (1)

  • Antony S.

    Cool kids unite in trendy music and splendid sushi. Service is fair considering how busy it can get. Great location for nightlife excursions. Prices are typical $$. The only downer is the bathroom, at least the men's room. A little on the gross side. Other than that this place is't so bad.

    (4)

  • Dan B.

    I love Yelp. Those who know how to read the reviews can sort out a real 5 from a real 3. When a Cosi in DC gets a 5 and Sticky Rice gets a 3, then you get to weed out the crowd who doesn't belong anyway. A) If it's "too crowded" or the clientele is "too drunk" or the music is "too loud" (after 10 from your teachers' union meeting), then you don't need to eat here. B) If you think it is pretty dope to use the term "hipster" but have never stepped foot in NYC or could not say w/o checking gmaps if Park Slope or Williamsburg is further north, then you don't need to pass judgment (or use the term "hipster"). c) If you cannot handle some contact with other folks waiting for a table (who may possibly be waiting due to quality, popularity, or both), then you should leave your single stars at home. I'm from Richmond but now live in NYC. When I walked to Sticky Rice from my place in Carytown, no matter the bartender, I always received a "tall or small" greeting. I know that every time I went, ordering the special was the right choice. Having a sushi joint with amazing sushi and crispy bottom center tots is the balls. Yes, I'm sure some of you have had more authentic sushi in San Fran or Paris or NYC where you visited a friend one time 7 years ago; I know that you do not fit into A, B, or C. Therefore, you should head out to the west side of Richmond. There are several amazing Chili's and Applebee's. Wait for it...there is even a PF Chang's. Summary: If you see an arm with ink on it and the word "degenerate" even comes to mind, then you are too old or too square. Yep, I'm bringing "square" back. Have some sticky balls.

    (5)

  • Barbara P.

    As a person who loves sushi but can't eat the normal fish filled styles, this is my favorite place to go mow down some sushi! I recommend from the many vegetarian menu the hot hippies, the avocado and the garden balls. nom nom nom!

    (5)

  • Robbie B.

    We like it, good vegetarian food, sushi is ok, so are the drinks. Staff usually pretty cool. Price reasonable. We try to make it out here a few times a year.

    (4)

  • Sarah H.

    Every time a new friend comes to visit, I make it a point to eat at least one dinner at Sticky Rice. They have a pretty good menu, with a variety of sushi. You can also order a bucket (literally, a bucket) of tator tots if you like. It's dark and noisy, but it fits the atmosphere perfectly. This place is usually busy, so get there early..and if you have a large group, you may want to call ahead. They also have a decent beer selection with pretty nice prices (a lot of Richmonder's go here when they want to get drunk). They've also got a pretty successful karaoke night, so check that out when you get the chance! Or you can visit on Sunday nights for a real treat.

    (5)

  • Andrew M.

    Lots of fun. Noisy and crowded after 8 or 9, but still a good place for dinner if you go earlier. Also, if it's raining outside you can get $1 PBR's but you have to ask. I haven't been in about 6 months but hopefully they still do that, otherwise I'll get some complaints!

    (4)

  • meredith m.

    Sushi is inventive and delicious....tooooo loud!!!! You have to yell to hear your self. Much more of a bar atmosphere than a restaurant.

    (3)

  • Sarah B.

    tater tots + sushi!

    (5)

  • Joe K.

    I head down to the RVA a few times a year and when I go, Sticky Rice is usually the first place I hit for food. It's a super hip and cool spot not too far from VCU. You can expect the coolest of the cool to be hanging out and unless you get here early, expect a decent wait. Parking is also limited on the street and it might take a few spins around the block before you land something, so best to be prepared for that too. But once your inside, get ready for some really great sushi! One thing you must order are the Sticky Balls. A signature item, they are deep fried crab and tuna balls laced with wasabi and eel sauce. YUM! Godzirra is my personal favorite composed of shrimp, avocado, and cream cheese, but your really can't go wrong with any of the rolls. Of course you can get the usual sashimi and there is plenty of Saki to choose from as well. If you don't have time to dine in, you can just walk across the street and order from Sticky Rice To Go! The place is so busy they actually have a separate carry-out right across the street! Orders are fast and you can even get a six pack, single bottles of beer, or Saki to go too. Another thing worth mentioning that my friends seem to go nuts for are the tater tots. I am not sure if it's because they really love them or just think it's really cool that any restaurant would put them on the menu! Either way, they make a great appetizer. I highly recommend this place even if it means driving out of the way, but then again Richmond is not that big! So take it from me! I've been there!

    (5)

  • Satori P.

    A whole lot of hype. It's okay if you like that kind of stuff. But if you're looking for real sushi...save your money and go elsewhere. Service definitely suffers when it gets crowded and busy. I felt really sorry for my friend that came here for her birthday celebration and had to wait 30 minutes for the waitress to take her credit card.

    (3)

  • Sammy L.

    Sticky Rice is the combination of two of my favorite things in life. Sushi & a dive bar. A little crowded at first, the evening I had left me satisfied and only slightly sober. PBR Tall Boys and shots of Jager will do that, but also the food was great. I am certain I have been to larger, fancier sushi joints, but that is the allure of Sticky Rice! Also, the rapid fire succession of 90's music videos being played all night, combined with viral youtube videos made for great entertainment all night long.

    (4)

  • Christine R.

    I saw some really bad reviews but I guess those people don't enjoy a place with real atmosphere. Went to SR before a King George concert so we did not fit in with the college crowd but the food was great and the service excellent. Will go again if in Richmond for anything. Loved loved loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    (4)

  • Tea A.

    A great place to get darn good sushi/ japanese fusion food. I dropped by with some buddies on sunday afternoon, wasn't too packed but bit too compact. The sticky rice dish was amazing and a guilty pleasure and we ate four other dish chose at random and they were all great. It's a bit on the expensive side but you definitely get what you paid for. I would absolutely go back.

    (4)

  • melanie m.

    I had just flew in from los angeles to meet up with my boyfriend for a day since he's been on tour all summer long. i am so pissed off at myself because i regret ever stepping foot into this place. The people working there had the "I'm too cool for you" vibe and it was quite unfortunate because it seemed like a cool place to hang. Note to staff: Tattoos and body piercings do not give you the right to be a dick And the sushi was so disgusting. My boyfriend and I got 2 orders of the salmon sashimi and a couple rolls. The fish was stinky, super salty and very chewy. Our server Martha was short/cold with us and was just plain rude. Didn't seem like she cared.... Again, the too cool for school attitude ugh. 15 minutes later I ended up puking and my bf got sick in the stomach for the rest of the day. We spent the one day we got to see each other with this awful food poisoning feeling. It was horrible :( This establishment is gross.... Stay far, far away from the sushi!

    (1)

  • M M.

    Good sushi should not taste fishy. Just saying!

    (1)

  • Christin D.

    Sticky Rice was my first meal in Richmond and it definitely hit the spot . Like everyone says, parking is a pain. We also had a wait of about 40 minutes, but on Friday night that's not at all unexpected, and it was worth it. I was happy to find something at least mildly foreign in this city that seems a little short on ethnic restaraunts. I was less than happy after I took an errant, somewhat drunken dive at my plate with chopsticks and ended up eating about a tablespoon of Sriracha on a piece of spicy tuna, all at once. But that's not Sticky Rice's fault. Next time I'll go for tots and probably a curry dish to see if it passes muster. It's crowded, loud, hip, not exactly cheap during non-special hours. But it's also really tasty, quick, fun, has a great variety. I want to go back to here.

    (4)

  • MARIA G.

    I went here with about 10 of my family and friends on a Sat. night. I tried to call ahead and couldn't get a table till 9:30 that night and the chick on the phone was not pleasant! I was told if the whole party was not there by 9:40 then they would give away our table. We showed up and still had to wait till almost 10 pm to sit down! The bucket 'o tots was the highlight for me. They came with a spicy thousand island dressing that was not good, but the tots were just the right kind of crispy. Other than that, the sushi was mediocre. The fried bananas were so thick and bland so that was another disappointment.

    (2)

  • Heather P.

    Quite a let down. The tamago didn't even look or taste like real tamago. The eel hand roll was slimy. My neighbor calls it "Icky Rice".

    (1)

  • Krystal D.

    I've been to Sticky Rice twice. The first time I would have given it three stars. The second time, I would have given it one. So I settled for a rating of two. The first time I went I ordered the "Asian Garden" salad. It was good quality and a decent portion size. They didn't skimp on the shrimp, either, wich is a definite plus. It wasn't the best salad I ever had by any means, but it was solid in quality. The second trip was a complete disaster. I once again ordered the "Asian Garden" salad and it was TERRIBLE. The vegetables were all wilted and the shrimp was flavorless. I complained to the waitress who offered to remove the salad from our bill. I decided to order the "Starter Combo" sushi as a replacement. Also terrible! I should have known- we were sitting at the sushi bar and the fish in the case didn't look too terribly appetizing but I figured I'd try it anyway (bad idea). For starters, they were out of two types of fish, so I had to replace them with shrimp. When the sushi arrived my skepticism grew even more...it just didn't look fresh. Still, I dove in. Like I said, bad idea. It was actually repulsive to eat. After one bite, I gave up. If you're looking for sushi in Richmond, find yourself an authentic place. This place is only good for the tater tots.

    (2)

  • A. D.

    I really love this place. I know that everyone gripes about the quality of sushi but I really enjoy it. They have a lot of rolls with spicy mayo, and crunchy stuff, and other non-traditional sushi which is my favorite. I've never had a bad experience where the fish was frozen, or appeared old, etc. as people have complained about. Beyond the sushi which is fairly decent, they have delicious tater-tots and the ambiance is always good. It's always busy and it's never empty which also makes a restaurant experience much more fun. If you are looking for the best traditional finest cut of sashimi this is not the place for you, but if you want some interesting sushi rolls and a pretty good meal you should totally it.

    (4)

  • Mallory H.

    I am giving Sticky Rice 3 stars based on the fact that it is also a bar, but if it was nothing but a sushi restaurant and I was only basing my opinion on the sushi they have there, then it would get 1 star. I would probably want to give it 0 stars, but sadly in this case that is not even an option. Good thing Sticky Rice is a bar, because you'll have to be drunk to enjoy their sushi if you have any idea what sushi is supposed to taste, smell, and look like. When you trace back historically the literal translation of the word sushi in Japanese it means "it's sour". Maybe Sticky Rice is smarter than I originally thought serving old, improperly stored fish to it's patrons. I'm not picky about fish either seeing that I am Norwegian and Jewish and weird gelatinous fish dishes have been the core of my existence since I was a child. Every holiday season I am forced to eat cod that's been cured in lye, and I love that gross stuff but I can't stomach Sticky Rice. That is a bad sign to my tummy. They do have good tater tots, I will give them that but I will also point out how disappointing of a specialty restaurant you must be if the one item you serve that everyone raves about is something that has been easily mastered by every cafeteria lady in the country. Plus, it seems like they always get at least 2 critical violations every time they get inspected by the health department. One time they had 11 critical violations in one visit. Normally I don't really care about violations at restaurants, unless they are serving me raw animal flesh. Now onto reviewing Sticky Rice as a bar. I have had a totally awesome time hanging out there with my friends on numerous occasions. It's perfect as a bar. I actually really dig it as a bar, but as a sushi place, not so much.

    (3)

  • Jason E.

    You may like their interesting "Americanized" sushi plates or their affordable buckets of tater tots (at 12:30AM when you've had a couple beers and no one else is serving food) but personally, I love Sticky Rice for their night life. VERY interesting music videos, great bartenders/wait staff, and an all around fun atmosphere. Very "Richmond" indeed.

    (4)

  • Kristin V.

    Whenever I'm craving suishi and tater tots I always book it over to Sticky Rice! My favorites are the crunchy shrimp roll, Godzirra roll and the Sticky Balls. The tater tots are the best thing in the world! I am pretty sure I could eat a whole bucket myself, but I've learned that it's much better to get the side of tots rather than the whole bucket (a side is plenty for two people!). Sticky Rice is YUMMY!!!!

    (4)

  • Ross M.

    Don't be fooled. This is just a hang out for Richmond hipsters and scensters and is nothing more than a place to go bar hopping. Whether you graduated from VCU or Richmond, or you're on your 5th or 6th year at VCU, you'll find plenty of the cool kids here. The food is absolutely terrible. This is not the place to go for sushi, sushimi or any food for that matter. The inside is extremely dirty, smelly and cluttered. I do not recommend. Avoid, unless it's on your way to the next bar hop. Like others have said, I have no idea why someone would give this 5 stars or even 4.

    (1)

  • Steven R.

    Eh...sticy rice as a bar was alright, I couple of friends and myself went just to go out one night. The place was WAY overpacked....I'm pretty sure it was in violation of codes. The people were you're average hipster douchebags, who were all way too drunk, Im pretty sure the bartenders should've cut some people off, but didn't bother. The music wasn't all that fantastic either, typical douchey music. The layout is kinda dumb, as the bathrooms are in the basement, and you have to cross a sea of drunken college kids to get to it...one girl was so drunk, after I ofered her to go into the mens room before me, as the girls line was forever long, she drunkenly said "Im going first because I was waiting" stupid douches....the floating can of beer in the toilet was a plus, thats the only reason there's two stars.

    (2)

  • Emily W.

    I've known of Sticky Rice and what they do for years, I just never stepped foot in the restaurant to experience it for myself until recently. One of my rolls was great but the other was not as successful - the texture and flavor just wasn't right and the roll itself wasn't enjoyable, and both rolls were made very sloppily as well. My boyfriend didn't like his burger, but I think that's what he gets for ordering a burger at an Asian fusion joint, and I hate to break it to you guys, but the tater tots were just tater tots. For desert I tried the fried bananas - good idea but poor execution, the bananas' temperature was warm in some parts and in others still frozen. Our service was efficient and friendly enough. I would give it another try but I'd be weary of what I ordered - the menu is huge so there's sure to be some duds on there, and contrarily I'm sure many other things I've yet to try are tasty.

    (3)

  • Doug L.

    Trendy, noisy, packed. The sushi is just OK, the service is fine, the beer selection is sparse, but you won't care because the reason you came here was to hang with the local kids and drink PBR.

    (3)

  • Franco C.

    I was walking by the place, noticed the crowds and put my name on the list. Definitely worth the wait (had to wait almost 45 minutes) so I checked out the head shop across the street to kill some time. The food was very good and the portions were large. The whole place is a rocking and a rolling- definitely not an intimate first date kind of place. All in all it is worth the trip.

    (5)

  • John D.

    been numerous times. cool neighborhood hangout. not much else going for it. below average service. crappy music. edible at best sushi. had the stir fry bowl today. soupy and watery, too salty, noodles where rubbery, chicken and veggies were way overcooked. assuming it was microwaved. probably won't be going there again.

    (1)

  • Dae-su Oh _.

    Tattoos, PBR, Sushi, loud music, crowded bar, old school music video on a projector. Tater tots goes good with the beers. Monday nights are hectic, service is understandable if you are a regular. Yum.. Take out is across the street if you just want the food without the noise.

    (5)

  • Alison M.

    Sticky Rice is not your usual sushi place so don't come here expecting fine dining. Oh no, it is a fun restaurant with a bar and a great playlist where you can order sushi and tater-tots together. How many other restaurants do you know that do that? The menu is extensive with a lot more then Asian food and they have a whole section of noodle bowls that are pretty cheap and yummy. They also have an assortment of creative rolls and not a lot of other places in Richmond do. Just keep in mind that your sushi will probably be made by a recent VCU graduate and not a Japanese sushi chef. Something else to note is that there is usually a wait. However, this can be done at the bar and its a pretty fun bar with good music so I don't consider this to be a downer. Now back to the food.: The tater-tots are actually really awesome, they are crispy with an amazing spicy sauce that makes you want to gain way too many calories. The sushi is kinda hit or miss on what you order. For example the poki is absolutely amazing... mmm I want some now, but don't order the sweet potato roll or the one with octopus (I was drunk for that one). Another plus is that they have real crab in the California rolls and the spicy tuna rolls use large chunks or tuna.

    (5)

  • Leslie A.

    The only time I've been here was during Best Friends Day this past summer, which as any Richmonder knows, makes RVA crazytown. Therefore, any eating establishment turns bonkers and overcrowded. However, I should have expected at least decent service, right? I went with five or six other amigos and while they all had their food, I didn't get my dish until they were completely done eating theirs. Please, waitstaff at Sticky Rice, remember to serve everyone together, okay? The obvious comment about tater tots stands. I love the suckers. I don't care if they're frozen because they're tasty and familiar. I'll go back in the future, but only because I have a coupon I got in Valpac. If the service sucks again, though, I'm lowering my rating.

    (3)

  • Sherri W.

    This was the best sushi I've had in ages! Stopped in on my way to DC. The placed was packed and we had to wait for a table, but it was well worth it! We started with the edamame. It was steamed to perfection and well seasoned. My favorite item was the sticky balls. They were delicious. We tried about 6 other rolls and some tuna sashimi. The entire meal was fantastic. Also noteworthy was the music. The playlist was outstanding and not so loud you couldn't hear the rest of your party in spite of the crowd. If you ever have a chance to visit, run don't walk!

    (5)

  • Eric G.

    well...this is definately a starving college student's place to first experience sushi. not for the experienced though. This is a cool spot to down sake shots with your friends as the young 20 something crowd is sure to be doing. I have to agree, it is interesting they have tots, and it is pretty awesome, but umm...ever try just putting a good brand of tots in the oven from your freezer?, then using onion ring sauce? if you dont know, its ketchup and thousand island dressing, kinda the same thing, oh u want them greasy? pan fry them. and better with a decent 6 pack of beer.

    (2)

  • Lyne A.

    If you were a starving college student, this might be a great place to blow your allowance in search for an alternative to a meal plan. In concept there are a lot of cool, fusion options that might satisfy both the eclectic and asian palette. The atmosphere is low-key and casual, and Sticky Rice seems popular amongst the happy hour crowd. Sushi purists beware, this place is not for you -- the funky offerings might confuse someone looking for authentic asian selections. The food itself was ok, nothing earth-shattering, and Richmond definitely has better fusion places to offer. The dumplings were the best thing we sampled, such so that we got a second order. The fact that we had to send a sushi order back twice because of a gamey taste made us question the food quality and/or cleanliness of the back of the house. The service was slow, staff seemed to consist mostly of college kids. Ours seemed to be a bit hungover. Nice. Bottom line: Visit, sample a few things, check it off the list.

    (2)

  • Stephen M.

    We have been here many times and always had fun. On the last few visits however we have been very disappointed. The service has always been somewhat gruff and haphazard and the dining room is still cramped, dirty and smelly. But the food which until now was always the draw has gone down hill. Thee menu still has some very inventive rolls and sashimi like our favorite Godzilla or the sublime billy goats gruff. But now they are now using the cheapest nori, rice and the fish last time had very obviously been frozen. Not just flash frozen as is common but actually rock solid frozen. I knew this because it was still sort of frosty and the texture was all wrong. The last visit is our last visit. Not for the food, not for the ineffectual service but because of the roaches. I understand most old buildings are going to have problems with pests, but come on to have a FEW roaches scouring around our booth and actually on my arm. NO thanks.

    (1)

  • Nancy L.

    You can really get a Chinese person's hopes up by saying "sticky rice" because they will imagine the ultra sticky variety wrapped in ti leaves or maybe the kind with pork belly, but sticky sushi rice excited us plenty at 10pm after driving all over Richmond to outfit a dorm room in co-ordinating colors from duvet to stapler. Everyone here seemed to be having such a good time, that the cigarette smell wasn't even offensive. The Sargasso Sea roll and Sticky Balls were great, but the lettuce wrap meat was in gravy that would have been better with rice. Don't-Care-As-Long-As-Its-Food and I questioned the spiciness of the Mongolian Beef, and the waitress offered to have it made with teriyaki sauce instead. Well, that didn't happen, and she kindly took it off the bill as she saw my tearing eyes over the edge of the emptying water glass. Hope Don't-Care won't drop too much money here during the Kung Fu brunches!

    (4)

  • T B.

    hey - look at me - my new favorite food is sushi as of the start of last semester! hey - look at me - i can't buy a bag of tater tots at the store and set the oven to 400 so it's such a novelty that i can buy them at a mock japanese restaurant! hey - look at me - i'm drinking piss beer & doing bad karaoke . hey - look at me - there are a few dozen people just like me at sticky rice right now!!! look kids, i have TRIED to enjoy eating here several times. mixed up orders, terrible (rude) servers, throng-like atmosphere, sub-par food - not what i'm in the market for when i go out to eat. it's no wonder sticky rice needs to take out full page ads on the inside of rva magazine - they are a themed establishment directed to a very specific demographic. so is chuck e. cheese, but when you go there you at least get to play wack-a-mole. unfortunately, stinky rice has no rubber mallets handy.

    (1)

  • Rebecca M.

    I'm a hater. I admit it, so get over it. But I don't have to be president of hater nation in order to appropriately one-star sticky rice. Get ready for the San Francisco in me to rear her hateful and ugly head: Sucky Rice is not only pseudo sushi but I dare question its status as food. You heard me. Sucky has bastardized an honorable craft by concocting rolls deep-fried to denigration and so slathered in spicy mayo that the delicate flavors of the beloved maguro, sake, saba and hamachi are rendered null and void. Of course, when one's fish is less than fresh and one's establishment less than pristine, spicy mayo and deep-frying become necessary in order to mask flagrantly fishy fare. But I digress. Here's the deal: if I visit Applebee's, I acknowledge that my food will be ill prepared, greasy and thrown in my general direction once deemed ready for human consumption. When I make a b-line for my favorite sushi restaurant, I require that my fish be fresh, my flavor combinations be delicate and the chef take an aesthetic pride in his or her dish. Sucky cheapens the experience and should stick to what they know best: deep fried tater-tots and drunken karaoke.

    (1)

  • Rachel P.

    Lame Story unfolding.... Went to sticky rice @ night....drank @ the bar....played some cracked out version of bingo involving chinese finger traps....and had a rad time. Who cares about the fish when its a bar?

    (4)

  • Cj A.

    I thought I'd like this place because I do love me some fusion. I thought wrong. I've given them a few chances, and no can do anymore. I have purposely never been there during peak "bar hours" because I can only imagine how irritating the experience must be due to the, uh, "artsy" clientele. So no comment there. The limited good: They are VERY vegan and vegetarian-friendly. They deliver, too. PBRs are $1 every time it rains. I like the vegetarian noodle bowls. And the sticky balls are incredible. The downside is that the words "sticky balls" have to exit your mouth in order to ultimately enjoy them. Mortifying. And now, on to the terrible sushi: Sure, I've had some great sushi in my lifetime. I don't visit a sushi place expecting it to be the "best ever". But Sticky Rice is the worst sushi I've had anywhere. The white guys behind the sushi bar should have been a preliminary red flag, but hey, I'm an equal opportunist. They have two kinds of sushi here - stupid hipster rolls with ethnically offensive names like the "Godzirra Roll" (how has no one else mentioned this??), and the rolls that actually strive for (and fall short of) authenticity. You don't have to be a sushi connoisseur to notice how terrible the sushi is. Rice is always either too mushy or too dry, and the rolls fall apart easily the moment they come in contact with chopsticks. The amount of rice they use is an absolute abomination - way too much - and the fillings are usually barely present. And the rolls in general are horrendously over-sauced. Yes, the sushi is cheap, but is "cheap" really an adjective you want associated with a food (seafood) that, if done even slightly wrong, can make you violently ill or even kill you? The miscellaneous "bad": As a VCU student who detests the faux "hipster" vibe of downtown Richmond, I just can't stand the clientele or staff here. Sticky Rice tries SO hard to appear "hip" that it's almost obnoxious. If you want a hip hangout near VCU, I can point you to several places that are just as trendy yet cleaner and with better food. The tofu bites are horrid despite that they look appetizing when they arrive at the table. Seriously, who cooks tofu like that? It shouldn't be rock solid to the point where it cuts the roof of my mouth. And can everyone please stop raving about the tots? I mean, they're f*cking TATER TOTS. Stop pretending like they're some kind of legendary secret recipe. They likely buy them in bulk, throw them in the deep fryer, and dole them into your heart attack bucket with a generic aioli sauce on the side that I could go in my kitchen and replicate right now given about five minutes. (I do love the "sticky balls", though.)

    (2)

  • William W.

    I'm not reviewing the sushi here, although I have eaten it, it's not bad but it's not great. I consider this more of a bar than a sushi restaurant. The last couple of times I have been there it's been full of people that seemed to be there just to take up space. It used to be fun when it had more of a punk or biker feel, but now it's full of douches in super skinny jeans with flannel shirts. The owner is great, and the bartenders usually handle the crowds pretty well, i've never had to wait more than a few minutes for a drink even on a busy night. I just can't stand the crowd.

    (2)

  • Nuri G.

    Reminded me of a strange Asian diner. Their menu was imaginative, and their play on the Godzilla (Godzirra) was laugh-out-loud funny for someone who says Harro more often than Hello. The Not So Good: To echo words of former diners, though, things were awfully saucy. The sticky balls, although an interesting combination, were slathered in wasabi mayo and soy reduction. The tuna didn't look right at all. Goat cheese, although imaginative in a roll, kills the subtle flavors and overwhelms the texture of anything else in the roll. The rice was just ok, and that's the true test of a sushi restaurant in my opinion. The incredible: I had a summer style sashimi, which consisted of tilapia, lime, cilantro, and "cock sauce" -- the chili garlic Vietnamese sauce. The flavors reminded me of a ceviche, which was both refreshing and exploding with flavor. I hate to say it, but the tator tots were perfectly fried and delicious. No greasy soggy elementary school cafeteria tator tots here! Beautiful and interesting women everywhere. I'm sure that if it was just me by myself (instead of me and two ladies) I would have happily sat at the bar and struck up some conversations. The Good: Prices. People complain about the prices being expensive, but seriously folks.. compared to what I'm used to on the west coast... the prices were cheap. Three of us ate to plump satisfaction for $72. The drinks were strong and delicious -- I had an incredible extra dirty stoli martini. Overall: If you're a sushi purist, a connoisseur, or hell... even know what raw fish should look and taste like...I'd probably stay away from this place. If you're looking to meet interesting people, have some great drinks, and sample some weird and somewhat tasty fusiony food, this may be your place.

    (2)

  • Alexis R.

    Hmmmm ... What can I say about Sticky that hasn't already been said here. Well, if you enjoy long waits, a super cramped bar, and junk food sushi this is your place. I hit up Sticky regularly because I can tolerate the above as well as the snarky hostesses and waitresses. I don't mind the wait at the crowded bar because I am drinking and chatting with friends. It's kind of like pregaming before dinner. This probably makes the food taste better as well. The GI Joe and tofu bites are my favs though the presentation may vary depending on the preparer. The basement kitchen is a bit scary.

    (3)

  • Kristin A.

    I have bequeathed Sticky Rice with two stars. One is for the ambiance as it is fun to get all "Blue States Lose" in Richmond and gawk at hipsters. The other is for the tater tots, as they are quite scrumptious and I like the pretentiousness of eating them with chopsticks and dipping little fried pieces of heaven into some sort of "wasabi dipping sauce." Unfortunately, their food is gross. The sushi is very MEH and one time my salmon was gray. I do not like my raw fish to be gray. I also think their other non-sushi foods are very unpredictable and range from being "alright" to "gross." Sticky Rice is fun in a scenester way, but doesn't hold a candle to Kobe, Ichiban, or even Hana Sushi.

    (2)

  • Melissa W.

    I am from Dallas-Fort Worth, TX and one of my favorite things about traveling is trying out new and different restaurants! So when I arrived in Richmond on Thursday morning, my friend gave me the itinerary for the day he ended with "oh and we will be going to Sticky Rice for Sushi!" I was immediately intrigued not only for my love of sushi but also because I am sucker for bad ass restaurant names! So we arrive around 8:30 p.m. and the place is bumping, which is promising but I was hungry! The hostess lets us know it is about a 30 min to hour wait so we went to the bar. This place is small, probably seats about 50 to 75 so if you are claustrophobic then you better get there early because the bar is narrow! Luckily we got 2 seats at the bar so we could wait for our table with some cocktails. The bartender was a little confused about my out of state license but luckily I had more proofs of identification in my bag to prove that I am over the age, (I am 27) but still it was a bit odd. My friend ordered red bull vodkas while I enjoyed a PBR($3.50!) I love traveling to the North for their vast selections of beer. We waited about an hour, I was afraid the hostess forgot about us until she caught my eye and finally seated us. My friend and I enjoyed a seaweed salad, quite small but it was delicious. Then we ordered 3 rolls each, The Yellow Brick Road Roll, The Hearty Heart Roll and a Caterpillar Roll. The rolls were on special and ran about $6-$8 each which in my opinion is so cheap! The waitress was very attentive and even though the seating is very close tight, I enjoyed eating here. What I enjoyed most; The hipster electric vibe of the locals, the cheap prices, the great drink specials (after 10 pm you order any alcoholic beverage with red bull the red bull is FREE!), big screen tvs with sports, the NAME!, the innovative sushi rolls (yellow brick roll was topped with almonds and cashews!), the music and the service What I disliked; the wait, the bartender and the ID situation and how small the restaurant was.

    (4)

  • Khaleelah J.

    I can't believe I've never written a review about Sticky Rice before. If I'd written about it the first few times I went, I would give it a five star review, hands down. Sadly, something is happening of late at the wonderful SR. I started going to Sticky Rice when I was in college in Williamsburg. I know it sounds sad, but I would drive up to Richmond for Sticky Rice on weekends because I just HAD to get some tots, the South Roll and the Dirty Vegan. Then I moved. Since my family is from NoVA, I would only go to the Washington, DC location which is NOT GOOD. The food is not fresh and the sushi is small and poorly made (which is really saying something, because I don't know how you can mess up veggie sushi!). ANYWAY, I finally came back to town to visit this weekend and, of course, HAD to stop by my old stomping grounds. I must confess, I was a little disappointed. I don't know if its because I've let my thoughts about the DC location color my thoughts about my beloved Richmond SR, but I was a little underwhelmed. My South Rolls were really dry and no longer came with the honey drizzled on top, which I loved. The tots were kind of soggy. My Dirty Vegan just wasn't as fresh or flavorful as I remember. All in all, its a place I have to go when at home if for nothing else than to remind me of my younger days, but the quality really has decreased. PS- Ask a waiter what TWP (a drink on the menu) stands for. Quite interesting...

    (4)

  • Jason S.

    Not so much a restaurant as a place to be seen with a PBR.

    (1)

  • charles J.

    most over rated richmond restaruant. i have avoided this place like the plague for years. it only continues to get business becuase of the scenster crwod and hype that is around it. i don't dislike the scenster/hipster folks or the atmosphere of the place...i dislike that no one who frequents sticky rice admits the food is nasty. if people would just say sticky rice is a cool bar hangout with crappy food i would be okay with it, but people saying that terrible sushi and tater tots by the bucket are great just gets me mad. most of it comes frozen from costo or bjs. i have only ordered any sushi there once. i took it home and gave it to my dogs. I do love sushi and am a harsh critic of it, but anyone could tell this fish was not fresh and wasn't of the highest quality that is required for great sushi. not a bad place to meet your vegan/veggie friends for drinks. that is the only i do there now. food is terrible. go to sticky rice for drinks and odd bingo type games, go somewhere else for food. the fact that some folks think they have good sushi makes me sad :(

    (1)

  • Nicole T.

    I love sticky for the bar and some of the food. Let's get this out in the open: the tots. The best tots come in a bucket and sticky rice knows this. The vegan sushi is great and the mock chicken bowl is wonderful. The bartenders and wait staff are friendly and I have never had a problem with their service. The biggest glaring issue I have is the frat, college vomit that comes in. I'm sorry I mean people. It isn't the hipsters or whatever that are the problem but the "OMGlet's dance on a non-existent dance floor and be entirely too loud when telling stories about whose genitals touched the other night". Yes, that is what sticky is lately. So very true and it makes me avoid it more than I want. Despite that, I always go back and will continue to laugh at the beer gutted, idiot patrons.

    (4)

  • Rob P.

    Was back in Richmond and went back to Sticky Rice. I still find the sushi not the best in the world, but I will say I had a much better time hanging out here... on a Sunday night, they did trivia and the host was hilarious. He went across the street to another bar at one point and still had his microphone in hand, so we could hear him making fun of people. The bartender was also super cool and hooked up our drinks on the cheap. Man this place is bordering on 4 stars because of ambiance, but I just can't do it as their sushi is eh.

    (3)

  • Michael G.

    I had been there a few years ago and thought it was pretty good, tried it again while in Richmond and either I was completely delusional or the restaurant has changed so much. Very expensive for very small rolls. Also, service was horrid. Won't be back

    (2)

  • Brian B.

    Stopped by here on a Wednesday night to watch the VCU game. My friend and I ordered a couple of beers, edamame and tater tots as our starters. For the main course we ordered the Drawn n' Buttered, Sticky Balls, Yellow Brick Road, Philly roll and the south roll. All the food arrived promptly and was throughly enjoyed. For dessert we shared the fried bananas (which was not included on our check because they didn't have the full order, we were also asked if we wanted anything in place which was also complimentary). Definitely enjoyed it here tonight. The service was also stellar from our waitress. Do yourself a favor and come by Sticky Rice.

    (5)

  • Jennifer F.

    This place is amazing!! The Sticky Balls are SO good! And the tots are a must! The Godzilla roll (not sure if that is the exact name) and the buttered roll are incredible!!

    (5)

  • Alex S.

    I went for dinner last night. It was a friday. The place was crowded, but not so bad where you feel like you are shoved in there. I orded a seaweed salad, which was expensive for the amount i got, and the sargasso roll, which I thought was good. There was a lot of rice on the roll, so if you like that, then you will like that roll. We also got the tub of tater tots. They are exactly what it sounds like. They were very good about refilling our drinks, sometimes I would have only taken a sip and then someone will have come by and refilled it to the top again. very attentive staff. I was also a fan of the music selections they had. it varied kind of dramatically from song to song, but they all meshed very well.

    (4)

  • Kathryn F.

    Great service & atmosphere. Bangin' tater tot sauce. Sub par sushi, not fresh & fell apart.

    (3)

  • Erin K.

    Sorry, but two starts for sushi. Barely any fish in the sushi rolls and the one with pineapple/cilantro was just odd. Basic spicy tuna and salmon rolls were a disappoint. Cool inside and I heard there better things on the menu, but don't go for the sushi if you want to enjoy quality fish.

    (2)

  • Amber R.

    Very good! I tried the sticky balls this is my first time here and I am very pleased! They don't have sweet tea which I find very odd - considering where in the south! It's okay I'll take a coke! Am very pleased with service and menu my boyfriend doesn't eat sushi and he had the pork sandwich and loved it (thank goodness cause e doesn't like anything!) I wi be back

    (5)

  • Steve S.

    Always a great time when I go there. Godzirra roll is the best!! I enjoy coming in for Karaoke. There is always a bunch of craziness when you mix alcohol and singing. The tots are an excellent choice after a late night bar crawl.

    (5)

  • Renée G.

    Okay, Sticky Rice and I have finally come to an understanding. It involves me, as a cranky old fart, not coming here on the packed, frenzied weekend evenings. ;o) Came here most recently on a Sunday afternoon with a large party and we had a lovely time. Our server was sweet and attentive, the tots flowed plentifully, and the sushi was yummy as always. It was even raining, which = $1 PBRs. Heck yes!

    (4)

  • Lemuria C.

    What an amazing dive bar with awesome sushi! This is my favorite sushi restaurant in Richmond (and it makes the list of my top five all-time favorite sushi spots anywhere :-) Regarding the decor, this place doesn't quite meet the criteria for a hole-in-the wall, but it's pretty close. Yet, it's grungy interior adds to it's charm. On the weekends, its always packed. It's in an artsy neighborhood near VCU so there's always an interesting, eclectic crowd. You MUST TRY the bucket of tater tots served with their secret, signature sauce! Its delicious! It's a very simple starter, but for some reason I can't get enough of it. The portion is pretty large. So if you're not that hungry just order them as a side. The sushi is divine. It's so fresh and they use high quality ingredients. They make their California roll with real crab meat (not imitation meat like most other places). It tastes sooo much better. I also love their spicy tuna roll, the drawn-N-buttered roll, and the ceviche roll. I must worn you, the restroom is not the most welcoming place. It's in the basement and it smells really weird (unlike anything I've ever smelt). I try not to use it. I make sure I go before I come or I just hold it until after I leave. This inconvenience is the reason I gave them four stars instead of five. Overall, this place is wonderful. All of the sushi here is delicious. I always stop by when I'm in town.

    (4)

  • Brandi O.

    I don't care how many of my friends and delusional hipsters are obsessed with this place: it's just not good. Asian food! Let's go and get some crudely named rolls slapped together by apathetic bearded college kids and claim it as a Richmond staple! Well if this is a Richmond staple, then I feel terribly sorry for this city. Broaden your horizons, people. The sushi is not good, plain and simple. The rolls are poorly constructed, falling apart before you can even bring the chopsticks to your mouth. Might as well just put it in a bowl and eat it with a spoon. One word: "Godzirra". Are you freaking serious? You're going to stereotype and make fun of the culture who's cuisine you're completing butchering in the first place? I understand it's all in good-fun, but I am failing to see the humor. Service is inattentive. Our waitress acted like we were inconveniencing her by being there. Hey woman. Guess what. If we have a party of 6 people and we're ordering at least $100 in your crap sushi, the least you can do is act like you care. And lastly. The tator tots. They are tater tots. There is nothing magical about them. Slap some frozen potatoes in a deep fryer and you have Sticky Rice tots. Wtf does a tater tot even have to do with sushi? All the food was bland. I'm sorry but if your restaurant gets so much hype, then you better live up to it or you're gonna have a lot of pissed off people. The only thing I like about this place is the location. And that's it. Never again.

    (1)

  • Taylor S.

    Oh sticky rice how I love you. I really do love this place. Not only because their food is awesome sauce but because even when I go there without ordering food they have super fun activities. They do blingo almost every Wednesday and karaoke I think every Tuesday. When they have these, the sushi bar closes and all you can order really is their tater tots and alcohol. Their tater tots are delicious especially good after you've had a couple drinks. This place is great for friends to come hang out if your bored on a Tuesday or Wednesday night, or poor like me cause blingo and karaoke is FREE! Also if you have money and want to eat some sushi come here cause you won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Michelle W.

    Soooo, this is not your typical sushi place. The first time I was here was on a bar hopping escapade through RVA and I didn't eat. The place was packed that Saturday night of people getting their drink on, so if you want to come for a meal where you can actually hear people talking I would go before 9 or 10. The second time I came for dinner. The sushi was ok, as some other reviews said, some items are better than others. I did like the Gozirrrra (or however you spell it) roll. It had many items I enjoy in it & is a pretty americanized roll, but delicious none the less. My second favorite thing was the tater tots. Yes, tots. That's what I mean not your typical sushi place. They have all kinds of random stuff on the menu...so I suppose most people, even if they don't like sushi, could find something to put in their bellies from this menu. Probably not a place I will seek out for sushi, but I would eat here again and try some other things. Hopefully I pick the good ones!

    (3)

  • James C.

    Worst place for sushi hands down. I order sushi with salmon in it and i literally had to try and find the salmon in each roll. I got frustrated so i asked them why there is such lack of meat and they give me a new roll. But even in the new roll there was a little more but nothing like sushi places such as Akida where generous portions are given. Sushi isnt cheap at sticky rice but i dont pay $11 for a roll of rice and some veggies. That was the first and last time for me. Id recommend vcu campus sushi or akida.

    (1)

  • Sarah M.

    Great server she was able to recommend some food too. Had a good time every one in my group enjoyed their meals.

    (4)

  • Abbie A.

    Back when I was in undergrad, I heard about just how amazing this place is and how I just had to try it. I dunno who I heard this from when I think about it, but there's not much to rave about the place. It's more of a dive. Pretty cramped entranceway and there's nothing glamorous when you walk in. The Food. -Bucket of Tots- This is what this place is known for and I can't help but order it anytime I'm here. It comes with some special sauce which is really just mayo & siracha sauce. Like another reviewer said, you could probably whip this up at home. But this place did come up with the idea of tots and that sauce. -Godzirra Roll- My all time favorite roll at this place. It seems to have gotten smaller in this past visit, but the it tasted just how I always expect it to taste. Delicious! The Service. Friendly enough. Our waitress was nice enough to realize that my friend and I had some catching up to do so we didn't feel forced to leave in a hurry. Overall, it's a decent place to come to when you've got an appetite for tots and sushi.

    (3)

  • Luke P.

    This is a dive bar with dollar PBRs that specializes in tater tots. There's a large menu and it does have sushi and other Japanese cuisine, but it's the exactly the quality you should expect from a dollar PBR dive bar. It's not good - it's just authentic enough to fool people who don't know any better and are also very drunk. The place is vaguely dressed up in cheap Japanese party favor art, but it's got some charm to it. As a dive bar it's decent, and will remind you of bars from your college days. Just don't expect good food or beer - it's a dollar PBR place.

    (1)

  • Erika F.

    The place is definitely has an eclectic feel to it! The decor is modern and simple; perfect for the Fan area. I've been here a few times and the service is always wonderful. The bartenders and sushi makers are fast and efficient while the servers have wonderful attitudes and seem like they enjoy their job. The last time I went there it was before the dinner rush and I loved it! The food (dumplings) was good and the place seemed more open. I have to admit, I definitely enjoyed the place more with less people there. I think during their busy times it feels very small and you don't have too many places to move around and I get a little claustrophobic. But, during off hours, this place definitely has decent food with some very fun characters at the bar!

    (3)

  • Meredith B.

    I like sushi. I want to like sticky Rice, particularly since I have friends who are fans and the hours are really good when other places I might go aren't open half so late but somehow... My first visit unfortunately colored my opinion on later attempts to enjoy myself rather badly. The food was pretty solid, but the waitress, while attentive, was wearing pretty heavy scent of some kind which was a little off-putting, my coffee was full of grounds and the bartender's choice of videos for the TVs over the bar was some odd music video that included, I kid you not, close-ups of dental surgery. Subsequent visits haven't been as bad, but they all seem to end up rather uninspiring. I've ordered falafel bites [they don't even Have these any longer] and found it flavorless and utterly soggy, I've had sushi with rice that was rather on the chewy side, I've had cold soup, and I've never been able to hear my dining companions over the music and the nose... There are other sushi places, I shall enjoy them and leave this place to the crowds that love it.

    (2)

  • Quannette W.

    The food was good however, as I was enjoying my chilli calamari the trash was being taken out at the same damn time. And I had to move to let the guy through.... smh the music was waay to loud. Were sitting a table distance away and can't hear one another. Turn the music down!

    (2)

  • Dave J.

    Love this place. Sushi always great, and the noodle bowls are fantastic.

    (5)

  • Han V.

    I don't think Sticky Rice really offers anything special to rave about. The rice of the rolls was too soft and the fish itself was inferior in quality to other places in Richmond. It tasted and smelled like the fish was a little old as well [fish should never smell fishy!]. Taters were ok, but nothing mind blowing that will make me want to come back. The dark and dank atmosphere and inattentive service also takes away from the experience as well. Food: 1 Value: 1 Service: 2 Overall: 1

    (1)

  • Hawn E.

    Bucket of Tators with spicy mayo sauce was nom nom and using chopsticks to dip them in made it authentic. Spicy ribs weren't too spicy for our 13 yo to eat. Ribs were so tender and chili sauce made them very succulent that they melted in your mouth. Yum yum. Sticky Balls weren't sticky but delectable made of tuna, crab and sriracha rice fried in tempura and topped with tobiko, scallions,eel sauce was great. Better than I thought. Defn will get the same things again when I come here.

    (3)

  • Ellie G.

    One of the more underrated bars in RVA. Excellent bartenders. Rough atmosphere that makes you want to go get a tat sleeve that night. But you never feel threatened to. Overall, sushi is good but the PBR tallboy is even better. Put your best 90s band tee on for a fun time. Cheers

    (5)

  • Toni T.

    I enjoyed Sticky Rice's sushi (and tots) when I first visited the place a handful of times a few years or so ago. Not so much on a recent return visit. In addition, a slow Saturday afternoon at the restaurant became long and drawn out because someone along the line was taking way too long to get our food to our table. So not only was the sushi just ok and the tots a bit too crispy, but I was peeved as well. Or did my high level of piss-tivity cause me to have jaded views of the food? Either way, I left feeling I could get better sushi and tots elsewhere. I'll leave this dive to the college kids and young professionals who live nearby to and like to frequent it during happy hour and karaoke.

    (2)

  • Victoria S.

    Sweet potato sushi was very tasty. I had the dirty vegan and it was delicious. Too much rice (next time I will order with no rice), but the sauce was yummy and the tofu was perfect texture. I would love to see one in Norfolk, VA.

    (4)

  • Lisa G.

    Sushi tasted fishy. Not the friendliest staff. Seems to be a hipster spot for VCU art kids. Pros: Interesting atmosphere Decent tater tots - nothing I couldn't microwave though Cons: Overpriced Kind of divey Slow service Sushi is medicore Snotty customers/staff

    (2)

  • Taylor V.

    My boyfriend and I were in town just for the day and wanted to find somewhere nice, yet casual and relatively cheap to grab dinner. We got stuck eating at the sushi bar in the corner when we would have rather been at a table. I love sushi and he doesn't, so he got the chicken thai, which he said was good. I'm a vegetarian, so didn't try it. I was a little disappointed in the sushi. I'm from the coast and am always used to the freshest sushi. The menu said the rolls were 6-10 pieces. Both of mine were only 6 (my fault, I should have asked). My sushi would not stay together. The rice wasn't holding it together. And I'm normally full after two rolls, but was still hungry. On the other hand, the mood was nice and I did enjoy how the sushi is made for customers to see.

    (3)

  • Bill C.

    Definitely need soy sauce and wasabi...

    (2)

  • Maya G.

    This place has some of the worst food I've had in years. Truly disgusting. Worse than getting sushi at Safeway. Bad service. Bad food. Do not eat it. This place caters to people with no understanding of Japanese cuisine or just quality food at all. Overpriced. Bad. Inedible.

    (1)

  • Chelsea M.

    Good, reasonably priced sushi can be found here. Tightly packed, fair not great service, and a limited selection of beer on tap were a few of the drawbacks. The sticky balls were a definite must. The chili roll was another favorite, with unique flavors of pineapple and lime, it was definitely unique.

    (4)

  • Brandy A.

    I was rooting for this place. I love sushi. I had two other spots in the Richmond area that I preferred but wanted to try something new with a few sushi loving friends from work. We arrived on a Saturday afternoon, right before a soccer (futbol for non-Americans) match so we beat the sports crowd that came to watch the game. Sticky Rice is located in an area of Richmond that is primarily residential with some local businesses here and there. Parking in this area can be pretty brutal depending on the time but there was a bit of lot parking available behind the building. If that doesn't work for you, start practicing your parallel skills and grab a spot on the street. Our party of four was seated promptly. There were at least three other tables filled with people there in the smallish dining room but we were served timely. A friend ordered the bucket of tots (smh...she was way too excited about those...lol) which were just a bucket of tots. If you're looking for an appetizer to share with a group of people w/o breaking the bank then maybe that's the way to go. We ordered Godzirra (love the name - crunchy shrimp, avocado, cream cheese), The Millenium Roll (crab, eel, salmon), South Roll (sweet potato) and another I can't remember the name of. They offer a variety of creative rolls and staples. I wasn't super impressed but didn't have anything that I didn't like. If you're in the area, this may not be your #1 spot to hit up for sushi, but this place is big on character and seems to provide a social scene for those looking for it.

    (3)

  • Terry G.

    Really like this sticky rice location, with great portions, excellent bar staff, and just darn good sushi.

    (4)

  • Robin J.

    It was a nice place to meet after work for a drink - staff was nice and service pretty good. For that I kept my rating at a 3. I was not impressed with the sushi or with the cocktails. I have two vodka based drinks - I weigh 100 lbs so I feel it when I have a drink. I felt nothing and honestly think there was very little vodka in the drink so I am feeling a little cheated on my drink. Based on the drink and the food, I would have given it a 2 star, but the service was good and the atmosphere was good. If you're a foodie, this is not your place - if you're looking for a great place to meet, have a beer, and have fun - this will do just fine.

    (3)

  • Dylan G.

    Really disappointed with the bouncer's treatment of customers. Before closing time he aggressively told people to "get out, because I'm trying to go home." Being that the bar didn't close for another 15 minutes, we stayed and finished our drinks. He came back around and initiated a confrontation, calling someone in our party a "cocksucker". He continued using homophobic slurs and threatening violence (stating he wanted to punch several people in our group) until we left that bar at it's official closing time. Will never return again, due to of poor treatment of customers.

    (1)

  • Kendall D.

    Overall good experience. Sushi was yummy and they offer a variety of special rolls but would like to see more simple offerings. You must get the bucket of tots when you go. Little bit pricey.

    (3)

  • Wes F.

    I used to dislike this place because I thought it was too cramped and too scenester-y. I think that's relaxed a little bit because I've been twice recently and had great experiences. I actually don't care for sushi, so I never order it. I have no opinion on the sushi. I get noodle and rice bowls when I go, and I consider them to be pretty tasty and fairly reasonably priced. Love the soba and the tofu is good. My boyfriend is from elsewhere in the state, and I took him here for dinner because so many consider it to be quintessentially Richmond in atmosphere (dark, dingy, underachieving, divey, fun, full of tatted youth). But I promised an overabundance of hipsters and a surly waitress, and we didn't get them. It wasn't packed, not a ton of scenesters, and our waitress was delightful. He got the Dirty Vegan and thought it was delicious. Since that evening went so well, I ate there again, by myself. I just got apps and a dessert, but they were awesome. I always thought cake pops were kind of a rip-off because I thought you basically got one bite of cake for $3. I got one today for kicks and it was awesome - the cake had a dense brownie-like sticky texture and the dipped shell was really thick and tasty. It took me 6 bites to eat it all, and I liked that it was a small portion. I would get one again. I've also gone at earlier times in the evening (6 and 7), so maybe it's still cramped late at night, but I've had two great dinners here recently and am including it in my rotation now.

    (3)

  • Dominic B.

    I've been to Sticky Rice occasionally over the years. I've eaten different sushi off the menu. The sushi is hit or miss. Some rolls are tasty, while others are average at best. I mainly go to Sticky Rice for the bucket of tots and drinks. The bucket of tots is a winner in my book. Enjoying some drinks with tater tots is a good combination for me. The service is hit or miss. The employees are friendly. On weekend nights, Sticky Rice is usually crowded especially in the summer. Sticky Rice has a social live atmosphere. The street parking can be a hassle on weekends.

    (3)

  • Tara C.

    Um, wow let me get straight to the point here. How come no one else mentions the putrid smell by the stairs?!?!? I've worked in restaurants & this is the smell of OLD rot, grease, trash that you usually only smell by dumpsters. Maybe if you're not seated near the stairs & don't use the bathroom you'll be ok. The portion in my dirty vegan was much smaller, but still couldn't finish it as the smell finally overtook me. This place has gone downhill, really just good for tater tots & fun drinks. So sad, this used to be our all time fave place to go when visiting Richmond. The DC one sux too.

    (2)

  • Anna T.

    Just kidding on the super good looking hipsters. I was a tad drunk that night. Tator tots are still a win! Bar seats are still a pain in the a** to find and I learned that you need to be slightly buzzed in order to have a good time in such a cramp & crowded space So sling a few drinks, knock down a few tots and belch out a few tunes.

    (3)

  • Heather M.

    Let me start off by saying, if you are looking for authentic sushi, this is not the place for you. When I first moved to Richmond, my husband couldn't stop raving about this place. I worked at a traditional sushi restaurant in undergrad, and I was in for a shock when I came to Sticky Rice. They food is eclectic, creatively named, and has a great ambiance. I know that Sticky Rice is not for everyone, but I absolutely love it. Their weekly specials make it appropriate to celebrate the weather, whatever it may be. If it's raining, $1 PBR, if it is really hot, $1 PBR, if it is really cold, $1 PBR, you get the point. :-) The fact that you can get a bucket of tots, in an actual pail is highly entertaining. But, the sauce is by far the highlight of this dish. Trust me, this stuff is addicting. While the tots taste like your average tots, the sauce will leave you coming back for more. The Sticky Balls are a go-to favorite of mine, as well as many of the monster and specialty rolls like the Godzirra. With the eclectic and healthy eaters of Richmond, it is wise that they also have a decent vegetarian selection. If you don't like sushi, no worries, they also have noodle dishes which recently got expanded. They now offer General Tsao's and even a barbecue sandwich. Overall, I love the environment here, and the food. It may not be fine dining, or traditional sushi, but it is definitely delicious!

    (4)

  • Judith L.

    If you're looking for real/authentic sushi, you'll probably want to skip this place. But if you don't mind waiting for a table, squeezing into a table between a bunch of pbr drinking hipsters, and eating a creative take on sushi/Japanese fare made by non Japanese sushi chefs, you'll probably like it here. On paper, I should hate everything about this place. It's loud, it's crowded, I'm surrounded by people who will probably judge me because I'm too "mainstream", I'm Asian so this sushi is an abomination, the place is drab and dingy, the list goes on... That being said, I am definitely not a regular here. But you won't find another place that will give you a bucket (yes, literally) of tots and an opportunity to order a "godzirra" roll (as an Asian person, should I be offended?) and sticky balls (try not to chuckle when you order). I actually do like the garden balls (mushrooms, peppers, rice fried with eel sauce: I know, I know... But I can technically said I had my veggies that day). I don't mind coming here to introduce my out of town/never been here friends to a unique experience (or on the rare occasion that I'm craving tots/garden balls) but this place wouldn't make it's way into my regular rotation of places to eat.

    (3)

  • Jessica C.

    It's a sushi bar dive, which has adopted this kind of punked out feeling. Everyone had neck tattoos there, but me. It tries a little too hard, but slangs pretty tasty sushi, and cheap PBR. There are definitely better spots to get your sushi fix at than Sticky Rice, but there is an interesting ambiance to it, if you're a drunk college student.

    (3)

  • Erica A.

    Sticky Rice is my go-to for affordable, decent sushi. It's not the best in Richmond, but they have a nice variety and some creative special rolls with fun names. I get the Yum Yum roll every time (sometimes two of them!). You can't go here and pass up on the bucket of tots either. To everyone wondering what that tasty little spicy dipping sauce is for the tots, I'm almost positive it's ranch mixed with sriracha (I'm sorry, Sticky Rice, but the world NEEDS to know!). I'm also a big fan of their tuna tempura and the Absolutely Fantabulous roll. They have tons of specials and fun events during the week (trivia, karaoke, etc). I also love that when it rains you can get Richmond's have (PBR) for $1 a can. Now how could you not love that? Overall, it's decently priced, fun and casual. I've spent nights here drinking the night way, and I've dined in for a quick dinner. Also, don't miss half priced sushi after 10 PM on Monday nights and then again on Friday afternoons 4 PM - 6 PM!

    (3)

  • Trey B.

    They are always on point when it comes to the food. I enjoy the sushi the most, but not really the environment. Mostly hipsters when it gets later in the evening, but I sit at the bar and get pretty good service. Can't go wrong with the sushi, but I wouldn't really bring a date here thou I've noticed a lot of people do. Go early if you want peace, somewhat. Go late if you plan to drink and possibly eat, that's my advice

    (3)

  • Miriam O.

    So many friends of mine have touted Sticky Rice as one of Richmond's best sushi places, but I'm not sure why. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to like this place. I thought it was creative, but the execution and quality did not deliver. While sitting at the bar with my friends, I noticed the prepared fish in the glass case looked discolored (grey is not a good look for seafood), and once our food arrived, I saw the avocado was oxidized and not very fresh. We ordered several rolls, Godzirra, Yum Yum, Garden of Eden, but I couldn't distinguish much of it, due to the heavy-handed array of sauces decorating the tops of our rolls which obscured any flavor. The textures did not mesh well together, and were at times, somewhat mealy. The tater tots were good, served in a cute bucket with some sort of creamy dipping sauce, but they were tater tots. It's hard to mess that up. Shout-out to our stressed yet extremely attentive server and the $1 PBRs that made the experience somewhat bearable.

    (1)

  • Liz J.

    I got take out from Sticky Rice, and if the best thing that came out of that restaurant were the tater tots, they have some major work to do. I am so glad that we ordered the tater tots, because I could not force myself to eat more than a few bites of sushi. Although I'm not a vegan we had read that Sticky Rice had one of the best vegan sushi options in the country, so we had some pretty high expectations. We ordered the Avocado, Garden of Eden, and Silence of the Yams. This ended up being the worst sushi I have ever had. I had better sushi at a small town buffet in rural Ohio. We also tried the tofu bites appetizer; the flavor was okay, but the texture was just so weird. Definitely not going back.

    (1)

  • Craig H.

    We went on a Friday afternoon before the dinner rush, and were seated right away and had good service. Our sushi came out quickly. This is definitely an Americanized-sushi, but among the best we've had. Everything was fresh, with delicate texture, thoughtful flavor combinations, and artsy presentation. The godzilla roll and tempura tuna roll were standouts, as was the salmon and goat cheese roll. We would definitely go back. Really the only downside is that it's a typical Richmond hipster joint. So if you're not a hipster, be prepared to look and feel like a bunch of squares and stick out as the cleanest people in the restaurant. I can see how this would be a crowded hipster hive after 7pm, so schedule your visit accordingly.

    (4)

  • Tina K.

    The sushi is, quite simply, horrible. The waitresses act like they're doing a favor by taking care of you. Unless you're drunk, this place blows.

    (1)

  • S R.

    If you're a sushi connoisseur looking for the real deal, sticky rice is not for you. It's an Americanized version of sushi and it seems like a lot of people reviewing don't seem to get that. (I mean, they have tater tots on the appetizer menus guys) I personally have always loved this place. I never got into the traditional fish sushi and even though I am not a vegan or vegetarian, I love the veg sushi menu and usually order exclusively off of it. As for the many folks who seem to be offended by "all the hipsters" it just sounds like you may have some personal insecurities. I have been going to this place for 10 years and while the staff is not going to kiss your ass (try applebees) they're not unfriendly.

    (4)

  • Kyle G.

    Super American-ized nasty tasting sushi. Terrible hipster atmosphere, everyone is too cool to be there.

    (1)

  • Denise T.

    Went to Sticky Rice after a few recommendations from various Richmonders. We are new to the area and have been looking for a great sushi restaurant. Sticky Rice will definitely not be our go to sushi spot. First impression of the restaurant is that it is tiny and dirty. The hostess told us we should wait outside which was a bit of a turn off. The sushi bar looked unappetizing. The cooks looked unkempt. The prep space looked unkempt. The storage refrigerator looked unkempt. The restroom area was dirty. Most sushi restaurants look orderly, clean, and pristine. The food was ok. The miso soup was pretty good. I can't say I really enjoyed my meal. Our waitress"M" was horrible. She seemed like she didn't want to help us. I asked for a sushi recommendation and didn't get positive feedback. I asked if they made a shrimp tempura roll and she pointed at two rolls and said they had shrimp in them. M never asked if we wanted a refill on our drinks. She never asked how our meal was. She took about 15 minutes to bring the check after we had finished our meal. She just put the check on the table and didn't say anything. She was not friendly. I always feel like as younger people we are stereotyped as bad tippers, so we left a $.70 tip with a note explaining why. A little customer service goes a long way. I won't be back to sticky rice.

    (1)

  • Traci W.

    Oh yes. Now I remember why I stopped coming. I still love the creative, delicious food with a vegan-friendly attitude. But I forgot that's where the friendliness ends. The servers can be pretentious, outrageously inattentive, and are seemingly more interested in loud karaoke-style serenades to one another than actually waiting on customers.

    (3)

  • Tawheed H.

    I love to drink here, and definitely do not come here as often as I used to just cause my liver can't take it anymore, but I'm not a fan of their sushi. Sure, they're sticky balls, godzira roll and tots are delicious but the rest of the menu items are not very good. If you want to try for yourself, go on half price sushi night.

    (3)

  • Chris D.

    Not a great dining experience. Had heard this place was good. Maybe I caught them on an off day. It started with a flat diet coke. I noticed they weren't using a standard coke bar gun. I suspect I got diet cola, not diet coke. The miso soup wasn't bad, wasn't great either. I ordered the Mongolian beef bowl. It wasn't bad, just really dry. I left full, but not satisfied. The service was 10 times better than the food. Rumor has it that they lost their cook to another place down the street. They should try to get him back.

    (2)

  • Megan P.

    Now I've been to Sticky a few times. It usually involves PBR and dancing (sometimes on the booths...) while watching music videos. But I had a day drinking/lunch date with a girlfriend and we ordered the chili calamari to start. The chili calamari is why I am writing this review. I could have not ordered sushi at all and just eaten 3 orders of the chili calamari. (Yes I am aware of how many times I've said it.) Perfectly battered and the sauce was amazing. My friend was almost brought to tears when she didn't she the Chalupa roll on the menu (it's true it's no longer there) but our waitress did ask if they could still make it. They can (lunch was saved!) However, I cannot give Sticky 4 stars just for amazing chili calamari (last time I swear.). The sushi is fine but not the best, the service every time is meh, and the basement bathrooms make me cringe.

    (3)

  • Cammy K.

    Best place to go at 2pm in the afternoon when most sushi bars are closed. Be classy and grab a PBR to go with an order of their Sticky Balls. Go ahead and grab a second beer and one of the monster rolls. Nothing better than a belly full of sushi and beer on an afternoon, which was an atypical Tuesday for me.

    (5)

  • Austin S.

    I've been here a few times, but went again last night and had better service than I was given before so...yeah. Went to a get together with some friends. Lots of drinks, but I stuck with coke and got some tots & hot dogs. I know, not really the traditional fare from a sushi place, but SUPER yummy! My husband had the mongolian beef and said it was really good. Everyone pretty much destroyed whatever they ordered! The whole table had a few rounds of lemon drops, goldschlauger, and redbull & vodkas. Service was really good. Loud as a bar should be, but not overwhelming where you couldn't talk. I dig it. :) Oh! I also had a chocolate cake pop. Didn't really care for the cake, it was a little too rich/dark for me, but the white chocolate on the outside was yummy!

    (4)

  • David N.

    I don't get to RVA that often but I am quickly learning that there is a huge assortment of cool places to eat. At a friend's recommendation, this was my first stop on this trip. I am a fan of sushi but unfortunately am still relatively new to the cuisine. So forgive me if my terminology or descriptions are a bit off. Someone had called this hipster sushi. Not exactly sure what 'hipster' is but that description seems appropriate. The staff was younger and without shortage of ink or other bodily accoutrements. The clientele was younger as well. It looks bigger form the outside then it is. It's small and dark on the inside. Several TV's mounted on walls all playing sports. I got there just before six and the only seating was at the sushi bar. It was fairly loud but acceptable. It had started to rain and I was not offered $1 PBR. Not sure if this is advertised or local knowledge. Didn't much matter, I almost always drink sake with my sushi. And tonight was no different. Are tator tots really their signature dish??? Sounds strange. They might be good and if I make it back in a group, perhaps I will give them a try. They do have an android app which I find pretty cool but the prices are different on the app. than in the restaurant. I had a large sake - $9 (name escapes me), It came in the standard little white bottle with a small glass in which to drink it. It was good. Maguro - $6. Two pieces nigiri prepared tuna. This was good and favorable. Godzirra - $12.50. This is a large specialty roll of crunchy shrimp (fried), avocado, cream cheese, spicy (not really) sauce, cucumbers, w/tempura crunchies and tobiko - flying fish roe, had to look that up. This was very good with a nice array of flavors and contrasting textures. The menu is pretty diverse. This place would be better with a group of people so you can try different things. To be honest, I am not sure I even know what is good and not good sushi. I liked it, therefore it's good to me. My favorite sushi is Joss (in Baltimore) but that is mostly because they have fried shrimp heads (not on menu) that get's a lot of attention when ordered/eaten. I would both recommend and return.

    (4)

  • Navia G.

    This is still my favorite place to get sushi in this city. They consistently deliver a great meal and they have weekly specials (not discounts) so there's always something new to try. I love maki, and they have a ton of different combinations and I love to try them. My favorite is the drawn-n-buttered which is an inside out roll stuffed with tempura shrimp, crab meat, and cucumber. It comes with melted butter to dip the sushi in. I knowwww that isn't typical sushi, but hey, they get creative here, plus they have tons on their menu to satisfy classic sushi eaters. My favorite part about sticky rice is that there is no "k"rab found here. Its all real crab meat here, which sounds simple, but that krab stuff is ubiquitous. Last night we tried one of the appetizer specials (something not on the standard menu) which was crab rangoon. It was sooo delicious and unlike any other crab rangoon I've ever had. It was more like a wonton considering the depth of flavors, and the chunks of real crabmeat used. The service, unfortunately, is hit or miss because this place is the epitome of the richmond hipster scene and you will encounter long wait times, loud/cramped dining area, and listless servers, but it will be worth it! Last night, our experience was atypical, and deserves a mention. Our waitress was super-friendly, very attentive, and she smiled a lot. I think she's new, since I hadn't seen her before, but hopefully they keep her around :) FYI: Despite the well-earned hipster reputation, dining patrons of Sticky Rice are a diverse crowd, so don't let that be a factor in your decision to dine (or not) there.

    (5)

  • Jacqui R.

    Been wanting to go to Sticky Rice for fo-eva because all my friends are constantly talking about it. I'm from the Hampton Roads area so a friend and I decided to take the drive up to Richmond for the day for The Poe Museum and to go to Sticky Rice. We went at about 4:30 pm on a Saturday, so it wasn't crowded yet (although the dinner crowd was starting to arrive by the time we left). It has a really cool and laid back atmosphere with a super friendly waitstaff. I liked the vibe on the place and the booths were large and comfortable. We ordered the teriyaki mushrooms and the falafel balls to start. I loved the mushrooms, they were salty and delicious and came with a ginger dipping sauce. The falafel balls were good but they were a bit rich for my taste plus I'm not a huge fan of cucumbers so the cucumber dipping sauce wasn't really my thing. There were almost too many rolls to choose from and everything sounded delicious but we finally decided on The Chalupa Roll and The Drawn N Buttered. They were both outstanding! The Chalupa Roll was spicy and crispy and the Drawn N Buttered was rich and hearty. They were actually perfect together as the flavors were completely complimentary to each other. I will absolutely come back, hopefully on a day when it's raining so I can get my PBR discount (rainy day special!)

    (4)

  • Grace C.

    I don't understand...how this place does so well. Perhaps it's the catchy name, or the location where there are an abundance of hipsters, or maybe it's because they can handle loud drunk kids who I love so very much =). I'm fine with the atmosphere, but the food, I don't get it. When you go to their website, you see a huge picture of tator-tots. You know who has good tator-tots? Mojos, chik-fil-a for breakfast, everywhere that has them. It's hard to f-up these overpriced love-handle-formers. So I only had their sushi because it's a "sushi restaurant". I agree with people who commented how they are creative, but being creative doesn't always mean a good thing. For example, "Well.... he is creative...." The descriptions are long and it makes the sushi sounds incredible, but that's because if it wasn't there, no one would be brain washed enough to think that they are pretty good. I understand the city lacks good sushi in general, but for expensive a$$ tacky little units, I rather go to a sushi buffet and eat to be full. This place is absolutely amazing at how they make people say they have good sushi. I cringe every time my roommate says her bf is taking her on a date there to eat their delicious sushi, which is once a week. Saying they have a great atmosphere, now that would better hide the Pinocchio noses.

    (1)

  • Casey C.

    People suck. I can't stand reading Sticky Rice reviews, because I end up making fun of all the stupid people. Sticky Rice makes delicious sushi rolls at a very reasonable price. I've never had the tater tots and don't intend to; when the miso soup, edamame, lettuce wraps and sushi all taste good, why would I? We just had the Rainbow roll which was fishy and delicious. The avocado roll is so awesomely creamy and only $3.50. I wouldn't bother with the spicy avocado roll unless you tell them to spice it up. There's no real different between the two. Other great things about Sticky Rice: lots of vegan and vegetarian options. The lettuce wraps with fried tofu is SO GOOD. We have to push ourselves to try something else. $1 PBR's when its raining. Some people don't appreciate the "hip/hipster" vibe that Sticky Rice has, but I love it. I'm not use to cool sushi restaurants, and this is one of them. Also, Sticky Rice To Go Go may be a separate location, but its also equally awesome. They deliver!

    (5)

  • Heather L.

    I seriously can't see how anyone could give this place 5 stars...I've had a lot of fun at sticky rice before, but the food was anything but 5 stars... Their sushi is meh at best and always falls apart. I usually get the Godzirra roll. I mean, if you want cheap and ok tasting sushi I guess this is your place, but so help me God, while I was waiting for the disgusting bathroom in the dungeon area, a MOUSE ran across my foot and into the the kitchen!!!!! Stuff like that can't help but ruin my experience somewhere and I haven't been back since...I prefer Akida. It's pricier but I haven't seen any rodents as of yet. ;)

    (2)

  • Andy G.

    Every time you walk in this place.....you get hit with the smell of a disgusting wet dog. The service is usually okay, nothing special. The food is overpriced. And, it's always cramped in there. I haven't eaten there in more than a year, I don't plan on going back, the smell is really intense.

    (3)

  • Julie W.

    Who likes $1 PBRs when it's raining?! Not me, but a lot of people do evidently. If only they had $1 glasses of boxed wine during rainstorms. I do like the ambience (hipster-y, bar-y, lots of booths-y), good music, fun menu item names (Godzirra Roll) and yummy rolls (same). I'm no sushi expert but I liked the summer special of some sort of sashimi - I'll try to remember the name next time. The edamame is always a good choice as are the buckets of tater tots. The service is pretty okay, and the prices are too.

    (3)

  • David K.

    FYI - This place opens at 11:30 a.m. and if you get there too early they won't let you in. Seriously. I know from experience. Anyway... I was talking with a co-worker about wanting sticky rice (the generic, Japanese kind) and she thought I meant the restaurant. That wasn't what I meant, but it was a nice suggestion and I'm glad we went. This is a small place with a very eclectic sushi menu. I decided to get the chicken friend rice lunch special along with a few different sushi rolls. Everything was delicious and the only thing that I could complain about is the service. In addition to being made to stand outside in the cold for 5 minutes, I had to walk up to request a water refill.

    (3)

  • Jess H.

    I'm confused by Sticky Rice. It's like a Westerner's idea of what is "Asian"...koi fish and godzilla on the walls, gong behind the bar, sushi served on Chinese plastic plates and giant paper lanterns hanging overhead. Very confused. The pork gyoza are not fried particularly well. They tasted more like Chinese dumplings. I got the spicy tuna and philly rolls as well, which were alright. The spicy tuna is rolled in a way where there are these red pepper flakes on the outside of the rice...their food just confuses me. It's not bad and it's not good. I just don't get it. The Dirty Vegan with udon noodles was okay. The coconut curry is pretty tasty at first, but after a while it starts to get too rich for the palate.

    (2)

  • Duy N.

    Hipsters infused sushi! The food is good and the price is fair. The place is a little small and can get quite noisy. Expect a hipster college crowd and on the weekends after 9pm, it gets packed.

    (3)

  • Giovanna H.

    Wide vegan options!

    (4)

  • Gee C.

    I am giving them 3 stars only because im in love with the bucket of tots and their Godzilla Roll. Besides that, there is nothing extraordinary about Sticky Rice. Their rolls are inventive and creative but does not suit my taste buds. The place itself is cramped and when it gets busy, its crazy, I will have to scream across the table to get anywhere in a conversation. The place is dark and dingy and you cant tell if its dirty or lighting. probably a little bit of both. anyways, i'll come here just for the tots and roll but thats about it. be ready to walk into this with an appetite though, i always leave feeling full and busting at the seams. they are bit pricey but very reasonable proportions.

    (3)

  • Jared G.

    After graduation lunch - so glad a restaurant was open at 3pm! Better yet when it was your first choice. We started with the Tots and Edamame. Both were a great size - not too big or small - and very tasty. The Bucket-o-Tots was so great - the perfect chopstick training food. And the sauce was excellent, but we couldn't quite figure out what was in it. We had the spring roll - so fresh and crunchy, but the sauce was a little sweet. Loved the sashimi - best taste and texture I have had around RVA - fresh! Someone had the Godzirra roll - great presentation and delicious. Spicy Thai bowl - crunchy veggies, tender chicken, AND Thai hot - killer combo. Everything we had was fantastic. The waitress was wonderful, attentive, friendly and patient, as we had a Grandma in he crowd. Decor was fine. Why 4 instead of 5 stars? Too much Iced Tea- made the mistake of using the Men's room. CLEAN THE BATHROOMS FOR #%¥£$ SAKE!! J

    (4)

  • Jamie D.

    Oh, Sticky Rice. Although you are not on my list of frequented stomping grounds, I visited you the other day (for the first time in months, mind you) and I gotta give you props for quieting my growling stomach and pleasing my opinionated tastebuds. Typically, Sticky Rice isn't my choice for sushi. Except in the middle of the afternoon (say around 3pm) when every single sushi restaurant near me is closed until the dinner hour and I am fiending for some raw fish. My must-have menu item? The Billy Goat's Gruff. It combines a few of my absolute favorite foods- yellowtail and goat cheese- into one poppin little package. Although it's listed under the specialty sashimi section on the menu, the yellowtail is actually not completely raw. It's broiled and incredibly tasty. Anything paired with goat cheese automatically makes it a must-eat for me, and the BGG is no exception. The spicy salmon roll is a classic and Sticky Rice managed to satisfy with this standard as well. It wasn't the best I've ever had, but I don't expect the best sushi from this joint. If you're looking for tater tots, however, this is the spot to snag a bucket. Sticky Rice, you came through in the clutch, fed me well, and allowed me to leave happy and satisfied. I may just visit you again soon.

    (3)

  • Andrei U.

    Anyone who says this place has great sushi clearly hasn't had sushi in New York or the West Coast. Just average, and so is the rest of the menu.

    (3)

  • Sherman W.

    So... I went to this place with a friend because they said they had ''FRESH" Fish. Well... Let me tell you the truth, this place sells FROZEN fish... We went there at a busy night, and they didn't even have enough time to de-frozen the fish. it was icey! Eating their sushi made me feel like eating rocks. I have been eating real fresh salmon my whole life, so I can tell you how fresh the fish is, right away. The color of their salmon were DARK ORANGE and it must been there for days!!! PLEASE! charge less for those frozen shit! I could get a better deal at the super market!! This place is not worth your time and money.

    (1)

  • Erica T.

    Sticky Rice seems to be a divisive sort of restaurant - people either love it or hate it. I fall somewhere in the middle. Sticky Rice is very "Richmond." As a result, it is very laid back and relaxed, with inventive and unique food on the menu (including plenty of vegan and vegetarian options), and interesting PBR specials. Where else can you get an honest-to-god BUCKET full of tater tots, which you are encouraged to eat with chopsticks? Where else has $1 PBR specials contingent on the weather? Sticky Rice, like Richmond and the people who live here, doesn't take itself too seriously. That said, a place being very "Richmond" usually means a few unintended or unpleasant side effects. For instance, the restaurant and the people who work there are more than a little scruffy. The bathroom is terrifying - maybe the worst I've encountered. It's at the bottom of a steep, dark staircase, and in the ladies' room there is a full-length mirror directly opposite the toilet, so you're staring yourself right in the face when you "go". Not a great place for a mirror. Another side effect is that the service is surly and tending towards disdainful, but then, Richmonders have come to expect to be abused at least a little by their servers. An anecdote: during a meal here, I once dropped my chopsticks on the floor. I knew I was going to be in trouble with my server. When she came by the table, I sheepishly admitted that I had dropped my utensils on the floor. She stared at me for a moment and said, "So?" I said that I'd like another pair, please. She huffed at my incompetence and rolled her eyes, but she brought me more chopsticks anyway. I wasn't bothered, but my friend from out of town was shocked at the treatment we received. We just explained, "It's a Richmond thing." The food is usually pretty tasty. The Sticky Balls (vegan!) are amazing: deep-fried inari pockets stuffed with sriracha rice, red bell peppers, scallions, and shiitake mushrooms, drizzled with eel sauce. There are some great rolls on the menu, too, and vegans and vegetarians won't feel left out at all. Favorites include: the fantabulous amazing roll, the silence of the yams, the hot hippy, and the godzirra. See what I mean about an inventive menu? Noodle dishes at Sticky Rice are a better value than the sushi, and are tasty and filling. The "dirty vegan" with udon noodles is a great choice. If you want to skip the skeevey atmosphere and surly service, just order delivery. Sticky to GoGo delivers after 5pm, and nine times out of ten, the food arrives on time, tastes fresh, food that is supposed to be cold is still cold, and food that is supposed to be hot is still hot. If you're feeling brave, and you want a real taste of Richmond, give Sticky Rice a try.

    (3)

  • Melanie M.

    The food is bad. the prices are way to high for what you get. I could order the same thing at a nicer restaurant for the same price, and the food would be far better. Not worth it!

    (2)

  • Stephane B.

    I had the worst experience here today. Usually, its great. But not today! Our waitress ignored us from the start, brought us water and disappeared. The tables around us got their orders taken and drinks brought to them and we still were looking for our server. Once we were finally able to order food, we got the Salmon Skin Roll. My first bite, I had 3 bones in it, how horrible is it to have a whole sushi roll in your mouth and have a bunch of bones in it! Then my husband and I found 4 more rolls with bones in them. We waited to try to flag down the waitress, we couldn't find her, of course. She was chatting away at the computer screen and not paying attention to her tables (we saw her 3 times there ignoring us). When we asked for our check she took forever to come and get our money. And when she returned there was $1 missing. Needless to say, it will be a while until we go back.

    (1)

  • Jessica L.

    No thanks, I'll stick to Kabuto! The rice in both rolls I tried was definitely sticky, and not in a good way at all. The only thing I half-heartedly enjoyed were the tater tots, but the sauce they came with was nothing special. It's something I could whip up myself at home. Won't be coming back!

    (2)

  • Michelle A.

    One of the more compelling things to me about Sticky Rice is actually that if you are willing to stay up late on Monday night, you can get half price sushi at like 10pm... And on the weekends it's pretty bangin- they have a DJ and it's standing room only. The crowd is definitely urban hipster so if you want to meet a rich doctor this probably isn't the place... but it is fun. The dragon roll is pretty good, and some of their more inventive sushi rolls are worth trying, but don't expect traditional sushi... it's definitely fusion. I've had some of the noodle bowls, and they are pretty good... but not the best. Definitely Americanized. Also, parking is a beast, go around the corner and park on Floyd or on Strawberry street... It's a fun and unique place to take visitors, and definitely worth getting a drink at if you are looking for a good weekend spot...

    (3)

  • Valerie F.

    My favorite sushi restaurant in Richmond. It is the only place that does spicy tuna the at it should be. Crunchy shrimp and sticky balls are also two of our favs. If you are looking for a casual sushi place with a fun, eclectic atmosphere Sticky Rice is the place to go. We love their carry out as well which is located across the street.

    (5)

  • Susan L.

    We've been before so nothing surprising here, but were reminded why we don't go often (maybe once a year) and then some. Maybe it was the gray damp weather outside, but it definitely felt sticky inside (like there was a pool downstairs, which was only enhanced by a bathroom trip). A random glance overhead revealed a return vent clogged with fluffy gray lint. And just looking around as we waited the dried splatters on the booth "walls" were kind of a turn off. Our service was fine, attentive. The food was fine. We had the veggie tempura and three types of veggie sushi. Nothing really remarkable. Then as we were leaving happened to notice the guy behind the sushi bar was busy eating with his hands. This place Is maybe best visited late at night....

    (3)

  • Antony S.

    Cool kids unite in trendy music and splendid sushi. Service is fair considering how busy it can get. Great location for nightlife excursions. Prices are typical $$. The only downer is the bathroom, at least the men's room. A little on the gross side. Other than that this place is't so bad.

    (4)

  • Nancy L.

    So overrated. Tried it once & it was a waste of time & calories.

    (1)

  • Molica N.

    One of Richmond's many local spots. Two things you must get is a bucket of tater tots and sticky balls. I know it doesn't sound pleasant but once you see the dish and taste it for yourself you'll love it! You go here for the ambiance. The sushi isn't amazing but it's decent. Themed Nights Sundays-trivia starts at 11 Mondays-half off sushi from 10:30-12:30 Tuesdays-karaoke Thursdays-blingo Fridays/Saturdays-DJ/music videos* *Fridays may still be half priced sushi from 5-6 though not listed on the website I'm glad to see their hours have changed for the better.

    (4)

  • Erin C.

    Sticky Rice is pretty and hip. That's it. That's the whole reason to go there. Every single time I've gone there (always for dinner) it has been packed to the rafters with aggressive, boisterous and loud hipsters. I don't understand why restaurants think that cranking up the music when a lot of people are talking will make it more tolerable but Sticky Rice is a really bad offender here. The music is club volume most all of the time. Yes, I have hipster friends. I don't know how this happened, but it did. Because of this I've been to Sticky Rice more times than I'd like to have been. For a while their bathrooms were broken or something so the whole place smelled like portaloos but they fixed that with their renovations. The sushi is pretty bad, honestly. The rolls are really creative but anything that doesn't say "spicy" on it will have zero flavor and a ridiculous amount of rice (perhaps causative). A friend who is a sushi connoisseur was appalled by how old their fish tasted but I've never really noticed. If it doesn't gross you out to eat an entire bucket (seriously, a bucket, it comes in a metal candle pail the size of a citronella candle) of tater tots they're pretty good at that. The sauce for the tots is addictive and it's hard to screw up tater tots. The servers are sullen, slow and always busy. Every time I've come here the person who was supposed to seat diners just glared at us for several moments before coming to seat us or yelling at us to seat ourselves. Many times I've come here and it's been really dirty and yuck. Parking is pretty miserable because it's in the fan but not as miserable as trying to park near VCU.

    (2)

  • Leah M.

    A restaurant that makes a family date possible + let's us feel somewhat cool at the same time = like. My husband and I go for sushi and Sopporo, while our kids binge on tater tots (we look the other way and pretend fried potatoes have a Nutritional value... Sigh). Crowd doesn't seem to mind b/c they tuck us away in a booth and it's loud enough to mask my kids "not that quiet" inside voices. Then we get to take a stroll back to the car and ware out the kids a bit more before bedtime. Hard to beat when craving sushi w/kids.

    (4)

  • Lisa N.

    I do not understand the hype. This place is run-down and super busy, so good luck getting a table at peak lunch and dinner times. My friend and I ordered some specialty sushi rolls which were sub-par and nothing special. Service was decent, but parking can be difficult. I will probably not be coming back.

    (2)

  • Kara W.

    Really did not like the one in Baltimore, but figured this one might be different. Nope. awful food, no flavor.

    (1)

  • Joe P.

    The sushi here is neither terrible nor outstanding, but is worth a wait on Fridays between 5 and 6 for half price sushi, tots, and $1 PBR. However the customer service is terrible. My party arrived at 5:15 and wasn't seated until after 6. Our waitress refused to give us the half price deal because we were not seated until after 6. Needless to say, we won't be coming back anytime soon. If you're into music so loud you can't hear people at your table and ugly hipster decor, this is a place for you. Otherwise, there are many other local establishments with better sushi and service.

    (1)

  • Alex K.

    All the people that say 'oh its not a REAL sushi place' need a reality check. its in RICHMOND, VA not Kyoto or Tokyo (both of places I have been and had sushi there too). This is a hipster, trendy (Carytown, what else would you expect?) modern sushi fusion kinda place. They serve tater tots for christ sake! Which, by the way, might be the best food on the face of the planet. Its a little grubby but that comes with the territory of Richmond and adds some charm in my opinion. I go for the amazing food and am more than pleased every time I go. What more do you need to hear? Very interesting and tasty if not traditional sushi. The actual entrees are great as well. Big thumbs up Sticky Rice, keep it up! oh and I generally hate the Carytown hipster crowd but I'm willing to put up with their non-sense for the food here (yea, I'm a UR 'eliteist')

    (4)

  • Nate B.

    I'd say three stars is about right. If you want a place that has no wait, good sushi and cheap PBR; go to Moshi Moshi in Cary town. If you want a place that has cool music and good looking hipster chicks, go to Sticky Rice. The sushi is ok for being rolled by a bunch of hipster dudes. But it's a Richmond destination you should at least check it out once. Monday half off sushi after 10-ish. but get there early or wait forever.

    (3)

  • Ethan C.

    I love Sticky Rice, Its my favorite!

    (5)

  • Randy T.

    Kind of a let down. I had heard so much about the place and I was excited to find it on a recent trip to Richmond. Unfortunately I must echo other reviewers in saying this place is a hipster hangout as evidenced by the PBR specials. The "sushi chefs" oversauce everything and are obviously not traditionally trained. Not terrible, but not much better than you can find at any local grocery store sushi counter. The tots are pretty good though, but would you expect any different at a hipster bar? So crack open that tallboy of PBR and do some people watching.

    (2)

  • Andra J.

    Oh Sticky Rice. I want to love you, but your sushi is so very bad. I'll come back for a beer and maybe some tater tots, but never again for your sushi.

    (2)

  • Dae-su Oh _.

    Tattoos, PBR, Sushi, loud music, crowded bar, old school music video on a projector. Tater tots goes good with the beers. Monday nights are hectic, service is understandable if you are a regular. Yum.. Take out is across the street if you just want the food without the noise.

    (5)

  • Jason D.

    I try to go here whenever I'm in Richmond. It's the only place where you can eat tater tots with chopsticks (and the dipping sauce is amazing). I could easily just eat the tots all day, but I usually get the Sticky Balls and another roll, though the Sticky Balls can easily be an entire meal. The food is very good, but don't expect incredible sushi. If you're looking for an energetic crowd, friendly service and a fully belly, Sticky Rice is a sure thing.

    (5)

  • Dan B.

    I love Yelp. Those who know how to read the reviews can sort out a real 5 from a real 3. When a Cosi in DC gets a 5 and Sticky Rice gets a 3, then you get to weed out the crowd who doesn't belong anyway. A) If it's "too crowded" or the clientele is "too drunk" or the music is "too loud" (after 10 from your teachers' union meeting), then you don't need to eat here. B) If you think it is pretty dope to use the term "hipster" but have never stepped foot in NYC or could not say w/o checking gmaps if Park Slope or Williamsburg is further north, then you don't need to pass judgment (or use the term "hipster"). c) If you cannot handle some contact with other folks waiting for a table (who may possibly be waiting due to quality, popularity, or both), then you should leave your single stars at home. I'm from Richmond but now live in NYC. When I walked to Sticky Rice from my place in Carytown, no matter the bartender, I always received a "tall or small" greeting. I know that every time I went, ordering the special was the right choice. Having a sushi joint with amazing sushi and crispy bottom center tots is the balls. Yes, I'm sure some of you have had more authentic sushi in San Fran or Paris or NYC where you visited a friend one time 7 years ago; I know that you do not fit into A, B, or C. Therefore, you should head out to the west side of Richmond. There are several amazing Chili's and Applebee's. Wait for it...there is even a PF Chang's. Summary: If you see an arm with ink on it and the word "degenerate" even comes to mind, then you are too old or too square. Yep, I'm bringing "square" back. Have some sticky balls.

    (5)

  • Barbara P.

    As a person who loves sushi but can't eat the normal fish filled styles, this is my favorite place to go mow down some sushi! I recommend from the many vegetarian menu the hot hippies, the avocado and the garden balls. nom nom nom!

    (5)

  • Robbie B.

    We like it, good vegetarian food, sushi is ok, so are the drinks. Staff usually pretty cool. Price reasonable. We try to make it out here a few times a year.

    (4)

  • Roc G.

    This review is short and sweet...one of my favs! From the atmosphere to the drinks to the sushi and tots , it's all good. If you're searching for quiet or polished then this isn't for you .... and welcome to Richmond..... but if you're searching for a fun time with good eats than roll in.

    (4)

  • Jonas K.

    I am not shy to eat sushi, but sitting at the sticky rice sushi bar I had opportunity to examine the fish put into rolls in this establishment. I have seen 3 day old bait look better. Hence I opted for a grilled tuna sandwich. This came on a hard bun that may have been as old as the fish. The tuna was cooked to my specification, and served with their famous tater tots. Would you believe these taste just like frozen tater tots at home!

    (2)

  • t.sa c.

    I went to undergrad at VCU and frequent Sticky Rice for their great happy hour deal. I love the uniqueness of sticky rice, they're creative with their sushi, they have their own style and it's a place where you go for a good time. The sushi has always been good (in an unorthodox way), not so big on their noodle dishes. Now that there's a Sticky Rice in DC I can keep on the tradition!

    (4)

  • Joe K.

    I head down to the RVA a few times a year and when I go, Sticky Rice is usually the first place I hit for food. It's a super hip and cool spot not too far from VCU. You can expect the coolest of the cool to be hanging out and unless you get here early, expect a decent wait. Parking is also limited on the street and it might take a few spins around the block before you land something, so best to be prepared for that too. But once your inside, get ready for some really great sushi! One thing you must order are the Sticky Balls. A signature item, they are deep fried crab and tuna balls laced with wasabi and eel sauce. YUM! Godzirra is my personal favorite composed of shrimp, avocado, and cream cheese, but your really can't go wrong with any of the rolls. Of course you can get the usual sashimi and there is plenty of Saki to choose from as well. If you don't have time to dine in, you can just walk across the street and order from Sticky Rice To Go! The place is so busy they actually have a separate carry-out right across the street! Orders are fast and you can even get a six pack, single bottles of beer, or Saki to go too. Another thing worth mentioning that my friends seem to go nuts for are the tater tots. I am not sure if it's because they really love them or just think it's really cool that any restaurant would put them on the menu! Either way, they make a great appetizer. I highly recommend this place even if it means driving out of the way, but then again Richmond is not that big! So take it from me! I've been there!

    (5)

  • Satori P.

    A whole lot of hype. It's okay if you like that kind of stuff. But if you're looking for real sushi...save your money and go elsewhere. Service definitely suffers when it gets crowded and busy. I felt really sorry for my friend that came here for her birthday celebration and had to wait 30 minutes for the waitress to take her credit card.

    (3)

  • Sammy L.

    Sticky Rice is the combination of two of my favorite things in life. Sushi & a dive bar. A little crowded at first, the evening I had left me satisfied and only slightly sober. PBR Tall Boys and shots of Jager will do that, but also the food was great. I am certain I have been to larger, fancier sushi joints, but that is the allure of Sticky Rice! Also, the rapid fire succession of 90's music videos being played all night, combined with viral youtube videos made for great entertainment all night long.

    (4)

  • Christine R.

    I saw some really bad reviews but I guess those people don't enjoy a place with real atmosphere. Went to SR before a King George concert so we did not fit in with the college crowd but the food was great and the service excellent. Will go again if in Richmond for anything. Loved loved loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    (4)

  • Tea A.

    A great place to get darn good sushi/ japanese fusion food. I dropped by with some buddies on sunday afternoon, wasn't too packed but bit too compact. The sticky rice dish was amazing and a guilty pleasure and we ate four other dish chose at random and they were all great. It's a bit on the expensive side but you definitely get what you paid for. I would absolutely go back.

    (4)

  • melanie m.

    I had just flew in from los angeles to meet up with my boyfriend for a day since he's been on tour all summer long. i am so pissed off at myself because i regret ever stepping foot into this place. The people working there had the "I'm too cool for you" vibe and it was quite unfortunate because it seemed like a cool place to hang. Note to staff: Tattoos and body piercings do not give you the right to be a dick And the sushi was so disgusting. My boyfriend and I got 2 orders of the salmon sashimi and a couple rolls. The fish was stinky, super salty and very chewy. Our server Martha was short/cold with us and was just plain rude. Didn't seem like she cared.... Again, the too cool for school attitude ugh. 15 minutes later I ended up puking and my bf got sick in the stomach for the rest of the day. We spent the one day we got to see each other with this awful food poisoning feeling. It was horrible :( This establishment is gross.... Stay far, far away from the sushi!

    (1)

  • M M.

    Good sushi should not taste fishy. Just saying!

    (1)

  • Christin D.

    Sticky Rice was my first meal in Richmond and it definitely hit the spot . Like everyone says, parking is a pain. We also had a wait of about 40 minutes, but on Friday night that's not at all unexpected, and it was worth it. I was happy to find something at least mildly foreign in this city that seems a little short on ethnic restaraunts. I was less than happy after I took an errant, somewhat drunken dive at my plate with chopsticks and ended up eating about a tablespoon of Sriracha on a piece of spicy tuna, all at once. But that's not Sticky Rice's fault. Next time I'll go for tots and probably a curry dish to see if it passes muster. It's crowded, loud, hip, not exactly cheap during non-special hours. But it's also really tasty, quick, fun, has a great variety. I want to go back to here.

    (4)

  • MARIA G.

    I went here with about 10 of my family and friends on a Sat. night. I tried to call ahead and couldn't get a table till 9:30 that night and the chick on the phone was not pleasant! I was told if the whole party was not there by 9:40 then they would give away our table. We showed up and still had to wait till almost 10 pm to sit down! The bucket 'o tots was the highlight for me. They came with a spicy thousand island dressing that was not good, but the tots were just the right kind of crispy. Other than that, the sushi was mediocre. The fried bananas were so thick and bland so that was another disappointment.

    (2)

  • Ali P.

    I enjoyed the artistic ambient student atmosphere. I felt a lil out of place though b/c we had our 3 y/o daughter with us. The food was great, the service was awesome, and we will be returning. + Sticky Rice is the main rice dish in Laos culture. I just wish they serve the purple sticky rice dish as dessert. That would be phenomenal. Also kinda funky I guess that it was operation by white people, but that's cool Sushi is universal!

    (5)

  • Quang N.

    A great atmosphere to hang out with a large group of friends to have a good time. The scene late nights is pretty packed with good music. The sushi itself, however, is substandard and overpriced. If their famed sticky balls were nothing to write home about. There are far better places in the area to get sushi.

    (3)

  • Krystal D.

    I've been to Sticky Rice twice. The first time I would have given it three stars. The second time, I would have given it one. So I settled for a rating of two. The first time I went I ordered the "Asian Garden" salad. It was good quality and a decent portion size. They didn't skimp on the shrimp, either, wich is a definite plus. It wasn't the best salad I ever had by any means, but it was solid in quality. The second trip was a complete disaster. I once again ordered the "Asian Garden" salad and it was TERRIBLE. The vegetables were all wilted and the shrimp was flavorless. I complained to the waitress who offered to remove the salad from our bill. I decided to order the "Starter Combo" sushi as a replacement. Also terrible! I should have known- we were sitting at the sushi bar and the fish in the case didn't look too terribly appetizing but I figured I'd try it anyway (bad idea). For starters, they were out of two types of fish, so I had to replace them with shrimp. When the sushi arrived my skepticism grew even more...it just didn't look fresh. Still, I dove in. Like I said, bad idea. It was actually repulsive to eat. After one bite, I gave up. If you're looking for sushi in Richmond, find yourself an authentic place. This place is only good for the tater tots.

    (2)

  • A. D.

    I really love this place. I know that everyone gripes about the quality of sushi but I really enjoy it. They have a lot of rolls with spicy mayo, and crunchy stuff, and other non-traditional sushi which is my favorite. I've never had a bad experience where the fish was frozen, or appeared old, etc. as people have complained about. Beyond the sushi which is fairly decent, they have delicious tater-tots and the ambiance is always good. It's always busy and it's never empty which also makes a restaurant experience much more fun. If you are looking for the best traditional finest cut of sashimi this is not the place for you, but if you want some interesting sushi rolls and a pretty good meal you should totally it.

    (4)

  • Anna Y.

    I have to admit I like this place. Even though I had to wait almost a half an hour outside on the weekend for a dinner. It was worth it to get a table. It's popular to say the least. You need to get the tator tots. They come out in a small pail. I could honestly be happy with just the tator tots. The noodle dishes are bland. The sushi is expensive, but good. Isn't sushi expensive everywhere? It's dark, noisy, and busy. Did I mention the tator tots are good? Oh! and the sticky rice dessert? It's... okay.

    (3)

  • Heather T.

    The sushi here is SO good and more inventive than you'd typically find in Richmond. The service can sometimes be slow, as the staff behind the sushi bar seem to enjoy goofing around more than making sushi. I don't mind the wait, though, because it's worth it. Oh, and the dip they serve with the tater tots is like crack. There's usually a long wait for a table, too, but if you can get a seat at the bar (good luck), it makes it less of a chore. Otherwise you have to stand outside or dodge the staff in the middle of the restaurant. If you're looking for a quiet place, this isn't it! It's just a fun, lively place with good food.

    (4)

  • Ben l.

    Extremely crowded on weekends, but worth the wait to get inside. Fun atmosphere and the sushi rocks. Definitely a good place to experience the tattooed/VCU alumni side of RIchmond.

    (3)

  • Mallory H.

    I am giving Sticky Rice 3 stars based on the fact that it is also a bar, but if it was nothing but a sushi restaurant and I was only basing my opinion on the sushi they have there, then it would get 1 star. I would probably want to give it 0 stars, but sadly in this case that is not even an option. Good thing Sticky Rice is a bar, because you'll have to be drunk to enjoy their sushi if you have any idea what sushi is supposed to taste, smell, and look like. When you trace back historically the literal translation of the word sushi in Japanese it means "it's sour". Maybe Sticky Rice is smarter than I originally thought serving old, improperly stored fish to it's patrons. I'm not picky about fish either seeing that I am Norwegian and Jewish and weird gelatinous fish dishes have been the core of my existence since I was a child. Every holiday season I am forced to eat cod that's been cured in lye, and I love that gross stuff but I can't stomach Sticky Rice. That is a bad sign to my tummy. They do have good tater tots, I will give them that but I will also point out how disappointing of a specialty restaurant you must be if the one item you serve that everyone raves about is something that has been easily mastered by every cafeteria lady in the country. Plus, it seems like they always get at least 2 critical violations every time they get inspected by the health department. One time they had 11 critical violations in one visit. Normally I don't really care about violations at restaurants, unless they are serving me raw animal flesh. Now onto reviewing Sticky Rice as a bar. I have had a totally awesome time hanging out there with my friends on numerous occasions. It's perfect as a bar. I actually really dig it as a bar, but as a sushi place, not so much.

    (3)

  • Jason E.

    You may like their interesting "Americanized" sushi plates or their affordable buckets of tater tots (at 12:30AM when you've had a couple beers and no one else is serving food) but personally, I love Sticky Rice for their night life. VERY interesting music videos, great bartenders/wait staff, and an all around fun atmosphere. Very "Richmond" indeed.

    (4)

  • Kristin V.

    Whenever I'm craving suishi and tater tots I always book it over to Sticky Rice! My favorites are the crunchy shrimp roll, Godzirra roll and the Sticky Balls. The tater tots are the best thing in the world! I am pretty sure I could eat a whole bucket myself, but I've learned that it's much better to get the side of tots rather than the whole bucket (a side is plenty for two people!). Sticky Rice is YUMMY!!!!

    (4)

  • Ross M.

    Don't be fooled. This is just a hang out for Richmond hipsters and scensters and is nothing more than a place to go bar hopping. Whether you graduated from VCU or Richmond, or you're on your 5th or 6th year at VCU, you'll find plenty of the cool kids here. The food is absolutely terrible. This is not the place to go for sushi, sushimi or any food for that matter. The inside is extremely dirty, smelly and cluttered. I do not recommend. Avoid, unless it's on your way to the next bar hop. Like others have said, I have no idea why someone would give this 5 stars or even 4.

    (1)

  • Steven R.

    Eh...sticy rice as a bar was alright, I couple of friends and myself went just to go out one night. The place was WAY overpacked....I'm pretty sure it was in violation of codes. The people were you're average hipster douchebags, who were all way too drunk, Im pretty sure the bartenders should've cut some people off, but didn't bother. The music wasn't all that fantastic either, typical douchey music. The layout is kinda dumb, as the bathrooms are in the basement, and you have to cross a sea of drunken college kids to get to it...one girl was so drunk, after I ofered her to go into the mens room before me, as the girls line was forever long, she drunkenly said "Im going first because I was waiting" stupid douches....the floating can of beer in the toilet was a plus, thats the only reason there's two stars.

    (2)

  • Emily W.

    I've known of Sticky Rice and what they do for years, I just never stepped foot in the restaurant to experience it for myself until recently. One of my rolls was great but the other was not as successful - the texture and flavor just wasn't right and the roll itself wasn't enjoyable, and both rolls were made very sloppily as well. My boyfriend didn't like his burger, but I think that's what he gets for ordering a burger at an Asian fusion joint, and I hate to break it to you guys, but the tater tots were just tater tots. For desert I tried the fried bananas - good idea but poor execution, the bananas' temperature was warm in some parts and in others still frozen. Our service was efficient and friendly enough. I would give it another try but I'd be weary of what I ordered - the menu is huge so there's sure to be some duds on there, and contrarily I'm sure many other things I've yet to try are tasty.

    (3)

  • Doug L.

    Trendy, noisy, packed. The sushi is just OK, the service is fine, the beer selection is sparse, but you won't care because the reason you came here was to hang with the local kids and drink PBR.

    (3)

  • Franco C.

    I was walking by the place, noticed the crowds and put my name on the list. Definitely worth the wait (had to wait almost 45 minutes) so I checked out the head shop across the street to kill some time. The food was very good and the portions were large. The whole place is a rocking and a rolling- definitely not an intimate first date kind of place. All in all it is worth the trip.

    (5)

  • Jenna G.

    I know John Y and he is one of the most creative people I know. Sticky Rice is fun, good food, they have PBR! There is always some wacky event taking place there on any given night. I really like the sushi there. I would kill for a GI Jane roll now and a side of tater tots!!! It is a bit smokey for me, but whenever I am visiting I have to stop by and eat, say hello to John and try to catch up with old friends! I had my going away party there and it was a blast!

    (4)

  • Nic S.

    I have tried Sticky Rice four times. (Twice willingly, twice because I was convinced to give it another chance). With the exception of the tater tots, the food here is sub-par. The quality of the sushi is iffy and the "thai" and "vietnamese" inspired dishes are inedible. Why do people continue to go??

    (1)

  • Alison M.

    Sticky Rice is not your usual sushi place so don't come here expecting fine dining. Oh no, it is a fun restaurant with a bar and a great playlist where you can order sushi and tater-tots together. How many other restaurants do you know that do that? The menu is extensive with a lot more then Asian food and they have a whole section of noodle bowls that are pretty cheap and yummy. They also have an assortment of creative rolls and not a lot of other places in Richmond do. Just keep in mind that your sushi will probably be made by a recent VCU graduate and not a Japanese sushi chef. Something else to note is that there is usually a wait. However, this can be done at the bar and its a pretty fun bar with good music so I don't consider this to be a downer. Now back to the food.: The tater-tots are actually really awesome, they are crispy with an amazing spicy sauce that makes you want to gain way too many calories. The sushi is kinda hit or miss on what you order. For example the poki is absolutely amazing... mmm I want some now, but don't order the sweet potato roll or the one with octopus (I was drunk for that one). Another plus is that they have real crab in the California rolls and the spicy tuna rolls use large chunks or tuna.

    (5)

  • Leslie A.

    The only time I've been here was during Best Friends Day this past summer, which as any Richmonder knows, makes RVA crazytown. Therefore, any eating establishment turns bonkers and overcrowded. However, I should have expected at least decent service, right? I went with five or six other amigos and while they all had their food, I didn't get my dish until they were completely done eating theirs. Please, waitstaff at Sticky Rice, remember to serve everyone together, okay? The obvious comment about tater tots stands. I love the suckers. I don't care if they're frozen because they're tasty and familiar. I'll go back in the future, but only because I have a coupon I got in Valpac. If the service sucks again, though, I'm lowering my rating.

    (3)

  • Sherri W.

    This was the best sushi I've had in ages! Stopped in on my way to DC. The placed was packed and we had to wait for a table, but it was well worth it! We started with the edamame. It was steamed to perfection and well seasoned. My favorite item was the sticky balls. They were delicious. We tried about 6 other rolls and some tuna sashimi. The entire meal was fantastic. Also noteworthy was the music. The playlist was outstanding and not so loud you couldn't hear the rest of your party in spite of the crowd. If you ever have a chance to visit, run don't walk!

    (5)

  • Inigo M.

    This hip-looking place where college-age-and-beyond beautiful people stand around like it's a bar serves "fusion" food-- bland, decidedly not Asian, and full of carrots, i.e., the slop you'd get out of a TV dinner. Order anything but the 'Asian' food and you might get lucky.

    (1)

  • Daniel R.

    I called the health department on this "sushi" place when the "sushi chef" sneezed then wiped his foul, hipster nose on his "sterile" plastic gloves. Gross.... it is sad that a gentrified sushi place is so popular when it is not only bad but literally disgusting and there exist real SUSHI bars

    (1)

  • Lyne A.

    If you were a starving college student, this might be a great place to blow your allowance in search for an alternative to a meal plan. In concept there are a lot of cool, fusion options that might satisfy both the eclectic and asian palette. The atmosphere is low-key and casual, and Sticky Rice seems popular amongst the happy hour crowd. Sushi purists beware, this place is not for you -- the funky offerings might confuse someone looking for authentic asian selections. The food itself was ok, nothing earth-shattering, and Richmond definitely has better fusion places to offer. The dumplings were the best thing we sampled, such so that we got a second order. The fact that we had to send a sushi order back twice because of a gamey taste made us question the food quality and/or cleanliness of the back of the house. The service was slow, staff seemed to consist mostly of college kids. Ours seemed to be a bit hungover. Nice. Bottom line: Visit, sample a few things, check it off the list.

    (2)

  • Stephen M.

    We have been here many times and always had fun. On the last few visits however we have been very disappointed. The service has always been somewhat gruff and haphazard and the dining room is still cramped, dirty and smelly. But the food which until now was always the draw has gone down hill. Thee menu still has some very inventive rolls and sashimi like our favorite Godzilla or the sublime billy goats gruff. But now they are now using the cheapest nori, rice and the fish last time had very obviously been frozen. Not just flash frozen as is common but actually rock solid frozen. I knew this because it was still sort of frosty and the texture was all wrong. The last visit is our last visit. Not for the food, not for the ineffectual service but because of the roaches. I understand most old buildings are going to have problems with pests, but come on to have a FEW roaches scouring around our booth and actually on my arm. NO thanks.

    (1)

  • Nancy L.

    You can really get a Chinese person's hopes up by saying "sticky rice" because they will imagine the ultra sticky variety wrapped in ti leaves or maybe the kind with pork belly, but sticky sushi rice excited us plenty at 10pm after driving all over Richmond to outfit a dorm room in co-ordinating colors from duvet to stapler. Everyone here seemed to be having such a good time, that the cigarette smell wasn't even offensive. The Sargasso Sea roll and Sticky Balls were great, but the lettuce wrap meat was in gravy that would have been better with rice. Don't-Care-As-Long-As-Its-Food and I questioned the spiciness of the Mongolian Beef, and the waitress offered to have it made with teriyaki sauce instead. Well, that didn't happen, and she kindly took it off the bill as she saw my tearing eyes over the edge of the emptying water glass. Hope Don't-Care won't drop too much money here during the Kung Fu brunches!

    (4)

  • T B.

    hey - look at me - my new favorite food is sushi as of the start of last semester! hey - look at me - i can't buy a bag of tater tots at the store and set the oven to 400 so it's such a novelty that i can buy them at a mock japanese restaurant! hey - look at me - i'm drinking piss beer & doing bad karaoke . hey - look at me - there are a few dozen people just like me at sticky rice right now!!! look kids, i have TRIED to enjoy eating here several times. mixed up orders, terrible (rude) servers, throng-like atmosphere, sub-par food - not what i'm in the market for when i go out to eat. it's no wonder sticky rice needs to take out full page ads on the inside of rva magazine - they are a themed establishment directed to a very specific demographic. so is chuck e. cheese, but when you go there you at least get to play wack-a-mole. unfortunately, stinky rice has no rubber mallets handy.

    (1)

  • Rebecca M.

    I'm a hater. I admit it, so get over it. But I don't have to be president of hater nation in order to appropriately one-star sticky rice. Get ready for the San Francisco in me to rear her hateful and ugly head: Sucky Rice is not only pseudo sushi but I dare question its status as food. You heard me. Sucky has bastardized an honorable craft by concocting rolls deep-fried to denigration and so slathered in spicy mayo that the delicate flavors of the beloved maguro, sake, saba and hamachi are rendered null and void. Of course, when one's fish is less than fresh and one's establishment less than pristine, spicy mayo and deep-frying become necessary in order to mask flagrantly fishy fare. But I digress. Here's the deal: if I visit Applebee's, I acknowledge that my food will be ill prepared, greasy and thrown in my general direction once deemed ready for human consumption. When I make a b-line for my favorite sushi restaurant, I require that my fish be fresh, my flavor combinations be delicate and the chef take an aesthetic pride in his or her dish. Sucky cheapens the experience and should stick to what they know best: deep fried tater-tots and drunken karaoke.

    (1)

  • Rachel P.

    Lame Story unfolding.... Went to sticky rice @ night....drank @ the bar....played some cracked out version of bingo involving chinese finger traps....and had a rad time. Who cares about the fish when its a bar?

    (4)

  • Cj A.

    I thought I'd like this place because I do love me some fusion. I thought wrong. I've given them a few chances, and no can do anymore. I have purposely never been there during peak "bar hours" because I can only imagine how irritating the experience must be due to the, uh, "artsy" clientele. So no comment there. The limited good: They are VERY vegan and vegetarian-friendly. They deliver, too. PBRs are $1 every time it rains. I like the vegetarian noodle bowls. And the sticky balls are incredible. The downside is that the words "sticky balls" have to exit your mouth in order to ultimately enjoy them. Mortifying. And now, on to the terrible sushi: Sure, I've had some great sushi in my lifetime. I don't visit a sushi place expecting it to be the "best ever". But Sticky Rice is the worst sushi I've had anywhere. The white guys behind the sushi bar should have been a preliminary red flag, but hey, I'm an equal opportunist. They have two kinds of sushi here - stupid hipster rolls with ethnically offensive names like the "Godzirra Roll" (how has no one else mentioned this??), and the rolls that actually strive for (and fall short of) authenticity. You don't have to be a sushi connoisseur to notice how terrible the sushi is. Rice is always either too mushy or too dry, and the rolls fall apart easily the moment they come in contact with chopsticks. The amount of rice they use is an absolute abomination - way too much - and the fillings are usually barely present. And the rolls in general are horrendously over-sauced. Yes, the sushi is cheap, but is "cheap" really an adjective you want associated with a food (seafood) that, if done even slightly wrong, can make you violently ill or even kill you? The miscellaneous "bad": As a VCU student who detests the faux "hipster" vibe of downtown Richmond, I just can't stand the clientele or staff here. Sticky Rice tries SO hard to appear "hip" that it's almost obnoxious. If you want a hip hangout near VCU, I can point you to several places that are just as trendy yet cleaner and with better food. The tofu bites are horrid despite that they look appetizing when they arrive at the table. Seriously, who cooks tofu like that? It shouldn't be rock solid to the point where it cuts the roof of my mouth. And can everyone please stop raving about the tots? I mean, they're f*cking TATER TOTS. Stop pretending like they're some kind of legendary secret recipe. They likely buy them in bulk, throw them in the deep fryer, and dole them into your heart attack bucket with a generic aioli sauce on the side that I could go in my kitchen and replicate right now given about five minutes. (I do love the "sticky balls", though.)

    (2)

  • William W.

    I'm not reviewing the sushi here, although I have eaten it, it's not bad but it's not great. I consider this more of a bar than a sushi restaurant. The last couple of times I have been there it's been full of people that seemed to be there just to take up space. It used to be fun when it had more of a punk or biker feel, but now it's full of douches in super skinny jeans with flannel shirts. The owner is great, and the bartenders usually handle the crowds pretty well, i've never had to wait more than a few minutes for a drink even on a busy night. I just can't stand the crowd.

    (2)

  • Nuri G.

    Reminded me of a strange Asian diner. Their menu was imaginative, and their play on the Godzilla (Godzirra) was laugh-out-loud funny for someone who says Harro more often than Hello. The Not So Good: To echo words of former diners, though, things were awfully saucy. The sticky balls, although an interesting combination, were slathered in wasabi mayo and soy reduction. The tuna didn't look right at all. Goat cheese, although imaginative in a roll, kills the subtle flavors and overwhelms the texture of anything else in the roll. The rice was just ok, and that's the true test of a sushi restaurant in my opinion. The incredible: I had a summer style sashimi, which consisted of tilapia, lime, cilantro, and "cock sauce" -- the chili garlic Vietnamese sauce. The flavors reminded me of a ceviche, which was both refreshing and exploding with flavor. I hate to say it, but the tator tots were perfectly fried and delicious. No greasy soggy elementary school cafeteria tator tots here! Beautiful and interesting women everywhere. I'm sure that if it was just me by myself (instead of me and two ladies) I would have happily sat at the bar and struck up some conversations. The Good: Prices. People complain about the prices being expensive, but seriously folks.. compared to what I'm used to on the west coast... the prices were cheap. Three of us ate to plump satisfaction for $72. The drinks were strong and delicious -- I had an incredible extra dirty stoli martini. Overall: If you're a sushi purist, a connoisseur, or hell... even know what raw fish should look and taste like...I'd probably stay away from this place. If you're looking to meet interesting people, have some great drinks, and sample some weird and somewhat tasty fusiony food, this may be your place.

    (2)

  • Alexis R.

    Hmmmm ... What can I say about Sticky that hasn't already been said here. Well, if you enjoy long waits, a super cramped bar, and junk food sushi this is your place. I hit up Sticky regularly because I can tolerate the above as well as the snarky hostesses and waitresses. I don't mind the wait at the crowded bar because I am drinking and chatting with friends. It's kind of like pregaming before dinner. This probably makes the food taste better as well. The GI Joe and tofu bites are my favs though the presentation may vary depending on the preparer. The basement kitchen is a bit scary.

    (3)

  • Kristin A.

    I have bequeathed Sticky Rice with two stars. One is for the ambiance as it is fun to get all "Blue States Lose" in Richmond and gawk at hipsters. The other is for the tater tots, as they are quite scrumptious and I like the pretentiousness of eating them with chopsticks and dipping little fried pieces of heaven into some sort of "wasabi dipping sauce." Unfortunately, their food is gross. The sushi is very MEH and one time my salmon was gray. I do not like my raw fish to be gray. I also think their other non-sushi foods are very unpredictable and range from being "alright" to "gross." Sticky Rice is fun in a scenester way, but doesn't hold a candle to Kobe, Ichiban, or even Hana Sushi.

    (2)

  • Melissa W.

    I am from Dallas-Fort Worth, TX and one of my favorite things about traveling is trying out new and different restaurants! So when I arrived in Richmond on Thursday morning, my friend gave me the itinerary for the day he ended with "oh and we will be going to Sticky Rice for Sushi!" I was immediately intrigued not only for my love of sushi but also because I am sucker for bad ass restaurant names! So we arrive around 8:30 p.m. and the place is bumping, which is promising but I was hungry! The hostess lets us know it is about a 30 min to hour wait so we went to the bar. This place is small, probably seats about 50 to 75 so if you are claustrophobic then you better get there early because the bar is narrow! Luckily we got 2 seats at the bar so we could wait for our table with some cocktails. The bartender was a little confused about my out of state license but luckily I had more proofs of identification in my bag to prove that I am over the age, (I am 27) but still it was a bit odd. My friend ordered red bull vodkas while I enjoyed a PBR($3.50!) I love traveling to the North for their vast selections of beer. We waited about an hour, I was afraid the hostess forgot about us until she caught my eye and finally seated us. My friend and I enjoyed a seaweed salad, quite small but it was delicious. Then we ordered 3 rolls each, The Yellow Brick Road Roll, The Hearty Heart Roll and a Caterpillar Roll. The rolls were on special and ran about $6-$8 each which in my opinion is so cheap! The waitress was very attentive and even though the seating is very close tight, I enjoyed eating here. What I enjoyed most; The hipster electric vibe of the locals, the cheap prices, the great drink specials (after 10 pm you order any alcoholic beverage with red bull the red bull is FREE!), big screen tvs with sports, the NAME!, the innovative sushi rolls (yellow brick roll was topped with almonds and cashews!), the music and the service What I disliked; the wait, the bartender and the ID situation and how small the restaurant was.

    (4)

  • Khaleelah J.

    I can't believe I've never written a review about Sticky Rice before. If I'd written about it the first few times I went, I would give it a five star review, hands down. Sadly, something is happening of late at the wonderful SR. I started going to Sticky Rice when I was in college in Williamsburg. I know it sounds sad, but I would drive up to Richmond for Sticky Rice on weekends because I just HAD to get some tots, the South Roll and the Dirty Vegan. Then I moved. Since my family is from NoVA, I would only go to the Washington, DC location which is NOT GOOD. The food is not fresh and the sushi is small and poorly made (which is really saying something, because I don't know how you can mess up veggie sushi!). ANYWAY, I finally came back to town to visit this weekend and, of course, HAD to stop by my old stomping grounds. I must confess, I was a little disappointed. I don't know if its because I've let my thoughts about the DC location color my thoughts about my beloved Richmond SR, but I was a little underwhelmed. My South Rolls were really dry and no longer came with the honey drizzled on top, which I loved. The tots were kind of soggy. My Dirty Vegan just wasn't as fresh or flavorful as I remember. All in all, its a place I have to go when at home if for nothing else than to remind me of my younger days, but the quality really has decreased. PS- Ask a waiter what TWP (a drink on the menu) stands for. Quite interesting...

    (4)

  • Jason S.

    Not so much a restaurant as a place to be seen with a PBR.

    (1)

  • charles J.

    most over rated richmond restaruant. i have avoided this place like the plague for years. it only continues to get business becuase of the scenster crwod and hype that is around it. i don't dislike the scenster/hipster folks or the atmosphere of the place...i dislike that no one who frequents sticky rice admits the food is nasty. if people would just say sticky rice is a cool bar hangout with crappy food i would be okay with it, but people saying that terrible sushi and tater tots by the bucket are great just gets me mad. most of it comes frozen from costo or bjs. i have only ordered any sushi there once. i took it home and gave it to my dogs. I do love sushi and am a harsh critic of it, but anyone could tell this fish was not fresh and wasn't of the highest quality that is required for great sushi. not a bad place to meet your vegan/veggie friends for drinks. that is the only i do there now. food is terrible. go to sticky rice for drinks and odd bingo type games, go somewhere else for food. the fact that some folks think they have good sushi makes me sad :(

    (1)

  • Nicole T.

    I love sticky for the bar and some of the food. Let's get this out in the open: the tots. The best tots come in a bucket and sticky rice knows this. The vegan sushi is great and the mock chicken bowl is wonderful. The bartenders and wait staff are friendly and I have never had a problem with their service. The biggest glaring issue I have is the frat, college vomit that comes in. I'm sorry I mean people. It isn't the hipsters or whatever that are the problem but the "OMGlet's dance on a non-existent dance floor and be entirely too loud when telling stories about whose genitals touched the other night". Yes, that is what sticky is lately. So very true and it makes me avoid it more than I want. Despite that, I always go back and will continue to laugh at the beer gutted, idiot patrons.

    (4)

  • Rob P.

    Was back in Richmond and went back to Sticky Rice. I still find the sushi not the best in the world, but I will say I had a much better time hanging out here... on a Sunday night, they did trivia and the host was hilarious. He went across the street to another bar at one point and still had his microphone in hand, so we could hear him making fun of people. The bartender was also super cool and hooked up our drinks on the cheap. Man this place is bordering on 4 stars because of ambiance, but I just can't do it as their sushi is eh.

    (3)

  • Michael G.

    I had been there a few years ago and thought it was pretty good, tried it again while in Richmond and either I was completely delusional or the restaurant has changed so much. Very expensive for very small rolls. Also, service was horrid. Won't be back

    (2)

  • Cynthia C.

    Way over hyped, but I guess it's one of the few pan-Asian restaurants in the area. Don't come here on a Friday night with a party bigger than 2 because you will be waiting outside for an hour plus! The service is HORRENDOUS, what happened to Southern hospitality? Food is an odd mix of Asian and they serve a side of tater tots with pretty much everything. I have to grudgingly admit that they were the best TTs I have had. None of the food stood out, but it was edible. If you want to talk to the person or people you are with, go elsewhere.

    (2)

  • John K.

    Sticky Rice, located near Carytown-Downtown vicinity serving Asian fusion cuisine. Sticky Rice is a really good example of gentrification in the Richmond area and I think Sticky Rice has done a great job fixing up the restaurant into a nice outing location, but I'm not here to comment on the interiors :) Couple things to consider at Sticky Rice. I ran across Sticky Rice beginning of 2008 and heard so much about this place, and me being a sushi chef and a sushi fanatic, I couldn't possibly miss out on another sushi experience. Out of the 3 times I've been there, the food has just been average. So average, it's not worth going back again (after careful review/analysis). Starting with the food, Sticky Rice offers sushi and fusion cuisine which I have to admit are pretty neat, but the chefs at Sticky Rice don't cut it for me. - As an experience sushi chef, I can tell the fish they get are fresh, but I don't think it is either put away correctly or they just use their fish for a long time. (The texture of the sushi, smell, and distinctive taste for each type of fish). I'm not saying it's not edible, but it just wasn't fresh, which something I was looking for. Another thing that bothered me alot was the sushi chefs. I'm sure they are nice folks with talent, but... if you're used to seeing traditional clean cut chefs, this isn't it. I saw at least 3-4 sushi chefs behind the sushi bar, and it's not that big (2 experienced sushi with one helper is definitely enough). Take in mind that the problem isn't having 3-4 people behind the small bar, but it's the problem of all 3-4 people reaching in to get whatever fish/condiments they need to create a dish. Of course there are many things to consider when it comes down to sanitary conditions, but it just didn't look too clean for me. - The sushi here is a bit overpriced vs. other sushi houses in Richmond (Keep in mind however sushi is prized and people will pay a little bit more to get that bang). The portions on the fusion cuisine are good. I think you definitely get what you paid for, but sushi I thought could've been little less for its quality. - Weekends are packed, and I mean packed. The waitresses are not as friendly --probably because everyone's giving them a hard time or they're just bad waitresses. Overall, Sticky Rice is a popular fusion Asian restaurant, but I really don't see what the big ole' craze is about.

    (2)

  • Jess M.

    Yes, I did start the night off right with a bucket of tots...takes you straight back to school lunch in the 5th grade, but with far more delicious sauce and crisped to perfection- don't skip them! The edamame are also delicious- they sprinkle something delicious on top that makes them even more mouth watering. This place serves up my kind of sushi! The roles are inventive and delicious. I LOVED the vegetarian roll with the butternut squash and honey, also really enjoyed the Fabulous Amazing roll and the chili roll with pineapple- YUM. Contrary to previous reviews, I really enjoyed the noodles! I had the chicken teriyaki with soba noodles and I thought they were delicious, not bland at all. Cons- the place is noisy as hell, the service was poor and we did wait for at least 45 minutes which was no fun since I was starving.

    (3)

  • Sara H.

    Any restaurant permitting saki bombing immediately next to the hostess station on a crowded, rainy Saturday is okay in my books. Sticky Rice showed us a good time with fast service. Food was solid, nothing outstanding, but proved the restaurant to be a reliable source for Asian-inspired dishes. Only advice is don't visit if you plan to linger. In a restaurant this small the waitstaff pushes to turn over their tables in a rapid manner.

    (3)

  • Food C.

    I will start by saying this is our second time there. First was not a good experience and did not post a review because it was not worth my time to write it. We went back and gave it a second chance today. Restaurant was not busy at all maybe 6 people in there on a Sunday at 11:30AM. I ordered the Gotoza with pork I got chicken which was ok they also tasted good. Wife had 6 Samurai Shrimp which also were good. I ordered the Curry Fried Rice which was terrible. It was no more than sticky rice with soy sauce . Absolutely no Curry taste at all and very dry. Said it was in a sauce on the menu but there was no sauce to it. I picked the few pieces of chicken out and left the rest. Wife said she was getting a hamburger as she remembered the last time we were there and no one could mess up a hamburger. Sticky rice could. She picked it up to eat it and the burger grease had soaked the bottom of the bun so bad it fell apart like wet bread. She at the burger without the bun at this point. Service was extremely slow also and the restaurant was not busy. If someone were to give me a free meal there we would not return. $40.32 plus tip you can do much better

    (1)

  • John B.

    I don't get to Richmond as often as I used to, but I've been hearing about this place and decided it was time to try it this last trip. I wandered over with my daughter after checking out the Halloween festivities on Hanover Street, and although the place was pretty full we were able to get a booth right away. The noodle dishes on the menu were tempting, but we both opted for sushi, with me trying the "Walk in the Woods" roll and some assorted nigiri. The service was prompt and the sushi was good, not stellar, but it hit the spot. The assorted crowd of locals, some dressed for Halloween, added to the hip ambience of the place. I would definitely drop in again.

    (3)

  • Charlie R.

    I eat a lot of sushi, mostly in the NJ and NYC area, where I live. I'm used to extremely fresh sushi, as in made when ordered, or at most within the past hour. There's a difference between fresh and what I got at Sticky Rice - all three rolls we had tasted like they were made that day, maybe. Not good.

    (2)

  • M G.

    Food was okay, not great. Service was TERRIBLE. Not really sure I'll ever go back.

    (1)

  • Tessa W.

    The only thing good about sticky rice is their happy hour which includes 1/2 off sushi on Fridays between 5-6pm. The first thing I ordered was the bucket of tots due to their good reviews on yelp. These ended up being plain tater tots but the remoulade sauce that it came with was decent. The next two things I ordered was the sticky rice volcano roll and their sticky balls. Both were nothing to write home. Overall I was disappointed in my experience at Sticky Rice... But what can you expect from a sushi restaurant that has tater tots and burgers on their menu??

    (1)

  • Zaynah A.

    I love Sticky Rice, I think the food is great. But if I had the choice, I would eat at To Go Go across the street. Sticky Rice is generally packed at peak hours, and not with the most pleasant people, and the waitress we had last time seemed to be averse to smiling... Anyway, food is great, and the service is okay, and the atmosphere is alright when it's not crowded.

    (3)

  • Sarah H.

    Every time a new friend comes to visit, I make it a point to eat at least one dinner at Sticky Rice. They have a pretty good menu, with a variety of sushi. You can also order a bucket (literally, a bucket) of tator tots if you like. It's dark and noisy, but it fits the atmosphere perfectly. This place is usually busy, so get there early..and if you have a large group, you may want to call ahead. They also have a decent beer selection with pretty nice prices (a lot of Richmonder's go here when they want to get drunk). They've also got a pretty successful karaoke night, so check that out when you get the chance! Or you can visit on Sunday nights for a real treat.

    (5)

  • Andrew M.

    Lots of fun. Noisy and crowded after 8 or 9, but still a good place for dinner if you go earlier. Also, if it's raining outside you can get $1 PBR's but you have to ask. I haven't been in about 6 months but hopefully they still do that, otherwise I'll get some complaints!

    (4)

  • meredith m.

    Sushi is inventive and delicious....tooooo loud!!!! You have to yell to hear your self. Much more of a bar atmosphere than a restaurant.

    (3)

  • Sarah B.

    tater tots + sushi!

    (5)

  • Heather P.

    Quite a let down. The tamago didn't even look or taste like real tamago. The eel hand roll was slimy. My neighbor calls it "Icky Rice".

    (1)

  • Janelle T.

    Were going to a concert at the national and needed something close by.... Think this is my new go to before a concert there! Sat at the bar as tables were all taken (a party of 3), were immediately greeted and got some Hardywood beers on tap (yum!). Decided to splurge and we ordered things to share, the seaweed salad, thai shrimp rolls, two sushi rolls, edamame and a tempura fried burger with tots. Hands down some of the best food we've had in a while and service was super speedy. Opted to get two desserts as well, sticky rice and fried bananas, both great. Fun atmosphere and great food at reasonable prices. Looking forward to going back before a concert in Sept!

    (5)

  • Lance O.

    I came to try sticky rice's take on bahn mi, the vietnamese pork sandwich. I also had the purple rain sushi roll and my wife had the mongolian beef. Each dish was disappointing and the customer service was lacking. When we walked in not a single person greeted us, so after a couple minutes we seated ourselves. Another couple minutes before the waitress showed up. We started with the purple rain sushi which feature cucumber, avocado, and eggplant. The rice was undercooked and falling off the roll, the eggplant had skin so hard I had to spit ot out. I moved onto my bahn mi which came on a potato roll, not the traditional french baguette, at first I liked the soft bread but it didnt really compliment the other flavors. The pork was dry and I found a small bone mixed in. There wasn't enough pickled carrot, daikon, or cilantro. The mongolian beef looked great but tasted bland. It was very spicy which I normally like but this was heat without flavor. My wife had a couple bites and lost her appetite. To be honest the restaurant was beautiful and featured a full bar. My expectations were high which made the shortcomings even harder to swallow. At least they took the mongolian beef off our check.

    (1)

  • Jason O.

    Fun atmosphere, casual and good food. Other reviewers need to get over themselves. If you're looking for eclectic, Asian comfort food where everyone in your group can find something yummy-this is your place. Bonus: drinks and service are both fun and good. Sticky Rice is what it is - a fun place to go with friends for good food and drinks. :)

    (5)

  • Lisa G.

    If you're looking for a hangout -- a bar with lively atmosphere -- then Sticky Rice is your place. It's a Fan institution. If you're looking for delicious food with great service, fuggetaboutit. The sushi is just okay. Noah the bartender is crazy cool and good with the drinks.

    (2)

  • VA W.

    I thought the food here was good but could not top Wabi Sabi's sushi. Creative but not as adventurous as I expected sushi to be in RVA. Our server was great and the venue had a hipster/grunge metal vibe. Sticky Rice is kid friendly so do not be weary of bringing the kiddos. Meals are around $10-20 and desserts are no more than $5. The sushi was fresh and veggies cooked very nicely. I would go back in a heartbeat well especially if I did not want to drive to Petersburg, VA.

    (3)

  • Tony A.

    Sticky Rice reminds me of The Little Engine That Could. Sushi is a tricky thing and to be really good at it... well, it takes a lot practice. Who in Richmond hasn't been to sticky rice? It's a landmark in the area. I've been here three times and the most recent time was this past Saturday (4/18/15). The crowds were big because due to the Game of Thrones Pub Crawl (which I was a part of) we got it without much fuss and ate and drank heartily. The staff are super cool and the TOTS are epic. Really, this bucket of tots gimmick is fantastic. I always have a good time and I really appreciate actual crab meat. I mean, actual crab meat, imagine that. Anyway, as much as I enjoy the place and the people the food sucks. I'm sorry but it does. It's ghetto as all hell. But does it really matter? It's more about the experience and I don't think people go here for the food but rather the good time. I don't think there is a Yelp review in the world that will cause Sticky Rice to lose business and that's a good thing. Just keep doing *you* Sticky Rice and thanks for being an RVA team player. Sorry for the low rank but I have to keep it real on the food front.

    (2)

  • Carter S.

    The epitome of Richmond hipster chic. Stand offish waitresses, 1 dollar PBRs with sticky rice tattoo on your person, sushi titled "Sticky Balls," oh yeah--and you gotta get the tots. It just wouldn't be right without the tots! A classic RVA spot, and it's pretty good too. I've sat at the bar many times--just try not to sit close to the hall near the stairs/bathroom. Not the most pleasant of smells. My favorites: Tofu Bites, Hot Hippy, and Silence of the Yams. Ask the waiter what the TWP drink stands for.

    (3)

  • Steve D.

    I really liked this place - even though i was very leery about it based on the reviews - we had a lot of fun, the food was good - and i love sushi - i mean its just a fun place to go with friends , the service was good - Katie - and the drinks were really good - I'll be back ! :) Summary, you cant believe what everyone says - try some places out - and make your own decisions. i give this place a 5 star because they don't deserve a 3 star from others - they need to be a 4 star! :) its sorta like canceling out a republican in VA when voting Democrat! :)

    (5)

  • Bryan N.

    Sticky Rice is a fun place to come have a few drinks/pregame before going to another bar, but definitely not the place to have some good sushi. Their food is pretty much dog food when it comes to the Japanese cuisine and the service is horrendous. The waitresses are rude as can be and act as if you owe them something. For drinks, ok. For food/good service: FORGET IT!

    (1)

  • Kasha W.

    We came here for a Sunday lunch. Very good service. Restaurant itself is a bit run down, but our meal was very good. Dirty vegan tofu bowl is more peanut than we were expecting. The mock schezuan chicken was very tasty, but had a lot of pineapple and a very sweet sauce, so again not what I was expecting. The service was quick. Food hit the spot and I love that they have many vegan options. Inexpensive.

    (4)

  • Jason C.

    Worst sushi experience of my life. I'd rather eat an asshole of a roadkill possum that's been sitting in a hot summer day in June. Tots were best thing on the menu.

    (1)

  • TartanZia ..

    I have never seen a place that has tots and sushi together on the menu. Since I like both, it seemed perfect. The tots were very good at tasted surprisingly good with soy sauce and wasabi. I also enjoyed the sushi varieties including some unusual combinations. We enjoyed the Chili Roll quite a lot. It is a place with an interesting vibe with both PBR and sake on the menu. Good neighborhood joint.

    (4)

  • Vex V.

    Richmond, VA is not a place to find above average sushi, this was a major disappointment. I ordered the Spicy Salmon roll & California roll, with a order of miso soup as an appetizer. The soup was fine and tasty, did not taste fresh but instead heat up. The food came out in a timely fashion, however the sushi was not cool, it was more luke-warm. I found both rolls to be tasteless and did not contain enough fish, tasting more of rice and the innards of the roll itself (I forgot what exactly is inside of these). I felt as if I was paying $16 for eating rice balls, I would pass in the future for ordering sushi and just sticking to their night life persona.

    (1)

  • William M.

    Meh, over rated. Not great sushi that everyone says is amazing because this place IS an amazing bar. The tots are godly though.

    (3)

  • Rich S.

    I'll preface this review by saying I'm NOT a sushi eater, which is clearly the biggest draw of the restaurant. That being said, I actually really enjoyed my burger and felt the prices were very reasonable. I came with a group of 6 at around 8 PM on a Saturday. There were not any tables available to accommodate our size, so we waited for about 15 minutes for one to open up. The space quite "intimate" and it doesn't seem to be suitable for large groups. So we all ordered drinks at the bar and sort of stood awkwardly in the middle of the restaurant (limited standing space) until a table opened up. My friend had told me their noodle dishes were great, but I was feeling a burger. And I'm happy I ordered one because it was ended up really hitting the spot. Called the "Tokyo Burger" it was glazed with a teriyaki sauce that gave it a nice sweet flavor and was topped with fried onions (I thought it was supposed to come with pineapple slices, but did not- which was actually fine by me). Despite it being cooked more medium-well than medium-rare as I had ordered, it was still juicy and full the smoky flavor from the grill paired nicely with the sweetness from the glaze. I opted for the sticky rice instead of the tater tots (no upcharge), which was a good choice. I was pleasantly surprised by the house salad that I had as an appetizer. They didn't skimp of veggies at all. The presentation was lovely and everything was super fresh. Our table also enjoyed the edamame and spring roll apps. I felt like the oddball pf the group, as everyone else ordered sushi. They all loved what they got (and knew what to expect as they had eaten the sushi here before). I kinda wished we had stayed a bit longer and had a few more drinks. Despite it being kind of small and cramped, the atmosphere is casual and friendly and the patrons are more laid back and chill than in some of the other restaurant/bars along this stretch of Main. The service was pretty good.

    (4)

  • Jeremy S.

    Dig this place. Lots a funky shit to choose from and since it's a hipster joint you can enjoy a PBR.

    (4)

  • Steve W.

    Definitely worth the trip every time I end up in RVA. Plenty of vegan and veg options. Tots are totally worth it. Tofu bites are pretty good. The Garden of Eden roll is my favorite... the Shiitake Happens roll is just okay. Plus, y'know, a well stocked bar always helps.

    (4)

  • Diane M.

    I always enjoyed Sticky Rice until tonight. I lost my appetite after I flicked a roach off my leg. It will be a long time before we return. Nasty.

    (1)

  • David R.

    A dive bar in the shape of a sushi place. This is Richmond....VCU, to be precise. T Rex and Dazed and Confused playing on the big screen (no sports...imagine that!), a variety of beers in cans (and two on tap....Samuel Adams Summer Ale and Starr Hill--no Miller Lite, imagine that!) I'm not a big sushi eater but what I had (something with spicy tuna, and another with shrimp) tasted fine by me. They also have basic Asian dishes as well as sushi offerings. That bathroom took me back to my college years. It's safe to say the location in DC is probably not as wonderfully scuzzy. Oh yeah, $1 cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon until 9 PM each night.

    (4)

  • Megan W.

    We went here for my sister's birthday last year. The sushi, although it may not be "authentic" was so good! The only complaint I have is that it's so expensive.

    (4)

  • Latoyia Z.

    Sushi, shrimp tempura, and salad with orange ginger were awesome! The ambience didn't match the food (smokey and heavy medal), but it was so good eventually we didn't care. The server we had was pretty bad very unattentive.

    (4)

  • Angela K.

    I don't have much to say about the sushi or tater tots since they were nothing special, but the review is for the service. Our waitress was extremely rude/angry and just made the whole experience awful to even think about. We will not be coming back.

    (1)

  • Angie A.

    The husband and I love little dives and hole-in-the-wall places, so we were so excited to try Sticky Rice. Due to the constant raves from friends and acquaintainces, my expectations were set a little high. Sadly, I was a bit disappointed to find that the food was nothing extraordinary. The Tots were just that-- tots. And the supposedly world-famous sauce that it came with was nothing more than mayo/ketchup/assortment of other things. My shrimp tempura and spicy salmon maki rolls were okay. They were sloppily made, and a bit bland. My husband's crab cake sandwich wasn't anything spectacular either, although our waitress did say that it was made with real crab meat. The ambience in the restaurant was nice, considering we were there when they first opened up on a Monday afternoon. We would probably give Sticky Rice another go, just to see if other things on the menu are better.

    (3)

  • Alicia B.

    Sticky rice is a Richmond institution and there are many reasons why. It's quirky, blares rock music and in addition to sushi serves atypical fare of a sushi joint like tater tots, sandwiches, and delectable deep fried balls of rice and crab lovingly named "sticky balls". I love this place for its unique charm and combination of sushi and tater tots. Sticky rice always keeps me coming back for more.

    (5)

  • K D.

    What can I say about Sticky Rice? It's a mixed bag. Despite the food itself being borderline meh, I've probably gone there more times than any other restaurant in RVA just because of everyone else I know: coworkers want to meet up after work for a cheap beer and some "sushi" (let's not kid ourselves), someone wants to watch Game 4 of the Stanley Cup on the big screen while having a cheap beer with some sushi, someone could go for some happy hours drinks and some sushi, a friend is aching for some Tots, and, now that they think about it, they could also really go for a cheap beer and....you get the idea. To call the stuff they serve at Sticky Rice sushi is a bit indulgent. Drowning in cream cheese, fried tempura, and spicy mayo, there is rarely a speciality sushi roll that doesn't feature some form of inevitable fattening Americanization. I get that a lot of sushi places do that now, but for some reason it seems particularly prevalent here. However, that's not to say the stuff is bad: it's food, and it tastes good, and I'm just as guilty of getting an occasional Godzirra roll as the next twentysomething you pass on the street in Richmond and yet....I just can't bring myself to be endeared to it like so many other people I know in the area. Also, their presumed crown jewels: the Sticky Balls, the tots? Not that good. This isn't to say I vehemently dislike Sticky Rice in any way, it's just not for me, and not for anyone out looking for an authentic sushi experience.

    (2)

  • Edmund R.

    Always get excited to go here. The tots are well done and a crowd favorite. We sat at the bar in front of the chef's station. It's always fun to see the ingredients being used and wonderful creations come to life. This time we got a free sample, I forgot the name but it was good. Usually crowded unless you go early. I try to fit in a visit here frequently.

    (4)

  • Stacey T.

    Sushi was quick and great!

    (3)

  • Matt C.

    C'mon, Sticky Rice - this is yours to lose. We all know that in order to have a successful restaurant you need a few elements: good food, fun atmosphere, solid service, fair pricing, decent location and a healthy environment. They have 2 of those, that I can tell. It's really a fun place to go for people watching, but the service... ugh. I've had some of my most notorious run-ins there and the other night was no exception. My girlfriend and I went there, had a decent meal, a couple of drinks and were ready to go on our way. Our only issue was that our server didn't come back. For 25 minutes. And that's when we gave up and had the hostess run our check! Seriously! It's not hard to tell us (as you're walking by, briskly) that you're weeded and someone else would help us. Nothing. Nada. But she sure seemed entertained by the table behind us, as she spent a lot of time chatting it up with them. Please, please, Sticky Rice: all customers are created equal, regardless of the skinniness of their jeans.

    (2)

  • Laura S.

    Sad to say that after finally going to this "RIchmond tradition" our consensus was a big "that was such a letdown". Tater tots were the best part of the meal. The rice and tofu bowl had only 4 pieces of tofu and the peppers/onions tasted burnt. My husband's shrimp bowl was no better. I really liked the inside atmosphere - dark, kind of loud, and laid back. Too bad the food didn't match the vibe.

    (2)

  • Ronnie B.

    Service was great on a recent crowded Friday night. The calamari appetizer was amongst the best I've ever had. Spiced just right, not rubbery texture, and the included dipping sauce had a flavor that complimented the calamaris seasoning perfectly. The Miso soup was very flavorful and the fried banana desert was excellent. Will definitely return.

    (4)

  • Joel S.

    So good!

    (5)

  • D M.

    Went during a Monday. Pretty quiet but still a positive vibe. Only had drinks but a full bar and brews. I would definitely return for a late night weekday meeting, love the hours and location!

    (3)

  • Adelina G.

    Stiky rice is good for a laid back night out with friends. Their sushi is okay. Maybe not the best description but pretty accurate. They do however have a nice variety and the specialty rolls are worth perusing. Bucket of tater totpiano is a fave of mine and their noodle bowls are decent. The downside of sticky rice is the place itself. It is never clean! And the restrooms in a word are grotesue!! Service tends to be pretty perfunctory but note rude or anything. On crowded busy nights waitstaff does seem overworked...

    (3)

  • Tony H.

    One of the categories is dive bars. In my opinion there is nothing exciting about this restaurant. It is not a place I'll dine in again. Nothing terrible, just forgettable, but that's my opinion!

    (2)

  • Derick K.

    As the original Sticky Rice this place is a bit iconic to me. The crowd waiting, the crowd inside. The cramped seating. Richmonders. This place is awesome. My staples are the Spicy Salmon Rolls and Spicy Tuna Rolls. No matter where I order my sushi from, that's the basis that I start from. That tradition started with this place. I have a list and here it is: 5. Bucket of Tots - these will ruin your dinner, but are an absolute MUST.. please eat with chopsticks and get extra sauce, you'll find out why 4. Sticky Balls - I mean with a name like that, how could you turn them down? 3. Snap, Crackle, Pop - Salmon and jalapeños.. what else could you want? Tempura crunchies?!?! DONE! 2. G.I. Joe - Crunchy wasabe + yellowtail = smiles 1. Godzirra - shrimp, avocado and spice.. enough said Take a group, order those 5 things (or 7 if you're gonna include my staples) and you can't be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Daniel S.

    I like Sticky Rice the food is pretty good but the sushi is over priced and sub par compared to say Tokyo Joes. The place needs a clean up BAD. Look to the ceiling and pipes and see layers of dust and grime. Service was friendly but our particular waitress this time did not feel it necessary to clear the old dirty plates and finished items. Still the best place for tator tots and cheap PBR!

    (3)

  • Sara G.

    Meh, I didn't have any problem with this restaurant and i would be willing to try int again but i probably wouldn't choose it. We had the tater tots as an appetizer and they were good but not really any different from my high school cafeterias and that is not saying much.

    (2)

  • Lilly N.

    A very trendy and hip joint in the fan district, the place was packed on my arrival for half-off sushi Friday between 5 and 6 pm. For half-priced sushi, I didn't mind as much forking over money, but I would definitely not pay full price for the quality of sushi they provide. There are a couple of requisites that sushi must meet. First and foremost -- freshness. The grade of fish was mediocre. Certainly nothing that impressed me and not all that fresh -- the raw sushi had a little bit of fishiness to it. Secondly but almost just as important is style and execution. The Japanese pride themselves on the attractiveness of their cuisine, and to watch my maki-sushi falling apart into grotesque lumps of rice, seaweed, and fish was an abomination to the art of sushi. Rice quality is also a large factor, but on this note, I have nothing to mention. Meh. Summary: While I thought their asian-fusion menu items were interesting, they simply could not deliver. Just another place in the fan district that might be fun to hang out in, but serves at best mediocre food.

    (1)

  • Jordan F.

    I've been here a few more times since my initial review. The server we seem to always have is still kind of snide (maybe its just her personality?).....But anyway. Its good vegan sushi and they have sushi heaven on fridays (HALF OFF SUSHI :D) and I really enjoyed their beer selection last time. I'm also starting to enjoy the atmosphere more and more. Will def be coming back.

    (4)

  • Richmond V.

    The customer service is AWFUL... the workers always seem to have poor attitudes and don't seem to care about the service. The place is usually packed and it's a tiny restaurant with no waiting room so the workers end up making you feel like you are in the way while waiting when really there is nowhere else to go except outside. The food takes a long time to come out 90% of my visits. The bathrooms are in poor condition and the restaurant as a whole seems unsanitary. Will not be going back.

    (1)

  • Audra S.

    Don't let the college-dive flavor throw you, the food is delicious. The dirty hippy was my favorite and the lettuce wraps could have been an entree. My husband said the teriyaki pineapple burger "put any burger to shame". The sticky balls were flavorful and crunchy. All in all a delightful meal.

    (4)

  • Brad G.

    The sushi and food are ok, not great. I really like the tots! The prices are great and it stays packed which was something about it.

    (3)

  • Eric G.

    well...this is definately a starving college student's place to first experience sushi. not for the experienced though. This is a cool spot to down sake shots with your friends as the young 20 something crowd is sure to be doing. I have to agree, it is interesting they have tots, and it is pretty awesome, but umm...ever try just putting a good brand of tots in the oven from your freezer?, then using onion ring sauce? if you dont know, its ketchup and thousand island dressing, kinda the same thing, oh u want them greasy? pan fry them. and better with a decent 6 pack of beer.

    (2)

  • Laureen N.

    This is a 'sushi' place that is hip and always packed. My roommates raved about this place and frequent it often so I decided to give it a try to see what all the hoopla was about. We were told we MUST order the tater tots here. Tater tots at a sushi restaurant? WTF. My verdict? This place is so overrated. Parking is on the street so be prepared to walk awhile to get to the restaurant. It was really packed, loud and full of hipsters. It is a White American sushi run restaurant. Service was really slow and frustrating.The sushi was really BAD. Prices were expensive and not worth it. The tater tots however were actually the only good thing about this place. Yes, the tots at this SUSHI restaurant were the only highlight. It comes with two different sauces which went very well with the tots. This is a place for people looking to have drinks and hang out with their friends. Not a place for you if you are looking for food requiring culinary skill. If you are looking for authentic sushi, I would look elsewhere.

    (1)

  • Ashley S.

    I've noticed some of these harsh reviews about my beloved sushi place, Sticky Rice. If you're expecting a fancy restaurant with amazing ass-kissing service, go elsewhere. However, the sushi at Sticky Rice is absolutely delicious. I've since moved to Boston, but I make sure to visit Sticky Rice each time I'm in RVA. Their tots are to die for, and they also have an extensive menu including many vegetarian options. Yeah, it's a little divey... but that's all part of its charm. I adore everything about this place!

    (5)

  • Ryan C.

    This place rules. Tofu lettuce wrap with the Goochland roll is my go-to. Do it.

    (4)

  • Megan M.

    So I know everyone and their brother has reviewed Sticky Rice, but I feel the need to weigh in on this debate. And what I have to say is ... (drum roll) ... OVERRATED. I'm sorry, but I really think Sticky Rice's sushi sucks. The fish always tastes like it's low quality, there's too much rice and many of the rolls just lack flavor. And, because people in Richmond think it's super cool, you always have to wait. I'd rather just go to a less crowded actual sushi restaurant. That said, the tots and tot sauce are pretty good. But who screws up tots? Cheap canned PBR and Tecate: also good. I also think the sticky balls are decent as are the lettuce wraps. But nothing is really good. There's nothing I'd go to Sticky Rice for, except when I have a group of dumb friends who think it's awesome, and I have to go meet them here (roll eyes with extreme annoyance). Also, the bar here is small but it gets super crowded. If I'm going somewhere for the purpose of drinking, I'll just go to a bar with room. I guess Tuesday karaoke night is fun, but this does not a good restaurant make. Sticky Rice's concept is good for Richmond, a place that's lacking in "hip" establishments, but execution is sorely lacking.

    (2)

  • Trish A.

    If only I were updating my review to add stars. A few weeks ago, the same people I last went with wanted to go here for dinner, so I acquiesced. The place still smelled like the bathrooms at Kings Dominion, the sushi was still meh (I did not order any myself), and everybody at my table was picking at my bowl of shrimp fried rice after they polished off their sushi. I mention this not because I'm basking in triumph for ordering a better, non-sushi dish, but because I really do think you're better off getting something cooked and bigger in size for your buck IF you must eat here. Big, cooked, steaming bowl of something that tastes fine vs. really small amount of mediocre sushi: when they're the same price, I think the decision is clear. If you're going for the bar/hipster/Richmond atmosphere, be my guest. Please just go somewhere else if you're looking for delicious food.

    (1)

  • Doug H.

    Wow! If you were sat down in Sticky Rice you would never expect to see a menu with sushi on it. The atmosphere is more of a typical 'american' bar; Duy N. got it right: "Hipster infused sushi" - best way to describe this place. We ordered a couple rolls and shared; I wouldn't call it the best sushi around but I'd go back with no hesitation. I have to recommend the 'bucket of tots', more than anyone (or two people) should eat, but you wouldn't want to run of of these treats.

    (4)

  • Michelle G.

    This place really isn't that great.. the sushi was not very good compared to what you would get to an average sushi place. I've lived in Japan for 12 years and the sushi here is really a huge disgrace. I know, I know.. I'm being a snob and I'm not giving them a chance. But you have to understand, I've visited this establishment a couple times to give them a chance. I thought that maybe the sushi guy was having a bad day, but each time I came the sushi seemed to get worse and worse. The sushi wasn't rolled very well, it was too loose. I'm so use to seeing Asian men making sushi I was shocked to see that a hippie looking "dude" was making it. I'm sure that they have other food that tastes good, but I came for sushi and they made an epic fail. I'm sorry to say this but I wont be revisiting this place to waste my money anymore.

    (1)

  • Sean D.

    My fiancée and I were really looking forward to trying Sticky Rice tonight based on the ravings of college friends from VCU. For starters the location and the theme itself were nice but right from the beginning, we knew it was a place for drinking and not so much for eating. First we ordered red wine. Pinot Noir and Cabernet. This was the batch of wine that most find at the bottom of your local food market shelf. The kind which leaves a film lining the inside of your mouth and lacks general flavor overall. $8 each glass. Next, an appetizer. Deep fried and overly cooked calamari on a bed of cabbage and assorted vegetables. Again, the flavor was zapped out and the squid was dryer than an arid desert. The chili sauce was tasty but couldn't overpower the burnt breading taste stuck in the back of my mouth. Sushi was third. My spider roll was the best out of the bunch. Sticky Balls was my second choice and for a reason. Warm, slimy, and raw tuna was its primary ingredient. A perfect fit for it's name. The final slice had me gagging but the cheap wine gargled it down and did the trick. Our waitress was pleasant and timely, asked the right questions and cleared the table as needed. She deserved a great tip after dealing with the food she has to unfortunately serve all night. Overall we were simply disappointed. I don't know if we'll ever go back. Especially since the tab came out to a whopping $75, a price one would expect at a high class, soft spoken dining setting. Try it out, but don't expect much.

    (2)

  • Chelsea R.

    The most bland Curry I've ever had. I got the curry fried rice with chicken and I had to save it with a ton of sriracha. It basically tasted like soy sauce before - super salty. The bartender was cool.

    (2)

  • Lendsey C.

    We went in expecting an explosion of flavor all neatly wrapped in rice but came out feeling like something was missing. On the hipster rating scale this place is pushing a definite 7 as it tries to appeal to a younger crowd. Blushing reds, close-knit seating, and a Pandora mix playing leads you into a false sense of something more. The menu on the other hand is a horse of a different color. You can read what each roll is (and they all do SOUND appealing) but when we finally got ours, after waiting over 20 minutes, color me unimpressed. On top of being a little miffed that the lighting was so incredibly dim taking pics of my food was hard I didn't go ga-ga over the presentation. Our waitress seemed like she was too busy to really give any interests to our meal even though we were one of only five sets of of people in the place. The meal itself: meh. I've had much much better sushi. I've also had much much worse sushi. Take that as you will but with a place named "Sticky Rice" I expect to eat rice something just modern tasting as its name, not some bland ball of fish poorly wrapped in said rice. Will I return? Well that's a "sticky" question....

    (2)

  • Taylor C.

    I only tried the California roll. I was initially excited that they use lump crab meat instead of imitation crab. It was edible, but the rice was pretty hard, the crab was sparse and had an unpleasant salty flavor, and the avocado was brown in some parts. Six medium size pieces for $6. Not worth it. Very limited selection on the menu. The waitresses were very nice, but service was a bit slow.

    (2)

  • Katie W.

    Favorite sushi restaurant in Richmond. I've tried most of their sushi and have yet to find something that I don't like. They have really good, cheap sushi and their tots baskets are to die for. Really chill and laid back atmosphere, and nice to go to to hang out with friends. They have karaoke and bands late nights which is cool.

    (5)

  • Mel C.

    Food was decent. We had an order of wings and the seafood ragoon. The food was a bit too salty for our taste. I am more use to ragoons that are a bit sweeter in taste. Although it was a nice hangout spot in the Fan.

    (3)

  • Hannah G.

    Every time I go to Sticky Rice, I really can't wait to come back. Unfortunately, you can never be sure whether there is immediate seating or a 2-hour wait outside. Just give me tots, sushi, and karaoke night and I'm a happy girl.

    (4)

  • Virginia P.

    The food is really great and fun, but dine-in is a madhouse. I highly recommend just getting delivery or takeout from Sticky-To-Go across the street.

    (4)

  • Keegan Z.

    Sticky Rice is a well-regarded place to go in the Fan area. Why this is, I'm not terribly sure. Came to this area to go to a restaurant which turned out to be out of business (never wait too long to use Groupons!), so my lady friend and I settled on Sticky Rice. I had been here once before with mixed results, though I decided to give it another try. It was quite busy for the early evening, though I found out that was because it was 1/2 off sushi happy hour (cool!). We ended up waiting for a while to get seated, and our table ended up being a far corner one (still relatively comfortable though). Our server seemed nice enough, answering questions we had about the menu. It just so happened that they were doing $1 PBRs as well, so I availed myself of one of those and turned to the menu. Naturally, it being the sushi happy hour, we opted for sushi. HERE'S THE CATCH: while the monster rolls are indeed sushi, they for some reason are not considered part of the happy hour, and this fact is not noted anywhere nor did our server inform us of this. Let me tell you why this doesn't make sense: if I order 5 orders of smaller sushi or 1 big order (the monster roll), I'm getting the same amount of food, yet the server claimed "oh no, we'd be giving away too much food to do that same deal for the Monster rolls". No, actually, you wouldn't: your prices for the monster rolls don't save anything over ordering several smaller orders (no bulk discounts here), so buying a big size is the same value as buying several smaller sizes, and would result in the same discount per food volume if both were on the 1/2 off sushi happy hour. Now, it's your restaurant, run it how you want to, though at least state your exclusions to deals where I can see them so I can know what isn't included. After all this, the sushi turned out to be sub-par. It wasn't terribly flavorful and the presentation fell short of what I've experienced at most other sushi restaurants I've frequented in the past. Also, no special orders here are doable on their happy hour, so I hope you like cucumbers. Got a side order of tater tots which turned out to be good, though I doubt it's even possible for anyone to mess up tater tots. Thank god for the cheap beer. If you're local and you just want a little sushi for relatively cheap, this place will suit your needs. However, if you want to get full off of great sushi and don't mind a short drive or paying a bit more, Sushi King is a much better choice. I'm all for supporting local restaurants, though they've got to be good ones, and this one doesn't qualify, sad to say. Overall: 2.0 stars -------------- Pros: - Cheap beer makes life better ($1 PBRs on certain occasions) - Nice atmosphere, if a perpetually busy one. Cons: - Sushi just isn't that great. - To summarize their weird exclusion of monster rolls in their sushi hour, "Your math is bad and you should feel bad." - Trying to find a place to park around here is a pain and a half. Expect to have to bust out your parallel-parking skills.

    (2)

  • Joseph H.

    Good drink deals, completely average tots, worst sushi in town. For real, kroger has better sushi. But the staff are all nice. And they do have a large selection of vegetarian sushi which is unusual and could be of great value to some.

    (3)

  • Tom O.

    Got in town late, SR came up as serving late night sushi. Packed. Gentleman greets me as I enter. No space at bar, but a booth was leaving. He says it's not too busy and I should take it, then hands me the sushi menu, half price! Tells me the server will be right over to take my order. It"s 1130 and packed. Jessie shows up within a minute or two. Have my Hardywood iPad in another minute. Only drafts they have are 3 Hardywoods, very cool. Very good local brewery. Sushi comes about 10 minutes later. Again, it's packed. Don't know how they do it, but it was always with a smile. Can't say the sushi was like sitting at Morimoto, but it was 1000% less pretentious, and five times less expensive. Very serviceable sushi, with an amazing staff, cool vibe. Go.

    (5)

  • Sarah F.

    Godzirra, sticky balls and Goochland roll. Delicious. The man ate general tsos chicken. Hardywood beer on tap. Fabulous lunch v

    (5)

  • Ellen H.

    Coming here for drinks and the people? Awesome. Coming for the food? Wouldn't be my first choice. The prices are a bit high, especially for the protion size. Not as fresh as some of the other sushi places around town, but beer and good bartenders ARE here so come here after you have dinner elsewhere. Leave your kids at home, by the way. This is more of a student-party-type place.

    (3)

  • Marvin S.

    Went here for RVA burger week. Their deep fried tempura patty was so greasy that the bottom bun was soggy. Service was... Okay. Wasn't the servers fault, they just more staff.

    (2)

  • Aaron S.

    This place is hard to review. It's a terrible sushi restaurant but it's a great bar. Almost nothing can make up for the layer of grime covering this place and it's unforgivably nasty bathrooms oh and the rotten smell coming from the kitchen area next to the bathrooms. I say almost because their tots and dipping sauce some how do make up a little for the funk. Go, play, drink and eat tots. Stay away from food items not boiled in a frier and for gods sake don't use the bathroom. Positives, if you drink to much, your vomit will blend in.

    (3)

  • Thomas P.

    Pretty decent sushi, cool little place, interesting rolls and cool variations. Not bad prices either. The hot hippy was very good.

    (3)

  • Britt A.

    It is what it is... I walked through the fan at 1015 and went into three other places. Never greeted or asked if interested In eating at any of the others-- might as well of been a night club. Cheers for good service!

    (5)

  • Deb E.

    Sushi was great along with their tots. First time I was there for lunch at 12:30. They had 1 waitress but a lot of employees just hanging around. 3 girls were manning the sushi bar. My husband didn't get sushi so his food came out first. I waited 10 mins for 2 rolls and 1 shrimp. The place was dirty. Walls not wiped down and the ceiling had cobwebs. Wish they would just clean better! Especially when eating raw fish.

    (3)

  • Laci H.

    Sticky Rice. It's like a mainstream indie rock or folk rock poser band. You know what I'm saying: if you're in the mood for true indie rock or folk rock music, then Mumford and Sons just don't cut it. But a long road trip with avid Bieber fans and your breathing a sigh of relief when "I Will Wait" comes on the radio. Sticky Rice does a great job of creating food that non-sushi lovers enjoy; including making trendy-named rolls that are lower than normal sushi taste and presentation standards of the average asian-owned sushi joint but appeal in a hip way to people who "aren't usually sushi eaters." However, apparently they have great tater tots.... What Sticky Rice does a great job at is selling an experience. They have a cult-like following and most people rave about their non-sushi items, which evidently taste amazing. No arguing here. That being said, they advertise themselves not only as a sushi bar but as an Asian Fusion restaurant. And they do the "fusion" well. Bottom line: if you love sushi, have been to Japan, eat raw fish for 3 meals a day after catching it in the ocean yourself...maybe skip the sushi bar at Sticky Rice. But if you love a good experience and atmosphere, want to impress some friends who are in town for a visit who like asian noodles or have an obsession with tots: Sticky Rice is your place. Pay for the vibe, not the rolls. Oh, and in the spirit of writing an actual taste review of my last visit: we had the Miso Soup, Wakame Salad, Poke, Spicy Tuna Roll, Snap Crackle Pop roll, and Yellow Brick Road roll. Miso was tasty, but way overpriced for it's small size (at $3 for one verrrrrry small bowl); Wakame had decent taste but overdressed, the Poke wasn't flavorful, and all the rolls were good (despite the fish hiding beneath all the other elements of the rolls). All-in-all, it didn't measure up to most sushi places but it was clearly fresh and the rolls were beautiful. And our waitress was awesome. Take sushi lovers who have been living in a landlocked back-country town to Sticky Rice and bring your non-sushi loving friends here to convert them. Ok, now you can all hate me for sounding so pretentious about everything from sushi to indie music....(I promise I'm nice in person!)

    (3)

  • Ashley M.

    Coming here is either a hit or a miss. Sometimes it's awesome and sometimes its mediocre. Their tots are always awesome and the so is the dipping sauce that comes with it. Godzrilla roll is delicious. The miso soup had a slight chemical aftertaste, almost brassy. The sticky rice dessert was slightly bland but ok. The bathroom is in the basement next to the kitchen and is a bit dirty/ dingy. Servers are friendly.

    (3)

  • Amanda S.

    Went back to Sticky Rice not even a week after my first review to meet up with some friends and I had a completely different experience. Ordered the infamous tot bucket, tots were delicious. I think per reading all the yelp reviews on their sauce you would think they had angel tears in them they were so good. The sauce was decent IMO but not anything mind blowing. I'm pretty sure it's just mayo with siracha. It is an amazing appetizer to get with your buds though. Who doesn't love tater tots? This time I stayed away from the sushi and got the Coconut Shrimp noodle bowl which was super tasty. It was extremely flavorful and just the right amount of spicy. I loved that it had an equal parts noodles, shrimp, and veggies. I will probably be sticking with their noodle bowls in the future. I was there on Friday night, got there about 8:20 and had to wait an additional 20 minutes for a table. It wouldn't have been so bad if it wasn't so cold outside so we kind of had to cram in behind the bar. The waitstaff were really friendly and attentive the entire time despite being really busy and crowded. We got our food quickly and our drinks got refilled about 5 times throughout the duration of our meal. I would still suggest staying away from their sushi, it's mostly rice, I tried a few of my friends rolls just to make sure I wasn't just judging from my first time. Otherwise I had a great time there and will probably continue to go back.

    (4)

  • Allison R.

    I really, really wanted to like Sticky Rice after hearing so many things about this place. Let me start by saying that the service was great - really fast and friendly. We went for lunch on a Saturday at noon and were really pleased with how quickly we were seated and got our food. The food, though. The good: awesome tater tots with dipping sauce. When they say a bucket, they literally mean a bucket. So many tots. The bad: the sushi isn't really that high quality (our spicy tuna roll looked a bit sloppy and just wasn't impressive), and our chicken lettuce wraps were just average at best. The teriyaki sauce on the wraps wasn't anything special, and the pieces of lettuce were so small you couldn't really wrap anything! Come for the tots, but otherwise not worth a major trip.

    (2)

  • Khalid A.

    To me this place set such a hard standard for sushi, that I don't enjoy sushi at any other place anymore!! Godzirra and sticky balls are my all time favorites and a must every time I go there. The place is a bit small and can get overcrowded, however, I like the vibe it has. Will always be my favorite sushi place.

    (5)

  • Sarah K.

    Went here last night with my best friend for dinner and happy hour. Having lived in Japan for two years, I have extremely high expectations of my sushi. I'm rating five stars based on the food. The food was outstanding. It's the best sushi I've had in America. I am visiting from California and you would think you'd find amazing sushi in California but no. Never did I expect that my best sushi experience would come from RVA. Hands down, the best. We sat at the bar because by 5 PM there was already a wait. There was only one bar tender and he did an awesome job. The wait for our drinks was a little lengthy but for being the sole bartender for a packed restaurant and a full bar, he handled himself well. Recommend: sticky balls are a MUST. We ordered off the happy hour menu. PBR's are $1. And all listed sushi and appetizers were half off. We also ordered a spider roll, a sweet potato tempura roll, spicy tuna, crunchy shrimp and a drawn and buttered, all incredible. I would eat here again and again.

    (5)

  • Morgan P.

    I've been coming here since high school, and have loved it ever since. I know this place has mixed reviews and such, but I love the food and the staff is efficient as well as good. I enjoy their vegetarian sushi (where my food review will be coming from), and their inventive flavors for us Veg Heads as well as their accommodations to vegans. I also have tried their Dirty Vegan, bucket of tots, garden balls, and Mock Chicken Szechuan. The Dirty Vegan is my all time favorite entree with soba noodles. The spice level is good and the flavors meld well together. It reminds me of Southeast Asian food a little bit. I will always be one of their customers, even if the people I take don't appreciate the atmosphere or whatever else people complain about.

    (5)

  • Caitlyn l.

    Freaking amazing!!!! You must get the asian ribs and tots sooo good!! The enviroment is so chill and relaxed. I wish i lived in rva so i could eat here everyday!

    (5)

  • Haley L.

    I went with my dad and the place was packed. You would think this was good news. However, they sat us in the small sushi bar area and it smelled like pee. The sushi isn't that great either. I was also concerned about where the sushi was. It was not clean.

    (1)

  • Tommy B.

    This is my SPOT! Sticky Rice is a hipster haven, with fun late night activities EVERY night. The food is not to be missed either, with both traditional and unconventional rolls. The tots are amazing, and I don't know what the sauce is, but it's delicious. Best nights are Tuesday karaoke, Wednesday bingo and Sunday trivia, but Friday night can get kinda wild too. The Johns will keep your glass full, Al will humiliate you and you'll party til you puke! Definitely a must for any out of towner.

    (5)

  • Dani D.

    Tater tots and dipping sauce are good. The sushi was low quality and tasted off. Not what you want when eating raw fish. I was also grossed out by the terrible smell coming from the menu's. Something was spilled, not cleaned off well and curdled. Not a great start. Trying to end on a positive- cool atmosphere, great tots. Maybe stick with that and drinks.

    (2)

  • Jeff S.

    I love going to Sticky Rice. It's an experience. No shortage of variety on the rolls, if you like sauces and tempura and some unorthodox options. I personally like tots and a PBR very much so I got nothing to complain about here. It does get INSANELY crowded in here even during the week. So if you're not looking to socialize and you want purist sushi this isn't what you're bargaining for. If you want to make some new friends and demand a good bartender drop in.

    (4)

  • blain t.

    Everyone else on here was basically just about right for this place. The Sushi is good, and the tater tots are great. It is more like a small bar. For what it is I really like it. 1) Do not go expecting a nice quiet meal 2) Do not expect a big lavish sushi bar If you avoid those two items above and want to have 1) Some interesting sushi which is of a pretty good quaity 2) Unique items (bucket of tater tots) 3) A fun meal in a small, loud place with pretty friendly service then you'll be satisfied.

    (5)

  • Mos D.

    Just updated because I said Obama might become President... looks like he won.

    (1)

  • John D.

    been numerous times. cool neighborhood hangout. not much else going for it. below average service. crappy music. edible at best sushi. had the stir fry bowl today. soupy and watery, too salty, noodles where rubbery, chicken and veggies were way overcooked. assuming it was microwaved. probably won't be going there again.

    (1)

  • Jeez L.

    I'm not sure why people hate on Sticky Rice so much. I am a vegetarian and go there for their veggie rolls. Silence of the yams, spicy avocado and south roll are scrumptious. Their miso and teriyaki mushrooms are delicious too. Food takes a while but thats not unusual for Richmond restaurants.

    (4)

  • Denise J.

    mmmmm...Sticky balls! If you go you should definitely order them in multiples...deep fried sushi goodness. Indeed this is not traditional sushi but is mighty good food. Totally inventive sushi...think pineapple and jalapeno..and sweet potato and honey. Oh yeah, the tater tots with remoulade are insanely addictive.

    (4)

  • Drew S.

    Not your typical sushi - so keep that in mind. But I'd almost give it 5 stars for the Garden Balls alone! Plus - the steak was a BEAST!

    (4)

  • Michael L.

    Probably one of the worst sushi places in town, just better than Sushi Ninja. I don't really consider a sushi restaurant, it's more like college kids drinking hangout. I won't go back again but if I had to I would probably only go there to drink.

    (1)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : No
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Hipster
    Noise Level : Loud
    Music : Background
    Good For Dancing : No
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Happy Hour : Yes
    Best Nights : Mon, Tue, Fri
    Coat Check : No
    Smoking : No
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Sticky Rice

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