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Ratings and reviews

RATINGS
Food
Service
Value

Details

CUISINES
Japanese, Sushi, Asian
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Takeout, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Table Service
Reviews (31)
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Reviewed 7 October 2023

I have reviewed Nara before...but some places just deserve repeat reviews. I have travelled this entire country and have yet to find better sushi. Not in NYC, LA, DC, Miami, Philly,....nowhere. I don't know where they get their fish but it is PERFECT. So delicate...yet full of flavor. It is the only place where we go and say: Surprise US! And, they do, every time. I never liked soft shelled crab....till I had it here as a Omigazi special. You just order and take your chance. We bring all of our sushi loving friends (from the cities mentioned) to this small hideaway ...and we love watching their faces light up as they delve in! If you are looking for over sauced, sweet rolls, this is not your place. If you want amazing authentic food, come to Nara.More

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed 5 February 2023 via mobile

Sorry to any other place on the top 10 list. : they are all wrong. NARA is simply the very best sushi we have ever had. And that means even outside of VA. Nothing in San Diego, NYC, DC, FL …anywhere has even come close!...My son said there are other good sushi places, but this is great JAPANESE sushi. They don’t rely on sauces and cutesy additions. Purist and delicious!More

Date of visit: January 2023
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Reviewed 19 September 2021

Nara is a cozy restaurant, clearly a favorite for many locals, but welcoming to newcomers as well. The service was good (for a sushi restaurant, you're always going to wait a little while for food made expertly to order). The sushi was fantastic; everything we...ordered was fresh and delicious, including a couple of very creative rolls. I'll absolutely be going back the next time I'm in Virginia Beach.More

Date of visit: June 2021
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Reviewed 26 October 2020 via mobile

What can I say, I was surprised. Service was 10X better than what you would get at a chain restaurant. Beer is priced decent and there is a reason why they charge per sushi roll. The quality is spread amongst the plate people!

Date of visit: October 2020
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Reviewed 23 February 2020 via mobile

Staff was so friendly and the food was amazing with a huge menu. If you love trying new things they definitely have some unique dishes at Nara sushi.

Date of visit: February 2020
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Reviewed 8 June 2019 via mobile

The best sushi I have ever eaten! As first plate had soup which was amazing and the cream brulee as a desert was delicious! Between the two the food was exquisite! Also the staff was friendly and helpful. A pure 5 by me.

Date of visit: June 2019
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Reviewed 13 February 2019

Our local sushi hangout. A neighborhood jam. Service is always good ( it was pretty busy ) and while I might be boring I always go for my same list of favorite rolls.

Date of visit: February 2019
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Reviewed 4 February 2019 via mobile

With a variety of good choices for sushi in Virginia Beach there is bound to be robust discussion on who has the best. I'm a self admitted novice when it comes to sushi, but have managed to work a pair of chopsticks and enjoy the...cuisine. My favorite at the beach is Nara Sushi and they are far from newcomers to the sushi scene. Chef Eric Lee has been at Nara for just under 15 years and has been the owner for 12. He and his wife Elaine operate the establishment in Independence Plaza at the corner of Independence & Haygood Rd. Surface parking is in front of the business. I found the lot and walk up free of debris. The exterior glass window and door clean. I opened Nara for lunch and was immediately greeted. I started off with a traditional Miso soup that my sever Tomomi recommended on a cold day. Miso is actually a breakfast dish in its native Japan. It was flavorful, tasty and had dried kelp. A daily specials board is by the bar. Let's call the ambiance a bit romantic with only the front exterior window shedding light on the dining room. The space can hold around 50 customers with bar seating. Traditional Japanese decorations adorn the Burgundy walls. All the tables were cleared and clean. I decided on a few dishes. The Sushi & Sashimi Special came with tuna, salmon octopus & escolar. It was fresh and a delight with house soy on the table. My main was Crazy Angel off the lunch specials menu. It consisted of seared Cajun tuna, asparagus, tuna, white fish, Eel and tobiko on top. So fabulous, filling and complex rolls. For dessert Creme Brûlée that's a personal favorite and it did not disappoint. Waiter service was prompt and consistent on refills. Payment was received and accurate. My plates were cleared at the appropriate time. I witnessed tables being wiped down after use. Prices for the quality are better than many. When busy patience is a virtue. Only Chef Eric is lovingly making the hand rolled pieces of art with beautiful touches on plating. Nara is a hidden gem for beach sushi lovers. They have a strong local following dating back to previous owner Kevin Chang who went onto open Zushi in Town Center in 2005. I recommend rotating them in if you already have a favorite.More

Date of visit: January 2019
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Reviewed 16 December 2018

my son in older now - his favorite spot - so, 9 of us sailed in for his Bday dinner here again. many things i can not say to even pronounce, but every single item we had here has alway been outstanding and this visit...was the same. i have names some of the things in the attached pictures. this spot we made reservations 2 days before since it is small location and very popular - it was a great time for all. chris and i did try a few different items this visit.......i had the grilled tuna without the sauce - christ has chicken dish slightly fried i'd say.....clam soup for app.....all dinners come with yet another soup and great salad with extraordinary dressing... :-). we should eat here more often and the prices are wonderful...... :-) medium wallet onlyMore

Date of visit: December 2018
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Reviewed 18 November 2017

I have been enjoying sushi since the early 80's, before it was fashionable and popular. Till this day I have never had any compare to what they create at NARA. Even their rice is memorable. Their sushi,rolls and sushimi (and everything else) is a delight...to be tasted. Every piece just melts in your mouth leave such a pleasant taste. Their chefs special (Omigaze) will delight your eyes and palate - you never know what you are going to get but you will love it. The servers are lovely and remember you, right down to what appetizer you liked last time! One would think: uncooked fish is all the same. Then you go to Nara and realize how far above the rest they really are.More

Date of visit: November 2017
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Reviewed 18 August 2017 via mobile

This was my first trip to Nara Sushi and I found it to be a pleasant find in our local culinary choices. The restaurant is in a small strip mall near Haygood road and can be easily missed while driving by. It is worth the...search. I enjoyed the Shashimi Lunch special which came with choice of soap or salad. On this hot day in August I opted for the cold salad and not hot soup. The salad was good. The Shashimi is awesome and well priced. The Shashimi platter consisted of 12 pieces of fish including tuna, octopus, salmon and marlin. My server was Tomomi who greeted me at the door and was friendly and attentive. The restaurant is small with about a dozen tables . The ambiance was enhanced with some light jazz music playing in the background. I look forward to returning.More

Date of visit: August 2017
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Reviewed 24 July 2017 via mobile

Well this must be one of the best sushi restaurants i have visited the last 3 years. Not only is the sushi excellent but the presentation on the plate is exquisit. Will definatly be back.

Date of visit: July 2017
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Reviewed 17 June 2017 via mobile

Really. Some of the best gyoza that I've had outside of this little truck stop in Japan (and that was excellent). Overall, the food and the wait staff were excellent. My only 'complaint ' was the really could've used 3 waitress on a busy Friday...night instead of 2. We had to wait 10 minutes to get our check (and give up the table) , saw another table get up and chase down the waitress so he could pay the bill.More

Date of visit: June 2017
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Reviewed 16 June 2017 via mobile

Excellent, best Japanese food I have ever had. Had dumplings, maki rolls, plum wine for dessert. I will make a point to go again next visit to VA Beach.

Date of visit: June 2017
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Reviewed 10 June 2017

my opinion only.....! for the buck spent this is a hard place not to go if your like sushi and other food items that are related. tonight we had an assortment of many, most i can not even say or pronounce. bring your med. wallet,...but have it full.More

Date of visit: June 2017
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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NARA SUSHI, Virginia Beach - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Nara Sushi

Yes, Nara Sushi offers takeaway services.

Nara Sushi is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 5
  • Service: 5
  • Value: 5