Everyone has an extreme relationship with sushi—you either love it or hate it, there’s no in-between. I remember trying this cold, raw, funny-looking delicacy for the first time and absolutely hating it. Case in point: why wouldn’t you just cook it, make it nice and warm, crispy and flavourful, and then serve it, all pretty? But boy was I wrong!
Yes, sushi is an acquired taste, but no, it really is not all that hard to love. I may be biased when I say this, but it might just be one of the only guilt-free, healthy, and yet extremely delicious meals I enjoy when I eat out. And with so many types and varieties to explore, it has become one of my favourite things to order while dining outside (or even ordering in!). However, sushi was never as common across the city as it has become now. Today, we’re at a point where you might find a new sushi joint at every nook and corner of Bombay—and it will probably hit home. What started as an occasional splurge has now become a full-blown citywide addiction, with diners debating toro versus chutoro the way we once argued over vada pav spots.
Whether you’re a purist chasing the cleanest cuts of sashimi, a maki maximalist, or someone who simply wants that perfect California roll, Mumbai’s sushi scene has quietly levelled up, and we are here for it! Below, tables in Mumbai delivering rolls so good, you’ll forget the traffic outside and swear you’ve been teleported straight to Japan.
Chef James Japanese Kitchen
One of the more niche spots serving the best of Japanese and Korean in town, Chef James Japanese Kitchen, with traditional tatami seating and a menu that spans all of what is dearly loved in Japan, tops my list every time.
Their interiors are humble, following classic Japanese minimalism, with a bar that looks like it’s straight out of one of our fav K-dramas (read: their soju might just be the best in town). It’s cosy, unpretentious, and driven entirely by Chef James’s obsession with Japanese comfort food done right. The menu is refreshingly unfussy—think steaming bowls of ramen, generously stuffed gyoza, and katsu that’s perfectly crisp without being oily. But the best part is obviously the sushi rolls.
My personal favourites were the California roll, the James signature roll, the asparagus tempura roll, and the super crunchy sushi roll. The flavours are authentic, the presentation is perfect (to the T), and the quantity is a little bit too much (I couldn’t finish any of them). The best part is, they have lots of vegetarian options as well. Their kimchi is especially loved for its spice and flavours, while the ramyun bowls are to die for. It’s the best warm and neighbourhoody vibe you’d find at an actual corner sushi spot in Japan—one really couldn’t expect more.
Do yourselves a favour and visit ASAP!
Address: Unit No G1 & G 1A Ground Floor Morya Classic, Navyar Premises co op society, beside Dheeraj Gaurav Heights Opp Infinity mall, off Link road, Veera Desai Rd, Lokhandwala Complex, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400053, ANDHERI, Andheri West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400053
Timings: Monday to Sunday (12–11:45 pm)
Price for two: INR 1,500
Foo Asian Tapas
When sushi culture wasn’t as widespread across Mumbai as it is now, Foo was one of the only restaurants doing it right. In fact, I might even go as far as to say that Foo laid down the foundations of good Asian cuisine in the city, with their authentic flavours, eye-catching interiors, and cutlery that’s too fun to eat out of. One of the first Asian spots I personally ever visited, Foo is nostalgic for most Asian lovers across Bombay, which is also why I love it so much. Back in 2019, when Asian food culture was still making its space in the city, we all fell in love with the charm of this eatery, making purple rice, photo-perfect sushi rolls, and the kind of dim-sums we had never had before.
With cherry blossoms, a signature dim-red glow, and sleek wooden tables, it’s also a great date-night spot for food-lovers or experimenters alike. Their menu is massive, but a few things are non-negotiable. The Spicy Salmon Roll and Crunchy Avocado Roll are also must-orders, perfectly balanced and always fresh. If you like something crisp, the Tempura Prawns are also a must-try. For bigger plates, the Korean Fried Chicken and Black Pepper Tofu are crowd pleasers, while I personally LOVE their honey chilli lotus stem. Their cocktails are also very fun and very fruity—try the Yuzu Collins or the Guava Mary for something refreshing and easy. While there are multiple locations across town, my favourite has got to be the one in Jio World Drive..
Foo is a place you end up at again and again, without ever complaining about it. It’s the Asian tapas spot the locals know they can count on, every single time.
Address: Jio World Drive, MAKER MAXITY, 1st floor, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400051
Timings: Monday to Sunday (12 pm–1:30 am)
Price for two: INR 2,500
Pa Pa Ya
Pa Pa Ya is chef Zorawar Kalra’s stint on doing Asian food right—and he has done it! With dimly lit, neon red interiors, geometric ceiling panels, dark wood, and that unmistakable buzz of people who are very serious about their sushi but also very serious about having a good time, this spot is quite renowned amongst the younger crowd, especially.
And their menu? It’s Asian cuisine dialled up to a “modern, but make it wildly fun” level. The sushi headlines above everything else, obviously—my favourites on the menu include the salmon carpaccio roll, tuna poke, and the all-time favourite crispy veg uramaki, plated like edible artwork. Their sushi matrix (yes, it’s quite literally a matrix of sushi) remains one of those dishes people order simply because it looks great on the table but also tastes absolutely fantastic. If you want to satiate your very pressing craving for sushi, this might just be the go-to order for you.
Offering an exceptional gastronomic experience, Pa Pa Ya’s expansive menu spans influences from Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, China, Japan, Malaysia, Korea, Indonesia and Singapore. It’s truly an all-in-one for Asian lovers—a must, must go!
Address: Ground Floor, MAKER MAXITY, G-2, North Ave, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400051
Timings: Monday to Sunday (12–11:30 pm)
Price for two: INR 2,000
Gaijin
In Japan, the word ‘gaijin’ (short for gaikokujin) literally translates to an “outside person”. While it’s linguistically a neutral word used to refer to foreigners, it also refers to not quite belonging to wherever one currently is. That is exactly what chef Anand Morwani’s idea behind establishing this Japanese eatery in Mumbai was: to not feel like a gaijin because he’s doing this feat in his own city.
The newest addition to my favourite sushi in Mumbai list, Gaijin, has quickly climbed the charts to become many of the Mumbaikers’ go-to places when it comes to dining fancy and wholeheartedly at the same time. While getting a reservation remains a game of fastest finger first every week, everyone seems to justify its worth anyway. The interiors are vibrant, fresh, and playful, as bright colours like red and blue and yellow are carelessly thrown around across the restaurant. There is a bar that is constantly creating innovative cocktails you’ll sip and love, a vinyl-listening corner that feels as if it has been air-lifted from Tokyo and put into this restaurant, and a graffiti alleyway (which is on everyone’s Instagram at the moment). It’s fun, it’s aesthetic, and so, so good.
The crowd favourite? The menu, obviously. Among sushi purists, this spot has become a top pick. Their Omakase-style approach means the menu is tight and intentional, and everything tastes incredibly fresh. The tuna tataki, salmon nigiri, and hamachi carpaccio are the kind of dishes that make you stop mid-conversation because you need a moment to process just how good they are. And the soft shell crab roll and spicy tuna maki are also city favourites.
If you already love Japanese cuisine, Gaijin will spoil you—try (and I mean you can only try) and get a table this weekend!
Address: Ground Floor, Lotia Palace, Linking Rd, opp. Citi Bank, Khar, Khar West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400052
Timings: Tuesday to Sunday (12–3 pm, 7:30 pm–1:30 am)
Price for two: INR 4,000
Izumi
Offering an extremely wide variety of vegetarian options, Izumi is also one of the dearly beloved Asian spots in the city that locals swear by. The interiors are soft and sophisticated, with wooden accents all around. Offering both booth-style seating as well as the usual tables, the interiors are also chock full of nature-inspired, modernistic elements, and lots and lots of greens. It’s warm, intimate and very cosy, without pretension, and that’s exactly why I love it. While Asian spots often tend to get fancier by the minute, this one retains a rather homelier feel.
The real magic, of course, lies in the plates. Their sushi is classic, clean, and crisp. The ones that come most recommended on the menu are spicy Philly avocado sushi, spicy salmon sushi, fried edamame sushi, Hokkaido scallop nigiri, tuna sashimi, and lastly, the spicy salmon rolls. If you’re a first-time sushi eater, this might just be the spot for you, thanks to the wide variety and room for choice. Conversely, if you’re absolutely obsessed with sushi and cannot have enough, this must be your staple choice too, thanks to its ability to quench your sushi thirst, even at 5 am in the morning.
It’s no surprise this tiny Bandra spot is almost always packed—go once and you’ll understand what all the wait is about!
Address: Ground Floor, Sunrise Cooperative Society, Rd Number 24, Khar West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Timings: Monday to Sunday (5 am–11:30 pm)
Price for two: INR 2,800
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