
Sushi MARU
Omakase · San Diego · $$$
4.8(102)
Omakase · Sunset Park, Brooklyn, NY · $$$
Ultra-modern dining experience where exquisite omakase meets a high-end art collectible gala.
“SORA is one of the most original and fantastic omakase experiences my wife and I have ever had. We had high expectations from the reviews we’ve read — like the one I’m writing right now! — and thought it’s “probably just pretty good.” How much could a place down the block from fast food spots be? Well, the second you walk in, you’re instantly transported to a tranquil, inspired, artful, timeless, rarefied omakase den. Calvin, who greeted us when we walked in, was a perfect guide throughout. We felt like we’d known him for years in just a few minutes. We also appreciated his clear, unpretentious direction through the sake list. The sushi itself was exceptional. Beyond fresh, we had items we never had before and were completely won over. The boldness of serving shirako (look it up… or maybe don’t! If they have it, just eat this sweet, custardy delight. Each item we were served was remarkably better than the last. Though if we had to choose a favorite, the barracuda and the mackerel were a tie. Also, the salmon was like any we ever had; silky, flavorful, and like everything at SORA, ineffably delicious. One last thing: we thought the bill would have been at least double what we were actually charged. But forget how relatively affordable SORA is, forget that it’s not surrounded by high-end boutiques and luxury apartment buildings. Just know that it is simply one of the best omakase experiences anywhere. (And yes, if you think it can’t live up to this hype, if you go, I’m sure you won’t believe how much you loved it either.). Thank you Calvin and everyone at SORA who gave us such a spectacular night!”
“This was the first Omakase place I went to. The place was awesome and the service was great. Every dish tasted delicious and I enjoyed every single bite. The fish was very fresh and doesn’t have the fishy taste to it. I really loved the add-one that they let you add towards the end. The uni hand roll was 30$ and it was so worth. They fill it up with uni. The sweetness of the uni burst into my mouth when I took a bite. The dessert that they served was delicious too. However this place is expensive but it’s worth every penny. I would definitely come back to this place! I went back here for my birthday and there was a new chef. I’m even more happy with my second visit here, the whole menu was delicious.”
“Tucked away among the humble storefronts and Chinese dives of Brooklyn’s 8th Ave Chinatown, Sora is a hidden gem—unassuming from the outside, but offering a high-end omakase experience that rivals the best. It’s the kind of place you’d walk right past if you didn’t know better. But step inside, and you’re transported to a world of precision, care, and exceptional quality. Chef Takizawa, trained in Japan, is a master of his craft. Watching him delicately prepare each piece of sushi feels like a performance—every movement intentional, every cut perfect. Fish is flown in from Japan, and you can taste the difference. This is not your typical neighborhood sushi joint. The quality here is on par with what you get at Tsukiji Market in Tokyo. Standouts? The uni scrambled eggs—unexpected and sublime, a specialty of the chef. The hamachi was buttery and clean, the A5 wagyu sushi was melt-in-your-mouth perfect (especially when seared with burning oak right in front of us), and the curry rice—made from wagyu stock—was a warm and comforting. One memorable moment was watching Chef Takizawa fry white fish fresh in front of us. Each piece is presented with care, and the staff respectfully explains every detail, enhancing your appreciation with every bite. This is the kind of omakase that’s not just about eating—it’s about experiencing. A perfect spot for a special occasion or date night. The staff was incredibly attentive, adding just the right personal touch. A once-in-a-lifetime meal that you’ll definitely want to have more than once.”
“I went a couple months ago for dinner with some friends. It has spectacular service with top-quality course. I don't remember what dishes I got, but if you're into sashimi, you won't regret this! P.S. i loved loved LOVED the uni (sea urchin). Super buttery and smooth taste! :)”
“I really wanted to like this place but it left a lot to be desired. It's $128 for omakase which is a great price for the amount of courses you get. The only problem is that the sushi here is not great. The service is good and they really try to make it a good experience for every customer. The appetizers were probably my favorite part of the meal and I was very impressed with the ginger that seemed to be homemade. I will give them credit that they were very attentive and I never ran out of ginger or water. I didn't like that they kept wiping peoples plate with the same towel which seemed pretty unsanitary. - amberjack sashimi 9/10- sashimi was great and fresh with nice texture but the shoyu it came with was a bit odd. If they just gave me shoyu with wasabi on the side I would've enjoyed it more. Instead they mixed wasabi in the shoyu with pieces of green onion. Visually it looked unappetizing and the green onions were not necessary. If they wanted to add texture, some seaweed or sesame seeds on the side would've gotten the job done. - miso cod 10/10 - buttery and well flavored. It was delicious and I wish I could have seconds - fried tilefish with crab dashi 7/10 - tilefish was delicious and loved the fried skin which gave it a nice texture, dashi was not very flavorful and could've used a bit more depth to it. - grilled eel skewer - 10/10 - excellent texture and so tender. My favorite bite of the meal - fish milt with ponzu - 9/10 - next had this before and was surprisingly very tasty. Wish they torched it a bit more but still pretty excellent - sushi 5/10 - most of the sushi was not good. Texture was off and many pieces were very mushy. Proportions were also off and you had pieces like the scallop that I had to eat in two bites because it was so big. The uni and mackerel were good but the rest did not taste good. Almost all pieces used the same shoyu and did not demonstrate any creativity. After a few pieces it got pretty boring as they tended to use similar fish for the pieces. - matcha panna cotta 10/10 - this was super tasty! Very smooth and silky and nice balance of flavors. Overall, worth trying but personally would not be back. I think they have potential and hope they can improve on the quality of the fish and flavors.”
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