Sushi is so delicious. A really yummy roll can make the perfect date night food or be the perfect choice for a nice night out with your best friends. However, it can also get really expensive, really fast.
At a really nice restaurant, you may feel like you emptied your wallet yet still had to stop for a hamburger on the way home. Furthermore, sushi prices seem to be only going up.
Below is a look at how much sushi costs at different kinds of restaurants and even at the grocery store.
There is also details on which sushi rolls tend to be more budget-friendly and which sushi rolls you can skip to save your wallet.
So, how much does sushi cost?
The cost of sushi depends on a number of factors, such as what kind of sushi you order. It can range anywhere from $15 per person on the low end to over and above $50 to $100 per person at an upscale restaurant. A few of the other factors include if you are ordering from a casual or an upscale restaurant, and how much sushi each person wants to eat in a sitting.
How Much Does Sushi Cost Per Person?
In general, a meal at an average sushi restaurant costs around $20 to $30 per person before adding tax and tip to the bill. Usually 2 people will be satisfied ordering 3 or 4 sushi rolls at $12 to $15 per roll at a casual restaurant.
The cost of sushi per person depends on a number of factors, including:
- The restaurant where you are getting the sushi from
- What kind of sushi you order, and
- How much sushi each person wants to eat in a sitting.
At a more average or regularly priced sushi place, you likely will be able to get a roll for as little as $8 if you get a vegetable-based roll.
Some examples of vegetable-based rolls are cucumber rolls or avocado rolls.
On the other hand, rolls that are more fish-heavy are likely going to be closer to $12 or $15. Finally, sashimi (which is pretty much all fish) is going to be the most expensive.
Keep in mind that one roll tends to be about eight pieces; for some people that is enough, while others may want two rolls.
Where Can You Order Less Expensive Sushi?
Another option for sushi is to go to an all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant.
All-you-can-eat restaurants vary a lot in both quality and price, but the average seems to be $15 for lunch and around $20 for dinner per person.
You do have to pay for every person going in, so the price may make more sense for those who can eat three or four rolls rather than those who barely finish one roll.
Another option for sushi is your local grocery store.
Some grocery stores like Whole Foods, Safeway, Publix, Costco, Trader Joe’s or even Walmart carry sushi rolls in their prepared food section.
Keep in mind that the quality of this sushi depends a lot on the store, but you will likely be able to find rolls for as low as $5.
I’ve bought sushi from Whole Foods, Costco, and Trader Joe’s in the past.
If you go this route, I’d recommend eating the sushi right away for the best flavor.
This is because grocery store sushi tastes best if you eat it the same day.
What is the Average Cost of a Sushi Dinner?
If you go to an Asian restaurant or Japanese steak house that also serves sushi, you can probably expect to spend anywhere from $15 to $30 on a sushi dinner.
This generally does include the drink and some sort of salad to go with it, but not always. Once again, sushi is usually priced by the kind of roll you get, so it really depends on what you like.
However, a sushi dinner can get really expensive. If you are wanting to have a night out with your friends or a date night at a really nice sushi restaurant, you should expect to pay the big bucks.
A sushi dinner for a couple of people at a really nice sushi restaurant can run you upwards of $100.
I have enjoyed sushi at Sugarfish, which is a nice sushi restaurant with a few locations in California, and a meal for 2 people is around $100.
My husband and I also have a couple other local sushi restaurants that we enjoy, and we usually spend around $40 – $50 for a meal for the two of us.
Why Is Sushi Expensive?
There are a couple of reasons why a sushi dinner can be so expensive. First of all, seafood, in general, is more expensive than chicken and often even more expensive than steak (unless it is a really nice steak.)
Higher-end sushi restaurants generally use higher quality fish, which adds to the price of the meal.
That is why vegetable sushi costs much less than the types of sushi that has a lot of fish in it.
Additionally, restaurants are often shipping in ingredients, such as sea urchin, from all over the country or world.
Finally, sushi making is often considered a craft that is culturally significant and takes a lot of training.
Sushi making is also labor intensive and the cost of the sushi chef is factored into the price of the rolls.
At really nice places, you are sometimes paying for the expertise of the person who made it.
How Much Does a California Roll Cost?
At most average restaurants, a California roll is going to cost closer to $8. This is a few dollars less expensive in comparison to some of the more complex sushi rolls which are usually around $12 to $15.
Generally speaking, the California roll is a less expensive and more common sushi roll. Even your friends that are not really sushi fans likely know what a California roll is.
When you get a California roll, you will notice the rice is on the outside, then the seaweed paper is encompassing crab (often imitation crab), cucumber, and avocado.
Most times, the imitation crab meat is used in California rolls. This is a less expensive fish, and it is part of the reason why California rolls are usually less expensive.
Are Expensive Sushi Rolls Worth It?
The truth is, you do not have to break the bank and buy the really expensive rolls to enjoy a sushi dinner.
The more expensive rolls are usually pretty elaborate. They may be packed with a lot of different kinds of fish and covered with a mayo-based sauce.
At my local sushi restaurant, the more elaborate rolls are usually around $15 per roll.
If you are newer to sushi or trying to stay on the less expensive end of things, it is ok to stick with the basic and vegetable rolls.
If you are more experienced with sushi, I have found that the more elaborate and expensive rolls can be worth it.
The more elaborate rolls tend to be more filling and contain more fish than some of the less expensive rolls such as a California roll or Spicy Tuna roll.
How To Save Money When Eating Sushi
If you are looking to save money when eating sushi, you might want to consider a few of the more budget-friendly options.
A few of these less expensive rolls are a the California Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, or Shrimp Tempura Rolls. They are generally rather affordable and very delicious.
On the other hand, really crazy rolls, sashimi, or rolls that have more rare fish in them (think endangered fish like the bluefin tuna) generally are a lot more expensive.
By avoiding these rolls, you might end up enjoying your dinner more, and you will definitely be helping out your wallet and those endangered fish.
Tips For Budget Friendly Sushi
While sushi is one of the more expensive dinner options, it does not have to break the bank.
If you are looking to satisfy a craving (rather than have a night out), you might even be able to do it for under $10 at your local grocery store.
On the other hand, if you do want a night out, you just have to be strategic about what kind of sushi rolls you buy.
Stick with the classics and rolls with things like basic tuna, shrimp, or imitation crab.
If you really want to save money, consider skipping the fish altogether and buying a vegetable roll such as a cucumber roll or avocado roll.
Sure, you can go out and spend $100 on sushi, but that is not necessary if all you are after is a yummy roll or two.