Best omakase in Charleston and probably South Carolina. On par with places I’ve been in Seattle and NYC. You won’t be disappointed. One of the better sake selections I’ve ever seen and Chris knows his stuff. If you like high quality omakase you need to snag a reservation here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Aanal Bhatt
Just amazing experience. Great fresh as hell sushi, amazing sake selection & the cutest service from Chef Chris. Can't wait to be back!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Omakase for 2, Shrimp and Snow Crab, A5 Wagyu, Chefs Choice Omakase, NC Lump Crabmeat w Caviar, Tuna Hand Roll, Mackerel, Salmon Sashimi, Amuse- Ouche, Octopus
Joe Lucchetti
One of my favorite restaurants I've ever eaten at. The fish is 100% top notch, prepared consistently perfectly. Every bite is both fantastic in itself, and the progression is outstanding, with the perfect amount of the perfect garnish with the fishes where it is appropriate.They seem to have gone all in on sake recently, which is great. Probably my biggest barrier to being able to appreciate sake is lack of exposure, and their sake flights go towards addressing that. (Hoping for more flight options in the future!) I'm not sure I am "there" for sake yet, but I'm getting there thanks to them. I have huge respect for anyone that can help me broaden my palate like that.Sushi-Wa is literally one of the reasons we moved to Charleston. It is *easily* the best sushi I've ever had.It's nothing but fish, fish, fish. And the bathroom is outside! 5*.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brett Harman
I wish I could give more than 5 stars because this place deserve it. My fiancé and I love to explore dining options in Charleston, but nothing excites us more than a Sushi-Wa reservation. To start off, it is hands down the best sushi in town. Nothing comes close. In fact, it might be the best omakase in terms of quality we have had in the entire Southeast. The food is fresh and they do not short you on the portions. It almost ruins nights when we have to get sushi elsewhere. Not only is the food great but the staff is incredibly friendly and the atmosphere makes you feel like a VIP for the night. I love (and hate because it is hard to get in) just how small a seating it is. I think keeping the groups smaller makes it more enjoyable. Lastly, I cannot say enough about their willingness to accommodate. We had friends come to town and had to make a last minute change and they went above and beyond for us.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Omakase for 2
Lizzie M.
Can't even begin to explain what an amazing experience this place is. Every single piece of nigiri was beautifully prepared. The rice was perfectly cooked with the tiniest amount of warmth so everything melted in your mouth. It's an intimate setting with two chefs who are always attentive which makes you feel special just being there. 100000/10
Genna G.
Sushi wa is a great place to experience omakase at a reasonable price. The place itself is a bit underwhelming but who cares, it's all about the fish. Make sure get get a reservation, the place is very small.
Linda W.
Very good but not great - the fish is fresh and delicious, but the sushi rice was overcooked and mushy. There's not a high degree of service as the used paper towelette and wrapper sat on the counter for the entire meal, and you pour your own tap water from a large capped bottle. The sake' selection is extensive and excellent.
Linda5jwink
A very difficult spot to get a seat, I question if it's worth the hassle since it didn't live up to the hype for me, especially having to be "notified" when a seat opened. The fish is fresh and excellent, sourced from around the world, but the sushi rice was overcooked and mushy, detracting from my enjoyment of the meal. There's an extensive sake' selection which I enjoyed, but not a high degree of service as you pour your own water from a capped bottle of tap water, and the used towelette and wrapper sat on the counter for the entire dinner.
Melissa L.
Anytime I'm in the area this is my spot!! Incredible sushi a must try. always fresh and great service!!
Mary S.
The only real sushi in Charleston. It is the real deal. Just like Japan. Started going there before it was well known. Now, however, people know it is really authentic sushi, you have to plan ahead for a reservation.
If you're lucky enough to get a seat at this 10 seat omakase restaurant don't hesitate to go - One of the best omakase meals of my 40 years of eating sushi!
Laura Daniel
Fantastic experience! My son surprised me with this as a birthday present on my trip here from Southern California. It was my first omakase experience. It was so fun, and the people seated with us made the experience more enjoyable. The quality of fish was A+++. The variety served exceptional. The variety of sake on hand was quite impressive. Chefs Kazu and Chris were knowledgeable about what was served and interacted well with the group.
Lawrence L.
If you can get a resy, get one. Disclaimer- we go every 4 weeks. Never gets old. Always surprised. I'm convinced is the best Omekase in SC, if not sushi, and believe from extensive travelers who go there, it may be one of the best east of Seattle and Vancouver. Limited seating. Great vibe. One of the chef owners, Chris, is one of the few certified sake sommeliers in the country. 14 sashimi courses including one hand roll. Words just can't describe what an experience this is. Should be 6 stars.
MITCHELL BAGWELL
Amazing if you like this type of food. This is not an Americanized experience, so if that's what you are looking for you may want to pass.
Mitchell B.
This was our first time. Food was amazing. However It did take six months to get a reservation.
Best omakase in Charleston and probably South Carolina. On par with places I’ve been in Seattle and NYC. You won’t be disappointed. One of the better sake selections I’ve ever seen and Chris knows his stuff. If you like high quality omakase you need to snag a reservation here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Just amazing experience. Great fresh as hell sushi, amazing sake selection & the cutest service from Chef Chris. Can't wait to be back!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Omakase for 2, Shrimp and Snow Crab, A5 Wagyu, Chefs Choice Omakase, NC Lump Crabmeat w Caviar, Tuna Hand Roll, Mackerel, Salmon Sashimi, Amuse- Ouche, Octopus
One of my favorite restaurants I've ever eaten at. The fish is 100% top notch, prepared consistently perfectly. Every bite is both fantastic in itself, and the progression is outstanding, with the perfect amount of the perfect garnish with the fishes where it is appropriate.They seem to have gone all in on sake recently, which is great. Probably my biggest barrier to being able to appreciate sake is lack of exposure, and their sake flights go towards addressing that. (Hoping for more flight options in the future!) I'm not sure I am "there" for sake yet, but I'm getting there thanks to them. I have huge respect for anyone that can help me broaden my palate like that.Sushi-Wa is literally one of the reasons we moved to Charleston. It is *easily* the best sushi I've ever had.It's nothing but fish, fish, fish. And the bathroom is outside! 5*.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I wish I could give more than 5 stars because this place deserve it. My fiancé and I love to explore dining options in Charleston, but nothing excites us more than a Sushi-Wa reservation. To start off, it is hands down the best sushi in town. Nothing comes close. In fact, it might be the best omakase in terms of quality we have had in the entire Southeast. The food is fresh and they do not short you on the portions. It almost ruins nights when we have to get sushi elsewhere. Not only is the food great but the staff is incredibly friendly and the atmosphere makes you feel like a VIP for the night. I love (and hate because it is hard to get in) just how small a seating it is. I think keeping the groups smaller makes it more enjoyable. Lastly, I cannot say enough about their willingness to accommodate. We had friends come to town and had to make a last minute change and they went above and beyond for us.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Omakase for 2
Can't even begin to explain what an amazing experience this place is. Every single piece of nigiri was beautifully prepared. The rice was perfectly cooked with the tiniest amount of warmth so everything melted in your mouth. It's an intimate setting with two chefs who are always attentive which makes you feel special just being there. 100000/10
Sushi wa is a great place to experience omakase at a reasonable price. The place itself is a bit underwhelming but who cares, it's all about the fish. Make sure get get a reservation, the place is very small.
Very good but not great - the fish is fresh and delicious, but the sushi rice was overcooked and mushy. There's not a high degree of service as the used paper towelette and wrapper sat on the counter for the entire meal, and you pour your own tap water from a large capped bottle. The sake' selection is extensive and excellent.
A very difficult spot to get a seat, I question if it's worth the hassle since it didn't live up to the hype for me, especially having to be "notified" when a seat opened. The fish is fresh and excellent, sourced from around the world, but the sushi rice was overcooked and mushy, detracting from my enjoyment of the meal. There's an extensive sake' selection which I enjoyed, but not a high degree of service as you pour your own water from a capped bottle of tap water, and the used towelette and wrapper sat on the counter for the entire dinner.
Anytime I'm in the area this is my spot!! Incredible sushi a must try. always fresh and great service!!
The only real sushi in Charleston. It is the real deal. Just like Japan. Started going there before it was well known. Now, however, people know it is really authentic sushi, you have to plan ahead for a reservation.
Restaurantji Recommends
If you're lucky enough to get a seat at this 10 seat omakase restaurant don't hesitate to go - One of the best omakase meals of my 40 years of eating sushi!
Fantastic experience! My son surprised me with this as a birthday present on my trip here from Southern California. It was my first omakase experience. It was so fun, and the people seated with us made the experience more enjoyable. The quality of fish was A+++. The variety served exceptional. The variety of sake on hand was quite impressive. Chefs Kazu and Chris were knowledgeable about what was served and interacted well with the group.
If you can get a resy, get one. Disclaimer- we go every 4 weeks. Never gets old. Always surprised. I'm convinced is the best Omekase in SC, if not sushi, and believe from extensive travelers who go there, it may be one of the best east of Seattle and Vancouver. Limited seating. Great vibe. One of the chef owners, Chris, is one of the few certified sake sommeliers in the country. 14 sashimi courses including one hand roll. Words just can't describe what an experience this is. Should be 6 stars.
Amazing if you like this type of food. This is not an Americanized experience, so if that's what you are looking for you may want to pass.
This was our first time. Food was amazing. However It did take six months to get a reservation.