Best sushi in Cleveland

June 26, 11:23 AMCleveland Healthy Restaurants ExaminerShannon H

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A fantastic way to get omega-3s

"Irashaimase!" (ee-ra-shy-ma-seh), or welcome! Ah, the wonderful greeting one receives as they enter most Japanese, or sushi, restaurants. As our culture has realized the importance of eating more nutritiously and adding omega-3 into our diets, sushi continues to grow in popularity. In addition, the artful manner in which sushi is presented provides yet another health benefit to those who watch what they eat. Portions are relatively small, by American standards, and consist of several bite-sized pieces, encouraging the diner to practice the art of slowly savoring one's food. Eating sushi is an experience, and one to be enjoyed slowly, as opposed to being scarfed down like a typical burger and fries.

Luckily, Cleveland has many sushi offerings, but which ones are worth a return visit?

Aeoshi Cafe, a small sushi joint, has received RAVE reviews, despite its ‘no-frills’ atmosphere. The restaurant offers the typical, traditional rolls, but also offers unique flavor combinations for those who like to mix things up a bit. For example, The New York roll contains crab, shrimp, avocado, fish roe and apple.

At Aeoshi, the consistency of the rice and the sushi temperature were what put this spot over the top. The rice was sticky and soft, without being mushy and served as a great backdrop for the fish and other mix-ins.

Aeoshi Cafe is located at 2175 Lee Rd, Cleveland, OH 44118

Asuka is a newer sushi joint on the West Side of Cleveland across from Crocker Park. Housed in a strip mall, some patrons may be a bit apprehensive at first. But after entering the trendy spot, you'll see that this place knows what it's doing. Try the Lobster Salad roll (shrimp, kani, avocado and tempura flakes; topped with a piece of lobster and “special spicy sauce.”)

Asuka is located at 30006 Detroit Rd, Cleveland, OH 44145

With a new location at ETON Collection and a steady steam of regulars at the Coventry location, Pacific East is an East Side favorite. This may be due to the restaurant's use of fresh ingredients. The Pacific East Web site lists the top reasons they’re considered the best:

1.) We use only super premium short grain rice. (Not long grain or medium grain rice.)
2.) We use only pure rice vinegar which imported from Japan.
3.) We use quality blue fin tuna or toro (fatty tuna).  (Not yellow fin tuna, ahi tuna or frozen tuna.)
4.) We use only gold & silver grade nori (seaweed).
5.) We use only natural white pickle ginger.  (Not artificial pink color.)
6.) We use top grade wasabi to served our sushi.
7.) We carry the most sushi items than any other restaurant in Northeast Ohio.

Try the King Crab Roll. The Philadelphia Roll is also one of the best I've had (that says a lot -- it's my favorite roll)

Pacific East locations: 1763 Coventry Rd Cleveland, OH 44118-1631 and 28601 Chagrin Boulevard

Other notable sushi joints:

Sushi Rock - Try the Pretty Woman
Tree Country Bistro - Try the Ebi Mango Maki

For the most part, most sushi rolls are nutritious and pretty healthy. Avoid ordering anything with tempura (aka fried), and you should be good to go.

Was your favorite sushi spot left out? What is your favorite Maki roll?