Oishii Sushi Bar

I have been here a ton of times. Go to the Chestnut Hil one, NOT the Boston one...it's just not the same. The small, cramped seating at the sushi bar and long waits are so worth it out here in the suburbs, it is what makes Oishii, Oishii. This place lives up to its name: it is SO DELICIOUS. Try to come in smaller groups and call ahead to have them put your name down on the handwritten list inside of the front door. Once seated you will forget about the people crowding at the front door for a peek anxiously waiting outside and some almost peering over your shoulder. With the sushi chefs working quickly right before your eyes, you instantly feel tranported from US to a little local street restaurant in Japan. Each plated beautifully, there are almost too many options to pick from and all are great. The portions are great as well, lots of fish for your money. Make sure you order the tempura'd sweet potato roll, actually make sure you get 2!!! If you are local or willing to drive out there, call ahead for take-out, so many people do and it is the best use of time if you are itching for an amazing sushi experience, but nothing beats sitting down and experiencing the restaurant at least once! There's a reason this place gets the highest boston zagat rating... Pros: Sushi, Value Cons: Wait more

I have eaten sushi at the best places in Los Angles, New York and Tokyo and Oishii is one of the best I have ever tried. I would rank it in the top five in the USA. The reason is obvious once you view the daily fresh sheet. Uni from Hokkaido, hamachi and blue fin tuna flown in that day from Tokyo as well as numerous other offerings from various locales around the world. The Chestnut Hill location is very similar to a Tokyo sushi bar, only one table and 13 seats at the sushi bar. A wait is inevitable. Because of the top notch quality they serve, prices are higher at Oishii than at your average sushi bar. But it is oh so worth it. Pros: Top notch sushi and sashimi. Cons: Long wait at the teeny Chestnut Hill location. more

Finally after about 1 year after hearing about this place my boyfriend and I managed to make it to Oishii at 5:00pm on a Friday night to try what has been touted as the "best" sushi place in Boston to be disappointed. The raw fish, supposedly fresh, had no taste whatsoever. Raw fish is definitely not supposed to be like this. You are supposed to taste the fish even without soy sauce and wasabi and each type of fish has its own distinctive taste. Now I am a big fan of hamachi (yellow tail) and the tartar I had last night had NO TASTE WHATSOEVER unless you soaked it in the sauce that came with it (which was good by the way, the sauce that is). The same went for all the different sushi that we tried including the white salmon, salmon, hamachi etc. Yes, the white salmon "melted" in your mouth but what's the point when there's no taste to the fish? The only thing that I would recommend is the torched sushi and the sushi made from hot ingredients like the tempura or the soft shell crab. Even the crab, eel and inari sushi was nothing spectacular at all. In any event the steep prices and the uncomfortable seating arrangements are not worth the trip to this place in the least. If this is the "best" that Boston has to offer I feel real sorry about this and it may also be the reason why Bostonites think it is good. I would much much rather head up to Porter Exchange to Blue Fin to get cheaper sushi that at least has some taste to it on good days. That or head down to NYC where there is much better sushi for a more reasonable price on offer. If you had the dough just fly to Japan, Hong Kong or Australia where you would really experience true sushi/sashimi heaven. Pros: Hot Food Cons: Anything Raw more

I have been told by a few sushi snob friends that the way to get the best sushi is to eat at the bar and order "omakasae," which is where the chef gives you what he thinks is best that night. My wife and I did this at our first time at Oishii and I can say without exaggerating that it was the best sushi meal I have ever eaten--and I've had sushi all over the country. The restaurant itself is tiny. We got there at 5:45 on a Saturday night and still had to wait. The bar was crowded, but the staff was still very friendly and attentive. We were served six plates of beautiful, tasty, and often adventurous food (the waitress asked us if there was anything we would not eat and we answered "No."). From a cylinder of minced sashimi in a tangy sauce to a plate full of large nigiri (including a buttery white tuna that I had never even heard of before), to rolls made of seared tuna filled with asparagus, cucumber, and bonito shavings. The presentation of the food was as great as the flavors and textures, with sauces painted on with a brush in Japanese characters, orchids, and ingredients painstakingly arranged to make each plate look like a sculpture. The mean was not cheap by any means, but it was well worth what we paid for it. I can't recommend Oishii enough. more

went there recently on a friday seated promptly and i have to say that i was not dissapointed one bit with the food.. i have eaten here on several occasions and have nothing but good things to say.. If u go in please try the jeffrey's maki nothing like it in the world..! Pros: see your food being made.. Cons: little small pick a smart time to go.. more

Oishii is the best when it comes to quality and originality in town. The tiny restaraunt serves the upscale Chestnut Hill neighborhood and can get quite packed any day of the week for lunch or dinner. It's really a timing issue to get seated, and if you miss your opportunity you could be stuck waiting for 1+hours. Trust me, it's worth the wait. Take-out is not a bad option either. great choices: mirugai, o/chu-toro, new style fluke sashimi, Baby Hamachi Sashimi, sunrise tata, hamachi torched maki, White Tiger Maki, Shiitake Mushroom Tempura Maki, spicy tuna maki, stone grill - salmon "the maki" is tasty, but too filling for me. they have amazing list of "special" fishes i've not seen elsewhere, ranging from super white tuna to madai (red snapper) and the last time I went there I saw they had multiple types of giant clam. Be ready to ring up a large bill... every moutful is well worth it. Pros: fresh fish, originality, taste Cons: small place, long waits more

I recently had lunch at this sushi bar. What an experience!! It has got be the best sushi place in Masachusetts. Sushi is my favorite dish so I've been to many sushi restaurants allover the U.S. and this place is number one. The service is prompt. The staff are very friendly and accomodating. You can mix and match several dishes without a hassle. The prices are excellent and parking is convenient. I also recommend the lunch box specials. Chestnut Hill is fortunate to have this sushi bar. more

Oishii has confirmed for me its legendary reputation as the most sought-after sushi in town. The quality and freshness of the fish was definitely a cut above the rest, worth the 30min+ wait. I had the best hamachi (yellowtail) sashimi I've ever had, and the salmon was very flavorful. I shared the 20 piece sashimi & sushi combo set ($29 but worth it) with a friend - the sashimi pieces were so large & thick we actually cut each in half to make 2 bites (I'm sure the chef would have been horrified). Looking around, every plate or handroll was creatively assembled - art pieces on your plate. My only complaint is that our order of the semi-seared maguro appetizer had only 3 pieces, beautiful sculptures they were, for $15. So if anything seems vague on the menu, ask the friendly waiter exactly what you're getting. Pros: Fresh, quality, Art on your plate, Best sushi Cons: Small, cramped, Long wait, Some dishes pricey more

Oishii in Japanese means delicious and that's how I would sum up my visit. The place is super tiny but that's what makes dinning or lunching there so funny and different. Great value, very delicious Sushi, lots of options and service is super fast, like those Japanese super high tech speedy trains. Expect to wait in line in the evening. If you end up sitting close to the entrance, people who are standing in line will be starring at your dishes from a distance of now more than a foot! That's how petite the place is. Be ware Pros: Sushi, Service, Ambience Cons: very small restaurant more

I ate at this restaurant twice and both times, the wait was horrendously long. Food was pretty good. (Nobu in L.A. is what I would consider great Japanese food.) This place does use fresh ingredients. Waiters are rude and even condescending (Im a fluent Japanese speaker and I overheard some of the workers comments to one another). The restaurant can accommodate about 17 customers at the most, so expect a long wait to be seated. About 20 minutes after being seated, our orders were finally taken and nearly an hour later, we received our food. The most awkward moment was when the waiter ran after our group as we exited, stating that our tip was not enough. Since when does waiter have the right to run after a customer to demand a bigger tip? Pros: Fresh ingredients Cons: Long Wait, Small dining area, Rude Wait staff more

THE SUSHI HERE IS AMAZING AND FRESH...BUT EXPECT A WAIT more

THE most amazing Japanese restaurant in the US. Don't have the run of the mill stuff. Yes, pay more and order from the special menu: the creativity, presentation and taste of their sushi creations is amazing and goes beyong anything anywhere. Yes, I have been to Tokyo and top places in NYC and elsewhere and this is AMAZING. It is not cheap, the portions are small and the seating situation sucks. Oh... and yes, the fish is actually much, much better than anywhere else. Some of the reviewers were clearly not experienced with fish. Notice the most important endorsement: JAPANESE eat there! Most Japanese DO NOT eat raw fish in the US because they consider the US standards to be unacceptable! If you don't like, you simply don't like high-end Japense cuisine. Cons: limited seating, no reservations, not cheap more

The food here is very good, and the fish is fresh. I would not say it is great--just very good. The service is adequate, but the seating is cramped and it was very loud there because it is so small. I also felt like I was being hurried out, even though it wasn't full--my meal was a whole 20 minutes. Not the friendliest place in town, but decent food. Pros: Fresh fish, Decent food Cons: Unfriendly, Small and loud, Felt rushed more

I don't know why everyone keeps comparing this hole-in-the-wall in Chestnut Hill to flashy namesakes like Nobu in New York, but this place isn't meant to compete with them. If you're looking for a long list of innovative, pretentious rolls, look elsewhere. If you're looking to be ooing and ahhing over decor or presentation, look elsewhere. Come to Oishii for the fish, and traditional Japanese tastes. The chef handpicks his fish from the local markets every week. Personally, I go either for lunch (they close from 3 to 5, and all day on Mondays), or after the dinner rush, and never on weekends. Whether for a take-out snack between class, or for a loud, fun dinner with my friends, Oishii always satisfies my appetite. If you prepare yourself for a long wait, or a crowd, you'll probably thouroughly enjoy the experience. Pros: Fresh, Traditional, Delicious Cons: Crowded, Expensive more

Pricey pricey pricey, but have yet to find fresher fish anywhere else in Boston! Cuts are the most generous anywhere, but make it difficult to eat in one bite cause they're so enormous. Caveats: know how many pieces are in each order (Once, my friends and I ordered the $15 Sunrise Tata without realizing it was only one piece of sushi! Very difficult to split between 5 people.), small groups of 5 or less, and avoid the special, i.e. uber expensive, blue menu. Highly recommend the Hotate Hokkaiyaki and White Tiger roll, as well as the extensive Sashimi platter. Last thing: as many people have already mentioned, there is an absurdly long wait for seating so plan for at least a 45 minute wait, and NEVER go when you're starving. Pros: superb fish, superb fish, superb fish Cons: long wait, street parking, cramped quarters more

I can't beleive how easily satisfied some of the reviewers are unless they work or own this place. Avg. sushi quality, limited fresh selections, tiny portions - frankly this is the first time I've really felt ripped off in a Sushi restraunt. Been all over US and this is one that I won't be back to. Best of Boston? if so, spend your money on another cuisine! Decided to go based on Zagat revew and some comments here - I rate it as iTT- Internet tourist trap! more

believe the hype, but waiting for more than an hr can kill your experience. my first time i was not impressed. i've been back 20x since and have fallen in love. MUST HAVES: SPICY SALMON CUMCUMBER HANDROLL, BLACK COD IN SWEET MISO GLAZE, CHILEAN SEA BASS DINNER, TOKYO SPIDER ROLL, BRAD'S TUNA TORCH ROLL, JAPANESE CRABCAKE, DYNAMITE ROLL (shrimp tempura inside, eel/avocado/tobiko outside), BEEF TATAKI .... u can't go wrong with those. take-out is just as delish but can be as long as an hr on a busy night. don't come starving cuz the wait will put u in a grouchy hole. TIP: call in advance to put ur name on the waiting list since they do not take reservations. i would recommend passing on the blue special $$$ menu. inventive items but not satisfying to the pallete nor wallet. Pros: inventive rolls, PRESENTATION, best sushi Cons: , small area, long, long wait more

I think the thing people have to realize is best for takeout because the wait is long, but if you do wait the rolls are out of this world. I love sushi, but this is one place where I only order a few sushi items and the rest are their specialty rolls and torched items. If you can't deal with a wait, this isn't the place for you, or you should visit Oishii Too in Sudbury which is a larger facility. I've eaten there and done take out many times and never had a disappointing meal. Though now with a liquor license I can't bring my favorite champagne. Pros: great fish selections, awesome torched items, cozy Cons: , no reservations more

The sushi is unreal!!! The only place I had better was at a fish market in Tokyo (Tsukiji) and that fish had just come out of the water - literally! The place is tiny and often there is a really long wait. Get the take out and thank me later! If you notice everyone who gave this place a bad review had to wait 1 - 2 hours. Pros: sushi more

Having read great reviews about Oishii, I was really excited to try it out and, alas, was bitterly disappointed by both the service and the food. The sushi is mediocre at best. It does not even come close to the quality of sushi you'll find in NYC and it's actually more expensive (I am not even comparing it to the famous Nobu and Sushi of Gari, as it does not deserve being mentioned in the same sentence with them. I am referring to the less known, very moderately priced places in NYC such as Tsuki on the Upper East side). The 2-hour wait outside the restaurant does not make it worthwhile at all. You might as well spend this time going to NYC to try the really good sushi. Pros: good reviews (why?) Cons: , mediocre food, unreasonably pricey more