Secret Sushi Hotspots Around the World
Whether you like your rolls spicy, inside out or with extra wasabi, treat your taste buds to some mouth-watering bites in celebration of International Sushi Day on June 18th. Even though some of the best sushi and sashimi in the world can still be found in Japan, we are revealing some other exciting destinations that are highly endorsed by our travellers for this delectable culinary masterpiece*. Since taking the world by storm, what was once considered an exotic, local dish, can now be found in every corner of the globe. So no matter if you venture to Otaru in Japan or prefer to escape to São Paulo or Cape Town, we've got you covered with some secret hotspots on five different continents to savor your favorite cut of raw fish.
Otaru (Hokkaido), Japan
Otaru is famous for its fresh seafood, so it's an obvious contender when looking for some of the best sushi in Japan. In fact, Otaru’s sushi culture has thrived due to its busy fishing port. Plus, one of its most popular sushi restaurants has been serving customers for over 70 years.
Where to Stay: Otaru Furukawa is a charming hotel located along the beautiful Otaru Canal. While the property offers both Western and traditional Japanese-style guest rooms, every guest can relax in the natural hot spring baths and enjoy some, fresh local delicacies at the property's on-site restaurant.
São Paulo, Brazil
Sao Paulo has a vibrant Japanese community. It's actually the largest outside of Japan, which makes for a fantastic opportunity to try some amazing sushi during your trip. The majority of the sushi restaurants are located in the Japanese neighborhood of Liberdade, which hosts a weekly craft fair and a street food market every weekend.
Where to Stay: Bê Hotel has one of the best locations for exploring all the food and shopping opportunities São Paulo has to offer, including the nearby, upscale Patio Higienopolis shopping center.
Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver boasts over 600 sushi restaurants and is said to have the best sushi in Canada. With such an astonishing array of options, there is something for everyone, including everything from budget meals you’ll be lining up at the door for to sushi restaurants run by some of the world’s top chefs. Omakase tasting menus are especially popular in the city -- simply set aside your menu and let the chef choose every course.
Fun fact: Canada is the birthplace of the ubitquitous California Roll (not the U.S. state for which it's named), which was created by legendary chef Hidekazu Tojo.
Where to Stay: Fairmont Pacific Rim is situated in the heart of Vancouver and has everything you need for your trip away, including spectacular views of the city and harbor. You can sample delicious rolls at the hotel’s award winning sushi restaurant, The Lobby Lounge RawBar, while relaxing and taking in a little live music.
Düsseldorf, Germany
Düsseldorf has one of the largest Japanese communities in Europe and over half live in “Little Tokyo” – the area around Immermannstrasse. With Japanese restaurants and sushi bars scattered all around the city, it's a fantastic spot to taste some authentic sushi, even in the heart of Germany.
Where to Stay: me and all hotel düsseldorf is a boutique hotel located in the famous Japanese Quartrer in the center of Düsseldorf. Not only is some of the city’s best sushi just outside the door, but the Rhine river, Media Harbour and Königsalle shopping boulevard are all within a 10-minute walk of the property.
Cape Town, South Africa
Increasingly popular, Cape Town’s rapidly evolving sushi scene is definitely worth checking out. With some of the most authentic sushi being found along the sandy beaches of the Sea Point neighborhood, the city has delicious options for every budget.
Where to Stay: Swift Studios are located in the trendy Salt River area of Cape Town and are ideal if you want to visit the city's amazing markets and sushi hotspots, as well as for exploring the unique Cape landscapes and mountains nearby. The studios also offer fully-furnished kitchens, so you can even have a go at rolling a few sushi rolls yourself, should you be so inspired.
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* Methodology: this list is based on endorsements from Booking.com travelers for these destinations in 2017. The destinations had to have received more than 200 endorsements in the category "Sushi" to be considered, and were selected on the basis of the overall share of food endorsements for each destination.