My wife and I are sushi lovers. When we walked into this place on a Friday night at about 6 p.m. and it was empty we started to worry. Setting aside our fears, we went and sat down. For appetizers we ordered seaweed salad and cucumber salad. The seaweed salad was good, the cucumber salad was ok it seemed like there was little to no rice wine vinegar in it and it was really doused in soy sauce. This may be style preference but my wife and I both prefer the cucumber salad with rice wine vinegar. We ordered six or seven different sushi rolls and I have to tell you that every single roll was absolutely perfect. The sushi was fresh, it was tasty, and full of flavor. A lot of the specialty rolls are also buy one get one half price. I can't remember exactly which rolls we ordered, & it really doesn't matter because every single one was terrific, & I don't think either of us could choose a favorite. As far as the restaurant itself, it is tucked away in a small strip plaza and if you aren't looking for it you probably won't just happen upon it. The restaurant is set up nicely, it is clean, and the service was excellent. This will definitely be in our rotation for sushi. I highly recommend you give this place a try if you enjoy sushi.
(5)
Chachi B.
What a Gem in a Simple Strip Mall.So Relaxing, beautiful decor. Very polite greeting by Hostess and Server. The Sound of a beautiful fountain by the front door offers such tranquility and intimacy. Great place to meet. Ahhhh... Have Sake or a glass of whine. They carry Relax a nice Riesling:-) I ordered the Mexican Roll and the Smoked Salmon Roll from the M-Thurs. menu. Each roll has 6 pieces for $3.95, worth trying. You will be Amazed at how Beautifully decorated this quaint restaurant is. The quality and creations not to mention the prices. Are an incredible value. No exaggeration HERE! Even their Restroom is a work of ART. I cannot BELIEVE THE ART WORK on the CERAMIC TILES. Lots of Parking upfront.
(5)
Saia D.
What a gem. First, the ambience. A waterfall and intimate setting immediately sets the tone. The booths are comfortable and private. The server was perfect, and so polite. Sushi chef was very accommodating, he fulfilled a specific request, no qualms. Now. The sushi. The flavors were emphasized yet balanced. Hawaiian Roll with tuna and pineapple.... Wow. My guy loves the eel and remarked that the fish melted in the mouth. The soy sauce was a higher quality than most. The presentation was elegant and modern. Decor, modern and traditional. This place is truly a gem. Happy we found it!
Shogun Sushi is the kind of place where soy sauce flows from olive oil bottles. It is a dark den in the middle of a strip mall that allows you to step inside and escape the perils of everyday life (not to mention the Florida heat). The atmosphere can quickly turn any lunch event, even one with your boss and co-workers, into a romantic experience (insert sexy jaguar growl here). Shogun's menu offers a number of vegan/vegetarian friendly options. We were pleased to see that one of those options is the peanut and avocado roll we have been desperately seeking in Tampa (we know exactly where to get it in Carlisle, Pennsylvania). As I've mentioned previously, the problem with most of the sushi places that offer the peanut and avocado roll in Tampa is that they don't use sweet peanuts. Would Shogun do the same? The restaurant had their sushi out quick, so we didn't have to sit and wonder for long. After bite one I exclaimed loudly to the empty restaurant "Sweet baby peanuts from outer space, Shogun Sushi does it right!". Sweet peanuts baby! That itself was enough for us to start planning our next visit. But the gustatory pleasures that Shogun fulfills didn't stop there. We continued rolling, this time with Shogun's version of a sweet potato roll. This roll was absolutely stunning. The sweet potato's flavor really came through, in large part because it was fresh out of the cooking device (oven? microwave? warming crystal from outer space? who knows...). The sweet potato's unique sweetness meshed well with the fried heat of the tempura and the saltiness of the soy sauce. Even more fabulous was that the sweet potato itself was actually hot when you bit into it. None of that lukewarm stuff that haunts other tempura sweet potato rolls. Shogun's booths are adjustable and can be moved closer or farther depending on your size or where you are in the meal. This was helpful up front as we were able to bring the booth closer so my two year old daughter could serve herself. It was helpful at the back end because we moved the booths farther away after we ordered a second sweet potato roll. We needed just a bit more room for our stomachs to expand. I hope to go back sometime during the week because Shogun runs a number of lunchtime specials that look like they are right up my alley.
(4)
Cari P.
Five stars for the best sushi we've had in Tampa. Last night(a Friday) was the second time I ate here and it was just as good as the first. We were seated immediately and our waiter had drinks out to us right away which is pretty impressive on a Friday night. The food, the service, and the ambiance are all top notch. We ordered the following specialty rolls: Never Try Never, Lonely Angel, Magical Roll, and Out of Control. The Never Try Never Roll was the star, but all of them were amazing. Fresh ingredients, delicious combinations, and generous sizes. Four rolls were more than enough for two people... but we had the fried green tea ice cream after that anyway. I have to say I don't usually like green tea ice cream and only planned to have one bite, but after one bite I was spoon-battling my husband for the rest. It's perfect with just the right amount of chocolate drizzle. On Friday/Saturday/Sunday they have a great deal on specialty rolls, buy one get one half off. Their prices are a tiny bit on the high side compared to other places in the area, but this deal balances that out. All told our bill before the tip came to $82 for a beef negimaki appetizer, four specialty rolls, two bottles of sake, and fried green tea ice cream dessert. Very worth it for the quality of the food, the speedy and friendly service, and the calming ambiance. This is a fantastic place for a quiet date night. Side note: We originally wanted to go to Yoshi Cafe last night, but walked out after there was no service in sight. I honestly felt bad for the waitress, there was only one working with all the tables full and 3 people waiting on takeout orders. Definitely avoid that place on a Friday night.
(5)
Kal M.
Shogun is consistently quick and delicious sushi! I go Monday-Friday between 11am-3pm for their lunch special. $8.95 for any 2 rolls and a soup or salad. If that doesn't fill you up, you can get 3 rolls and a soup or salad for $12.50. I usually pay an extra dollar or so for extra fix-ins like avocado and cucumber. So worth it! Staff is friendly. Never had a sit down experience there but restaurant is always clean and well-maintained. They have a nice water feature when you walk in that is very calming.
(5)
Jenette S.
One of my favorite sushi spots in town. When you walk in you are always greeted nicely even if they are jam packed. They have a cute fountain in the front and then a nice sushi bar in the back. They are very accommodating. We always get the omikase (which is pretty much 'Chef special') They have lunch specials that are amazingly priced and roll specials all the time.
(5)
Danielle D.
Food was wonderful, couldn't stop eating! Everything is so beautifully displayed on plates. Staff was very kind and out going to make sure you have everything you need and want! I will be coming back here again for more of the dancing tuna rolls, out of control, rainbow and many more!!! There was 4 of us and everyone is happy and full!!
(5)
Priscilla S.
Since my last post, I've been here several times sporadically. Their sushi specials are pretty nice. On Saturday night, I took advantage of their buy one get one 1/2 off special sushi rolls. For a starter I ordered their fried oysters appetizer, which is lovely and always comes out perfectly hot and tasty. I continually order the Shogun (it's like the Dragon but with soft shell crab and mango) and salmon and salmon roe (forgot name but it's deliciously savory) with a mango sauce. The food and service were prompt and tasted very fresh every time. They have a special on the ama ebi, which I love but they haven't carried toro or uni for awhile. Disappointed in that but I think for the area, not many people would order that.
(5)
Jonathan S.
One of my favorite sushi restaurants! They have great service and endless imaginations. When ever I come to dinner here I love to order the omikase, it really let's the chef and his food shine. You can request some portions of your omikase, as I have many a time, or you can simply let the sushi chef do what he does best, and let his palette of fish and fresh ingredients paint you a picture you won't soon forget. Their prices are very reasonable for the amount of food you get and they have some great specials for those dining of a budget. I've tried their minimalist rolls that run around 5 dollars and I've tried probably all of their specialty rolls that run about 14 dollars. Each roll has a distinct taste and the combinations are vivid and they make you want to finish a whole roll. I usually go there prepared to eat one or two rolls, but after that first round of delicious sushi I can't help but want to order another 3 rolls. Keep your eye open for their specials board just above the bar, it changes frequently and the crazy sounding rolls that come off there are fantastic. I would certainly not pass up dinner or lunch at this sushi bar. I'll be back, over and over again!!!
(5)
Gigi S.
I thought it was cute that my sushi platter came with fake ice and lights and such. The service wasn't too friendly, which is ok with me -assuming a language barrier and all. The miso tasted like I was drowning in Clearwater beach on a really hot day. It's so easy to take a miso and fix it, or better yet, make it your own, but after getting that soup I had to come to terms with the fact that the chef couldn't have possibly tasted his creation before sending it out. Blech. Miso can easily be made into a trademark very easily, and here, one of the easiest to get right was pretty wrong. Everything else was ok. Too many great places to come back here, sadly.
(2)
Nick J.
Hidden Gem Alert!! I am a sushi nut. I have had sushi just about everywhere there is to have sushi in Tampa. Shogun isn't your fancy night on the town kind of sushi joint. It's a hole in the wall that has some of the best sushi. It's where you go to eat. The staff is super friendly and attentive. And with the space they are working with they do a great job and is very inviting.
(5)
Arne A.
This was my first time here so I wanted to get a good sample of the menu, however, I only stuck to the sushi. Let me start by saying this is what I would describe as a typical modern/western sushi restaurant. So if you're looking for authentic/traditional Edomae style sushi this isn't the place you're looking for. The sushi menu consisted of mostly maki and specialty rolls with a smaller selection of nigiri consisting of the basic sushi house staples. I asked the waitress what was the most popular item was pointed towards the "Angel Hair Roll". To that I added an Unagi Roll (eel), Salmon Skin Roll, and a Spicy Yellowtail Handroll. Judging sushi always starts with the rice and the rice here was OK. A little under-seasoned and a little too warm (the rice was new) but the texture was fine. The overriding flavor of each roll was sweet. Each roll is decorated with eel sauce and/or spicy mayo so it's fine if you're into that but it's a little much for me. I wasn't crazy about the flavor but the quality if the fish and rice was fine. I would say this place is pretty middle of the road as far as sushi goes. Not some place I would go out of my way for but it wasn't bad for a fair price...especially if you stick to the lunch special menu.
(3)
Jeana P.
My boyfriend and I came to Tampa to go to The Florida Aquarium and, being one of those people who likes to pre plan everything about a trip, I knew that we would want sushi at some point and found this to be the cheapest place with the best reviews. I was slightly sketched out by the dingy shopping plaza it was in when we arrived. We walked in and I was pleasantly shocked. The restaurant was quiet and intimate and for some reason, empty. We sat down and I was amazed when I was handed a menu that had a list of rolls that were each $3.95. I thought it had to be too good to be true as the list had all of the rolls I had wanted. We ordered and the food was all perfect. The ginger dressing on the perfectly fresh salad was delicious. I had a Mexican roll, a Philly roll, and a Tampa roll, and they were all amazing. They were all 6 pieces each which was perfect as I was expecting them to be smaller since they were only $3.95 each. I would suggest this hidden gem to anyone and everyone in the area!
(5)
Jennifer C.
This place is a nice modern restaurant. They have allot of variety of sushi that was pretty good. It's not a very big place so you get more of a personal experience. Our server was fast and efficient. It's not my top fav, but you won't be disappointed if you end up here.
(4)
Mari H.
Small cute place. Menu is pretty large, was surprised on that. Hubby was disappointed that they didn't have Uni that day, but oh well. I ordered the tempura shrimp to start which came out nice and hot. The veggies served were not traditional veggies served with tempura shrimp but that was great. I ordered the Angel Hair roll, which was very tasty but it was missing something. Bite after bite I finally figured it out. It needed some a contrast of textures or crunch in it. Maybe add an asparagus to it and it would be perfect. The hubby ordered the Volcano Roll and the Twin Salmon rolls. He always orders the Volcano Roll whenever we try a new sushi place, it's his way of judging the restaurant right away. Everyone has that roll. He was so excited to see the rolls when they came out, great presentation and his first bite you could tell he was happy. He said the Volcano was spot on. The Twin Salmon should be rename to Triple as it has a salmon center, salmon slices laid over the roll and then salmon roe on top of that. We had a pleasant experience and we will be back!
(4)
Kathy S.
I love this place. The food is fresh and always served with a smile. the service is very good. My favorites are the sushi pizza and mount fugi roll. really great stuff and I keep going back for more.
(5)
Claire A.
Fantastic. I came in for a quick lunch by myself and sat at the bar. The decor and atmosphere was really great. I ordered a beer and two very common and simple rolls. The service was really good first off. There was two other groups here and one sushi chef behind the bar and I got my food within 5 minutes. By far the best Philadelphia roll I've ever had. So glad I found this little place.
(5)
Lance C.
So, round two of my Dale Mabry Tour de Sushi... As you walk in the first thing you notice is a nice waterfall that separates the door opening from the dining area. The sushi bar is in the back, which is where I headed. Took a seat, the sushi chef, sort of looked up, but was busy in preparation. Friendly server arrived after a few minutes and took my order - spicy tuna, cucumber roll, one piece of tuna nigiri and two pieces of yellowtail nigiri (for ala cart nigiri, price is per piece). Prices were pretty in line with most sushi spots in Tampa. Tuna and yellowtail were both fresh and had good flavor. Spicy tuna roll was pretty good, no cucumber (which is a good thing, I prefer the purer flavor of the spicy tuna by itself). The cucumber roll is sort of the thing that you order to see if the chef really cares, it is all about the symmetry of the roll. In this case, it was just okay. Negatives were no one to greet me when I walked in, it took a few minutes for the server to come out and the counter top sushi refrigerator had tons of condensation so I couldn't see the fish. Not sure about a return visit.
(3)
Britt M.
LOVE THIS PLACE! Found it through groupon, and it is the best sushi place I have been to in the entire Tampa Bay area. Great sushi, entrees, dessert, and appetizers, and for so cheap.
(5)
Jessica M.
Very clean and nice inside. The sushi is pretty good and they have good happy hour specials. The fact that it is in that shopping plaza isn't the most appealing thing from a location standpoint, but the food and service are good.
(4)
Lyn J.
My family and I are Sushi lovers, so when we went grocery shopping on Sunday, we stopped at Shogun Sushi for lunch. We were the first there, and were showed to our booth quickly. The waitress was much helpful as we hadn't been there before and weren't familiar with their menu. Our eleven year old son and 15 month old baby boy loved the food as much as we did. Even though the restaurant is small, it's cozy. The service was excellent and the menu was very good, though I have to agree with other reviewers that it seems quite pricey. We stuck to their lunch menu, which included a special buy one get one half price on rolls. We were extremely happy with the quality and freshness of the sushi and will definitely go back.
(4)
William N.
I went here w/some friends because they bought a deal from Groupon. You walk in and immediately you see a nice waterfall display that blocks the front door from the rest of the restaurant. The place also has club music going on and I found that an odd choice. The place is really nice and I think they're going for the hip look. It's OK but I felt it was trying to be like Blue Martini instead of a Sushi restaurant. Several things that made me not want to return: 1. The sushi was much pricier than comparable places and you'd get 6 pieces of sushi vs. 8 at other restaurants. 2. The sushi was OK but we all agree that it wasn't that tasty. I ordered Nabayeki Udon soup and it was just OK, certainly not the best I've ever had. If you like the slick surroundings and disco like music, then this is your place. Our waitress was very nice and kinda cute but I'm pretty sure she was not Japanese. Just sayin'. If you prefer sushi and other authentic Japanese fare that is less expensive, tastier and has more when you order it, I'd suggest Ai I Sushi a little South in the mall on Dale Mabry & Waters.
(2)
Anthony T.
One of the best sushi spots in Tampa. We've been twice on a Friday when they offer buy 1 get 1 half off. Cool that there's a sushi spot that actually offers discounts when it's convenient for somebody to dine in. Their specialty is the angel hair sushi. I highly recommend! You normally have to travel to south tampa for this quality and vibe, but not anymore. This north tampa / carrollwood spot is amazing. I highly recommend. Oh, and they have real southern sweet tea!!!
(5)
Em C.
Very pleasantly surprised by Shogun Sushi. This restaurant recently opened in the strip mall off North Dale Mabry by the Publix and Gamestop. We saw the "Grand Opening" sign and after being offput by the long lines and slow service at Sushi Alive (one strip mall over) decided to give this place a try. The decor was surprisingly nice, including a cascading fountain/waterfall effect right when you walk in the front door. They were advertising a Monday and Wednesday all-day special involving a long list of different types of sushi rolls (6-8 pieces) for $3 each. We ordered several rolls (spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, spicy scallops), seaweed salad, and some white tuna sashimi ($2.50 for 2 pieces). Service was prompt and the fish was fresh. Portion sizes were generous. The menu included an interesting array of fancier rolls, bento boxes, and specials for different nights of the week. We plan to return next week and try more. Recommended.
(5)
Melissa M.
Yay for Shogun Sushi! A friend of mine purchased a Groupon for this restaurant. Although in my area, I had never heard of it. I'm always leery of sushi joints. One bad bite of fish and I'm done. However, this couldn't be further from the case. The fish was fresh and the sushi was outstanding. My favorite sushi is Soho North, but this runs a close second. I once loved Sushi Alive but after multiple visits where the fish did not taste fresh, I haven't been back. The atmosphere is very welcoming and stylishly decorated. The service was a slow, but I'm willing to overlook that because it's a new establishment. Also, note that they will tell you the soy sauce on the table is low-sodium, but it most certainly is not. This is a fantastic find tucked away in an "eh" strip mall. Try it out!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Paul P.
My wife and I are sushi lovers. When we walked into this place on a Friday night at about 6 p.m. and it was empty we started to worry. Setting aside our fears, we went and sat down. For appetizers we ordered seaweed salad and cucumber salad. The seaweed salad was good, the cucumber salad was ok it seemed like there was little to no rice wine vinegar in it and it was really doused in soy sauce. This may be style preference but my wife and I both prefer the cucumber salad with rice wine vinegar. We ordered six or seven different sushi rolls and I have to tell you that every single roll was absolutely perfect. The sushi was fresh, it was tasty, and full of flavor. A lot of the specialty rolls are also buy one get one half price. I can't remember exactly which rolls we ordered, & it really doesn't matter because every single one was terrific, & I don't think either of us could choose a favorite. As far as the restaurant itself, it is tucked away in a small strip plaza and if you aren't looking for it you probably won't just happen upon it. The restaurant is set up nicely, it is clean, and the service was excellent. This will definitely be in our rotation for sushi. I highly recommend you give this place a try if you enjoy sushi.
(5)Chachi B.
What a Gem in a Simple Strip Mall.So Relaxing, beautiful decor. Very polite greeting by Hostess and Server. The Sound of a beautiful fountain by the front door offers such tranquility and intimacy. Great place to meet. Ahhhh... Have Sake or a glass of whine. They carry Relax a nice Riesling:-) I ordered the Mexican Roll and the Smoked Salmon Roll from the M-Thurs. menu. Each roll has 6 pieces for $3.95, worth trying. You will be Amazed at how Beautifully decorated this quaint restaurant is. The quality and creations not to mention the prices. Are an incredible value. No exaggeration HERE! Even their Restroom is a work of ART. I cannot BELIEVE THE ART WORK on the CERAMIC TILES. Lots of Parking upfront.
(5)Saia D.
What a gem. First, the ambience. A waterfall and intimate setting immediately sets the tone. The booths are comfortable and private. The server was perfect, and so polite. Sushi chef was very accommodating, he fulfilled a specific request, no qualms. Now. The sushi. The flavors were emphasized yet balanced. Hawaiian Roll with tuna and pineapple.... Wow. My guy loves the eel and remarked that the fish melted in the mouth. The soy sauce was a higher quality than most. The presentation was elegant and modern. Decor, modern and traditional. This place is truly a gem. Happy we found it!
(5)Mark H.
"Meh. I've experienced better" is right on the money with this one. Nice décor, friendly wait staff, but just OK sushi. Presentation should never be better than taste, IMHO. As per the usual, I ordered the VOLCANO ROLL, but unfortunately no flavor erupted my plate. The rolls were small, cut diagonally and the baked seafood on top seriously lacking in creativity and flavor. I'm starting to realize that Zen may just have the best volcano roll in town. Also, the miso soup was miso-ing something. It tasted bland and overly salty. Actually, it tasted like hot ocean salt water with a hint of seaweed. Pretty bad. Definitely no return visit on the books for Shogun.
(2)Joel H.
Shogun Sushi is the kind of place where soy sauce flows from olive oil bottles. It is a dark den in the middle of a strip mall that allows you to step inside and escape the perils of everyday life (not to mention the Florida heat). The atmosphere can quickly turn any lunch event, even one with your boss and co-workers, into a romantic experience (insert sexy jaguar growl here). Shogun's menu offers a number of vegan/vegetarian friendly options. We were pleased to see that one of those options is the peanut and avocado roll we have been desperately seeking in Tampa (we know exactly where to get it in Carlisle, Pennsylvania). As I've mentioned previously, the problem with most of the sushi places that offer the peanut and avocado roll in Tampa is that they don't use sweet peanuts. Would Shogun do the same? The restaurant had their sushi out quick, so we didn't have to sit and wonder for long. After bite one I exclaimed loudly to the empty restaurant "Sweet baby peanuts from outer space, Shogun Sushi does it right!". Sweet peanuts baby! That itself was enough for us to start planning our next visit. But the gustatory pleasures that Shogun fulfills didn't stop there. We continued rolling, this time with Shogun's version of a sweet potato roll. This roll was absolutely stunning. The sweet potato's flavor really came through, in large part because it was fresh out of the cooking device (oven? microwave? warming crystal from outer space? who knows...). The sweet potato's unique sweetness meshed well with the fried heat of the tempura and the saltiness of the soy sauce. Even more fabulous was that the sweet potato itself was actually hot when you bit into it. None of that lukewarm stuff that haunts other tempura sweet potato rolls. Shogun's booths are adjustable and can be moved closer or farther depending on your size or where you are in the meal. This was helpful up front as we were able to bring the booth closer so my two year old daughter could serve herself. It was helpful at the back end because we moved the booths farther away after we ordered a second sweet potato roll. We needed just a bit more room for our stomachs to expand. I hope to go back sometime during the week because Shogun runs a number of lunchtime specials that look like they are right up my alley.
(4)Cari P.
Five stars for the best sushi we've had in Tampa. Last night(a Friday) was the second time I ate here and it was just as good as the first. We were seated immediately and our waiter had drinks out to us right away which is pretty impressive on a Friday night. The food, the service, and the ambiance are all top notch. We ordered the following specialty rolls: Never Try Never, Lonely Angel, Magical Roll, and Out of Control. The Never Try Never Roll was the star, but all of them were amazing. Fresh ingredients, delicious combinations, and generous sizes. Four rolls were more than enough for two people... but we had the fried green tea ice cream after that anyway. I have to say I don't usually like green tea ice cream and only planned to have one bite, but after one bite I was spoon-battling my husband for the rest. It's perfect with just the right amount of chocolate drizzle. On Friday/Saturday/Sunday they have a great deal on specialty rolls, buy one get one half off. Their prices are a tiny bit on the high side compared to other places in the area, but this deal balances that out. All told our bill before the tip came to $82 for a beef negimaki appetizer, four specialty rolls, two bottles of sake, and fried green tea ice cream dessert. Very worth it for the quality of the food, the speedy and friendly service, and the calming ambiance. This is a fantastic place for a quiet date night. Side note: We originally wanted to go to Yoshi Cafe last night, but walked out after there was no service in sight. I honestly felt bad for the waitress, there was only one working with all the tables full and 3 people waiting on takeout orders. Definitely avoid that place on a Friday night.
(5)Kal M.
Shogun is consistently quick and delicious sushi! I go Monday-Friday between 11am-3pm for their lunch special. $8.95 for any 2 rolls and a soup or salad. If that doesn't fill you up, you can get 3 rolls and a soup or salad for $12.50. I usually pay an extra dollar or so for extra fix-ins like avocado and cucumber. So worth it! Staff is friendly. Never had a sit down experience there but restaurant is always clean and well-maintained. They have a nice water feature when you walk in that is very calming.
(5)Jenette S.
One of my favorite sushi spots in town. When you walk in you are always greeted nicely even if they are jam packed. They have a cute fountain in the front and then a nice sushi bar in the back. They are very accommodating. We always get the omikase (which is pretty much 'Chef special') They have lunch specials that are amazingly priced and roll specials all the time.
(5)Danielle D.
Food was wonderful, couldn't stop eating! Everything is so beautifully displayed on plates. Staff was very kind and out going to make sure you have everything you need and want! I will be coming back here again for more of the dancing tuna rolls, out of control, rainbow and many more!!! There was 4 of us and everyone is happy and full!!
(5)Priscilla S.
Since my last post, I've been here several times sporadically. Their sushi specials are pretty nice. On Saturday night, I took advantage of their buy one get one 1/2 off special sushi rolls. For a starter I ordered their fried oysters appetizer, which is lovely and always comes out perfectly hot and tasty. I continually order the Shogun (it's like the Dragon but with soft shell crab and mango) and salmon and salmon roe (forgot name but it's deliciously savory) with a mango sauce. The food and service were prompt and tasted very fresh every time. They have a special on the ama ebi, which I love but they haven't carried toro or uni for awhile. Disappointed in that but I think for the area, not many people would order that.
(5)Jonathan S.
One of my favorite sushi restaurants! They have great service and endless imaginations. When ever I come to dinner here I love to order the omikase, it really let's the chef and his food shine. You can request some portions of your omikase, as I have many a time, or you can simply let the sushi chef do what he does best, and let his palette of fish and fresh ingredients paint you a picture you won't soon forget. Their prices are very reasonable for the amount of food you get and they have some great specials for those dining of a budget. I've tried their minimalist rolls that run around 5 dollars and I've tried probably all of their specialty rolls that run about 14 dollars. Each roll has a distinct taste and the combinations are vivid and they make you want to finish a whole roll. I usually go there prepared to eat one or two rolls, but after that first round of delicious sushi I can't help but want to order another 3 rolls. Keep your eye open for their specials board just above the bar, it changes frequently and the crazy sounding rolls that come off there are fantastic. I would certainly not pass up dinner or lunch at this sushi bar. I'll be back, over and over again!!!
(5)Gigi S.
I thought it was cute that my sushi platter came with fake ice and lights and such. The service wasn't too friendly, which is ok with me -assuming a language barrier and all. The miso tasted like I was drowning in Clearwater beach on a really hot day. It's so easy to take a miso and fix it, or better yet, make it your own, but after getting that soup I had to come to terms with the fact that the chef couldn't have possibly tasted his creation before sending it out. Blech. Miso can easily be made into a trademark very easily, and here, one of the easiest to get right was pretty wrong. Everything else was ok. Too many great places to come back here, sadly.
(2)Nick J.
Hidden Gem Alert!! I am a sushi nut. I have had sushi just about everywhere there is to have sushi in Tampa. Shogun isn't your fancy night on the town kind of sushi joint. It's a hole in the wall that has some of the best sushi. It's where you go to eat. The staff is super friendly and attentive. And with the space they are working with they do a great job and is very inviting.
(5)Arne A.
This was my first time here so I wanted to get a good sample of the menu, however, I only stuck to the sushi. Let me start by saying this is what I would describe as a typical modern/western sushi restaurant. So if you're looking for authentic/traditional Edomae style sushi this isn't the place you're looking for. The sushi menu consisted of mostly maki and specialty rolls with a smaller selection of nigiri consisting of the basic sushi house staples. I asked the waitress what was the most popular item was pointed towards the "Angel Hair Roll". To that I added an Unagi Roll (eel), Salmon Skin Roll, and a Spicy Yellowtail Handroll. Judging sushi always starts with the rice and the rice here was OK. A little under-seasoned and a little too warm (the rice was new) but the texture was fine. The overriding flavor of each roll was sweet. Each roll is decorated with eel sauce and/or spicy mayo so it's fine if you're into that but it's a little much for me. I wasn't crazy about the flavor but the quality if the fish and rice was fine. I would say this place is pretty middle of the road as far as sushi goes. Not some place I would go out of my way for but it wasn't bad for a fair price...especially if you stick to the lunch special menu.
(3)Jeana P.
My boyfriend and I came to Tampa to go to The Florida Aquarium and, being one of those people who likes to pre plan everything about a trip, I knew that we would want sushi at some point and found this to be the cheapest place with the best reviews. I was slightly sketched out by the dingy shopping plaza it was in when we arrived. We walked in and I was pleasantly shocked. The restaurant was quiet and intimate and for some reason, empty. We sat down and I was amazed when I was handed a menu that had a list of rolls that were each $3.95. I thought it had to be too good to be true as the list had all of the rolls I had wanted. We ordered and the food was all perfect. The ginger dressing on the perfectly fresh salad was delicious. I had a Mexican roll, a Philly roll, and a Tampa roll, and they were all amazing. They were all 6 pieces each which was perfect as I was expecting them to be smaller since they were only $3.95 each. I would suggest this hidden gem to anyone and everyone in the area!
(5)Jennifer C.
This place is a nice modern restaurant. They have allot of variety of sushi that was pretty good. It's not a very big place so you get more of a personal experience. Our server was fast and efficient. It's not my top fav, but you won't be disappointed if you end up here.
(4)Mari H.
Small cute place. Menu is pretty large, was surprised on that. Hubby was disappointed that they didn't have Uni that day, but oh well. I ordered the tempura shrimp to start which came out nice and hot. The veggies served were not traditional veggies served with tempura shrimp but that was great. I ordered the Angel Hair roll, which was very tasty but it was missing something. Bite after bite I finally figured it out. It needed some a contrast of textures or crunch in it. Maybe add an asparagus to it and it would be perfect. The hubby ordered the Volcano Roll and the Twin Salmon rolls. He always orders the Volcano Roll whenever we try a new sushi place, it's his way of judging the restaurant right away. Everyone has that roll. He was so excited to see the rolls when they came out, great presentation and his first bite you could tell he was happy. He said the Volcano was spot on. The Twin Salmon should be rename to Triple as it has a salmon center, salmon slices laid over the roll and then salmon roe on top of that. We had a pleasant experience and we will be back!
(4)Kathy S.
I love this place. The food is fresh and always served with a smile. the service is very good. My favorites are the sushi pizza and mount fugi roll. really great stuff and I keep going back for more.
(5)Claire A.
Fantastic. I came in for a quick lunch by myself and sat at the bar. The decor and atmosphere was really great. I ordered a beer and two very common and simple rolls. The service was really good first off. There was two other groups here and one sushi chef behind the bar and I got my food within 5 minutes. By far the best Philadelphia roll I've ever had. So glad I found this little place.
(5)Lance C.
So, round two of my Dale Mabry Tour de Sushi... As you walk in the first thing you notice is a nice waterfall that separates the door opening from the dining area. The sushi bar is in the back, which is where I headed. Took a seat, the sushi chef, sort of looked up, but was busy in preparation. Friendly server arrived after a few minutes and took my order - spicy tuna, cucumber roll, one piece of tuna nigiri and two pieces of yellowtail nigiri (for ala cart nigiri, price is per piece). Prices were pretty in line with most sushi spots in Tampa. Tuna and yellowtail were both fresh and had good flavor. Spicy tuna roll was pretty good, no cucumber (which is a good thing, I prefer the purer flavor of the spicy tuna by itself). The cucumber roll is sort of the thing that you order to see if the chef really cares, it is all about the symmetry of the roll. In this case, it was just okay. Negatives were no one to greet me when I walked in, it took a few minutes for the server to come out and the counter top sushi refrigerator had tons of condensation so I couldn't see the fish. Not sure about a return visit.
(3)Britt M.
LOVE THIS PLACE! Found it through groupon, and it is the best sushi place I have been to in the entire Tampa Bay area. Great sushi, entrees, dessert, and appetizers, and for so cheap.
(5)Jessica M.
Very clean and nice inside. The sushi is pretty good and they have good happy hour specials. The fact that it is in that shopping plaza isn't the most appealing thing from a location standpoint, but the food and service are good.
(4)Lyn J.
My family and I are Sushi lovers, so when we went grocery shopping on Sunday, we stopped at Shogun Sushi for lunch. We were the first there, and were showed to our booth quickly. The waitress was much helpful as we hadn't been there before and weren't familiar with their menu. Our eleven year old son and 15 month old baby boy loved the food as much as we did. Even though the restaurant is small, it's cozy. The service was excellent and the menu was very good, though I have to agree with other reviewers that it seems quite pricey. We stuck to their lunch menu, which included a special buy one get one half price on rolls. We were extremely happy with the quality and freshness of the sushi and will definitely go back.
(4)William N.
I went here w/some friends because they bought a deal from Groupon. You walk in and immediately you see a nice waterfall display that blocks the front door from the rest of the restaurant. The place also has club music going on and I found that an odd choice. The place is really nice and I think they're going for the hip look. It's OK but I felt it was trying to be like Blue Martini instead of a Sushi restaurant. Several things that made me not want to return: 1. The sushi was much pricier than comparable places and you'd get 6 pieces of sushi vs. 8 at other restaurants. 2. The sushi was OK but we all agree that it wasn't that tasty. I ordered Nabayeki Udon soup and it was just OK, certainly not the best I've ever had. If you like the slick surroundings and disco like music, then this is your place. Our waitress was very nice and kinda cute but I'm pretty sure she was not Japanese. Just sayin'. If you prefer sushi and other authentic Japanese fare that is less expensive, tastier and has more when you order it, I'd suggest Ai I Sushi a little South in the mall on Dale Mabry & Waters.
(2)Anthony T.
One of the best sushi spots in Tampa. We've been twice on a Friday when they offer buy 1 get 1 half off. Cool that there's a sushi spot that actually offers discounts when it's convenient for somebody to dine in. Their specialty is the angel hair sushi. I highly recommend! You normally have to travel to south tampa for this quality and vibe, but not anymore. This north tampa / carrollwood spot is amazing. I highly recommend. Oh, and they have real southern sweet tea!!!
(5)Em C.
Very pleasantly surprised by Shogun Sushi. This restaurant recently opened in the strip mall off North Dale Mabry by the Publix and Gamestop. We saw the "Grand Opening" sign and after being offput by the long lines and slow service at Sushi Alive (one strip mall over) decided to give this place a try. The decor was surprisingly nice, including a cascading fountain/waterfall effect right when you walk in the front door. They were advertising a Monday and Wednesday all-day special involving a long list of different types of sushi rolls (6-8 pieces) for $3 each. We ordered several rolls (spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, spicy scallops), seaweed salad, and some white tuna sashimi ($2.50 for 2 pieces). Service was prompt and the fish was fresh. Portion sizes were generous. The menu included an interesting array of fancier rolls, bento boxes, and specials for different nights of the week. We plan to return next week and try more. Recommended.
(5)Melissa M.
Yay for Shogun Sushi! A friend of mine purchased a Groupon for this restaurant. Although in my area, I had never heard of it. I'm always leery of sushi joints. One bad bite of fish and I'm done. However, this couldn't be further from the case. The fish was fresh and the sushi was outstanding. My favorite sushi is Soho North, but this runs a close second. I once loved Sushi Alive but after multiple visits where the fish did not taste fresh, I haven't been back. The atmosphere is very welcoming and stylishly decorated. The service was a slow, but I'm willing to overlook that because it's a new establishment. Also, note that they will tell you the soy sauce on the table is low-sodium, but it most certainly is not. This is a fantastic find tucked away in an "eh" strip mall. Try it out!
(5)