The miso soup was excellent. I liked the house salad- the ginger dressing was thick and there was lots of it. It had ice rig lettuce and two cherry tomatoes. Produce was fresh. Everyone was very pleased with what they ordered. One got the eel and avocado roll, Solomon's island roll (shrimp, asparagus, cucumber, topped with salmon), and Green Bay roll (shrimp tempura, tuna w spicy tuna and layered with a avocado, w salsa of black caviar). Another got the rainbow roll. Another got the uni sushi, escolar (white tuna) sashimi which was a generous 4 pieces, and the dragon roll. I got the salmon lovers dish: 3 pieces of sashimi, 5 prices of sushi, and salmon and avocado rolls. All the portions were generous. And the rolls were made with brown rice on our request ($1 extra). Loved the metal chopsticks too. This place is going in my permanent rotation!
(5)
Kimberly V.
Very fresh. Love the miso soup. Valentine's Roll is tasty. Their ramen noodles are homemade and very good. Also love the avocado tempura.
(4)
Kathy M.
For sushi this is the place to go. They make a Samba Cracker appetizer here with Spicy Tuna that is just amazing. The cracker is made by the chef here and no one else has it. Miso soup is the standard Miso and salad is just okay. What these lack they more than make up for in their sushi dishes. The Lobster Tempura Roll, Spicy Tuna, Shrimp Tempura, and Monster Roll all great. Staff have always been very attentive and polite. One of our family favorites (not counting the husband). Gosh I'm getting hungry just thinking about this place.
(5)
Tony S.
I have eaten here a couple of times. The food is good. The restaurant is clean. The staff is polite and knowledgeable. I eat at a lot of sushi restaurants in many states due to my business travels. I would say that this one is good but not great. I continue to go there because it is on my way home from the airport, there is never a wait and it is good. I enjoy a good variety of rolls and always enjoy rolls that are traditional as well as unique to the restaurant. This establishment only has the expected. I also enjoy sashimi and sushi as long as they do not skimp on the amount of fish. Here the amount of fish is good but not what I would call more than expected. All and all, it is worth the repeat trips for a quick bite.
(4)
Kendra G.
I frequent Nova for sushi at least once a week or semi monthly. Love the Green Bay and Spicy Tuna rolls. Also, the Avocado Tempura appetizer served with a wasabi mayo is awesome.
(4)
Sandra S.
Got done with dinner half hour ago- had the sushi and sashmi combo. I am now held up in the bathroom at the mall sick as a dog. My husband is driving around trying to find pepto so we can go to a concert we had ordered tickets forints ago. I not happy :(
(1)
Nick J.
For being wedged between a KMart and a liquor store, this place is a hidden gem. My wife and I have been here numerous times, and have yet to be disappointed. Starting out if suggest their seaweed salad. It's flavored nicely with sesame but not so much that you don't taste the sea flavors. Their rolls are great and they have specials change every day. They even go out on a limb sometimes by adding things you don't think would be tasty on a sushi roll. Try it sometime and I promise you won't be disappointed. Even our 6 year old enjoys this place because they have great miso soup (her fave) and teriyaki chicken!
(4)
Shawnda H.
Let me first start by saying that until now, my favorite sushi/Asian fusion place was in VA and I've missed it desperately since moving to The Annapolis area. We haven't been able to find a place that even comes close to it...until now. When we pulled into the parking lot it looked like the stereotypical tiny hole in the wall you see in shopping centers. But when we walked in I wasn't expecting what we saw. Although it is pretty small with just a handful of tables it was VERY nice inside! It looked brand new. It was also incredibly clean...as was the bathroom...something that is more important to me than anyone will ever know.. We were greeted right away and were told to sit wherever we wanted. They took our drink order and brought us menus right away. There were plenty of menu options as well. When we placed our order I couldn't make up my mind between the fried rice and the sesame chicken. So my always sweet husband, who wanted spicy Generals chicken, ordered the sesame chicken so I could have that AND the fried rice. When the food came out...relatively quick, the very sweet waitress knew he wanted spicy so she brought him a bowl of the generals chicken sauce so he could dip some rice and chicken if he so desired. She didn't have to do that and she wasn't asked too. She did it because she listened to us and was a great waitress. She was also Johnny on the Spot with keeping our drinks filled. The food was absolutely amazing. Full of flavor and very fresh! All sorts of huge fresh chopped veggies and big chunks of white meat chicken. The fried rice was absolutely scrumptious but for me the best part was the sushi. I couldn't believe how fresh it was. The price was perfectly matched to the atmosphere, service, and quality of the food. When we walked out I looked at my husband and said I wasn't expecting it to be that good. His exact words were "I was VERY pleasantly surprised...we have found our new spot". I would recommend this to anyone and I know I'll be going back very soon!
(5)
Jessica H.
The sushi here is phenomenal! The service is friendly and fast. My husband and I both had the shrimp tempura roll, California roll and the crunchy crawfish roll. It was all amazing and the plate presentation was beautiful.
(5)
Kristina M.
Absolutely the best sushi in Annapolis! Hands down. You will not be disappointed. Well, maybe you will.... Because you would have wished you found it earlier! For an appetizer we have the raw scallop dish. Delicious! We got three rolls and some sashimi. Everything was made perfectly and was impeccable. The service is wonderful. Paul is an artists and makes sushi that is beautiful and tastes amazing. The ambiance is flawless. It is clean, modern and not one thing is missing. Enjoy!
(5)
Nina U.
Want Asian but can't agree on exactly what type of cuisine? Nova is your best bet! Sushi/Japanese/Chinese/Thai. With Korean style metal chopsticks. Way to look out for our trees! It's in a strip mall next to Kmart- I find these discrete locations are sometimes the best gems hidden in the rough. Nice atmosphere and we had a good time sitting at the sushi bar watching the chefs in action with the TV screen on the travel channel. They are Chinese and if I give them a grade for presentation and art, it's five stars! I'm just not as big on fusion as I am with the real Japanese sushi deal. I want to enjoy the fresh fish taste and I had more of the sweet orange sauce on my palette- I'll have to ask them to go easy on the sauce next time. Danny made some recommendations and they were all gorgeous. I would try some of the other items next time. And def going to take advantage of their military discount. Mission Impossible- like a Big Mac but on crack cocaine. Liked this one. Tuna Pizza- ahi/onions/avocado on a toasted tortilla on baby spinach. heard the Samba cracker was better. Chicken Curry Pot- good. Salmon sushi roll with crunchies - good. If that doesn't sound appetizing right now then they also have Basil Filet Mignon, Grilled Salmon, Pepper Steak, Pad Thai Noodles, and Crispy Snapper. They don't lie when they say they're fusion.
(3)
Katie G.
Well I wanted to try take out but the website is invalid and the menu that comes up when you Google is completely useless. Get with the times people.
(1)
Christine A.
I was going to give this place four stars, but my last visit weren't consistent with my previous ones, so I decided to downgrade. I ALWAYS judge a sushi restaurant by the quality of their chirashi. Why, you ask? Because chirashi is supposed to be the sushi chef's way of showcasing his freshest and finest fish. You slice up your fish and present it on top of a bowl of sushi rice. Simple, yet delicious! I have consistently ordered chirashi at Nova with hopes of always getting the best of the best. Sadly, when the main sushi chef is not around, the quality and quantity of ingredients used by his subordinates are subpar, almost to the point where I received only HALF the amount of fish that I received from my last 12 bowls of chirashi made by the main sushi chef. I actually had to ask for extra sushi rice because I received only 5 tablespoons of rice for 10 pieces of fish. Lesson learned...do not get chirashi when the amateurs are left to fend for themselves. On another note, their tempura offerings are quite consistent and delicious. The tempura dinner and soft shell crab appetizer are excellent! If you don't want to be brave or are scared of raw fish, this is your best bet. However, do not expect your normal Memmi tempura dipping sauce though. They use some other soy sauce-based dipping sauce, but definitely not Memmi. The simple, unadorned maki sushi are always your reliable, if you're not sure what to order. Try one or try them all...they've never really failed me. I'm kind of a sushi purist, so I have never tried they're "Americanized" sushi rolls (the ones with eel sauce, wasabi mayo, sriracha mayo, and what not), so you're on your own with those menu items. This place is definitely worth a try if you're not willing to venture to a nearby metropolitan area for stellar sushi. Kanpai!
(3)
Mary D.
I was very disappointed with the selection and quality of food here. Plus, I believe the prices were high. My friend and I were very disappointed and won't try this place again.
(1)
Sean K.
The Sushi here is better than any place in downtown Annapolis; Joss, Nano, Tsunami. Do not let the location fool you! Just because it is in a strip mall next to Kmart doesn't mean a thing! The tuna and salmon at Nova is among the freshest I've ever tasted! The beef fried rice is delicious and has lots of egg (which I love). You will also enjoy the salt and pepper fried soft shel crab! Go for lunch to get a very reasonably priced meal!
(5)
Mr J.
So so japanese; the menu has an asian mix that is reminiscent of other establishments that aren't Japanese owned/operated. That is, some dishes are smattered about the menu that are not Japanese. The fare is reasonable and pretty tasty but not special, and certainly not DC or NY caliber sushi. Great sushi in Annapolis remains elusive, but this is okay for the price. The decor is nice and service is quite good, but don't try to impress a more cosmopolitan crowd with this local sushi spot. Around the corner is exceptional Vietnamese at Saigon Palace, so we tend to favor that for asian cuisine.
(3)
K. Joi S.
Very yummy sushi at a very good price. Our party of 3 ordered 2 3-roll plates to share and wound up ordering another 3 rolls. The first was so tasty. Thanks, Nova.
(4)
Kit H.
Nova is one of my favorite sushi restaurants ever. And I mean nation-wide. I seem to only ever come in for the lunch special but three amazingly perfect rolls for $12, with a fresh salad and jasmine tea is the perfect lunch for everyday. The restaurant is clean, elegant, and the staff is wonderful. I've been eating here for two years and I make the effort to come back even after having moved a few towns away. The food is excellent. I highly recommend the spicy yellowtail or the white tuna. The rolls come with bigger portions than in many other places, and the fish is always incredibly fresh. Nova is clearly the best sushi in the Annapolis area and I am looking forward to my next meal there.
(5)
Rachael K.
Amazing! People who rave about Joss have evidently never been here. This place trumps over Joss. Service is impeccable and food is outstanding.
(5)
Laura F.
Best sushi in town . No need to go anywhere else The restaurant is lovely , the service is always very good and the sushi is absolutley delicious . Highly recommend this place.
(5)
Sabina B.
This place is amazing. Decor is nice without being too much. I loved the homemade seafood ramen!
(5)
Wally S.
Ok i am going to give them 5 stars because they deserve it. The food is 6 stars so it makes up for the 3 star service. The owners are fantastic and when they are helping you it is 7 star service, however some of the other employees are just sub par for the level of food you are getting. However make no mistake this is the best sushi in Md and i have eaten sushi all over the world. i guarantee a good meal
(5)
Dave S.
Really nice sushi place buried between a K-Mart and West Marine in a strip mall. Service is good. Sushi chef's are excellent. Good stuff. The rice has the right consistency and the fish is fresh and tasty. The chef's choice plates are consistently good.
(4)
Mike L.
Nova is pretty much our go-to sushi place these days. We used to go out of our way to go downtown in Annapolis to Joss, but since their expansion, they have gone WAY DOWNHILL! The folks at Nova have a handle on making good sushi. I was surprised when I ordered a Spicy Tuna Roll and the tuna was minced. I didn't know I needed to specify I wanted my tuna whole, but now I do. The service is ok. There are occasionally language barriers, but generally, no problems.
(4)
Tiffany M.
Best Sushi around. Love it. Very fresh. I would have given them 5 stars however the only issue is customer service. I've had horrible service every time I dine in. So I skip the step and get take out.
(3)
Steve H.
4 1/2 stars, seriously?!? I stopped in last night to get a taste of what folks were talking about...I was very disappointed. Ok, first off I ask specifically for a Coors light in a bottle when I ask for a small Asahi and they tell me bottled beers only come in one size. I assumed they meant large so I figure a 12 oz bottle will suffice, I'm driving. The girl shows up with a glass of beer. I don't like glasses in restaurants I don't know (trust), so I never see the bottle and don't really know where my beer comes from, give people what they ask for! Then I order the yellowtail (Hamachi) and fatty tuna (Toro) sashimi. I get what looks like pretty nice yellowtail and what is basically lighter red tuna; Huh? Let's get somethong straigh, lighter colored tuna does not Toro make. This told me everything I needed to know, I regret not asking for the check at that point. No disrespect to the good people of the greater Annapolis area, but if you don't press the obvious Korean owners of this Japanese style eatery, they'll apparently serve you anything and charge for what they say it is, not matter what you're getting. Toro ain't cheap, but I love that marbled butter more than anything in a sushi joint, don't lie to me! Truth be told, it actually wasn't bad tuna and the yellowtail was not bad, but that loving feeling I was hoping for was growing cold most riky-tik. I figure the fish quality isn't bad so I order a Rainbow Roll (Cut style roll), hold the shrimp; chef says "no problem", ok! The roll comes, looks kind of small but yellowtail, salmon and avocado look bright and fresh, so I'm good. Then, I do the bullshit check and sure enough, in the crab capitol of the world there's imitation crab in the middle of my roll! Imitation crab, is not crab, it's the leftover crap that's soft when they fillet off a fish, it's the crap that falls on the floor, the waste! They cook it down, compress the hell out of it in the process and then add red food dye on the outside so when they slice it up it has a crab appearance, hence, imitation crab or as I like to call It: BULLSHIT! I know most places do it and most people don't care, I guess I'm not most people because proper and quality ingredients are what makes sushi expensive, and what I expect. I'll gladly pay, just don't lie to me. I go to Koi in Seal Beach Ca, almost exclusively, we've been going there since 1994. The head chef has educated me over the years. That's another thing, who are the no personality "helpers" behind tbe sushi bar?!? No attempt at rapport, just staring at me and asking, "It's good?", really?!? They never moved from their spots; move dude, either engage me, find out what I might like so I 1) have a better social dining experience and 2) if done right, I'll gladly give you more of my money! Amateur hour, no thank you Nova, you're a No-Go ...if in a pinch, I guess, but there has to be a true Japanese sushi house around Annapolis that believes in a true Japanese sushi experience...where?!?
(1)
Linds F.
This is by far the best sushi in Annapolis. This place gets looked over a lot, due to the popularity of some downtown sushi restaurants. I have tried all of them- and none of them compare to Nova. Their sushi is fresh and their hot dishes are always flavorful. You must try the live scallop- it's a rare dish to find and is packed with flavor.
(5)
B. M.
My husband and I went here on Monday, 9/15 for dinner. I can't remember everything we ordered but it was all sushi and it was all delicious. Especially the roll with the wasabi ketchup and jalapenos. We will definitely be back. It's clean, service is quick and nice, and it's decorated simply and modernly. Really enjoyed it!!
(4)
Judeth L.
Love the food. I was brought up on Joss in Annapolis so you know I'm serious when I say it's delicious. We have also ordered from the kitchen and that was delicious also. The only thing I haven't liked is the service when I dine in. Yes they are attentive, but all the servers stand behind the sushi bar and talk. The sushi bar is right next to all of the tables so you can see them chatting and giving dirty looks to customers. And on a slow day the servers are more concerned with their conversation than the customers. This is the only reason I couldn't give them a 5 star review
(4)
Em F.
Who would have thought for the best sushi in the Annapolis area you should go to a strip mall and find a place settled between a K-Mart and a liquor story? Well, believe it. Nova is outstanding. We occasionally will eat in, but most of the time carry out. Their service is so fast, but never lacks in quality. The Green Devil Roll is the best. I haven't tried much beyond the sushi, but the hot and sour soup is incredible. Save the hassle of parking in downtown Annapolis and make your way over to Nova ASAP.
(5)
Kristen G.
This was the second time we've eaten here. I ordered the salmon lovers dish. The quality of the fish has increased but there was one piece of sashimi that had some skin still attached. It covered about half of the slice. Very unusual and almost a no-no in my book. The miso soup was in a generous sized bowl but the tofu was scarce and diced super small. Pieces of wakame was nice to see and have in it. The quality of sushi rice is good but for some reason they were a bit skimpy with it. Each sushi piece had no more than a Tbsp of rice. If I were eating at an all you can eat, the amount of rice was perfect. I liked the presentation with the edible daikon and shiso leaf. The fried calamari was interesting. It was fried in a heavy batter and almost over cooked. It was served with a sweet sauce with a hoisin base. For an Asian fusion, I would have expected a Salt pepper fried calamari with a lighter batter or perhaps a fried calamari with diced bell peppers, garlic and onion. Based on quality of food, taste, presentation, serving size, ambiance, service location and wait time for a party of nine, I give it 4 stars.
(4)
Mike H.
This sushi is as good and fresh as anywhere. I used to go see Paul at the other sushi joint in town and when he opened this up I haven't been to that other place since. The prices are fair, the beer is cold, the service is top notch. I used to live in Annapolis and went to Joss all the time, this place doesn't have as many choices, but the quality and taste are just as good. They also have takeout which is great. Couple notes: Must try the spicy tuna samba crackers Ask for the spicy sashimi martini, no on menu but he will happily make it and it is amazing I don't know what type of oysters they are using but their oyster roll is one of my favorites
(5)
Regina S.
Samba cracker, indeed. I think I found a new favorite snack. I was intrigued after reading the reviews, and since we live in the area, I was eager to test this place out. First, it's a nice space, a bit spare, with comfy booths and OK lighting. They should add some living plants or something to give the place a more comfortable feeling but hey we care more about food and service anyhow. Let me tell you, I don't think we have EVER had better service. I'm no stranger to sushi but I am clearly no expert either. The server (wish I had gotten his name) was gracious, attentive, very informative, and oh so helpful. He immediately let us know what came in jet fresh that morning, and even though neither my husband or I had ever tried tuna belly or umi (sea urchin) we were game thanks to our server's enthusiasm. The tuna belly was used in the day's special "dragon roll" that also had avocado and shrimp. Along with the usual accompaniments there was a bowl of an orangey blob looking substance. My husband asked what it was and frankly I had no idea. Next time the server came around I inquired about our umi and he pointed to the glob and said that 's it! Now at this time, he could of laughed or smirked at our ignorance, but no, he was so at ease and a matter of fact, that my cheeks didn't even have a chance to grow pink out of embarrassment. The tuna belly was fresh, rich and delicious. A big thumbs up. I wasn't really sure what to do with the glob, so I just took a forkful. Now I have seen Anthony Bourdain pluck one of these spiny creatures from the sea, split it open, and slurp the insides with great joy and satisfaction. We were hoping for the same results. It was raw as well (our choice since that is what server recommended) so the texture was kind of weird. Baby food mushy. The taste? I'm afraid for the first time, I'm at a lost for words. Nevertheless, we mixed it with wasabi, soy and ginger, and found it to be quite edible. Just not lick the bowl clean edible. Samba Cracker = a party in my mouth. The crispness of the rice cracker, the smoothness of the guacamole, the hint of sweetness from the honey, the crunch of the raw onion, and the delicate tuna, co-mingled to created a perfect bite. Wow. I would return just to enjoy this creation. The last two items we ordered were the steamed gyoza dumplings with pork and chicken and the shrimp tempura. The gyoza were tiny and the dough delicate and thin, but they kind of tasted one note. After the samba this was more like a slow dance. I won't order the shrimp tempura again. It was fried to perfection, but it was under seasoned. I forgot that, like the Fuji restaurant in Edgewater, (where the sushi master came from), the shrimp are more like a garnish. You only get two and the rest is big hunks of fried raw vegetables. The dish was unappealing and tasteless, especially after our palates had experienced some incredible flavors. If you want fried shrimp, order the butterflied ones. They are coated in panko and no jumbo veggies. We will definitely go back. They have a huge selection of house special rolls, entrees like crispy snapper and basil filet mignon, and offerings like fried rice and pad thai. Now if they only offered the Fuji happy hour prices.....
(4)
Shannel P.
The best sushi I've had in Southern MD thus far! The atmosphere is very calming and the prices are reasonable. The servers are very polite, with excellent service from the waiters. I will definitely make this my number one choice for Asian Fusion!
(5)
Katrina W.
Talk about hidden gem. This place was recommended by many of our local friends as a must try sushi spot. They offer an array of Asian cuisine from curries, fried rice to sushi. The establishment is very clean, dim lighting and plenty of seating. I love that they give the option for brown rice and the fish is very fresh. The one thing that made an impression on me was how friendly the sushi chefs were and creative. My favorite dish of the night was the Tuna Dumpling which was a spicy crab salad wrapped in pounded raw tuna. Image end result looking like a tomato. Applause's all around. Check this place out next time you have an itch for sushi.
(5)
Dana M.
I am very picky when it comes to sushi. I will say this was good but I was expecting it to be turned up just a notch. Service was great, beautiful decor, but I was expecting sushi to be great and not just good. I would however return and give it another shot.
My family eats at Nova once a week because the food is delicious and the service is great!! It is located next to Kmart and a liquor store, but I would still eat there if it were next to the county dump. I bring friends there and they always return. Best sushi in Annapolis by far.
(5)
Heidi S.
I've tried a bunch of sushi in Annapolis - including the 3 biggies down on Main Street - Sakura, Joss and Nano. Sakura and Joss are great but this place? Is better. The sheer variety of the menu is amazing. The quality of the sushi - literally it melt on my tongue was incredible. We sat at the sushi bar, asked the chef for a recommendation and ended up with a sushi plate and the Phoenix Roll. Seared fatty tuna topped this roll. I don't remember what was in it but that tuna was the best tuna ever. I don't usually recommend places in strip malls but this place goes to show that you really shouldn't judge a book by it's cover. The inside was sleek and trendy, without being audacious.The prices (for sushi) were reasonable without being outrageous but the quality is by far the best that I've tried in the Annapolis area. I already can not wait to go back.
(5)
Jasen F.
Wow...I wish this place was around during my Edgewater residency. Went for lunch the other day and had two really fantastic appertizsers; the spicy tuna cracker (with honey!) and the tuna dumping (raw, tasty, wonderful!). The food was served quick and very good and happy folks. I had the miso soup, salad (nice dressing), and two of the lunch special maki rolls. The ambiance was nice but a bit random; much like Japan. The music was dreamy instrumental stuff, the decor was modern Japanese, and the TV was playing NBC sports channel which at that moment featured a bow hunting show. A rare gem in Edgewater; it's up there with Joss in downtown Annapolis. Ugh!
(5)
E L.
Spicy tuna roll - 3 stars Chicken katsu lunch box - 4 stars Spider roll - 4 stars Yellow tail roll - 3.5 stars Service - 5 stars
(4)
Joe D.
I really enjoyed going here. Don't let the fact that it is directly adjacent to Kmart bother you. I am a sushi lover and was not disappointed one bit. I ordered the sashimi dinner, being somewhat of a sushi purist. The fish was very fresh and clean tasting. I sat at the bar and both, Chef Paul and Chef Danny were charming. My daughter ordered the white tuna roll and a California roll, which she loved. They are the best sushi bar in the Annapolis area.
(5)
john e.
If you want you sushi fresh this is the place to go! Don't let the location deter you because it's in a strip mall, they take pride in everything they do here. It is fantastic!!!!!!
(5)
Anna J.
We tried Nova for the first time this weekend after realizing that Master Sushi Chef Paul had opened it. We had become regulars at a sushi bar he had previously worked for. After Paul left, the quality and creativity of the sushi bar plummeted, and we stopped frequenting the old spot. We were thrilled to find out that Paul was now right around the corner and he did not disappoint! The wait staff was attentive but didn't hover, the sushi was fresh and flavorful, and as always Paul was a great host! Knowing Paul and his standards we'll definitely be returning to Nova and look forward to becoming regulars there!
(5)
Jennifer W.
AMAZEBALLS! I mean, really really delish. My parents live in the area and we had been trying to figure out where Paul, the super friendly and extremely talented sushi chef had gone and voila! He's here. We popped in for lunch on Saturday and could not have been happier. The restaurant is right next to KMart, so not the most beautiful location, but you can kind of forget you're there once you're inside. There is no sign, so just know it's there. They're working on getting a sign up, I've heard. Anyway, the decor is what you might expect from a sushi bar. It's nothing to write home about, but the plates are clean and white, the chopsticks are a nice pewter color and not disposable, which felt a little more upscale. The one negative, I would say, was the pour on the wine. They have nice big glasses, but they pour less than half full. If I could suggest something to them it would be to up the price by a dollar or get different bottles, but PLEASE do not make me feel like you're giving us less than half a glass of wine. We had the miso soup and salad. The miso was good and traditional, the salad as well, and came with a nice ginger dressing. We ordered the Green Bay roll (I think that's what they were calling it) it's the AWESOME roll that was previously incarnated as the Daniel Roll. It's tempura, spicy tuna and mango with tobiko. It is quite possibly the best sushi roll I have ever had. Ever. We also tried the Hollywood roll, which was really good. It had a house made strawberry sauce, which made it interesting. While we were eating, we noticed a couple at the bar raving about whatever they were eating and we inquired about it. They said it was called "Danny's tomatoes" and was tuna stuffed with all things marvelous. We decided to make that our dessert and we were not disappointed. They were DIVINE!!! and BEAUTIFUL!!! See the pic I uploaded. They were thin tuna molded around a crab and avocado salad with a spicy mayo dressing, green onions and tobiko. It was just the perfect consistency and so flavorful. A real treat. We're so lucky to have Paul back in Edgewater and I can't wait to go back with my friends and family.
(5)
Kait N Scott L.
Don't judge a book by its cover!
(4)
J.A. H.
I like Nova and I've been there several times. I find the restaurant to be clean, efficient and functional. There's not much atmosphere but the sushi is good. I've always stayed with sushi except for one time when I ordered a vegetarian Chinese dish which wasn't so good, not bad, but just not good. I'll only comment on the sushi and that I would say is above average. I would recommend the unagi which is very good. The service is okay, bathrooms are clean and overall not a bad place for casual lunch or dinner. I will definitely be coming back again for sushi.
Great find! I am really a sushi snob & Nova scored! Special rolls are creative & delicious. Sashimi was fresh & seemed to be selected for that reason. Will return.
(5)
Michelle H.
My husband and I have been coming here for years and this is the best sushi by far then any I have had! Not only is the sushi and sashimi as fresh as it gets, but now Nova is offering homemade Ramen noodles. We just had to try the Tasho ramen noodles and wow - flavorful delicious. We opted to add chili oil (Paul's suggestion) for heat and this dish will be added to our "must order" list!
(5)
Nicole M.
Talk about a real hidden gem... Would have given 5 stars, but location in strip mall is just not ideal. Tried tuna dumpling based off recommendations on Yelp, and it was definitely worth it! So good and just the right amount of spice / sauce! Did the lunch 2 roll combo for $8 which was a great deal & even came with soup or salad. Crawfish roll was great, though the diced onion was just a little much. Tuna avocado roll was made with great pieces of melt in your mouth fish. Great deal for lunch and loved the decor!
(4)
Eric S.
I just came across this restaurant in the Market Place at South River Colony shopping center and it was a wonderful dining experience with very friendly staff. Although they have only been in place for about one year, it is nice to know that quality sushi is close by. I will be a repeat customer!
(5)
Kelly K.
Some of the best sushi I have ever eaten, friendly staff and very fresh
(5)
Erika J.
I frequent this place quite often, and I have to say - it's amazing. When you first consider going to Nova, you may be slightly turned off because they are located in a strip mall next to K-Mart (as previous reviews mention), but don't let their location fool you. I've only had their sushi here, and it's always very fresh. They have a good variety included in their menu and overall the staff and Sushi Chef's are very flexible. If there is something that you want, they are willing to try and 'create' the sushi roll that you want. Each time that they've created something that I was looking for - it tasted fantastic. They offer take out (which is also very quick and seamless). Their dining area used to be relatively quiet - however now days - if you walk inside on a Friday night - the place is packed. To top it off, they cater to the military community and offer a military discount (ID needs to be presented) My husband has dined off their menu and raves about their General Tso's chicken. If you're in the Annapolis area, looking for sushi - this is the place to go!
(4)
Cici W.
Hands down the BEST sushi in not only Edgewater, but in the whole Annapolis area as well. We've been here probably 10+ times in the last few months and they have hit the mark each time. I like to try different entrees and each one has been really really good. They offer something different than all of the other "chinese" restaurants in the area. The sushi bar is a great place to sit and grab a quick lunch too. Even my 3 yr old loves their food (he's not a sushi fan yet, but everything else he's tried there has been a hit!)
(5)
Erik M.
We decided to try Nova out because of the good reviews even though Fuji, a regular dinner spot, is right around the corner. We started with steamed gyoza, a california roll, and avocado tempura. Each was delicious and service was very prompt. For our entree, we split a filet mignon, which was easily enough for 2 and very tender. For dessert, the tempura fried ice cream was very good, and perfect for sharing. Great atmosphere, attentive service, and a very nice addition to Edgewater's growing Asian food choices. Now we just need a great Indian place.
(5)
Wayne W.
First time going to Nova and it was good overall. This place gets 4 stars because it is the compromise between the 3 stars that I would give and the solid 5 stars that my friend who dined with me gave. Started with the crab rangoon which was good, but the filling was mostly liquid. Not sure if this is their standard or if I just got an off batch. For my meal, I ordered the Kung Pao Shrimp. The flavor was nice and the food tasted fresh. My only concern is that the ratio of veggies to shrimp was not the best. I felt like I had ordered a plate of peppers and onions with a side of shrimp. At the price point, a lot of other restaurants in the area provide more value with similar taste. A couple extra shrimp would have gone a long way, and quite possibly would have bumped my opinion to the 4 star level. Also, the $1 upcharge for brown rice is a little disappointing. My friend on the other hand loved this place. He ordered the sushi and raved about how good it was. Even going as far as to say this might be the best sushi in the area. I wish I could remember what he actually ordered but I think it was something off of the house specialty menu. The metal chopsticks also were a bonus. The place was clean and the service was good. I would go again.
(4)
Chris S.
We recently moved to the area and have been desperately searching for a new sushi restaurant to fill the void left by our favorite sushi place in our old town. Anyway, after reading a bunch of reviews I took the family to Nova and from the moment I walked in I was impressed. Very clean and good atmosphere - I had high hopes. The kids had miso soup which they loved - the soup looked very thick not water down - could stand for more bean curd though. We started with the tempora vegitbles and it was very good. We ordered a variety of rolls which my wife and kids very much enjoyed. I ordered the sushi/sashimi platter which was excellent and I would go as far to say that it was better than our old sushi restaurant haunt. The fish was exceptionally fresh to include the salmon, which was fatty and very butter with absolutely NO fish smell - this could be said for all of the fish. It was just delicious... The portions were large, but by no means is the place cheap - we dropped $110+ (before tip), but it was well worth it. My only recommendation would be that soup and or a salad be included with the entrees. Otherwise, it is a GREAT spot if you enjoy sashimi and or sushi!
(4)
Janet K.
Well, my fear came to pass--the genius kitchen chef has left and I just want to cry. Since the change, I have tried 2 entrees--one new entree that was so dreadful it was akin to the worst chinese buffet fare and the other was a re-test of the Crispy Snapper that I wrote about so glowingly in a previous review. The horrible dish was the new Sweet and Sour Fish which although descibed as crispy was completely soggy and rubbery with an inedible cloying sauce over it. I tried a few bites and it was so awful that I took it home to my racoons. Today I had the Snapper and gone are the beautiful julienned veggies and the magnificent complex sauce. The fish was nicely fried, but the dish consisted of just the 3 pieces of fish, a bowl of rice and a side of sauce that was not even in the same league as the other. I was more than happy to pay $17 for the original dish, but I will not be ordering this again. And the Samba Crackers that I ordered were still quite good, but the nuances of skill and creativity were apparent even in this appetizer. The cracker was flatter and not as light and delicate, the onion on top was cut thicker and was too plentiful to properly balance the flavors. Edgewater is not convenient for me. I made special trips down at least once a week over the past few months because I was so enamored with this place. I will now probably only stop in when I am in the area. I am sure the sushi is still as wonderful--the sushi chef is the owner. But sushi is not what drew me in. And if anyone can possibly find out where the brilliant chef went, I would so love to know. I have a feeling he is probably cooking in Manhattan now, but if by any stroke of luck he is still nearby, I would follow him anywhere. The waiter told me his name is Diesel? Deason? He couldn't tell me the new guy's name--he said it is something American. I am sorry, new chef. I am sure you are a nice, hard working guy and I will wish you the very best of luck. But, Nova, you have lost a true culinary star and sadly it shows...
(3)
Alli Z.
Ah.may.zing. Im not particularly a fan of 'traditional' sushi so I have been super pleased with this place many times. So many good things to order! A few of my favorites are: The Tuna Dumpling, an appetizer of raw tuna stuffed with deliciousness of crab meat....comes out looking like a tomato. The Samba cracker, also wonderful. A few of my favorite rolls are the Ichiban roll, Lava roll, and pretty much everything. They put a little twist on what they serve up and its all tasty :)
(5)
Todd T.
I've been a sushi/sashimi enthusiast for almost 40 years. I was visiting relatives in the Annapolis area and heard about this new place. I decided to give it a try and was most impressed. The food was tasty and fresh. My one small quibble is that the fish slices are a bit think by sushi standards, but the ambiance and friendly staff, added to fresh, tastu food won me over. I'll be going backl!!
(4)
Jason K.
I found Nova yesterday and I am impressed with the Sushi so far. The Sushi Chefs are nice and took the time to get to know me. They seem to be interested in making a quality restaurant.
(4)
Matt G.
Fantastic!! I was so excited to find such a great restaurant in edgewater!!! One of the best sushi restaurants I've been to, and my favorite restaurant in edgewater. If you like asian food this is a must go. Some of my favorite dishes are the shumi, green dragon roll, and red skin roll.
(5)
Antonio C.
The original fuji sushi chef has his own place now and AMAZING. The sushi was excellent and the nova salad was excellent. Definitely will go back for more.
(4)
Crystal W.
My husband I ate there last night, Easter Sunday, not our traditional Easter meal but we absolutely LOVED IT!!! There was no one else there so we got the royal treatment. Best Calofornia rolls ever! My Husband likes the raw stuff (not me) but the chef overheard me say no way to the raw stuff and suggested we try the Tempura White Fish and they were the BEST!!!! My husband also ordered the Rainbow rolls and said they were also great!! Good prices too!! We will definitely be going back!!
(5)
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Address :3257 Solomons Island Rd
Edgewater, MD, 21037
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Maria-Elena T.
The miso soup was excellent. I liked the house salad- the ginger dressing was thick and there was lots of it. It had ice rig lettuce and two cherry tomatoes. Produce was fresh. Everyone was very pleased with what they ordered. One got the eel and avocado roll, Solomon's island roll (shrimp, asparagus, cucumber, topped with salmon), and Green Bay roll (shrimp tempura, tuna w spicy tuna and layered with a avocado, w salsa of black caviar). Another got the rainbow roll. Another got the uni sushi, escolar (white tuna) sashimi which was a generous 4 pieces, and the dragon roll. I got the salmon lovers dish: 3 pieces of sashimi, 5 prices of sushi, and salmon and avocado rolls. All the portions were generous. And the rolls were made with brown rice on our request ($1 extra). Loved the metal chopsticks too. This place is going in my permanent rotation!
(5)Kimberly V.
Very fresh. Love the miso soup. Valentine's Roll is tasty. Their ramen noodles are homemade and very good. Also love the avocado tempura.
(4)Kathy M.
For sushi this is the place to go. They make a Samba Cracker appetizer here with Spicy Tuna that is just amazing. The cracker is made by the chef here and no one else has it. Miso soup is the standard Miso and salad is just okay. What these lack they more than make up for in their sushi dishes. The Lobster Tempura Roll, Spicy Tuna, Shrimp Tempura, and Monster Roll all great. Staff have always been very attentive and polite. One of our family favorites (not counting the husband). Gosh I'm getting hungry just thinking about this place.
(5)Tony S.
I have eaten here a couple of times. The food is good. The restaurant is clean. The staff is polite and knowledgeable. I eat at a lot of sushi restaurants in many states due to my business travels. I would say that this one is good but not great. I continue to go there because it is on my way home from the airport, there is never a wait and it is good. I enjoy a good variety of rolls and always enjoy rolls that are traditional as well as unique to the restaurant. This establishment only has the expected. I also enjoy sashimi and sushi as long as they do not skimp on the amount of fish. Here the amount of fish is good but not what I would call more than expected. All and all, it is worth the repeat trips for a quick bite.
(4)Kendra G.
I frequent Nova for sushi at least once a week or semi monthly. Love the Green Bay and Spicy Tuna rolls. Also, the Avocado Tempura appetizer served with a wasabi mayo is awesome.
(4)Sandra S.
Got done with dinner half hour ago- had the sushi and sashmi combo. I am now held up in the bathroom at the mall sick as a dog. My husband is driving around trying to find pepto so we can go to a concert we had ordered tickets forints ago. I not happy :(
(1)Nick J.
For being wedged between a KMart and a liquor store, this place is a hidden gem. My wife and I have been here numerous times, and have yet to be disappointed. Starting out if suggest their seaweed salad. It's flavored nicely with sesame but not so much that you don't taste the sea flavors. Their rolls are great and they have specials change every day. They even go out on a limb sometimes by adding things you don't think would be tasty on a sushi roll. Try it sometime and I promise you won't be disappointed. Even our 6 year old enjoys this place because they have great miso soup (her fave) and teriyaki chicken!
(4)Shawnda H.
Let me first start by saying that until now, my favorite sushi/Asian fusion place was in VA and I've missed it desperately since moving to The Annapolis area. We haven't been able to find a place that even comes close to it...until now. When we pulled into the parking lot it looked like the stereotypical tiny hole in the wall you see in shopping centers. But when we walked in I wasn't expecting what we saw. Although it is pretty small with just a handful of tables it was VERY nice inside! It looked brand new. It was also incredibly clean...as was the bathroom...something that is more important to me than anyone will ever know.. We were greeted right away and were told to sit wherever we wanted. They took our drink order and brought us menus right away. There were plenty of menu options as well. When we placed our order I couldn't make up my mind between the fried rice and the sesame chicken. So my always sweet husband, who wanted spicy Generals chicken, ordered the sesame chicken so I could have that AND the fried rice. When the food came out...relatively quick, the very sweet waitress knew he wanted spicy so she brought him a bowl of the generals chicken sauce so he could dip some rice and chicken if he so desired. She didn't have to do that and she wasn't asked too. She did it because she listened to us and was a great waitress. She was also Johnny on the Spot with keeping our drinks filled. The food was absolutely amazing. Full of flavor and very fresh! All sorts of huge fresh chopped veggies and big chunks of white meat chicken. The fried rice was absolutely scrumptious but for me the best part was the sushi. I couldn't believe how fresh it was. The price was perfectly matched to the atmosphere, service, and quality of the food. When we walked out I looked at my husband and said I wasn't expecting it to be that good. His exact words were "I was VERY pleasantly surprised...we have found our new spot". I would recommend this to anyone and I know I'll be going back very soon!
(5)Jessica H.
The sushi here is phenomenal! The service is friendly and fast. My husband and I both had the shrimp tempura roll, California roll and the crunchy crawfish roll. It was all amazing and the plate presentation was beautiful.
(5)Kristina M.
Absolutely the best sushi in Annapolis! Hands down. You will not be disappointed. Well, maybe you will.... Because you would have wished you found it earlier! For an appetizer we have the raw scallop dish. Delicious! We got three rolls and some sashimi. Everything was made perfectly and was impeccable. The service is wonderful. Paul is an artists and makes sushi that is beautiful and tastes amazing. The ambiance is flawless. It is clean, modern and not one thing is missing. Enjoy!
(5)Nina U.
Want Asian but can't agree on exactly what type of cuisine? Nova is your best bet! Sushi/Japanese/Chinese/Thai. With Korean style metal chopsticks. Way to look out for our trees! It's in a strip mall next to Kmart- I find these discrete locations are sometimes the best gems hidden in the rough. Nice atmosphere and we had a good time sitting at the sushi bar watching the chefs in action with the TV screen on the travel channel. They are Chinese and if I give them a grade for presentation and art, it's five stars! I'm just not as big on fusion as I am with the real Japanese sushi deal. I want to enjoy the fresh fish taste and I had more of the sweet orange sauce on my palette- I'll have to ask them to go easy on the sauce next time. Danny made some recommendations and they were all gorgeous. I would try some of the other items next time. And def going to take advantage of their military discount. Mission Impossible- like a Big Mac but on crack cocaine. Liked this one. Tuna Pizza- ahi/onions/avocado on a toasted tortilla on baby spinach. heard the Samba cracker was better. Chicken Curry Pot- good. Salmon sushi roll with crunchies - good. If that doesn't sound appetizing right now then they also have Basil Filet Mignon, Grilled Salmon, Pepper Steak, Pad Thai Noodles, and Crispy Snapper. They don't lie when they say they're fusion.
(3)Katie G.
Well I wanted to try take out but the website is invalid and the menu that comes up when you Google is completely useless. Get with the times people.
(1)Christine A.
I was going to give this place four stars, but my last visit weren't consistent with my previous ones, so I decided to downgrade. I ALWAYS judge a sushi restaurant by the quality of their chirashi. Why, you ask? Because chirashi is supposed to be the sushi chef's way of showcasing his freshest and finest fish. You slice up your fish and present it on top of a bowl of sushi rice. Simple, yet delicious! I have consistently ordered chirashi at Nova with hopes of always getting the best of the best. Sadly, when the main sushi chef is not around, the quality and quantity of ingredients used by his subordinates are subpar, almost to the point where I received only HALF the amount of fish that I received from my last 12 bowls of chirashi made by the main sushi chef. I actually had to ask for extra sushi rice because I received only 5 tablespoons of rice for 10 pieces of fish. Lesson learned...do not get chirashi when the amateurs are left to fend for themselves. On another note, their tempura offerings are quite consistent and delicious. The tempura dinner and soft shell crab appetizer are excellent! If you don't want to be brave or are scared of raw fish, this is your best bet. However, do not expect your normal Memmi tempura dipping sauce though. They use some other soy sauce-based dipping sauce, but definitely not Memmi. The simple, unadorned maki sushi are always your reliable, if you're not sure what to order. Try one or try them all...they've never really failed me. I'm kind of a sushi purist, so I have never tried they're "Americanized" sushi rolls (the ones with eel sauce, wasabi mayo, sriracha mayo, and what not), so you're on your own with those menu items. This place is definitely worth a try if you're not willing to venture to a nearby metropolitan area for stellar sushi. Kanpai!
(3)Mary D.
I was very disappointed with the selection and quality of food here. Plus, I believe the prices were high. My friend and I were very disappointed and won't try this place again.
(1)Sean K.
The Sushi here is better than any place in downtown Annapolis; Joss, Nano, Tsunami. Do not let the location fool you! Just because it is in a strip mall next to Kmart doesn't mean a thing! The tuna and salmon at Nova is among the freshest I've ever tasted! The beef fried rice is delicious and has lots of egg (which I love). You will also enjoy the salt and pepper fried soft shel crab! Go for lunch to get a very reasonably priced meal!
(5)Mr J.
So so japanese; the menu has an asian mix that is reminiscent of other establishments that aren't Japanese owned/operated. That is, some dishes are smattered about the menu that are not Japanese. The fare is reasonable and pretty tasty but not special, and certainly not DC or NY caliber sushi. Great sushi in Annapolis remains elusive, but this is okay for the price. The decor is nice and service is quite good, but don't try to impress a more cosmopolitan crowd with this local sushi spot. Around the corner is exceptional Vietnamese at Saigon Palace, so we tend to favor that for asian cuisine.
(3)K. Joi S.
Very yummy sushi at a very good price. Our party of 3 ordered 2 3-roll plates to share and wound up ordering another 3 rolls. The first was so tasty. Thanks, Nova.
(4)Kit H.
Nova is one of my favorite sushi restaurants ever. And I mean nation-wide. I seem to only ever come in for the lunch special but three amazingly perfect rolls for $12, with a fresh salad and jasmine tea is the perfect lunch for everyday. The restaurant is clean, elegant, and the staff is wonderful. I've been eating here for two years and I make the effort to come back even after having moved a few towns away. The food is excellent. I highly recommend the spicy yellowtail or the white tuna. The rolls come with bigger portions than in many other places, and the fish is always incredibly fresh. Nova is clearly the best sushi in the Annapolis area and I am looking forward to my next meal there.
(5)Rachael K.
Amazing! People who rave about Joss have evidently never been here. This place trumps over Joss. Service is impeccable and food is outstanding.
(5)Laura F.
Best sushi in town . No need to go anywhere else The restaurant is lovely , the service is always very good and the sushi is absolutley delicious . Highly recommend this place.
(5)Sabina B.
This place is amazing. Decor is nice without being too much. I loved the homemade seafood ramen!
(5)Wally S.
Ok i am going to give them 5 stars because they deserve it. The food is 6 stars so it makes up for the 3 star service. The owners are fantastic and when they are helping you it is 7 star service, however some of the other employees are just sub par for the level of food you are getting. However make no mistake this is the best sushi in Md and i have eaten sushi all over the world. i guarantee a good meal
(5)Dave S.
Really nice sushi place buried between a K-Mart and West Marine in a strip mall. Service is good. Sushi chef's are excellent. Good stuff. The rice has the right consistency and the fish is fresh and tasty. The chef's choice plates are consistently good.
(4)Mike L.
Nova is pretty much our go-to sushi place these days. We used to go out of our way to go downtown in Annapolis to Joss, but since their expansion, they have gone WAY DOWNHILL! The folks at Nova have a handle on making good sushi. I was surprised when I ordered a Spicy Tuna Roll and the tuna was minced. I didn't know I needed to specify I wanted my tuna whole, but now I do. The service is ok. There are occasionally language barriers, but generally, no problems.
(4)Tiffany M.
Best Sushi around. Love it. Very fresh. I would have given them 5 stars however the only issue is customer service. I've had horrible service every time I dine in. So I skip the step and get take out.
(3)Steve H.
4 1/2 stars, seriously?!? I stopped in last night to get a taste of what folks were talking about...I was very disappointed. Ok, first off I ask specifically for a Coors light in a bottle when I ask for a small Asahi and they tell me bottled beers only come in one size. I assumed they meant large so I figure a 12 oz bottle will suffice, I'm driving. The girl shows up with a glass of beer. I don't like glasses in restaurants I don't know (trust), so I never see the bottle and don't really know where my beer comes from, give people what they ask for! Then I order the yellowtail (Hamachi) and fatty tuna (Toro) sashimi. I get what looks like pretty nice yellowtail and what is basically lighter red tuna; Huh? Let's get somethong straigh, lighter colored tuna does not Toro make. This told me everything I needed to know, I regret not asking for the check at that point. No disrespect to the good people of the greater Annapolis area, but if you don't press the obvious Korean owners of this Japanese style eatery, they'll apparently serve you anything and charge for what they say it is, not matter what you're getting. Toro ain't cheap, but I love that marbled butter more than anything in a sushi joint, don't lie to me! Truth be told, it actually wasn't bad tuna and the yellowtail was not bad, but that loving feeling I was hoping for was growing cold most riky-tik. I figure the fish quality isn't bad so I order a Rainbow Roll (Cut style roll), hold the shrimp; chef says "no problem", ok! The roll comes, looks kind of small but yellowtail, salmon and avocado look bright and fresh, so I'm good. Then, I do the bullshit check and sure enough, in the crab capitol of the world there's imitation crab in the middle of my roll! Imitation crab, is not crab, it's the leftover crap that's soft when they fillet off a fish, it's the crap that falls on the floor, the waste! They cook it down, compress the hell out of it in the process and then add red food dye on the outside so when they slice it up it has a crab appearance, hence, imitation crab or as I like to call It: BULLSHIT! I know most places do it and most people don't care, I guess I'm not most people because proper and quality ingredients are what makes sushi expensive, and what I expect. I'll gladly pay, just don't lie to me. I go to Koi in Seal Beach Ca, almost exclusively, we've been going there since 1994. The head chef has educated me over the years. That's another thing, who are the no personality "helpers" behind tbe sushi bar?!? No attempt at rapport, just staring at me and asking, "It's good?", really?!? They never moved from their spots; move dude, either engage me, find out what I might like so I 1) have a better social dining experience and 2) if done right, I'll gladly give you more of my money! Amateur hour, no thank you Nova, you're a No-Go ...if in a pinch, I guess, but there has to be a true Japanese sushi house around Annapolis that believes in a true Japanese sushi experience...where?!?
(1)Linds F.
This is by far the best sushi in Annapolis. This place gets looked over a lot, due to the popularity of some downtown sushi restaurants. I have tried all of them- and none of them compare to Nova. Their sushi is fresh and their hot dishes are always flavorful. You must try the live scallop- it's a rare dish to find and is packed with flavor.
(5)B. M.
My husband and I went here on Monday, 9/15 for dinner. I can't remember everything we ordered but it was all sushi and it was all delicious. Especially the roll with the wasabi ketchup and jalapenos. We will definitely be back. It's clean, service is quick and nice, and it's decorated simply and modernly. Really enjoyed it!!
(4)Judeth L.
Love the food. I was brought up on Joss in Annapolis so you know I'm serious when I say it's delicious. We have also ordered from the kitchen and that was delicious also. The only thing I haven't liked is the service when I dine in. Yes they are attentive, but all the servers stand behind the sushi bar and talk. The sushi bar is right next to all of the tables so you can see them chatting and giving dirty looks to customers. And on a slow day the servers are more concerned with their conversation than the customers. This is the only reason I couldn't give them a 5 star review
(4)Em F.
Who would have thought for the best sushi in the Annapolis area you should go to a strip mall and find a place settled between a K-Mart and a liquor story? Well, believe it. Nova is outstanding. We occasionally will eat in, but most of the time carry out. Their service is so fast, but never lacks in quality. The Green Devil Roll is the best. I haven't tried much beyond the sushi, but the hot and sour soup is incredible. Save the hassle of parking in downtown Annapolis and make your way over to Nova ASAP.
(5)Kristen G.
This was the second time we've eaten here. I ordered the salmon lovers dish. The quality of the fish has increased but there was one piece of sashimi that had some skin still attached. It covered about half of the slice. Very unusual and almost a no-no in my book. The miso soup was in a generous sized bowl but the tofu was scarce and diced super small. Pieces of wakame was nice to see and have in it. The quality of sushi rice is good but for some reason they were a bit skimpy with it. Each sushi piece had no more than a Tbsp of rice. If I were eating at an all you can eat, the amount of rice was perfect. I liked the presentation with the edible daikon and shiso leaf. The fried calamari was interesting. It was fried in a heavy batter and almost over cooked. It was served with a sweet sauce with a hoisin base. For an Asian fusion, I would have expected a Salt pepper fried calamari with a lighter batter or perhaps a fried calamari with diced bell peppers, garlic and onion. Based on quality of food, taste, presentation, serving size, ambiance, service location and wait time for a party of nine, I give it 4 stars.
(4)Mike H.
This sushi is as good and fresh as anywhere. I used to go see Paul at the other sushi joint in town and when he opened this up I haven't been to that other place since. The prices are fair, the beer is cold, the service is top notch. I used to live in Annapolis and went to Joss all the time, this place doesn't have as many choices, but the quality and taste are just as good. They also have takeout which is great. Couple notes: Must try the spicy tuna samba crackers Ask for the spicy sashimi martini, no on menu but he will happily make it and it is amazing I don't know what type of oysters they are using but their oyster roll is one of my favorites
(5)Regina S.
Samba cracker, indeed. I think I found a new favorite snack. I was intrigued after reading the reviews, and since we live in the area, I was eager to test this place out. First, it's a nice space, a bit spare, with comfy booths and OK lighting. They should add some living plants or something to give the place a more comfortable feeling but hey we care more about food and service anyhow. Let me tell you, I don't think we have EVER had better service. I'm no stranger to sushi but I am clearly no expert either. The server (wish I had gotten his name) was gracious, attentive, very informative, and oh so helpful. He immediately let us know what came in jet fresh that morning, and even though neither my husband or I had ever tried tuna belly or umi (sea urchin) we were game thanks to our server's enthusiasm. The tuna belly was used in the day's special "dragon roll" that also had avocado and shrimp. Along with the usual accompaniments there was a bowl of an orangey blob looking substance. My husband asked what it was and frankly I had no idea. Next time the server came around I inquired about our umi and he pointed to the glob and said that 's it! Now at this time, he could of laughed or smirked at our ignorance, but no, he was so at ease and a matter of fact, that my cheeks didn't even have a chance to grow pink out of embarrassment. The tuna belly was fresh, rich and delicious. A big thumbs up. I wasn't really sure what to do with the glob, so I just took a forkful. Now I have seen Anthony Bourdain pluck one of these spiny creatures from the sea, split it open, and slurp the insides with great joy and satisfaction. We were hoping for the same results. It was raw as well (our choice since that is what server recommended) so the texture was kind of weird. Baby food mushy. The taste? I'm afraid for the first time, I'm at a lost for words. Nevertheless, we mixed it with wasabi, soy and ginger, and found it to be quite edible. Just not lick the bowl clean edible. Samba Cracker = a party in my mouth. The crispness of the rice cracker, the smoothness of the guacamole, the hint of sweetness from the honey, the crunch of the raw onion, and the delicate tuna, co-mingled to created a perfect bite. Wow. I would return just to enjoy this creation. The last two items we ordered were the steamed gyoza dumplings with pork and chicken and the shrimp tempura. The gyoza were tiny and the dough delicate and thin, but they kind of tasted one note. After the samba this was more like a slow dance. I won't order the shrimp tempura again. It was fried to perfection, but it was under seasoned. I forgot that, like the Fuji restaurant in Edgewater, (where the sushi master came from), the shrimp are more like a garnish. You only get two and the rest is big hunks of fried raw vegetables. The dish was unappealing and tasteless, especially after our palates had experienced some incredible flavors. If you want fried shrimp, order the butterflied ones. They are coated in panko and no jumbo veggies. We will definitely go back. They have a huge selection of house special rolls, entrees like crispy snapper and basil filet mignon, and offerings like fried rice and pad thai. Now if they only offered the Fuji happy hour prices.....
(4)Shannel P.
The best sushi I've had in Southern MD thus far! The atmosphere is very calming and the prices are reasonable. The servers are very polite, with excellent service from the waiters. I will definitely make this my number one choice for Asian Fusion!
(5)Katrina W.
Talk about hidden gem. This place was recommended by many of our local friends as a must try sushi spot. They offer an array of Asian cuisine from curries, fried rice to sushi. The establishment is very clean, dim lighting and plenty of seating. I love that they give the option for brown rice and the fish is very fresh. The one thing that made an impression on me was how friendly the sushi chefs were and creative. My favorite dish of the night was the Tuna Dumpling which was a spicy crab salad wrapped in pounded raw tuna. Image end result looking like a tomato. Applause's all around. Check this place out next time you have an itch for sushi.
(5)Dana M.
I am very picky when it comes to sushi. I will say this was good but I was expecting it to be turned up just a notch. Service was great, beautiful decor, but I was expecting sushi to be great and not just good. I would however return and give it another shot.
(3)Zachary H.
Great sushi is just good for the soul and Nova is hands down the best sushi bar in the region. Forget Baltimore and DC, go to Edgewater! No joke, Nova Sushi Bar and Asian Fusion Restaurant is as good as it gets. This place is owned by master sushi-chef Li Pol (whom many locals may know from such establishments as Fuji and Ichiban) but he's got his own place now and it's absolutely amazing! The specialty rolls will blow you away. When it comes to sushi, Pol is an artist and magician. A couple recommendations... the Samba Cracker appetizer is ridiculous! You can't go wrong with any of the House Special Rolls but the American Dream Roll and Ichiban Roll, are particularly outstanding. They've got excellent appetizers and entrées as well... Teriyaki, Tempura, Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Udon, and even Pad Thai. Very reasonable prices, especially at lunch. Party room in back. Close to getting their Liquor License. Discounts 15% with Military ID. Go out of your way for this place, you will not be disappointed.
(5)Laura F.
My family eats at Nova once a week because the food is delicious and the service is great!! It is located next to Kmart and a liquor store, but I would still eat there if it were next to the county dump. I bring friends there and they always return. Best sushi in Annapolis by far.
(5)Heidi S.
I've tried a bunch of sushi in Annapolis - including the 3 biggies down on Main Street - Sakura, Joss and Nano. Sakura and Joss are great but this place? Is better. The sheer variety of the menu is amazing. The quality of the sushi - literally it melt on my tongue was incredible. We sat at the sushi bar, asked the chef for a recommendation and ended up with a sushi plate and the Phoenix Roll. Seared fatty tuna topped this roll. I don't remember what was in it but that tuna was the best tuna ever. I don't usually recommend places in strip malls but this place goes to show that you really shouldn't judge a book by it's cover. The inside was sleek and trendy, without being audacious.The prices (for sushi) were reasonable without being outrageous but the quality is by far the best that I've tried in the Annapolis area. I already can not wait to go back.
(5)Jasen F.
Wow...I wish this place was around during my Edgewater residency. Went for lunch the other day and had two really fantastic appertizsers; the spicy tuna cracker (with honey!) and the tuna dumping (raw, tasty, wonderful!). The food was served quick and very good and happy folks. I had the miso soup, salad (nice dressing), and two of the lunch special maki rolls. The ambiance was nice but a bit random; much like Japan. The music was dreamy instrumental stuff, the decor was modern Japanese, and the TV was playing NBC sports channel which at that moment featured a bow hunting show. A rare gem in Edgewater; it's up there with Joss in downtown Annapolis. Ugh!
(5)E L.
Spicy tuna roll - 3 stars Chicken katsu lunch box - 4 stars Spider roll - 4 stars Yellow tail roll - 3.5 stars Service - 5 stars
(4)Joe D.
I really enjoyed going here. Don't let the fact that it is directly adjacent to Kmart bother you. I am a sushi lover and was not disappointed one bit. I ordered the sashimi dinner, being somewhat of a sushi purist. The fish was very fresh and clean tasting. I sat at the bar and both, Chef Paul and Chef Danny were charming. My daughter ordered the white tuna roll and a California roll, which she loved. They are the best sushi bar in the Annapolis area.
(5)john e.
If you want you sushi fresh this is the place to go! Don't let the location deter you because it's in a strip mall, they take pride in everything they do here. It is fantastic!!!!!!
(5)Anna J.
We tried Nova for the first time this weekend after realizing that Master Sushi Chef Paul had opened it. We had become regulars at a sushi bar he had previously worked for. After Paul left, the quality and creativity of the sushi bar plummeted, and we stopped frequenting the old spot. We were thrilled to find out that Paul was now right around the corner and he did not disappoint! The wait staff was attentive but didn't hover, the sushi was fresh and flavorful, and as always Paul was a great host! Knowing Paul and his standards we'll definitely be returning to Nova and look forward to becoming regulars there!
(5)Jennifer W.
AMAZEBALLS! I mean, really really delish. My parents live in the area and we had been trying to figure out where Paul, the super friendly and extremely talented sushi chef had gone and voila! He's here. We popped in for lunch on Saturday and could not have been happier. The restaurant is right next to KMart, so not the most beautiful location, but you can kind of forget you're there once you're inside. There is no sign, so just know it's there. They're working on getting a sign up, I've heard. Anyway, the decor is what you might expect from a sushi bar. It's nothing to write home about, but the plates are clean and white, the chopsticks are a nice pewter color and not disposable, which felt a little more upscale. The one negative, I would say, was the pour on the wine. They have nice big glasses, but they pour less than half full. If I could suggest something to them it would be to up the price by a dollar or get different bottles, but PLEASE do not make me feel like you're giving us less than half a glass of wine. We had the miso soup and salad. The miso was good and traditional, the salad as well, and came with a nice ginger dressing. We ordered the Green Bay roll (I think that's what they were calling it) it's the AWESOME roll that was previously incarnated as the Daniel Roll. It's tempura, spicy tuna and mango with tobiko. It is quite possibly the best sushi roll I have ever had. Ever. We also tried the Hollywood roll, which was really good. It had a house made strawberry sauce, which made it interesting. While we were eating, we noticed a couple at the bar raving about whatever they were eating and we inquired about it. They said it was called "Danny's tomatoes" and was tuna stuffed with all things marvelous. We decided to make that our dessert and we were not disappointed. They were DIVINE!!! and BEAUTIFUL!!! See the pic I uploaded. They were thin tuna molded around a crab and avocado salad with a spicy mayo dressing, green onions and tobiko. It was just the perfect consistency and so flavorful. A real treat. We're so lucky to have Paul back in Edgewater and I can't wait to go back with my friends and family.
(5)Kait N Scott L.
Don't judge a book by its cover!
(4)J.A. H.
I like Nova and I've been there several times. I find the restaurant to be clean, efficient and functional. There's not much atmosphere but the sushi is good. I've always stayed with sushi except for one time when I ordered a vegetarian Chinese dish which wasn't so good, not bad, but just not good. I'll only comment on the sushi and that I would say is above average. I would recommend the unagi which is very good. The service is okay, bathrooms are clean and overall not a bad place for casual lunch or dinner. I will definitely be coming back again for sushi.
(4)Andrew S.
I am a fan of Joss Cafe but its a little ways from my house. I looked this place up on yelp an notice its high ratings, even if it was only reviewed by 16 people compared to over 100 at Joss. I did not eat the regular entrée here, instead I came for the sushi. It was a pleasant surprise. Also the Mochi red bean dessert was sweet and excellent. I would give it 5 stars but I haven't tried the entrées yet. Maybe next time I visit I will update my rating.
(4)Ann C.
Great find! I am really a sushi snob & Nova scored! Special rolls are creative & delicious. Sashimi was fresh & seemed to be selected for that reason. Will return.
(5)Michelle H.
My husband and I have been coming here for years and this is the best sushi by far then any I have had! Not only is the sushi and sashimi as fresh as it gets, but now Nova is offering homemade Ramen noodles. We just had to try the Tasho ramen noodles and wow - flavorful delicious. We opted to add chili oil (Paul's suggestion) for heat and this dish will be added to our "must order" list!
(5)Nicole M.
Talk about a real hidden gem... Would have given 5 stars, but location in strip mall is just not ideal. Tried tuna dumpling based off recommendations on Yelp, and it was definitely worth it! So good and just the right amount of spice / sauce! Did the lunch 2 roll combo for $8 which was a great deal & even came with soup or salad. Crawfish roll was great, though the diced onion was just a little much. Tuna avocado roll was made with great pieces of melt in your mouth fish. Great deal for lunch and loved the decor!
(4)Eric S.
I just came across this restaurant in the Market Place at South River Colony shopping center and it was a wonderful dining experience with very friendly staff. Although they have only been in place for about one year, it is nice to know that quality sushi is close by. I will be a repeat customer!
(5)Kelly K.
Some of the best sushi I have ever eaten, friendly staff and very fresh
(5)Erika J.
I frequent this place quite often, and I have to say - it's amazing. When you first consider going to Nova, you may be slightly turned off because they are located in a strip mall next to K-Mart (as previous reviews mention), but don't let their location fool you. I've only had their sushi here, and it's always very fresh. They have a good variety included in their menu and overall the staff and Sushi Chef's are very flexible. If there is something that you want, they are willing to try and 'create' the sushi roll that you want. Each time that they've created something that I was looking for - it tasted fantastic. They offer take out (which is also very quick and seamless). Their dining area used to be relatively quiet - however now days - if you walk inside on a Friday night - the place is packed. To top it off, they cater to the military community and offer a military discount (ID needs to be presented) My husband has dined off their menu and raves about their General Tso's chicken. If you're in the Annapolis area, looking for sushi - this is the place to go!
(4)Cici W.
Hands down the BEST sushi in not only Edgewater, but in the whole Annapolis area as well. We've been here probably 10+ times in the last few months and they have hit the mark each time. I like to try different entrees and each one has been really really good. They offer something different than all of the other "chinese" restaurants in the area. The sushi bar is a great place to sit and grab a quick lunch too. Even my 3 yr old loves their food (he's not a sushi fan yet, but everything else he's tried there has been a hit!)
(5)Erik M.
We decided to try Nova out because of the good reviews even though Fuji, a regular dinner spot, is right around the corner. We started with steamed gyoza, a california roll, and avocado tempura. Each was delicious and service was very prompt. For our entree, we split a filet mignon, which was easily enough for 2 and very tender. For dessert, the tempura fried ice cream was very good, and perfect for sharing. Great atmosphere, attentive service, and a very nice addition to Edgewater's growing Asian food choices. Now we just need a great Indian place.
(5)Wayne W.
First time going to Nova and it was good overall. This place gets 4 stars because it is the compromise between the 3 stars that I would give and the solid 5 stars that my friend who dined with me gave. Started with the crab rangoon which was good, but the filling was mostly liquid. Not sure if this is their standard or if I just got an off batch. For my meal, I ordered the Kung Pao Shrimp. The flavor was nice and the food tasted fresh. My only concern is that the ratio of veggies to shrimp was not the best. I felt like I had ordered a plate of peppers and onions with a side of shrimp. At the price point, a lot of other restaurants in the area provide more value with similar taste. A couple extra shrimp would have gone a long way, and quite possibly would have bumped my opinion to the 4 star level. Also, the $1 upcharge for brown rice is a little disappointing. My friend on the other hand loved this place. He ordered the sushi and raved about how good it was. Even going as far as to say this might be the best sushi in the area. I wish I could remember what he actually ordered but I think it was something off of the house specialty menu. The metal chopsticks also were a bonus. The place was clean and the service was good. I would go again.
(4)Chris S.
We recently moved to the area and have been desperately searching for a new sushi restaurant to fill the void left by our favorite sushi place in our old town. Anyway, after reading a bunch of reviews I took the family to Nova and from the moment I walked in I was impressed. Very clean and good atmosphere - I had high hopes. The kids had miso soup which they loved - the soup looked very thick not water down - could stand for more bean curd though. We started with the tempora vegitbles and it was very good. We ordered a variety of rolls which my wife and kids very much enjoyed. I ordered the sushi/sashimi platter which was excellent and I would go as far to say that it was better than our old sushi restaurant haunt. The fish was exceptionally fresh to include the salmon, which was fatty and very butter with absolutely NO fish smell - this could be said for all of the fish. It was just delicious... The portions were large, but by no means is the place cheap - we dropped $110+ (before tip), but it was well worth it. My only recommendation would be that soup and or a salad be included with the entrees. Otherwise, it is a GREAT spot if you enjoy sashimi and or sushi!
(4)Janet K.
Well, my fear came to pass--the genius kitchen chef has left and I just want to cry. Since the change, I have tried 2 entrees--one new entree that was so dreadful it was akin to the worst chinese buffet fare and the other was a re-test of the Crispy Snapper that I wrote about so glowingly in a previous review. The horrible dish was the new Sweet and Sour Fish which although descibed as crispy was completely soggy and rubbery with an inedible cloying sauce over it. I tried a few bites and it was so awful that I took it home to my racoons. Today I had the Snapper and gone are the beautiful julienned veggies and the magnificent complex sauce. The fish was nicely fried, but the dish consisted of just the 3 pieces of fish, a bowl of rice and a side of sauce that was not even in the same league as the other. I was more than happy to pay $17 for the original dish, but I will not be ordering this again. And the Samba Crackers that I ordered were still quite good, but the nuances of skill and creativity were apparent even in this appetizer. The cracker was flatter and not as light and delicate, the onion on top was cut thicker and was too plentiful to properly balance the flavors. Edgewater is not convenient for me. I made special trips down at least once a week over the past few months because I was so enamored with this place. I will now probably only stop in when I am in the area. I am sure the sushi is still as wonderful--the sushi chef is the owner. But sushi is not what drew me in. And if anyone can possibly find out where the brilliant chef went, I would so love to know. I have a feeling he is probably cooking in Manhattan now, but if by any stroke of luck he is still nearby, I would follow him anywhere. The waiter told me his name is Diesel? Deason? He couldn't tell me the new guy's name--he said it is something American. I am sorry, new chef. I am sure you are a nice, hard working guy and I will wish you the very best of luck. But, Nova, you have lost a true culinary star and sadly it shows...
(3)Alli Z.
Ah.may.zing. Im not particularly a fan of 'traditional' sushi so I have been super pleased with this place many times. So many good things to order! A few of my favorites are: The Tuna Dumpling, an appetizer of raw tuna stuffed with deliciousness of crab meat....comes out looking like a tomato. The Samba cracker, also wonderful. A few of my favorite rolls are the Ichiban roll, Lava roll, and pretty much everything. They put a little twist on what they serve up and its all tasty :)
(5)Todd T.
I've been a sushi/sashimi enthusiast for almost 40 years. I was visiting relatives in the Annapolis area and heard about this new place. I decided to give it a try and was most impressed. The food was tasty and fresh. My one small quibble is that the fish slices are a bit think by sushi standards, but the ambiance and friendly staff, added to fresh, tastu food won me over. I'll be going backl!!
(4)Jason K.
I found Nova yesterday and I am impressed with the Sushi so far. The Sushi Chefs are nice and took the time to get to know me. They seem to be interested in making a quality restaurant.
(4)Matt G.
Fantastic!! I was so excited to find such a great restaurant in edgewater!!! One of the best sushi restaurants I've been to, and my favorite restaurant in edgewater. If you like asian food this is a must go. Some of my favorite dishes are the shumi, green dragon roll, and red skin roll.
(5)Antonio C.
The original fuji sushi chef has his own place now and AMAZING. The sushi was excellent and the nova salad was excellent. Definitely will go back for more.
(4)Crystal W.
My husband I ate there last night, Easter Sunday, not our traditional Easter meal but we absolutely LOVED IT!!! There was no one else there so we got the royal treatment. Best Calofornia rolls ever! My Husband likes the raw stuff (not me) but the chef overheard me say no way to the raw stuff and suggested we try the Tempura White Fish and they were the BEST!!!! My husband also ordered the Rainbow rolls and said they were also great!! Good prices too!! We will definitely be going back!!
(5)