This place is a gem! I have celiac disease so it is often difficult to find Japanese and or sushi places that are aware of gluten issues. Kisso has friendly staff that are always willing to answer questions. They use rice vinegar in their sushi rolls which is great for those who are gluten free. They do take their time in preparing the sushi so if you are in a rush this may not be the place for you, but their food is worth the wait. It is absolutely delicious and it always tastes fresh. I highly recommend the spicy salmon, scallop and tuna. The alaskan maki is also incredibly delicious.
(5)
Michael T.
Good sushi, pleasant staff, excellent wasabi. Why the 3 stars? Turnaround time is a bit slow. Presentation of the sushi lacked a 'wow' factor however the fish made up for it because they were fresh. Rice was on point as it did not break off easily when dipped in soy sauce. Cost of the sushi and nigiri played a roll as well (pun intended). It was a bit pricey in my opinion. Overall, this is a nice small sushi restaurant to hang out with friends but if you're looking for fast service or something fulfilling to eat, prepare to order more sushi and wait or look elsewhere.
(3)
Roshni B.
My boyfriend and I LOVE this place! He lives two blocks down from it and I'm so glad it's convenient to get here because we come here anytime we're craving sushi...which is often! We even came three weeks in a row because we just needed to have their red snapper appetizer! Yes, the decor is lacking and outdated. But it's a nice little hole in the wall. If you're looking for a cool atmosphere, try POD or Morimoto (also awesome, but you'll get half the meal for double the price). I have become quite the sushi snob over the years and can easily tell fresh fish and quality and they have AMAZING product and do it with a creative style! TRY THE RED SNAPPER CARPACCIO! You won't regret it! Getting a reservation anywhere in philly even two weeks in advance for Valentine's Day is a pain so we gave up and just decided, spur of the moment, to come here for our first Valentine's Day. We were sat right away and are almost always able to choose where we get to sit. This place deserves recognition so don't be surprised if you see this review on another review site! I love this place!
(5)
Tina C.
Just found my favorite sushi restaurant in Philly. It's always comforting to walk in and hear Japanese spoken. We went in a party of 5, one of them my Japanese girlfriend from London. We ordered a variety of sushi, sashimi, and specials. Everything was spectacularly good and fresh. Our server was Japanese and I think she might of been the owner? She was blunt in telling us that she couldn't recommend any tofu dish at the restaurant. In any case, everything was great. On top of it all, it's a BYOB so we were able to bring the wonderful bottle of sake that I brought back from Japan!
(5)
Nilka R.
I love this place! Best sushi in Philadelphia so far. I love the fact that is BYOB. Highly recommended!
(5)
Dana A.
Ordered the ONE lunch item. The miso soup was sour, tasted off. A quarter of my salad greens were brown and the portion of sushi was the tiniest little thing I've ever seen. Definitely not work the $20 I spent.
(2)
Mark Z.
This is one of the best sushi restaurants in Philly! This is a small/intimate place with a laid back feel. Our waitress was very attentive and was willing to answer questions. I got an avocado salad as a starter, and it was delicious. The dressing on it was very tangy, and avocados are a super food to me. The Philly Roll and Spicy Tuna Roll were both amazing. You can taste the freshness of the fish as soon as you take a bite. I would enjoy coming back here for sushi anytime.
(5)
Lynn M. F.
This place is like going to a loving family members home for dinner! Everyone is so kind and caring. I allowed them to choose for me and everything I had was wonderful!! Fresh and presented like a work of art!! The atmosphere is cozy and comfortable and the patrons who visit regularly are warm and friendly!! I dream about how great the food was until I can get to Philly again!!
(5)
Jim S.
I really do not get all of the 5 star ratings. The place is small and the interior looks really worn. Don't even look down at the carpet as you will probably just turn around and walk out. Not a snob or anything but when you're eating raw fish I expect the establishment to be clean from the front door all the way through the kitchen. As for the food really nothing to write home about. Just your average sushi.
(2)
Michelle K.
This is the best sushi place hands down in philly. I'm not into crazy big rolls, I prefer sashimi. Their sashimi is always fresh and well executed. Plus it's BYO
(5)
Elise H.
I was slightly apprehensive bringing my mom here, since there were not many recent yelp reviews, and my mom is a very picky eater, but I am SO glad we came. We split the dragon maki (crab stick with romaine and cucumber, topped with unagi) and yaki salmon. Both were delicious. The unagi and salmon were cooked to perfection- literally melt in your mouth good. Everything was prepared the way things should be.. using fresh ingredients with light, yet flavorful seasoning. And when I say everything, I mean everything.. Even the ginger was amazing. The service was really good too. The waiters were very attentive and friendly. Sufficed to say, my mom was happy. Will definitely come back to try more of their rolls. All in all, friendly, inviting atmosphere with fresh, quality Japanese food. Would highly recommend.
(5)
Stephanie F.
The best sushi anywhere- fresh, beautifully presented. Alex is a genius!
(5)
Kamil S.
Awesome Authentic Sushi & Coolest Owner: The menu does not reflect what they are capable of... So, tell Alex(owner) or Andy (Sushi Chef)what you like & they'll make you love them! The best rolls I've had here are specials or NOT on the menu!?! Sushi is fresh, simple and delightful! Honorable Mention : Red Snapper Appetizer, Spicy Tuna Wrap, Punto Maki Special, Alex Maki, Kisso Maki, SST Maki, Mix & Match, Love Maguro, Sushi Salads I wish they weren't closed in the late afternoon and the decor could use some updating HOWEVER; the sushi, staff and prices are excellent! + they are BYOB!! IF you are into enormous rolls, slathered in heavy sauces with pastes or slaws of fish you can't recognize this place ISN'T for you!
(5)
Michael P.
Been going here since they opened. Friendly staff and excellent affordable Sushi.
(5)
Thy S.
Negative. Will not be going back. Pieces are itty bitty and not worth the monies. Can't even give you a miso soup with a combo. Or get spicy mayo right. And it took forever given there was an entire 0 other ppl eating sushi besides us. However, quality of fish was decent.
(2)
Carl G.
Sit at the Sushi bar, ask what's in season....and enjoy your Kisso expierience. BOYB, great staff...excellent fresh fish! Everything I like in a sushi bar. I've been eating here for about 20 years now, its as good today as it was when I first went there. The chefs are very talented, and they will adjust as needed to a particular taste if needed. No messy, mayonase covered, two bite sloppy rolls here. Perfectly rolled, tasty, single bite sized pieces! Kisso has ruined me for every other sushi restaurant.
(5)
Claude H.
Slightly off the beaten track, going to Kisso definitely shows you are in the know and appreciate not simply good sushi, but good food and artistry. Spare inside, this restaurant is all about what comes on the plate, and in this there's no disappointment. On my 4th visit here over as many years I was introduced to the Half and Half Roll. Talk about something new! Great citrus tanginess on one side paired by spiciness on the other, I really recommend this roll. The chef's preparation shines through in the various nigiri which show evidence of different marinades and aging. Presentation matches taste: wonderful! One of the best sushi houses in the 215. Go.
(4)
Carter P.
For sushi, it takes flavor and the right amount of showmanship. And on this particular night I had a craving for some good sushi - Kisso did not disappoint. Going inside, the environment is brightly lit and the staff is all very friendly and eager to please. I sat at the sushi bar and ordered a spicy tuna roll - a standard dish. At Kisso though, it's not so standard - they master the spicy in the right way where it adds to the flavor. It's BYOB so they stick to what they know and definitely do it very well. I'll definitely be back with an even larger appetite for multiple rolls on the next trip!
(4)
Kate D.
Alright, this little gem deserves some spotlight. When I came from the Midwest to check out the old city area, I stumbled into this restaurant searching for some close food. I had just signed my papers to live in my new place in the neighborhood, and found this while exploring. It was a Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon, and we were the only people eating in the restaurant. The waiter was amazing and very attentive. We chatted about the area, what there was to do, the menu, random food spots, nightlife, etc. So so so friendly. The place was BYOB, a fairly foreign concept coming from a different region of the country, so we did not come prepared. He brought us out some of HIS OWN SAKE from the back and let us enjoy it with our meal. How awesome is that?! He made some suggestions to us on what to order (sushi/sashimi wise) and we followed them accordingly. All the food was spot on. The rolls were all impressive, and the quality of sashimi was very apparent. I am a hard sell with sushi. I have had great sushi all over the country, and this by far is one of my favorite "casual" spots. They have some really impressive house rolls. There is one that stands out in mind that has really thin slices of lime on top of tuna. Unreal. Ask the waiter about it, he will hook you up. Above all of the unique rolls and what not here, the thing that shines the most is the execution of "staple" sushi rolls. For a good spicy tuna, Philadelphia roll, crispy salmon skin, spider roll, anything you can typically think of in sushi, this place has it going on. Ingredients: exceptionally fresh. Rolling style (coming from someone who makes their own sushi): impressive. Very clean and artful rolls. I took a step back, realizing that I had gone to this establishment while riding really high on life vibes. I had just picked my cool apartment in the cool area of the cool city. Maybe it wasn't as wonderful as I had imagined? WRONG! We revisited this place in December on a cold night, six or so months after the first experience. The same waiter served us at the same corner table. Instantly remembered us, asked us about life and subjects we had spoken on. Wow was I impressed. The food was just as great, the service was obviously spot on (thank you server man if you are reading this, we will be in again soon), and this time we brought our own drinks! Go go go go to Kisso. Let it be a cute little date spot to take someone you love. Tell the server that he is admirable, and that reviews have suggested that he is the bomb (because he is), and enjoy your meal.
This place has fresh fish and they get creative but the portions are VERY small and expensive - $20 for 5 pieces of sushi!!! They get fancy with their menu, have very few sushi staple items. Besides this place being BYO I don't have any positive things to say. If you go do try the red snapper carpaccio. I don't think we'll go there again. Fat Salmon is much better and it's just down the street.
(3)
Linda ..
This place is amazing!!!!!! I went there with my finace and we got the kisso maki, another salmon roll (don't remember the name), and my fiance got the vegetarian rolls. It was AMAZING. My fiance normally hates sushi and went this time to be nice, but he loved this place! We will definitely be going back, because in addition to the fantastic food, the environment and the people are fantastic as well. The waiter was so incredibly helpful and nice, and he didn't rush us through the meal at all. In addition, my water was always refilled. I went back again to get takeout a week or two later, and again, the environment was fantastic! Everyone smiles and everyone is so nice, and the food as always was fantastic! This is definitely my go to place and if you ever need sushi, I 100% recommend going to this place!
(5)
Jade V.
Stopped by here for lunch and really loved it. A bit pricey, but they had an excellent selection of dishes and the quality of the fish was excellent. If you haven't tried uni, this would be a good place to grab some! Kisso is definitely a notch above your typical Japanese joint. The prices are reflective of this, but for the quality of food you're getting, it feels reasonable. On their lunch menu is an $18.95 option for a 4 course lunch special, including an appetizer, salad, and two types of sushi. Sushi lovers, rejoice! I guess the only downside is that the location is a tad out of the way. I'd stop by again for dinner.
(4)
Joy Z.
Tl;dr - Expensive, small portions, poor quality. We were very disappointed by Kisso. We came for lunch and the portions were very expensive, nothing on the lunch menu was under $10 and most were at or above $15. Then when the food came we were very surprised at how small the portions were! $30 for about 6 prices of sushi and a full roll between the two of us (along with the miso soup that was included). This would be understandable for a premium sushi restaurant in NYC, but not for this. And the worst part was that the quality wasn't even that good. The rice was grainy, probably undercooked, and the fish was average at best, not super fresh as other reviews have claimed. Perhaps they use the previous day's leftovers for lunch? We should have known what we were in for when we got there at 12:30 and it was basically empty, and we thought about leaving after seeing the prices, but thought that it might be worth it. We were wrong. We will not be returning to Kisso again, and recommend you don't give them your business either. Frankly, they just aren't worth it.
(1)
Carly H.
Kisso is by far the best sushi restaurant in Philadelphia. The authentic and creative cuisine is unbelievable. My boyfriend and I frequent this neighborhood gem often and it is always the highest quality fish and the freshest ingredients.
(5)
Mandi R.
I've been meaning to write a review about Kisso for a while now, and after my dinner there last night I knew it was time to get this done. It is the best sushi I have had in the city and best of all the staff is amazing. They setup my same spot for me at the sushi bar every time I walk in the door and I just love coming here as it is so warm and inviting. The sashimi is so fresh and tastes amazing, Alex the owner does a great job of seemingly choosing the best cuts. Don't expect any freaky rolls with layers of weird sauces and ingredients, Kisso makes your staple sushi rolls right and they taste awesome. I love the Kisso cocktail as a starter and always order sashimi being their fish tastes so great on its own. When in the mood for rolls I love their SST roll and the Mojito roll (this is the one that Kate was referring to below with the thin slice of lime on top). If you are looking for cheaper rolls, check the back of the menu... A couple folks complaining about the prices here may have missed that. Septi is my favorite server there, he is so friendly and fun to talk to! I just LOVE this place and the fact that it is BYOB is a bonus too! They treat people so well here and I can't help but smile as I see them when I walk in the door. And yes, Alex treats 'regulars' real well and they can accommodate special requests! So make sure you make this your special spot in Old City too because rest assured you won't be disappointed unless you are a picky and hard to please person. Kisso is the best! :)
(5)
Michael W.
I went here for lunch with some co-workers. It's a cozy small corner restaurant. The food was excellent. I got the Tuna lovers sushi platter (15 pieces). It was a nice combination of rolls and individual pieces. Some spicy and some plain. It's a fair portion at a fair price. They offer lots of lunch specials. Service was good, quick and no rush. I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Christa F.
Went here for my two year Anniversary with my Boyfriend. I called Beforehand to make reservations and ask if they could do something special to surprise my boyfriend, such as, I quote "put the sushi in the shape of the number 2 because it is our two year anniversary." We arrived and everyone was very accommodating and after ordering and eating our appetizers, the waiter brought out an additional appetizer and said how we asked us to do something special and how the chef wishes you a happy anniversary. In our heads, my boyfriend and I were so happy and impressed after receiving this delicious Appetizer. We ordered 6 rolls of sushi which were mediocre sized and a 7 out of 10. Then the waiter said he wanted to give us dessert on the house. We received Japanese ice cream which was very good. Then we received our bill and it was higher than we estimated. We saw that they charged us for the appetizer which totaled about $20. We were very confused and felt like this was a bait and switch especially after we did not ask for that. We left with a very distasteful mouth and because of this dishonesty we do not recommend it to anyone.
(2)
Julia A.
No spicy mayo. No "Dynamite Roll" and the like. Just super fresh, quality sushi in an unassuming neighborhood spot. I have been coming to Kisso for years, and have brought everyone from parents, to dates, to special out-of-town guests. One of the things I love about Kisso is that it is both consistent and versatile. It can feel like a quick, casual bite or a special occasion spot. The ambiance is warm and inviting, and the servers are sweet and have good energy. Try to become a regular. Once Alex the chef starts to recognize you, he may send out the occasional special treat or off menu item. One time he sent me and my date a brie and pickled plum sushi role that was one of the most unique bites of food I have ever tasted. If you haven't reached "regular" status yet, the SST roll never disappoints.
(5)
Jake L.
Absolutely fantastic sushi. One of my new favorite places. Amazing lunch deals. Get the number one with the snapper carpaccio. It's amazing.
(5)
Ji Yeong Y.
This place is a gem, I have worked many japanese restaurant but couldnt find anyone (owner alex) who has so much passion n love for the food that is presented in this place. Everything is so fresh and every individual dish has its unique flavor. Everything brought out to u is art. U enjoy it with your eyes and ur mouth! Super friendly and attentive staff too! Plus byob! Super nice and calm atmosphere! Cant expect more from this place. Absolutely in love !
(5)
Hana C.
It's nearby for my husband and I so we may be biased, but this BYOB sushi restaurant has always served us excellent sashimi. If you're into Americanized sushi rolls this may not be the place for you. But if you like simple, fresh, and well prepared sashimi this place is just right. And service has always been prompt and sincere. My only complaint is when I want uni it's not always available. But it's a good sign if they're running out of goods and don't have a pile of uni just sitting wasting away. And their affordability as far as sushi goes, thankfully, does not imply a compromise in quality. People, expect to pay more for sushi than most other cuisines. Yeah, if all you're getting are California-esque rolls or Philadelphia-cream cheese-type rolls then fine pay $10 per roll or less...or even better, just go to a sushi buffet--you're wasting your money if that's what you're looking for. But for legitimate sashimi, expect to pay more, and Kisso is by no means overpriced when it comes to this.
(4)
Angel K.
Why don't Philly's restaurant critics review Kisso? My favorites are the traditional sushi/sashimi platter, vegetable maki, and a plate called mix and match (which comes with the most delicate squid and quail egg sushi). Presentation is beautiful, food is top-notch, house-made pickles are the most authentic you will find in the East Coast. I just wish they would work on the decor a little bit more!
(5)
Natalee F.
This is a solid option for sushi in Old City. You can usually walk in and get a table, it's good for groups, and it's BYOB! The waitstaff is very friendly and efficient and the food is well priced. They seem to make the most delicious rice. I don't know what it is about the rice. It's the texture and the sweetness of it. I could probably just eat a bowl of the white rice as a snack. They use the prettiest plates to serve the food on too. It all looks like handmade ceramic art. Get the green tea ice cream if you go. It's just the smoothest taste. It's really mild and creamy and also kind of tastes like chocolate, but not over the top chocolatey.
(4)
Allison E.
Best BYOB for sushi in the city. It is out of the way from where we are located, however, we do try to come here once a month or every other month. The food and service is always solid and the sushi fresh and authentic to traditional serving and plating. It's also worth noting, they do accept credit cards! I would suggest making a reservation on a Friday and Saturday night.
(5)
Jennifer M.
Alex, the owner of Kisso, has been at this location before Old City was a desirable place to live. He brings passion, clear knowledge and creativity in his sushi and sashimi presentations. Kisso has been and continues to create an authentic experience. Reviews and restaurants come and go, but the real test is time. Kisso has more than passed this litmus test. The fish are undoubtably fresh, so bring a good mineral Riesling or your favorite sake to pair with the delicious rolls and beautiful mixed fresh seaweed. You won't be disappointed in the welcoming atmosphere, the genial owner or the quality.
(5)
Bella H.
I went with a co-worker for lunch. The price weren't too bad, but we got the lunch specials. It came with miso soup. The service was wonderful, quick and courteous. The sushi was great and really fresh. The environment was very laid back. A great find in old city. Overall, highly recommend.
(5)
LISA N.
My friend Mike has been going here for a while and it was nice that they were able to squeeze 2 tables together. I felt so bad the workers said yes to him, but then made this poor couple get off their seats and move to another table, even when they had food on their table. The sashimi was pretty good and fresh, the ginger dressing for their salad was mmm. Oh and byob. no corkage fee. whattttt...
(3)
Jennifer T.
Ehhhh... That's all I can really say about the sushi at Kisso. The sushi rolls are pretty small and sashimi portions were on the small side as well. Our toro was grisly and not "melt-in-your-mouth" like I expected. Everything tasted ok, but I don't know that I will go back.
(3)
Alli H.
Boyfriend and I went here around 6pm last Saturday for dinner. The first thing I noticed was that they only had three of the tables set and the rest were empty, so I guess they weren't expecting a big crowd for Saturday dinner (and rightfully so, because we were the only ones there for the entire duration of our 30 minute meal). The second thing I noticed was how disgusting the carpet was. The carpet was originally a neutral beige color I think, but it was COVERED in large black stains. It was absolutely shocking how dirty it was. You don't want to see dirty anything when you are sitting down at a restaurant, and this filthy carpet got me feeling pretty nervous about how sanitary and safe the food would be. So we ordered sushi (it's made at the sushi bar where you can see what's going on, not back in the kitchen). I got two rolls - a veggie roll and a shitake mushroom roll. The veggie roll was nice and tasted fresh (I'd give it a B+). The mushroom roll was just okay- not very flavorful, and the mushrooms were oily- I'd give that roll a C-. The service was very friendly and attentive, but the food wasn't stellar and I just couldn't get beyond that dirty floor.
(2)
Matt C.
My girlfriend and I went to Kisso last night for our first time. We frequent sushi restaurants wherever we go and Kisso was one of the better experiences. The ambiance is simple and fairly warn but I appreciate this because the owner and staff clearly focus on food quality and service. We ordered a miso soup, seaweed salad, a special roll and the I love sushi platter. We misunderstood the menu and ordered an authentic seaweed salad instead of the typical marinated seaweed salad that we're used too. The chef sensed this and replaced our dish free of charge. The fish was fresh, the flavors were delightful and the staff (Septien and Brian) were fun to chat with. Check this place out. Cheers
(5)
Ash S.
Kisso always has fresh fish and delicious rolls plus it's BYO. What's not to like. Just a point - the spicy tuna here is actual tuna tossed in spicy sauce not a mayonnaise mush that I've seen at other places. I think that speaks to the quality of the sushi here. I've never had anything bad here and I've eaten here a lot. I basically don't eat sushi anywhere else in the city. Go! You won't be disappointed.
(4)
Andy J.
Great sushi at reasonable prices. We live a few blocks away, and we've been coming back for 5 years. Staff knows us and treats us well, even after extended periods of absence. I always recommend it to friends.
(5)
Imani W.
If you want a California or spider roll and are not a sushi connoisseur, you'll be disappointed. If you crave fresh, imaginative sushi & sashimi, you'll love it here.
(4)
Jon W.
We went again the other night. Same special place - except they now have a Jiro Dreams of Sushi poster proudly displayed at the entrance - the best. Alex & co. do fantastic work.
(5)
Chany I.
Tried this place out of the blue because it was one of the few BYOBs on Yelp that was suggested for sushi. I have to say, for a small little place, it definitely seems like a nice place to just try out. I stopped by just for a quick stop for dinner with a friend for a small talk with some wine and it was better than I had expected. Unfortunately, I only ordered the "Unaju" (or Unadon, one of my favorite dishes ever) for dinner and it was very filling. However, it was a bit small than what I was used to at other Japanese resturants, but still very good. Unfortunately, my friend didn't really order anything but she really liked the atmosphere. I felt a bit bad coming in at a little after 9pm when I knew they closed at 10 so I tried to rush myself a bit (I'm a server at another Japanese place and I know how it feels) to be out before then. I ended up leaving a little after 10pm, even though we weren't the last ones there (another couple arrived there before us and still were there after we left). I would say the staff were probably used to it and didn't mind our late arrival. They were actually really nice to us too! I would definitely come back for lunch though since it's in the area from me (for now). I wouldn't be so sure about recommending for larger parties since it seems so small of place but I do recommend it for dates and such; it's a very nice, intimate environment. I just wish it wasn't in such a little area where not so many people would seem to drop by for lunch/ dinner. I definitely didn't think I would stumble upon it suddenly. Also, the wait staff and workers seemed so nice and cute too! ;) Would definitely come back, maybe for lunch since there are specials that I saw on the menu!
(4)
Witat F.
Friendly atmosphere. Great sushi and sashimi. Good quality fish with impressive cooking technique. Seared sashimi gives you extra dimension of the fish. Try mix and match sushi platter. Their combinations in each bite is very well executed.
No matter what, always get the specials. Boldly and with much hurrah. They have mastered classic & traditional sushi (would love to see some ozhisushi) but they also have an impressive selection of fun specials. Impressive in its rotation, not immediate availability. I insist, even with five stars, this is underrated. Hooray sushi. Right? Yes.
(5)
Danny N.
Try music box it is a baked crab roll which is awesome.
(5)
Ann V.
Friendly staff, but terrible food. Miso soup was extremely salty. I love salt. I love things that are high in sodium but this was almost to the point of inedible. Killer Maki and SST Maki had no flavor and was actually just very boring. I think i'll have to pass on this spot since there are so many other great sushi spots in the city such as Uzu, Makiman, Umai Umai, etc...
(2)
Christian F.
I am not even sure I can truly write a review on the food. We had a birthday party of 10 and let them make the dishes themselves, as in their choice. We only received rolls, 6 platters of about 20 pieces, 2 bowels of edimame, one small side of baby octopus. It wasn't my party so I didn't question the check, but in looking at the menu and the most expensive I could come up with was 350 with tip. This is a BYOB. No drinks involved. It was 520 DOLLARS including tip. Are you kidding me. We never even got sushi. All specialty rolls. That is a joke for anyone who knows sushi. I personally think they took advantage of a group that was out celebrating. That and it looks like they haven't cleaned or replaced the chairs in 10 years. Would never ever go again!
(1)
Rosita N.
SIT AT THE BAR! We sat at a table at first and when the restaurant cleared out, we moved to the bar. I love sitting at the bar and watching the sushi chef in action. We got to meet the owner/main chef and even drank with him after closing. This is one of those hidden places in philly that i probably wouldn't have gone to unless someone suggest it to me. Laid back atmosphere. Servers were good, i like places where everyone works together and are not given sections. Then again, the place had 6 tables, i think. But they worked well together and didn't make faces when customers complained. They didn't ask question even when dishes were sent back at the table next to me. I went with my husband and a friend. My friend likes things her way, might not be the right way but will let you know how she likes it. The waiter was getting annoyed but still kept her poise. On to the food. Might sound and look disgusting but the side dish of Spicy Octopus was done right. my husband has been ordering this dish at every korean/japanese restaurant we have been to and this is the only place I can eat it. Only a few pieces though, octopus is not my thing. Miso soup was the only other thing we ordered. I'm not a fan of Miso soup, but it was a chilly night. The soup was very flavorful with the clams. Usually Miso soup is bland with a few chunks of tofu and pieces of seaweed floating around. The Main Course, we just asked to the chef to send out what he feels like making and when we are full, we tell him to stop. This is how i usually eat at sushi places that are not a chain. Presentation definitely was great. Sashimi was fresh. Sauces perfect. If the dish came out with its own sauce, you should not dip it in soy with wasabi. Uni is sea urchin and looks like uncooked brain, not crazy about the texture but this is the first place I actually can swallow it. Jalapeno sashimi dish was good but I like the seeds left on, most places clean the seeds off so that it wont be so spicy. Yellowtail with a pickled salad, yummy. White Tuna, my hubbie's fav was only good enough, not the best he had. The Must Eat at Kisso...Kisso Coctail!!!!! Taste like a Mojito Sushi.
(5)
Steve E.
Sushi was half decent. Can tell they had fresh, quality ingredients. But the overall presentation and taste was just ok, nothing spectacular or amazing. I'm not expecting a fancy dragon shape or special design, but at least make a better attempt... Restaurant had a very simple decor, somewhat lacking in originality. Menu pages were very worn and need a refresh. I think they were used too much and needed to be changed out. Service was acceptable. Very friendly and accommodating. Waitress ran down the street to return our wine bottle holder! The service was the best thing about the restaurant. Would definitely go back for that... I wish other restaurants in Philly had the same service.
(3)
Kristen L.
A few Sundays ago my boyfriend and I were originally planning to go to Kio since I was having a sushi craving. However, Kio is closed on Sundays so we ended up at Kisso since that was the closed place from Kio my google maps could find. This place was just ok for me. The service was very slow. It took awhile for someone to seat us. It was rather small inside with not alot of seating. The carpet on the floor was an absolute disaster and had stains all over it. My boyfriend sat in his chair and thought he almost broke it. It took a long time for someone to actually wait on us and when we ordered our sushi the wait was rather long as well. For dinner, my boyfriend got a miso soup and I got a house salad as well as 4 different rolls. The salad was a descent size which I was happy about because I felt it was rather expensive but got it because I love the ginger dressing on these types of salads and wasn't sure if our sushi order would be enough. The miso soup was good but I'm not sure if that can really be screwed up. I did not feel that the sushi menu had alot of options because I trouble finding four rolls for my boyfriend and I to share. I also felt the place was rather expensive for the atmosphere that it protrayed. My favorite part about this place was that it was a BYOB! I won't recommend this place to a friend unless they were in a bind to satisfy a sushi craving. I do not plan to go back.
(2)
Will H.
This place has seemingly very fresh fish. I got one of their lunch specials which comes with miso soup. The California roll was very small. It was probably about half as large in diameter, plus about half as long (they cut it up and put the pieces on the plate face-up) as expected. I have actually never had a roll that was so small before. Cuts of fish on top of rice were large, which almost made up the difference. Wait time was a little long for being the only person in the restaurant. The place smelled like old soy sauce due to their old tables and place mats. They need to clean the restaurant a little. I would probably try a few other sushi places before going here again.
(4)
Heesun K.
NOT GOOD. Udon - too sweet, except I really liked that they put in fried tofu skin + (fake) crab meat + delicious mushroom. Mix and match sushi platter - TINY. DRY. OVERCOOKED piece of fish (don't remember which piece it was). Sushi rice was not sticky enough to hold the rice together when I picked them up. Dynamite roll (one of their specials) - I was so excited that the pieces were big. STILL FAIL... 80% of the space was filled with vegi and tiny pieces of fish inside. Overall, flavors were OK. The texture and the sizes were not pleasing at all. We ended up coming home and eating instant noodles..... I am sorry but I'd probably never come back...or even recommend this place to anyone.
(1)
Alexandra T.
I was surprised by all of the great reviews of this place. I was not impressed, with anything that I had. As one other reviewer mentioned, the miso soup was very salty, and there was some odd flavor in it as well, almost lemony. The seaweed salad was soaked in vinegar and we did not finish it. I ordered a special Dynamite Roll which was ok, not great, but do-able. My sister ordered the SST roll which had an overpowering ginger taste; not good at all. The staff was very friendly and attentive, but with a $60 bill for three people to not enjoy their food in the least, I will not be back here again. My quest to find my new sushi spot in Philadelphia continues
(2)
Ryan B.
May have just found the best sushi in Philly. Just went here with my (insert Groupon knockoff site here) and boy am I glad I did. This place knocked my socks off! All of the sushi was SO fresh and noticeably of very high quality. As some reviews stated the rolls weren't the largest I've had but they weren't packed with rice either(that's a good thing). You can equate it to shopping for a diamond you can either go for quantity or clarity and if I'm sticking to this analogy this sushi was crystal clear with 0% imperfections. The staff was super friendly and very accommodating. I'm glad I found this diamond in the ruff and will definitely be coming back soon. Oh yea, I ordered the Mix & Match combo Kisso style which included 3 pieces of spicy tuna (amazing, not loaded with spicy mayo, just fresh tuna and some kind of spice with the right amount of kick), some squid with quail egg (I'm not a huge raw squid fan but I actually enjoyed this #quail egg), spicy tuna on a mint leaf inside of that fried tofu stuff (EXCELLENT), a yellowtail scallion piled high not rolled (also great) and some other stuff that was also awesome. BTW I am comparing this place to my usual go to's like Makiman, Raw and Fuji Mountain. Keep up the good work guys I'll be back soon.
(5)
Sally f.
Not too impressed. rolls are tiny and expensive. Tasted ok. nothing to make me go back. Sorry Kisso, but Old city Asian bistro is right down the street and they charge less, taste better and put in more fish....
(3)
Karen F.
Well, my husband & I finally tried this place - we've driven by a bunch of times but never went. And we would consider returning (although Shiroi Hana is more convenient for us - and lately I've been really into Vic's.) The place was nearly empty at 5:30 on a Friday. The hostess asked if we had a reservation and we told her that we did not. She made a negative face so I asked her if that was a problem (The place was empty except for one male couple lingering - and they were there before we got there AND after we left.). She said no and seated us. I stopped by the sushi bar to bow to the chef and take a peek at the fish. Looked good. Chef recommended the Red Snapper and O-Toro. We started with an order ($3.00) of Pork Wasabi Shumai. - 2 large shumai. Tasty and very wasabi-ish. My husband ordered a bowl of udon (very tasty dashi broth) a spicy tuna roll which he loved, and a negi-hamachi roll which was just OK. I got a special roll (Jay roll?) with rice "pops" on it - good but I did not care for the spicye-level of the tuna filling. It was too hot for me. (And I had asked for it mild.) I bet if you are a spicy lover you'd like the rolls here. Tuna was fresh - but not the yellowtail. Also my $6.00 piece of O-Toro was gristley and GROSS. What a shame. Toro should be a mouth-gasm and this was not. The best sushi I got was the Inari stuffed with chopped tuna (spicy tuna - this time WAS made mild) and garnished with chunks of avocado and a few pine nuts. The pine nuts really made it so special. I would DEFINITELY get that again. For dessert we had the green-tea icecrem filled mochi which was very good. Oh - and they do NOT make their own tamago - it's frozen - so we did not order any.
(4)
Ricki S.
This is the perfect little out of the way sushi joint. Completely unpretentious. Wait staff is lovely.
(4)
Mike L.
Chill place - Nice staff and fresh fish. What else do are you looking for in a sushi jawn??
(5)
Ami O.
The best sushi place in old city. Kevin maki, jay roll, sst maki, miso soup, it's all fantastic!
(5)
C K.
This place is really great for sushi! I haven't eaten there that much so I can't give it 5 stars yet, but I liked the sushi here better than at morimoto. I have had the sushi roll combo platter a few times now, and each time it is just as good as the first. The prices aren't cheap but they aren't bad either... but so far this is the best sushi I've had in philly. Can't wait to actually take advantage of the BYOB and try even more stuff here! Recommendation: A VERY safe bet for good sushi!
(4)
Christopher B.
Overall, this is a very nice restaurant with solid sushi and friendly staff. I visited for dinner early on a Saturday night and it was not busy at all. I had the appetizer special which was a couple of pork shumai that were explained as "very spicy". They were tasty and had some little pockets of hot spice, but nothing crazy. I was craving tuna, so for my entree I had the tekka don, which for those who don't know is simply raw tuna slices on a bowl of rice. There were maybe 8-10 pieces of maguro and two pieces of toro (they didn't specify it as either chu-toro or o-toro). The maguro was excellent and fresh. The toro was just okay. A bit stringy. And the rice was about the same as I've had in other area sushi restaurants. For dessert, I had the green tea ice cream, which was good but was only lightly flavored with green tea. I would definitely eat here again to try out some of the specialty rolls.
(4)
Rachel B.
This place had really good sushi! Much better than a lot of the other sushi places I've been to in Philly and its BYOB which makes its way better than Fat Salmon! But, I cant give it 4 or 5 stars because the service was SO slow! We sat down, had our wine opened and then waited for over 25 minutes before the waitress even came back to see if we wanted a water or anything else. We ordered and it seemed to take for-ev-er to get our food. For 3 people we were there for almost 2 hours! They were nice enough though. There were a lot of people waiting so you definitely need to make a reservation! I would go here again, if I made a reservation.
(3)
Max K.
I've been eating here for years. I'm amazed someone found a Saturday without a crowd. I love all the negative reviews. I would hate for this hidden jewel to become too popular. The sushi and sashimi are outstanding. The portions are small, as they should be. As they are in Japan. While I must say I never noticed the carpet, I think that the worn out tables add to the experience. I also love that they play Jazz instead of some hokey Americanized music from Japan.
(5)
heidi h.
This is my very favorite place to have sushi. They spoil me rotten. I can not go anywhere else now. Or, if I do, I am always disappointed. Alex and Andy are so wonderful! The edible art is second to none and the fact that I can bring my own delicious wine is even better!!! Sit at the sushi bar and chat with Alex and Andy if you can!!
(5)
jennifer F.
Kisso, you never let me down. You have been open for years and still have the same Miles Davis CD in rotation, Kind of Blue, but I never feel blue when I visit you. I love their sushi sampler and eel and avocado roll. Kampyo roll is also amazing. Their sushi is consistently fresh and they have great udon soup (it comes with this seasoning and it's yum) and green tea ice cream. The sushi is small but satisfying. If you're used to giant rolls with a lot of rice, you will not find that here. It's a BYOB and can be quite crowded on some weekend nights so make a reservation if possible. Things not to order 1) the quail egg, for some reason preparing a quail egg can take anywhere from 30-45 minutes. I'm not sure what goes into the preparation but I have no desire to find out. I also can't say that I ordered it or even tasted it but it did take forever for my dining partner to get their quail eggs. Other than that, everything is good.
(4)
Rebecca B.
I wish this place was better, since I live so close to it. Decent sushi but nothing to write home about, dumplings were disappointing. Too expensive for being just so-so.
(2)
Katie L.
Had an amazing meal here. Listen for the specials - they are definitely worth trying. Wait staff is friendly and attentive, but they don't hover, which I love. BYOB is always a plus. Had soup & an appetizer special, plus several maki. Will definitely visit again very soon.
(5)
Chuck P.
I've been driving by this place for years and finally tried it. It's the best sushi I've had in Philadelphia. Great service and really creative and fresh sushi. The server did a great job describing the specials and the sushi bar made up a fantastic chirashi with a great mix of fish. It's definitely my new go-to spot for sushi.
(5)
Michael B.
It must be the best sushi on the east side of town. I've been going every Sunday for the past 5 weeks. The food is always top quality, cleverly prepared, and simple. It also doesn't hurt that the service is great. The last time I was there, a larger group (7 people) was dining with their children. The kids were too loud, playing with daddy's cell phone, and causing a general commotion. Kisso made a special attempt to make up for the interruptions by giving us extra food and generous portions. It was nice. I also like Koi in Northern Liberties - but they are not open on Sundays.
(5)
Craig C.
My wife and I recently went to Kisso prior to attending the Cirque Du Soliel show in Camden. I love this little BYOB, and plan to go back soon. The music box appetizer was phenomenal, and the S.S.T. Maki was very very good. The staff were very friendly. We shared our Riesling with our server and he was most gracious.
(5)
Kait B.
Kisso is definitely the best sushi restaurant in the tri-state area. More of an art, than food, Kisso has forever changed my views on sushi as a food. The freshness of the fish combined with the uniqueness of the menu makes it an unforgettable and almost indescribable. The service also trumps almost all other sushi restaurants in the area. The only comparable sushi restaurant is Fuji Mountain, but you will see a much more relaxed ambiance and and a home-style feel at Kisso. Overall it is definitely a must see on the corner of 4th and Race.
(5)
Devon R.
The minimalistic decor might lead you to believe that this is a down-to-earth, friendly yet upscale sushi restaurant. The kind that isn't showy of the fact that they have quality sushi that is made well. Looks can be deceiving. I will admit that I had a good feeling about Kisso when I first sat down. We ordered miso soup, seaweed salad, and a sushi platter to split between two people. After taking our order, the server went in the back and came out moments later to tell us that the sushi platter is "just for one person." I know what I ordered, thank you very much. Bad move on his part. The servers and the sushi chef unceremoniously spent the rest of our meal talking about us within earshot. I would have forgiven them if the sushi was any good. While presented very well, the fish was absolutely tasteless, and the rice cold and hard. Sushi that looked appetizing enough fell apart in my chopsticks. I would have preferred mall sushi. It's easier to eat. The miso soup was good, the rest of the meal felt like it never happened. I felt like I spent $30 on a bowl of soup.
(1)
Alex T.
Best sushi creations! Don't forget to bring a bottle of saki and share with the chefs.
(5)
Jessica B.
Seriously good veggie sushi. Best I ever had. It's kind of like, really this place is here? Seems like a random location. But when you finally find it, it's good. Sensitivity Scale = +5
(4)
Frank M.
Best, freshest sushi in the city and a close 2nd (Sagami) for best in area.
(5)
Seoul S.
TREMENDOUS SUSHI EXPERIENCE. Went last Friday and sat at the sushi bar. The staff was attentive, respectful and worked together like a choreographed "i got your back" show.. The Sushi Chef's created some beautiful works of art. I've been to many Sushi places and like it when the Sushi Chef just plates all different kinds, some not on the menu... They were spot on. Definitely recommend here and we found off street parking on 4th between vine and race.
(5)
V T.
Went here with a groupon (or living social coupon, can't remember). sushi was great, very fresh. miso soup was way too salty. Quiet ambiance, maybe 2 couples there when I came in for dinner. General waitstaff was nice, but when we tried to redeem our coupon over my phone app, the staff suggested that I run out to Kinkos and print out the coupon (it was 8:30pm on a weeknight). The owner of the restaurant comes over and proceeds to tell me and my dinner date that we weren't obeying the rules of our coupon, and that we are making their salesperson look bad because we're not listening to the rules. He goes downstairs and pulled out a stack of printed out coupons that other customers listened to the rules, why not us? We were not in the wrong, because we are allowed to redeem our coupon through the app. When I gave up trying to use the coupon and started to put money down, the owner looks at my male dinner date and asks why he is not offering money for the bill! I am not kidding you, all of this happened. We ended up paying the bill without use of the coupon, and absolutely declined our voucher when we come back with a printed coupon (amount of gas to drive home and back to give the printout was not worth it). I had to call the company to get the coupon refunded back to me. So overall, sushi was great -- but do take out. Owner is off his rocker.
(2)
A N.
My husband and I loved this place. We ate the sampler platter which featured a variety of sashimi, sushi, and a fancier version of a California roll. the sashimi and sushi was really fresh, tasted wonderful, and there was plenty to share.
(5)
Allison L.
A place that has seen better days. The decor was falling apart, stained carpets and menus that were ripped. Very friendly staff and rolls were more spicy than expected.
(2)
Betty M.
Pros: It's fairly fresh Cons: Slow, Expensive and VERY small portions Thoughts: Saw this restaurant on our way home and decided to stop in for some food. We ordered Chirashi and Hamachi Kama. The Chirashi came in a big bowl, but it was not even half full. The Hamachi was a pretty bare piece - seemed like it was only bone. The prices were a little expensive for what was served, since it was such small portions. I would go here if I'm in the neighborhood, but there are better sushi joints to be had.
(2)
Nadia S.
Plain and simple...loved it! The sushi & maki were great! Service was wonderfully pleasant; my friends were given a "101 Sushi" lesson as our server put it. The place closes at 10 and we got here at 9:30 after a great workout... hungry. Orders came out fairly quick, not a fan of their miso (too much seaweed...salty) but everything else was fabulous. Of course the 5 stars came after the sushi chef delivered a giant salmon tataki roll for us to try! Yes, I will be going back, best sushi I have had in Philly so far. I will be going back!
(5)
Hunter F.
I will not pretend to comprehend Japanese culture any more than the next guy, but when it comes down to what seems to be traditional and what seems to be gimmicky, Kisso is the most traditional sushi restaurant in the city. You do not find bizarre, American sauces like "Southwest" or "Barbeque" like you do at other sushi establishments in the city. You find a traditional repetoire accompanied by several exquisite and elegant appetizers. My personal suggestions are the eel appetizer, the red snapper carpaccio and the green tea ice cream following your meal. You can also get any entree, and then for an additional $2 get miso soup and a side salad with a delicious ginger dressing. Sadly, it is slightly off the flow of pedestrian traffic, and there are usually many open tables. But don't let that throw you. Try it out.
(4)
Abigail E.
My husband and I frequent Kisso and it is 5 stars everytime. Every roll and piece of sushi is artfully done with quality ingredients and a high degree of talent. The staff are friendly and attentive and are very helpful. We have tried a number of sushi restaurants in Philadelphia and this is, by far, our favorite one. We work in the restaurant industry, myself in the front and my husband in the kitchen, and we always have experienced high quality seafood here and creativity with flavors that you might not see elsewhere. Keep in mind that this restaurant is a BYOB and it's not a huge place. It's a small, quiet, friendly place to go for a great experience and great food. Enjoy!
(5)
Jill K.
We walked here last night from the Ritz East. Since it's a BYOB, we stopped along the way to grab some beer. As soon as we were seated, our server took our drinks and place them in the fridge. Nobody likes warm beer! Our server was super friendly, helpful and attentive to our needs. We ordered 4 special rolls and I had a miso soup. My soup arrived very quickly and was hot and delicious. Unfortunately, it was the only delicious part of the meal. I really, really love sushi, so for me to give it a bad review makes me sad, but bad is bad. The four "special" rolls we ordered were the size of what you normally get at 1/2 price sushi places. The rolls all lacked any taste and one was so dry I could barely chew it. I had to drink several swallows of beer to get it down. I would say the best of the four was the Mojito Roll and that was only because it had some flavor from the thin slices of lime that topped the roll. I have a hard time believing this is the best sushi Philadelphia has to offer. To wrap it up....Cute restaurant, quick & friendly service, blah sushi :o(
(2)
Alix H.
I do love sushi but up until now I was feeling a little unsure about the availability of yummy but reasonably priced sushi here in Philly. Kisso is pretty dang good in my opinion. The rolls were fresh and tasty and not too small. I felt like I was getting a fair deal here. The waitress helped us order a sort of "surprise me" meal on a budget, and she was honest and awesome. The restaurant itself is clean and open and friendly. I am excited to come back!
(4)
Avery K.
Although the interior space leaves something to be desired, the food is excellent. The sushi is always fresh and the flavors clean and delicious. It is often not too crowded and therefore I like to think of it as an undiscovered gem! The service is fast and while the servers are somewhat reserved and quiet, they are pleasant and attentive. It is a great spot for a low-key evening.
(4)
Caity T.
I should start off by saying that when they put our six pack of Yards into a Veuve Cliquot bucket I knew I was going to like this place. The sushi was fresh and the platters were reasonably priced. If you plan on just ordering rolls and sashimi a la carte it can get expensive quickly... Two orders of white tuna sashimi came out to just over $17. It was nice and cozy inside, though, very welcoming. Nothing too surprising on the menu- not many crazy or inventive choices- but for good, fresh sushi I would definitely recommend Kisso.
(4)
Ilana D.
Kisso is my go-to for great sushi and a reasonable price that's not too far of a trek for me (they also do pickup if you'd rather eat at home). Their mojito roll is to die for and all their rolls are fresh and not overly done with sauces and spices, which is nice. It's a BYO but I've yet to remember to bring a bottle of wine with me when I go. I have definitely seen groups of people there with wine having a lovely time. Their green tea ice cream is also delicious.
(4)
Marcus S.
Delicious, fresh sashimi. Nice selection. Very fair price. I had a noodle wasabi ginger salad as an appetizer. Wonderful. Service is fast and attentive. Atmosphere is quiet and serene. Highly recommended.
(4)
E B.
Forget all the others, this is the BEST sushi place in Philadelphia hands down. Very fresh fish, lots of unique menu items. Great service, very friendly employees. I love this restaurant and recommend it to everyone I know. FYI it is BYOB.
(5)
B B.
Yeah, I saw the contrasting reviews of this place before I ordered and hoped for the best, while I expected the worst. Based on my lone take out order, I will not be ordering again.
(2)
Larissa B.
I loved this byob sushi spot. Great food and helpful service, and according to my sis, the best veggie sushi she's ever had! My non- veggie sushi was equally fab!
(5)
Kimberly H.
Hands down best Japanese/sushi BYO in the city. Great prices on GREAT quality sushi--the yummiest unagi. Definitely try their specials maki. These are really great "limited time only rolls", that are just really yummy. I also recommend trying the real crab rolls--so sweet, but a bit pricey if you eat your whole meal that way. Great table service and the manager usually comes around to say hi to people during the night, too.
(5)
Melissa M.
This is some of the best sushi I've had, and far better than most places that charge similar prices! I had the Kisso sashimi, and was completely impressed. The fish was amazingly fresh and beautifully sliced and presented. The oshinko tasted like they were just prepared. The rolls we ordered were perfectly proportioned, with just enough rice to encircle. This is not all-you-can eat; if you're into huge rice-covered rolls, these may seem dainty, but if you love the fish, Kisso should not be missed. We went ~6 on a Tuesday, and the place was only about 1/3 full. I got the impression that the service is intentionally 'paced,' rather than being slow (as some other yelpers have mentioned) because the waiters were very attentive and it was easy to make eye contact when we wanted something, but they never came over to the table as soon as we'd cleared a plate. Rather, we enjoyed a leisurely meal. If you're in a hurry or prefer prompt service, I'm sure they would accommodate you if you mention so. Note to parents: We brought our almost-three year old, and had a fine meal. This is not a place for a screamer or a loud talker, but don't be afraid to bring a kiddo who behaves well. The waiters were super nice to her, brought us tea cooled to just the right temperature, and the chef sweetly sent over some tobiko-covered rice balls that she loved.
(5)
Michele H.
I'm a huge fan of Sagami in Collingswood but was excited to try Kisso. The Sushi was OK. I still like Sagami better. It really lacks atmosphere - I don't mind the minimalist decor however they could warm it up with some low lighting & candlelight.
(3)
Everett R.
My first night in Philly, an old college buddy and I got a 6 pack and went to this sushi bar to catch up on life. Took them a while to bring out the food because it was pretty crowded, but they gave us complimentary edamame which pacified us. We ordered a selection of rolls, which were really quality and did a quality job of filling our bellies. Also like the casual atmosphere - so far my #1 sushi choice in philly.
(4)
Jessica S.
It was delicious. Its a cute neighborhood BYOB. When I went it was pretty busy but there was no wait for tables. I only took away 1 star because the decor could be a little better. I'll be back. .
(4)
Caitlin C.
The food here is great - but the environment and actual restaurant - - not so much. I wouldn't come here on a date, or take someone here you are trying to impress. The interior is open, unfinished-looking and sparse. The actual sushi bar is the same. The sushi, however, was really good. So just call for take out. And definitely try the Caterpillar roll - it's their best.
(3)
Jake P.
I'm not a sushi expert, nor will I ever try/want/claim/imposter to be. After trying a few other places in and around the city, I liked this one best. You'd better really like your company though, because it is very sparse inside, and feels more of a business lunch spot than a place where you want to unwind after a long day. Plus, it's a BYOB, and unless you've got a really amazing snow, rain, or hankering for drinking, I couldn't really feel drinking here. The selections are limited. But the sushi, salads, and the rest of it are all good. I can't see myself ever returning... but if I knew somebody wanted sushi, and they weren't somebody I was trying to go to the wire for, Kisso it is.
(3)
G. W.
We went for my birthday, because Mikado was closed. Many people have recommended that I try Kisso, knowing my love for all things sushi, and I have even had it on my list of "must try" since the day I noticed it. It's not special, but good enough. Note, staff and service are nice enough.
(3)
Dayna T.
Melt in your mouth tasty sushi. I really liked the slightly warm temperature of the rolls, freshness of the fish and the perfection of the rice (soft and not stiff). I got the dynamite roll(soft shell crab), spicy tuna w/avocado and shrimp tempura/salmon roll. All pretty classic combinations done very well with special attention paid to contrasting textures and flavors. It wasn't quite enough for 2 people so we also shared a seaweed salad and the shumai (special). The shumai were made with fresh pasta and were nice and puffy. The server warned us that they were very, very hot which only made me want them more. They weren't pepper hot though, more like intense horseradish blasting through your sinuses hot. Kisso is a quality sushi restaurant. It will not razzle dazzle you but you will leave very satisfied with the food and the price is reasonable.
(4)
Terry C.
I would give this place 5 stars if they had moche on a regular basis... It's my favorite traditional Japanese ice cream dish. The food is excellent! Some of the best maki and shashimi in the city. It's a little pricey, but you're paying for quality fish! The staff and the sushi chef are wonderful, friendly, and very graceous! It's wonderful, except for the lack of moche...
(4)
a r.
Yummy sushi - terrible seaweed salad! Green tea ice cream is okay, not a fan of the texture, not very creamy, rather gritty, very intense flavor. Selection is not not very exciting, very standard, even if you order the 'special' roll. Would order sushi from here again though.
(3)
pearl l.
tucked away in old city, lies this cute sushi place owned by koreans. yes, sushi prepared by koreans. (i only know this because my best friend knows the owners and she is korean, so..) the restaurant has a bar for people who wanna eat by their lonesome, but there is seating, limited seating. not a lot of tables. and you are quite close to other tables. the decor is minimal. the bathroom clean. the staff is wicked cute and smiley! the miso soup was quite delicious. they don't make veggie tempura. boo!!! the rice and roasted salted seaweed was good. the rice had a sweet flavor which was complemented by the salted seaweed. my tuna roll was ok. for dessert, there is only 3 desserts to choose from. boo again! i ordered the sampler dessert platter. it had two chiclet pieces of jello (not the bill cosby jello, but the asian version), 2 pieces of mochi, strawberry flavor (other choice is green tea) and a little cake/cookie sized jelly filled pastry. i felt like a giant eating because the dessert was so small! the service here is quick and polite. we had the chef customize one of our orders and that was nice of him. if you wanna feel like godzilla attacking little sushi and little dessert people, which is what i do with miniature food, definitely stop by here!
(3)
Z J.
I haven't been in a couple of years but in the late 90s early 2000s this was my absolute favorite sushi spot. The restaurant is tiny so make sure you have a reservation if you need more than a table for two.
(4)
Tom Q.
This is a weird place. The food is delicious, bu there is not a lot of seating and people seem to sit around forever leading to long waits. The sushi is good and the service is fantastic, it's not cheap by any stretch of the imagination, but decent sushi never seems to be. It's got a great location and a subdued decor, I imagine it's a great first or second date place.
(4)
P L.
Portions are small so it can get pretty expensive if you're trying to get full. If you're judging just on the quality and freshness of the fish and the other dishes, Kisso is the best sushi in the city, hands down.
(5)
LL G.
While the decor could use some freshening up, the food is excellent, and consistently so. And the prices are amazing - $18 for a large bowl of warm seasoned rice covered with about 20 pieces of sashimi (about 7 or 8 different varieties of fish and shellfish, with eel). Kisso serves its fish on the warm side, but it is super fresh and beautifully cut so the fish just melts in your mouth. Very laid back ambiance and attentive service, very nice people. I worry that Kisso gets overlooked because it's off the beaten path - please go, it's worth the trip.
(5)
Lesley V.
This is the best sushi I have had so far in Philadelphia. Always fresh fresh fresh and did I mention it is a BYOB? :) Staff is very friendly. There have been several nights during the week when my husband and I were the only patrons....the weekends get crowded.
(5)
kara p.
so i haven't here in a few years, so i don't know if Kisso has changed at all since then. but within a year i ate there 3 times. all 3 times i got some variation of veggie sushi. all 3 times were decent, nothing outrageous, but decent. when i went with larger groups including people that got lots of different fish sushi they all seemed impressed. at the time i had not been to many upscale sushi bars, so i remember thinking it was very impressive as well. but after living in CA and being a total sushi whore out there, i doubt i would be as impressed with Kisso now. however i remember the staff being nice and the food arriving quickly. i also like the decor of Kisso, very simple with lots of open windows. i believe that they are BYOB, however i know for a fact if you spend over a certain amount of money there they bring out the sake for you.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Brant O.
A little expensive, but very good.
(4)Laura S.
This place is a gem! I have celiac disease so it is often difficult to find Japanese and or sushi places that are aware of gluten issues. Kisso has friendly staff that are always willing to answer questions. They use rice vinegar in their sushi rolls which is great for those who are gluten free. They do take their time in preparing the sushi so if you are in a rush this may not be the place for you, but their food is worth the wait. It is absolutely delicious and it always tastes fresh. I highly recommend the spicy salmon, scallop and tuna. The alaskan maki is also incredibly delicious.
(5)Michael T.
Good sushi, pleasant staff, excellent wasabi. Why the 3 stars? Turnaround time is a bit slow. Presentation of the sushi lacked a 'wow' factor however the fish made up for it because they were fresh. Rice was on point as it did not break off easily when dipped in soy sauce. Cost of the sushi and nigiri played a roll as well (pun intended). It was a bit pricey in my opinion. Overall, this is a nice small sushi restaurant to hang out with friends but if you're looking for fast service or something fulfilling to eat, prepare to order more sushi and wait or look elsewhere.
(3)Roshni B.
My boyfriend and I LOVE this place! He lives two blocks down from it and I'm so glad it's convenient to get here because we come here anytime we're craving sushi...which is often! We even came three weeks in a row because we just needed to have their red snapper appetizer! Yes, the decor is lacking and outdated. But it's a nice little hole in the wall. If you're looking for a cool atmosphere, try POD or Morimoto (also awesome, but you'll get half the meal for double the price). I have become quite the sushi snob over the years and can easily tell fresh fish and quality and they have AMAZING product and do it with a creative style! TRY THE RED SNAPPER CARPACCIO! You won't regret it! Getting a reservation anywhere in philly even two weeks in advance for Valentine's Day is a pain so we gave up and just decided, spur of the moment, to come here for our first Valentine's Day. We were sat right away and are almost always able to choose where we get to sit. This place deserves recognition so don't be surprised if you see this review on another review site! I love this place!
(5)Tina C.
Just found my favorite sushi restaurant in Philly. It's always comforting to walk in and hear Japanese spoken. We went in a party of 5, one of them my Japanese girlfriend from London. We ordered a variety of sushi, sashimi, and specials. Everything was spectacularly good and fresh. Our server was Japanese and I think she might of been the owner? She was blunt in telling us that she couldn't recommend any tofu dish at the restaurant. In any case, everything was great. On top of it all, it's a BYOB so we were able to bring the wonderful bottle of sake that I brought back from Japan!
(5)Nilka R.
I love this place! Best sushi in Philadelphia so far. I love the fact that is BYOB. Highly recommended!
(5)Dana A.
Ordered the ONE lunch item. The miso soup was sour, tasted off. A quarter of my salad greens were brown and the portion of sushi was the tiniest little thing I've ever seen. Definitely not work the $20 I spent.
(2)Mark Z.
This is one of the best sushi restaurants in Philly! This is a small/intimate place with a laid back feel. Our waitress was very attentive and was willing to answer questions. I got an avocado salad as a starter, and it was delicious. The dressing on it was very tangy, and avocados are a super food to me. The Philly Roll and Spicy Tuna Roll were both amazing. You can taste the freshness of the fish as soon as you take a bite. I would enjoy coming back here for sushi anytime.
(5)Lynn M. F.
This place is like going to a loving family members home for dinner! Everyone is so kind and caring. I allowed them to choose for me and everything I had was wonderful!! Fresh and presented like a work of art!! The atmosphere is cozy and comfortable and the patrons who visit regularly are warm and friendly!! I dream about how great the food was until I can get to Philly again!!
(5)Jim S.
I really do not get all of the 5 star ratings. The place is small and the interior looks really worn. Don't even look down at the carpet as you will probably just turn around and walk out. Not a snob or anything but when you're eating raw fish I expect the establishment to be clean from the front door all the way through the kitchen. As for the food really nothing to write home about. Just your average sushi.
(2)Michelle K.
This is the best sushi place hands down in philly. I'm not into crazy big rolls, I prefer sashimi. Their sashimi is always fresh and well executed. Plus it's BYO
(5)Elise H.
I was slightly apprehensive bringing my mom here, since there were not many recent yelp reviews, and my mom is a very picky eater, but I am SO glad we came. We split the dragon maki (crab stick with romaine and cucumber, topped with unagi) and yaki salmon. Both were delicious. The unagi and salmon were cooked to perfection- literally melt in your mouth good. Everything was prepared the way things should be.. using fresh ingredients with light, yet flavorful seasoning. And when I say everything, I mean everything.. Even the ginger was amazing. The service was really good too. The waiters were very attentive and friendly. Sufficed to say, my mom was happy. Will definitely come back to try more of their rolls. All in all, friendly, inviting atmosphere with fresh, quality Japanese food. Would highly recommend.
(5)Stephanie F.
The best sushi anywhere- fresh, beautifully presented. Alex is a genius!
(5)Kamil S.
Awesome Authentic Sushi & Coolest Owner: The menu does not reflect what they are capable of... So, tell Alex(owner) or Andy (Sushi Chef)what you like & they'll make you love them! The best rolls I've had here are specials or NOT on the menu!?! Sushi is fresh, simple and delightful! Honorable Mention : Red Snapper Appetizer, Spicy Tuna Wrap, Punto Maki Special, Alex Maki, Kisso Maki, SST Maki, Mix & Match, Love Maguro, Sushi Salads I wish they weren't closed in the late afternoon and the decor could use some updating HOWEVER; the sushi, staff and prices are excellent! + they are BYOB!! IF you are into enormous rolls, slathered in heavy sauces with pastes or slaws of fish you can't recognize this place ISN'T for you!
(5)Michael P.
Been going here since they opened. Friendly staff and excellent affordable Sushi.
(5)Thy S.
Negative. Will not be going back. Pieces are itty bitty and not worth the monies. Can't even give you a miso soup with a combo. Or get spicy mayo right. And it took forever given there was an entire 0 other ppl eating sushi besides us. However, quality of fish was decent.
(2)Carl G.
Sit at the Sushi bar, ask what's in season....and enjoy your Kisso expierience. BOYB, great staff...excellent fresh fish! Everything I like in a sushi bar. I've been eating here for about 20 years now, its as good today as it was when I first went there. The chefs are very talented, and they will adjust as needed to a particular taste if needed. No messy, mayonase covered, two bite sloppy rolls here. Perfectly rolled, tasty, single bite sized pieces! Kisso has ruined me for every other sushi restaurant.
(5)Claude H.
Slightly off the beaten track, going to Kisso definitely shows you are in the know and appreciate not simply good sushi, but good food and artistry. Spare inside, this restaurant is all about what comes on the plate, and in this there's no disappointment. On my 4th visit here over as many years I was introduced to the Half and Half Roll. Talk about something new! Great citrus tanginess on one side paired by spiciness on the other, I really recommend this roll. The chef's preparation shines through in the various nigiri which show evidence of different marinades and aging. Presentation matches taste: wonderful! One of the best sushi houses in the 215. Go.
(4)Carter P.
For sushi, it takes flavor and the right amount of showmanship. And on this particular night I had a craving for some good sushi - Kisso did not disappoint. Going inside, the environment is brightly lit and the staff is all very friendly and eager to please. I sat at the sushi bar and ordered a spicy tuna roll - a standard dish. At Kisso though, it's not so standard - they master the spicy in the right way where it adds to the flavor. It's BYOB so they stick to what they know and definitely do it very well. I'll definitely be back with an even larger appetite for multiple rolls on the next trip!
(4)Kate D.
Alright, this little gem deserves some spotlight. When I came from the Midwest to check out the old city area, I stumbled into this restaurant searching for some close food. I had just signed my papers to live in my new place in the neighborhood, and found this while exploring. It was a Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon, and we were the only people eating in the restaurant. The waiter was amazing and very attentive. We chatted about the area, what there was to do, the menu, random food spots, nightlife, etc. So so so friendly. The place was BYOB, a fairly foreign concept coming from a different region of the country, so we did not come prepared. He brought us out some of HIS OWN SAKE from the back and let us enjoy it with our meal. How awesome is that?! He made some suggestions to us on what to order (sushi/sashimi wise) and we followed them accordingly. All the food was spot on. The rolls were all impressive, and the quality of sashimi was very apparent. I am a hard sell with sushi. I have had great sushi all over the country, and this by far is one of my favorite "casual" spots. They have some really impressive house rolls. There is one that stands out in mind that has really thin slices of lime on top of tuna. Unreal. Ask the waiter about it, he will hook you up. Above all of the unique rolls and what not here, the thing that shines the most is the execution of "staple" sushi rolls. For a good spicy tuna, Philadelphia roll, crispy salmon skin, spider roll, anything you can typically think of in sushi, this place has it going on. Ingredients: exceptionally fresh. Rolling style (coming from someone who makes their own sushi): impressive. Very clean and artful rolls. I took a step back, realizing that I had gone to this establishment while riding really high on life vibes. I had just picked my cool apartment in the cool area of the cool city. Maybe it wasn't as wonderful as I had imagined? WRONG! We revisited this place in December on a cold night, six or so months after the first experience. The same waiter served us at the same corner table. Instantly remembered us, asked us about life and subjects we had spoken on. Wow was I impressed. The food was just as great, the service was obviously spot on (thank you server man if you are reading this, we will be in again soon), and this time we brought our own drinks! Go go go go to Kisso. Let it be a cute little date spot to take someone you love. Tell the server that he is admirable, and that reviews have suggested that he is the bomb (because he is), and enjoy your meal.
(4)Dan D.
Had the Kisso Cocktail and Seaweed salad as appetizers, both were unbelievable. For the entrée, had the Kisso platter which was very generous, and the special roll of the day, which was a salmon roll and a monitor roll. The sushi here is insanely fresh and of the best quality. Loved that it was byob. Crushed a bottle of wine and saki on Valentine's Day. Best sushi in philly.
(5)Alina N.
This place has fresh fish and they get creative but the portions are VERY small and expensive - $20 for 5 pieces of sushi!!! They get fancy with their menu, have very few sushi staple items. Besides this place being BYO I don't have any positive things to say. If you go do try the red snapper carpaccio. I don't think we'll go there again. Fat Salmon is much better and it's just down the street.
(3)Linda ..
This place is amazing!!!!!! I went there with my finace and we got the kisso maki, another salmon roll (don't remember the name), and my fiance got the vegetarian rolls. It was AMAZING. My fiance normally hates sushi and went this time to be nice, but he loved this place! We will definitely be going back, because in addition to the fantastic food, the environment and the people are fantastic as well. The waiter was so incredibly helpful and nice, and he didn't rush us through the meal at all. In addition, my water was always refilled. I went back again to get takeout a week or two later, and again, the environment was fantastic! Everyone smiles and everyone is so nice, and the food as always was fantastic! This is definitely my go to place and if you ever need sushi, I 100% recommend going to this place!
(5)Jade V.
Stopped by here for lunch and really loved it. A bit pricey, but they had an excellent selection of dishes and the quality of the fish was excellent. If you haven't tried uni, this would be a good place to grab some! Kisso is definitely a notch above your typical Japanese joint. The prices are reflective of this, but for the quality of food you're getting, it feels reasonable. On their lunch menu is an $18.95 option for a 4 course lunch special, including an appetizer, salad, and two types of sushi. Sushi lovers, rejoice! I guess the only downside is that the location is a tad out of the way. I'd stop by again for dinner.
(4)Joy Z.
Tl;dr - Expensive, small portions, poor quality. We were very disappointed by Kisso. We came for lunch and the portions were very expensive, nothing on the lunch menu was under $10 and most were at or above $15. Then when the food came we were very surprised at how small the portions were! $30 for about 6 prices of sushi and a full roll between the two of us (along with the miso soup that was included). This would be understandable for a premium sushi restaurant in NYC, but not for this. And the worst part was that the quality wasn't even that good. The rice was grainy, probably undercooked, and the fish was average at best, not super fresh as other reviews have claimed. Perhaps they use the previous day's leftovers for lunch? We should have known what we were in for when we got there at 12:30 and it was basically empty, and we thought about leaving after seeing the prices, but thought that it might be worth it. We were wrong. We will not be returning to Kisso again, and recommend you don't give them your business either. Frankly, they just aren't worth it.
(1)Carly H.
Kisso is by far the best sushi restaurant in Philadelphia. The authentic and creative cuisine is unbelievable. My boyfriend and I frequent this neighborhood gem often and it is always the highest quality fish and the freshest ingredients.
(5)Mandi R.
I've been meaning to write a review about Kisso for a while now, and after my dinner there last night I knew it was time to get this done. It is the best sushi I have had in the city and best of all the staff is amazing. They setup my same spot for me at the sushi bar every time I walk in the door and I just love coming here as it is so warm and inviting. The sashimi is so fresh and tastes amazing, Alex the owner does a great job of seemingly choosing the best cuts. Don't expect any freaky rolls with layers of weird sauces and ingredients, Kisso makes your staple sushi rolls right and they taste awesome. I love the Kisso cocktail as a starter and always order sashimi being their fish tastes so great on its own. When in the mood for rolls I love their SST roll and the Mojito roll (this is the one that Kate was referring to below with the thin slice of lime on top). If you are looking for cheaper rolls, check the back of the menu... A couple folks complaining about the prices here may have missed that. Septi is my favorite server there, he is so friendly and fun to talk to! I just LOVE this place and the fact that it is BYOB is a bonus too! They treat people so well here and I can't help but smile as I see them when I walk in the door. And yes, Alex treats 'regulars' real well and they can accommodate special requests! So make sure you make this your special spot in Old City too because rest assured you won't be disappointed unless you are a picky and hard to please person. Kisso is the best! :)
(5)Michael W.
I went here for lunch with some co-workers. It's a cozy small corner restaurant. The food was excellent. I got the Tuna lovers sushi platter (15 pieces). It was a nice combination of rolls and individual pieces. Some spicy and some plain. It's a fair portion at a fair price. They offer lots of lunch specials. Service was good, quick and no rush. I'll definitely be back.
(5)Christa F.
Went here for my two year Anniversary with my Boyfriend. I called Beforehand to make reservations and ask if they could do something special to surprise my boyfriend, such as, I quote "put the sushi in the shape of the number 2 because it is our two year anniversary." We arrived and everyone was very accommodating and after ordering and eating our appetizers, the waiter brought out an additional appetizer and said how we asked us to do something special and how the chef wishes you a happy anniversary. In our heads, my boyfriend and I were so happy and impressed after receiving this delicious Appetizer. We ordered 6 rolls of sushi which were mediocre sized and a 7 out of 10. Then the waiter said he wanted to give us dessert on the house. We received Japanese ice cream which was very good. Then we received our bill and it was higher than we estimated. We saw that they charged us for the appetizer which totaled about $20. We were very confused and felt like this was a bait and switch especially after we did not ask for that. We left with a very distasteful mouth and because of this dishonesty we do not recommend it to anyone.
(2)Julia A.
No spicy mayo. No "Dynamite Roll" and the like. Just super fresh, quality sushi in an unassuming neighborhood spot. I have been coming to Kisso for years, and have brought everyone from parents, to dates, to special out-of-town guests. One of the things I love about Kisso is that it is both consistent and versatile. It can feel like a quick, casual bite or a special occasion spot. The ambiance is warm and inviting, and the servers are sweet and have good energy. Try to become a regular. Once Alex the chef starts to recognize you, he may send out the occasional special treat or off menu item. One time he sent me and my date a brie and pickled plum sushi role that was one of the most unique bites of food I have ever tasted. If you haven't reached "regular" status yet, the SST roll never disappoints.
(5)Jake L.
Absolutely fantastic sushi. One of my new favorite places. Amazing lunch deals. Get the number one with the snapper carpaccio. It's amazing.
(5)Ji Yeong Y.
This place is a gem, I have worked many japanese restaurant but couldnt find anyone (owner alex) who has so much passion n love for the food that is presented in this place. Everything is so fresh and every individual dish has its unique flavor. Everything brought out to u is art. U enjoy it with your eyes and ur mouth! Super friendly and attentive staff too! Plus byob! Super nice and calm atmosphere! Cant expect more from this place. Absolutely in love !
(5)Hana C.
It's nearby for my husband and I so we may be biased, but this BYOB sushi restaurant has always served us excellent sashimi. If you're into Americanized sushi rolls this may not be the place for you. But if you like simple, fresh, and well prepared sashimi this place is just right. And service has always been prompt and sincere. My only complaint is when I want uni it's not always available. But it's a good sign if they're running out of goods and don't have a pile of uni just sitting wasting away. And their affordability as far as sushi goes, thankfully, does not imply a compromise in quality. People, expect to pay more for sushi than most other cuisines. Yeah, if all you're getting are California-esque rolls or Philadelphia-cream cheese-type rolls then fine pay $10 per roll or less...or even better, just go to a sushi buffet--you're wasting your money if that's what you're looking for. But for legitimate sashimi, expect to pay more, and Kisso is by no means overpriced when it comes to this.
(4)Angel K.
Why don't Philly's restaurant critics review Kisso? My favorites are the traditional sushi/sashimi platter, vegetable maki, and a plate called mix and match (which comes with the most delicate squid and quail egg sushi). Presentation is beautiful, food is top-notch, house-made pickles are the most authentic you will find in the East Coast. I just wish they would work on the decor a little bit more!
(5)Natalee F.
This is a solid option for sushi in Old City. You can usually walk in and get a table, it's good for groups, and it's BYOB! The waitstaff is very friendly and efficient and the food is well priced. They seem to make the most delicious rice. I don't know what it is about the rice. It's the texture and the sweetness of it. I could probably just eat a bowl of the white rice as a snack. They use the prettiest plates to serve the food on too. It all looks like handmade ceramic art. Get the green tea ice cream if you go. It's just the smoothest taste. It's really mild and creamy and also kind of tastes like chocolate, but not over the top chocolatey.
(4)Allison E.
Best BYOB for sushi in the city. It is out of the way from where we are located, however, we do try to come here once a month or every other month. The food and service is always solid and the sushi fresh and authentic to traditional serving and plating. It's also worth noting, they do accept credit cards! I would suggest making a reservation on a Friday and Saturday night.
(5)Jennifer M.
Alex, the owner of Kisso, has been at this location before Old City was a desirable place to live. He brings passion, clear knowledge and creativity in his sushi and sashimi presentations. Kisso has been and continues to create an authentic experience. Reviews and restaurants come and go, but the real test is time. Kisso has more than passed this litmus test. The fish are undoubtably fresh, so bring a good mineral Riesling or your favorite sake to pair with the delicious rolls and beautiful mixed fresh seaweed. You won't be disappointed in the welcoming atmosphere, the genial owner or the quality.
(5)Bella H.
I went with a co-worker for lunch. The price weren't too bad, but we got the lunch specials. It came with miso soup. The service was wonderful, quick and courteous. The sushi was great and really fresh. The environment was very laid back. A great find in old city. Overall, highly recommend.
(5)LISA N.
My friend Mike has been going here for a while and it was nice that they were able to squeeze 2 tables together. I felt so bad the workers said yes to him, but then made this poor couple get off their seats and move to another table, even when they had food on their table. The sashimi was pretty good and fresh, the ginger dressing for their salad was mmm. Oh and byob. no corkage fee. whattttt...
(3)Jennifer T.
Ehhhh... That's all I can really say about the sushi at Kisso. The sushi rolls are pretty small and sashimi portions were on the small side as well. Our toro was grisly and not "melt-in-your-mouth" like I expected. Everything tasted ok, but I don't know that I will go back.
(3)Alli H.
Boyfriend and I went here around 6pm last Saturday for dinner. The first thing I noticed was that they only had three of the tables set and the rest were empty, so I guess they weren't expecting a big crowd for Saturday dinner (and rightfully so, because we were the only ones there for the entire duration of our 30 minute meal). The second thing I noticed was how disgusting the carpet was. The carpet was originally a neutral beige color I think, but it was COVERED in large black stains. It was absolutely shocking how dirty it was. You don't want to see dirty anything when you are sitting down at a restaurant, and this filthy carpet got me feeling pretty nervous about how sanitary and safe the food would be. So we ordered sushi (it's made at the sushi bar where you can see what's going on, not back in the kitchen). I got two rolls - a veggie roll and a shitake mushroom roll. The veggie roll was nice and tasted fresh (I'd give it a B+). The mushroom roll was just okay- not very flavorful, and the mushrooms were oily- I'd give that roll a C-. The service was very friendly and attentive, but the food wasn't stellar and I just couldn't get beyond that dirty floor.
(2)Matt C.
My girlfriend and I went to Kisso last night for our first time. We frequent sushi restaurants wherever we go and Kisso was one of the better experiences. The ambiance is simple and fairly warn but I appreciate this because the owner and staff clearly focus on food quality and service. We ordered a miso soup, seaweed salad, a special roll and the I love sushi platter. We misunderstood the menu and ordered an authentic seaweed salad instead of the typical marinated seaweed salad that we're used too. The chef sensed this and replaced our dish free of charge. The fish was fresh, the flavors were delightful and the staff (Septien and Brian) were fun to chat with. Check this place out. Cheers
(5)Ash S.
Kisso always has fresh fish and delicious rolls plus it's BYO. What's not to like. Just a point - the spicy tuna here is actual tuna tossed in spicy sauce not a mayonnaise mush that I've seen at other places. I think that speaks to the quality of the sushi here. I've never had anything bad here and I've eaten here a lot. I basically don't eat sushi anywhere else in the city. Go! You won't be disappointed.
(4)Andy J.
Great sushi at reasonable prices. We live a few blocks away, and we've been coming back for 5 years. Staff knows us and treats us well, even after extended periods of absence. I always recommend it to friends.
(5)Imani W.
If you want a California or spider roll and are not a sushi connoisseur, you'll be disappointed. If you crave fresh, imaginative sushi & sashimi, you'll love it here.
(4)Jon W.
We went again the other night. Same special place - except they now have a Jiro Dreams of Sushi poster proudly displayed at the entrance - the best. Alex & co. do fantastic work.
(5)Chany I.
Tried this place out of the blue because it was one of the few BYOBs on Yelp that was suggested for sushi. I have to say, for a small little place, it definitely seems like a nice place to just try out. I stopped by just for a quick stop for dinner with a friend for a small talk with some wine and it was better than I had expected. Unfortunately, I only ordered the "Unaju" (or Unadon, one of my favorite dishes ever) for dinner and it was very filling. However, it was a bit small than what I was used to at other Japanese resturants, but still very good. Unfortunately, my friend didn't really order anything but she really liked the atmosphere. I felt a bit bad coming in at a little after 9pm when I knew they closed at 10 so I tried to rush myself a bit (I'm a server at another Japanese place and I know how it feels) to be out before then. I ended up leaving a little after 10pm, even though we weren't the last ones there (another couple arrived there before us and still were there after we left). I would say the staff were probably used to it and didn't mind our late arrival. They were actually really nice to us too! I would definitely come back for lunch though since it's in the area from me (for now). I wouldn't be so sure about recommending for larger parties since it seems so small of place but I do recommend it for dates and such; it's a very nice, intimate environment. I just wish it wasn't in such a little area where not so many people would seem to drop by for lunch/ dinner. I definitely didn't think I would stumble upon it suddenly. Also, the wait staff and workers seemed so nice and cute too! ;) Would definitely come back, maybe for lunch since there are specials that I saw on the menu!
(4)Witat F.
Friendly atmosphere. Great sushi and sashimi. Good quality fish with impressive cooking technique. Seared sashimi gives you extra dimension of the fish. Try mix and match sushi platter. Their combinations in each bite is very well executed.
(5)Kevin R.
I wanted Kisso to be so much better mainly because they are 2 blocks from my house and also because I love sushi. Pros: Friendly staff Nice décor Great location Cons: Overly salty miso Dry rice Very high price for what you get BYOB. Normally that is a good thing. However, I love hot sake with my sushi. Although the portion size on the Hamachi and Maguro were decent. The "Dynamite Roll" had only 5 pieces and cost as much as a most rolls having 8. Also the Unagi was grilled earlier in the day. And who puts iceberg lettuce in a roll...SERIOUSLY?!?
(2)Zack L.
No matter what, always get the specials. Boldly and with much hurrah. They have mastered classic & traditional sushi (would love to see some ozhisushi) but they also have an impressive selection of fun specials. Impressive in its rotation, not immediate availability. I insist, even with five stars, this is underrated. Hooray sushi. Right? Yes.
(5)Danny N.
Try music box it is a baked crab roll which is awesome.
(5)Ann V.
Friendly staff, but terrible food. Miso soup was extremely salty. I love salt. I love things that are high in sodium but this was almost to the point of inedible. Killer Maki and SST Maki had no flavor and was actually just very boring. I think i'll have to pass on this spot since there are so many other great sushi spots in the city such as Uzu, Makiman, Umai Umai, etc...
(2)Christian F.
I am not even sure I can truly write a review on the food. We had a birthday party of 10 and let them make the dishes themselves, as in their choice. We only received rolls, 6 platters of about 20 pieces, 2 bowels of edimame, one small side of baby octopus. It wasn't my party so I didn't question the check, but in looking at the menu and the most expensive I could come up with was 350 with tip. This is a BYOB. No drinks involved. It was 520 DOLLARS including tip. Are you kidding me. We never even got sushi. All specialty rolls. That is a joke for anyone who knows sushi. I personally think they took advantage of a group that was out celebrating. That and it looks like they haven't cleaned or replaced the chairs in 10 years. Would never ever go again!
(1)Rosita N.
SIT AT THE BAR! We sat at a table at first and when the restaurant cleared out, we moved to the bar. I love sitting at the bar and watching the sushi chef in action. We got to meet the owner/main chef and even drank with him after closing. This is one of those hidden places in philly that i probably wouldn't have gone to unless someone suggest it to me. Laid back atmosphere. Servers were good, i like places where everyone works together and are not given sections. Then again, the place had 6 tables, i think. But they worked well together and didn't make faces when customers complained. They didn't ask question even when dishes were sent back at the table next to me. I went with my husband and a friend. My friend likes things her way, might not be the right way but will let you know how she likes it. The waiter was getting annoyed but still kept her poise. On to the food. Might sound and look disgusting but the side dish of Spicy Octopus was done right. my husband has been ordering this dish at every korean/japanese restaurant we have been to and this is the only place I can eat it. Only a few pieces though, octopus is not my thing. Miso soup was the only other thing we ordered. I'm not a fan of Miso soup, but it was a chilly night. The soup was very flavorful with the clams. Usually Miso soup is bland with a few chunks of tofu and pieces of seaweed floating around. The Main Course, we just asked to the chef to send out what he feels like making and when we are full, we tell him to stop. This is how i usually eat at sushi places that are not a chain. Presentation definitely was great. Sashimi was fresh. Sauces perfect. If the dish came out with its own sauce, you should not dip it in soy with wasabi. Uni is sea urchin and looks like uncooked brain, not crazy about the texture but this is the first place I actually can swallow it. Jalapeno sashimi dish was good but I like the seeds left on, most places clean the seeds off so that it wont be so spicy. Yellowtail with a pickled salad, yummy. White Tuna, my hubbie's fav was only good enough, not the best he had. The Must Eat at Kisso...Kisso Coctail!!!!! Taste like a Mojito Sushi.
(5)Steve E.
Sushi was half decent. Can tell they had fresh, quality ingredients. But the overall presentation and taste was just ok, nothing spectacular or amazing. I'm not expecting a fancy dragon shape or special design, but at least make a better attempt... Restaurant had a very simple decor, somewhat lacking in originality. Menu pages were very worn and need a refresh. I think they were used too much and needed to be changed out. Service was acceptable. Very friendly and accommodating. Waitress ran down the street to return our wine bottle holder! The service was the best thing about the restaurant. Would definitely go back for that... I wish other restaurants in Philly had the same service.
(3)Kristen L.
A few Sundays ago my boyfriend and I were originally planning to go to Kio since I was having a sushi craving. However, Kio is closed on Sundays so we ended up at Kisso since that was the closed place from Kio my google maps could find. This place was just ok for me. The service was very slow. It took awhile for someone to seat us. It was rather small inside with not alot of seating. The carpet on the floor was an absolute disaster and had stains all over it. My boyfriend sat in his chair and thought he almost broke it. It took a long time for someone to actually wait on us and when we ordered our sushi the wait was rather long as well. For dinner, my boyfriend got a miso soup and I got a house salad as well as 4 different rolls. The salad was a descent size which I was happy about because I felt it was rather expensive but got it because I love the ginger dressing on these types of salads and wasn't sure if our sushi order would be enough. The miso soup was good but I'm not sure if that can really be screwed up. I did not feel that the sushi menu had alot of options because I trouble finding four rolls for my boyfriend and I to share. I also felt the place was rather expensive for the atmosphere that it protrayed. My favorite part about this place was that it was a BYOB! I won't recommend this place to a friend unless they were in a bind to satisfy a sushi craving. I do not plan to go back.
(2)Will H.
This place has seemingly very fresh fish. I got one of their lunch specials which comes with miso soup. The California roll was very small. It was probably about half as large in diameter, plus about half as long (they cut it up and put the pieces on the plate face-up) as expected. I have actually never had a roll that was so small before. Cuts of fish on top of rice were large, which almost made up the difference. Wait time was a little long for being the only person in the restaurant. The place smelled like old soy sauce due to their old tables and place mats. They need to clean the restaurant a little. I would probably try a few other sushi places before going here again.
(4)Heesun K.
NOT GOOD. Udon - too sweet, except I really liked that they put in fried tofu skin + (fake) crab meat + delicious mushroom. Mix and match sushi platter - TINY. DRY. OVERCOOKED piece of fish (don't remember which piece it was). Sushi rice was not sticky enough to hold the rice together when I picked them up. Dynamite roll (one of their specials) - I was so excited that the pieces were big. STILL FAIL... 80% of the space was filled with vegi and tiny pieces of fish inside. Overall, flavors were OK. The texture and the sizes were not pleasing at all. We ended up coming home and eating instant noodles..... I am sorry but I'd probably never come back...or even recommend this place to anyone.
(1)Alexandra T.
I was surprised by all of the great reviews of this place. I was not impressed, with anything that I had. As one other reviewer mentioned, the miso soup was very salty, and there was some odd flavor in it as well, almost lemony. The seaweed salad was soaked in vinegar and we did not finish it. I ordered a special Dynamite Roll which was ok, not great, but do-able. My sister ordered the SST roll which had an overpowering ginger taste; not good at all. The staff was very friendly and attentive, but with a $60 bill for three people to not enjoy their food in the least, I will not be back here again. My quest to find my new sushi spot in Philadelphia continues
(2)Ryan B.
May have just found the best sushi in Philly. Just went here with my (insert Groupon knockoff site here) and boy am I glad I did. This place knocked my socks off! All of the sushi was SO fresh and noticeably of very high quality. As some reviews stated the rolls weren't the largest I've had but they weren't packed with rice either(that's a good thing). You can equate it to shopping for a diamond you can either go for quantity or clarity and if I'm sticking to this analogy this sushi was crystal clear with 0% imperfections. The staff was super friendly and very accommodating. I'm glad I found this diamond in the ruff and will definitely be coming back soon. Oh yea, I ordered the Mix & Match combo Kisso style which included 3 pieces of spicy tuna (amazing, not loaded with spicy mayo, just fresh tuna and some kind of spice with the right amount of kick), some squid with quail egg (I'm not a huge raw squid fan but I actually enjoyed this #quail egg), spicy tuna on a mint leaf inside of that fried tofu stuff (EXCELLENT), a yellowtail scallion piled high not rolled (also great) and some other stuff that was also awesome. BTW I am comparing this place to my usual go to's like Makiman, Raw and Fuji Mountain. Keep up the good work guys I'll be back soon.
(5)Sally f.
Not too impressed. rolls are tiny and expensive. Tasted ok. nothing to make me go back. Sorry Kisso, but Old city Asian bistro is right down the street and they charge less, taste better and put in more fish....
(3)Karen F.
Well, my husband & I finally tried this place - we've driven by a bunch of times but never went. And we would consider returning (although Shiroi Hana is more convenient for us - and lately I've been really into Vic's.) The place was nearly empty at 5:30 on a Friday. The hostess asked if we had a reservation and we told her that we did not. She made a negative face so I asked her if that was a problem (The place was empty except for one male couple lingering - and they were there before we got there AND after we left.). She said no and seated us. I stopped by the sushi bar to bow to the chef and take a peek at the fish. Looked good. Chef recommended the Red Snapper and O-Toro. We started with an order ($3.00) of Pork Wasabi Shumai. - 2 large shumai. Tasty and very wasabi-ish. My husband ordered a bowl of udon (very tasty dashi broth) a spicy tuna roll which he loved, and a negi-hamachi roll which was just OK. I got a special roll (Jay roll?) with rice "pops" on it - good but I did not care for the spicye-level of the tuna filling. It was too hot for me. (And I had asked for it mild.) I bet if you are a spicy lover you'd like the rolls here. Tuna was fresh - but not the yellowtail. Also my $6.00 piece of O-Toro was gristley and GROSS. What a shame. Toro should be a mouth-gasm and this was not. The best sushi I got was the Inari stuffed with chopped tuna (spicy tuna - this time WAS made mild) and garnished with chunks of avocado and a few pine nuts. The pine nuts really made it so special. I would DEFINITELY get that again. For dessert we had the green-tea icecrem filled mochi which was very good. Oh - and they do NOT make their own tamago - it's frozen - so we did not order any.
(4)Ricki S.
This is the perfect little out of the way sushi joint. Completely unpretentious. Wait staff is lovely.
(4)Mike L.
Chill place - Nice staff and fresh fish. What else do are you looking for in a sushi jawn??
(5)Ami O.
The best sushi place in old city. Kevin maki, jay roll, sst maki, miso soup, it's all fantastic!
(5)C K.
This place is really great for sushi! I haven't eaten there that much so I can't give it 5 stars yet, but I liked the sushi here better than at morimoto. I have had the sushi roll combo platter a few times now, and each time it is just as good as the first. The prices aren't cheap but they aren't bad either... but so far this is the best sushi I've had in philly. Can't wait to actually take advantage of the BYOB and try even more stuff here! Recommendation: A VERY safe bet for good sushi!
(4)Christopher B.
Overall, this is a very nice restaurant with solid sushi and friendly staff. I visited for dinner early on a Saturday night and it was not busy at all. I had the appetizer special which was a couple of pork shumai that were explained as "very spicy". They were tasty and had some little pockets of hot spice, but nothing crazy. I was craving tuna, so for my entree I had the tekka don, which for those who don't know is simply raw tuna slices on a bowl of rice. There were maybe 8-10 pieces of maguro and two pieces of toro (they didn't specify it as either chu-toro or o-toro). The maguro was excellent and fresh. The toro was just okay. A bit stringy. And the rice was about the same as I've had in other area sushi restaurants. For dessert, I had the green tea ice cream, which was good but was only lightly flavored with green tea. I would definitely eat here again to try out some of the specialty rolls.
(4)Rachel B.
This place had really good sushi! Much better than a lot of the other sushi places I've been to in Philly and its BYOB which makes its way better than Fat Salmon! But, I cant give it 4 or 5 stars because the service was SO slow! We sat down, had our wine opened and then waited for over 25 minutes before the waitress even came back to see if we wanted a water or anything else. We ordered and it seemed to take for-ev-er to get our food. For 3 people we were there for almost 2 hours! They were nice enough though. There were a lot of people waiting so you definitely need to make a reservation! I would go here again, if I made a reservation.
(3)Max K.
I've been eating here for years. I'm amazed someone found a Saturday without a crowd. I love all the negative reviews. I would hate for this hidden jewel to become too popular. The sushi and sashimi are outstanding. The portions are small, as they should be. As they are in Japan. While I must say I never noticed the carpet, I think that the worn out tables add to the experience. I also love that they play Jazz instead of some hokey Americanized music from Japan.
(5)heidi h.
This is my very favorite place to have sushi. They spoil me rotten. I can not go anywhere else now. Or, if I do, I am always disappointed. Alex and Andy are so wonderful! The edible art is second to none and the fact that I can bring my own delicious wine is even better!!! Sit at the sushi bar and chat with Alex and Andy if you can!!
(5)jennifer F.
Kisso, you never let me down. You have been open for years and still have the same Miles Davis CD in rotation, Kind of Blue, but I never feel blue when I visit you. I love their sushi sampler and eel and avocado roll. Kampyo roll is also amazing. Their sushi is consistently fresh and they have great udon soup (it comes with this seasoning and it's yum) and green tea ice cream. The sushi is small but satisfying. If you're used to giant rolls with a lot of rice, you will not find that here. It's a BYOB and can be quite crowded on some weekend nights so make a reservation if possible. Things not to order 1) the quail egg, for some reason preparing a quail egg can take anywhere from 30-45 minutes. I'm not sure what goes into the preparation but I have no desire to find out. I also can't say that I ordered it or even tasted it but it did take forever for my dining partner to get their quail eggs. Other than that, everything is good.
(4)Rebecca B.
I wish this place was better, since I live so close to it. Decent sushi but nothing to write home about, dumplings were disappointing. Too expensive for being just so-so.
(2)Katie L.
Had an amazing meal here. Listen for the specials - they are definitely worth trying. Wait staff is friendly and attentive, but they don't hover, which I love. BYOB is always a plus. Had soup & an appetizer special, plus several maki. Will definitely visit again very soon.
(5)Chuck P.
I've been driving by this place for years and finally tried it. It's the best sushi I've had in Philadelphia. Great service and really creative and fresh sushi. The server did a great job describing the specials and the sushi bar made up a fantastic chirashi with a great mix of fish. It's definitely my new go-to spot for sushi.
(5)Michael B.
It must be the best sushi on the east side of town. I've been going every Sunday for the past 5 weeks. The food is always top quality, cleverly prepared, and simple. It also doesn't hurt that the service is great. The last time I was there, a larger group (7 people) was dining with their children. The kids were too loud, playing with daddy's cell phone, and causing a general commotion. Kisso made a special attempt to make up for the interruptions by giving us extra food and generous portions. It was nice. I also like Koi in Northern Liberties - but they are not open on Sundays.
(5)Craig C.
My wife and I recently went to Kisso prior to attending the Cirque Du Soliel show in Camden. I love this little BYOB, and plan to go back soon. The music box appetizer was phenomenal, and the S.S.T. Maki was very very good. The staff were very friendly. We shared our Riesling with our server and he was most gracious.
(5)Kait B.
Kisso is definitely the best sushi restaurant in the tri-state area. More of an art, than food, Kisso has forever changed my views on sushi as a food. The freshness of the fish combined with the uniqueness of the menu makes it an unforgettable and almost indescribable. The service also trumps almost all other sushi restaurants in the area. The only comparable sushi restaurant is Fuji Mountain, but you will see a much more relaxed ambiance and and a home-style feel at Kisso. Overall it is definitely a must see on the corner of 4th and Race.
(5)Devon R.
The minimalistic decor might lead you to believe that this is a down-to-earth, friendly yet upscale sushi restaurant. The kind that isn't showy of the fact that they have quality sushi that is made well. Looks can be deceiving. I will admit that I had a good feeling about Kisso when I first sat down. We ordered miso soup, seaweed salad, and a sushi platter to split between two people. After taking our order, the server went in the back and came out moments later to tell us that the sushi platter is "just for one person." I know what I ordered, thank you very much. Bad move on his part. The servers and the sushi chef unceremoniously spent the rest of our meal talking about us within earshot. I would have forgiven them if the sushi was any good. While presented very well, the fish was absolutely tasteless, and the rice cold and hard. Sushi that looked appetizing enough fell apart in my chopsticks. I would have preferred mall sushi. It's easier to eat. The miso soup was good, the rest of the meal felt like it never happened. I felt like I spent $30 on a bowl of soup.
(1)Alex T.
Best sushi creations! Don't forget to bring a bottle of saki and share with the chefs.
(5)Jessica B.
Seriously good veggie sushi. Best I ever had. It's kind of like, really this place is here? Seems like a random location. But when you finally find it, it's good. Sensitivity Scale = +5
(4)Frank M.
Best, freshest sushi in the city and a close 2nd (Sagami) for best in area.
(5)Seoul S.
TREMENDOUS SUSHI EXPERIENCE. Went last Friday and sat at the sushi bar. The staff was attentive, respectful and worked together like a choreographed "i got your back" show.. The Sushi Chef's created some beautiful works of art. I've been to many Sushi places and like it when the Sushi Chef just plates all different kinds, some not on the menu... They were spot on. Definitely recommend here and we found off street parking on 4th between vine and race.
(5)V T.
Went here with a groupon (or living social coupon, can't remember). sushi was great, very fresh. miso soup was way too salty. Quiet ambiance, maybe 2 couples there when I came in for dinner. General waitstaff was nice, but when we tried to redeem our coupon over my phone app, the staff suggested that I run out to Kinkos and print out the coupon (it was 8:30pm on a weeknight). The owner of the restaurant comes over and proceeds to tell me and my dinner date that we weren't obeying the rules of our coupon, and that we are making their salesperson look bad because we're not listening to the rules. He goes downstairs and pulled out a stack of printed out coupons that other customers listened to the rules, why not us? We were not in the wrong, because we are allowed to redeem our coupon through the app. When I gave up trying to use the coupon and started to put money down, the owner looks at my male dinner date and asks why he is not offering money for the bill! I am not kidding you, all of this happened. We ended up paying the bill without use of the coupon, and absolutely declined our voucher when we come back with a printed coupon (amount of gas to drive home and back to give the printout was not worth it). I had to call the company to get the coupon refunded back to me. So overall, sushi was great -- but do take out. Owner is off his rocker.
(2)A N.
My husband and I loved this place. We ate the sampler platter which featured a variety of sashimi, sushi, and a fancier version of a California roll. the sashimi and sushi was really fresh, tasted wonderful, and there was plenty to share.
(5)Allison L.
A place that has seen better days. The decor was falling apart, stained carpets and menus that were ripped. Very friendly staff and rolls were more spicy than expected.
(2)Betty M.
Pros: It's fairly fresh Cons: Slow, Expensive and VERY small portions Thoughts: Saw this restaurant on our way home and decided to stop in for some food. We ordered Chirashi and Hamachi Kama. The Chirashi came in a big bowl, but it was not even half full. The Hamachi was a pretty bare piece - seemed like it was only bone. The prices were a little expensive for what was served, since it was such small portions. I would go here if I'm in the neighborhood, but there are better sushi joints to be had.
(2)Nadia S.
Plain and simple...loved it! The sushi & maki were great! Service was wonderfully pleasant; my friends were given a "101 Sushi" lesson as our server put it. The place closes at 10 and we got here at 9:30 after a great workout... hungry. Orders came out fairly quick, not a fan of their miso (too much seaweed...salty) but everything else was fabulous. Of course the 5 stars came after the sushi chef delivered a giant salmon tataki roll for us to try! Yes, I will be going back, best sushi I have had in Philly so far. I will be going back!
(5)Hunter F.
I will not pretend to comprehend Japanese culture any more than the next guy, but when it comes down to what seems to be traditional and what seems to be gimmicky, Kisso is the most traditional sushi restaurant in the city. You do not find bizarre, American sauces like "Southwest" or "Barbeque" like you do at other sushi establishments in the city. You find a traditional repetoire accompanied by several exquisite and elegant appetizers. My personal suggestions are the eel appetizer, the red snapper carpaccio and the green tea ice cream following your meal. You can also get any entree, and then for an additional $2 get miso soup and a side salad with a delicious ginger dressing. Sadly, it is slightly off the flow of pedestrian traffic, and there are usually many open tables. But don't let that throw you. Try it out.
(4)Abigail E.
My husband and I frequent Kisso and it is 5 stars everytime. Every roll and piece of sushi is artfully done with quality ingredients and a high degree of talent. The staff are friendly and attentive and are very helpful. We have tried a number of sushi restaurants in Philadelphia and this is, by far, our favorite one. We work in the restaurant industry, myself in the front and my husband in the kitchen, and we always have experienced high quality seafood here and creativity with flavors that you might not see elsewhere. Keep in mind that this restaurant is a BYOB and it's not a huge place. It's a small, quiet, friendly place to go for a great experience and great food. Enjoy!
(5)Jill K.
We walked here last night from the Ritz East. Since it's a BYOB, we stopped along the way to grab some beer. As soon as we were seated, our server took our drinks and place them in the fridge. Nobody likes warm beer! Our server was super friendly, helpful and attentive to our needs. We ordered 4 special rolls and I had a miso soup. My soup arrived very quickly and was hot and delicious. Unfortunately, it was the only delicious part of the meal. I really, really love sushi, so for me to give it a bad review makes me sad, but bad is bad. The four "special" rolls we ordered were the size of what you normally get at 1/2 price sushi places. The rolls all lacked any taste and one was so dry I could barely chew it. I had to drink several swallows of beer to get it down. I would say the best of the four was the Mojito Roll and that was only because it had some flavor from the thin slices of lime that topped the roll. I have a hard time believing this is the best sushi Philadelphia has to offer. To wrap it up....Cute restaurant, quick & friendly service, blah sushi :o(
(2)Alix H.
I do love sushi but up until now I was feeling a little unsure about the availability of yummy but reasonably priced sushi here in Philly. Kisso is pretty dang good in my opinion. The rolls were fresh and tasty and not too small. I felt like I was getting a fair deal here. The waitress helped us order a sort of "surprise me" meal on a budget, and she was honest and awesome. The restaurant itself is clean and open and friendly. I am excited to come back!
(4)Avery K.
Although the interior space leaves something to be desired, the food is excellent. The sushi is always fresh and the flavors clean and delicious. It is often not too crowded and therefore I like to think of it as an undiscovered gem! The service is fast and while the servers are somewhat reserved and quiet, they are pleasant and attentive. It is a great spot for a low-key evening.
(4)Caity T.
I should start off by saying that when they put our six pack of Yards into a Veuve Cliquot bucket I knew I was going to like this place. The sushi was fresh and the platters were reasonably priced. If you plan on just ordering rolls and sashimi a la carte it can get expensive quickly... Two orders of white tuna sashimi came out to just over $17. It was nice and cozy inside, though, very welcoming. Nothing too surprising on the menu- not many crazy or inventive choices- but for good, fresh sushi I would definitely recommend Kisso.
(4)Ilana D.
Kisso is my go-to for great sushi and a reasonable price that's not too far of a trek for me (they also do pickup if you'd rather eat at home). Their mojito roll is to die for and all their rolls are fresh and not overly done with sauces and spices, which is nice. It's a BYO but I've yet to remember to bring a bottle of wine with me when I go. I have definitely seen groups of people there with wine having a lovely time. Their green tea ice cream is also delicious.
(4)Marcus S.
Delicious, fresh sashimi. Nice selection. Very fair price. I had a noodle wasabi ginger salad as an appetizer. Wonderful. Service is fast and attentive. Atmosphere is quiet and serene. Highly recommended.
(4)E B.
Forget all the others, this is the BEST sushi place in Philadelphia hands down. Very fresh fish, lots of unique menu items. Great service, very friendly employees. I love this restaurant and recommend it to everyone I know. FYI it is BYOB.
(5)B B.
Yeah, I saw the contrasting reviews of this place before I ordered and hoped for the best, while I expected the worst. Based on my lone take out order, I will not be ordering again.
(2)Larissa B.
I loved this byob sushi spot. Great food and helpful service, and according to my sis, the best veggie sushi she's ever had! My non- veggie sushi was equally fab!
(5)Kimberly H.
Hands down best Japanese/sushi BYO in the city. Great prices on GREAT quality sushi--the yummiest unagi. Definitely try their specials maki. These are really great "limited time only rolls", that are just really yummy. I also recommend trying the real crab rolls--so sweet, but a bit pricey if you eat your whole meal that way. Great table service and the manager usually comes around to say hi to people during the night, too.
(5)Melissa M.
This is some of the best sushi I've had, and far better than most places that charge similar prices! I had the Kisso sashimi, and was completely impressed. The fish was amazingly fresh and beautifully sliced and presented. The oshinko tasted like they were just prepared. The rolls we ordered were perfectly proportioned, with just enough rice to encircle. This is not all-you-can eat; if you're into huge rice-covered rolls, these may seem dainty, but if you love the fish, Kisso should not be missed. We went ~6 on a Tuesday, and the place was only about 1/3 full. I got the impression that the service is intentionally 'paced,' rather than being slow (as some other yelpers have mentioned) because the waiters were very attentive and it was easy to make eye contact when we wanted something, but they never came over to the table as soon as we'd cleared a plate. Rather, we enjoyed a leisurely meal. If you're in a hurry or prefer prompt service, I'm sure they would accommodate you if you mention so. Note to parents: We brought our almost-three year old, and had a fine meal. This is not a place for a screamer or a loud talker, but don't be afraid to bring a kiddo who behaves well. The waiters were super nice to her, brought us tea cooled to just the right temperature, and the chef sweetly sent over some tobiko-covered rice balls that she loved.
(5)Michele H.
I'm a huge fan of Sagami in Collingswood but was excited to try Kisso. The Sushi was OK. I still like Sagami better. It really lacks atmosphere - I don't mind the minimalist decor however they could warm it up with some low lighting & candlelight.
(3)Everett R.
My first night in Philly, an old college buddy and I got a 6 pack and went to this sushi bar to catch up on life. Took them a while to bring out the food because it was pretty crowded, but they gave us complimentary edamame which pacified us. We ordered a selection of rolls, which were really quality and did a quality job of filling our bellies. Also like the casual atmosphere - so far my #1 sushi choice in philly.
(4)Jessica S.
It was delicious. Its a cute neighborhood BYOB. When I went it was pretty busy but there was no wait for tables. I only took away 1 star because the decor could be a little better. I'll be back. .
(4)Caitlin C.
The food here is great - but the environment and actual restaurant - - not so much. I wouldn't come here on a date, or take someone here you are trying to impress. The interior is open, unfinished-looking and sparse. The actual sushi bar is the same. The sushi, however, was really good. So just call for take out. And definitely try the Caterpillar roll - it's their best.
(3)Jake P.
I'm not a sushi expert, nor will I ever try/want/claim/imposter to be. After trying a few other places in and around the city, I liked this one best. You'd better really like your company though, because it is very sparse inside, and feels more of a business lunch spot than a place where you want to unwind after a long day. Plus, it's a BYOB, and unless you've got a really amazing snow, rain, or hankering for drinking, I couldn't really feel drinking here. The selections are limited. But the sushi, salads, and the rest of it are all good. I can't see myself ever returning... but if I knew somebody wanted sushi, and they weren't somebody I was trying to go to the wire for, Kisso it is.
(3)G. W.
We went for my birthday, because Mikado was closed. Many people have recommended that I try Kisso, knowing my love for all things sushi, and I have even had it on my list of "must try" since the day I noticed it. It's not special, but good enough. Note, staff and service are nice enough.
(3)Dayna T.
Melt in your mouth tasty sushi. I really liked the slightly warm temperature of the rolls, freshness of the fish and the perfection of the rice (soft and not stiff). I got the dynamite roll(soft shell crab), spicy tuna w/avocado and shrimp tempura/salmon roll. All pretty classic combinations done very well with special attention paid to contrasting textures and flavors. It wasn't quite enough for 2 people so we also shared a seaweed salad and the shumai (special). The shumai were made with fresh pasta and were nice and puffy. The server warned us that they were very, very hot which only made me want them more. They weren't pepper hot though, more like intense horseradish blasting through your sinuses hot. Kisso is a quality sushi restaurant. It will not razzle dazzle you but you will leave very satisfied with the food and the price is reasonable.
(4)Terry C.
I would give this place 5 stars if they had moche on a regular basis... It's my favorite traditional Japanese ice cream dish. The food is excellent! Some of the best maki and shashimi in the city. It's a little pricey, but you're paying for quality fish! The staff and the sushi chef are wonderful, friendly, and very graceous! It's wonderful, except for the lack of moche...
(4)a r.
Yummy sushi - terrible seaweed salad! Green tea ice cream is okay, not a fan of the texture, not very creamy, rather gritty, very intense flavor. Selection is not not very exciting, very standard, even if you order the 'special' roll. Would order sushi from here again though.
(3)pearl l.
tucked away in old city, lies this cute sushi place owned by koreans. yes, sushi prepared by koreans. (i only know this because my best friend knows the owners and she is korean, so..) the restaurant has a bar for people who wanna eat by their lonesome, but there is seating, limited seating. not a lot of tables. and you are quite close to other tables. the decor is minimal. the bathroom clean. the staff is wicked cute and smiley! the miso soup was quite delicious. they don't make veggie tempura. boo!!! the rice and roasted salted seaweed was good. the rice had a sweet flavor which was complemented by the salted seaweed. my tuna roll was ok. for dessert, there is only 3 desserts to choose from. boo again! i ordered the sampler dessert platter. it had two chiclet pieces of jello (not the bill cosby jello, but the asian version), 2 pieces of mochi, strawberry flavor (other choice is green tea) and a little cake/cookie sized jelly filled pastry. i felt like a giant eating because the dessert was so small! the service here is quick and polite. we had the chef customize one of our orders and that was nice of him. if you wanna feel like godzilla attacking little sushi and little dessert people, which is what i do with miniature food, definitely stop by here!
(3)Z J.
I haven't been in a couple of years but in the late 90s early 2000s this was my absolute favorite sushi spot. The restaurant is tiny so make sure you have a reservation if you need more than a table for two.
(4)Tom Q.
This is a weird place. The food is delicious, bu there is not a lot of seating and people seem to sit around forever leading to long waits. The sushi is good and the service is fantastic, it's not cheap by any stretch of the imagination, but decent sushi never seems to be. It's got a great location and a subdued decor, I imagine it's a great first or second date place.
(4)P L.
Portions are small so it can get pretty expensive if you're trying to get full. If you're judging just on the quality and freshness of the fish and the other dishes, Kisso is the best sushi in the city, hands down.
(5)LL G.
While the decor could use some freshening up, the food is excellent, and consistently so. And the prices are amazing - $18 for a large bowl of warm seasoned rice covered with about 20 pieces of sashimi (about 7 or 8 different varieties of fish and shellfish, with eel). Kisso serves its fish on the warm side, but it is super fresh and beautifully cut so the fish just melts in your mouth. Very laid back ambiance and attentive service, very nice people. I worry that Kisso gets overlooked because it's off the beaten path - please go, it's worth the trip.
(5)Lesley V.
This is the best sushi I have had so far in Philadelphia. Always fresh fresh fresh and did I mention it is a BYOB? :) Staff is very friendly. There have been several nights during the week when my husband and I were the only patrons....the weekends get crowded.
(5)kara p.
so i haven't here in a few years, so i don't know if Kisso has changed at all since then. but within a year i ate there 3 times. all 3 times i got some variation of veggie sushi. all 3 times were decent, nothing outrageous, but decent. when i went with larger groups including people that got lots of different fish sushi they all seemed impressed. at the time i had not been to many upscale sushi bars, so i remember thinking it was very impressive as well. but after living in CA and being a total sushi whore out there, i doubt i would be as impressed with Kisso now. however i remember the staff being nice and the food arriving quickly. i also like the decor of Kisso, very simple with lots of open windows. i believe that they are BYOB, however i know for a fact if you spend over a certain amount of money there they bring out the sake for you.
(3)