Top 15 Scene Trends: Scene Stats and Trends (2024)

Sushi Trends: What's Changing and Why It Matters

Sushi started becoming a part of American culture in the 1960s and 70s, when dishes like the California roll introduced a Westernized take on traditional sushi. This adaptation helped make sushi more accessible and appealing to American tastes, sparking a growing interest in the cuisine. Over the years, sushi restaurants began to appear across the U.S., making it a staple in cities nationwide. While sushi's popularity has continued to rise, its deep roots in Japanese tradition have remained intact, blending cultural heritage with modern American dining trends.

Sushi, a culinary tradition with deep roots in Japan, has expanded its reach and evolved into a global phenomenon. In the Western world, sushi’s versatility, creativity, and appeal to health-conscious diners have helped it thrive. 

Over the past few decades, the sushi landscape has transformed, with chefs pushing the boundaries of tradition while embracing sustainability, fusion flavors, and interactive dining experiences. Today’s sushi trends reflect a dynamic interplay between honoring the craft and adapting to changing consumer preferences. Below, we explore 15 notable sushi trends shaping the modern restaurant scene, examining their origins, appeal, and staying power.

Top 15 Sushi Trends

1. Plant-Based Sushi Options

The Trend:
Plant-based sushi has become one of the most significant shifts in the sushi industry. Traditionally dominated by seafood, sushi chefs are now creating rolls using vegetables, fruits, tofu, and even plant-based “fish” products that mimic the texture and taste of tuna, salmon, and eel.

What’s Contributing to It:
The rise of plant-based diets driven by concerns over health, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare has led to more creative vegan and vegetarian sushi offerings. Chefs are experimenting with jackfruit, roasted bell peppers, avocado, and marinated mushrooms to replicate the textures of fish, while plant-based companies like Ocean Hugger Foods have introduced tomato-based tuna alternatives. This aligns with a broader cultural shift towards reducing meat consumption, with 65% of people globally trying to eat less meat, according to recent data studies.

Staying Power or Flash in the Pan:
This trend shows strong staying power as plant-based diets become more mainstream. Sustainability concerns regarding overfishing and the carbon footprint of seafood production will likely fuel continued innovation in this space.

2. Sushi Burritos

The Trend:
Sushi burritos represent a fusion of sushi’s fresh, clean flavors with the convenience of a handheld, wrap-style format. Essentially oversized sushi rolls, sushi burritos are stuffed with rice, fish, vegetables, and sauces, then wrapped in seaweed or rice paper and served like a burrito.

What’s Contributing to It:
The fast-casual dining sector, which thrives on quick service and portability, has embraced the sushi burrito. During the pandemic, the demand for easy-to-transport meals grew exponentially, and this hybrid dish fits the bill perfectly. It’s also a visually appealing dish that caters to Instagram culture, where vibrant, large-format food presentations attract attention. Additionally, it appeals to those who want the flavor variety of sushi but with a more substantial portion size.

Staying Power or Flash in the Pan:
While the sushi burrito has seen a boom in popularity, particularly in urban areas and among younger diners, it may be more of a niche offering. Its novelty could wear off over time, but it’s likely to maintain a strong presence in casual sushi spots and poke-centric eateries.

3. Sushi Tacos

The Trend:
Sushi tacos are a playful fusion of Japanese and Mexican cuisine, typically involving seaweed or wonton taco shells filled with sushi rice, raw fish, avocado, spicy mayo, and other classic sushi ingredients. This cross-cultural dish is popular in fusion restaurants and food trucks.

What’s Contributing to It:
The growing trend of fusion cuisine—where chefs combine ingredients and techniques from different cultures—has contributed to the rise of sushi tacos. Chefs are constantly searching for ways to innovate and differentiate their menus, and sushi tacos offer a fun, casual take on traditional sushi. Additionally, sushi tacos appeal to consumers seeking novel and adventurous dining experiences. The portability of the taco format also caters to the grab-and-go culture prevalent in cities with bustling food truck scenes.

Staying Power or Flash in the Pan:
Given the continued interest in fusion food, sushi tacos are likely to stick around. However, they may remain confined to casual dining environments and fusion eateries rather than becoming a mainstream sushi offering.

4. Omakase Dining Experiences

The Trend:
Omakase, translating to "I leave it up to you," is an intimate dining experience where diners trust the chef to curate a multi-course meal of the freshest, highest-quality ingredients available. The chef crafts each dish on the spot, often explaining the origin and preparation of each course.

What’s Contributing to It:
Omakase reflects a growing trend toward experiential dining, where the meal becomes more than just food—it’s an immersive experience. The rising appreciation for traditional sushi craftsmanship, coupled with the desire for personalized and exclusive dining, has boosted omakase’s appeal. High-end sushi restaurants, like Masa in New York City, charge hundreds or even thousands of dollars per person for these bespoke experiences, turning sushi into a luxury indulgence. Moreover, diners are increasingly looking to connect with the stories behind their meals, and omakase provides that narrative, allowing for interaction with the chef.

Staying Power or Flash in the Pan:
Omakase is a time-honored tradition that’s only growing in popularity as diners seek more personalized and authentic food experiences. This trend has strong staying power, particularly in the fine-dining space, where exclusivity and bespoke experiences are highly valued.

5. Sustainable Seafood Practices

The Trend:
Sustainability has become a critical concern in the sushi industry, with many restaurants committing to sourcing fish that are either farmed sustainably or caught using methods that protect the long-term health of fish populations. Restaurants are also minimizing waste by using the whole fish, incorporating lesser-known or “ugly” species into their menus.

What’s Contributing to It:
Consumer awareness of overfishing, ocean pollution, and climate change has increased demand for sustainably sourced seafood. In a 2021 study by the Marine Stewardship Council, 72% of seafood consumers said they would choose sustainable options if they were available. Organizations like the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch provide guidance to restaurants on which fish to avoid and which to prioritize. Sushi chefs are now building relationships with local fishermen and sourcing their fish directly from eco-friendly suppliers to ensure transparency in their supply chains.

Staying Power or Flash in the Pan:
With the global focus on environmental issues intensifying, sustainable seafood practices are likely to become the norm rather than the exception. Restaurants that ignore this trend risk alienating an increasingly eco-conscious customer base.

6. High-Quality Sushi Kits for Home Preparation

The Trend:
Home sushi-making kits provide all the ingredients needed for people to craft their own sushi at home. These kits typically include sushi-grade fish, rice, nori, and sauces, along with step-by-step instructions.

What’s Contributing to It:
The pandemic dramatically increased interest in home cooking and DIY meal kits, with companies like Blue Apron and HelloFresh seeing huge growth in subscribers. Sushi kits cater to adventurous home cooks looking to recreate the sushi bar experience in their own kitchens. These kits offer the convenience of high-quality, pre-portioned ingredients without the need to source them from multiple suppliers. Restaurants and sushi bars, like Nobu, have even started offering their own branded kits, turning what used to be a restaurant-only experience into a home-based activity.

Staying Power or Flash in the Pan:
While the surge in home cooking has leveled off since the height of the pandemic, sushi kits are likely to remain popular with food enthusiasts who enjoy experimenting in the kitchen. This trend could persist as a specialty item in the meal kit market.

7. Global Flavor Influences

The Trend:
Traditional sushi is being infused with bold, global flavors, combining ingredients like kimchi, mango salsa, jalapeños, and truffle oil to create new flavor profiles. This cross-pollination of flavors is particularly evident in fusion restaurants, where the boundaries of sushi are pushed beyond Japan’s shores.

What’s Contributing to It:
The increasing globalization of food has led chefs to experiment with different cuisines, blending elements from Asian, Latin American, and even Middle Eastern cooking with traditional sushi components. Restaurants like Nobu have popularized this approach, integrating Peruvian and Japanese flavors into dishes like Tiradito, a sashimi-style dish with a citrusy kick. Additionally, diners, especially millennials and Gen Z, are seeking new, diverse, and bold flavors, and sushi offers a versatile canvas for these innovations.

Staying Power or Flash in the Pan:
Global flavor fusion is likely here to stay as sushi continues to adapt to local tastes in various countries. Its flexibility and ability to incorporate a wide range of ingredients make it an enduring trend, particularly in metropolitan and culturally diverse areas.

8. Artisan Sushi

The Trend:
Artisan sushi represents a return to the fundamentals of sushi-making, with a focus on craftsmanship, precision, and the highest-quality ingredients. Chefs hand-select ingredients and carefully prepare each piece to create a beautifully balanced bite, emphasizing traditional techniques.

What’s Contributing to It:
As consumers seek out artisanal and handcrafted products across food sectors—think craft beer, small-batch cheese, and farm-to-table restaurants—sushi is following suit. Restaurants like Sushi Ginza Onodera in Los Angeles offer authentic, artisan sushi experiences, where chefs work meticulously to deliver perfectly crafted dishes that showcase the skill and artistry behind sushi preparation. There’s also a growing emphasis on terroir, with chefs highlighting the unique qualities of fish and rice sourced from specific regions.

Staying Power or Flash in the Pan:
Artisan sushi’s focus on quality and craftsmanship appeals to discerning diners, particularly those in high-end markets. This trend will likely continue to thrive, especially in cities with a strong culinary culture.

9. Sushi Desserts

The Trend:
Sushi desserts have emerged as a creative way to finish off a sushi meal with a sweet twist. These desserts often mimic the appearance of traditional sushi but are made from ingredients like sweet rice, fruits, and chocolate.

What’s Contributing to It:
Chefs are constantly pushing the boundaries of traditional cuisine to keep their offerings exciting, and sushi desserts allow for a playful and visually appealing conclusion to a meal. Additionally, the popularity of “Instagrammable” food has pushed chefs to create photogenic and innovative dishes that attract social media attention. These desserts also appeal to those looking for a lighter, more delicate option after a sushi meal, as they often incorporate fruit and other refreshing ingredients.

Staying Power or Flash in the Pan:
Sushi desserts may be a flash in the pan, appealing mostly to foodies and trend-chasers. However, they could remain a niche offering at sushi restaurants looking to stand out from competitors by offering a unique end to the meal.

10. Edible Sushi Art

The Trend:
Edible sushi art involves creating visually intricate and aesthetically pleasing sushi that looks like artwork on a plate. This can include using colorful ingredients, carving vegetables into decorative shapes, or arranging sushi into patterns or forms that resemble flowers, landscapes, or animals.

What’s Contributing to It:
The trend towards "food as art" is becoming increasingly popular as social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok encourage diners to share pictures of their meals. Artistic sushi presentations captivate audiences online, increasing a restaurant's visibility and appeal. Chefs, especially those with a background in fine dining, see sushi as the perfect medium for artistic expression due to its clean lines, vibrant colors, and minimalistic aesthetic. The practice of Kaiseki, a traditional multi-course Japanese meal that emphasizes presentation as much as flavor, has influenced this trend.

Staying Power or Flash in the Pan:
While visually stunning sushi art may have niche appeal, its labor-intensive nature may limit its widespread adoption. However, it will likely continue to find a home in high-end sushi restaurants and venues that prioritize presentation as part of the dining experience.

11. Sushi Handroll Bars

The Trend:
Handroll bars (temaki bars) are casual, fast-paced sushi spots where chefs prepare handrolls (temaki) fresh in front of the diner. These sushi bars focus exclusively on handrolls, typically using simple, high-quality ingredients and offering a limited but expertly executed menu.

What’s Contributing to It:
The rise of fast-casual dining has fueled the growth of handroll bars, as they provide an affordable, quick, and high-quality sushi experience. Handrolls, which consist of rice, fish, and other ingredients wrapped in a cone-shaped piece of nori, are easy to make fresh on the spot and serve directly to the customer. Restaurants like KazuNori in Los Angeles have popularized this concept, offering an alternative to the sit-down sushi dining experience without sacrificing quality. The simplicity and freshness of the handroll bar format also appeal to health-conscious diners looking for a light but satisfying meal.

Staying Power or Flash in the Pan:
Handroll bars have strong staying power, particularly in urban areas where fast-casual dining and high-quality ingredients are in demand. Their focus on simplicity and freshness makes them a perfect fit for busy, health-conscious consumers seeking an alternative to more elaborate sushi offerings.

12. Interactive Sushi Experiences

The Trend:
Interactive sushi dining experiences involve diners becoming part of the sushi-making process, whether by rolling their own sushi, selecting specific ingredients for each piece, or participating in sushi workshops hosted by chefs.

What’s Contributing to It:
As consumers seek more immersive and experiential dining options, restaurants have responded by offering interactive sushi experiences. This trend caters to a demographic that values not just food, but the process behind it. Sushi-making classes, for instance, allow participants to learn a new skill while enjoying a meal. These experiences also appeal to the “foodie” culture, where diners want to engage more deeply with their food and understand the craft behind it. It’s also a hit for social dining occasions like corporate events or celebrations, where people can bond over the shared experience of creating sushi.

Staying Power or Flash in the Pan:
This trend is likely to endure as experiential dining continues to grow. Interactive sushi experiences provide a memorable and unique dining option that goes beyond simply consuming food, aligning with the broader trend of making meals more personal and hands-on.

13. Sushi Bowls

The Trend:
Sushi bowls, or "deconstructed sushi," are bowls filled with sushi rice and topped with ingredients like raw fish, avocado, cucumber, and soy sauce. Essentially, they offer all the components of a sushi roll in a more casual, customizable format.

What’s Contributing to It:
Sushi bowls have emerged as part of the larger "bowl" trend in the health and wellness space, where meals are served in a customizable, easy-to-eat format. Poke bowls, which originated in Hawaii and are similar to sushi bowls, helped popularize this trend by offering a more casual, accessible way to enjoy sushi-grade fish without the formal presentation of traditional sushi. The simplicity and flexibility of sushi bowls make them a hit with busy, health-conscious consumers looking for a quick, nutritious meal.

Staying Power or Flash in the Pan:
Sushi bowls have strong staying power as they align with trends in healthy eating, customization, and fast-casual dining. Their ability to cater to a wide range of dietary preferences and ingredient combinations makes them a versatile and popular option.

14. Sashimi-Grade Fish Delivery

The Trend:
As demand for high-quality sushi grows, companies are now offering direct-to-consumer delivery of sashimi-grade fish, allowing customers to enjoy restaurant-quality sushi at home. These services provide pre-portioned cuts of tuna, salmon, yellowtail, and other premium fish, along with sushi rice, nori, and sauces.

What’s Contributing to It:
The rise of meal kits and subscription services has made it easier for consumers to access high-quality ingredients at home. With an increasing number of people seeking alternatives to dining out, especially during the pandemic, these delivery services have filled a niche for food enthusiasts who want to recreate restaurant-quality sushi at home. Companies like Catalina Offshore Products and Tokyo Central have tapped into this market, offering fresh, sustainably sourced seafood that’s flash-frozen and delivered to your door.

Staying Power or Flash in the Pan:
This trend is likely to continue, especially as more people grow accustomed to the convenience and quality of direct-to-consumer food delivery services. Sashimi-grade fish delivery meets the needs of home cooks who value freshness and quality, making it a compelling option for both occasional sushi makers and avid seafood enthusiasts.

15. Edible Gold and Luxury Sushi

The Trend:
Luxury sushi, adorned with edible gold leaf, caviar, and truffle, has become a high-end trend that elevates sushi into the realm of gourmet dining. This opulent take on sushi is often found in upscale restaurants and is marketed as a luxurious, once-in-a-lifetime dining experience.

What’s Contributing to It:
Luxury sushi taps into the broader trend of indulgent, high-end dining experiences that cater to affluent diners looking for exclusivity and status. Restaurants like Masa in New York, where a meal can cost over $500 per person, have helped fuel the idea of sushi as a luxury product. Ingredients like gold leaf, which are visually striking but have little flavor, serve to elevate the perception of the dish, turning it into a statement of wealth and refinement. The allure of rare ingredients like uni (sea urchin), bluefin tuna, and premium Wagyu beef also adds to the appeal of luxury sushi.

Staying Power or Flash in the Pan:
While this trend caters to a niche market, luxury dining experiences will likely persist as long as there are diners willing to pay for exclusivity and opulence. However, the trend may be limited to ultra-high-end restaurants and special events rather than becoming a widespread phenomenon.

Conclusion

Sushi continues to evolve as chefs, diners, and cultural trends influence its transformation. From plant-based innovations to high-end luxury experiences, these 15 sushi trends showcase the adaptability and creativity inherent in this iconic cuisine. Whether driven by sustainability concerns, a desire for novelty, or a love of tradition, the modern sushi landscape is more diverse and dynamic than ever, offering something for every palate and dining occasion.