Obon's vibe is exactly what you'd want from a modernized, "date night" sushi spot with cozy patio seating (dog friendly!). You've got the snazzy drinks too - their take on an Old Fashioned was really fun and so smooth. The sushi is fantastic. That much needs to be said - it's pricey for sure, but delicious and interesting. The noodles were above average, but nothing extraordinary, especially for the price point. The miso soup was great, but when is miso soup not great? And for a whopping $7? Not worth it in the slightest. Service is slow, but I have to admit I'm shocked by the negative experiences in the reviews here. Our server was kind and doing her best juggling the busy patio section and most of the holdup seemed to be due to the kitchen rather than the waitstaff. Will for sure be back, but probably just for sushi and drinks! read more

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Finally got to try the Obon brunch menu for Mother's Day and everything was sooooo delicious! We tried the matcha bloom cocktail - the matcha strawberry combo was sweet and refreshing. We also tried the miso macchiato which gave like a salted caramel vibe - also worth trying! And for our entrees we had the omurice and pork belly Benedict. I will be thinking about this meal over and over again read more

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I first reviewed Obon Sushi and Ramen Bar in 2018, and it remains one of the top restaurants I recommend in Tucson. My most recent visit was on January 31, 2026. Even though Yelp shows 37 check-ins, I have easily been here over 100 times. I also frequent the Obon location in downtown Phoenix whenever I'm in town. Ramen is one of my favorite foods and it's hard to compare shops since each place is unique to their own. I've tried everything from small intimate shops to Michelin recognized quality, and I still find myself craving Obon's ramen. My go to order is the Tonkotsu ramen ($20) with the spice bomb added (+$1). The ramen has wavy noodles and comes with a 64 degree egg, which is still the star of the show for me. To this day, I haven't found anything quite like their spice bomb, add it if you want your ramen to have a little kick. Additionally, I like to mix in some soy sauce in my broth. For sushi, I recommend the Tataki Maki roll ($21). I also had the pleasure of trying the Modern Omakase ($60pp), which comes with 8 pieces of Nigiri, selected & enhanced by the chef. Presentation looked as great as it tasted. For drinks, I enjoyed the Pineapple Express ($18) and the Kung Fu Pandan ($18). The main drawback is the prices, which is higher than most sushi and ramen restaurants locally and in other states I've visited, like California. This is expected as it uses quality ingredients and feels more upscale than the average restaurant. The prices shown in my photos reflect what they were at the time of my visit. I recommend checking out the menu before visiting. Obon is located in downtown Tucson, so parking can be a little tricky. You can use either street meter parking or nearby parking garages. The entrance is easy to spot, marked by a large door next to their patio seating. The ambiance is quiet and mellow earlier in the day, but it can get noisy in the evening and at night during peak hours. It's a nice spot for occasions, date nights, or group outings. I would recommend making a reservation if you're visiting in the evening. The service has been great & friendly on my recent visits, and the sushi chefs are amazing. Overall, I still love Obon and it's definitely worth a visit for anyone who enjoys sushi and ramen. I still have more of the menu I need to explore including their Sunday brunch. If you're a foodie like me, Obon should already be on your list!! read more

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I am never disappointed. The atmosphere is lively and upbeat, with efficient service. I love the small tables along the back wall facing the kitchen. It's an interesting view. The sake flight offers a great variety, and paired with their delicious beautifully crafted hand rolls, it's truly a feast for the eyes. Being part of downtown Tucson makes it an even better spot. Definitely make a reservation. I wouldn't go without one! read more

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What a delicious evening out! My girlfriend and I came to Obon for a celebration. We started with a cocktail and the pork belly, it was incredible!! Crunchy and fatty with a sweet and tangy sauce, it was a generous portion for two and an excellent way to begin the meal. Next I got the tuna poke and my partner ordered a sushi roll. The fresh fish was delightful as expected. Our server waited attentively on us as he brought each new flavor out, the ambiance of low light and hum of happy patrons created a special experience. Obon is a top restaurant in Tucson for a reason, providing a classy experience downtown. read more

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I revisited Obon recently after my roommate was craving a small bite. As usual the restaurant was very clean and the menus were updated, which I noticed they tend to do a lot. My roomie loved her gyoza dumplings. I decided to try something I hadn't before and landed on the miso soup and the strip roll. I loved both and will definitely be ordering them again. I had hoped since I was coming outside of happy hour (my usual drop-by time) the service would be faster, but unfortunately that wasn't the case. However, the food is so good I'll keep coming back. read more

OBON Sushi Bar Ramen - The Strip - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

The entrance was a grand, welcoming door. I was promptly greeted and given a table. However, the table was dirty, with a circle of the last person's drink or soy sauce stain. I ordered the original ramen with a side of bomb hot sauce and nigiri salmon sushi, along with green tea. The ramen looked appetizing, but it was not hot yet--room temperature. I was eager for a hot broth to warm me up on this gloomy, cloudy evening. My two nigiri salmon sushi still had their shiny scales, which I'm not an expert on, but I'm pretty sure that's not supposed to be there. My palate certainly knew it wasn't the best taste--very bland and mushy. The rice was not compact, and as I dipped it into soy sauce, it fell apart. The soy sauce dish I used for my nigiri was also dirty. Overall, my experience was not to my liking. The hot green tea kept me warm, but that's about it. read more

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OBON is by far the trendiest sushi spot I've seen in Tucson. Even when the rest of Congress is empty, Obon is so full you're out of luck if you didn't secure a reservation. What's to love: Thoughtful, innovative cocktails drawing inspiration from Southwestern and East Asian ingredients. You can expect to see variations of spicy beverages, as well as flavors like black tea and sesame. Swift service. And a charming atmosphere, even if it gets a bit crowded and raucous. Sushi is the star of the show here, but my visits have been all about ramen (make it extra spicy!) and poke (it has jalapeno, avocado, seaweed salad--all the fixins). There's so much to enjoy, and a huge return factor. If you're in the mood for Japanese and you value quality ingredients and service, Obon is simply a place you can't miss! read more

We were surprised how good this attractive downtown restaurant was. The inventive cocktails were great and the edamame hummus was a gorgeous plate - definate must-order appetizer to share. The crispy nori sails adorning it was an impressive touch. Very dramatic. Sushi was beautifully prepared and we really enjoyed the flavorful omarice and mouth watering street noodles. Would definitely return. Recommended. Great service by our waitress. read more

I had to look at the bad reviews to see why they were even bad reviews. Looks like I ordered the right things bc my experience was great! First off. This is a killer deal for happy hour. Every day from 4-6pm. I sat at the bar. Donald was the bartender and he gave good suggestions on drinks. Here's all that I ordered: Black tea old fashioned: it's sweet. But you can taste the subtle lends of the earl grey tea! So that was cool. I asked to try the house made syrup and it was solid. Very well made. Omukashi: sweet again. I would have liked more amaretto to shine through but that would have made it even sweeter. Delicious regardless. Steamed pork dumplings: yum! Texture of the wrap was perfect. Saltiness of the pork filling was on point. Salmon and Yellowtail sashimi: solid. No complaints here other than I wished the salmon was that price for toro/otoro cut. again, GREAT price on the HH menu. Cucumber salad: this can easily go down in the books for one of the best cucumber salads. I didn't know it was going to be spicy. I'm an "I love spicy" kind of person but usually can't handle it. This was the perfect level of kick. Glad I came here and tried this spot out. read more

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We made a reservation for early dinner 5:30pm, highly recommend making a reservation as people were waiting for quite some time for a table. We sat at the bar because the table they had for us was near the door and it was really cold 40's outside and every time the door opened... brrrr.. the sushi was good, would order the ribs if we go next time, I'd like to go when the weather is better and sit outside. Overall we enjoyed it and would go back. read more

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I haven't been to Obon in almost a decade when I unfortunately got sick after visiting here. (This may have been due to the food/drinks or something else so I'm not blaming the restaurant. Just one of those associations where because it was the last thing I had before getting sick I had reservations about returning). I'm so glad I have given it another try! They are able to do mocktail versions of a few of their cocktails and I had the incredible Chiltepin Cobbler which was a delicious blend of spicy and sweet. We ordered miso soup and edamame as an appetizer, three rolls, and two nigiris. Unfortunately, the appetizers arrived after our mains and only after we asked to check on them. Regardless, all the food was great. I particularly like how unique their signature rolls are - a great fusion of tastes. I recommend going during happy hour. read more

OBON Sushi Bar Ramen - Chiltepin Cobbler - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Nice dinner downtown before a show. Especially good pre-show because they have lots of great happy hour specials. We had discounted wine and beer, with a few half-price appetizers: nice veggie gyoza, ebi nigiri, cucumber salad (really, really good), and edamame (overcooked, unfortunately). After that, my friends had bao buns (one had shrimp, the other, chicken) and we shared a Fukushu roll--all great. I like sitting at the high top tales in the bar area there, but the downside is that the bartenders are the waiters for that area, so I think they're stretched a bit thin. Still like it better up there, though--the ambiance is more pleasant. read more

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One of the better restraunts I've had here in Tucson. I sat at the bar and the service was great! My server made sure I had everything I needed. The inside was also very cute with moody lighting. I got the fuku chicken which was tasty - the flavor got better the more you eat it. It was the perfect amount of saucy and decently sized. The hafu roll was also yummy but I do wish there was less rice so I could appreciate the fish more. I definitely want to try the ramen and a bao bun next time! read more

OBON Sushi Bar Ramen - Hafu Roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Finally we have a chance to come back here after so many years. Pros: This place have a nice setting and good staff. The food also delicious. Cons: Difficult parking Lighting is bit too dark Overpriced. read more

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One of the best gems in Tucson. Great spot overall. Food is 10/10 everytime - and you can tell the difference in quality over other restaurants in the area. Ambiance is wonderful and service is always great. One of our top choices to show friends and family when we have visitors from out of town. Big fans overall. read more

I wanted to update my review after several years and several great meals at Obon. They have really upped their game these last couple of years (I'm guessing thanks to their new head chef). In my prior review, I complained about a lack of consistency in their meals. Not anymore! I can happily say that my meals have been consistently good. They've updated their menu many times since my last review - this is for the better. While they still have some of their classics like their ramen (the vegan ramen is actually delicious and with umami flavor), they've added other fun things like the braised short rib donburi. (Which they recently had a special where the donburi was made with udon noodles instead of rice - please make this a permanent menu item!!) I love their yuzu yellowtail sashimi dish. To be honest, I would argue Obon has some of the best sushi in Tucson. Their cocktails have also gotten much better. Before, I felt like many of them were pretty strange creations. Now, their drinks are still unique but thoughtfully made - not full of sugars, candy, etc. I look forward to having a cocktail at Obon now. The interior/exterior of the restaurant has not changed; I do not mind this. The ambiance has always felt right. If there was one minor thing I'd change, it would be so that when you sit at the sushi bar, you could actually see the sushi being made (it's hard to explain the seating at the bar but basically the view of the sushi chefs at work is sorta blocked by the unused sushi itself). But this is incredibly minor and not at all an issue causing a lesser rating. As you can see, I have come to really love Obon. I come here semi-regularly, both on dates and with friends, so I felt it was only just to update my previous critiques. If it's been a while since you last tried Obon, definitely give it another go. They are doing some good work here, clearly listening to customers and making improvements. read more

Came in for happy hour--$6 nigiri (salmon, tuna, hamachi) is a good deal. Fish was ok, salmon the best, but nothing standout. Rice is solid, just not at the level of top coastal spots. Gyoza were fine. Ramen is why I came, and I'll admit I'm pretty spoiled--I've had some of the best sushi and ramen out there, which is either a blessing or a curse. This one didn't quite hit that level. Interior is a plus--upscale, modern Asian feel. Bartenders were attentive, and the food runners had great energy and smiles. Sometimes ignorance is bliss... and I might be a little ruined at this point. But if you haven't been down the rabbit hole of top-tier sushi and ramen, this place will probably make you very happy. Overall: a respectable, middle-of-the-road spot for Tucson. Not a destination, but an option if you're in the area. read more

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The service here was great maybe a little too fast. I felt a little rushed to the beginning. But my fault I should've just told him we weren't ready to order. They have a happy hour that actually had some sushi dishes we were fortunate that most of the items we ordered were on the happy hour for half price. This is located in downtown Tucson. You have to park in a parking lot across the street and make sure you don't drive past it the first time because ilcoming around a circle with a nightmare. But this was actually really good and if I'm ever Tucson again, I would definitely come here read more

OBON Sushi Bar Ramen - Cucumber salad - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Gave this place another try- it's in a great popular area downtown which makes it very accessible. If you're looking for authentic Japanese, this is not the spot. It's more fusion. The prices are pretty expensive but the ingredients, specifically the raw fish, are decent. The steak bowl was delicious too! My biggest complaint though is that each dish felt like it was doing too much- too many ingredients and seasoning. For example, the steak bowl was good but I could taste a heavy butter flavor. The sushi roll had an unappetizing flavor profile from the sauce. If you're looking for Japanese fusion, this is a good spot. If you're looking for authentic Japanese, this isn't it. read more

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Obon is a trendy sushi joint located in downtown Tucson. Unlike your mom and pop Japanese restaurant, this place has some unique dishes you won't find in a traditional sushi joint. My favorite dish was the crispy rice trio. The presentation, textures, and flavors were wonderful. Also, the shishito peppers are something you should try. They are not spicy and the sauce drizzle is what makes the dish amazing. You might find yourself drinking the sauce from the bowl. Cheers! read more

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Food was good when we went. A bit pricey but we had great service and was able to sit on the patio where it was a little bit quieter. We went at night and inside was packed. Would dine again. read more

Not the tonkotsu I was hoping for after Tokyo I just returned from a week in Tokyo and was craving real ramen, but this place delivered a strongly Americanized version instead. The tonkotsu ramen came with a very spicy broth by default. Classic tonkotsu is rich, savory, and porky -- not spicy at all. If I had known, I would have asked them to hold the spice, but as it was, I couldn't enjoy or finish the broth, which is the best part of a good bowl. The soft-boiled egg was also substandard. The yolk was somewhat intact, but the whites completely fell apart and disintegrated into a soupy mess in the broth. In Tokyo, the ajitama eggs are consistently solid enough to hold together while staying tender with a jammy yolk. There's really no reason for them to fall apart like that. Overall, if you're expecting a relatively authentic experience, this probably isn't the spot. read more

This is by far my favorite location, always great service and you can count on the quality of the food to be consistent. I've walked in on a Saturday and have been seated pretty quickly . Love coming here for a date night read more

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Good service modern atmosphere and excellent food. We were a party of eight and all the food came out quickly, hot or cold, depending on the order. Everything tasted fabulous and everyone was excited to go back for a meal again another time. The kids ordered the kids Ramen with broth which they loved. We were fortunate enough that even on a Saturday. They had a happy hour and we got two rolls for half price and my husband ordered the cucumber salad and the teriyaki chicken. He loved the cucumber salad, but probably wouldn't order the chicken again. My Poké bowl was excellent with fresh greens and rice and a lot of salmon. It was really tasty. My son and daughter-in-law each ordered off the happy hour menu. And we're very pleased with everything especially the Nigiri. They loved the yellowtail. It was very fresh. My son-in-law and daughter ordered the braised short ribs, which he really liked, but it wasn't filling enough for him. My daughter loved her ordered sushi's and sashimi's. Everyone loved their meals and how quickly the food came. We were headed to a hockey game at the arena and made it there in plenty of time. Hint for parking the lot across the street from the restaurant was a little expensive $10 for an hour but if you go to the AC Marriott around the corner, it was five dollars for two hours or less. read more

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Loved our experience in Scottsdale. Came here with my family to share - what we were hoping the same experience. We ordered sushi, ramen and drinks. Server lost our sushi paper, avoided us for majority or of time. When we finished our ramen another server came out and realized why we were searching for her. Our original server came back took our sushi order from memory, messed up my husbands sushi order, got short with us for "asking for the right one made." If she wrote it down it wouldn't have been a problem. They took care of our sushi for the mess up, which was nice but the whole experience could have been different if she done her table touches and checked in on us. read more

First time trying Obon and I'll be back again! My group of 7 arrived and got seated in around 10 mins, which was good for a busy Friday night. We got seated outside and even though it was the end of May, the weather was good! Our waitress was fast, friendly, and attentive! We started with the Cucumber Salad ($10) which was absolutely delicious!! It was very flavorful and refreshing. We got the Trio Sampler of the Crispy Rice ($18) and it was also so delicious! I usually don't like scallop but this version was so tasty. We got the Tonkotsu Ramen ($19) with a Spice bomb (.50), and the ramen by itself was somewhat bland, but with the spice bomb it gave it a great flavor and spice. The Philly Roll ($12) was simple but a classic and just what we needed and wanted. I think my favorite thing we ordered was the Shrimp Fried Rice ($26). It was probably the most flavorful fried rice I have ever tried. My friend ordered the Bird Bao Bun ($7) and she really enjoyed it! My other friend got the Street Noodles ($22) with shrimp instead of chicken and the Steamed Edamame ($7) and she said the noodles were very good! The edamame was also good but you can't really mess up salty yummy edamame. Overall, the food we got was amazing. We sat in the front porch type area of the restaurant and it was very nice and aesthetic. I hope to be back soon! read more

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Wow! Obon is amazing. From the interiors to the service to the dish ware to the food. We ordered two Sapporo's, crispy rice flight, miso soup, pork belly appetizer, a speciality role & veggie role. Perfect amount of food for two. And SO delicious. Just perfect. As simple as it sounds, I think the miso & veggie role were my favorite, even over the more flavorful options. Definitely recommend! read more

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I didn't love what we ordered but so much on the menu sounds good I would go back and try other things. We got the crispy rice sampler- impossible to eat with chopsticks and the chunk of rice was too big. The salmon and the scallop one were delicious, the tuna was too plain and needed a sauce. The California and spicy tuna roll were nothing special and bland. The spicy tuna was missing spice, I was wondering if they brought a regular tuna roll. Service was great and the patio was really nice. We left there around 7 and it was packed. read more

OBON Sushi Bar Ramen - Crispy rice sampler, California roll, spicy tuna roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Amazing food and service! My friends and I decided to go last minute on a Friday night and waited just a few minutes before being seated. Our waitress was fantastic, we had a few questions about certain dishes and she happily answered them and gave amazing recommendations! I ordered the street noodles but subbed the chicken for shrimp and absolutely loved it, so flavorful and just delicious. We ordered the both the cucumber salad and shrimp fried rice to share, and they were probably the best cucumber salad and fried rice we'd ever had. Some of my friends got the trio sampler of the crispy rice and they were raving over it - they loved being able to try each one instead of having to commit to just one flavor! They also ordered the tonkostu ramen with the spicy bomb (highly recommended) and they said it was super tasty. Lastly, one of my friends ordered the bird bao bun and she loved it! Highly recommend and hope to visit again! read more

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I always make sure to go here whenever I visit Tucson because it is just that good! The food is always great, and the staff is super friendly and attentive. I've never been the biggest fan of sushi, but their rolls are always so fresh that I can't resist. The best thing is always their ramen and bird bun, 100/10 would recommend the bird bun with some crunchy garlic!! I always like to sit at the bar because the bartenders are so nice, but I also really like the patio when I'm with others. I can't wait to visit again soon or for them to open a restaurant in San Diego someday! read more

OBON Sushi Bar Ramen - Bird Bun - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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I hadn't been here for a while so I wanted to give it a try. Seemed like It was a quiet night for them. I ordered yuzu yellowtail and hafu roll. I usually don't order rolls much but wanted to try something different. Hafu roll was pretty good but what I absolutely loved was Yuzu yellowtail. Wow! I could eat it everyday! It was sooooo delicious! I do like the ambience of the restaurant. It has a upscale feel to it. Service was decent as well read more

OBON Sushi Bar Ramen - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Went for Sunday brunch which is advertised online and social media 10am start. We arrived 10am doors were closed we waited 15mins checked doors a few times. Even call no answer. We went to another place ended around 12pm on our walk back they were open. Very disappointing hours are wrong. read more