The only decent sushi place in Rochester. Sushi is a bit expensive but it is expected. The place is small but the staff is nice and fast. Gives student discount if you pay in cash. I had the beef udon. The best I have had in Rochester. Thick and full of flavor. read more

We went to Shiki 2 times in a week when we did a road trip from Cambridge, MA. I'm so impressed that they have authentic Japanese food in a little hidden place. I'm from Tokyo and it's very difficult to find reasonably priced, great Japanese food outside of Japan, especially in a small city. We had sushi/sashimi moriawase 2 times, soba and lunch bento box. Sushi and sashimi were excellent. They came with small salad and miso soup. Soba was ok. Lunch bento box had many kinds of creative food. Waiters and maybe also chef are Japanese, I felt like I was in Japan. If I lived nearby, I would go every week. ご馳走様でした。 read more

Last night I went to Shiki and endured perhaps the single worst restaurant experience of my life. There were a number of us (but less than ten), so we had a reservation that had been made several days before. We got seated 20 minutes after the reservation time and then it was one mistake after another wrapped in an endless wait. The orders were bungled, orders for different people came out twenty minutes apart, the waitress did not know them menu and could bare communicate. Every time we tried to put together an order she disappeared for five minutes. There was simple special request on the sushi order (wasabi on the side) that did not happen. One order was completely forgotten and only came about 10 minutes after everyone else had finished. In the end, it took a solid two and half hours to get our food. To add to the folly, several smaller parties who came in a full hour after we were seated got served before we did. As we waited, the waitress never apologized and was no where to be found so we couldn't even reorder beers to numb the pain. Some who were with us said they had seen this happen before - they said Shiki seems to completely fold with anything more than a party of two. But here's the thing, as we waited the restaurant was never more than half full. I spoke to the the taller of the two waitresses and she said that the younger shorter waitress was "new," as if that explained everything. If you do go, avoid her if you can. In the end, the bill was amazingly high and we all left hungry, frustrated, and for most of us, vowing never to go back. Awful. read more

Our favorite place. We go to shiki at least 3 times a week, and even more if they have uni Ramen with pork cutlets is my favorite and my boyfriend love Wafu beef. We couldn't get enough of them! read more

Shiki - Ramen with pork cutlets to die for ! - Japanese Near Me - Rochester, New York

This Japanese restaurant is the one of the best Japanese restaurant in the area. The chief obtains raw material from NYC by air-shipped daily or weekly. Not like many other Japanese restaurants which they buy frozen vacuum packed tuna, he buy block of tuna and cutting into a size so he can serve them on sushi. He create his own Sime-Saba (pickled mackerel) from whole Saba. He cooks his own sushi eggs perfectly. When you ordered Chirashi, it always comes exactly the same way every time. When he was serving traditional Japanese dish, he made them so authentically. Miso soup was always fresh and the same great taste. My most favorite dish was Oroshini. He made it in perfect fish broth and perfect ingredients. It is sad that it closes temporarily tomorrow for a long while. I can't find any place else to find this good sushi restaurant. Best of luck to the chief Tanaka-san. read more

After seeing the reviews here, I decided to give Shiki a try for lunch today. I went with a few other guys, and we were the first to arrive a bit before noon, but it filled up as we ate. Two of us got sushi lunches (one vegetarian, and one normal), and the other two got different bento boxes. My sushi lunch was very good, and the rest of the food looked very nice as well. As far as sushi goes, this may be the best I've had in Rochester (outside of Tastings, which isn't a Japanese restaurant); better than Plum House, Plum Garden, and Tokyo. I will definitely be returning. The only ding here was that the service was a little slow, but friendly. The sushi lunches varied in price from around $9-10.50. The bento boxes were less expensive, but still in the $7-9 range. I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for good sushi in Rochester, or someone interested in impressing someone with a nice date environment/cultural experience. read more

Freshest fish in town. Best knife skills. Very nice wait staff. If you're looking for trendy, fusion rolls, go somewhere else. But if you want the real deal, this is the place. I have brought friends from LA & NYC here who love sushi. And they all have been ecstatic. Plus, the dressing on salads is beyond yummy. So lucky to have Shiki! read more

Great place! Great servers. I suggest trying the yaki soba as an appetizer! The salad/soup is wonderful. I suggest the sushi/sashimi combo or teriyaki salmon! Everything is fantastic! ! read more

Sadly, I think the quality of Shiki has changed since I first started coming here. Perhaps there was a change in management? I don't think it's Japanese owned anymore. One of the things I looked forward to most here were the appetizers (monkfish liver, fried salted fish, octopus). When we came here last, the appetizers were tiny portions and they weren't cooked with the same quality. Nor did they offer some of the more authentic appetizers. Same goes for the sushi, and sadly, they weren't as fresh as I remember. I got an uni nigiri and it had that sea-taste in it, meaning that it wasn't as fresh or prepared well. I feel that Shiki has lost its mastery. I usually request to come to Shiki, and when I went home to Rochester a few weeks ago, I didn't even request to come back. Maybe it was a fluke last time I was here, but my intuition is that something needs to change. read more

Hungry and craving more sushi for my tummy, I yelped this place on Rochester's network. I ordered the Dragon roll which was wrapped with avacados. So good ;-0 The downside of this place is the texture of the rice. It's really dry and a bit skimpy. Otherwise, for Rochester, I'd recommend it. read more

Cons: Too bright, salad, miso and octopus app all okay but nothing special. Pros: Hearty portions of quality sashimi read more

Best sushi restaurant in town. Just don't like how they gave me a hard time about splitting a deluxe sashimi platter with my wife a few years ago. We'd probably get a platter each now regardless but good grief, for that they deserve 4 stars instead of 5. But definitely a delicious selection of food, great atmosphere and don't forget to try their plumb wine! Delicious! read more

Service was actually pretty fast when I went last week, but the place wasn't exactly hopping when I stopped in on Saturday evening. The sushi was the best I've had in Rochester (but not the best I've ever had). Prices were reasonable and in-line with portions served. I'll have to admit that it was pretty cool to go to a sushi place in Rochester where businessmen speaking Japanese took saki breaks. However, the seating seemed a bit cramped, as I felt like I was practically on top of the people eating next to me. read more

Just so-so. The service was great. The rolls were small, and the location was a tad bit on the scary side. What else do you expect from Rochester I guess. read more

Cozy place. It's intimate just not priavte. You'll be sitting too close to your neighbor. But if you hate those sprawling, noisy food barns, find Shiki instead, for a serene scene. The food is great. I've never had a bad meal, and we've been there MANY times. read more

Enter, and know how sardines feel inside the can. It is a very small restaurant. However, the food makes up for it. Wonderfully prepared dishes combined with artistic sushi, that looks as great as it tastes, are the reason I highly recommend packing your buns in this tight little joint. Prices are mediocre, but what do you expect for sushi? Besides, nothing is free in this life besides my two cents here. Stop down to this place and check it out. read more

I have had Shiki on my to try list for a little time since moving to the area. Previously I have been thoroughly underwhelmed by the sushi options in Rochester. As it has been said before the parking and the atmosphere leave a bit to be expected. The room is small and cramped, a bit brighter than ideal. But everyone is busy and interactive. The waitress seemed relatively new, but she was nice enough. The restaurant was busy and there was a very active take out business as well. Now the real reason why you go to Shiki: the food. I got the Chirashi. This started with a nice refreshing salad with a good dressing - although a bit drenched in the dressing for my taste. The miso soup was good and refreshing. The Chirashi had excellent eel, tuna, salmon and egg as well as few other options - I forgot to take a photo until after I had a few pieces. As far as the rice it was covered with roe and absolutely delicious - great stickiness with a delicious savory/sweet balance. I will definitely go back, although next time I will ask for far less dressing on the salad. This does beat all other sushi places around for excellent quality sushi, good prices, quick service. I am glad to have found a reliable place for sushi in Rochester. read more

Shiki - Chirashi with a few pieces already gone! - Japanese Near Me - Rochester, New York

The atmosphere is quiet, the people are nice and the food is delicious. I'd recommend going for a quiet lunch with a significant other. I just went last week and I can't wait to go again! read more

This is my first review of Shiki although I have been a few times.I had a mackerel Bento box this time & was very happy with my choice. Bento boxes originated in China and means roughly, "convenience pack", This restaurant served in the usual enameled multi sectioned box we have come to recognize. It contained the usual little treats expected in each section. One had protein, another rice, yet a couple with a picked element & another section that included fried dumplings. Oh yes, don't forget dipping sauce. All was beautifully cooked & served as well as very tasty. So happy with the box, I forgot to mention the usual soup & very fresh salad at the start. All in all, every thing is always tasty here with no surprises just lovely food in a small intimate little restaurant. My family and I had a most pleasant lunch together with a reasonable price & dutiful waitress to serve us. Try the sushi selection and daily specials that stay for a few weeks or so. Never been disappointed. read more

The sushi/sashimi was fresh, tasty, and reasonably priced. The portions were adequate and we left with our bellies satisfied. Our table of 4 had the Dragon roll (delicious eel and avocado at $10), 2 of the Tempura rolls (crispy, salty, savory) the Alaska roll (fresh crab), the Philly roll (classic, tasty) and sashimi (tuna, salmon, and white tuna). We also tried some miso soup and udon noodles. They serve only beer and wine (and sake), no spirits/cocktails. Their beer selection is Sapporo or Kirin, and the wine is either a red or a white. Everything was brought out quickly and the server was attentive. The restaurant is rather small. It only seats about 20-25 people and tables are close together. We made a reservation for 4 on a Saturday at 6:30 and got in no problem. There were a few tables for 2 that were still available. The lights are on the bright side and it isn't the warmest place, but the food and service more than make up for it. Street parking only. There were plenty of spots along Clinton Ave but be advised that many were only for 1 hour parking between 8am-6pm. After 6pm is not an issue. read more

Great place. Been here on multiple occasions and ordered different things. Never disappointed. I've had the daily special ramen (which is almost always the special...), great flavor and noodles. Portion a bit small but for the price, it is what it is. The sushi here are always fresh. I've had the chirashi / sashimi combo multiple times, it's always good. The tomagoyaki is outstanding (by far the best I've ever had). It also takes reservation so that's a plus. The place is quite compact and cozy, never had to wait super long or at all. 5 out of 5. Would come back again for sure. read more

This is a very nice, small space with good food and quick service. I ordered the sushi deluxe meal. It came with a small salad and miso soup, both of which were nicely done. The sushi was nicely presented, the fish good, and the fish-to-rice ratio appropriate. Service was prompt and there was no wait to be seated at 7 for 2 on a Saturday night. I will be back! read more

Truly horrendous. Went out for family meal on a Friday night. Served our 3 year old us severely undercooked chicken. After we sent it back, they came back one minute later and had microwaved it and it was still undercooked. Then she came to the table and tried to charge us for it! Never once apologized!WAITRESS HAD A HORRIBLE ATTITUDE! Acted like our family dining there in a Friday night was an inconvience. Very rude. Ginger was dry, avocado in roll was not fresh. Poor ambiance. I have been in Rochester for 6 years and have not had an experience like this. Never going here again and would NOT recommend. read more

I travel all over the place and eat a lot of sushi. I would really give this place about 4.5. The food was definitely great, and for a good price. I got a sushi and shashimi combo that came with a soup and salad. Miso soup was some of the better that I have had. The sushi was really fresh and I thought it was a high quality. It isn't a fancy place and the surrounding area isn't that nice, but I really don't care about that. That is why 4.5 instead of 5. Service was attentive and fast. I would definitely go back again when craving sushi in Rochester. read more

A hidden gem. The food is truly traditional, sushi is authentic and prepared the proper way. read more

Shiki - Japanese Near Me - Rochester, New York

We gave this place sooo many chances. Sushi is really delicious, but they only have one server and are understaffed, so it takes forever to get food. I called for take out just now and was told I cannot place an order for take out because they "do not have time to be on the phone, as they are too short staffed." I'm super bummed! I hope they can make changes; I would love to come back, but I don't want to wait 1.5hours for 2 sushi rolls. read more

Reading the reviews on this place inspired my friend and I to give it a try last night. We agree with all the accolades - this place is awesome! I was impressed by the extensive selection of appetizers. We ordered the deep fried shumai and they were delightful! Some of the others sounded interesting, like the cream croquettes and deep fried chicken nuggets - maybe I'll give those a try next time, there will definitely be a next time. The spicy tuna, crispy, tempura and dragon rolls get 5 stars, too. The freshest and tastiest in Rochester, for sure!!! read more

I have been coming to Shiki for the last 5-6 years. Both lunch and dinner menus have great selections. Very cozy place with the most authentic food. Best sushi I have ever had!!! read more

Shiki - Sushi/ sashimi combination with a spicy salmon roll - Japanese Near Me - Rochester, New York

Horrible service. We've been waiting for really long for the food(not including the time waiting for the seats)... about 40 minutes, till the sun went down... can't believe we were waiting for noodles and curry for 40 minutes, and the waitress has no explanation for all of that. When we got our food, the people who came after us were already paying....... Sooooooo disappointed, will never be back again:) read more

Living in upstate NY I did not expect to get sushi this good. I was utterly impressed with the quality of the fish and the rolls. It was nice to have real Japanese people working there as well. I hate when you go into a Japanese restaurant only to find it run by Chinese and the food being bland. It takes a true sushi chef to serve sashimi and sushi and thats what you get here. I had some toro, the fatty tuna, which is rare to find and even rarer to find in upstate ny. I have visited other sushi restaurants in Ithaca, Syracuse and Rochester and none hold a candle to this place. Their assortment of rolls and sashimi keep me going back for more. I will post another review after my next visit which I hope is sooner than later. Great Job Shiki! read more

So I am adding my review to the 157 reviews already posted about this restaurant. It is a Japanese restaurant actually owned by Japanese people. That is unusual in our community. The chef is from Japan, the cuisine is from Japan, and the exacting standards to which everything is prepared and presented are from Japan. The restaurant is frequented by many Asians, so you know the food must be authentic and good. I always enjoy my meal here, and in my opinion, this is the best Japanese restaurant in our city. There is a standard menu offering, and many specials. The chef will even make things on special request which are not on the menu. The restaurant is small, so sometimes you will have to wait to be seated. No one is rushed, and the focus is on a quality experience rather than on turning tables. Look at the 150 plus pictutes that gave been posted, and then imagine the food is even better. Outstanding kitchen. read more

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The sushi is very fresh, the atmosphere is nice for a small, local place. Interesting appetizers on the menu. I would have given it five stars if they took AMEX. As a business traveler, the east of expensing meals with AMEX is very important. I will now have to get statements from my bank in order to justify the cost. read more

I think Shiki serves the best sushi in Rochester. There's a lot of other sushi places in town that try too hard, have too many weird selections on their menu (err, chicken tender sushi?), or just don't serve fresh ingredients, but Shiki doesn't fall into any of those categories. The selections here are certainly less extensive than many other restaurants, but what they do offer is always well prepared, fresh, and delicious. If you enjoy fish, their sashimi is excellent and offers a good departure from the rolls on the menu. Like their menu selections, the inside (and outside) of the restaurant are somewhat modest, but the service is always attentive and friendly. Prices are very reasonable compared to other sushi restaurants in the area. If you're looking for sushi from somewhere other than Wegmans, Shiki is the place to get it in Rochester. read more

We were in from out of town and there were five of us. Because we are in town on business, we needed separate checks. They said they could only bill up to two credit / debit cards per table. The only option they would offer is that 2 of us could sit at each table, very disappointing. read more

No matter what I will always love this place! It is my favorite place to eat and one of the reasons I come all the way from Arizona! This is the most authentic Japanese place I have been able to find. I have been to what seems hundreds of Japanese places and even japan! This is the only place that comes close to actually eating in Japan. The food is delicious and they offer some unique menu options such as croquettes (my fave). I recently came back to Rochester and this was the only place I actually wanted to eat at. I am hoping that this place survives and I hope the south wedge community doesn't let this AMAZING local neighborhood watery go down! read more

Excellent, authentic sushi. Very different from a California Rollin sushi experience, in that the sushi selections here are not "Americanized". There are also interesting Japanese dishes to try on the menu, and the service is good. It is a small space, however, and my takeout order has been mixed up on a couple of occasions. The employees always fix things right away when you bring a mistake to their attention, though. read more

Every time I stop in it's great! Small, quaint and intimate place with great sushi. Rumor has it that the sushi chefs are the best in Rochester, and that came from another sushi chef! Good selection of fresh fish and pairs nicely with one of the beers they offer. It is always a great meal and the prices are very reasonable. Check it out but don't tell to many people about it! ;) read more

Living in Rochester for three years, I have tried mostly all the Japanese restaurants in the city; this is easily the best and most authentic in the area. In the few times I have dined here, I ordered their sushi/sashimi, soba, and katsu curry. Everything is fresh and delicious. However, the portion of the soba is quite small; I usually order other food to supplement it. Their service could use some improvement. Even though it is a small restaurant, it can be difficult to get your server's attention. In addition, the food takes a while to arrive. But in the end, it is worth the wait. If you are looking for Japanese food in Rochester, this is the place to go. Other Japanese restaurants in the area do not even come close. Trust me. read more

Well, some people completely mixed up authenticity with "peripheral sushi gizmo" (i.e., all the rolls). I am from Japan and grew up eating at local sushi joints. None of them had Dragon, Godzilla and other gimmick rolls. If you prefer source/mayonnaise/cheese covered "fish with rice", then you are at a wrong place. But, if you want to enjoy authentic sushi, this is the place. Yes, I once went to California Rolling. They pile up fish in the refrigerated counter (strike 1), the sushi cook didn't even use proper cutting knife (Yanagi-ba) on fish filet and some are even pre-cut (bad... oxidation strike 2) ,and squeeze hell out of rice ball ( strike 3). So, to me it is no brainer that I choose over Shiki over CR. I don't quite understand why it has be "controversial" to say that Shiki is the #1 sushi place in Rochester. read more

From the outside this place doesn't look like it would serve authentically Japanese, super fresh sashimi, but it certainly does! I was relieved to find out when we came in that it's actually run by Japanese people. We ordered the sashimi combo, chirashi bowl, and udon and everything was solid. the fish was very fresh and tender & sliced well, the sushi rice's marination was subtly well-done, and the udon noodles had a good chewiness. most importantly, nothing was too salty (including the soup!), which I often find to be the problem in mediocre japanese restaurants. The ambiance is clean, simple, and extremely casual. My only criticism is about our waitress, who seemed quite scatterbrained and flustered the whole time for no particular reason. it's a small place that has about 10 tables, so call ahead to make reservations! read more