Koshi Sushi & Bistro: Norfolk's Premier Sushi Destination

Koshi Sushi & Bistro Introduce

For discerning sushi lovers and those seeking an exceptional Japanese dining experience in Norfolk, Virginia, Koshi Sushi & Bistro has firmly established itself as a local favorite. This isn't just another sushi restaurant; it's a culinary haven where fresh ingredients meet artistic presentation, all delivered with truly outstanding service. Many regulars consider it their "absolute favorite sushi spot," a testament to the consistent quality and inviting atmosphere that owner Phillip and his dedicated team have cultivated.

Koshi Sushi & Bistro prides itself on offering a sushi experience that goes beyond the ordinary. Instead of predictable, run-of-the-mill options, diners can expect a menu filled with "fresh, fun, and creative" selections. Each roll is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, resembling a "piece of art" that's as visually appealing as it is delicious. The commitment to innovation ensures that even long-time patrons discover new favorites with every visit, keeping the dining experience exciting and dynamic.

What truly sets Koshi Sushi & Bistro apart, according to its loyal clientele, is the personal touch. The friendly and familiar faces of Phillip and his team create a warm and welcoming environment, treating every customer with genuine care, whether it's their first time or they've been regulars for years. This dedication to exceptional hospitality, combined with the superior quality of their offerings, solidifies Koshi Sushi & Bistro's reputation as a cherished establishment within the Norfolk community, making it an ideal choice for a relaxing date night or a satisfying meal with family and friends.

Location and Accessibility

Koshi Sushi & Bistro is conveniently located at 201 W 21st St #9, Norfolk, VA 23517, USA. This prime location places it within a vibrant area of Norfolk, making it easily accessible for residents across the city and those commuting from surrounding communities in Virginia. Situated on West 21st Street, the restaurant benefits from being in a well-trafficked and recognizable part of the city.

For those driving, the address provides straightforward navigation, and the area generally offers parking options, contributing to a hassle-free arrival. Its central placement in Norfolk means that it's a convenient destination whether you're coming from downtown, Ghent, or other neighborhoods, encouraging both planned visits and spontaneous dining decisions. The accessibility ensures that enjoying Koshi's fresh sushi and bistro fare is a convenient experience for local patrons.

Services Offered

Koshi Sushi & Bistro provides a comprehensive range of services designed to ensure a delightful and convenient dining experience for its patrons. Their focus on quality extends to every aspect of their operation:

Dine-In Service: Enjoy the warm, welcoming, and calm atmosphere of the bistro, perfect for a relaxing evening out, a special occasion, or a casual lunch. The inviting setting enhances the culinary experience.
Take-Out Service: For those who prefer to enjoy Koshi's delicious food at home, convenient take-out options are available. Customers often praise that the presentation and freshness of the fish are maintained even for take-out orders.
Online Ordering: While not explicitly detailed, most modern restaurants like Koshi often offer online ordering through their website or third-party platforms for enhanced convenience in placing take-out orders.
Full Bar Service: Koshi Sushi & Bistro features a full bar, offering a wide selection of beverages, including creative cocktails, a well-curated wine list, and a variety of sake. This allows diners to perfectly pair their meal with their preferred drink.
Reservations: Given its popularity, especially during peak dinner hours, Koshi accepts reservations to ensure that guests can secure a table and minimize wait times, making for a smoother dining experience.
Catering & Parties: The restaurant is an excellent option for special occasions, including birthday parties, rehearsal dinners, corporate events, and other gatherings. They are equipped to help make these events perfect.
Gift Cards: Koshi offers gift cards, allowing patrons to share the exceptional dining experience with friends and family.

Features / Highlights

Koshi Sushi & Bistro consistently earns high praise from its patrons in Norfolk, Virginia, due to a number of distinctive features and highlights that set it apart:

Exceptional Service and Warm Welcome: A recurring theme in reviews is the outstanding service provided by Phillip, the owner, and his entire team. They are known for being "friendly, familiar faces" who treat every customer with "warmth and attention," whether it's their first visit or they've been coming for years.
Incredibly Fresh and Creative Sushi: The quality of the sushi is consistently described as "incredible" and "fresh." Unlike places with "boring, stale options," Koshi prides itself on "fun, and creative" rolls that are both delicious and visually stunning, often resembling "a piece of art."
Unique and Delicious Roll Selection: Customers rave about specific rolls such as the "Rainbow Roll" (a guaranteed order for many), the "Summer Breeze" (a refreshing, riceless roll wrapped in Daikon radish), and the "Hurricane Roll" (another standout, rice-free, packed with amazing fish). Other highly recommended items include the "Rockfish Sunomono" and their "INCREDIBLE" oysters.
Availability of Premium Ingredients: The restaurant makes an effort to source and feature high-quality and sometimes rare ingredients. Diners are encouraged to "RUN, don’t walk" if they see "uni" (sea urchin) announced on Koshi's social media, indicating their commitment to offering premium selections.
Vegetarian-Friendly Options: For those with dietary restrictions, Koshi Sushi & Bistro offers "tons of options" that leave vegetarian diners "full and satisfied," which is greatly appreciated by customers.
Excellent Bar Program with Diverse Sake: The full bar features "creative cocktails" and a well-selected wine list. For sake enthusiasts, there's a "great variety of sake," allowing patrons to explore new pairings with their meals.
Consistent Quality for Take-Out: Even for take-out orders, the presentation is "just as beautiful as dining in," and the fish tastes "just as fresh," ensuring a premium experience regardless of dining format.
Calm and Inviting Atmosphere: The ambiance is consistently described as "warm and welcoming" and "calm," making it perfect for a relaxing evening, date nights, or quiet meals.

Promotions or Special Offers

Koshi Sushi & Bistro frequently offers special promotions that enhance the dining experience for its patrons in Norfolk, Virginia. A notable ongoing promotion is their Happy Hour. As of the latest information, Happy Hour is typically available from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM on multiple days throughout the week, including Tuesday through Sunday. This special period often includes discounted prices on select drinks and food items, providing an excellent opportunity for locals to enjoy Koshi's high-quality offerings at a more accessible price point.

While specific Happy Hour offerings may vary, they usually include deals on popular beverages like beer, wine, and sake, as well as reduced prices on certain appetizers or sushi rolls. It is always recommended for interested patrons to check Koshi Sushi & Bistro's official website or their social media channels, such as Instagram, where they might announce daily specials or the availability of premium ingredients like uni. Additionally, Koshi offers gift cards, which serve as a flexible way for customers to give the gift of a great dining experience to others.

Contact Information

To experience the highly-rated sushi and exceptional service at Koshi Sushi & Bistro, here's how you can get in touch:

Address: 201 W 21st St #9, Norfolk, VA 23517, USA

Phone: (757) 222-5200

Whether you wish to make a reservation for a special occasion, inquire about their daily specials, or place a convenient take-out order, the team at Koshi Sushi & Bistro is ready to assist you during their operating hours. You can also visit their official website for more details on their menu, services, and to stay updated on any announcements.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

Koshi Sushi & Bistro stands out as an exceptional choice for locals in Norfolk, Virginia, and the broader Hampton Roads area, offering a dining experience that consistently exceeds expectations. The overwhelming sentiment from patrons highlights the extraordinary freshness, creativity, and artistic presentation of their sushi, setting it apart from other establishments. For residents who appreciate high-quality ingredients and innovative culinary creations, Koshi delivers a truly remarkable selection of rolls, sashimi, and other Japanese delicacies, ensuring that every visit feels like a special occasion.

Beyond the food, the personalized and warm service provided by owner Phillip and his team creates an inviting and familiar atmosphere that keeps customers returning time and again. This commitment to hospitality fosters a sense of community, making it a comfortable and reliable spot for anything from a romantic date night to a family dinner with diverse dietary needs, including excellent vegetarian options. The availability of a full bar with creative cocktails and a wide selection of sake further enhances the dining experience, catering to various preferences.

Furthermore, Koshi Sushi & Bistro’s convenient location on West 21st Street, combined with reliable take-out services that maintain the same high standards as dining in, makes it incredibly accessible for busy local lives. For those in Virginia seeking a sushi restaurant that offers not just a meal, but an unforgettable experience defined by incredible food, attentive service, and a welcoming environment, Koshi Sushi & Bistro is undoubtedly a premier destination worth discovering and frequenting.

Koshi Sushi & Bistro Photos

Koshi Sushi & Bistro Location

Koshi Sushi & Bistro

Virginia Norfolk Ghent West 21st Street

201 W 21st St #9, Norfolk, VA 23517, USA

Koshi Sushi & Bistro Reviews

Our absolute favorite sushi spot, hands down! Phillip, the owner, and his amazing team make every visit special. The service is always top-notch, and the sushi? Incredible. The offerings are fresh, fun, and creative—none of the boring, stale options you find at other places. Each roll looks like a piece of art, and the flavors are just as impressive.It’s guaranteed we’ll be ordering at least two Rainbow Rolls, but other favorites include the Summer Breeze, a refreshing riceless roll wrapped in crisp Daikon radish—perfect for summer! The Hurricane Roll is another standout, packed with amazing fish and also rice-free. The Rockfish Sunomono is a must, and their oysters are INCREDIBLE. And if you ever see on their Insta story that they’ve got uni in—RUN, don’t walk!Since we started coming here, my son has become a vegetarian, and there are always tons of options that leave him full and satisfied, which we really appreciate. We also order takeout often, and the presentation is just as beautiful as dining in, with the fish tasting just as fresh.They’ve got a full bar with creative cocktails, but I usually stick to wine—something the team knows well by now. 😉But what we love most is the friendly, familiar faces that greet us every time.Phillip and his team always take such great care of us, and treat every customer with the same warmth and attention, whether it’s your first visit or you’ve been coming for years. They’ve created something truly special here, and we’ll be loyal customers forever!
Feb 08, 2025 · Shelby Sterne
Consistently Great Experience at Koshi!My husband and I often come to Koshi for our date nights, and it’s become one of our favorite spots. The atmosphere is always warm and welcoming, which makes it perfect for a relaxing evening out. We usually start with the garlic lime and kanisu—both are fresh and full of flavor. The sashimi deluxe is our go-to for the main course, and we like to pair it with cold sake. There’s a great variety of sake here, and we enjoy trying something new each time. Service is usually attentive and friendly, even when they’re busy. During peak dinner hours, the food can take a little longer to come out, but it’s clear that everything is made fresh to order, which we appreciate. If you’re into quality sushi and a calm, inviting setting, Koshi is definitely worth checking out.
May 13, 2025 · Elly Rhee
My wife and I saw the great reviews and decided to go and we were more than disappointed. We arrived ordered drinks and they were both really good, but after ordering food it took just under an hour for our sushi to arrive, the staff was apologetic and very nice but even after the hour; the sushi was nothing to write home about it wasn’t bad but it wasn’t great. My wife and I made quick work of it and it seemed like our waitress was embarrassed to come by, we waited another 20 minutes for the check. I am suprised by this place having a 4.6 star review in all it was good not great. Also this was definitely not worth the $60 we spent that left us still hungry.
Feb 03, 2025 · Andrew Vosler
The food and drink were delicious and we enjoyed every moment of it. Try the soju mule for a one and done. This was the best sushi that I have had and it was a lovely korean japanese fusion with flare that I did not expect. The staff was flexible and accommodating with changes. Everything tasted top quality and we left with leftovers. The facilities were very clean and stylish.
Oct 08, 2022 · Cassie Mulheron
Summary: Food was lackluster and overpriced. Waitress was extremely kind but was forgetful and unknowledgeable about our food. Clean and inviting atmosphere. Ultimately disappointed with the visit.More details:Before I begin, I'll note that both my girlfriend and I have a relatively extensive culinary background.My girlfriend and I decided to reserve a table here to celebrate her birthday. I noted in the special requests that it was her birthday, even went as far as mentioning her name, but there was no mention of it throughout the visit.When we arrived, we were met with what seemed to be confusion as we mentioned our reservation. The waitstaff struggled to find a table for us before offering a seat a table smack dab in the middle of the restaurant. We countered and asked for a booth, to which they kindly seated us at the bar until a group at a booth finished their meal.They quickly cleaned the table, we were sat, then waited a few minutes to receive menus. It took another 5 minutes to receive water, but in their defense, they were busy, had only two waitresses, that I believe were responsible for 5-6 tables each, were present.Both cups of water smelled like alcohol in which took about 10 minutes to fade. Maybe the waitress had just used hand sanitizer before dropping off our water?About 10 minutes later, our order was taken. Ordered the following:-Ika Geso-Flaming Salmon Belly-Sushi Deluxe (comes with California Roll)-Summer Breeze Roll-Spicy MayoEventually, the salad and miso arrived. Girlfriend enjoyed the miso soup. Both of us liked the salad; the dressing was great, but it was quite thin and left a pool of dressing at the bottom of the bowl. We asked about the dressing; it seemed to have what tasted like a small amount of ponzu mixed in, but the waitress was unable to answer any of our questions regarding it.Then, the fried squid arrived. Neither of us had any complaints. The squid was perfectly cooked, as it wasn't rubbery from under or overcooking, and the batter wasn't overly seasoned. It came with lemon slices, which weren't great for squeezing lemon juice (I would recommend lemon cheeks), and a togarashi self-serve seasoning, which was very nice.Roughly 10-15 minutes later, our second appetizer, the flaming salmon belly, arrived. It came in a bowl, vodka soaking the bottom, with two pieces of salmon belly nigiri atop a thick orange slice. The waitress lit the vodka for the "flambe," then left the table. We were unsure of how long to leave it for, so we grabbed the pieces after about 30 seconds, and even then, the fire was still going. The nigiri tasted akin to what Windex smells like...for lack of better words, it was just bad. The nigiri tasted like nothing but overly burnt citrus and ethanol.After 20 minutes, the Sushi Deluxe and Summer Breeze Roll arrived. The Sushi Deluxe was underwhelming. It comes with 10 pieces of chef's choice nigiri at a price point of about $36. Though, it seems that the Chef chose some of the most inexpensive cuts to put on our plate and an awkward amount of each: 2 Salmon(of which were really good; they were closer to room temp, as it should be, and seemingly melted in my mouth), 2 Tuna(too red, a bit close to the bloodline), 2 Salmon Belly (I think, they matched the flaming salmon belly appetizer), 1 Boiled Shrimp, and 3 single pieces of others that didn't come in pairs (awkward for a party of 2). I'm unsure of the fish, but one of the nigiri was much colder than everything else on the plate, and it had a strangely firm texture that threw me off.The waitress didn't identify any of the pieces for us. In her defense, we never asked, but there are so many similar cuts that it would have been nice.The California Roll that came with the entree was also underwhelming, and relatively dry.Waitress was given 2 reminders for the spicy mayo, but it was never received. She then offered after I was done eating.Negatives aside, the Summer Breeze Roll was presented beautifully; it was light and fresh. If you come here, I highly recommend this.
Mar 05, 2025 · Michael Jeffcoat