Let’s have a chat about fish.
As New York’s lavish sushi scene experiences some shifts, a fresh player, Sushi Sho, has stepped in and made quite an impression. Recently, it snagged the prestigious three-star Michelin rating—an unexpected turn considering Masa, a long-established three-star at Columbus Circle, was downgraded to two stars, despite holding onto its top rating since 2008.
The counter, located near Bryant Park, opened last year with minimal fanfare, and now it’s hailed as the premier seafood destination in the city, where a meal for two starts at around $900 before you factor in drinks, surcharges, and taxes. Diners from the local Omakase scene describe it as “the ultimate religious experience.”
This new accolade makes Sushi Sho the sole addition of a new three-star restaurant in the Northeastern United States for the Michelin Guide 2025. This isn’t shocking for loyal patrons, who are drawn to Sushi Sho not just for the experience but for what seems like better value, especially when compared to Masa’s minimum charge of $750 per person, excluding drinks and taxes.
What’s Sushi Sho all about?
Situated at 3 E. 41st Street, right across from the New York Public Library, Sushi Sho has a very limited number of seats—just two each night. The place is led by Keiji Nakazawa, a highly esteemed Edomae sushi chef from Japan. He has operated several exclusive restaurants in Japan, Hawaii, and now New York, where he strictly adheres to the Edomae tradition—a technique from the 19th century that focuses on preserving fish through salting, brining, and aging rather than serving it “just killed,” as is common these days.
Nakazawa’s expertise adds a unique flair to the dining experience since he played a role in reviving this traditional style after it lost popularity in Japan.
His team rises before dawn to intricately prepare a variety of exotic seafood, which includes items like Mexicali and monkfish liver served with pickled baby watermelon.
The omakase meal—an exciting mix of appetizers and nigiri—costs $450, not including extra orders, which many diners tend to choose.
Yes, Sushi Sho is really delicious.
Food blogger Seth Radnitzky was among the dedicated sushi lovers who scored a spot at the bar. He shared his glowing experience, noting, “There isn’t another place outside of Japan that offers such a broad range of top-notch sushi. It felt like a kid in a candy shop at Disneyland. I wholeheartedly believe this place deserves three Michelin stars.”
He recently shared his experience on social media, calling the unique hybrid omakase-okonomiya style “very distinctive in the U.S.” He explained, “The first part of the meal is a brief omakase, while the second part allows you to order okonomiyaki or a la carte, which is great because you get to enjoy the chef’s skills and your choices.”
Another foodie, Michael Ligier, echoed this sentiment in his observations on social media, calling Sushi Sho “a truly unique spot in the sushi scene,” commending Nakazawa’s blend of tradition and creativity.
He said, “This was hands down my favorite sushi experience to date.”
Masa accepts the downgrade
Masa, the renowned sushi haven at the Deutsche Bank Center, once held its spot among the world’s top exclusive restaurants, but faced a setback as it was demoted from three stars to two this year. This was a significant change for the former sushi king, known as the first Japanese restaurant in the U.S. to earn a three-star rating.
Chef Masayoshi Takayama remarked, “For 15 years, we have been privileged to stand alongside extraordinary peers, and we deeply appreciate the lasting trust, loyalty, and camaraderie of our guests.” He expressed pride in his team’s dedication and stated that the restaurant will “continue striving for excellence.”
