Craving sushi? Find unique offerings, fresh ingredients, and exceptional dining experiences at these three Bucks County eateries.

Stop #1: Oishi 

Oishi has been a special restaurant for my family and friends since it opened in 1999. I came here for my high school graduation, countless birthday celebrations, date nights, and everything in between. I had my first taste of sushi with my father at Oishi and it’s become my go-to spot for all things Japanese/Korean/Thai food. I was lucky enough to try an array of different dishes over the weekend like Edamame dumplings, spicy crunchy salmon roll, chicken teriyaki, and my personal favorite; Gopdol.

We started with Edamame Dumplings, Chicken Lettuce Wraps, and Dynamite Shrimp. The dumplings had a paper-thin wrapper and a creamy filling, served on miso broth—a must-try for first-timers. The Chicken Lettuce Wraps, with well-seasoned chicken and crisp lettuce, were light and refreshing and the Dynamite Shrimp, fried and tossed in a spicy-sweet sauce, were perfect for sharing. 

The next round was the sushi! We tried the Shrimp Tempura Supreme #1 roll, the Spicy Crunchy Salmon roll, the Chef Sae Special #2 Roll, and the Sophia Roll. The tempura and spicy salmon rolls were texturally wonderful, with the creamy Oishi sauce and tempura flakes creating perfect bites. My favorite, the Chef Sae Special, featured tuna, salmon, and yellowtail wrapped in pickled daikon with avocado caviar and citrus cream sauce. The Sophia Roll, with wasabi lobster salad, mango, shrimp tempura, and avocado with crabmeat, was decadent and beautifully presented.

Finally, we tried the Bento Box and Seafood Gopdol. The Bento Box included Chicken Teriyaki, Brussels Sprouts, Fried Dumplings, and Rice. The Seafood Gopdol featured shrimp, scallops, and squid in a sizzling hot stone pot with marinated vegetables, crispy rice, fried egg, and Gochujang sauce. The crispy rice that gets incorporated throughout the pot coupled with the spicy sauce and fried egg is spectacular dish. This should always be ordered when you come in to dine, no exceptions!

Oishi, one of the first restaurants in Newtown Shopping Center and one of the few independently owned ones left, is a reminder of the importance of supporting local establishments. Despite the influx of chain restaurants, places like Oishi endure because they consistently deliver excellent food and experiences, keeping us coming back for more. Look out for a remodel and the introduction of alcohol soon!

Stop #2: Kawaii Tori 

After being recommended Kawaii Tori from about almost everyone I know- I finally got to try the infamous Japanese restaurant in the heart of Yardley borough! Kawaii Tori is a small restaurant with a minimalist vibe with some killer food. You can sit at the bar and watch the chefs make your food right in front of you (which is my personal favorite way to dine at a sushi restaurant) or sit at one of tables with your family. This is a very family friendly restaurant, so it’s the perfect establishment to bring the kids. It’s spacious, but still has an intimate feel. Now let’s talk about the killer food mentioned above….

Our meal began with a bottle of Sango Kura Sake, a wonderful recommendation from our attentive and friendly server. We then ordered Takoyaki, Sashimi Salad, Fried Dumplings, and Spicy Tuna Fried Rice. The Takoyaki, a savory ball-shaped cake filled with octopus and topped with bonito flakes, is a must-try special. The sashimi salad, featuring fresh tuna, salmon, kani, and yellowtail in a sweet and salty dressing, was a light and balanced start. The fried dumplings, filled with pork and served with a traditional dipping sauce, were a safe bet for conservative eaters. Lastly, we tried the Spicy Tuna Fried Rice. The spicy tuna and avocado are served on a crispy fried rice nugget that could be eaten by the dozen. It’s texturally wonderful and has a nice balance of sweet and spicy.

For our main course, we had Spicy Pork, Yardley Roll, Kiss of Death Roll, and Veggie Fried Rice. The two rolls were very similar, so I would recommend ordering one or the other, but both executed well. The Kiss of Death has spicy tuna, mango, avocado, jalapeño, rock shrimp, and fire, kabayaki, spicy, & kawaii sauce. It’s not terribly spicy, but definitely has more of a kick. The Yardley Roll has spicy tuna, avocado, crunch, salmon, tobiko, scallions and kabayaki & spicy sauce. The veggie fried rice was packed with tons of vegetables and accompanied the rest of our menu items really well. If you want to head there yourself, it’s located at 25 2 Main Street in Yardley, now accepting reservations of 6 parties or more.

Stop #3: Ooka Doylestown 

Since opening in 1997, Ooka has expanded to four locations: Doylestown, Willow Grove, Montgomeryville, and Riverside. Diners can choose between the intimate main dining area or the bustling Hibachi room, ideal for family gatherings and celebrations. They will soon offer hibachi cooking at home for outdoor parties of 10 or more. They also have a full-service bar with a large selection of Japanese whiskey and seasonal cocktails, plus the rest of the usual suspects. The bartenders and wonderful and the cocktails are well balanced and fresh as can be.

Emily Liu guided us through the evening's meal. We started with two cocktails: The Black Cherry Cosmo and The Ki-Lemon, both of which were superb. For appetizers, we had the Octopus Salad, Wagyu Beef, and Baked Mussels. The octopus was the perfect dish to start with because it was acidic, light, and extremely well balanced. The arugula was dressed in a sesame dressing that should be sold by the gallon. It’s delicious. Then, we had the honor of trying the Wagyu A5 Beef, coming straight from Japan. It was served alongside a hot stone (which we cooked our beef on), wasabi salt (also sprinkled on the octopus salad) and ponzu. When I tell you this beef melted in your mouth, I am not exaggerating. It was beautifully marbleized, cooked in front of us on the seasoned hot stone, and truly an experience worth sharing. Finally, we tried the baked mussels. They were baked in a spicy, creamy sauce that got golden brown and paired nicely with the texture of the mussels. There are four to an order, and since they are so rich, can be shared with 4 people. 

We then enjoyed an array of fresh sushi, sourced from whole fish, some flown directly from Japan. Their skilled sushi chefs meticulously break down each fish to meet their exacting standards. While this method may be more expensive and time-consuming, Ooka firmly believes it's justified as it enables them to consistently offer a superior product. We tasted King Salmon, Yellowtail, Tuna, Red Snapper, Fatty Tuna, Ivory King Salmon, Striped Bass, and Seared Scallop. Each piece was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. My favorites were the Fatty Tuna and Striped Bass with Foie Gras. The stunning Sashimi platter, featuring white tuna with tomato and jalapeño, garlic tuna with crispy sweet potato, and a salmon tasting, was a true work of art.

We ended the evening with another beautiful presentation of the dessert. It was called “Garden in a Glass” with a mango mousse, strawberry jam, and green tea “moss”. It was decadent, yet not overwhelming and a perfect way to conclude the evening.