Where to Find Great Japanese Food & Sushi in Sausalito

Food is one of the best ways to experience culture, which is why it’s so important to try new cuisines and dishes when you travel. While Sausalito might not be a foreign culture for you, there are some incredible opportunities to eat really well during your visit. From Indian to Italian to Mexican, you can go beyond the American-style food (not that there’s anything wrong with pizza and burgers!) and franchises (we don’t have any of those anyway) to try something new and have an experience while dining in Sausalito.

One such important culinary influence in the patchwork of Sausalito’s residents and dining scene is Japanese food. Asian immigrants have played an important role throughout the history of the San Francisco Bay Area, and there are plenty of awesome spots to find Japanese food and sushi when visiting this part of the world.

But if you’re specifically in my little city by the bay and looking for those flavors and dishes, you’ve only got a few options for Japanese food and sushi in Sausalito. Below you’ll find all the details on where to get a “California Roll” in this part of California, plus other dishes you should try when dining at Sausalito’s Japanese restaurants.

Sausalito is the traditional lands of the Graton Rancheria, Miwok, and Me-Wuk (Coast Miwok) peoples. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation to the past and present stewards of these lands. To learn more, I invite you to explore Native Land.

This post was originally published in May 2022, and was updated most recently in January 2023.

Sushi Ran

There are a few Sausalito restaurants that everyone knows. Bar Bocce for their awesome waterfront beach, fish. for, well, everything on the menu. And Sushi Ran, because finding great sushi in a metropolitan area (including San Francisco here) with so many options is a real feat.

Sushi Ran serves up some of the best sushi in town – both Sausalito and San Francisco. The restaurant is known for its fresh, high-quality sushi and its relaxed atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a meal with friends or family.

The menu features a variety of sushi rolls, nigiri, and sashimi, as well as tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. And don’t forget to check out the restaurant’s namesake roll, the Sushi Ran. This delicious roll is made with shrimp, fish, avocado, and cucumber, and is sure to satisfy your sushi cravings and some of the best of all the Sausalito sushi restaurants!

Sweet Ginger

Sweet Ginger is one of the newer Japanese restaurants in Sausalito that is quickly gaining a reputation for its delicious food and friendly service. This Sausalito Japanese restaurant offers a wide selection of Japanese favorites, including sushi, sashimi, ramen, and teriyaki chicken.

While all those foods are great, what I love most about Sweet Ginger is that they offer my absolute favorite Japanese dish, Chicken Katsu. This simple dish of breaded chicken with rice and veggies might not sound like much, but it’s comfort food – and I ordered it for pick-up on my birthday during the first year of the pandemic. The fact that Sweet Ginger was able to give me that kind of comfort during a very uncertain time will ensure it always has a soft spot in my heart.

And that’s it! There are only two Japanese restaurants in Sausalito, and both of them offer sushi – among other foods too. The good news is that you won’t have to struggle to decide between them; both are great options, and it’s easy to plan a return trip to try whichever one you don’t choose now.

To differentiate between them, Sushi Ran is generally pricier and higher-end while Sweet Ginger is a more casual and affordable dining experience. I personally enjoy Sweet Ginger more though as I said, you really can’t go wrong no matter which one you choose.

Have any questions about these Japanese restaurants and where to find great sushi in Sausalito? Let me know in the comments!