Sushi Tsune

This is one of our go-​to restaurants in Raleigh. The service is good with attentive staff despite the amount of tables they have to serve and the food is always delicious.
I enjoyed that the Bento boxes switch up what you are used to getting traditionally with potato salad, sliced vegetable tempura, and pickles. I read a lot of wary comments about the potato salad but it’s delicious. I encourage people to at least try it and get out of their comfort zone.
My only criticism is that the sushi is rolled with too much rice. This fills you up which is a plus I guess for those on a budget but it can mask the flavors of the fish and goodies inside the rice and seaweed wrapping.
I will return!

Yesterday I went to have lunch here for the first time ever and it was a great experience. The staff were kind and pleasant and the food was fantastic.
I’ve lived in Raleigh for a long time and I hate that I’ve never gone to this place before. I think it’s some the best sushi in town! I ordered several Nigiri a la carte and all of them were executed wonderfully. The taste of the Miso Soup was also really good.

My wife and I are Japanese and have lived in Raleigh for the past few years. We tried many Japanese restaurants and could not find an authentic Japanese restaurant. We were pleasantly surprised at how good the Sushi and the cooked food is at Sushi Tsune. The food is authentic and you are guaranteed great sushi as Tsune-​san (owner) is always there. For the best experience I would recommend that you sit at the sushi counter and order a la carte. My favorite is Cooked Buri and their Uni, Ikura, and shime-​saba.

Not a frequent Unilocal poster, but had to post my review after seeing that this place scored a surprisingly low 3−½ stars on average. Sushi Tsune has to be one of the reliably well-​executed, most authentic Japanese restaurants here in the Triangle region (Waraji is also very good, too, but a lot more expensive). The owner and head sushi chef is from Japan and has run this place for almost 20 years after stints across the U.S. We’ve only lived in Raleigh for about a year, but have been to the restaurant pretty much weekly (at least when we’re in town) ever since happily discovering it back in January.
The lower-​scoring reviews on here seem to be folks who prefer the crazy combinations of sushi roll ingredients you’d never find in a true Japanese sushi restaurant (i.e. in Japan). Nothing against that kind of sushi, but that’s not what people come to Sushi Tsune for.
Sushi Tsune is Japanese cuisine for Japanese food purists and/​or those who’ve had experience living and traveling in Japan (as you can see in the reviews that score this place much more highly). Besides the consistently excellent nigiri sushi (piece of fish on a mound of rice) and maki sushi (fish and rice inside a seaweed wrapper) options, they also have a good selection of donburi (rice bowl) and noodle dishes, including nabeyaki udon, which is perfect for the cold winter nights we’ll soon be having in the months ahead.
It’d be great if Sushi Tsune also had other Japanese favorites like ramen or even o-​konomiyaki (Japanese-​style «pancakes»), but restaurants in Japan generally specialize in one style of food (e.g. sushi, tempura, tonkatsu, ramen, etc.), so it’s only here in the U.S. that we’re lucky to have Japanese restaurants that serve up a wide array of cuisines. Sushi Tsune has a pretty good range (including curry rice, which I see on their lunch menu but haven’t tried yet). However, we find ourselves almost always having nigiri and maki, because it’s always dependably delicious, especially when we pair it with appetizers like the agedashi tofu (silky soft cubes of tofu flash fried in a delicate batter and soaked in tsuyu sauce).
Anyway, like I said, I’m more a reader than reviewer on Unilocal,but when I saw that my favorite place in Raleigh might not be getting the positive reviews it deserves. So, don’t let the 3−½ stars fool you, and be sure to give this place a chance. (I don’t think you’ll regret it one bit.) Hopefully this reviews helps you out!

Two words. Nabeyaki udon! It was one of best udon noodle soup I have ever had. It came with tempura shrimps, seaweed, fish cake, and an egg. The soup was so flavorful and the noodles were cooked to perfection! They were chewy and were able to carry the broth well with every bite. I am sure this noodle soup would be even better on cold winter nights! The sushi served here was fresh too. The service was quick and the staff was friendly. Overall, this is a solid Japanese restaurant.

It’s Japanese ran, what more can I say. The first Japanese restaurant that I found that is authentic besides Miyabi’s in Fayetteville but it’s a hibachi and there is no such thing in Japan. Sushi Tsune has a geat atmosphere, authentic food and good ol’fashioned Japanese customer service.
ここは、日本人が経営している寿司屋です。よく日本人がウエイトレスとしてのスタッフで働いているのは見かけると思いますが、ここの寿司屋は寿司を握ってくれるスタッフも日本人なので安心して寿司を食べる事ができると思います。ウニ、イクラの新鮮さはなかなかでした。家族でたくさん注文したせいか、大将が枝豆をサービスして下さり、店の方々皆さんに親切にして頂きました。是非、「寿司ツネ」お試しください。アメリカ人の僕、日本人の妻、娘も大満足でした！また行きます。

The staff is really friendly and service is quick. Owner is very friendly. My wife and I ordered a lot of food, spent $ 90.
Price is ok, the thing to get here is the kitchen food.
Extremely disappointed in the fish quality. We ordered sashimi and nigiri. This is not good. As for the sushi, the sushi chef is good for what he has to work with but again, the fish is not good quality. We would come here again but will never order fish or sushi. Just to compare, there is an all you can eat sushi buffet for $ 25 and their fish is much more fresh than this place. Price is on par as other Japanese restaurants for sashimi, it’s a shame they are cheaping out on the fish

I just love everything about this restaurant. You can get delicious and traditional Japanese food in reasonable price. The owner is absolutely amazing person and employees are also kind. It’s definitely worth the money and time.

Last night, we had dinner at Sushi Tsune. Until last night, I’d never heard of it, much less noticed it hidden behind the Arby’s on Hillsborough St. in between Meredith College and NCSU.
Walking in around 7:30, the quaint Japanese eatery was already pretty full. But, it’s pretty small. Three small tables off to the right. A few small tables off to the left. One large group floor sitting area separate from the rest of the dining room and one two-​top right next to it. Then, there was the bar. A couple two-​tops were open, but we went to the bar so we could have some space to ourselves. Behind the sushi bar was an older man and another person — sometimes a man and sometimes a woman — also rolling sushi and prepping food. It’s so small that it’s more of a seat-​yourself kinda spot.
We sat down and were handed the menus. My, these were something else! As a technical designer and writer, I was a little overwhelmed by this primitive design… it’s literally paper in plastic slips bundled together. Then a standard slip of paper for marking your sushi requests and a specialty sushi paper in plastic as well. First, we ordered drinks. He had sake and I ordered a Pinot Grigio. It was served in an old glass that reminded me of the wine glasses my Grandmother uses so that made me smile. That touch is a direct reflection of what must be a family-​run business and legacy. The wine was cheap — $ 5.50 a glass — and tasted like it, more like apple juice. You can see my picture of the menus and our drinks.
Sushi Tsune doesn’t have the common sushi specials, BOGO, that so many other Asian spots have and their menu wasn’t exactly easy to navigate so we asked one of our servers (they seemed to rotate and tag-​team) to describe them. It was hard to follow so she kindly actually went and got the specials board for us to view! (See the picture of that sweet girl doing so.)
To start, we had an order of the Gyoza dumplings. This order came with four dumplings and a dipping sauce. Since we wanted a variety in terms of entrees, we opted to order some things and share. Two sushi rolls: Philly and Volcano. Additionally, we got an order of Tempura and Chicken Teriyaki, which came with soup and salad. Great spread and just the right amount of food. I have to tell you straight up: I wasn’t impressed with the food. The dumplings were okay. The salad was good, as was the ginger dressing. The miso soup was standard. The sushi seemed to lack the rich flavor that I seem to find at most other sushi spots around the triangle. The tempura/​teriyaki combo came with a weird potato salad that I immediately left for him to eat instead since potato salad just isn’t my thing. Potato salad also didn’t seem to mesh with that Asian entrée setup.
As we were wrapping up, it was really starting to fill up so it took a while for either of the servers to get our check to us. I took a moment to visit the bathroom. Very primitive, kind of like a fast food restaurant. Once she came to drop it off we put the card in and then he went to the bathroom, at which point the card still wasn’t run by the time he got back.
I’m curious as to what this place is like during lunch or on a weeknight since so many other people have enjoyed it. I say it was OK because the food wasn’t bad, but it didn’t impress me. There are other places, not even very far from Sushi Tsune, that have better food. What did impress me was the sense of intimacy of Sushi Tsune. As people came and went, the old man behind the bar would smile and wave hello or «see you next week.» That told me that there is something really unique that makes people come back because they’ll be remembered. It’s not amazing, but it’s special in that sense.

I think this is the first place I ever had sushi over 11 years ago. Regardless the quality of the sushi here for the price is unbeatable, plus the service is awesome. I gotta give complements to the sushi chef, he is very friendly and good at what he does. On my most recent visit I just went with the two roll lunch special as filler, it comes with soup or salad and I chose the crunchy krab and spicy crunchy tuna rolls. It was all alright but I must say the tuna was very good, especially for the price! The real highlight of my lunch was the Nigiri. I’ve been trying to taste Uni (Sea Urchin) forever, literally the last several places I’d been to that actually had it on the menu sold out, the last one literally sold out right before I ordered lol. At last! I finally got to try it and I did like it and find it very hard to describe. It was very rich and buttery and unlike any shellfish I’ve ever had. I don’t even know what to compare it too but it was good, it just fell apart while I ate it and definitely had some serious umami flavor. I also decided to try some eel and tako (octopus) Nigiri and they were both really good. The eel though was some of the best I’ve ever had, it literally fell apart as I ate it and it tasted so good. I was talking about the octopus and specials with the sushi chef and he showed me they had baby octopus as a special. I guess he could tell I was a bit squeamish about it or something so he gave me a baby octopus on the house to try. I didn’t want to be rude so I ate it and was delightfully surprised at how good it was, the chef said it was pickled, it really tasted amazing. All in all I found the sushi to be of exceptional quality and more towards traditional style, I really enjoyed myself and look forward to trying a lot more here.

A little japanese restaurant with authentic style. I like the ambience inside. The service was good too. They’re friendly and they helped us setting up the table & highchairs. The foods were tasty too. We had rolls, sushi, salad and miso soup. Pretty good for my first time here.
Only one thing that I don’t give it a 5-​star rating is their hours. they only open 11.30−2 pm and open again at 5 pm. (Efficient tho. but I still hope they open through the day) overall, I will def comeback again.

I love this place so so much.
My first experience here was from looking at Unilocal.It was close by and had good reviews so I went. Walking in the front… I was a little weary. It is smashed between a gas station and an Arbys and the sign doesn’t light up all the way. I’ve driven by it 100s of times and never noticed it.
But once inside, you feel as though you’ve stepped into Japan. I lived in LA for many years and was craving good sushi (which I had yet to find in Raleigh). This place hits the spot and is not expensive. Also their udon is superb. I’ve been many times and always had a great experience. Service isn’t speedy, but if you relax and enjoy the company you are with, you won’t be bothered by it.
Also they seem to have weird hours. They will be closed for no reason really. Make sure you call before you go so you won’t be disappointed.

my favorite sushi place in Raleigh. We always sit at the bar and the owner makes us something yummy. He has a great attitude and sense of hummer. I practice my broken Japanese with him also. We enjoy the food and ambiance every time.

This place is a little hidden gem. After having lived in NYC and SF, food here in Raleigh is quite subpar. There are only 2 places in Raleigh that I think have good sashimi, this place and Waraji. Both places are very expensive compared to the big cities, but I guess its because I am more inland now. The Udon here is very good. Just be careful it comes out very very hot. The waitstaff and sushi chef are very friendly.

My family and I ate there last night. The service was extremely slow. They brought everyone’s soup and salads out EXCEPT my 8 month pregnant wife’s. Totally messed up another order, ordered teriyaki chicken and got some breaded fried dish instead. Messed up my sushi order and the fish wasn’t fresh. We were on a time limit due to other plans and didn’t care to wait for them to get it right.
We asked for the check and it took another 15 minutes to get it.
I’ve eaten here many times over the years and never had a bad experience till now.

Tasty and good but not great. Service was really slow. Not sure of they had new help in back, Or if wait staff was also preparing food. Just didn’t seem reasonable with the small about of people. Place was full. But everyone had already ordered. Also one waitress older lady seemed a little rude. Not sure if she was or just the end of shift tiredness.
TLDR: if you’re in a hurry pass on by.

Went to Sushi Tsune for the second time this week for dinner and I have to wonder if I’ve been going to the same restaurant as the other reviewers here.
I’ve had a really good sushi and a lot of mediocre sushi, but I’ve never had terrible sushi. This was a first.
My husband and I ordered four rolls: Boston, Philly, NC State and Spicy Tuna. The Philly hardly had any cream cheese. It was hard to find the tuna and any spiciness in the Spicy Tuna. The NC State roll was battered and fried. I think they forgot it in the fryer, because the fish was cooked.
You can save yourself the trouble and get better sushi at Harris Teeter or Whole Foods.

Had dinner last night at Sushi Tsune after it was recommended to me by people in the Sushi Meetup group, and now I’m wishing I had discovered this little gem years ago. Having been to Japan many times and fallen in love with its cuisine, I’m always on the lookout for authentic Japanese food beyond the ubiquitous bogo-​sushi and teppanyaki type places. But just a glance at Sushi Tsune’s menu immediately told me that this place was the real deal.
For sushi, I tried the Uni (sea urchin roe) and Hotate (scallop), two of my favorites that I rarely have these days. Both were fresh, sweet, and well-​prepared. The sushi rice here is definitely good quality as well. Then I had the Nabeyaki Udon, as it was a cold damp night, and I really wanted a hot soup to warm me up. It came still simmering in an earthenware pot, a hearty one-​pot meal with udon noodles, tempura shrimp, fish cake, chicken, and a poached egg. And all these flavors mixed together to produce the most superb broth! Delicious and satisfying!
The service was friendly and attentive. The prices are reasonable. The restaurant itself is small and cozy. They even have a section where you can sit Japanese-​style on tatami mats at low tables. I will definitely be back here again soon!

Really good sushi! Solid sushi place for lunch or dinner. Sushi Tsune has been around for along time. Right next door to the Arby’s on Hillsborough street you will find this charming little restaurant.
I dropped by for a very quick lunch the other week and was pleased that they could get me in and out in no time. I sat at the sushi bar and was greeted by the sushi chef/​waiter/​man of all trades. There weren’t any waiters while I was there and this one man was running the show. He had three or four tables plus three people at the sushi bar. He was making sushi, serving drinks, delivering food, and busing tables. I thought oh geez I’m never going to make my meeting in time, but wow he really could do everything at once. I watched him make my sushi, deliver my sushi, and I payed my check all in 20min.
The fish here is very fresh and they have a large selection to choose from. Some higher end sushi choices were on the menu as well. I went with the sushi lunch combo for $ 10.95 you got a soup and salad (real ginger dressing) a California roll and a piece of tuna, salmon, white fish, shrimp, and yellowtail. That was a lot of food for the money.
I look forward to coming back and checking out some other menu items other than just sushi. Everyone in the restaurant seemed to be enjoying their meals.

I do like Sushi Tsune. I really do, despite this rating**. Just understand this review will be very pompous and snobbish; my first bite of sushi was 4 years old, 26 years later, I think I earned the right to be a bit elitist when it comes to sushi.
We stepped in at 9 PM, which by the way I almost drove pass the parking lot, like twice previously I have been here, from both directions; there were two regulars sitting at the bar, chatting away with the owner, who was very friendly, that directly me to the bathroom as if I had already asked him. Good service aside, the sushi was a bit less than what I expected (again, higher expectation.)
Friends ordered a few rolls, and I ordered nigiris. One roll was tempura deep fried roll with tuna and cream cheese (name escaped my mind,) the tempura batter wasn’t too much, but the roll was fried in lower temp. so it was a bit greasy, and it was evident when the roll was sitting in this mirin sauce. The 700 roll was basic Cali roll with avocado and shrimp on top. The nigiris was in good size, and the rice wasn’t squeezed to death kind of tight pack (that’s a good thing), but the filling on the Ikura (salmon roe, had good ‘pops’ which mean they are relatively fresh) barely covered the rice, the conch was a bit more chewy than normal; Ika (squid) was nice and milky, best taste of the night.
Visited Tsune another time, and got the Chirashi. Woah! I was taken aback by this unexpectedly good taste in this tiny little bowl. It is quite amazing.