Fushimi Times Square — Attraction in New York

It honestly felt like it was meant for me to come to Fushimi—my outfit even matched the interior perfectly, down to a T. But this isn’t even about that. I was just looking for a place to grab a quick lunch before heading back to New Jersey, and I feel like I hit the jackpot.

Lately, I’ve been craving sushi more and more, and from the moment I walked in, I knew I was in for a treat. The hostess was so welcoming. Even though they had an event going on, the restaurant is spacious enough that they can host multiple private sections while still accommodating walk-ins—reservation or not—without making you feel like an afterthought.

Now, my waitress/bartender Omi (O-M-I) deserves all the praise. She made two of the best drinks I’ve had in a while. I’m an espresso martini girly, and she nailed it. But her recommendation to try The Q was a game-changer. The aroma alone was heavenly—like sipping from the most luxurious perfume bottle. Beautiful, soothing, and absolutely perfect.

As for the food—no complaints, just perfection. The pan-fried gyoza dumplings were packed with flavorful, tender filling, every bite juicy and fresh. The teriyaki steak was grilled to perfection—tender, flavorful, and paired with a teriyaki sauce I loved. The chicken fried rice was just as satisfying. And the sushi? The Fire & Ice Roll instantly became my favorite. I’m already planning my next visit just to have it again.

Dessert was the perfect ending: a warm, rich lava cake that was neither too sweet nor too bitter, with a spoon that slid right through the center. Paired with red velvet ice cream? Heaven.

The atmosphere is upscale, sultry, and modern—but without the “super expensive” price tag you’d expect. From start to finish, this was a 10/10 experience. If you’re looking for sushi, amazing drinks, and a place to truly unwind, Fushimi will not disappoint.

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After catching a Friday night performance of Oh, Mary, we found ourselves in the mood for a late dinner and decided to try Fushimi on 43rd, partly due to its glowing Google reviews. The restaurant now occupies the former Hakkasan space in Times Square, and you can tell—they’ve kept much of the original, grand interior. It’s a massive venue, sleek and dramatic, clearly aiming for a “wow” effect.

Service was friendly but scatterbrained. A few items we ordered never made it to the table—or the bill, thankfully.

I started with the hot and sour seafood soup, which arrived with flair: the ingredients artfully arranged in a bowl, and the broth poured tableside from a separate vessel. Unfortunately, the theatrics didn’t carry through to the flavor. The broth was shockingly bland—like hot water with a dash of Sriracha and maybe a squeeze of lemon. No depth, no salt, no umami—just… nothing.

We also tried the duck salad, which was generously portioned but underwhelming. Strips of barbecued duck were tossed with chopped lettuce and hoisin sauce, with a few crispy wonton chips thrown in for texture. It felt more like a rushed afterthought than a composed dish.

For sushi, my husband ordered the chef’s sushi platter while I had the sashimi bowl. The fish was fresh enough, but nothing remarkable—on par with your average neighborhood spot like Momoya on the Upper West or East Side. What set it apart was the elaborate dry ice presentation, complete with bubbling vessels and a dramatic bed of crushed ice. Clearly, it’s built for a Times Square crowd that’s more interested in spectacle than culinary nuance.

All in all, Fushimi seems to prioritize Instagram moments over flavor. It’s a fine stop for tourists looking for a splashy setting and acceptable sushi, but if you’re after a more thoughtful, satisfying meal, you’re better off elsewhere especially considering the price point...

Maybe I'm just not the target demographic or don't have a rich and refined palette or whatever, but I felt like we were paying for presentation and not the actual food. Raw salmon is one of my favorite foods, so I consume a lot of it. This fish was legitimately the same quality as any other decent sushi spot. Putting ice in a giant decorative bowl situation just got in the way of me trying to enjoy a meal that would normally cost maybe $25 anywhere else.

This spot also has to update their online menu. Because why on the physical menu are 3 pieces of nigiri $23 but the website says $16? I also asked the waiter how big the $12 rolls were, and he said they were very small because they were classic. Embarrassing to upcharge an average salmon avocado roll That's like $5 more than the city average at this point.

On top of that, we were sat next to a really obnoxious party making a podcast with bright lights, and they tried to convince us to join when we were just trying to enjoy our dinner. We should have been seated separately.

I think what takes the cake is that the waiters kept trying to take our food away when we clearly weren't done. They were rushing us out. I had salmon tartare in the middle to share with my friends, and the waiter just snatched it away. My friend said she wanted to keep her salmon longer, and the waiter came back in 2 minutes and asked again, and she felt too embarrassed to say she wanted to keep eating.

Again, if you want to pay for presentation and apparently a quick meal, this is the place for you. But I could have spent $55 for all you can eat sushi and drinks downtown for the same exact tasting fish, and I could've stayed for 2 hours without...