NaRa Restaurant — Restaurant in Billings

I’m giving 3 stars but honestly, as someone who knows sushi, I would not personally return.

What we liked:

Great high quality fish The abundance of fresh fish on rolls (tons!) Great service Good atmosphere The Seared tuna the spicy tuna/tiny tim roll The warm saki Creativity of the chef

What we didn’t like:

Every other menu option seemed to contain jalapeños and/or cream cheese ~overpowering

The proportions of food just seemed off.. (tiny amounts of additional elements/veggies/sauce/etc to the roll compared to the amount of fish they serve), but it doesn’t produce the desired effect because every other flavor is overpowered or missing. (Thank goodness we like sashimi because the fish is all we could taste)

The Rainbow roll is usually our favorite roll at sushi restaurants, and though this roll is generously covered in fish, it is not a rainbow roll. (Why not just name it something different and serve it as another option people can enjoy?) we were disappointed there’s nothing but cucumber inside 😕

The servings are massive and the Rolls are The biggest/fattest rolls we’ve ever eaten, wish they were longer rolls with bite size cuts. (Slightly difficult to eat..)

We discussed that if we have had the portions (and prices) smaller on pretty much everything, and we would have been much more satisfied.

All in all, NaRa’s fish and flavors, are good, but just needs an adjustment on how it’s assembled and served. But perhaps, you’ll vibe with the chef’s personal taste...

Nara has changed a lot since my first visit to eat there in 2008. It’s walls were simple and aesthetically pleasing. The owners were busy, lively and personable. They would sit and visit with you like they and you were just ordinary people sharing a great meal together. You could get pretty much a slab of fresh salmon on rice for $32.00! And it was buttery fresh and delicious. So good

Fast forward to 2018 and the decor has changed, flashy and fabulous, hipster shiek. The regulars seem just as hip and distant.

The food seems huried and not as involved as it once was, more made for speed than quality.

The lady at the door, who was Dae’s wife was inviting and friendly, full of smiles and warmth has now been replaced by yet another dissatisfied hipster pretending to love her job.

The sushi is mediocre and not what it used to be. I could name a better place that closely reminds me of the first time I had sushi at Nara, but I don’t want it to turn into another hipster hangout.

Overall, today was the first time in over a year that I had had NARA sushi, and I can say without a doubt, it will be well over a year until I waste my money on it again. My head is hanging low as I write this. It used to be our celebratory place to eat..... Quality wasn’t questioned and everything was on point. I will remember them the way...

They only thing wrong with this place is that it is where I had sushi for the very first time...and it's ruined me to eat it any where else! We travel a lot, and nothing ever compares. We find ourselves rushing to Nara as soon as we step foot in town!! This is a family owned restaurant with custom made rolls, and it's like no other I have ever been to. It's not a quickie dining stop, if you want that go buy the packaged sushi from the grocery store (yuck!). Either plan get there early, or sit back with a glass of beer or wine and enjoy the conversation, while you watch the sushi chef create his masterpieces. He is always experimenting and coming up with new ideas for rolls, giving Nara its contemporary feel, while Mom is cooking up the best dang traditional Korean food you will find here in the states. If you don't know what to order, just ask some of the locals at the Sushi bar, most of them come in daily and you will not be led astray! Try the Rolling Red, Crunchy Salmon, Spicy Tuna, or you might just get lucky and he will have some of my favorite, Seared Tuna (shhhh it's a secret!). If you are looking for a true Sushi Dining Experience, don't miss out on this place, you'll definitely be...