Rice & Spice — Restaurant in Citrus Park

Rice & Spice is the new top contender in Westchase for top-notch Sushi and Laotian inspired Asian fusion cuisine. From the moment you walk in to the moment you leave, the staff here "...are always glad you came" (queue the theme song from Cheers) and they are always proud of every hand-made Sushi or dish they serve to each customer. This review is a culmination of 4 visits at this restaurant across 2 months, tasting sushi, and several other items that have consistently been prepared with delicious/fresh taste and served with visual flare.

The Miso Soup has the perfect balance of miso and salty taste with balanced amounts of tofu chunks, and is served warm. A very tasty slurping experience in each spoon full.

The Trifecta Roll is made with Tuna, Salmon, Escolar, Cucumber, scallion & avocado. This sushi roll of 8 pieces of fresh tasting 3 types of fish are perfectly balanced with crunch and sushi rice. Enjoy these with their house 'Lit' sauce or Sweet/Spicy Ponzu Sauce to kick up the umami with each bite. This is one of my favorite rolls at Rice and Spice.

The Tokyo Red Light sushi roll is not listed on their menu and is only available upon request provided you know about it. This roll is made with Spicy Tuna inside with Tuna on top, scallion, and masago drizzled with a sweet ponzu sauce. Each of the 8 pieces of this roll are a taste explosion of fresh tuna and ponzu, skip the chopsticks and use your fingers to eat this roll for different type of sushi enjoyment experience.

Rainbow Roll is made with Kanikama, avocado, cucumber, topped w/ salmon, tuna, and white fish. This is a good starter sushi roll. If you are unsure what fish you are craving, this roll will let you taste a variety.

Tipsy Noodle is a delicious stir fried wide rice noodle w/ egg, assorted vegetable, & basil leaves. You can top with your favorite protein or not. The flat noodles were cooked balanced softness without being mushy. The aromatic blends along with vegetables and just the right amount of basil made this dish one of my favorites. The potion size is perfect for one person. This is a must try if you are craving tasty noodles when visiting Rice and Spice.

Gia Yarng is a unique dish made of BBQ Chicken infused w/ lemongrass & herbs, served with pickled daikon & carrot and Laotian sticky rice. The marinated chicken tastes sort of like peruvian chicken but a slightly tangy flavor profile. This dish is a must try for those who love aromatic chicken dish. The accompanied Laotian sticky rice (served in a bamboo container) along with picked daikon and carrots, make this dish a perfect explosion of delicious taste with every bite.

The House Fried Rice with Chicken may not have a fancy name but it is fancy in taste with its aromatic mixture of spices and perfect amounts of fried eggs and steamy rice with diced carrots, onions, scallion and garnish of tomato, cucumber and shredded cabbage to add crunch. If you are craving fried rice, you won't regret ordering this dish.

Rice and Spice serves one the best tasting Thai Ice Tea that isn't drowning with sweetness like other locations. I've had this drink every time I've visited here. They somehow have figured out the secret balanced portion of black tea, condensed milk / creamer and sweetener in their version of Thai Ice Tea.

Rice and Spice also serves Sushi Boats - essentially large portions of tasty sushi are severed in a visually attractive wooden boat at your table. This is a great way to enjoy sushi with a group of friends / family who all are craving sushi. Definitely a great choice to celebrate a special occasion over sushi.

It's clear to see why Rice and Spice is quickly becoming a favorite restaurant for sushi and asian fusion food lovers in this part of town - they go above and beyond to make you feel like a family friend and pay very close attention to ensure you are enjoying every dish. I will keep coming back...

A Father’s Day Extravaganza update!!! Prepare to have your heart stolen and your taste buds serenaded at Rice and Spice in Westchase, where Pradesh, Meehan, Kyle, and their phenomenal family redefine what a dining experience can be! My kid Renn and I snagged a last-minute Father’s Day reservation, and let me tell you, walking into this gem was like being wrapped in a warm, spicy hug from the universe itself. This isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a magical haven of love, laughter, and culinary wizardry run by the most extraordinary family you’ll ever meet. Pradesh, with his boundless warmth, makes you feel like you’re royalty. Meehan’s radiant smile lights up the room like a thousand suns. And Kyle? Oh, Kyle’s a superstar who jokingly offered to be my adopted son, instantly making us feel like part of their tight-knit clan. The entire family pours their heart and soul into this amazing restaurant, creating an atmosphere so welcoming it’s like coming home to a feast crafted by your favorite people on Earth. And the FOOD! Sweet mercy, every dish is a masterpiece, like Pradesh, Meehan, and their culinary kin channeled ancient spice gods to create flavors that explode like a symphony in your mouth. The sushi & rice? So fragrant it practically floats off the plate. Every bite was a revelation, leaving Renn and me grinning like we’d just won the lottery. This wasn’t dinner—it was a full-on festival of joy, flavor, and family vibes. If you get the chance to score a table, RUN, don’t walk, to Rice and Spice. Support this incredible family, savor their world-class cuisine, and let Pradesh, Meehan, Kyle, and their loved ones show you what true hospitality looks like. It’s not just a meal—it’s a memory you’ll cherish forever. Five stars? Nah, this place deserves an entire galaxy!

A Hidden Gem in Westchase - Worth the Trip!

If you find yourself in the Westchase area--or even if you're considering a short drive from South Tampa--this restaurant is an absolute must-visit. The moment you step through the door, you'll notice the commitment to quality that sets this place apart. They use only the finest ingredients, ensuring every dish is a culinary masterpiece.

If you're lucky enough to snag a table, you're in for an unforgettable dining experience. The sushi here is nothing short of spectacular, and their fried rice, my personal favorite, is a flavorful delight that never disappoints.

What makes this spot even more special are the owners, Pradeth and Mihan, who greet every guest with warm hospitality. Be sure to request Lexi as your server--her attentive and friendly service rounds out the perfect meal.

In every way, this place earns a solid 10/10. Whether you're a local or just passing through, it's a dining experience you won't...

Finally got a chance to try this place and we are so glad we did! As always, we over ordered but we did not regret it one bit.

To start off, we had the hamachi kama, conch fritters, and the R&S special salad. The hamachi collar and the fritters are good but the R&S salad really blew us out of the waters. We were a bit apprehensive about ordering it since it is $20 for a salad but omg it is WORTH EVERY SINGLE BITE. The amount of sashimi in there is insane and the flavors are out of this world. The fish skin on top adds to the perfect amount of crispness to each bite so that the dish has a variety of textures.

For the main dish, we ordered the Gai Yarng (bbq chicken) and the Ka Moo Panang (braised pork shank). Do not underestimate the flavors of the bbq chicken. It might look ordinary but the flavors and juices are all contained into the chicken. One bite of it and all of the flavors burst out of the chicken. It comes with a sauce on the side but to be honest, you don't need it at all.

The presentation of the braised pork shank is really a work of art itself. The Panang curry adds the perfect amount of flavor to the pork shank. And the shank itself is so tender to the touch and falls of the bone with the slightest tug.

Besides the food, the service is also a HUGE plus. The restaurant is family owned and the husband and wife couple are super nice to their patrons. You can tell that they take pride in their dishes and they take time to explain each dish to you. We haven't tried their sushi rolls yet (next time!) but we overheard the conversation with the table next to us and the owners goes in great detail about their sushi rolls and even inform the customers where the fish are sourced. I was really surprised by how much education they teach to their customers about how to spot the freshest sashimis and the difference in taste if they were not so fresh.

Overall, I'd say this is one of my top place to go to between the great food and amazing service. I really hope they keep this up because this is a great addition around the...