Sono Sushi — Restaurant in Raleigh

As long as I've been attending the week-long International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) World of Bluegrass (www.ibma.org) in Raleigh, N.C., I've been having a meal (or two) at Sono Sushi. I accidentally discovered Sono in 2017 and gave it a try. I was very impressed with the quality and selection of their sushi and other Japanese cuisine, drinks, and their impeccable service. I'm from California and finding a good sushi place in downtown Raleigh, who would've thought? Sadly, last Saturday's 5pm dinner (9/28/24) will probably be my last time dining at Sono because the IBMA WoB is moving venues to Chattanooga, T.N., after 11 years. So, that evening I went all out. My server was Andrew and he was very friendly and attentive. I had an incredibly delicious Tonkotsu Ramen with pork bone broth, black garlic oil, pork chasu, egg, noodles and a splash of chili oil. With uni (sea urchin) and hamachi (yellowtail) nigiri sushi. Paired with an ice cold Asahi. Everything was made to perfection! I even ordered a spicy tuna roll and a blue crab handroll to go for a midnight snack! Kudos to the sushi chef and their kitchen staff. I'd like to call special attention to the uni which can be hit-or-miss. And Sono nailed it! The management of this establishment is also top-notch as they would also stopped to ask me how I was doing during my meal. I will definitely miss Sono, my go-to place for sushi when in downtown Raleigh. Arigato...

Stumbled upon this place for an impromptu Friday night date night! Well not really “stumbled”… we pass it all the time heading to events downtown but didn’t know this was the place we were heading! We called ahead for a reservation and when we arrived, we were seated immediately! 🙂

We came here knowing we wanted ramen so we ordered as soon as the water was brought out. The QR codes make viewing the menu quick and easy! I typically double the noodles in my ramen because other places are stingy. The waitress advised me to wait and see after my bowl comes. I’m glad I listened to her— it was the perfect amount of food! The KALE NOODLES were DELICIOUS!

My husband ordered the pork ramen. He said the broth was amazing and he loved the texture of his pork! 🙂

The edamame was also amazing! Freshly steamed and a large serving; we split it! 🤩 I recommend adding the garlic chili sauce. 🤯 Not spicy at all… just flavorful!

We wanted something fresh and the seaweed salad was a perfect appetizer! Not a lot of food but just enough.

We loved Sono! The next time we come, we’ll try the sushi since almost every table had some! But that night, we wanted something warm and filling but not too heavy. We made the right...

Our recent dining experience at Sono Sushi Restaurant Bar was truly exceptional. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with outstanding service. Our waiter, Danny, was incredibly friendly and helpful, enhancing our evening with his warmth and attentiveness.

The food? Absolutely top-notch. We started with a trio of appetizers: the Cali roll, Gyoza, and firecracker calamari. Each dish was bursting with flavor and set a high bar for what was to come. For mains, I chose the ribeye, which was nothing short of perfection—cooked to a flawless medium, with a mouthwatering char and impeccable seasoning. My wife and daughters savored the miso ramen, which they raved about, while my son enjoyed the teriyaki chicken, a dish that had him asking for more.

A delightful bonus was watching our kids have fun using the chopstick trainers, a thoughtful touch that made the meal even more enjoyable for the whole family.

Sono Sushi has easily secured a spot on our date night rotation. We can’t wait to return for another round of their incredible dishes. Highly recommended for families, couples, or anyone looking for an unforgettable...