Itto Sushi Downtown — Restaurant in Salt Lake City

Don't let the modest storefront fool you - Itto Sushi serves up some of the finest sushi I've experienced. As someone who regularly dines at high-end sushi establishments in major cities, I was genuinely impressed by this Salt Lake City gem's exceptional quality and attention to detail.

The first thing that caught my attention was their commitment to sourcing premium ingredients. They fly in fresh fish daily, and it shows in every bite. The fish quality rivals what you'd find at prestigious establishments charging double or triple the price. Their toro melts in your mouth, the uni is sweet and creamy with that perfect ocean essence, and the salmon belly is expertly cut to highlight its rich buttery texture.

What truly elevated the experience was the personal touch from the sushi chef. Rather than just preparing dishes from behind the counter, he actively engaged with diners, offering suggestions and preparing special off-menu items. When we expressed interest in traditional preparation methods, he crafted a series of nigiri pieces that showcased his mastery of temperature control and rice seasoning - crucial elements that separate good sushi from exceptional sushi.

The attention to detail extends to every aspect of the meal. They serve genuine wasabi (not the green paste most places use), and their carefully selected Japanese soy sauce perfectly complements the fish without overpowering it. Even the garnishes are thoughtfully chosen to enhance each piece.

The service matches the quality of the food. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu and origin of each fish, and the entire staff operated with a level of hospitality that made us feel like valued guests rather than just customers.

While not inexpensive, the value is exceptional, given the quality. You're getting fish and preparation that compete with high-end sushi restaurants in major cities but at more reasonable prices.

If you appreciate authentic, high-quality sushi, make the trip to Itto. Skip the elaborate rolls (though I'm sure they're good) and opt for the nigiri or sashimi to truly appreciate the quality of their fish and the skill of their chefs. This is the place that reminds you why sushi became such a revered culinary art in the...

I completely see the merit of the banner outside saying it's the best-rated of SLC. We are from Los Angeles, and made a road trip that included SLC. Sushi is our number one go-to food, so when I additionally heard about it from a few locals, we had to try it. First, when you walk in, the restaurant is completely unsuspecting. You would never know from its casual interior that the sushi would blow your mind, at least, for us. The menu contains information that indicates how they source their fish. Everything is flown in fresh every day. The service is remarkable. Our server was kind and friendly, but the sushi chef personally came to our table a few times to see if we liked everything, even bringing us a few special dishes/creations. I like to think we are sushi 'connossieurs'. Whatever you have on the menu that's different or special, bring it. We'll try it. We only like to eat sashimi or nigiri - no rolls for us, pretty much ever. Every single nigiri we got was extremely delicious, among them being toro, red snapper, halibut, Japanese uni (sea urchin), ikura, eel, salmon belly, scallop, bluefin tuna. I forgot to ask what the soy sauce brand was - the meal even included a Japanese-sourced soy sauce, pickled and REAL wasabi - not that disgusting green horseradish paste you get that everyone knows. We asked to bring us something out of the ordinary, there was even a shooter that featured sea urchin and ikura. What's more shocking to us, you could pay way more for some rolls, or go to a sub-par sushi restaurant where even the tuna and salmon are a sad sight to see, and the highlight are some California rolls or bento boxes. This place is not to be missed. Do not be deterred by its casual appearance - the sushi should be sure to impress the snobs of even Nobu from LA. What's more, is the people here are extremely kind and friendly - the sushi chef was even telling us how good his brother's restaurant was - another Itto location in the surrounding area that serves omakase (this one does too, just have to make reservations). We love Itto Sushi, and will look forward to the next time we visit SLC - it will surely be on our list. Thank you for a great...

This place is hands down the best sushi joint in Salt Lake City due to the authentic food and amazing service. I had gone in with my mom and boyfriend because we saw they had Uni on the menu and she’s been wanting to try it for a long time. When you get there you’re greeted at the door by a worker who checks your temperature before escorting you to a table, and everyone is spaced out due to COVID so there is limited seating. We asked the server if they had Uni and she went in the back and was told they did, but shortly after ordering another server came out to advise that they were unfortunately out. My mom was bummed because she got excited after being told they have it, but after expressing her let down the owner (Itto) personally came out to apologize and explain that the seafood they order is always fresh and never frozen, and since Uni can lose flavor and color rather quickly they order smaller quantities during the week and recommended we come back on the weekend where they order larger quantities. Itto coming out to apologize was more than enough, but to top it all off he brought out the ingredients to make a Chutoro hand roll with fresh wasabi right in front of us and went on to tell us about himself and why he does what he does, and you can really tell that he truly just wants to make his customers happy with his food. It’s safe to say he exceeded all expectations, and that hand roll was the favorite food of the night by far. To Itto and the whole staff, thank you so much for the hospitality and we’ll definitely be...