I love sushi and will never pass up an opportunity to eat it when it’s great quality. ICHI Sushi + NI Bar in the Mission District in San Francisco is serving up some of the city’s best sushi as well as some tasty Californian inspired Japanese dishes.

What’s unique about ICHI Sushi + NI Bar is that all their nigiri, traditional sushi, (rice with a slice of fish on top) is already seasoned the way the chef believes is appropriate. Therefore, they don’t serve wasabi or soy sauce on the side. We ordered numerous nigiri to try as well as some of the hot appetizers to share.

Grilled Corn with Togarashi (8.5/10).

Miso Soup with Tofu and Kelp (8/10).

Charred Shishito Peppers (8/10).

Eggplant Skewers with Miso (8.5-9/10).

Maguro/Big Eye Tuna Nigiri with Sake Soy Marinade (8/10).

Hirame/Fluke Nigiri Cured in Kombu with Yuzu (7.5-8/10).

Tako/Octopus Nigiri (7.5/10).

Shima Aji/Striped Jack Nigiri with Sake Soy Marinade (8/10).

Kanpachi/Amberjack Nigiri with Meyer Lemon Salt and Zest (8.5-9/10).

Hotate/Scallop Nigiri with Green Tea Salt (8.5/10) and Ikura/Salmon Roe Nigiri Marinated in Sake and Soy (8.5/10).

Umi Masu/Ocean Trout Nigiri with Meyer Lemon, Kosho, and Shiso (8/10).

Nasu/Eggplant Nigiri (8/10).

Wagyu/Seared Beef Nigiri (8/10)

Bincho Toro/Albacore Belly Nigiri with Ginger, Garlic, and Scallion (9/10).

Uni/Sea Urchin Nigiri (9/10).

I really enjoyed all the nigiri sushi and how each one was prepared with a different seasoning that the chef thought would accompany the fish well. Different seasonings included a sake soy marinade, fish cured in kombu, green tea salt, meyer lemon salt, yuzu, kosho, shiso, and other garnishes. Each seasoning or garnish amped up the flavor of each already delicious piece of nigiri sushi. All the vegetable hot appetizers were also super tasty and satisfying.

Even though I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at ICHI Sushi + NI Bar, I still believe Akiko’s Restaurant and Kusakabe serve slightly higher quality fish. However, I would definitely recommend ICHI Sushi + NI Bar for great quality sushi in a more casual environment so I’d rate the restaurant at an 8/10.