Maria Dubinina

I’ve been to many Sushi by Bou locations (they have quite a few now - over 20!), and while I usually go to the Jersey City one since it’s just a few blocks from my home, the Chelsea location is my absolute favorite. I’ve celebrated so many special occasions here - my mom’s birthday, my own birthday, and a few others, and every single time has been unforgettable. The design of the Chelsea space is beautiful, spacious, and gives off such a cool, elevated vibe. The staff are always so attentive, friendly, and genuinely welcoming - it’s one of the many reasons I keep coming back. This Tuesday I came with a friend who had never been before, and she was so excited to finally experience it. From start to finish, everything was fantastic. Our chef was cheerful, engaging, and made every single piece feel special, each bite somehow tasted better than the last! My favorite pieces are always the maguro and albacore, and my friend loved all the warm pieces (most are served cold, which makes the warm ones a fun surprise). Everything was incredibly fresh and perfectly balanced, you can really taste the quality and care that goes into every bite. I also love their drink menu. I opted for a non-alcoholic cocktail this time, and my friend had a few sake shots, everything complemented the omakase beautifully. Overall, the Chelsea location truly stands out among all Sushi by Bou spots. It’s my go-to place for special occasions or even just when I want to treat myself. My friend’s already planning to go back, and I know I’ll be back again soon too. Thank you to the Sushi by team for always making me feel at home and delivering such a consistent, memorable experience every single time! 🍣❤️

Romy G

We had an incredible experience at Sushi by Bou in Chelsea! The intimate, speakeasy-style atmosphere made the night feel special from start to finish. The omakase was outstanding: fresh, beautifully presented, and perfectly paced so you can really savor each piece. The expert chef made sure we were enjoying each piece. What truly set the night apart, though, was the service. IMAX, the manager, was absolutely amazing. From the moment we walked in, he made us feel welcome and taken care of. His energy was fun yet professional, and he went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect. You can tell he genuinely cares about creating a memorable experience for guests. Between the delicious sushi and IMAX’s incredible hospitality, Sushi by Bou is a must-visit in Chelsea. I’ll definitely be back!

Salma Meza

I had the best experience at Sushi by Bou with my man in Chelsea! The owner was so welcoming and made the night feel extra special. The food was absolutely delicious and incredibly fresh — every bite was perfection. Jack prepared our 17 rolls for the night, and his skill and attention to detail were unmatched. Truly one of the best sushi experiences I’ve ever had. 100/10 recommend if you’re looking for amazing sushi and great vibes in New York City! 🍣✨

Rouge Yusuf

Best Omakase experience in my life. I stumbled on this place while walking back to my hotel and it was the highlight of my trip. Our chef, Koichi ensured we understood every item and treated us to a sake shot. Say 👋 to him if you make it there.

Leigh Sansone

Reservations required for a one hour high end sushi bar experience. I ordered the basic Omakase package, no extra frills (until the end of the meal). You have the option to pick a prix fixe with more items - the menu is online to see. (Order whatever has the most UNI - AMAZING!). You can also request a sake pairing for additional cost. And, at the end of the service, you can order á la carte items as well. Sushi By Bou is designed as a speakeasy, behind a coffee shop (the coffee shop is not currently in operation, but they said they were going to start serving coffee soon). The sushi bar itself is dark, lush, and intimate, with a few bar tables for drinks while you wait (and possibly for overflow), a fully stocked bar, and a sushi bar. The sushi bar itself accommodates 10 in one hour seatings. The chefs behind the sushi bar are efficient and skilled. They announce each course as they serve it. For the people who get larger prix fixe meals, the chefs deftly serve those courses in between courses in the basic prix fixe meals. I picked sushi boo at random over several other options in the general area, and I was 100% satisfied and more than that, thrilled with the offerings. The food was outstanding, the service was efficient, the atmosphere was great and the people at the sushi bar were super friendly. For an extremely reasonable price, this was one of the better meals I’ve had in recent memory. I did have one à la carte Nigiri, after my main meal was finished, and next time I’ll go back for a larger prix fixe meal. Cannot recommend strongly enough. Outstanding HIGH quality sushi experience.

Kat Arnett

Everything about our experience was amazing. We were greeted with warmth and hospitality. The staff was attentive and worked smoothly around us so not to disturb our conversation or experience. The chef's creations were delicious and he was clear to explain each dish. I highly recommend coming here!

Luna Urquizu

Sushi By Bou Chelsea is hands down one of the most unique and enjoyable sushi experiences I've had in NYC. From the moment you walk in, the vibe sets it apart; dimly lit, stylish, and tucked behind a discreet door like a speakeasy. It feels exclusive without being pretentious. Hip-hop plays in the background, giving the space an energy that’s fun and modern, yet still refined. I went with the 12-piece omakase, and every bite was a standout. The experience is timed (about 30 minutes), but it never feels rushed. The chefs are right in front of you, preparing each piece with precision and flair, and taking the time to describe each selection, including where the fish came from and what makes it special. Everything was incredibly fresh, the rice was perfectly seasoned, and even the ginger was amazing (they refilled my ginger at least 5 times). You can tell the ingredients are top-quality, and there’s a lot of care that goes into the preparation and presentation. The staff were attentive, welcoming, and clearly passionate about what they do. Our chef was engaging and made the experience feel personal and fun. I personally don’t drink alcohol, but my husband and his friends LOVED their drinks so much that they had multiple even though we had planned to go to a cocktail bar afterwards. If you’re looking for high-end sushi with a laid-back, cool vibe (and not the usual hushed omakase setting), Sushi By Bou in Chelsea is a must. It's perfect for date night, special occasions, or just treating yourself. I’ll definitely be back to one of their multiple locations throughout the city.

+4

Amanda Charalambous

This was my first omakase experience and it was incredible! My group had a great time, great atmosphere, awesome staff (shoutout to IMAX!), and super affordable compared to other cities I’ve seen with 12-courses for only $65. I’m still daydreaming about the miso cod… Next time I’m in NYC, I’ll def be back! Highly recommend.

+2

Alexander Kontoleon

Came here after the Joy of Sake event and had a delightful meal. The space really does a evoke a speakeasy with sneaky entrance, its intimate quarters, and friendly staff. The omakase we had was fresh and fun, some classic peices but also some unique new takes. Sitting at the bar and getting to chat with the Chef was fun. Did a sake pairing to go with it that was very tasty. Finished with their 'Big Mac' which was a wonderful combo of wagyu, uni, and scallop. An awesome bite. All around a good sushi experience.

+18

sharon

Great experience! I've been to other sushi by bou locations and love that every one of them is slightly different. This place was more like a Speakeasy. The coffee shop in front was "closed." The lights were off, and the door had a lock on it. But it wasn't actually closed. You come in, and in the back, there was someone to confirm your reservation. Very small and intimate space inside. The sushi was wonderful. I like the contemporary take on each course. The chimichurri and chili oil ones were surprising to me. The traditional takes on sushi is great, but the occasional contemporary take is great too.

+18

Hannah Kang

It was our first time visiting, thanks to the BOGO deal, and we were thoroughly impressed. The location is unbeatable—nestled at the back of a cozy cafe/flower shop, the speakeasy atmosphere adds a touch of elegance to this already exceptional omakase spot. Imax, the manager, was wonderful—warm, attentive, and consistently checking in to ensure everything was perfect. Chef Jack was equally fantastic, explaining each sushi piece and making sure we enjoyed every bite. The fish was incredibly fresh, and the attention to detail was evident in every dish. This was easily a 10/10 experience, and we’d absolutely return!

+5

Gina Rattanaboontham

Fell in love with this spot! Affordable omakase that gives you a luxurious vibes. Sushi was quite fresh! We got an upgrade to 17 course and Chef was courteous and catering. All staff were very pleasant.

+17

CakilKayi

The gem is hidden away in the coffee shop, and while it looks unassuming, it is my favorite go-to spot for sushi. The fish is always incredibly fresh and some of the best sushi ever! 😋 They have excellent customer service, and their music is very soothing! 10/10. I would highly recommend it if you are craving delicious sushi! It is hands down the freshest and tastiest! I've had it several times, and the freshness, taste, and prep speed never fail. I love the tuna sushi and nigiri! So good! Highly recommend.

+3

Tiffany Kim

I've been to several omakase spots, and this probably by far, one of the worst omakase spots I have ever been to. The fish was already pre-cut which is weird because most omakase spots cut it in front of you, and honestly the rice was salty. My friend ended up spitting out the uni/wagyu piece because the chef burnt the wagyu and the uni was so bitter 😭 The only redeeming parts to this restaurant are the bartender who makes fantastic cocktails, and the sushi chef's hilarious personality. I don't mind spending money at omakase, but who can't resist a good deal? I decided to try this place out because we saw an ad where they were running a $70 12-piece omakase for $55. However, when we got our check, the math didn't seem to make sense. I couldn't lay my finger on what was wrong, and the workers kept watching from behind us and kept saying "Don't worry, you got your discount. It's right here." Granted, I've paid nearly $200pp pre-tax/tip before for omakase. It's not about the money but the principle. After we left the restaurant, I realized that the restaurant had charged the tip % based off the subtotal BEFORE the discount, and not AFTER the discount. This does not make sense. My boyfriend thought he was paying 18%, when in actuality, we got scammed to pay nearly 25% for tip. Beware of these scammers and their tips/tricks. They also watch you while you click which tip percentage you choose, which is weird because most restaurants these days have the workers look away as courtesy. Never again. Won't be coming here, and make sure to check your bills, folks.