Wilmington offers everything from serene sushi counters with pristine fish to lively dining rooms where sharing rolls over a good sake feels effortless. If you are in the mood for refined nigiri, a casual plate with friends, or a dependable takeout option, you will find polished choices at a range of prices.
Let’s get to it.
Yaki Express
Prices stay friendly while the rolls get bold. Yaki Express keeps things family-run and relaxed, a fast-casual Japanese spot in Wilmington where the energy is in the kitchen, not a white-tablecloth room.
Order at the counter, grab a table, and watch the crew through the window as they build trays of hibachi and glossy rolls. Walk-ins fit right in. Takeout and online ordering make it a handy weeknight solution, and there is no formal omakase ritual to navigate.
Sushi here leans creative. House sauces back a playful lineup with names like Dirty Old Man, Grizzly, Kamikaze, Crazy Boy, TNT, and Sweetheart. Fresh tuna, salmon, red snapper, crab stick, and masago meet well-seasoned U.S. rice. Classics sit beside a small secret menu for the adventurous.
Not a raw-fish fan? The cooked side is strong, with hibachi chicken, steak, or shrimp, teriyaki bowls, tempura, and crisp egg rolls, along with vegetable tempura and veggie rolls for plant-based eaters.
Think value more than ceremony. Mains land in the low teens, staff stays kind, and the vibe suits a quick lunch, kid-tolerant dinner, or casual catch-up when beverages are beside the point. Craving inventive rolls without the price or pretense? Easy yes.
Genki Japanese & Sushi Restaurant of Wilmington NC
The draw here is clarity, pristine fish, a short list of chef suggestions, and a sushi bar where conversation still matters. Genki has been part of Wilmington’s dining vocabulary for decades, and you can sense the steady hand of Chef Danny, Japanese-trained and family-run, in every bite.
Traditionalists get rewarded. Clean cuts of yellowtail, tuna, salmon, eel, and briny ikura arrive as nigiri or sashimi. Those who like a flourish can opt for balanced Firecracker or crunchy lobster-style rolls. Ask for chef’s choice to catch the freshest arrivals or a quiet off-menu special.
The room is small and intimate with true sushi-bar seats plus a handful of tables, so dinner reservations are smart. Budget 30 to 50 dollars per person, depending on how sashimi-heavy you go. The value shows in the fish and the restraint.
Not everyone in the group craves raw fish, and that is fine. Tempura, tonkatsu, udon, and gyoza keep non-sushi eaters happy. Vegetarian rolls and gluten-free options are handled thoughtfully. The sake and Japanese beer list stays focused, and takeout or delivery works for a quiet night in.
Choose Genki for an old-school, chef-led experience with more conversation than spectacle and sushi that lets the fish speak for itself.
Indochine Restaurant
Sushi with a side of tropical garden escape? Indochine turns dinner into a mini getaway. Rolls share the stage with Thai curries and Vietnamese noodle bowls, so the sushi fan and the pad thai loyalist both win.
This is not an omakase shrine, it is a broad, à la carte menu where maki and nigiri sit alongside stir-fries. Prices fall in the mid to upper-mid range, but portions are hearty, which keeps the value strong.
The draw extends beyond the plate. A lively dining room feeds into an expansive patio with koi pond and Phuket-style huts, plus private banquet nooks for larger celebrations. Evenings fill quickly, and service can lag when the place is buzzing, so plan for a wait or reserve for bigger groups and weekend nights.
The bar pours cocktails, wine, and beer, and the kitchen handles vegetarian and gluten-aware requests, though results vary by visit. Craving the flavors without the scene? Takeout is straightforward, and the related Indochine Express handles faster carryout and delivery.
For a crowd-pleasing sushi night wrapped in Southeast Asian atmosphere, this spot delivers more than rolls.
Kyoto Asian Grille
Call Kyoto Asian Grille the peacekeeper of Wilmington sushi nights.
The menu leans roll-forward, with playful fusion numbers like a Vegas roll alongside straight-ahead tuna, salmon, and tidy sushi or sashimi combos. Bento boxes and hibachi keep non-sushi eaters covered, and there are vegetarian and tofu swaps that do not feel like afterthoughts. Prices stay friendly, especially at lunch, so trying an extra roll or a budget bowl does not require a pep talk.
Gluten-free diners get clearly marked options and staff that know what that means.
It is casual, more weeknight staple than high-ceremony counter. There is no omakase theatrics or deep sake list to study, but you will find hot tea, solid fish, and the kind of variety that calms a table full of different cravings. Order online for takeout when the couch calls, or book a table when the crowd swells.
Choose it when value, flexibility, and an easygoing vibe matter more than chef’s-choice pageantry. That trade pays off here.
Okami Japanese Steakhouse
Value plays the lead role here, not reverent omakase theater. Okami leans into lively hibachi energy, then doubles down with an all-you-can-eat sushi program that keeps the table buzzing.
The AYCE spread lands around the mid twenties and covers a lot of ground, tuna, salmon, mackerel, white fish and escolar nigiri, plus a parade of specialty and classic rolls from Dragon and Rainbow to tempura and cooked salmon. Picky about raw fish? Vegetarian rolls and plenty of cooked options make it an easy yes for mixed groups.
The kitchen touts guaranteed freshness from domestic and international sourcing, and the sushi arrives consistent rather than fussy. There is no hushed sushi bar here. You order from the table and keep the rounds coming.
Do note the house rules on AYCE, including no takeout, no sharing, and leftovers charged, so order in waves. It gets busy at prime time, so an early arrival or reservation helps.
Bottom line, pick Okami when variety, value, and a little showmanship beat a whisper-quiet omakase. A full bar and à la carte pricing for lighter appetites sweeten the deal.
Yosake Downtown Sushi Lounge
Mood lighting, a hum of conversation, and a sake list with some thought behind it. Yosake leans loungy in the best way, perched upstairs in the historic Roudabush building downtown. Bar seats face the sushi action, and tables keep things relaxed.
The menu casts a wide net. Traditional nigiri sits beside playful fusion rolls, then detours to curries, noodles, yakitori, and veggie starters. Specials often pull in produce from local Wilmington farms, which fits the room’s easy polish. It is an effortless pick when one person craves raw fish and another wants something steaming.
Pricing lands in the mid to upper casual range. Rolls and appetizers tend to hit the teens, and combo plates hover in the mid twenties. The value sweet spot is sharing a few small plates with a good sake or a clean cocktail.
That said, purists hunting for a formal omakase or rare cuts will be happier elsewhere. Yosake plays to its strengths, a lively room, approachable fish, and a bar program that rewards lingering. Reservations are available, and takeout is an option if the lounge is buzzing.
Hiro Japanese Steakhouse
Two experiences under one roof, an exclusive sushi bar for purists, and lively hibachi tables for the rest of the crew. That split personality is exactly why Hiro earns a spot on any Wilmington sushi list.
The sushi side keeps it classic and clean. Think neat nigiri and sashimi combinations, California and spicy tuna rolls, plus temaki for a handheld fix. No omakase here, but the fish is made to order and tastes fresh.
Bring a non-sushi friend and the hibachi chefs will win them over. Filet, chicken, shrimp, lobster, or scallops arrive as a full dinner with soup, salad, and noodles or rice. It feels celebratory, so reservations help during peak times.
On price, it sits in the mid to upscale range, but portions are generous and the bar pours sake and cocktails with confidence. There are vegetarian rolls and bento choices, too, which makes group ordering easier.
Go when you want variety, a little showmanship, and sushi that plays the hits. Prefer a quiet night? Order takeout from the sushi bar and skip the sizzle.
The Bento Box Sushi Bar and Asian Kitchen
The draw here is the sushi bar, where Chef Lee riffs in real time with personalized chef’s choice plates. There is no scripted omakase, just a lively back and forth and pristine fish. Think Scottish salmon, Kyushu hamachi, and tidy cuts that show a steady hand rather than flashy garnish.
That sourcing stance matters. Sustainable seafood and North Carolina produce give the nigiri a clean, bright snap, while the California-style rolls feel balanced instead of sugary. You can keep it classic with sashimi, or wander into signature specials if you like a little color with your craft.
The setting in the Military Cutoff corridor reads casual chic. There is a dedicated sake lounge, a patio, comfortable tables, and a small private room for eight to ten. Pricing sits in the mid range, and it works well for date night or a convivial group. Weekend reservations help.
Mixed party in tow? The broader Asian kitchen covers Thailand, Vietnam, China, and Korea, so non-sushi friends are covered. Gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan requests see real accommodation. Takeout travels well, but the counter interaction is the move if you enjoy a little theater with dinner.
Masa Sushi & Eastern Kitchen
Value leads the show at Masa Sushi & Eastern Kitchen in midtown Wilmington. Lunch bento boxes and sushi combos keep the bill gentle yet deliver clean cuts and generous portions. A smart weekday choice, not a splurge.
Chef-owner Jun Li works both lanes. Traditionalists get crisp nigiri and silky sashimi. Roll fans get playful signatures like Twins, Spicy Crunchy Kani, and MrCrab. Service stays à la carte, so no ceremony, just fresh fish and control over your plate.
The room is cozy, with a sushi bar and a few tables. Book a reservation at peak times, or slip into the bar. Drinks include sake, wine, beer, and a nip of Japanese whisky. Non-raw eaters are covered with hibachi, bento favorites, and veggie rolls.
Best for variety seekers and lunch strategists. Skip it if you want a long omakase performance. For solid, midrange sushi near Independence Mall, it delivers consistently, every time.
Nori The Pointe on 17 st – Nori Asian Fusion & Sushi Bar
Omakase steals the spotlight at Nori at The Pointe, a chef’s choice progression that turns the sushi bar into the best seat in the house.
Expect horse mackerel, bigeye tuna, bluefin fatty tuna, and live scallops, often shipped overnight from Japan. The focus stays on pristine cuts and clean, balanced bites.
If raw is not the plan, the menu stretches wide, with 30-plus specialty rolls and Asian-fusion entrées that pull from Thai, Malaysian, and Chinese traditions. Vegetarians and vegans have solid choices, so everyone finds a lane.
Set within The Pointe at Barclay near 17th Street, the space is contemporary without feeling cold. There is a full sushi bar, a lively main bar, a patio, and a private room for gatherings. The sake list comes with guidance, which makes pairing feel relaxed. Prices land in the moderate range, and lunch deals plus takeout keep things easy. Reservations are wise on busy nights.
Best fit for date night or a treat-yourself evening, yet flexible enough for a mixed group. Choose omakase when a little ceremony sounds right, or stick to rolls and cooked comforts when simplicity wins.
Nigori Gourmet & Sushi Bar
At Nigori Gourmet & Sushi Bar in Wrightsboro, value leads the way, with rolls and hot plates happily sharing the table. The mood is casual, the bill stays friendly, and the menu is built for groups with mixed tastes.
Sushi fans can go straight for nigiri or sashimi, then wander into specialty rolls like Super Crunch, Godzilla, and spicy tuna. No omakase here, just à la carte freedom and plenty of combinations. Vegetable rolls are on hand, too. If someone at the table prefers cooked fare, there are hibachi, teriyaki, and Chinese stir-fries that hold their own.
Owner Yu-Fan Chen trained in New York and learned the local ropes with the Nikki’s family. That background steers the menu toward clean presentation and approachable flavors. The dining room is family-friendly, a converted fast-food space made comfortable with simple decor and a tidy sushi bar.
Reviews frequently praise freshness and those generous rolls, though peak hours can bring a wait as takeout orders stack up. Walk in for a relaxed lunch, or keep it easy with online ordering. For affordable sushi near Wilmington that does not take itself too seriously, this is a smart, low-fuss choice.
Nori Asian Fusion and Sushi bar on Market st
Trust is the luxury on Market Street. At Nori Asian Fusion & Sushi Bar in the Marsh Oaks stretch, the chefs lean into omakase-style service, shaping a lineup that fits appetite and comfort level.
Seafood is flown in overnight from Japan, which opens the door to horse mackerel, snow crab, big-eye tuna, bluefin fatty tuna, and live scallops. Adventurous diners get range. Purists get pristine cuts.
Prefer a roll parade? Nori runs deep, with 30-plus specialty rolls and a strong hand-roll game, alongside traditional nigiri and sashimi. There is also an Asian-fusion menu with cooked plates, vegetarian and vegan choices, and gluten-free accommodations.
Settle at the sushi bar to watch the team work, or book a table for the group. Community chatter calls pricing mid to upscale for Wilmington, and service can fluctuate, but freshness earns steady praise.
Consider it a polished date-night pick that still plays well for families. Full bar, sake cocktails, and reservations keep the night smooth, while online ordering, takeout, and delivery cover the busy weeks. A second location at The Pointe adds convenience.
