Top 10: Birmingham's Best Sushi

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Sushi is one of the most popular foods in the country now, and sushi restaurants have grown in popularity as a result of consumers' increased health-consciousness the expanding palates of American consumers, who are increasingly seeking out diverse ethnic cuisines, especially in urban areas.

According to an essay by PBS Food's Toni Avery, the concept of sushi was likely introduced to Japan in the ninth century, and became popular there as Buddhism spread. The Buddhist dietary practice of abstaining from meat meant that many Japanese people turned to fish as a dietary staple. The Japanese are credited with first preparing sushi as a complete dish, eating the fermented rice together with the preserved fish.

Sushi was introduced to Americans, most think, in the late 60s and early 70s in Los Angeles. "In 1966, a man named Noritoshi Kanai and his Jewish business partner, Harry Wolff, opened Kawafuku Restaurant in Little Tokyo," Avery said. "Kawafuku was the first to offer traditional nigiri sushi to American patrons. The sushi bar was successful with Japanese businessmen, who then introduced it to their American colleagues. In 1970, the first sushi bar outside of Little Tokyo, Osho, opened in Hollywood and catered to celebrities."

Sushi restaurants in the Birmingham area have enjoyed increasing popularity as more of these eateries are opening each year. Patch looked at customer review-based websites such as Trip Advisor, Style Blueprint and Google Ratings to determine where the best sushi is in the Birmingham metro:

1. Ooka Chinese & Japanese Restaurant; 2005 Valleydale Rd., Hoover
2. Shiki; 300 Hallman Hill E, Ste 109, Homewood
3. Bamboo On 2nd; 2212 2nd Ave North, Downtown
4. Abhi Eatery & Bar; 300 Summit Blvd, Ste 104, The Summit
5. Osaka; 5192 Caldwell Mill Rd, ste 105, Vestavia Hills
6. Jinsei; 1830 29th St S, Ste 125, Homewood
7. Sushi Village; 7001 Crestwood Blvd, Ste 606, Crestwood
8. Okinawa Sushi & Hibachi Steakhouse; 148 Wildwood Pkwy, Homewood
9. Wasabi Juan's; 4120 3rd Ave S, Avomdale
10. Blowfish Sushi & Asian Cuisine; 5479 Hwy 280, Ste 102, Hoover

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Photo Credit: Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

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