California,  Food Reviews

All You Can Eat Sushi For All Taste Buds

All you can eat sushi is the key to my heart, and thankfully, my friends enjoy it just as much as I do.

It is rare that we all get to see each other and a reunion was far overdue.

After spending some time searching for the best spot that would meet our parameters, I happened upon Aburi Sushi.

A pinterest pin of salmon sashimi

Why We Chose Aburi Sushi

Our requirements were:

  1. All You Can Eat (AYCE): I think traditional a-la carte sushi restaurants tend to have the best quality, but increasingly I’ve noticed that a lot of all you can eat sushi spots have stepped it up.
  2. Within Our Budget: Tying in with the first requirement, AYCE meant we would know exactly what what the bill would be outside of any drinks we might order
  3. Great Reviews: I not only look at the overall star ratings, but I find it helpful to look through the most recent reviews to get a clearer picture of how the establishment would be
  4. A Centralized Location: We all reside in different cities in Southern California, so Long Beach turned out to be the most reasonable location for us to reach in a timely manner

What’s the difference between all-you-can eat sushi and a la carte sushi?

With AYCE, there is a set price usually between $25-$35 depending on the establishment. You can order as much as you want on the AYCE menu, but there is typically a time limit around 90 minutes – 2 hours and there may be more restrictions on premium items.

With a la carte, you pay for each item separately. Keep in mind, 1 roll alone can be quite filling so depending on your budget and appetite, it may be worth it to just go the a la carte route.

Our All You Can Eat Long Beach Dining Experience

I thought this was my first time eating here, but as I drove into the parking lot, a lightbulb went off. I had actually been here before with one of my closest friends about four years prior, and I was shocked that it was only now hitting me.

There was quite a waiting list, so our party of 5 had to wait about 45 minutes for our table. This was not a surprise to me though. I rarely mind waiting for a table, especially when sushi is involved, because it always turns out to be worth it to me.

If you want to read an in-depth review of the most expensive sushi restaurant I have EVER been to, click HERE!

The interior of the establishment reminded me of a 50’s diner and perhaps that’s what this place used to be. It definitely has that family, casual style going on.

The owner of the restaurant was quite…animated. He talked to nearly every table and even gifted us with complimentary soju, which we did definitely appreciate.

What We Ate

Enough about that, let’s talk about the food.

I think there are two types of sushi lovers.

One side who loves sashimi and nigiri, preferring the fish in a more natural state.

The other type can’t get enough when it comes to toppings and flavors.

I fall into the first category and my friends tend to fall into the second one. Also, I don’t like avocado or cucumber. I know, I know…most rolls have those ingredients which means I have to modify every time. It makes me feel like a difficult, picky eater but hey, I like what I like.

What’s the difference between nigiri and sashimi? Nigiri is the fish placed on a small individual molds of sushi rice. Sashimi are cut in a thinner way than nigiri and served without rice. Depending on the establishment it may be topped with things like sauces, onions, and other types of garnishes.

Seared tuna poke sashimi and salmon poke sashimi
On the left is seared tuna and on the right is salmon, both in the poke sashimi category. I love this style of sushi because it is both marinated and extra fresh. The fish is served in a delicate and presentable fashion. This was my favorite thing I ate out of everything I ordered.
Two fresh oysters in the shell on a black plate on a brown table
Fresh oysters
salmon nigiri with green onions and tuna nigiri with wasabi
On the left is salmon nigiri with green onions on top and on the right is tuna nigiri with wasabi on top. I typically prefer salmon belly and white tuna aka escolar, but it appears they didn’t have those options on their menu.
Nigiri Plate
Another Nigiri Plate because, why not?
Crunch rolls and a yellowtail roll with jalapeño on top
Various baked rolls including the Salmon Crunch roll in the middle and a yellowtail jalapeño roll on the right.
Baked salmon roll in foil on black plate on a brown table
Baked Salmon Roll
Two crunch rolls with spicy tuna, yellowtail, crunchy onions, and spicy mayo
Various crunch rolls

I can promise you this, the food was worth the wait. And it satisfied both categories of sushi lovers.

To find a restaurant that fully satisfies the taste palettes of five different people is no easy task, but it was certainly achieved that day.

me and my four friends at the end of our sushi dinner
Me (left) and my lovely friends. We will definitely be returning!

Have you ever been to Aburi Sushi? Do you prefer All-You-Can-Eat sushi or A La Carte sushi? Do you have any sushi recommendations for me to try? Let me know in the comments below!

A pinterest pin of salmon sashimi

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