
Sushi Places Near Me: Dublin Restaurants, Health & BYOB Guide
Anyone who has stood on a Dublin street corner, phone in hand, typing “sushi places near me” knows the struggle: too many options, not enough clarity on which ones are actually good, healthy, and worth the trip. This guide cuts through the noise with verified facts about Dublin’s sushi scene, from the top-rated restaurants to the healthiest bites.
Pho Bo Beef Noodle Soup (Saba To Go): 356 calories ·
Spicy Beef Salad (Saba To Go): 294 calories ·
All-you-can-eat sushi address: 13 Wexford St
Quick snapshot
- Saba To Go publishes calorie counts for its takeaway dishes (Saba Dublin (restaurant chain))
- Yummy Bowl offers an all-you-can-eat Mongolian BBQ format in the US (Yummy Bowl (chain))
- Exact nutritional content varies by restaurant and recipe (Instagram (user-generated content))
- Whether all Dublin sushi restaurants offer takeaway (Instagram (user-generated content))
- Whether the Wexford St all-you-can-eat venue is a full sushi bar or a hybrid (Instagram (user-generated content))
- An Instagram post claims an all-you-can-eat sushi venue operates at 13 Wexford St, Dublin 2 (Instagram (user-generated content))
- No major timeline events currently tied to Dublin sushi scene
- Expect more Dublin venues to publish calorie data as demand for transparency grows
- All-you-can-eat sushi formats may expand beyond the Wexford St location
Four dishes from Saba To Go, one pattern: the Spicy Beef Salad is the only item under 300 calories while still delivering 32g of protein — a clear winner for weight-conscious diners.
| Dish | Calories | Protein (g) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spicy Beef Salad | 294 | 32 | Saba Dublin |
| Pho Bo Beef Noodle Soup | 356 | 30.4 | Saba Dublin |
| Sweet and Sour Chicken | 479 | 59 | Saba Dublin |
| Barbarian Chicken | 419 | 40 | Saba Dublin |
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Is sushi healthy or junk?
Nutritional breakdown of sushi
- A standard 6-piece maki roll (fish, rice, nori) averages 200–250 calories, according to general dietary guides — though Saba To Go’s published items show Asian takeaway can spike to nearly 500 calories per dish (Saba Dublin (restaurant chain)).
- Raw fish supplies omega-3 fatty acids, but the rice adds fast-digesting carbs.
Common additives and sodium levels
- Boards.ie users warn that some Chinese takeaway sauces contain a lot of oil (Boards.ie (Irish discussion forum)).
- One tablespoon of soy sauce packs about 900 mg of sodium — nearly 40% of the daily limit recommended by the FDA.
A sushi meal can be nutrient-dense or calorie-dense depending entirely on the roll. Fried tempura rolls and mayo-laden sauces turn a healthy fish dinner into a calorie bomb.
The pattern: sushi’s health label depends on the preparation. A simple salmon nigiri is very different from a deep-fried Philadelphia roll.
Where is the best sushi in Dublin?
Top-rated sushi restaurants in Dublin
- Musashi — often cited as the highest-rated sushi spot on Tripadvisor (4.5 stars).
- Zakura Noodle & Sushi — known as a buzzy BYOB venue on Dawson Street.
- Fujiyama — offers premium Japanese cuisine in a sit-down setting.
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Saba To Go – healthy takeaway
- Saba To Go frames its menu as “personal trainer approved” and publishes calorie and protein counts.
All-you-can-eat option
- According to an Instagram reel, there is an all-you-can-eat sushi venue at 13 Wexford St, Dublin 2, featuring sashimi, salmon nigiri, gyoza, and shrimp tempura.
No single Dublin restaurant dominates across health, price, and atmosphere: Saba To Go wins on transparency, Zakura wins on BYOB, and the Wexford St venue wins on volume.
The implication: the “best” sushi depends on whether you prioritise health, cost, or social experience — and all three are available within a 2 km radius of central Dublin.
Is sushi ok for weight loss?
Calorie counts in common sushi rolls
- Two standard sushi rolls (12 pieces) run 400–500 calories, according to typical nutritional databases.
- Saba To Go’s lowest-calorie item, Spicy Beef Salad, is 294 calories with 32g protein.
Healthy sushi choices for weight loss
- Choose sashimi (no rice) — 6 pieces around 120–150 calories.
- Opt for brown rice rolls if available — Saba does not specify, but many chains offer brown rice.
- Avoid tempura and creamy sauces — Boards.ie suggests stir-fry-style dishes are preferable when managing calories (Boards.ie).
Portion control with sushi
- Limit to 2–3 rolls per meal to stay within 500–700 calories.
- Grubhub’s Dublin healthy-food directory shows many options, but venue-verified diet labels remain rare (Grubhub (food delivery platform)).
Even “healthy” sushi can become calorie-heavy if you rely on soy sauce, which adds sodium but negligible calories — the bigger risk is hidden fats in sauces.
What this means: sushi can absolutely fit into a weight-loss plan, but you must choose ingredient-wise. Stick to sashimi, brown rice, and avoid anything “dragon” or “crunchy”.
What is the healthiest sushi to eat?
Sashimi as a low-carb option
- Sashimi (sliced raw fish, no rice) is the lowest-calorie choice — around 120–150 calories for 6 pieces.
Brown rice rolls
- Brown rice adds fibre and a lower glycemic impact compared to white rice.
Vegetable and seaweed rolls
- Seaweed (nori) is rich in iodine and minerals; cucumber and avocado rolls add healthy fats.
- Avoid cream cheese and spicy mayo — these ingredients add saturated fat and calories.
The trade-off: the healthiest sushi is often the simplest. A cucumber roll with brown rice and a side of edamame beats any specialty roll with multiple sauces.
Is sushi good for heart patients?
Omega-3 benefits from fish
- Salmon, mackerel, and tuna provide EPA and DHA omega-3s, which support heart health.
Sodium concerns from soy sauce
- One tablespoon of soy sauce contains about 900 mg sodium — over a third of the recommended daily limit.
Mercury levels in certain fish
- Tuna (especially bluefin) can contain higher mercury levels; salmon and shrimp are lower-mercury choices.
The implication: heart patients can enjoy sushi by choosing low-mercury fish and limiting soy sauce. Opt for salmon or mackerel nigiri with no added salt.
Upsides
- High in protein and omega-3s
- Low-calorie options available (sashimi, vegetable rolls)
- BYOB policy at some Dublin spots (Zakura)
- Transparent calorie counts from Saba To Go
Downsides
- High sodium from soy sauce and processed ingredients
- Hidden fats in tempura and creamy sauces
- Mercury risk in certain fish for frequent eaters
- Few Dublin restaurants publish verified nutritional data
What we know and what remains unclear
- Confirmed: Saba To Go offers healthy takeaway with published calorie counts (Saba Dublin)
- Confirmed: Boards.ie users report that stir-fry is a better choice than saucy dishes for weight management (Boards.ie)
- Unclear: Exact nutritional content of sushi varies widely across Dublin restaurants
- Unclear: Whether every sushi venue offers takeaway
- Unclear: Whether the Wexford St all-you-can-eat venue is a full sushi bar or a hybrid
“A buzzy, BYOB spot on Dawson Street — the perfect place for a night out with friends.”
— Tripadvisor reviewer (paraphrased)
“Modern Japanese cuisine served in a chic setting — one of Dublin’s hidden gems.”
— lovindublin.com editorial (paraphrased)
For the Dublin diner who values both health and experience, the choice is clear: pick Saba To Go when you need a quick, calorie-counted meal; visit the Wexford St all-you-can-eat spot when you want a feast; and choose Zakura when you want to bring your own bottle. Any other approach risks either overspending or overeating — and nobody wants that after a long day of searching “sushi places near me”.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between maki, nigiri, and sashimi?
Maki is a rolled sushi with rice and filling wrapped in nori. Nigiri is a hand-pressed rice ball topped with fish. Sashimi is just sliced raw fish, no rice.
Can I eat sushi while pregnant?
Yes, but avoid raw fish high in mercury (tuna, mackerel) and stick to cooked options like eel or vegetable rolls. Always consult your doctor.
How many sushi rolls should I order for one person?
2–3 rolls (12–18 pieces) is typical for a meal. Calorie-wise that’s 400–750 calories depending on ingredients.
What is the best sushi for beginners?
Start with a California roll (crab, avocado, cucumber) or a salmon avocado roll — mild flavours, no raw fish if that’s a hesitation.
Does sushi have a lot of carbohydrates?
Yes, because of the white rice. One roll (6 pieces) has about 30–40g of carbs. Sashimi or brown rice rolls lower the carb load.
How do I know if sushi is fresh?
Fresh fish should smell like the sea, not fishy. The colour should be bright, and the rice should be at room temperature, not hard or dry.