Sushi: perfect combination between the words “su” (vinegar) and “meshi” (rice), an ancient art that has conquered palates all over the world and which is once again celebrated by Gambero Rosso in the new edition of the Sushi Guide 2025. A return awaited by all lovers of Japanese cuisine, after its debut in 2021. Between sushi bars, fusion restaurants, fine dining, taverns, take-away and delivery, the Gambero Guide interprets this new scenario with a careful selection of the best places where to taste the most famous Japanese food in the world: 223 addresses of brands that have invested in quality and innovation, including authentic flavors, but also more modern contaminations, for an increasingly popular food that continues to attract new consumers.
The insignia
There are 32 brands of excellence (Tre Bacchette) that offer the best sushi options throughout the country: the majority are concentrated in Milan. Starting from the famous Poporoya sign, from which the history of sushi began in Milan in 1989, with chef Hirazawa Minoru, known as Shiro. What turns out to be a great surprise, however, are regions such as Puglia and Campania, more linked to Mediterranean traditions and which have instead witnessed in recent years a significant increase in restaurants offering Japanese specialities, often reinterpreted with a local touch; Molise is absent.
The special prizes and Tuscany as protagonist
The Special Award The Masters of Sushi is a recognition of the career of the greatest chefs who have set a precedent in the field of Japanese cuisine: the Guide celebrates eight great names, with two new entries, alongside the historic Milanese already awarded in the first edition: Francesco Preite of Moi Omakase in Prato (unique, for Tuscany, in the Guide with the Three Wands, a place not new to very important recognitions), an intimate and elegant environment where you can savor fantastic Japanese cuisine that has transformed the Tuscan town into a point of reference for lovers of Japanese tradition in Italy; Ignacio Hidemasa Ito of Otoro81 in Naples.
The other Sushi Masters in Milan are: Haruo Ichikawa of Ichikawa, Masashi Suzuki of Iyo Omakase, Hirazawa Minoru of Poporoya, Ikeda Osamu of Shiro Poporoya, Wicky Priyan of Wicky’s Innovative Japanese Cuisine, Yoshinobu Kurio of Yoshinobu. Finally, the other Special Awards: The novelty of the year Azabu10 in Milan; Promotion of Sakeya sake in Milan, Hiromi – La Maison in Rome; Best Umi room service in Salerno; Best mixed drink proposal Moon Asian Bar in Rome.
