Best Sushi in Austin: Chinese-Inspired Spots You’ll Love
Discover Austin’s top sushi spots with bold Chinese flavors and creative fusion dishes. From hidden gems to trendy favorites, here’s where locals love to eat.
Nancy J. Hassler
Best Sushi in Austin: Chinese-Inspired Spots You’ll Love
Sushi in Austin: More Than Just Tradition
If you’re craving sushi in Austin, you’re in luck. The city is packed with exciting places that offer more than just traditional rolls. In fact, some of the best sushi in Austin is crafted with bold Chinese flavors, fusion twists, and modern creativity. When most people think of sushi, they imagine sleek Japanese bars, soft-spoken chefs, and minimalist plates. And while Austin has a few high-end omakase spots, the real fun is in the unexpected. Some of the most loved sushi restaurants in town are either owned by Chinese chefs or offer Chinese-inspired flavors: spicy sauces, bold marinades, crispy textures, that bring a whole new edge to classic sashimi and nigiri.
So if you're looking for something different, affordable, or just damn delicious, here’s where to start.
Top Chinese-Influenced Sushi Restaurants in Austin
Lin Asian Bar + Dim Sum — West 6th Street
Lin Asian Bar is one of Austin’s top spots for upscale Asian cuisine. While its focus is on Chinese dim sum and family-style dishes, the rotating specials often include sushi, sashimi and they’re anything but ordinary.
Chef Ling Qi Wu combines her Chinese heritage with modern Japanese technique. You'll find delicate slices of yellowtail sashimi drizzled in Sichuan pepper oil or soy-caramel sauces that hit all the right notes: sweet, spicy, umami, and unforgettable.
What to try: Yellowtail jalapeño sashimi with crispy garlic and chili oil. It’s not traditional — and that’s the point.
Ichiban — Burnet Road
A cozy, family-owned spot that’s been around for years, Ichiban is the kind of place you stumble into once and return to forever. The menu is a huge mash-up of Japanese, Korean, and Chinese-American dishes, but their sushi rolls are the real stars.
Think big portions, fun presentations, and sauces that don’t hold back. There’s a Chinese-American flair here — spicy garlic, sweet hoisin, and crunchy tempura all make appearances.
What to try: The Dragon Roll: spicy tuna, avocado, and eel sauce with a Chinese-style crunch that’s deeply satisfying.
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar — Research Blvd
This spot is part of a Japanese chain, but its success in Austin reflects the city's love for accessible, interactive dining. Kura appeals to everyone: families, friend groups, and sushi beginners. And its menu? Packed with sushi rolls, nigiri, and even chirashi bowls that mirror the bold, sweet, and spicy notes popular in Chinese-American cuisine.
What to try: Golden Crunchy Roll or Spicy Tuna Crunch: flavor-forward dishes that make sushi fun.
Lucky Robot — South Congress
If sushi had a modern, eco-conscious Gen Z cousin, it’d be Lucky Robot. Playful and bold, this place serves sustainably sourced seafood with a pan-Asian twist. It’s where crispy shallots meet citrusy soy glazes, and sushi becomes a colorful canvas for global inspiration.
What to try: Sunshine Roll — salmon, avocado, and tangy yuzu sauce. Pair it with their crispy mushroom bao for a true fusion meal. And while you’re in South Congress, don’t miss some of the best mexican food Austin nearby.
Sushi Junai 2 — Airport Blvd
Let’s be real, all-you-can-eat sushi spots usually come with a quality compromise. But Sushi Junai 2 is the exception. The fish is fresh, the variety is solid, and the price is right.
Owned and operated by Chinese-Americans, this place is all about making sushi fun and accessible. The rolls are creative, saucy, and topped to the heavens with crunchy bits, spicy mayo, eel sauce, and more.
What to try: Volcano Roll or chirashi bowl — generous portions, bold taste, and no judgment if you go back for seconds. Sushi Junai is also not far from some great indian restaurants Austin locals rave about.
Chinatown (Westlake & North)
Don’t let the name fool you — Chinatown is a high-end Chinese restaurant that happens to have a sushi bar. And it works. You can get your Sichuan beef and Peking duck, then follow it up with fresh nigiri or a spicy roll.
Chef Ronald Cheng is one of the city’s long-time restaurateurs, and his love of both Chinese and Japanese cuisine comes through in the seamless blend of flavors.
What to try: Peking Roll — imagine your favorite duck dish reimagined as sushi, with crispy skin, hoisin drizzle, and scallion accents.
Roll On Sushi Diner — North Lamar
Roll On Sushi Diner is a vibrant and distinctly Austin fusion spot where sushi meets bold creativity. Set at a large U‑shaped counter in airy diner‑style seating, this place serves both traditional nigiri and wildly inventive signature rolls.
The menu accommodates varied diets, from hearty meat lovers to vegans, thanks to options like The Fruity Vegan (cucumber and tempura jalapeño, avocado, strawberry‑mango salsa) and The Hippie Roll with pickles and ume paste — proving even those who don’t love fish can still enjoy sushi night.
Regulars highlight the friendly, upbeat staff and lively atmosphere, plus affordable pricing and happiest‑hour specials. With roughly twelve Austin‑inspired rolls, it’s known as a go-to spot for fun, accessible sushi in town.
What to try: Kung Pao Roll — spicy, sweet, salty, packed with crunch. Also popular: Beefy Texan, Fruity Vegan, Sticky Ball.
After dining, you’re a short walk from some of the top Austin food trucks — perfect for wrapping up a playful food crawl.
Extra Tips for First-Time Sushi Explorers in Austin
- Don’t judge a spot by its strip mall location. Some of the best sushi in Austin hides behind unassuming storefronts.
- Check happy hour menus. Many places like Ichiban and Sushi Junai offer serious discounts on rolls and drinks in the early evening.
- Ask about off-menu specials. Especially at Lin or Chinatown chefs often play with seasonal ingredients or create fusion dishes just for fun.
- Try something new. If you’ve only ever had California rolls, challenge yourself with sashimi, chirashi bowls, or even a roll with duck or pork belly.
- Bring friends. More people = more rolls = more flavors to try. It’s the perfect way to explore both sushi and chinese food Austin options together.
Final Bite
Austin doesn’t just have great sushi — it has creative, culturally rich sushi with Chinese influences that push boundaries and delight palates. Whether you're a resident looking to shake up your usual dinner spot or a visitor eager to explore local favorites, these restaurants serve more than just food, they serve personality, fusion, and flavor.
Want help picking your next spot? Download our app to discover honest video reviews from real locals, and find the best sushi near you or tacos, best burgers in Austin and more. No more guessing. Just good food. Start with sushi, then maybe breakfast tacos in Austin tomorrow?
