Baek Chun Sushiyama A sushi chef can have his fish sent from Seattle or Sydney or wherever. But that's not good enough for Charlie Yamamoto. To make sure he's offering the freshest fish, he drives to Seattle every week to personally examine every fish he buys. So you know the sushi is fabulously fresh, and the bulgoki, yakisoba, udon, bibimbop and donburi are good, too. 13032 W. 14th St., Airway Heights • Wash. • 244-3545 | 1321 W. Third Ave., Spokane • Wash. • 624-5553
Bonsai Bistro Across from the scenic Coeur d'Alene Resort, Bonsai Bistro is a popular spot for resort-goers and locals to get top-notch sushi and Pan-Asian cuisine featuring a blend of Chinese, Japanese and other Asian styles and flavors. When summer crowds leave the Lake City, Inland Northwest sushi lovers can rejoice: Bonsai's famous Thursday all-you-can-eat sushi day begins (11 am-9 pm). Adults pay $25 and kids under 10 eat free with a paying adult. 101 E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d'Alene • Idaho • 208-765-4321
Ginger Asian Bistro This cozy South Hill restaurant is always packed, and it's not hard to figure out why. The rolls are delicious — stuffed with fresh fish and warm vegetables and wrapped in some of the creamiest, stickiest rice you'll ever eat. Their most popular roll, they tell us, is the Las Vegas. We concur. It's good, but we heartily recommend the Bruce Lee. Be warned, parking is scarce here and wait times can be long, but Ginger is worth it. 1228 S. Grand Blvd., Spokane • Wash. • 315-5201
Kaiju Sushi With brightly colored glass in the windows and turquoise waves on the walls — diners are eye-level with busy Sherman and Fourth avenues — Kaiju has a whimsical, underwater feel. Owner Frank Ciccone serves up sushi until midnight every night, and a variety of it at that. With classics such as a spicy tuna or California roll, Kaiju also serves inventive originals, like the Oodako, with duck confit, daikon, cucumber, avocado, shrimp, hoisin and mayo. 424 Sherman Ave., Coeur d'Alene • Idaho • 208-966-4019
QQ Sushi & Kitchen It's easy to spend a lot of money at QQ; the diminutive shop has a lot to offer. There's also plenty for diners on a budget, since one of their delicious rolls, like the salmon, tuna and yellowtail-based Ranow ($11) or Rock'n ($11), yellowtail slathered with spicy scallops and avacado, are a meal unto themselves. 1902 W. Francis Ave., Spokane • Wash. • 279-2721
Sushi Sakai After five years in the Spokane Valley, Sushi Sakai moved to the edge of Gonzaga's campus, trading in an old, run-down building for an airy new space better suited to showcase the fresh, colorful traditional Asian fare. Sushi is the obvious attraction, and a recent visit featured a remarkably tasty Rainbow Roll that balanced salmon, shrimp, white tuna, ahi tuna and crab. The Salmon Killer Roll is another must-munch for its combo of spicy salmon and asparagus. 829 E. Boone Ave., Spokane • Wash. • 340-9743
Sushi.com Though first-timers at Sushi.com may argue over whether or not the "dot com" is pronounced in its name, the real debate begins when trying to narrow down which rolls to order. It's hard to go wrong, so try an Awesome Roll with spicy tuna, lobster salad and cucumber, or a Spokane Roll with grilled super white tuna. 430 W. Main Ave., Spokane • Wash. • 838-0630
Syringa Japanese Café Syringa serves up sushi so delicious that those who don't make reservations often find themselves waiting in line. Try the Spice Duck Tataki, a pan-seared, Togarashi-dusted Muscovy duck breast served atop a bed of onions and garlic-soy reduction ($8). 1401 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene • Idaho • 208-664-2718
Ugly Fish There's nothing unsightly about Ugly Fish, located in Coeur d'Alene's upscale Riverstone development. A swanky black, red and chrome bar flanks one wall. Along with the adjacent sushi counter, it's framed in subtle neon lighting that shifts colors from green to blue, like you're swaying gently underwater. Sushi is a big draw, occupying well over a third of the menu. Look for typical offerings: sushi, sashimi, bento box. 1927 W. Riverstone Dr., Coeur d'Alene • Idaho • 208-667-6389
Wasabi Bistro and Sushi Bar Arguably Spokane's prettiest sushi bar (and perhaps one of the tastiest, too), Wasabi is located on the corner of Division and Hawthorne, just across the street from Whitworth University. Despite the sleek, modern décor, you'll find fresh dishes at really reasonable prices. The Las Vegas roll is the most popular. The Spider roll is a favorite, as well as the spicy tuna roll for only $5. 10208 N. Division St., Spokane • Wash. • 290-5573
The Wave Island Sports Grill and Sushi Bar If you like your sushi with a little football on the side, than head to The Wave, where Hawaiian, Japanese and American influences are fused together on a menu full of sushi rolls, Kalua pork, and Kobe burgers. Watch Monday Night Football or the NBA playoffs on one of the 22 HD screens, or enjoy the warbling of amateur karaoke. 525 W. First Ave., Spokane • Wash. • 747-2023
