When you step into a Japanese restaurant, the sushi bar stands out as a center of culinary artistry. While ordering individual pieces of fish a la carte is popular, choosing a complete sushi bar entrée offers a uniquely curated dining experience. These multi-piece platters and traditional rice bowls are designed by the sushi chef to showcase a balanced variety of flavors, textures, and temperatures. Whether you are a newcomer trying raw fish for the first time or a seasoned sushi lover looking for a premium feast, understanding the main types of sushi bar entrées will help you order with confidence.

The most common items on the sushi bar menu are combination platters. These entrées are usually divided into two main categories: sushi (nigiri) and sashimi.

[ Nigiri Platter ] [ Sashimi Platter ] [ Combo Platter ]
 Raw fish over Thick fish slices Both nigiri & sashimi
 rice blocks + roll Served without rice Plus a signature roll

A Sushi Regular or Sushi Deluxe entrée features nigiri, which consists of pristine slices of raw fish pressed over small blocks of warm, seasoned sushi rice. A standard platter typically includes seven to ten pieces of chef-choice nigiri—such as tuna, salmon, yellowtail, and shrimp—paired with a classic six-piece roll like a California or tuna roll. The deluxe version simply upgrades the meal with more pieces or higher-grade cuts of fish.

For those who want to skip the rice and focus entirely on the flavor of the seafood, the Sashimi Regular or Sashimi Deluxe is the perfect choice. This entrée consists of twelve to fifteen thick, masterfully sliced pieces of assorted raw fish. It is traditionally served over a bed of shredded daikon radish with a side of white rice.

If you want the best of both worlds, the Sushi & Sashimi Combination offers a perfect balance, combining a smaller selection of nigiri and sashimi alongside a signature roll.

For a comforting and deeply satisfying meal, sushi bars offer donburi, which are traditional Japanese rice bowls topped with seafood.

• Chirashi: Translated as “scattered sushi,” this beautiful bowl is a crowd favorite. The chef arranges a colorful variety of sliced raw fish, cooked shrimp, tamago (sweet egg omelet), and Japanese pickles over a bed of seasoned sushi rice. It is both a visual masterpiece and a delicious sampler.
• Unagi Don: If you prefer cooked seafood, this dish is an excellent option. It features thick fillets of grilled freshwater eel glazed in a sweet, savory soy-based eel sauce, served over a steaming bed of plain white rice.

If you love sushi rolls rather than individual pieces of fish, combination roll entrées are highly satisfying. The Maki Combo features three complete, classic rolls—typically a tuna roll, a salmon roll, and a California roll. For those who enjoy a bit of heat, the Spicy Roll Combo sushi oishii bundles spicy tuna, spicy salmon, and spicy yellowtail rolls into one fiery meal.

For special occasions or date nights, many restaurants offer the famous Love Boat. This massive, beautifully arranged wooden boat is packed with a large assortment of nigiri, sashimi, and multiple complex chef-special rolls, making it a spectacular feast designed for two people to share.

In standard Japanese dining etiquette, a sushi bar entrée is treated as a complete, self-contained meal. It almost always includes a complimentary bowl of hot miso soup and a crisp house salad tossed with a vibrant, tangy ginger dressing. These light, refreshing starters open up your palate, preparing you to fully enjoy the clean, delicate flavors of the fresh fish to come.