Soho Japanese Restaurant

Soho Japanese Restaurant is an off-Strip spot that leans more upscale than your typical neighborhood sushi joint, with chef's choice nigiri being a highlight. This is the kind of place where you trust the chef to pick what's good today rather than ordering the same spicy tuna roll you've had everywhere else.

Chef's Choice Nigiri

The chef's choice nigiri is the move here—you're letting the chef select the best fish available that day and serve it at peak freshness. It's a more traditional approach to sushi dining, and it means you're getting whatever's actually good instead of forcing them to serve you salmon when the tuna is what's really shining.

Expect a variety of fish: tuna, salmon, yellowtail, mackerel, maybe some more adventurous cuts depending on what they sourced. The quality tends to be higher than standard sushi spots because they're curating the selection rather than just throwing everything on a menu and hoping it moves.

If you're new to letting the chef decide, this is a low-risk way to try it. You're still at a neighborhood Vegas spot, not a $300-per-person omakase counter, so the vibe is approachable even if the execution is more refined.

The Upscale-But-Accessible Approach

Soho Japanese sits in that sweet spot between casual sushi spots and high-end omakase. It's nicer than a strip mall sushi place but not so fancy that you need a reservation weeks in advance. The space is clean and modern, the presentation is thoughtful, and the staff actually knows their shit when it comes to fish.

This is a good date-night spot or a place to take someone who cares about food quality but doesn't want to drop $500 on dinner. You're getting elevated sushi without the pretension or the wallet-crushing bill.

Happy Hour & Specials

Specific happy hour details for Soho are scarce, which is common for spots that lean more upscale. They may run drink specials or discounted rolls during off-peak hours, but it's not their main selling point. You're coming here for quality, not necessarily for deals.

That said, even without formal happy hour pricing, the value is solid for what you're getting. Chef's choice nigiri is typically priced fair for the quality, and you're eating fish that was selected specifically for today's menu, which matters more than a $2 discount on sake.

If you're hunting for happy hour deals, call ahead and ask. Smaller spots sometimes have informal specials that aren't advertised online—you just have to be willing to ask.

Off-Strip Location

Being off-Strip means Soho is in local territory, which brings a different crowd—less tourists, more Vegas residents who actually care about sushi quality. The parking is free and easy, the noise level is manageable, and you're not fighting through casino chaos to get to your table.

The downside is convenience if you're staying on the Strip, but the upside is better food at better prices without the resort markup. It's a trade-off, and if you care about sushi, it's worth making the trip.

When to Go

Weekday evenings are probably your best bet for a relaxed experience. You'll have better access to the chef for questions, the crowd will be lighter, and you can actually enjoy the meal without feeling rushed. Weekends are likely busier, especially if word has spread about the quality.

If you're going for chef's choice, it helps to go when the chef isn't slammed with orders. Earlier dinner service (5-6pm) or later (8-9pm) might give you more face time and a better experience overall.

The Vibe

Expect a calm, focused atmosphere. This isn't a party spot or a loud sports bar with sushi on the side. People are here to eat good fish and have conversations at normal volume. It's civilized, which is either exactly what you want or completely boring depending on your mood.

The sushi bar is the best seat in the house—you can watch the chef work, ask questions, and get a more interactive experience. Tables work if you're with a group, but solo diners or couples should aim for the bar.

The Verdict

Soho Japanese Restaurant does higher-quality sushi in an off-Strip location without the pretension or absurd pricing of true high-end spots. The chef's choice nigiri is the highlight—fresh, well-selected, and served by people who know what they're doing.

It's not a happy hour destination, and it's not the cheapest sushi in Vegas. But if you care about fish quality and want a step up from conveyor belt sushi without committing to a $300 omakase, Soho hits that middle ground well.

Good for locals who want dependable quality, good for visitors who want to see where Vegas residents actually eat, and good for anyone tired of mediocre sushi at inflated prices. Just don't go expecting $3 sake and half-off rolls—this is a different tier, and the pricing reflects that.