My name is Hailey Craver, and I’m a senior studying journalism and political science at Miami University. For the past year and a half, I’ve managed a food review account on Instagram (@cravercravings), where I’ve developed a passion for exploring and evaluating local dining experiences.
In this column, I will review Oxford’s staple – and underrated – restaurants every other week, focusing on four key criteria: taste, atmosphere, service and affordability. The goal is to provide readers with thoughtful, reliable insights into Oxford’s dining scene and highlight the establishments that contribute to the community’s unique food culture.
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Nestled on High Street between Insomnia Cookies and Salon Signature, Sushi King is a go-to spot for both students and locals craving something beyond the usual Oxford bar fare. It’s known for its half-price rolls at the start of the week, expansive Japanese-inspired menu and casual ambiance.
But, does it live up to the hype or fall short?
To start, I ordered crab rangoons and miso soup, two of the restaurant's most popular appetizers on DoorDash. The miso soup came out first, and as a self-proclaimed miso soup connoisseur, I was impressed. Miso broths often range from no flavor to a very pungent bitter taste. Sushi King’s had a great balance, with a salty umami flavor. The toppings-to-broth ratio was excellent, featuring large tofu cubes and green onions. It had a nice salty flavor, especially at the low price of $3.50.
Six crab rangoons were then set in front of us. They were crispy, with a creamy and warm cream cheese filling. They came with sweet and sour sauce and ran for just $7 – a great appetizer for the table to get your meal started.
Moving on to the main event: the sushi. I opted for the shrimp tempura roll, which was $8 for eight pieces ($4 with the Sunday through Tuesday half-off discount). I wouldn't say it burst with flavor, but it definitely did the job. The shrimp tempura had a nice crunch. It was topped with a spicy mayo; some pieces were a little too drenched, while others weren't at all, but at only $1 a piece, I can’t complain too much.
Finally, I decided to try out one of the hand rolls and went with the spicy tuna. The fillings were wrapped in a seaweed cone. This definitely gets messy as it is jam-packed with tuna, cucumber and rice and drizzled heavily with spicy mayo and eel sauce. It comes in at just $3, and it was definitely worth the price.
So, is Sushi King the king of sushi?
Nationally? Probably not. But for a sushi restaurant in a quaint college town like Oxford? Definitely. It delivers exactly what Oxford needs — affordable sushi that hits the spot without draining your wallet.
Overall score: 7.5/10
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