I Tried Nobu's Most Famous Dishes—These Are The Only Ones Worth Ordering

I had the chance to dine at Nobu at the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas. Here are the most famous menu items, ranked from least to most worth the splurge.

With 56 locations on six continents, Nobu has cemented itself as the world’s go-to destination for upscale seafood. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa has built a signature brand of Japanese technique mixed with Peruvian flavors, inspired by his time working in South America. And in the 30 years since the first Nobu opened in New York, many of Matsuhisa’s signature dishes have had a lasting impact on the food industry.

Trendy dishes like miso cod, spicy tuna with crispy rice, and yellowtail with jalapeño all took off after gracing Nobu menus. They’ve inspired countless copycat recipes and encouraged diners to flock to their nearest Nobu to try the original recipes for themselves.

But just as much as Nobu is known for their high-quality seafood and inventive flavor combinations, the brand is also known for being pricey. Depending on the location you visit and the dishes you order, a meal at Nobu can run you several hundred dollars. Not everybody has the budget to ball out on a massive feast with the restaurant’s most luxurious offerings. So it’s likely that when you visit, you’ll only get the chance to try a few of their signature dishes.

I had the chance to dine at Nobu at the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas during the Nassau Paradise Island Wine and Food Festival. And I set out to try five of the most popular dishes available at Nobu locations worldwide. While all of them were delicious, there are a few that are especially worth ordering. Here are Nobu’s most famous menu items, ranked from least to most worth the splurge.

Wagyu Dumplings

Depending on where you dine, this set of five dumplings can cost between $40 and $50. These pan-fried dumplings are filled with ground Wagyu beef and served alongside a ponzu-based dipping sauce. They’re crispy on the bottom and super juicy and decadent in the middle.

But it might honestly be too much of a good thing—Wagyu is known for being extremely tender with a relatively high fat content. It’s an incredible eating experience on its own, but when stuffed into a fried dumpling it ends up being decadent to an almost excessive degree. If your budget is limited, I’d recommend forgoing these dumplings in favor of some of Nobu’s other dishes.

Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice

Spicy tuna is one of our favorite proteins to enjoy with sushi, and this popular Nobu item ups the ante by frying the rice into crispy squares. The dish is brought to the table deconstructed to maintain the texture of the rice, so you need to dip the cubes into soy sauce and pile on the tuna for every bite.

Don’t get me wrong, I love an interactive food moment. But assembling the crispy rice proved to be more unwieldy than I expected. If I were eating an entire plate for myself it wouldn’t be a problem. But if you’re planning on sharing with more than one person, you’re better off ordering a standard spicy tuna roll for a fraction of the price.

Yellowtail Jalapeño

The history of the yellowtail jalapeño dates back to when Nobu served the dish as part of a family meal with other chefs following a charity event in Hawaii. And now it’s one of the most famous dishes on the entire menu. Each bite is truly spectacular, with fresh cilantro, finely sliced serrano (not jalapeño) pepper, and a yuzu soy sauce. It’s simple enough to allow the quality of the fish to truly shine.

If money were no object, I’d eat five plates of the yellowtail jalapeño all by myself. But for those of us who want to dine at Nobu while still being budget conscious, it might not be the best choice (especially if you’re dining with a group). The six pieces of fish are more of an amuse bouche than a substantial appetizer if you share it with others. Is it delicious? Absolutely. Is it the best bang for your buck? I’m not sure.

Rock Shrimp Tempura

This hot appetizer has everything you could ask for: seafood, crispy fried elements, and a creamy spicy sauce that needs to be bottled. At Nobu they’re able to strike the ideal balance of lightly fried tempura and tender, not rubbery shrimp. It’s a crowd favorite for a reason.

But one of our favorite parts of the rock shrimp tempura is just how much you get with each serving. The shrimp is cut into bite sized pieces, which maximizes the amount of tempura you get. It’s easy to share and is filling enough so you can walk out of the meal feeling satisfied.

Black Cod Miso

The black cod miso is arguably the most iconic dish to come out of Nobu. Matsuhisa himself told me it was his favorite item on the menu, as well as the favorite of his business partner, Robert De Niro. The flavor combination is something traditionally found in Japanese cuisine, but Nobu’s version amps up the sweetness and makes it even more special. The fish is delicate, flaky, and deeply savory after sitting in the signature marinade for three whole days.

Whenever you end up at Nobu, do not pass go. Order the cod. In fact, plan your entire meal around the cod. It’s that good.