In the market for some sushi catering menu inspo? Then you’re in great company. We’ve got plenty of ideas for delighting customers with fresh flavours and new spins on old favourites. After all, sushi is a vast cuisine to explore – it goes way beyond those beloved California rolls and tempura prawns. Why not see if any of these sushi menu ideas spark some fresh thinking?
Have a Signature Roll
Fast-track your way to local legend status with a signature roll for your menu. A signature sushi dish is great for your brand and gives you plenty of creativity. Make it meaningful by incorporating local flavours or references, mix up surprising combinations or come up with a quirky idea for presentation.
Even better, add a back story and ask one of your customers to name it. Your signature creation can then take pride of place on your sushi catering menu and provide a great hook for reviewers, marketing and even competitions.
Create Changing ‘Chef’s Choice’ Platters
If you’re lucky enough to have a great chef, make the most of those skills by handing over the sushi menu planning. The addition of a “Chef’s Choice’ to your menu gives your customers something new and exciting to taste, and offers your chef full creative rein to work with whatever is in season and exciting!
For example, you could:
- Create seasonal sushi dishes – local, extra-fresh ingredients add sustainability, and special events are a gift to on-trend menus.
- Make the most of summer with “Green platters” – pack them with veggie-friendly avocado, daikon, cucumber and fresh spinach. Don’t forget to share the health and nutrition benefits with diners, and incorporate delicious vegetarian and vegan options too.
- Make your sushi catering gourmet-friendly – bring out the high-end ingredients such as truffle oil, salmon, and asparagus (and charge accordingly!) Foodies will love the quality, thought and expertise behind each piece, and if you add a story, it’ll become a rounded gastronomic experience.
- Hot summer days are totally calling for a tropical-themed sushi platter – bring out cool and fresh avocado, cucumber, seafood and finely-sliced mango. Add a fruity drizzle!
Platters make it easy to make your sushi catering menu even more special. For example, gyoza and edamame beans are ready crowd pleasers and also easy to scale for larger orders.
Craft a Tasting Menu
Omakase is Japanese for “I’ll leave it up to you”, and these tasting menus flex perfectly for couples’ dining, groups and even large events. Sushi fans often struggle to decide what to order, so a tasting menu is a great way to experience new flavours, challenge the taste buds and generally push the boat out.
Offer a starter of delicate miso soup and crisp edamame beans, then move on to a light sashimi trio to warm up to the main event. Bring out signature nigiri pieces, and follow with a chef’s sushi roll. A little sorbet and green tea will perfectly complement the flavour experience and round off the dining occasion.
Think About Seasonal Presentation
Another great idea to bring new interest to sushi menu planning is to design and print custom and themed takeaway boxes for special occasions. (It’s all an occasion, right?)
- Iconic Cherry blossoms are the obvious choice for spring, and maple leaves are super aesthetic for autumn.
- Find a local illustrator to create designs of colourful koi carp to offer your lucky diners strength and luck. Showcase their work for that local edge!
- Use recyclable kraft paper, which echoes Japanese respect for nature and the environment.
Make it all super aesthetic, and your sushi takeout will be plastered all over social media to encourage others to visit.
Stack The Menu With Delicious Extras
If your sushi menu’s already buzzing, then round it out with lots of delicious extras:
- Great starters include Tempura prawns, vegetable and duck gyoza, chilli squid and miso soup.
- Finish with tiny dishes of Matcha cheesecake or black sesame pudding – they’ll put a smile on everyone’s face!
- Encourage diners to linger and tempt them with yuzu martinis, traditional sake, or even a super zingy wasabi-infused margarita for a “do you dare?” talking point.
Charm Your Customers
Diners love to feel included, so why not gamify your sushi catering menu with a weekly ‘customer choice’ special? Ask for ideas, favourites or even ingredients to challenge the chef with something creative, exciting and infinitely shareable? Make it limited too, and your customers will definitely want to get a taste while they can!
Try The Best Sushi Catering in Melbourne
Ready to experience sushi catering excellence? Then head to Sushi Jiro for the best sushi experience! Located in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, our menu is innovative and, frankly, delicious. Even better, you can order online for collection or delivery!