Solo Dining Review: Ra Sushi, Las Vegas

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Ra Sushi

I’m always looking for new, solo-friendly places to eat when I go to Las Vegas.  Because my last trip was longer than usual for me, I needed to stretch my budget with some low-priced meals.  During my research, I read that Ra Sushi at the Fashion Show Mall had great prices and decent food.  Ra Sushi is a chain, and I guess it’s not what you would call “authentic” ethnic cuisine, but I’ve never eaten at one of these restaurants and was willing to give it a try.  I checked out their menu online and was happy to see they serve more than raw fish, which I’m not keen on.  So I decided to have lunch there shortly after I checked into Treasure Island.

Ra Sushi

From TI, Ra Sushi is an easy walk across the pedestrian walkway to the Fashion Show Mall.  It’s located on the ground floor at the front of the mall next to Cafe Baba Reeba.  It was very easy to find.  This must be one of the best-kept secrets on the Strip.  Despite its location, it was not very busy around 1pm.  The restaurant has a very attractive contemporary decor with lots of red and bamboo everywhere.  The background music rocks, which really contributes to the laid back, fun vibe this place has.

As a solo diner, I was happy to see that there are quite a large number of solo seating options all over the restaurant, including the three-sided bar at the front of room, some dining counters, and a sushi bar in the back.  I chose to sit at the bar at the front of the restaurant, which faces the open patio; in this location, I got the best of both worlds–the shaded, air conditioned interior of the restaurant as well as sunshine and the view of tourists walking by outside.

Vegetable Tempura Bento Box

Carlos, my bartender, was a real sweetheart and efficient as well–the perfect combination.  I ordered a very refreshing mint-flavored iced tea, which Carlos refilled for me before I even thought to ask.  For my meal, I got the vegetable tempura bento box lunch special, which comes with vegetable tempura, miso soup, a spring roll, rice, uchi no salad, and a pork gyoza.

Miso Soup

The miso soup, a broth with a few spinach leaves and tiny diced tofu, had a nice flavor, with just enough spice, but not too much.  The vegetable tempura was also good, and I had fun trying to identify the vegetables beneath the tempura breading.  (Yes, I still play with my food.)  There was an onion ring, a couple of slices of green pepper, an asparagus spear, a carrot stick, and what I think might have been a slice of sweet potato or yam, I couldn’t quite tell.  I had never heard of pork gyoza before, but apparently it’s a pork dumpling.   It was very tasty, as was the very spicy dipping sauce which came with the meal.  I couldn’t quite finish everything, so the rice had to be sacrificed.

The total price for this yummy lunch?  $7.94.  No, that’s not a typo.  A price like that is practically unheard of on the Strip!  Especially for good quality food in a nice setting.  I understand Ra Sushi also has a happy hour from 3-7pm Monday through Saturday with half-off appetizers, sushi and some very inexpensive drink specials ($1-5 for various drinks).  I’m definitely checking that out next time I go.

The only negative I encountered was that the women’s bathroom was really small–just two stalls.  Despite how few people were in the restaurant at that time, there was a line when I went to use the bathroom.  (Imagine what it would be like if the restaurant were full!)  They need to think about enlarging the bathroom.  Otherwise, this place rocks.  I will happily return to Ra Sushi on future trips.  I loved the vibe here, the prices are terrific, and from my experience, it’s very solo-friendly.