This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Business & Tech

Bites Nearby: Hana Sushi

An authentic taste of Japan right in downtown Nazareth.

There’s a lot of stigma associated with sushi. The whole “eating raw fish” thing isn’t for everyone.

in downtown Nazareth wants to change that.

“[Sushi] is the new trend now,” according to owner En Li. “People are stepping up and trying new things.”

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Li, a Nazareth resident, opened his business in September 2009 at the corner of Main and Belvidere streets, in the building formerly known as Lily’s Tacos.

In fact, Hana Sushi may be one of the best-kept secrets in Nazareth. The tiny storefront is deceptive when you step through the door, head up a short flight of stairs and emerge through a curtain into a dimly lit dining room.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Japanese music plays softly in the subtle dining room, which is decorated with paintings and curtains indicative of the restaurant’s heritage. A sushi bar along one wall offers customers a view of the preparation process as the sushi is made right before their eyes.

Everything at Hana Sushi is made fresh per order. The seafood comes from a Japanese supply company in New York that specifically distributes fresh products for sushi.

Out of Hana’s staff of five, only Li and his sushi chef, Ali, prepare the sushi. According to Li, it takes at least a full year of training to learn the basics of sushi preparation.

The most popular delicacies at Hana Sushi are two of the chef’s special rolls: the Valentine roll and the Spicy Hana roll.

The Valentine roll is made with shrimp tempura and masago, a type of roe. The roll is topped with avocado, tuna and spicy mayo.

The Spicy Hana roll is spicy salmon and black pepper tuna topped with avocado.

And at $10 to $15 per person, Hana Sushi can certainly compete with similarly-minded restaurants.

“I think we probably have the best prices on sushi compared to other places in the Lehigh Valley,” Li said.

Li has been in the restaurant business his entire life; his parents own a several New York restaurants that are described as Asian-fusion. Li eventually struck out on his own, training as a sushi chef for three years in Harrisburg before opening Hana Sushi.

If there’s one thing that Li would like to tell the doubtful diner, it’s that not all sushi is created equal. Besides offering a variety of sushi, Hana also makes cooked rolls for those squeamish about eating anything raw.

“We get people of all ages,” Li added. “[For] a lot of people that come in, it’s their first time trying [sushi].”

Hana runs specials every few months. Currently, the restaurant is offering 30 percent off sushi rolls and special rolls.

Hana Sushi is located at 6 Belvidere St. The restaurant accepts Discover, MasterCard and Visa, and is open Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday from noon to 9:30 p.m.; and closed Monday.

According to Li, most of his customers are referred by braver friends who have taken the chance with Hana Sushi in the past.

To any potential customers, Li says, “You just have to try it for yourself.” 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?