On the edge of South Jordan, just a couple of minutes from the new Salt Lake Bees stadium in Daybreak, sits Blue Fish Sushi Bar and Restaurant. Blue Fish has been serving up premium sushi to the community since 2009. When owner Eric Park and his family first opened the business, it functioned the same as other Japanese restaurants in the Salt Lake Valley — sit down, order à la carte from the menu, then eat. Over the years, Blue Fish has adapted to gastronomic trends and the fluctuating economy with some creative culinary moves.
Blue Fish Sushi Bar continues to elevate their quality and variety while changing their business model. Photo: Nicole Marriner.
Owner Park started his career as a dishwasher at the now-shuttered Sandy restaurant Sushi Express before learning to make sushi at the age of 18 and working at Mizumi Sushi and Ahh Sushi. Park’s general manager and Head Chef Sang Park followed a similar path, working at the same two restaurants before joining the team at Blue Fish a week after it opened.
Head Chef Sang shares, “There is improvement every day, even when you’ve been doing [sushi] a long time.” Owner Park also had a hand in opening acclaimed Salt Lake restaurant Bar Nohm. He was a partner in the business alongside his friend, Chef David Chon,for the first year after opening before selling his share to Water Witch.
Blue Fish’s decision to shift to an all-you-can-eat model wasn’t just about adapting — “it was about leading,” explains Owner Park. “We saw an opportunity to make high-quality sushi more accessible while expanding our team. With more sushi being made, we could retain our talented chefs and welcome even more to the team.”
Now, this isn’t any old all-you-can-eat buffet — everything at Blue Fish is made to order. The chefs are behind the counter crafting delicious food right before your eyes, using the same quality of fish as other high-end restaurants in town. They’re getting their seafood from places like Japan and Scotland and are constantly searching for top-tier tasty products.
“There is improvement every day, even when you’ve been doing [sushi] a long time.”
Ecstasy Roll. Photo: Nicole Marriner.
(L-R) Ikura Nigiri, Saba Nigiri and Yuzu Salmon Nigiri. Photo: Nicole Marriner.
Spicy Tuna Handroll. Photo: Nicole Marriner.
For lunch ($24.99) and dinner ($35.99), customers get unlimited sushi, tapas and dessert. I felt spoiled with the selection I got to sample, which is one of Blue Fish’s goals. They want sushi to be accessible and for people to try new things without worrying about the cost. One of the ways they do this is by making their nigiri half-size, so customers don’t fill up too quickly and can experience more flavors at once.
The all-you-can-eat concept has been a mainstay in bigger cities for decades, but it was slower to enter the Utah market. To ensure they could continue to offer customers the best experience, Owner Park and Chef Sang Park traveled to Las Vegas and Los Angeles to do some tasty research at high-end all-you-can-eat restaurants.
Blue Fish Sushi Bar serves more than just excellent sushi, including Korean BBQ Ribs and Bulgogi Nachos. Photo: Nicole Marriner.
Some of my favorites were their Yuzu Yellowtail Nigiri and Salmon Carpaccio with house-made ponzu. I also loved the Smokin’ Hot Roll which has salmon, avocado and cucumber inside, with yellowtail, eel sauce, spicy mayo and crispy garlic on top, served in a smoked box to amp up the flavor. I was also treated to some secret menu handrolls that rocked my world — one with seasoned bluefin and garlic and another with salmon tartare and ikura. Their Korean BBQ Ribs are a must-try. Some other fun offerings include their Honey Mango Shrimp Entree and Bulgogi Nachos.
“We saw an opportunity to make high-quality sushi more accessible while expanding our team.”
In order to reduce food waste, Blue Fish asks that you order little by little, with a maximum of eight items per table, per round. As further motivation, there is no takeout option for leftover food and an $8 charge per uneaten full plate. Not only is their food delicious, but it is also responsibly made.
So head on down, whether it’s for a family gathering or a pre-baseball game bite. Know that you’re in the hands of experienced chefs, your final won’t break the bank, and you can try some of the tastiest quality sushi Utah has to offer!
Blue Fish Sushi Bar and Restaurant is located at 11587 South District Main Drive #100 in South Jordan. To keep up with rotating sushi specials, head over to their Instagram @bluefishsushiutah and view their menu at bluefishutah.com.
