Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki: Carnival Cruise Line's Japanese restaurants (with menus)

When my husband and I took our first Carnival cruise 17 years ago on Carnival Conquest, the sushi completely won us over. At the time, the ship had a pop-up station that served small plates of fresh (and free) sushi and sake for a limited time before dinner. It was one of the highlights of our cruise, and when the line rolled out the permanent for-fee Bonsai Sushi restaurant in 2012, we were over the moon.

Today, Carnival's onboard sushi offering has extended to include a takeaway sushi venue and a teppanyaki-style restaurant on many ships. Whether your Carnival ship features a Bonsai Sushi, Bonsai Sushi Express or Bonsai Teppanyaki, I wholeheartedly encourage you to check it out.

Here's everything you need to know, from what's on the menu to which ships feature the popular sushi outposts.

What are Carnival's Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki?

Bonsai Sushi is an extra-charge a la carte sushi restaurant. The line launched the venue on Carnival Breeze in 2012, and today, it's on 15 Carnival ships. It opens for lunch at noon (on sea days) and for dinner at 5 p.m. (on sea days and port days).

Select ships without a Bonsai Sushi outpost feature a Bonsai Sushi Express takeaway counter. The condensed menu features shrimp, salmon and yellowfin tuna sushi or sashimi and four rolls — California, spicy tuna, bang bang Bonsai and tempura. You'll find a Bonsai Sushi Express on Carnival Conquest, Carnival Elation, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Miracle and Carnival Paradise.

Bonsai Teppanyaki, Carnival's first Japanese teppanyaki-style restaurant, debuted on Carnival Horizon in 2018.

As with land-based teppanyaki-style dining, the experience is part dinner and part theater. The restaurant features teppanyaki chefs who prepare tableside dishes with a dramatic flourish of knives and spatulas, often flinging food about for effect. It's a fun show, and kids usually go bananas over it.

The restaurant is intimate, with just two or three cooking stations that seat about 16 (depending on the ship), so you'll want to make reservations early.

Carnival Bonsai Sushi and Carnival Bonsai Teppanyaki menus

The Bonsai Sushi menu features starters like wagyu short ribs with caramelized onion and teriyaki sauce and a refreshing Bonsai noodle salad with ginger, sake, cold rice noodles, tomatoes, mushrooms and a chilled tomato dressing.

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One of my favorite rolls here is the tempura roll with fried shrimp, cucumber, yuzu mayo, avocado and Bonsai Sushi sauce. Anther personal favorite is the California roll which is filled with crab, avocado, cucumber, sesame and tobiko mayo. My daughter orders the spicy tuna roll without fail — spicy tuna, tempura flakes, asparagus, tobiko, Yukon gold potato straws and spicy mayo.

You can also pair your meal with a Japanese beer, a glass of wine or sake.

As with land-based teppanyaki-style restaurants, the Bonsai Teppanyaki menu includes a choice of miso soup or salad, starters like teppanyaki white shrimp or pork belly yakitori, and a variety of protein options for your entree. Choose among teriyaki salmon, shichimi spiced grilled chicken, filet mignon, lobster, black cod and grilled tofu.

Can't decide? Opt for one of the combinations — shrimp and spiced grilled chicken or a filet mignon paired with shrimp, salmon or lobster tail.

What does it cost to eat at Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki?

A la carte prices at Bonsai Sushi range from $1.50 (per piece) for sushi or sashimi to $22 for the "Ship for 2" chef special; this includes miso soup, a side salad, two rolls and six pieces of sushi.

Bonsai Teppanyaki is priced at a flat $38 per person for lunch and $42 per person for dinner.

Which Carnival ships have Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki?

Bonsai Sushi is currently on 15 Carnival ships — Carnival Breeze, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Dream, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Legend, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Pride, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Venezia, Carnival Vista and Carnival Mardi Gras.

You'll find Bonsai Teppanyaki on six Carnival vessels — Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Celebration, Mardi Gras, Carnival Venezia, Carnival Panorama and Carnival Horizon.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line ships and itineraries
• 43 Carnival Cruise Line tips, tricks and hacks to enhance your vacation at sea
• Best Carnival cruise ships: Here's which ship you should sail, based on your travel style
• Carnival cruise packing list: What to pack for a cruise, Fun Ship style
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