Sushi Osaka: What’s Vegetarian Editorial Review

Sushi Osaka is open, real, and earns a marked-vegetarian tier because its menu includes a dedicated Vegetarian Maki section, not just a plain avocado roll tacked onto the bottom of the sushi list. That’s a meaningful step up from most Japanese restaurants, where vegetarian diners are often left picking through a cucumber roll and calling it dinner. The restaurant sits right on East State Street in downtown Ithaca, an easy stop whether you’re a Cornell student or just passing through the Finger Lakes region.

What’s vegetarian and vegan at Sushi Osaka

The Vegetarian Maki category includes inari sushi, seasoned fried tofu pouches stuffed with sushi rice, along with rolls built from tofu, cucumber, avocado, and mixed greens wrapped in rice paper. Vegetable tempura also shows up on the menu as its own item rather than a side dish, giving vegetarian diners a hot, substantial option beyond raw or pickled vegetables. Having a named vegetarian category, rather than a general note that substitutions are available, is what separates Sushi Osaka from a typical sushi spot.

How to order

Order straight from the Vegetarian Maki section rather than trying to modify a fish-based roll. The inari sushi and the tofu-cucumber-avocado roll are both good starting points if you want something familiar. If you want vegan specifically, ask whether the eel sauce or spicy mayo served with some vegetarian rolls contain egg or dairy, since those sauces are sometimes shared across both the vegetarian and non-vegetarian menu. Pairing a vegetable tempura order with one of the maki rolls is an easy way to turn a light appetizer into a full meal.

What to watch out for

This is a full Japanese kitchen built around raw fish, so shared cutting boards and prep stations are part of daily operations even though the vegetarian rolls use separate ingredients. If cross-contact is a concern, mention it when ordering. A few reviewers also note portion sizes can run small on certain rolls, like the crab roll, so if you’re ordering vegetarian maki as your main meal rather than a side, you may want to order more than one type to feel full. Most of the rest of the menu, including takoyaki and shrimp tempura, is built around seafood, so stick to the vegetarian-labeled section if you’re avoiding fish entirely.

Is Sushi Osaka worth it?

Yes. Sushi Osaka holds a 4.1 rating from diners online, and reviewers describe it as a family-owned, reasonably priced spot with attentive service near downtown Ithaca. For vegetarians, the real advantage here isn’t the rating, it’s the dedicated Vegetarian Maki section that gives you actual choices instead of a single default roll. If you’re craving sushi in Ithaca and don’t eat fish, this is one of the more thoughtful options in town, and the lunch specials make it an affordable one too.