How do you love sushi? Let's count the ways

From "A" (Atami in SeaTac) to "Z" (Sushi Zen in Mill Creek), readers responded to my list of sushi favorites with a wide-ranging list of their own, citing — I kid you not — more than 80 different sushi stops.

And then there was Bill from Seattle, who wrote: "I have no intentions of telling you where the best sushi is — the line is long enough already." I feel his pain.

For readers willing to join in the fun, we've set up a new online forum, The Sushi Bar, at www.seattletimes.com/restaurants, a place where everyone's a critic, and sushi is our favorite subject. That subject has already made for some great conversation, including these tips from sushi-lovers, plus comments from yours truly:

Peter Hua, Redmond: "My favorite place would have to be 'Ohana in Belltown. I love the atmosphere there, along with their Spam musubi and their half-baked sushi." (2207 First Ave., Seattle; 206-956-9329 or www.ohanabelltown.com).

Nancy Leson: There are those who'd say, "Spam? What are ya, nuts?" But they've obviously never tried the Spam musubi at 'Ohana. I prefer mine with tamago. Some would call it Spam-and-egg sushi. I call it delicious.

Bob Margulis, Seattle: "Taneda-san at I Love Sushi in Seattle continues to surprise me with delicious and novel sushi that I've not had elsewhere. With 20 years as a 'sushiinado' under my belt, that's no easy feat!" (1001 Fairview Ave. N.; 206-625-9604 or www.ilovesushi.com)

Glenn Rimbey, Snohomish: "While I'm not one to travel all over the Puget Sound region to discover another sushi bar, I think it is really hard to beat I Love Sushi in Bellevue. I've been to perhaps 15 different sushi bars and I Love Sushi remains steadfastly at the top of my list." (11818 N.E. 8th St.; 425-454-5706)

Anne Marshall: "Be sure to try the new I Love Sushi in the old Duke's location on Lake Bellevue. The new one has a young sushi chef fresh from Japan whose ahi salad roll is fantastic, as are some of his other creations, such as the volcano roll. The view of Lake Bellevue from the sushi bar is also nice." (23 Lake Bellevue Drive; 425-455-9090).

NL: Domo arigato to the many readers who gave a well-deserved nod to I Love Sushi on both sides of the lake.

Dean DeCrease, Seattle: "I have been going to Shiro's Sushi for years. He is the old grand master sushi chef of Seattle. Several times we have had Shiro-san cater events for groups of 50-100 visitors from Japan, and they always love it." (2401 Second Ave., Seattle; 206-443-9844 or www.shiros.com).

NL: Shiro has been turning Seattle on to sushi for more than 40 years and continues to do so in Belltown today. He's also mentored some of the city's best-known sushi chefs, including Taichi Kitamura of Chiso. (3520 Fremont Ave. N., Seattle; 206-632-3430 or www.chisoseattle.com)

Dennis Nelson, Seattle: "I'm glad you put a good word in for Mashiko. My partner and I had the 'misfortune' of having to sit at the counter one crowded evening. Fortunately, we sat right in front of Sato-san, who made up a couple of magnificent custom sushi plates for us, including a surprisingly tasting final 'dessert' course of sushi consisting of sweet glazed grilled eel, avocado, a sweet teriyaki sauce and powdered sugar on top. That was the dish that sealed the deal!" (4725 California Ave. S.W., Seattle; 206-935-4339 or www.sushiwhore.com).

NL: My deal-sealer at Mashiko was a single, stunningly fresh sea scallop wrapped in a ribbon of prosciutto.

Anne Marcus, Seattle: "Sushi Zen is a friendly, delicious sushi restaurant. From the friendly greetings of 'Hello!' from the staff to the 'Goodbyes,' your taste buds are treated to fresh and inventive sushi dishes. The Salmon Lemon Roll is a favorite on a hot summer night." (13206 Bothell-Everett Highway, Mill Creek; 425-357-1611 or www.sushizenmillcreek.com).

NL: When in Mill Creek, I usually stop at Wasabi Bay. Next time I'm in the neighborhood, I'll give Sushi Zen a try. (16300 Mill Creek Blvd., Mill Creek; 425-743-4424).

Kelly, Seattle: "My favorite place for sushi is Chinoise on Madison. It has it all, the quality is there, it's reasonably priced and Jae Ahrens is a master when it comes to making sushi. The spicy tuna roll is perfection!" (3801 E. Madison St., Seattle; 206-323-0171 or www.chinoisecafe.com)

NL: Jae's a peach! And Chinoise's excellent pan-Asian menu makes this a great place for sushi fans to take guests who aren't into Japanese food.

Alan Zelt, Kenmore: "I urge you to try out the sushi at Izumi. Fresh, tasty and presented very well by a chef with a great sense of humor. As an aside, how many sushi chefs do you know that can also speak Hebrew!" (12539 116th N.E., Kirkland; 425-821-1959)

NL: Hey, I'm happy when my sushi chefs speak fluent English, though I've found that pointing and pantomime work in a pinch.

Leo, Seattle: "Maneki in the International District is a special place, with great sushi, a mind-boggling but fascinating menu, low prices, and a uniquely Japanese atmosphere." (304 Sixth Ave. S., Seattle; 206-622-2631)

NL: It's earned that "uniquely Japanese" atmosphere: Maneki which recently celebrated its centennial — is the oldest Japanese restaurant in Seattle.

M. Mann, Seattle: "The best sushi in Seattle is Hiroshi's on Eastlake. Always the freshest fish. Always great presentation. Continuous changing menu specials. Very friendly and attentive staff." (2501 Eastlake Ave. E.; 206-726-4966 or www.hiroshis.com)

NL: One of my sushi-loving pals calls this her home-away-from-home (she lives around the corner), and having eaten there several times, I can see why.

Paul Wacker, Mountlake Terrace: "Sushi-Moto in Edmonds is one of the Seattle area's best sushi restaurants, with excellent presentation and a variety of other menu items to choose from." (22618 Highway 99, #103; 425-673-5477)

NL: I often stop in at lunch for their sushi/udon combo. BTW: In a contest for "the most spotless sushi bar around," Sushi-Moto gets my vote.

Rich White, Everett: "My favorite is Sakuma in Mukilteo. They cater to many Japanese customers and suppliers of nearby Boeing, so their fish is extremely fresh." (10924 Mukilteo Speedway #G; 425-347-3063)

NL: They also cater to Sally Hamel from Lake Forest Park, who has highest praise for owner Haruo Sakuma. More than 13 years ago, she writes, she happened into Sakuma for the first time and has been a regular since, noting "I've worn out four sushi chefs and now have a platter that is only for me; no one else is allowed to order it!"

Rebecca Slivka, Seattle: "How can you omit Nara in Redmond? They have the freshest, best sushi. They always have several different types of toro, and they make the best hijiki salad." (16564 Cleveland St. #M; 425-885-0703)

NL: How, indeed, when so many other readers agree with you! Including Jennifer from Sammamish who also put in a good word for Flo Japanese Restaurant & Sake Bar in Bellevue (1188 106th N.E.; 425-453-4005).

Porsha Brando, Seattle: "Sam's Sushi in Ballard is the best place to enjoy authentic sushi and other Japanese delights. Another plus, the place is clean and the service outstanding. Try it, you'll love it." (5506 22nd Ave N.W.; 206-783-2262)

NL: I intend to. Kim Darcy of Seattle notes that Sam's now has three locations: in addition to stores in Ballard and Queen Anne (521 Queen Anne Ave. N.; 206-282-4612), there's a new one in Lynnwood (19720 44th Ave. W., 425-776-8068).

Clif Curry, Seattle: "We love Nijo, just off Spring on Post Alley. We don't order off the menu, but give the waitperson a price range for our total and ask to be surprised. In every case we are surprised and very happy!" (83 Spring St., Seattle; 206-340-8880)

NL: "Happy" appears to be the operative word regarding Nijo (a restaurant I've favorably reviewed), whose happy-hour got the major thumbs-up from several readers.

Tanya Gillies, Tukwila: "Having limited selections in the South End, my husband and I will drive to Yamashiro Sushi Bistro whenever we want great sushi. The service is always wonderful, and the food is consistently amazing. We have referred several friends to them who now are regular customers. The outside is so unassuming that you would never believe what wonders await inside." (13754 Aurora Ave. N., Seattle; 206-361-2620)

NL: I do believe you! In fact, your comments mirror those in the review I wrote shortly after Yamashiro opened in 2004. Since then, the original sushi chef left and I've found the place less consistent during recent visits. That said, I agree it's worth seeking out. And as for those "limited" South End sushi selections you mentioned, you're not the only one complaining:

Joanna Eide, new to Federal Way, writes that when it comes to South End sushi, she "doesn't know where to start." Fortunately, fellow readers have added their two-yens worth:

Susan Schrader suggests Daimonji in Georgetown (5963 Corson Ave. S., #194, Seattle; 206-762-7820), claiming "They have a fabulous sushi bar and a daily special. The food is fresh, the place is clean, and it smells wonderful the moment you walk in the door."

Mikiko puts in a good word for Miyabi in Tukwila (16820 Southcenter Parkway; 206-575-6815).

Robert Dier of Renton is a fan of Atami Sushi Bar in SeaTac (20023 International Blvd.; 206-878-2829), notable for "great portions and fresh seafood."

And Cathy Hall, from Tacoma, gives the nod to Fujiya (1125 Court C #1; 253-627-5319), where my favorite sushi chef, Yutaka Saito, worked before opening Saito's in Belltown (2122 Second Ave., Seattle; 206-728-1333 or www.saitos-cafe.com).

Nancy Leson: 206-464-8838 or nleson@seattletimes.com.

More columns are available at seattletimes.com/nancyleson