Sushi Restaurant Food Cost: Percentage and Example
By mise · Updated September 29, 2026
Quick answer: food cost for sushi restaurants usually runs 30–35% of the menu price. Divide the ingredient cost of a plate by its menu price; for the month, use beginning and ending inventory plus purchases.
Every concept has its own food cost. What is healthy for sushi restaurants can be a problem somewhere else, so it helps to know the benchmark and which ingredient moves it.
What is a good food cost for sushi restaurants?
Most sushi restaurants land between 30–35% of the menu price. The biggest cost drivers: fish (salmon, tuna), sushi rice, nori and trim loss when breaking down fish.
Example: salmon roll (8 pieces)
| Ingredient | Cost |
|---|---|
| Salmon (2 oz, trimmed) | $1.75 |
| Sushi rice (4 oz) | $0.25 |
| Nori | $0.15 |
| Avocado, sesame, sauce | $0.55 |
| Total plate cost | $2.70 |
Food cost: —
How to bring it down without cutting quality
- Measure fish yield: cost per trimmed ounce, not per invoice pound.
- Fixed grams per piece.
- Count fish daily and log what is discarded.
- Cook rice in batches through the service.
How mise helps
Scan the barcode with your phone camera or snap a photo of the label; mise's AI finds the product and categorizes it with name, brand, category, photo and price. Count at the start and end of the period, add purchases, and mise gives you the actual food cost to compare with the recipe cost. Every count is saved with a date and a name, par levels warn you before you run out, and you see shrinkage and food cost for the period without building a spreadsheet.
Scan the barcode or snap a photo: mise's AI finds the product and categorizes it. 7-day free trial, then US$33 a month (£26 in the UK).
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Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate food cost for sushi restaurants?
Plate cost ÷ menu price × 100. For the month: (beginning inventory + purchases − ending inventory) ÷ food sales × 100.
What food cost percentage should sushi restaurants aim for?
Between 30–35%. Above that, check portions, waste and supplier prices before raising prices.
Why does fish cost more than the invoice says?
Trim loss: at $12/lb and 70% yield, a trimmed pound costs $17.14.
How much does mise cost?
A 7-day free trial, then US$33 a month per location (£26 in the UK).