Tsunami Abu Dhabi Mall: Lebanese-Born Sushi with a Middle Eastern Accent

From the mountains of Lebanon to Abu Dhabi Mall

Tsunami has a backstory that is more distinctive than its mall location initially suggests. The concept began in 2002 in Faraya, the Lebanese mountain town better known for winter snow than sushi, before expanding across Lebanon and into catering. Its Abu Dhabi Mall branch carries that history into a practical city-centre setting on Level 1. The formula is deliberately accessible: fresh, made-to-order sushi sits alongside a broader Asian menu, and the brand describes its cooking as Far Eastern flavours with a Middle Eastern twist. That makes Tsunami easier to understand as a Lebanese-grown interpretation of Japanese dining rather than a purist sushi counter.

The menu moves well beyond rolls

Sushi remains the obvious entry point, but the range is wider. Sashimi, tempura and teriyaki share the menu with chicken, beef and shrimp dishes, giving mixed groups far more flexibility than a narrow omakase format. Recent diners have been particularly positive about the freshness of the fish, the seasoning of the rice and the speed of service, with torched maki, shrimp tempura and crisp-textured rolls among the repeated favourites in current reviews. The important word is made-to-order. For a mall restaurant, Tsunami avoids the sense of food waiting under lights; the appeal is the combination of immediacy and variety.

A useful everyday Japanese address

Abu Dhabi now has several high-end Japanese restaurants competing on rarity, sourcing and ceremony. Tsunami is not trying to beat them at that game. Its strength is being dependable, broad and comparatively informal: a place for a family dinner, a substantial sushi order with friends or a quick meal while already in Al Zahiyah. Abu Dhabi Mall’s current directory still lists the branch on Level 1 with a direct telephone number, while recent 2026 customer activity supports the venue’s continuing operation. For Simply Abu Dhabi, that combination of longevity, freshness and flexibility is the story.

Practical details

Location: Level 1, Abu Dhabi Mall, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Cuisine: Japanese and Asian; sushi, sashimi, tempura, teriyaki and hot dishes
Telephone: +971 2 679 6670
Editorial status: Open – current mall listing and recent trading evidence verified