Does Walmart Sell Sushi In 2023? (Prices, Quality + More)
Yes, Walmart does sell fresh and frozen sushi options in their stores in 2024. The sushi is available under brands like Moji and Banzai at affordable pricing compared to dedicated sushi restaurants and other grocery stores. However, Walmart‘s sushi has received mixed reviews when it comes to taste, freshness and overall authentic quality.
This detailed guide will cover everything you need to know about the types of sushi Walmart sells, pricing, quality comparisons, and help you determine if Walmart sushi is a good choice for your tastes and budget.
Detailed Overview of Walmart‘s Sushi Selections
Walmart provides two main sushi choices for shoppers:
Fresh Sushi Rolls
The fresh sushi sold at Walmart is located in the refrigerated deli or prepared foods area. It comes from the Moji brand and includes classic rolls like:
- California Rolls – Imitation crab, avocado, cucumber
- Spicy Crab Rolls – Imitation crab, avocado, spicy mayo
- California Cream Cheese Rolls – Imitation crab, avocado, cream cheese
The fresh rolls come packaged in sets of 10 pieces per container. Each package also contains side packets of soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger.
In addition to the Moji brand, some Walmart locations may also carry fresh sushi rolls from Okami. However, Moji appears to be the most widely available brand.
It‘s important to note that the fresh sushi is not actually prepared on-site at Walmart. It comes to the store pre-made and Walmart simply thaws and displays the refrigerated packages for purchase.
Frozen Sushi Rolls
In addition to fresh sushi, Walmart also sells frozen sushi rolls in their freezer sections located near the seafood.
The main brand for Walmart‘s frozen sushi is Banzai. Some of the common frozen roll varieties include:
- Shrimp & Avocado Rolls
- Spicy Crab Rolls
- Salmon Avocado Rolls
The frozen rolls typically come in packs of 15 pieces. They also include side sauce packets of soy sauce and wasabi.
To enjoy the frozen sushi, you need to thaw the rolls first, ideally overnight in the refrigerator. Do not try to quickly thaw them on the counter or in warm water.
Overall, Walmart‘s sushi selection includes all of the basic roll types you would find at any grocery store sushi fridge or beginner sushi restaurant. However, they do not offer any nigiri, sashimi, or more complex rolls like dragon or rainbow rolls. The choices are focused on approachable, mainstream sushi for the American palate.
Who is Behind Moji – Walmart‘s Primary Sushi Brand?
The Moji brand of fresh sushi available at Walmart stores comes from a company called Trident Seafoods.
Trident Seafoods is a large family-owned and operated business that originated in the fishing communities of Alaska. The founding family, the Palmers, continue to run operations today.
In addition to sushi, Trident Seafoods catches, processes, and sells a variety of seafood like salmon, pollock, cod, and crab. They are one of the largest seafood suppliers in the North Pacific region.
For the Moji sushi brand, Trident Seafoods produces the rolls at their facilities and distributes them to Walmart stores frozen. Walmart then thaws the sushi and displays the chilled packs in the deli refrigerators for purchase.
So while the sushi is "fresh" in the sense of being thawed and sold chilled rather than frozen, it was not actually freshly assembled on-site at the Walmart location. This contrasts with the sushi fridge options at dedicated sushi restaurants where you can watch them rolling and filling orders.
How Do Walmart‘s Sushi Prices Compare?
Here is an overview of how Walmart‘s sushi pricing stacks up against other grocery stores and restaurants:
| Sushi Source | Price for 10-15 pieces |
|---|---|
| Walmart Fresh Moji Rolls | $6 |
| Walmart Frozen Banzai Rolls | $6.50 |
| Grocery Store Sushi Fridges | $7 – $10 |
| Whole Foods Market Sushi | $12 – $15 |
| Local Sushi Restaurants | $8 – $20 |
As you can see, Walmart hits the lowest price point for pre-made sushi out of any source. Their fresh and frozen rolls both come in a couple dollars cheaper than the typical grocery store prepared foods section. And far below the prices for sushi from fancier grocers like Whole Foods or dedicated sushi restaurants, which can quickly hit $20+ for a roll.
So if budget price is your main concern, Walmart is likely the most affordable prepared sushi option out there in terms of cost per piece.
Where To Find Walmart‘s Sushi In-Store
If you‘re seeking out the sushi during a regular shopping trip at Walmart, here are the top tips for locating it:
Fresh Walmart Sushi
The Moji and Okami branded fresh sushi rolls can be found in the following location:
- Start by heading to the very back of the store where the deli and prepared foods sections are
- Look for the long refrigerated units that house items like pre-made sandwiches, salads, and side dishes
- Scan the labels until you see packages marked as "Moji Sushi" or "Okami Sushi"
- They will be in the same cold cases as the pre-made noodles, poke bowls etc.
If this is your first time browsing the prepared foods fridges, it may take a minute to get your bearings and spot the sushi. Don‘t hesitate to ask an employee for help finding it!
Frozen Walmart Sushi
The Banzai frozen sushi rolls can be found in the following spot:
- Head to the very back corner of the store by the meat and seafood departments
- Look for the large freezer sections and go to the one with the frozen seafood
- Scan the doors and shelves for packages labeled "Banzai Sushi"
- Alternately look for the familiar red-colored shrimp and green avocado rolls
Again, ask a friendly Walmart worker if you need any help tracking down the elusive frozen sushi!
Quality and Reviews of Walmart‘s Sushi Options
How does Walmart‘s affordable prepared sushi fare when it comes to factors like taste, freshness, and overall quality? Here is an overview:
Common Complaints About Walmart Sushi
- Voted the “worst” grocery store sushi in consumer polls
- Frequent complaints about subpar, spongy texture with a lack of crispness
- Taste critiqued as bland, fishy, or too gummy
- Lacks freshness compared to sushi bought from chef counters
- Criticized as lower quality and inauthentic compared to real Japanese sushi
Walmart Customer Feedback On Sushi
"The rice had a weird sweet taste and the whole thing was mushy and falling apart. I could barely recognize it as sushi.”
"Passable and affordable but pretty bland. The crab tastes fake and there‘s something off about the rice. I‘d only get it again if I was really desperate for some quick sushi.”
“It‘s edible, decent when you‘re starving. But I‘d never choose it over real sushi from even a cheap sit-down restaurant. You get what you pay for."
Nutrition Comparison
Walmart‘s sushi also tends to be higher in added sugars and fillers compared to restaurant sushi based on nutrition labels. For example, a spicy crab roll from Walmart contains 5g of added sugars compared to 2g for restaurant crab rolls on average.
So based on customer reviews, polls, and nutrition comparisons, the consensus seems to be that Walmart sushi, while affordable, lacks the freshness, taste, and quality expected from higher-end sushi providers. For strict sushi aficionados, it may fail to meet their discerning standards.
How Does Walmart Sushi Stack Up Against Restaurant Sushi?
Here is a breakdown of how Walmart‘s offerings compare side-by-side to sushi from dedicated sushi restaurants:
| Criteria | Walmart Sushi | Restaurant Sushi |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredient Quality | Lower grade imitation crab, processed rice | Real crab, fresh sushi rice |
| Taste | Blanded, gummy, fishy taste | Fresh, balanced, umami flavor |
| Texture | Mushy, falls apart | Crisp, firm, structured |
| Appearance | Messy, sloppy rolls | Tight, well-constructed rolls |
| Prep Method | Mass pre-made, frozen | Rolled fresh to order |
| Price | $6 for 10 pieces | $8 – $15 for 8 pieces |
| Nutrition | Higher sodium, added sugars | Lower sodium, fewer additives |
In almost every category, from the ingredients to the final taste and texture, local sushi restaurants tend to provide a fresher, tastier, and healthier product compared to Walmart‘s pre-made options. The only advantage for Walmart sushi is the very affordable per-piece price point.
So ultimately it depends which factors matter most to you as a sushi consumer when choosing where to source your next spicy tuna roll!
Should You Buy Sushi from Walmart?
Whether or not Walmart‘s sushi is a smart choice for you depends on your personal preferences as a shopper:
For budget-focused shoppers:
Walmart sushi offers big savings compared to other options. If you want the lowest price and maximum convenience during grocery trips, Walmart sushi may satisfy your craving.
For sushi purists/connoisseurs:
The lower quality and lack of authenticity will likely disappoint. You‘re better off paying a little more for the superior taste and freshness of restaurant sushi.
For families with kids:
The affordable Walmart rolls could be a way to introduce kids to sushi for the first time in a low-pressure setting.
For office celebrations:
Ordering a couple packs of assorted Walmart sushi rolls can be an economical way to feed a group.
For weeknight dinners:
Grabbing some shrimp tempura or salmon avocado rolls from Walmart can make for an easy night off from cooking.
As you can see, factors like your budget, how picky you are about sushi, and the occasion should all play into whether Walmart sushi fits the bill for your needs.
The Bottom Line
Walmart does offer fresh and frozen sushi rolls under its Moji and Banzai brands ranging from $6-$7 for packs of 10-15 pieces. This makes it the most budget-friendly prepared sushi option compared to restaurants and other grocers. However, many sushi lovers argue the quality and authenticity fall far short of real Japanese sushi. For some shoppers, Walmart‘s sushi hits an acceptable quality mark when you want an affordable bite. But pickier sushi fans will likely want to spend a little more for a better product from dedicated sushi chefs. At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference and priorities like price versus quality.
Hopefully this complete guide has provided all the details on selection, pricing, quality, and location of sushi at Walmart to help inform your decisions as a shopper!
