Open where others closed, this new Boise restaurant is a ‘game changer’ for the area

When Nanzaya debuted in early August, it was a new chapter for a seasoned Northwest Boise restaurant space.

For much of the past decade, 4628 W. State St. was a taco destination. Taqueria El Torito lasted about five years before closing in 2021. Short-lived El Faro Mexican Food replaced it in early 2022 at Collister Shopping Center before shuttering late last year.

Nanzaya hasn’t changed the interior’s look much. It’s not fancy. But it dishes up something new — at least to that part of town.

And customers are fired up.

“Sushi in the ‘hood is a game changer!” a commenter exclaimed on Nanzaya’s Facebook page shortly after the restaurant opened. “Thanks for moving in!”

Judging from reviews quickly piling up, the early enthusiasm isn’t waning.

Take my 14-year-old son. Last weekend, he stopped in and ordered two 10-piece California rolls to go — one regular, one spicy. Digging in at home, my teenager marveled at the rolls, which they’d made while he waited. Nanzaya charges $5 for a 10-piece.

“Dude,” he said, “Five bucks for that? I’d pay that any day of the week. It is so good!”

I had to agree. He saved me a couple — after crushing the first 18. The food was attractive, delicious and neatly presented in plastic takeout trays. Other uramaki-style 10-piece orders are mostly priced in the $8 range, with three — Spicy Tiger Roll, Eel Roll and Crunch Tempura — at $10.

Online reviewers are similarly stoked about Nanzaya.

“Probably the best sushi we have had,” raves one on Google, where the restaurant rates 4.6 out of 5.0 from 17 reviews. “Fish Lover roll and Salmon Inside Out were both on point. Glad to have a great sushi place on this side of town now.”

The Fish Lover and Salmon Inside Out are “special rolls” costing $16. Nanzaya also serves a variety of fresh rolls, no-rice rolls, vegetarian sushi, plus nigiri and sashimi. There also are poke, spicy poke and chirashi bowls; with two kinds of protein, those cost $16.

A family-owned outfit, Nanzaya is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Online ordering is available, and so is delivery, according to its website.

Combination lunch specials are available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. They range from $15 to $30.

Nanzaya also offers other Asian cuisine. A message to owner Bay Htwe was not returned, but a small selection of pho is on the menu. And Nanzaya plans to unveil Burmese cuisine this month, the restaurant says on Facebook. Oh, and start selling beer, too.

I might have to join my sushi-loving son for a lunch combo soon.

The Seaside 2 ($17) sounds tempting. It includes an eight-piece tuna roll, five-piece Spicy Rainbow roll and five-piece Dragon Roll. “Wow!” a Google reviewer wrote. “Stumbled upon Nanzaya looking for a lunch spot. I randomly got the sushi Seaside 2 lunch special. Let’s just say I won’t be going anywhere different when I’m craving sushi.”