The space hums with warmth and inclusivity: first-timers are guided with care, regulars are greeted like old friends, and every meal is crafted to create a memory. "It's not just about the food," said Amy Long, owner of Matsumotto Sushi & Grill. “It's also about how you made them feel." That philosophy shapes everything at Matsumotto.
Walk through the doors of Matsumotto Sushi & Grill in Westminster, and you’re not just stepping into a restaurant—you’re being welcomed into a home. Amy and her team have built an atmosphere where guests feel like family, whether it’s their first or fiftieth sushi roll.
Matsumotto specializes primarily in premium sushi-grade fish and offers an impressive selection of creative, baked rolls and vegetarian dishes. The name itself carries deep meaning. “In Japanese, it’s Matsumoto, a city known for its divine history of arts, wood elements, crafts and beauty, which signifies and aligns with everything we offer at Matsumotto Sushi & Grill,” Amy explained. “Matsumotto Sushi & Grill to me is my palace and my castle,” Amy says. “To have the ability to share this with our community is a dream come true.”
If you have ever felt intimidated about sushi, Matsumotto is the perfect place to begin. Amy remembers her own first sushi experience as a teenager. Unsure about raw fish, Amy tried cooked rolls—rice, fish and seaweed—something familiar enough to help make the leap into Japanese cuisine more approachable.
That same philosophy guides Amy and her team today: start guests where they’re comfortable, then let them branch out at their own pace with friendly recommendations along the way. While sushi may be the first thing that comes to mind, the menu goes far beyond rolls and sashimi, with plenty of cooked favorites—think shrimp tempura, salmon teriyaki, fried rice, and gyoza—that deliver big flavor without straying too far from comfort.
Vegetarians can enjoy options like vegetable tempura, vegetable udon, sweet potato rolls, and more, while the kids’ menu keeps little ones happy with simple options like an avocado roll or chicken dishes. Whatever your tastes, Amy and her staff want to make Japanese food approachable, varied and fun.
For adventurous diners, the menu unfolds—Seared Tuna Tataki, a bright Ceviche Roll, the popular Colorado Roll, and a spark of surprise with the Firecracker Roll—igniting the table with flavor and discovery.
The quality of the food speaks for itself: Matsumotto sources only premium-grade fish, flown in fresh from Japan, Alaska, New Zealand, Scotland, and Hawaii, with creamy uni from Santa Barbara arriving seasonally. Each order is carefully prepared with respect for tradition while balancing touches of modern creativity.
Matsumotto offers a wide selection of sake, brewed from fermented rice, water and yeast—with profiles spanning filtered and unfiltered, floral and light, and rich and gently sweet. Sake can be enjoyed chilled or warm. It complements sushi and amplifies umami, the quiet magic that makes simple Japanese dishes extraordinary. Crafted cocktails and mocktails, as well as matcha green tea, are also popular. Servers happily guide guests on a perfect pairing.
Regular customer John Tayer describes his visits this way: “At Matsumotto, I always feel welcome like family, while they feed you like royalty. Every dish arrives with a brilliant presentation, stopping me in my tracks, before digging my chopsticks into the delicious flavor pairing and fresh fish in each Matsumotto sushi creation.”
Matsumotto Sushi & Grill is a family endeavor. Amy’s brother Vinh serves as one of the sushi chefs, carefully sourcing the fish and sharing his expertise as a sake enthusiast. Their father, Senh, oversees quality in the kitchen—where even the sushi rice receives meticulous care, taking three hours to prepare. Many of the staff have been with the restaurant since its previous ownership and chose to stay on with Amy, a testament to the supportive, family-like atmosphere that Amy has created. Together, Amy and her team bring both skill and heart, creating an experience defined by dedication and care.
“I love the stories and the memories that we get to build. Matsumotto is my home. We want everyone to feel at home here,” says Amy. Chances are, when you walk through the door, you’ll find Amy there to greet you warmly and invite you into her “palace.”
Lari Abraham, a frequent diner at Matsumotto, lived in Japan for four years. She shared, “What I love is how Matsumotto blends the refined tradition I remember from Japan with an elevated, welcoming vibe. In Japan, sushi is about trusting the chef and allowing yourself to be surprised. Matsumotto captures that spirit in a welcoming, modern way.”
At its heart, dining at Matsumotto Sushi & Grill is about a high-quality, elevated dining experience served with care and connection. Whether you’re easing in with cooked appetizers or indulging in the highest-quality sashimi, you’ll find that the experience is tailored to your tastes—welcoming, inclusive and unforgettable.
Amy's family immigrated from Hong Kong in 1986, opening their first Boulder restaurant in 1992. By 12, Amy was learning every aspect of the business, instilling perseverance, hard work, and hospitality. This shaped her into the visionary entrepreneur she is today, skilled at identifying and elevating consumer needs. A Las Vegas birthday trip inspired her dream to share sushi and sake, a vision she now lives, honoring tradition while making Matsumotto her own.
“Each dish arrives with brilliant presentation, stopping me in my tracks before I even take a bite.” — John Tayer