What oil does Nobu fry in?
Nobu most likely cooks with vegetable oil blend, but the chain has not confirmed it.
In detail: Deep-fries tempura items, most notably the signature rock shrimp tempura and vegetable tempura, in generic "vegetable oil" per Nobu's own official recipe (exact type/blend not specified). Sauces like the tempura's creamy spicy sauce use grapeseed oil by name. (assumed from industry norms, not confirmed by the chain).
Ordering at Nobu? Build your meal in the app and see its seed oil total before you pay.
Build my orderNobu at a glance
| Fry oil (US) | Vegetable oil blend (estimated) |
| Seed oils | Yes |
| Beef tallow | No |
| Peanut oil | No |
| Seed oil grade | B (5.5 g average per item, 30 items) |
| Is it a seed oil? | Vegetable oil: Yes |
The 5 cleanest things to order at Nobu
Learn this once: a salad with grilled protein and the dressing left off is nearly always the lowest seed oil order anywhere. So the list below sticks to real meals, salads included, never just a water.
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Assorted Nigiri | 1.0g |
| Toro Tartare with Caviar | 2.0g |
| Salmon Tartare with Caviar | 2.0g |
| Fluke Dry Miso | 2.0g |
| Salmon Dry Miso | 2.0g |
Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.
Build your Nobu order
Pick your meal, sides, sauces and drink in the app and see your seed oil total before you order. It logs to your day in one tap. Free on iPhone and Android.
Build my orderWhy the frying oil matters
Most fast-food chains fry in seed oils like soybean, canola, corn, or a blend of them, which are high in polyunsaturated fat (PUFA). A handful still use beef tallow or other stable fats, which are far lower in PUFA. The oil a kitchen fries in is the single biggest driver of how much seed oil ends up on your plate. See the full breakdown on the Nobu report card, or where it lands on the Seed Oil Index. See which chains fry in real fats on Tallow Watch.
Frequently asked
What oil does Nobu fry in?
Nobu most likely cooks with vegetable oil blend, but the chain has not confirmed it. In detail: Deep-fries tempura items, most notably the signature rock shrimp tempura and vegetable tempura, in generic "vegetable oil" per Nobu's own official recipe (exact type/blend not specified). Sauces like the tempura's creamy spicy sauce use grapeseed oil by name. (assumed from industry norms, not confirmed by the chain).
Does Nobu use seed oils?
Yes. Nobu most likely cooks with vegetable oil blend. The chain has not confirmed it. Its seed oil grade is B, about 5.5 g of polyunsaturated fat per menu item.
Does Nobu use beef tallow?
No. Nobu most likely cooks with vegetable oil blend, not beef tallow. The chain has not confirmed it.
Does Nobu use peanut oil?
Not that we can find. Nobu most likely cooks with vegetable oil blend. The chain has not confirmed it. If you have a peanut allergy, ask the restaurant directly, because oils and suppliers can vary by location.
What is the lowest seed oil order at Nobu?
Salmon Tartare with Caviar (2.0 g of polyunsaturated fat). Next: Salmon Dry Miso (2.0 g) and Seaweed Salad (5.0 g).
Which Nobu item has the most seed oil?
Nobu Style Fish and Chips, at about 16.0 g of polyunsaturated fat as listed.