It’s always a pleasant surprise to stumble across a new sushi bar, especially in an unlikely area, and especially one with such great personality behind its service.
With its funky little name and spacious, sophisticated dining room, Sakura Ichi, tucked nearly out of sight in a plaza in Pomona, is a local’s delight, and there is a certain chef named Eddie whose sunny disposition and zeal for all things sushi will brighten anyone’s day.
Chef Eddie informs me that this sushi bar offers rare fish such as Sayori, known as Half Beak; as well as Shima Aji, which is also called White Trevally. On the wall menu, even Ankimo (monkfish liver) is offered as an appetizer.
For the first time, I learned why the silvery-gray fish is called Half Beak; quite literally, the fish boasts a prominent, beak-like projection from its jaws, in which the lower jaws are remarkably longer than the upper ones. And I had learned this only because Chef Eddie chose to serve Sayori sashimi-style, with the hacked-up pieces of this raw fish flanked by its head and tail as decoration, upon a bed of lettuce, and with masago topping and a stem of yamagobo to boot. Ponzu sauce comes on the side, for those who like to add zest to their sashimi with this citrus-based dip.
I caught sight of a grooved glass platter upon which one of the chefs was arranging blocks of spicy tuna on crispy rice, topped with slivers of avocado, slices of jalapeno, chopped green onions, ponzu sauce and Togarashi powder (I asked for the omission of eel sauce, which it normally comes with, because in my opinion it would have oversweetened the dish), and I ordered the plate immediately.
This six-piece version of Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice is a twist of my traditional favorite dish of the same name at Katsu-Ya in Studio City, which comes topped with slices of Serrano chili. To my relief, not only was Sakura Ichi’s rendition tasty, but the crispy rice base was not overly crunchy and hard as it tends to be at some restaurants; rather, it had a toasty, buttery crisp to it, about what you’d expect out of the version at Katsu-Ya.
I ordered the Spider Roll because unlike most sushi bars, Sakura Ichi uses minced crabstick, rather than the standard imitation snow crab mix, as a filler next to the softshell crab in its roll, and I was curious as to how this would result in the texture. Although I ultimately prefer a Spider Roll to be served sans any imitation crab-filler, and I still think Nobu’s Soft Shell Crab Roll holds the standard, the Spider Roll at Sakura Ichi adequately satisfies the need for something fried and filling. The soft and stringy crabstick offered a nice contrast alongside the crunchiness, although it didn’t seem to make a significant difference than if it had been served with imitation snow crab mix.
I also tried the Shima Aji sushi and not only was it fresh, but the texture and flavor was just right, slightly reminiscent of yellowtail sushi.
Other noteworthy details that make this restaurant stand out: the edamame comes smothered with toasted garlic bits; and the half-orange that is served for dessert is sprinkled with plum powder, which, as Chef Eddie imparts, enhances almost any fruit.
Sakura Ichi
101 W. Mission Blvd., Pomona
909-865-2059
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Tuna Sashimi, Amberjack, Spanish Mackerel, Orange Clam with Truffle Salt, Blue Crab Hand Roll at Sushi Zo of Culver City
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| Tuna Sashimi |
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| Amberjack |
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| Spanish Mackerel |
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| Orange Clam |
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| Blue Crab Hand Roll |
For the Die-Hard Sushi Fans: Sushi Zo
It’s obvious that Sushi Zo caters to die-hard sushi aficionados, and ranks up there with Urasawa, Mori Sushi, Sasabune, Sugarfish by Nozawa, and countless other high-quality restaurants all over the world that serve sushi the traditional way.
The moment you walk through the door, the hostess will inquire if you know how it works there: it’s chef’s choice only. If you still act like a newbie, then she may forewarn you that the course costs $100 to $150 per person, depending on what is served that day. The timid may balk; the inexperienced might question the lack of a menu. The sign on the wall further daunts the neophytes: “OMAKASE ONLY. NO CUT ROLLS.” The cheap masses rationalize: “But I can eat so much more at the bargain sushi joint for that price….”
The truth is, if you’re going to try real sushi but you’re on a budget, you are probably better off eating fast food (or plain bread, for that matter) for a whole month just to save enough dough for one life-changing dining experience at Sushi Zo, rather than frequenting a discounted sushi hut once a week. Be prepared, however, to be forever ruined for most other mediocre sushi restaurants thereafter.
Each dish at Sushi Zo (served mostly nigiri style, although sashimi and a hand roll do occasion) is prepared with such meticulous precision that it borders on obsessive. To be fair, the server does ask you beforehand what you don’t like—if you’re opposed to exotic sea urchin, or anything chewy such as clam, this is your only chance to speak up and exert any influence over your meal; after this it’s literally up to the chef.
The small plates are presented one after another, usually with a single miniscule piece of sushi that is no bigger than a finger, and a line of instruction uttered by the server: “This is albacore sushi…already ponzu sauce, no soy sauce, please….” “This is scallop, add a little soy sauce.” The lines become somewhat repetitious until you hear slight variations, such as “This is amberjack, with lemon and Japanese jalapeno…” and then the kicker: “…no soy sauce.”
Out of the entire course which consists of slightly more than 20 items, only about three items are actually suggested to be paired with the soy sauce that’s contained in the little kettle on the table. Other than that, the bite-size masterpieces already come seasoned as the chef intended, such as with sea salt, ponzu sauce or the ever-pungent truffle salt. Some of the fish Sushi Zo offers is flown in from Japan, and even rare breeds like needlefish and perch are served.
Although I have observed differences in the seafood served during my four visits to Sushi Zo over the last two years, the meal generally begins and ends with the same items: to start the feast, a single perfectly prepared Kumamoto oyster, followed by four pieces of melt-in-your-mouth tuna sashimi, which is then followed by a tiny saucer filled with uni noodles; to end the party, a single hand roll is served (usually filled with blue crab, but during my last visit it was toro), with a shot of yuzu juice for dessert. The rest of the course may showcase crispy sea eel, sweet shrimp, Spanish mackerel, golden eye snapper, yellow striped jack, seared black cod with miso sauce, pompano, black snapper, and red snapper.
And then there are the standard sushi staples: yellowtail, albacore, halibut and scallop (although as common as these may sound, somehow at Sushi Zo they are anything but ordinary). Perhaps it has to do with the old adage “You get what you pay for,” because the fish quality here is so high you’ll swear it’s served straight out of the sea, for it certainly can’t be just a matter of seasonings, no matter how good the chef. Each piece dissolves in your mouth; the rice is sweet; attention to detail can be seen down to the very fact that the monkfish liver is served warm, rather than cold (this is reminiscent of the way Sasabune serves its ankimo).
At the end of the repast, the waitress will explain that dinner is now complete, unless you have special requests—this is the point at which you’ve earned the right to order whatever you desire from the kitchen, if your appetite permits it. If you’ve been here multiple times, at this moment you may want to order that one thing you liked last time, which perhaps the chef didn’t incorporate into his repertoire tonight (but keep in mind this compounds to the final bill, which you know is already high). In one of my visits, I special-ordered the orange clam with truffle salt; another time, I requested the blue crab hand roll (the chef had served a toro hand roll in its place and I, as is my wont, had a hankering for the crustacean).
Sushi Zo
9824 National Blvd., Los Angeles
310-842-3977
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Homemade Sushi
My friends found it hard to believe, but it’s actually been almost four years since I made sushi at home.
Four long years filled with many restaurant-going experiences, during which time I grew and learned even more about the fascinating food and art that is sushi. It is an ongoing pursuit, a continuous exploration; even after all the Japanese eateries I’ve visited, there is still more to discover, so much about which I remain ignorant.
I creak open my kitchen cabinet to survey its contents, and I see that the bamboo sushi rolling mat needs to be rewrapped in brand-new plastic wrap (the better to make those inside-out rolls); the old sauces need to be tossed; the plastic squeeze-bottles need to be replaced. Ditching the old plastic bowl I once used, I go out and purchase an official hangiri (a round, flat-bottom wooden tub used to hold the cooked sushi rice), which of course came with a spatula and mini fan (used for cooling the rice).
At the Japanese supermarket, I buy a few blocks of tuna and salmon sashimi, along with a small tray of minced tuna (instant spicy tuna: just add spicy mayonnaise, smelt fish eggs, green onions and voila!).
It helps when you love it spicy and so do all of those in the party of 10 you’re catering. Knowing ahead of time that not a single person is averse to the hot stuff, I load up on the jalapenos, chili powder, freeze-dried chopped chilis, chili oil, Sri Racha hot sauce, and chili garlic hot sauce.
Sushi purists may argue: true sushi doesn’t consist of spicy mayonnaise, shrimp tempura, or imitation crab sticks; the real thing isn’t about Sushi Pizza (an old favorite among my posse, and rather easy and fun to make, or shall I say bake), or rolls that have gone tropical with mango slices paired with salmon and avocado. These Americanized, fusion creations that are relatively inexpensive to make at home, however, are in fact inspired by dishes I’ve experienced at various sushi bars all around, and I’m aware it’s not something as authentic as say, sweet shrimp nigiri or halibut fin served gunkan-style. (Although perhaps with more researching, I can eventually find my own personal fish dealer so I can attempt the more traditional stuff at home.)
Later, with the help of a designated fry-cook, I cranked out rolls filled with spicy tuna, salmon and mango, and even a shrimp tempura roll laden with spicy scallops and then baked. And of course, the toasted-to-a-crisp, seaweed-and-rice-based sushi pizza, smothered with the ever-popular spicy mayonnaise that I suppose visually represents the cheese on an actual pizza. Substitute the pepperoni slices and sausage with shrimp and crab sticks, and add some jalapeno slices in place of what would normally be green bell peppers and you’ve got some serious Sushi Pizza.
Four long years filled with many restaurant-going experiences, during which time I grew and learned even more about the fascinating food and art that is sushi. It is an ongoing pursuit, a continuous exploration; even after all the Japanese eateries I’ve visited, there is still more to discover, so much about which I remain ignorant.
I creak open my kitchen cabinet to survey its contents, and I see that the bamboo sushi rolling mat needs to be rewrapped in brand-new plastic wrap (the better to make those inside-out rolls); the old sauces need to be tossed; the plastic squeeze-bottles need to be replaced. Ditching the old plastic bowl I once used, I go out and purchase an official hangiri (a round, flat-bottom wooden tub used to hold the cooked sushi rice), which of course came with a spatula and mini fan (used for cooling the rice).
At the Japanese supermarket, I buy a few blocks of tuna and salmon sashimi, along with a small tray of minced tuna (instant spicy tuna: just add spicy mayonnaise, smelt fish eggs, green onions and voila!).
It helps when you love it spicy and so do all of those in the party of 10 you’re catering. Knowing ahead of time that not a single person is averse to the hot stuff, I load up on the jalapenos, chili powder, freeze-dried chopped chilis, chili oil, Sri Racha hot sauce, and chili garlic hot sauce.
Sushi purists may argue: true sushi doesn’t consist of spicy mayonnaise, shrimp tempura, or imitation crab sticks; the real thing isn’t about Sushi Pizza (an old favorite among my posse, and rather easy and fun to make, or shall I say bake), or rolls that have gone tropical with mango slices paired with salmon and avocado. These Americanized, fusion creations that are relatively inexpensive to make at home, however, are in fact inspired by dishes I’ve experienced at various sushi bars all around, and I’m aware it’s not something as authentic as say, sweet shrimp nigiri or halibut fin served gunkan-style. (Although perhaps with more researching, I can eventually find my own personal fish dealer so I can attempt the more traditional stuff at home.)
Later, with the help of a designated fry-cook, I cranked out rolls filled with spicy tuna, salmon and mango, and even a shrimp tempura roll laden with spicy scallops and then baked. And of course, the toasted-to-a-crisp, seaweed-and-rice-based sushi pizza, smothered with the ever-popular spicy mayonnaise that I suppose visually represents the cheese on an actual pizza. Substitute the pepperoni slices and sausage with shrimp and crab sticks, and add some jalapeno slices in place of what would normally be green bell peppers and you’ve got some serious Sushi Pizza.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
As Real as it Gets
Forget the lobster rolls most sushi restaurants extoll: this is the real thing.
For a tiny hole-in-the-wall with low visibility from the street and odd signage (the marquee simply reads “SUSHI” followed by the names of adjacent businesses “Mom & Me Spa” & “So Cal Co-op”), Tarzana’s Mon Restaurant—not to be confused with sushi train chain Sushi Mon—serves the best lobster, pure and true.
Sweet, juicy chunks of lobster claw meat peek out from a triangular projection of soy paper, flavored with sautéed garlic, trickling with ponzu sauce and oozing with spicy mayonnaise. Everything is then complemented by fresh avocado, flavorful smelt eggs and the ever-requisite spears of cucumber.
I am delighted that such an amazing hand roll, which is listed on their board menu as the “Sautéed Garlic Lobster Hand Roll” costs only $12. Not only is it the undisputed king of crustaceans, but there is plenty of meat—the owner doesn’t exactly serve it sparingly.
“I only use real lobster,” said owner Yuji Keimi with a grin, adding that many of his customers have praised him for using the real thing (too many sushi bars these days serve langostino as an alternative, which isn’t classified as a true lobster and grows no longer than three inches in length). Yuji currently offers East Coast lobster even though he actually prefers to serve Pacific lobster, which he explains is a seasonal catch.
Yuji is smart; he knows the sushi wars on Ventura Boulevard are fierce. On Mondays, Mon Restaurant even offers all-you-can-eat sushi at the bar ($25 for lunch and $32 for dinner). I want to tell him he has nothing to worry about; plenty of other places on this famous thoroughfare offer such specials but his food is so high-quality, he easily outshines his competition. But I still plead with him: Please don’t ever change this lobster roll. I revealed that a particular restaurant I used to frequent in Long Beach has taken the cheap route and what used to be a high-end lobster roll is now a deflated, sorry version of its old self—it appears to have been cut with something less expensive, like imitation crab. The bulging chunks of lobster have disappeared, and what’s left appears to be and tastes like a California Roll.
Another unique one at Mon Restaurant: the spicy baby octopus hand roll. With a filling of lettuce, spicy mayonnaise and chili oil, this hand roll literally has cutesy mini octopi tumbling out once it’s placed on a plate. The chewy critters with their little heads still attached (squeamish Americans beware!) are just slightly crispy, their tiny tentacles an integral part of the texture.
On a Saturday night, owner Yuji can be seen presiding over the sushi counter, whipping up items ordered off the menus as well as innumerable special requests—one sushi connoisseur demanded a tekka maki with chili oil, right after expounding the reasons he prefers his octopus “thinly sliced, with sea salt.” For the less experienced sushi-goers, Yuki offers fun Americanized rolls with names such as the "Lady Go-Go" roll and "Fabio" hand roll.
Open 7 days a week, this lantern-filled sushi haven has been owned by Yuji for nine years, and from what it looks like, there is plenty of prosperity yet to come.
Mon Restaurant
19463 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana
818-342-0307
For a tiny hole-in-the-wall with low visibility from the street and odd signage (the marquee simply reads “SUSHI” followed by the names of adjacent businesses “Mom & Me Spa” & “So Cal Co-op”), Tarzana’s Mon Restaurant—not to be confused with sushi train chain Sushi Mon—serves the best lobster, pure and true.
Sweet, juicy chunks of lobster claw meat peek out from a triangular projection of soy paper, flavored with sautéed garlic, trickling with ponzu sauce and oozing with spicy mayonnaise. Everything is then complemented by fresh avocado, flavorful smelt eggs and the ever-requisite spears of cucumber.
I am delighted that such an amazing hand roll, which is listed on their board menu as the “Sautéed Garlic Lobster Hand Roll” costs only $12. Not only is it the undisputed king of crustaceans, but there is plenty of meat—the owner doesn’t exactly serve it sparingly.
“I only use real lobster,” said owner Yuji Keimi with a grin, adding that many of his customers have praised him for using the real thing (too many sushi bars these days serve langostino as an alternative, which isn’t classified as a true lobster and grows no longer than three inches in length). Yuji currently offers East Coast lobster even though he actually prefers to serve Pacific lobster, which he explains is a seasonal catch.
Yuji is smart; he knows the sushi wars on Ventura Boulevard are fierce. On Mondays, Mon Restaurant even offers all-you-can-eat sushi at the bar ($25 for lunch and $32 for dinner). I want to tell him he has nothing to worry about; plenty of other places on this famous thoroughfare offer such specials but his food is so high-quality, he easily outshines his competition. But I still plead with him: Please don’t ever change this lobster roll. I revealed that a particular restaurant I used to frequent in Long Beach has taken the cheap route and what used to be a high-end lobster roll is now a deflated, sorry version of its old self—it appears to have been cut with something less expensive, like imitation crab. The bulging chunks of lobster have disappeared, and what’s left appears to be and tastes like a California Roll.
Another unique one at Mon Restaurant: the spicy baby octopus hand roll. With a filling of lettuce, spicy mayonnaise and chili oil, this hand roll literally has cutesy mini octopi tumbling out once it’s placed on a plate. The chewy critters with their little heads still attached (squeamish Americans beware!) are just slightly crispy, their tiny tentacles an integral part of the texture.
On a Saturday night, owner Yuji can be seen presiding over the sushi counter, whipping up items ordered off the menus as well as innumerable special requests—one sushi connoisseur demanded a tekka maki with chili oil, right after expounding the reasons he prefers his octopus “thinly sliced, with sea salt.” For the less experienced sushi-goers, Yuki offers fun Americanized rolls with names such as the "Lady Go-Go" roll and "Fabio" hand roll.
Open 7 days a week, this lantern-filled sushi haven has been owned by Yuji for nine years, and from what it looks like, there is plenty of prosperity yet to come.
Mon Restaurant
19463 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana
818-342-0307
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