Sushi - What are you ordering?

[LMelba]

It seems that a lot of us have one or two sushi places that we feel passionately about. Some are purists, others are into the fusion, and then there are those who seem to like the fast food sushi.

I know we have earlier topics about which sushi places are best, but I'm curious, what do you all order when you have sushi – do you have a favorite sushi meal – and then of course where do you go have it?

[LMelba]

Thank you all for sharing. I've been taking your tips and learing from them. I've become a big fan of silver fish after some of you mentioned it in earlier replies. And the giant scallop - yum.

[mrhooks]

Just order omakase, but you should also ask if a few less-common things are in that day (which they might not serve to everyone) - mirugai (geoduck), hotate (whole scallop (not just the adductor muscle)), giant scallop (damn I can't remember the Japanese word for it, but it's a slice of the adductor muscle served nigiri-style), and one of my absolute favorites, shako (squilla aka mantis shrimp - it looks kinda creepy, but it tastes really good).

[J.L.]

If memory serves... giant scallop = tairagai

[JEN10]

BB Special Roll at Black Bamboo in Palos Verdes. Inside: Shrimp tempura, crab, tuna, salmon, avacado / Outside: Soy paper wrap served with special Ponzu sauce. Oh YUM! Salmon sashimi is a must, eel sushi, sweet shrimp. Was there last night and had some excellent seaweed salad too.

[AquaW]

I like both types (purist mostly nigiri styles & those crazy saucy rolls). For the former my favorite are Sushi Gen, Sushi Go 55 & Azami Sushi Cafe and I either get omakase or a few nigiri. For the latter, I like Japon Bistro, K-Zo and Geisha House (when there's a discounted deal).

H.C.
http://la-oc-foodie.blogspot.com

[kelvlam]

Are there many places that offer battera (osaka style)? That's like "box sushi" right? Do they usually put different kind of fish in it or it's just 1 kind?

[Diana]

I've had it at a great place in Oxnard, CA. Thye have all different sorts. My favorite is eel.

[westsidegal]

ok,
i just started dating a man who lives in oxnard.
what is the name of the place, PLEASE?????

[Diana]

It's actually in Camarillo. It's called Masa Sushi. The owner, Masa, is a riot! The sushi is good. I saw Lorenzo Lamas there, once. He rode up on his Harley. He has a REALLY long neck.

-----
Masa-Sushi
63 E Daily Dr, Camarillo, CA 93010

[J.L.]

It's usually saba or salmon. Not many places do the Osaka style properly. Again, Mori-san (of Place Yuu) is DA man when it comes to this.

[J.L.]

First, we always ask what's fresh and/or in season.

Chirashi don allows the chef to put whatever he wants in my bowl, with a good portion of the rice.

Must-have also include:
Mirugai, ankimo, tamago & uni (always at the end, unless there's dessert or fruit)
If the chef says he is able to make it - I order battera

If you are enjoying the meal, please buy your chef a beer (or wine, or tea). Service level generally goes up after that.

My place of choice: Place Yuu on Sawtelle. Mori-san rocks, and is the only chef to display a nihonto (authentic Japanese-forged katana) at the counter.

[alexfood]

Omakase at Kiriko for lunch. Great deal -- $35 for some of the highest quality stuff in L.A. My favorites are their salmon (which they smoke themselves and top with a small dollop of caviar), all of their ao-zakana (the blue fish - iwashi, aji, etc.), and their seared toro.

[EliAnnKat]

There is a very delicious item at Sushi Ike, but you can only eat it at the bar and you have to eat it in one bite or they scold you. It is very, very quickly seared salmon on rice and it is PERFECTION. They will not carry it to a table because they say if it isn't eaten in 10 seconds it changes. I want to eat one right now. Damn.

[blackbookali]

R23 has the seared salmon their written menu. So good . . .

[Diana]

Hey, I forget, what is in season right now? What would be the best to order for time of year?

Me, If it's in seson, I like live sweet shrimp and fresh uni from SB. I also can dig live octopus and fresh mackerel. I tend to stick to nigiri and sashimi.

one icky theme roll I tend to break down and get is anything baked on a cali roll., God knows why I love it, the Big Mac of theme sushi. I ask the itame to make it on a crab roll or something, rather than the cali roll. I also ask if he can do me an eel cucumber roll, covered in more eel, with eel on the side. I love eel. Maybe a little eel to follow. Or rest the whole thing on a bed of eel.

If I can get good ankimo, I like that. House of Taka does these interesting things called stuffed tomotoes or stuffed oranges, not fruit, but "flowers" of tuna or salmon stuffed with spicy stuff.

Still, I really enjoy blowing a wad of cash on fresh, flavorful sashimi. I try to go to ASanebo for that, as his oily fish, white fish and everything is the freshes and tastiest I've found. He also has that house made seasme tofu, which is creamy and addictively yummy.

At 4 on 6, I can find a few fish not anywhere else. They ahve a good selection of oily fish.

I rarely eat sushi outside of the SFV. So far, I just have rarely made the trip. I did go to Sushi go 55 or whatever. It was good, but for the same price I paid, I could have had a better meal at Asanebo, without the trip.

Then again, Fugetsudo and that lovely bakery are not so close to Asanebo!

I would like to try more, though.

[rickym13]

i tend to like more of silver fishi (hikari) such as saba, shima aji, kohada, iwashi, sayori etc.

[SauceSupreme]

I'm with you on this one. For me, the oily fish are where it's at. Heck, even salmon might fall into this category. Places that immediately come to mind are Shibucho and Hirozen.

That being said, I also like toro. Great chutoro and otoro can be had at places like Mori and Ike.

[Porthos]

Mori really distinguishes himself with his preparation of kohada, sayori, and aji. The oil is carefully controlled so the taste is pristine and sweet. He's never had to mask his oily fish with scallions, ginger, or spicy daikon oroshi... so you can appreciate the perfecting timing of his marinade.

[rickym13]

where is mori?

[wilafur]

11500 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA, 90064
[phone]

[kelvlam]

since everyone's raving about Mori... how would you say compare them with Sushi Gen for example? do they offer omakase?

[soccerandlost]

Not only do they offer it, but it's required for parties of 6 or more (at least, they used to).

[kelvlam]

SauceSupreme... how many places you know of actually serve Otoro that's REALLY Otoro? :-)

I love this blog that show you what's what - maguro vs chutoro vs o-toro :-D
http://www.slashfood.com/2005/11/09/s...

[frank828]

you havent had toro till you've had kama-toro

mmmmmmm and friggin expensive

[JeffW]

You've definitely "hooked" me (excuse the expression) regarding kama-toro. Never heard of by me, until your post. This thread is so good, that I'm saving it for future reference.---and needless to say, I am incredibly anxious (should I be so lucky) to try kama-toro. I'd love to hear where you've been able to order it.
Cheers,
Jeff

[frank828]

unfortunately i havent found somewhere that normally stocks it.

i was lucky to get some from maki zushi(tustin) when i was celebrating a friend's birthday there.

That night he had some kama toro(very little, enough for about 4 pieces) and live lobster.

I had to call in advance and tell Yoshi(head sushi chef) that i wanted the lobster that night. He regularly goes to the fish market at 4am and picks out his own fish.

If you wanna try, you might wanna call and make a reservation and also ask the sushi chef if they could get you the kama toro.

[JeffW]

Thank you for somewhat of a lead. I'm not familiar with Tustin, so I don't know if I'll get to maki zushi, but I'm friendly with enough sushi chefs, that I can ask them if kama toro is something that they can get for a future visit. So thanks again for the tip of asking in advance.
Jeff

[frank828]

i found another spot that has kama toro.

a little traditional japanese gem in walnut/diamond bar called Jubei. I ordered the omakase there last night and i was treated with the first and fourth slice of his kama toro. mmmmmm

[wilafur]

balla.

[frank828]

haha

damn westsider. i want some zo!

[wilafur]

go to urasawa!

[kelvlam]

you just order omakase and they give you kama toro?! :-o

do you mind sharing... what $-range is that place :-)

I live in walnut... hmmmmmm I really should scout around local first :-p

I didnt' have a chance to try Sushi Koyo yet.. but I've heard many good word about them in diamond bar area.

-----
Sushi Koyo
868 N Diamond Bar Blvd, Diamond Bar, CA 91765

Jubei Japanese Cuisine
20627 Golden Springs Dr # 2K, Walnut, CA

[frank828]

well i spent 90 buck per person after tax and tip. that included the sushi, one green tea ice cream order of 4 kumamoto and 3 large kirin beers(180 total for both of us).

when he started off the meal with the kama toro, he didnt mention what it was at all. if i didnt ask him later, i dont think i would have really even known. i just assumed that it couldnt be kama toro. when i asked him he told me that it was and then i asked for another piece. :)

kin-san tells me that he usually gets his fresh fish on thur or friday. i went on saturday and i got the first slice off his slab.

[kelvlam]

awesome tips, thx frank828! that place is just 10mins away from my home. I shall venture there on Sat!!! :-D

[FoodieKat]

I'm asking Yoshi to hook me up on my birthday. Kama toro sounds delish. How expensive is it at Maki Zushi frank828?

[frank828]

i dont remember exactly, we didnt really ask about prices we just took everything he gave us haha

i THINK it was around 12 bucks a piece haha crazy.

i really dont remember though, i'd pay 12 bucks a piece though personally. If anything, i thikn its cheaper than that

[FoodieKat]

Personally, I think even most of the stuff listed as 'market price' on Maki Zushi's specials menu is still pretty reasonable. I just wanted to have an idea of what I was getting into beforehand. ;)

[frank828]

here's more info on the kama-toro

http://www.sushiencyclopedia.com/blog...

mmmmm

[kelvlam]

I was just about to ask what the heck is kama toro :-p ... best I had is o-toro only.

OMG that picture of the toro... I almost fainted!

thx so muck frank828!!! I shall hunt for kama-toro!!!!!!

[frank828]

no prob

good luck on your hunt!

[ns1]

Omakase @Sushi Masu.