SUSHIMAN
"Real" Crab California Rolls
Family dinner and no one is cooking. We had been talking pizza all night, but decided on Japanese. We didn't feel like driving into Seattle and we didn't want to go to any Bellevue Japanese places either. Tonight, we were not in the mood for sushi, however, we ended up at Sushiman. For some reason, we didn't know if Sushiman was still in business, not because anything was wrong with the place, but because the economy has forced so many restaurants to close.
Fortunately, Sushiman was open for business. Sushiman himself was behind the sushi bar. Not many people there for a Staurday night, but better than some places. The lighting was dark, as usual, I like that about Sushiman. They have created several private tables in such a tiny space.
Shiosaba
I ordered the Shiosaba: Grilled Makerel, daikon, gyoza, and rice, also came with miso. My dinner was pretty good. The makerel was nice and fatty. I skipped the rice since I am avoiding carbs. However, I did have 1 piece of the California Roll. I didn't order the sushi, but my son likes California rolls.
Yakatori-Don
My son got the chicken Yakatori-Don. It smelled good. He ate the whole bowl, so thumbs up.
Tenin-Don
My husband got the beef version of my son's meal. Honestly, his food looked a little boring. He didn't eat the whole thing, so he either hated it or he wasn't hungry. Who knows!
An ex-Mariner, Norm "The Sheriff" Charlton, came in with 3 other people. For those of you who remember the late 1990's glory days of the Mariners. Anyway, I noticed that the prices seemed a little high compared to some other Japanese places on the Eastside and Seattle too. Not a big deal. Japanese ain't cheap. I wasn't that hungry, not drinking and I wasn't having sushi, so I was a cheap date. We use to go to Sushiman a lot. If it wasn't for all the conveyor belt sushi places, with their instant food on demand, we'd probably go more often. We'll be back. 1000 times better than any conveyor belt.
Sushiman
670 NW Gilman Blvd Ste B1
Issaquah, WA 98027
I've been a sushi fan for years, even before it was popular. It was common to have some raw fish or seafood on special occasions at family gatherings, so raw fish for me, never a problem! However, here's the thing, it has to be fresh!
I have gone to GINZA on Main Street a couple times, after their remodel, and the fish there is quite good. The menu at GINZA is quite vast and the sushi selection includes many sushi Rookie favorable items. Actually, the first time I ate there with my family, I don't think I had sushi. I should mention that several tables have heating elements so you can order the "table side grill" thing. Not my thing.
Anyway, not bad for a neighborhood Japanese restaurant. Their pricing is a little on the higher side compared to some of their neighboring Japanese/Sushi places.
Sushi is quite good, stick to the normal negiri, be brave and go for the Chef's Selection. Also, take note, One thing I really enjoy at GINZA is the Protein Salad. This combination of pickled and fresh vegetable, seaweed, broiled salmon skin and tobiko...delicious!
There's usually a seat available.
Fish bait to some, but these tiny bursts of love from the sea are just my favorite. Ikura!
