Date Night? This Sushi Startup is on My Shortlist

This entry is part 2 of 2 in the series Cuisine Confidential

It’s Ramadan, so We’re Talking Break-Fast Essentials
Date Night? This Sushi Startup is on My Shortlist

As a four-year resident of Pasadena, I am fully aware of the wide variety of sushi restaurants in this jewel of a city. I recently discovered a new one, Kyushu Sushi, an unassuming yet world-class establishment located on Colorado Boulevard, across from the Hotel Pasadena.

a neon sign with the name of the restaurant — Photo: Barbara Bishop

Named in honor of the city in Japan known for training sushi masters, and conveniently four blocks from my apartment, Kyushu Sushi is now on my shortlist for Date Night restaurants.

Ever since he was a little boy, Andy Han wanted to be a sushi master. He spent years in Japan training with the top sushi masters in Kyushu, the southernmost island in the chain of islands that comprise Japan. Six months ago he opened Kyushu Sushi. Remarkably, he’s got a winner with his first restaurant outing.

Kyushu Sushi is a friends-and-family affair. Han’s father, mother, and best friend, who have worked alongside him in other restaurants for years, prep side by side.

four people smiling for the camera — The Kyushu Sushi team of father, known as Mr. Han, BFF Kevin Wang, Chef Andy Han and mother Michell Han. Photo: Barbara Bishop

The menu lists 41 appetizers, including my favorite, spicy tuna with crispy rice. I consider myself a connoisseur of this dish, and Han’s version is simply outstanding. The crispy rice is flattened, with a generous heaping of spicy tuna, avocado, and homemade sauces for an exquisite umami experience. Yum!

The creative menu also includes organic salads, udon and ramen, sushi, sashimi, curry, hand rolls, and 23 special rolls. Check out the Ex-Girl Friend roll (sic) at $16.95. The reasons for a romantic breakup are frequently complex, and the inside story of this one includes spicy tuna, crab meat, avocado and no rice, while the outside features tuna, albacore, salmon, soy paper, and a special homemade sauce.

You’re gonna be digesting that relationship for a long time.

uni sushi presented on a plate — Uni sushi at Kyushu Sushi. Photo: Barbara Bishop

My fiancé and I sat at the bar to talk with Han about what was fresh among the delicacies that are not considered as mainstream as others. We chatted at length about uni, the Japanese delicacy known for its rich, salty, and slightly sweet flavor, with a buttery, creamy texture. I know the ingredient has a worldwide fan base, but sorry, no sea urchin gonads for me.

For those more adventurous, the dish boasts a beautiful orange hue, and then the taste buds are treated to an explosion of the ultimate umami flavor, which carries the taste of a fresh ocean crustacean. The texture is pure silk. It can be enhanced by adding a raw quail egg, which intensifies the flavor and texture.

Uni sushi has always been my fiancé’s go-to favorite. That, and scallops. He treated himself to a baked scallop roll with crab meat and avocado on the inside and baby scallops with mushrooms, mayo, eel sauce, and onion on the outside. Wow.

We also ordered flawlessly prepared lamb yakitori, lightly breaded shrimp, and veggie tempura, as well as green tea mochi ice cream for dessert. Perfection.

For budget-conscious diners, Kyushu Sushi has moderately priced lunch specials at under $15.

Welcome to the neighborhood, Sushi Master Andy!

DEETS

Kyushu Sushi
950 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91106
626-817-9007
Hours: 11 am – 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm – 9:30 pm, Sunday – Thursday. Open until 10 pm on Friday and Saturday
www.kyushusushica.com

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