Sushi Lovers Unite!!

[Kyung]

It has recently come to my attention that there are some people on this board who love sushi. I LOVE SUSHI.

Since we're usually driving all over the place for our depos, it would be nice to get recommendations for good sushi places all over Southern California, so if we happen to find ourselves somewhere, we will be able to eat there with confidence.

In Costa Mesa/Santa Ana, CA, off of Bristol there is a place called Kaisen Kaiten sushi. Kaiten basically means conveyor belt. So your sushi will be revolving by you on little places. Sushi is priced according to the design on the plate. Now, this isn't the most fancy sushi place in the world, but it is fun. And the sushi is decent and pretty cheap.

In south, south Mission Viejo over by Capistrano Valley high school off Avery Parkway is a place called Zenko Sushi. It is an all-you-can-eat type of sushi. But it is not like Sumo or Todai, which are buffet style and the sushi is pre-made. It's just like a regular sushi bar where you can order from the menu. Good selection and good quality. Zenko sushi review on Yelp


And finally, You & I Sushi in Laguna Hills, CA. Another AYCE sushi place. Once again sit at the bar and order what you want. Lots of rolls. I think Zenko is a little bit better in terms of quality and variety of rolls.

I know there are tons of great sushi places in the L.A. area and all over. If you know of a great one or have a favorite, please share.

[Anthony D. Frisolone]

By the courthouse here in Brooklyn, there's Iron Chef House good food and not expensive at all. In Staten Island, there's Arirang or AKA Sushi. Very good on both counts.

[Anthony D. Frisolone]

I'm a beginner sushi lover and it's just soooo good. Makes for a nice light lunch or late dinner. Thanks for the tip for fried rice!!!

[Kyung]

Ah, the secret to great fried rice. I know it. Lean in close and I will tell you. You must day-old sticky rice. Not the white fluffy Uncle Ben type rice. And it must be a day old so it's kind of hard. When you stir-fry it, it will bec. great. Try it. You'll see.

[Mary Motley O'Brien]

My husband tries to make fried rice and he gets so frustrated every time saying "How do they do it in the restaurants!!!" =)

[Christie Browner]

My favorite place to go in is the Inland Empire called Wabi Sabi. It is similar to a Benihana, a Teppan cooking place with a sushi bar as well. There is one in Rancho Cucamonga, Chino Hills, and I think the other one is in Ontario. The sushi as well as the Teppan side are both really good. The fried rice is the best I have ever had.

[Mary Motley O'Brien]

Well, I say....if you find one you like that is close to you, then just go there =) As I said in a different thread where this whole sushi thing came out, the Benehana in Anaheim makes a baked roll called the Disney roll. I don't even think it's on the menu, and if you ask for it at any other Benehana, they have no idea what you're talking about, but it is sooooo incredible. Cali roll with baked white fish on top and they put some kind of mayonaise mixture with butter, who knows and bake the whole thing. It is the best thing I have ever tasted. While being pregnant, whenever I'm in the Anaheim area, I've made it a point to go over and just sit at the bar and order only that!!! It really fills you up too!

[Kyung]

I hear Angotei is under new ownership and is not as good as it used to be. I'm kind of bummed bec. I wanted to try it out and now I won't be able make the comparison from before and after. Oh, well. So many sushi places, so little time.

[Mary Motley O'Brien]

Hum, I'll have to check that place out then!! You live near where I used to live before I got married. I was right near the 99 Ranch Market. Irvine Center and Jeffrey in the Smoketree condominiums.

[Kyung]

There's a new Korean supermarket at Yale and Irvine Blvd called Zion, which is walking distance from my house, and they have sushi grade fish there too. I think I've been to the 99 Ranch Market at that location. I like the one at Culver and Irvine Center Drive, it's bigger and cleaner.

When I was pregnant, I lived in Long Beach. And I swear, three new sushi places opened up in Long Beach while I was pregnant. Needless to say, I was very bitter. Very!!

[Mary Motley O'Brien]

We like a place in Ladera Ranch called Kanpai Sushi. They also have one in Aliso Viejo. Incredible salmon and yellow tail sashimi, but you do pay for it. Have you ever been to that 99 Ranch Market in Irvine off of Jeffrey/Walnut and the 5? You can buy sushi grade fish there and it's a lot less expensive, if you like sashimi. My husband has gotten into making rolls here at home. It's a lot of work so it's not that often, but if you want simple sashimi, it's really good too