I admit it. I’m a sushi snob.
Not in the trendy sense. I absolutely abhor the term ‘fusion’ when used to refer to food – especially my sushi. I prefer simple, traditional fare.
The irony is that I moonlight as a bartender and sushi chef at a restaurant that markets itself as ‘non-traditional’.
Tonight, my girlfriend, Courtney, and I went to a sushi bar in Anaheim that can only be described as traditional.
We discovered it last September, while visiting some friends in Los Angeles by Googling “best sushi in Anaheim” as we drove to our hotel from John Wayne Airport.
I did not expect much. It’s tucked away in a strip mall in a fairly suburban area off California SR-91. I have learned from past experience to expect little from strip mall sushi.
Upon walking in, however, I realized this place was different.
Most of the staff was Japanese. I mean Japanese. From Japan.
While this hardly guarantees quality, I find that regardless of the type of service, cultural natives lend more credibility to an establishment.
The difficulty for most people usually lies in determining national origin without asking. Luckily for my girlfriend (who appreciates simplicity as much as I do), I am fourth generation Japanese – and speak a little Japanese to boot.
With each subsequent order, my dining delight compounded.
In two trips to California, we have dined here four times.
At dinner tonight, we sat at the sushi bar. I don’t know that we’ll ever sit at a table here again.
Not only was the sushi exceptional (as we have come to expect), but the chefs were so engaging, that Courtney was absolutely giddy.
Thus far, it’s my favorite sushi spot in the greater Los Angeles area. If you’re in the area, give it a try. Sit at the sushi bar and buy the chefs a beer – Asahi seems to be their beer of choice. You’ll thank me.
Yosuke Sushi
136 Fairmont Blvd
Anaheim, CA
(714) 921-4002
