sushi monster 8.5

Currently listening to: Astronaut in the Ocean – Masked Wolf

What you know about rollin’ down in the deep?
When your brain goes numb, you can call that “mental freeze”
When these people talk too much, put that – in slow motion, yeah
I feel like an astronaut in the ocean, ay

I wrote a while back a post called sus—about getting a random DM from a Japanese restaurant asking to collab with me? Yeah, well… I couldn’t let it go for whatever reason. Something about the request felt oddly sincere. So, I responded back to the owner and told them I’d swing by—but I’d pay for my food and give an honest review. And let me tell you, I’m so glad I did.

First impression? Solid. You know a Japanese restaurant is the real deal when the place is filled with Japanese patrons. My friends and I were the only non-Japanese people dining there, and if that’s not a silent stamp of authenticity, IDK what is.

Creamy uni udon. This one was luxurious. Rich, indulgent, and intensely savory with all that uni, cream, and carbs. But for me, it was a bit too heavy. One decadent forkful was enough before I happily passed the rest to my friends.

Yellowtail collar. I braced myself for something overly fishy, but wow—completely surprised. It was clean, buttery, and packed with meat. So much better than I expected.

Miso black cod. My forever favorite, and this version didn’t disappoint. In fact, the portion was more generous than Honda-Ya’s, which made my heart (and stomach) very happy. It was rich, silky, and basically melted on my tongue. A 10/10 experience.

Deep fried eggplant with grated mountain potato. I ordered this out of curiosity and was delighted by how light it actually tasted. The contrast of textures, the earthy undertones—it was unexpectedly lovely.

Toro nigiri and blue fin tuna nigiri. The slabs of fish were heart eyes. Thick, fresh, and yummy.

Pork cheek with green onion sauce. I’m not the biggest pork eater, but I gave this a shot. It reminded me of grilled pork belly—parts of it were tender and melt-in-your-mouth, but others were a bit too chewy for my taste. Probably my least favorite dish of the night, but still worth trying.

The waitress, overhearing us chatting in Korean, brought out a side of spice—probably figuring we’d want a little heat. She was absolutely right. Bless her little heart.

Kamameshi, blue crab and mushrooms. Beautiful presentation, subtle flavor. It leaned a bit bland for my palate, though to be fair, I was already pretty full by the time it came out.

Sweet potato tempura. Thick chunks, lightly battered. Tasty, but by that point, I was at my limit. I could only manage one piece.

I’ve never been to Japan (yet!), but this meal gave me a glimpse of what I imagine it might feel like—thoughtfully prepared dishes, fresh ingredients, and a balance of comfort and sophistication. Japan’s been on my bucket list for years so hopefully, I’ll be able to go next year.