Sushi Japon

It seems as if the Austin appetite for sushi continues to grow, almost exponentially. And that’s good, because there is another new player on the scene to keep up with this increasing demand. I am talking about Sushi Japon at 6801 N. IH 35, just past the 290 Intersection.

Don’t dismiss this restaurant because it’s on the IH35 access road. It’s not a chain, but rather an owner-operated establishment and they’ve taken great care to provide a thoughtful menu as well as lovely interior along with a private dining room that can be reserved for special occasions.

The appetizers at Sushi Japon are diverse, visually interesting, and very tasty. Start with the Avocado Kama. I love this dish. The avocado is filled with baked, assorted seafood and a lovely, tangy sauce that produces multiple taste sensations, all of them good. And though it’s not on the menu, ask for the Shrimp Special Salad. This features shrimp with cucumber and a special Japanese mayonnaise. If Sushi Japon were a take-out place, this dish would have drive up appeal, it’s that good. And I also really like the Gyu Tataki. They take razor-thin slices of medium-rare grilled ribeye and dip it in a killer ponzu sauce. Again, nice flavor. Another favorite is the Ebi Tempura. In Japanese, ebi is shrimp and the quality and taste of this perfectly battered deep fried dish with tempura sauce is dead on.

You must also try the Seafood Udon Soup. Udon noodles are thick, round, and sumptious. The soup starts with a broth made from beef stock that is laden with shrimp, scallops, crab and other goodies. It’s a meal in itself and it may be my single favorite dish. Wonderful.

Many Japanese restaurants these days include cooked entrees as well. And Sushi Japon is no exception. I like the Katsu Don, which is a tender, breaded pork cutlet served over rice. And I’m very partial to the Seafood Combo of grilled lobster, scallops and shrimp. The tepan grilled shellfish have got this seared, fresh quality’s very appealing. The fried rice that goes along is also good.

And nigiri sushi? Well, as you might expect, they’ve got a boatload, literally. And it is uncompromisingly fresh. I’ve tried the Toro (tuna) when available and it has been pristine. Likewise the Sake Toro (salmon) and the Hamachi (yellow tail) the Uni (sea urchin) and the sweet and delicate Ama-ebi.

And the sushi rolls are abundant and made with the same care. Try the Rock and Roll made with shrimp tempura, masago, cucumber and avocado. Another roll that we like is the Spider Roll, with soft shell crab, cucumber, masago, and their special sauce.

Finish it off with some Green tea ice cream or the ethereal Cheese Cake Tempura and you’ve got yourself a feast. Sushi Japon is well worth the visit.

For lunch or dinner, again, at 6801 N. IH 35. So for now grasshopper, domo arigato. I’m Rob Balon for Fox 7 news.