Albacore Sushi topped with garlic aioli, arare, and wasabi soy truffle
Hanabi topped with Wagyu and crispy fried garlic
A colorful glass of iced green tea
Brussels Sprout Chips topped with truffle oil and salt
White Lotus Roll filled with popcorn shrimp tempura, avocado, asparagus, topped with albacore, crispy onions, and wasabi truffle soy
I’ve always enjoyed the food at Sushi Roku but I have to admit to feeling the restaurant was a bit dark, however after a refresh it’s a bright, light place to be. But is the food the same? I’m here to report after a late lunch the food is just as inventive and delicious as it always has been.
We sat on the indoor/outdoor patio with the sun shining through and a light breeze wafting around us. It’s been a while since I’ve eaten at Sushi Roku so I wanted to sample a bit here and a bit there. We started with the waitress’ recommended Brussels Sprout chips. Ok, I’ve been guilty of making disparaging remarks about Brussels Sprouts, but I’m talking about old-school sprouts not these light crispy bites. Dipped in tempura batter and topped with truffle oil and salt, each chip was a crispy, umami bomb. I found myself going back over and over again for more chips. They were sensational!
Sushi Roku’s beef dishes are great. They have a way of preparing their beef to be succulent and tender. I know part of their secret is the high-grade beef they use, but it is also the seasonings and sauces. With this in mind, I ordered the Hanabi with the Wagyu beef topping. Hanabi is a crispy rice rectangle with your choice of spicy tuna, yellowtail, avocado or my choice of wagyu beef. The beef was topped with a garlic chip and drizzled with a slightly sweet, soy-based sauce. The play of the sweet-toasty garlic, crunchy nutty rice and rich, tender beef made for a perfect bite.
Albacore Sashimi was up next. Laying on a mound of rice, the delicate albacore was dressed with garlic aioli, arare (rice crackers) and wasabi soy truffle. The Sashimi was two complex bites of seafood goodness. The sum of its parts was a delicious balance of flavors.
Our final dish was one of Sushi Roku’s Signature Rolls, the White Lotus Roll. These are big, sharable rolls with eight slices packed with goodness. Filled with asparagus, popcorn shrimp tempura, and avocado, the roll was topped with thinly sliced albacore, a plethora of crispy onions and a drizzle of wasabi truffle soy. I just loved the crisp onions that gave a sweet-onion foil to the rich fish and fresh asparagus. Dipped in a little wasabi/soy sauce and BAM, a flavor punch.
There wasn’t a stinker in the bunch of dishes I enjoyed. I am seriously trying to find time to get back for Happy Hour. I can’t get the taste of those Brussels sprout chips out of my head. If you take your sushi seriously and want a meal of sheer delight, head on over to the refreshed Sushi Roku and experience a meal.
Sushi Roku is located in One Colorado at 33 Miller Alley, Pasadena. Lunch and Dinner hours are: Monday-Thursday | 4:30 -9:30 p.m., Friday- Saturday | 11:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m. and Sunday | 11:30 a.m. -9:00 p.m. Hour Hour is available Monday-Friday| 4:30 -6:30 p.m. For more information call (626) 683-3000 or visit www.sushiroku.com/locations/pasadena.