Noku: Blend of Traditional and Daring Japanese Cuisine

July 3, 2015 by riverstone

With consistently fresh sushi and adventurous rolls for the maki fanatic, Noku is a premiere sushi restaurant in the Leesburg area. The proprietor, Jake, welcomes each guest and personally guarantees the freshness of each meal. The great service continues from the time you step through the door to when you finish eating, while being both fast and attentive. Their best offerings are their traditional sushi and sashimi, with options like salmon nigiri and Hamachi/Yellowtail. If you have a favorite sushi that’s not on the menu, they are happy to create it for you. The beautifully presented special rolls are pleasing to the eye as well as the palate! Prices are not inexpensive, but they are worth it for the level of quality and service you get, especially when there are deals like 10% off if you “check in” to the restaurant on your phone. Guests agree that Noku is a must-visit for delicious, authentic Japanese cuisine.

Noku
19302 Promenade Drive
Leesburg, VA 20176
(571) 333-5223

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Japanese Food, Leesburg Dining, Noku, Restaurants in Leesburg

Kumo Sushi: Great Sushi, Great Value

February 26, 2013 by riverstone

In Herndon since 2010, Kumo Sushi has already gained tons of loyal customers who call it their favorite sushi restaurant in the D.C. Metro area. The décor is contemporary, trendy, and bright (in colors and lighting.) When you order, you’ll notice the lengthy menu as it prides itself on experimental sushi rolls, which most customers prefer to try over the traditional rolls. The sashimi rolls are beautifully crafted and are always fresh. Kumo Sushi also serves delicious fatty tuna, which most sushi restaurants don’t have. There are also numerous options for non-sushi lovers, including the Bento boxes. The contemporary feel also finds itself in Kumo Sushi’s presentation of dishes. The cooks artfully construct the dishes and some are even decorated with orchids. Kumo Sushi is on the expensive side, but you’re getting fresh, quality food in decent-sized portions.

Kumo Sushi
2338 Woodland Crossing Drive
Herndon, VA 20171
(571) 299-6887

By Loozrboy (originally posted to Flickr as More sushi) [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License.

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Herndon Dining, Japanese Food, Kumo Sushi, Restaurants in Herndon

Sushi Guide

January 16, 2013 by riverstone

Sushi is now a mainstream staple of many American diets. If you're new to sushi, it can still be a little intimidating, since it’s a complicated food with a great deal of cultural tradition behind it. Here’s a simple field guide:

1. Sushi does not mean "raw fish." Sushi is the product of combining a protein or vegetable with a special kind of rice, prepared with vinegar and sugar. Sticky, sushi rice is the real core of the meal, and it needs to be made fresh.

2. Nigiri is the most “pure” form of the food – a cut of the main ingredient – typically fish – on top of a small dollop of sushi rice. Nigiri is designed to communicate the essential flavors of the fish without any other tastes masking them, and is the best way to evaluate the freshness of a sushi bar.

3. Maki, also known as rolls, have become the most popular form of sushi from Americanized restaurants. Ingredients are wrapped in a layer of sushi rice, rolled into a cylinder and sliced. A number of other things can be added – traditionally, a sheet of seaweed is used to hold the roll together, but restaurants use tofu skin as well. Rice on the outside is called an “inside-out” roll. These rolls are often topped with sauces or other fish.

4. You don't have to eat raw fish to enjoy sushi. If eating raw fish isn't appealing to you, there are several cooked options such as crab, shrimp, or lobster. Or, you can always enjoy vegetarian rolls such as avocado and cucumber.

Peterjhpark at en.wikipedia [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], from Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: Diet, Health, Japanese Food, Nutrition, Sushi

New To Sushi? Try These Beginner Tips

December 19, 2012 by riverstone

The sushi trend is here to stay. Not only is it good for you, but it is delicious, too (once you develop a taste for it). This time-tested culinary technique offers a countless array of options, so it can be difficult to know where to begin if it's new to you. Below you'll find a few tips that provide an easy introduction to the sensational world of sushi.

Did you realize that not all sushi contains raw seafood? Sushi simply means cooked, vinegared rice topped with other ingredients. Sashimi is the raw stuff. If you're new or unsure, try a few cooked or vegetarian rolls first. Eel (unagi & anago) is always served cooked, usually with a sweet and savory sauce that is delicious. If eel is too exotic, California rolls have avocado, cucumber, and cooked imitation crabmeat (kamabokoor surimi). Squid (ika) or octopus (tako) are often grilled, as is shrimp (ebi). Alternatively, vegetarian rolls like kappa maki (cucumber) are a great introduction to sushi style, and are completely delicious with wasabi and ginger.

Once you gain some traction, move on to sashimi, but start with what you know. Sushi isn’t much different from eating any fish; it's just not cooked. You’ll see many exotic fish on the menu, but you'll also recognize many staples. If you like grilled salmon, seared tuna, fried calamari, or broiled scallops, you won’t be surprised by the taste or texture of sashimi.

As you continue to increase your repertoire, stick to milder fish. Scallop (hotategai), red snapper (tai), squid (ika), and halibut (ohyo) are particularly mild and great for beginners who are unsure. Tuna (maguro) may appear to have a strong flavor, judging by its rich, dark color, but it’s also a very mild and common in sushi restaurants. Plus, if you've ever had a tuna steak in a restaurant, they are rarely cooked through, so you'll be familiar with the taste and texture.

Ask your waitress or the sushi chef (itamae) for some suggestions. If you see on the menu something called omakase, that usually indicates "chef's choice". If you choose that option, then the itamae will select what he thinks is best that day, and will continue to serve you until you’re full. If you’re brave enough for the omakase, tell the chef you’re new to sushi, and if you have any strong likes or dislikes. Once you fill him in, he'll prepare an expert introduction to sushi just for you!

By Tom Harpel from Seattle, Washington, United States (Flickr.com - image description page) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: California Rolls, Japanese Food, Sake, Salmon, Sashimi, Sushi, Tuna

Nagoya: A Sushi Bar and Japanese Steak House

October 31, 2012 by riverstone

Looking for the freshest sushi, sashimi, along with cuts of meat you can only find at a Japanese steakhouse? Nagoya might be one of the best spots in Ashburn. Located in the Ashburn Farm Center Market not far from BLVD l Loudoun Station, Nagoya has plenty of parking to accomodate hungry diners, to complement a soothing and welcoming decor inside. If you've ever been to a Japanese steakhouse, you know that watching the preparation is a big part of the fun. At Nagoya, the spectacle of the flaming grill is a proper preface to the impeccably fresh cuisine, with its generous portions of fish, steak, and vegetables. Whether you choose filet mignon, tender shrimp, or hearty scallops, you'll be pleased. If you prefer sushi, Nagoya's spicy tuna rolls and spider rolls are popular favorites. The prices may seem a bit high, but they're more than worth it for a special dinner.

Nagoya

43330 Junction Plaza #194

Ashburn, VA 20147

(703) 723-9703
http://www.yelp.com/biz/nagoya-japanese-steak-and-seafood-ashburn

By Uncleweed (Flickr) [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Ashburn Dining, Japanese Food, Nagoya, Restaurants in Ashburn