The real deal...please, don't tell too many friends about this place, though...
Sunday, June 24, 2007
I hope you really take to heart what I am writing...it's for you, after all. A japanese meal is a special event, for the stomach, the eyes, the sense of esthetics and taste. I must admit that I do occasionally go to Kiku in Huntington Beach and indulge my hamachi habit with about 5 orders of their poorly cut, colossal sushi. But, that is truck stop sushi, bulk sushi. If I really want the real stuff that I ate in Japan that blew me away and made me omit quiet, odd yummy sounds I never heard come out of me before, I go to Ango Tei. Is it worth the drive from Long Beach with slow traffic all the way....yup....worth a possible 40min wait? You bet. I am a hamachi and hamachi toro freak. Where else can I go where a chef will say "well....I think today is better for halibut..." Only there. By the way, would you let some clod who lives next door and works at Arby's work on your new BMW? Hell no. Why do you not check out who is feeding you RAW FISH? The chefs (chefs for life, btw) at Ango Tei are >>>traditionally apprenticed sushi chefs WITH DIPLOMAS<<< they studied for years. Now, the food at Ango Tei. If you like garlic, you simply must try the Tataki. Tataki means "to pat", in this case patting onion onto sashimi. Bonito or Tuna is medallioned on a bed of prepared onions and a garlic ponzu type sauce is poured over. They are the only folks to do it like they do in Kanto and Sendai Japan. You will notice it's a japanese crowd, and they are serious. Always introduce yourself to people on either side of you...it's proper in a sushi joint. Ask your neighbors what they like. Ask the chef what fish AND vegetables HE likes that day and let HIM order. Tell him you want "japanese style dishes"... you will be taken care of very well. Try something different, like, say.... sliced daikon, with salt and lemon juice as a little between sushi dishes snack. You order that, and your chef will smile...and remember it. Let the expert feed you..he's a serious pro :-)
Pros: the sushi that regular japanese people come to eat
Cons: the wait...get there early or late and prepare to rub elbows...but make new friends :-)