Tsunami sushi restaurant, located in Sugar House, and offers a wide variety of Nigiri and Sashimi along with delicious house rolls. Each roll is carefully crafted to contain the right portions of ingredients for maximum flavor and texture. I have eaten at several sushi restaurants along the Salt Lake valley and was very excited to try Tsunami in Sugar House as locations are popping up everywhere. When trying a new restaurant I always take the following into consideration: atmosphere, food (which is most important to me), and the service.\r
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Tsunami is located in a strip mall in Sugar House, directly next to the dollar theater. If you are not careful, you can easily walk past the small entrance. When you walk in, it’s almost as if you just walked into a closet as you are immediately in a small enclosure with fabric draped all over. I had to duck just to get through to the main lobby area where I was then greeted by a polite host. The narrowness of the layout and the Asian influenced décor made me imagine I could be stepping into a traditional Japanese home. The size is not ideal for large groups, of 10 or more, but provides for a more intimate setting. \r
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I decided to bring new “sushi-eaters” along for the experience. We agreed to order a variety of six rolls and share. The rolls were served on one large platter and the combination of color, sauces, and display of ingredients was mouth watering. Each roll had a unique combination of ingredients that brought out unique flavors. One of my favorites was the Sunshine roll which contained crunchy asparagus and tobiko (tiny fish eggs that add a pop-like crunch to the roll), spicy tuna, and was combined with sweet tasting shrimp, avocado, and eel sauce that countered the spice, all wrapped in bright yellow soy paper. All six rolls were distinctive and delicious in their own way. Each roll featured a different type of fish combined with a unique flavor. Another favorite was the Coco Cabana, an exotic roll containing coconut shrimp, jalapeños, and spicy sauce drizzled along the top. Try it with a side of eel sauce for a tangy kick! \r
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As always, when eating sushi it is critical that the fish is fresh. Fresh fish gives full flavor without a “fishy” smell or taste. Tsunami has fresh fish imported daily. Needless to say, the fish was fresh and fantastic! Even the “newbies” couldn’t believe raw fish could taste so “not-fishy”. \r
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When dining out to sushi, it is typical for the wait to be slightly longer, as each roll is delicately hand crafted and made-to-order. Quite often, I have found at sushi restaurants, that I only see the waiter about three times: one time to take the order, one time to bring out the food and drinks, and one time to collect the bill. This was not the case at Tsunami. While waiting for the rolls to arrive, the waiter was exceptionally alert to our wants as he kept our glasses full and made sure we had appetizers to tie us over till the food arrived. I definitely felt spoiled!\r
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Tsunami is a locally owned and operated here in Utah. It is no wonder that they have quickly grown to three locations. The price was reasonable, about $20 per person, and the variety of rolls and flavors were outstanding! If you are in a hurry, take advantage of their online reservation tool. Whether you are a sushi connoisseur or a first-timer, this is a great place to eat new sushi!
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