Sushi, Sashimi or Teppanyaki Anyone?

Alright it is absolutely official, I AM OBSESSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am not using that lightly either. I took the advice and tried this new place “Kobe’s.” It is a Japanese Sushi restaurant located at 4228 15 th Ave. SW. Fargo . At first I thought, “Ya, cute,” but the food is going to be the ticket, of course. Well, I walked in and was greeted with a wonderful smile from the hostess Jo Jo, asked which table I would like to sit at, of which there are three choices: The Teppanyaki table (where they make the food right in front of you), the Sushi Bar (where, of course, you can also watch things being made and talk with the Sushi chefs) and lastly, a table or a booth.

I chose the table. In fact, that is what I have chosen each time. I always seem to have the same waitress too. However, I don’t think she knows each time that it is me again. Or she is just being very polite and making me feel new each time… works for me. Jo Jo, however, does know it is me each time I come in. I still get the big smile.

I have to say that my taste for Sushi has grown a lot in the last year. I have gotten a little braver as to what I will eat. Still not sure on the eel roll though. JB swears by it. I think I prefer just to watch others enjoy it. So Kobe’s is not all about raw fish. It is so much more. What I like is if you enjoy Asian cuisine, you have found your home. Here are just a few mentions of items from their menu. There are a variety of soups like Miso (my favorite) to Vegetable Tofu and Chicken Edamame soup, which would be Japanese soy beans.

I have not tried that soup. I have had the beans before in Minneapolis at a restaurant, I and enjoyed them a lot. Salads range from traditional seaweed salad (something I really want to learn to make BADLY) to Avocado Garden Salad with sesame seeds. Appetizers, now I have had two of them so far—Shrimp Shumai, Steamed Shrimp Dumplings and Thai Style Crispy Calamari. Well, my favorite, without question, was the Calamari.

Both of these appetizers are lightly fried. When I say lightly, I could not emphasize that word enough. Mike and I could not believe that we were really actually tasting the Calamari and not deep fried batter. And there is no way on the green Earth that I can express to you the presentation of that appetizer, or our main dish for that matter. Let’s just say if I was to give it a score, a high number has not yet been developed to place it.

The menu is easy to read and the wait staff is more than ready to help you answer any question on it. What I have learned in going to Kobe’s is that I love the sashimi. Sashimi is a Japanese delicacy primarily consisting of very fresh raw seafood, sliced into thin pieces about 2.5 cm. Where as Sushi refers to any dish made with vinegared rice, and while raw fish is one traditional sushi ingredient, many sushi dishes contain seafood that has been cooked, while others have no seafood at all.

That last statement is important to those that think they have to have raw fish to eat sushi. You do not!

The last time I ate there I had the Sushi and Sashimi Combo. Although when you read the menu it may look like you could share this dish, Mike thought that it would be a great idea. Needless to say, I did not! The waitress agreed with me… love that. Anyway, we both got the same dish and we finished it with out any problem. This is another dish where there would be no way to explain the presentation. Amazing! “Oh gee,” I said the last time I was there. I had the lunch platter from the sushi bar. I chose the Kobe’s Roll Special—only $8.95. You can choose two rolls from a choice of 21 rolls. I had the spicy tuna roll and the spicy yellowtail roll. Now that would have been enough, ya think? But no, I had to have some noodles.

When Mike and I were there I saw a lot of people ordering noodles. This was in the evening. I just had to try them. So it too was worth being in pain from eating too much. These fried noodles were, well special in my world of simply good food hitting my palate. You are just going to have to try them when you go. I actually shared them with Bobbi. She liked them too.

Ok now I do not want to leave out one of the most important things about Kobe’s—the Teppanyaki table. This is one of those “you have to be there to see it” moments. What a show. The night Mike and I were there, one of these areas had a large group. The chef at this table was so much fun to watch as he entertained his guest. That is what it was like. Although all of us are in the same room, the focus of the chef was on that table and making those people enjoy this food experience. He made volcanoes out of onion rings, threw rice balls in the air and caught them with his hat, did an unbelievable show of Asian art with knives, and made some amazing food. I could go on and on, but I think you get my point. If you don’t, then I give up. Just go and have your own experience with the food and the people working there. Check out there menu on line (www.kobescuisine.com).

Fargo, we are so very lucky. The culinary world is coming here in leaps and bounces. If you have any questions or comments, please write to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Eat well and be safe. Until next week…