Kijima is like the honey badger. They don’t care. They don’t care if your urinal is shaped like Steven Tyler’s mouth. They don’t care about your fancy crucifix jean pockets. They don’t care about your expensive tile floors and granite counters. They don’t care about your twice battered sushi rolls with a Twinkie in the middle. They don’t care if their restaurant is outdated. They just don’t care.
Kijima is a hardcore, traditional sushi bar. They have a basic sushi roll menu, nothing fancy. Their focus is on sashimi and Japanese entrées. This isn’t a bad thing unless you’re looking for rolls drizzled in mayo sauce. I ordered one of those rolls and the sauce was straight mayo. Not good. It’s a shame because the fish was expertly sliced and fresh.
Mayo Roll
Apparently what they do care about is their tempura. The calamari tempura was fantastic, with buttery calamari and perfectly light and flaky tempura batter. The tempura onion rings were right up there with the best I’ve had too. In fact, I don’t think I’ve had better rings. Which reminds me, why don’t more places make tempura onion rings? They’re way better than their cornmeal counterparts. Burger bars take notice.
Calamari
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Kijima’s has been a long time favorite of mine. Of course I do not partake in sushi or sushimi but I can tell you their all white meat chicken terryaki sends me straight to the moon. Love it, Love it, Love it.
I’m going to have to try that when I go back.
I agree with tempura onion rings. That’s how I fix them when I do it at home. Also eggplant, but I’m the only one to eat that.