446 Turnpike St
Easton, MA 02375 (Map)
Hours: Tues/Wed 11am-9pm, Thurs/Fri 11am-10pm, Sat noon-10pm, Sun 4pm-9pm.
Rating: B+
I adore Japanese food but am hindered in my consumption in the suburbs by 2 things: 1) cost (which is a problem with sushi everywhere) and 2) there are just not many Japanese restaurants in this neck of the woods.
We've been to this tiny Japanese restaurant several times in the 2 years that we've lived in the area. It's right at the intersection of Routes 138 and 106 in Easton. In a non-descript strip mall, next to a dry cleaners, the exterior is easy to miss.
It is tiny inside, 10 two-person tables in a very small space. The tables can be combined for larger parties, if needed. There is a small sushi bar alongside the sushi chef that seats 4. The decor has been described as IKEA-Asia, but that's not really a negative. It's simple and clean with Asian accents and suits the space very well. It's a dark interior with candles on the table, a nice place for a date night, not really appropriate for children or large parties (due to the quiet ambience and lack of space).
The service is consistently good, the hostesses/waitresses are generally laidback, California hippie-types. Very accomodating and friendly, if spread a little thin as there is generally just one on at a time, including answers the phone for takeout orders. So be prepared to be a little slow-paced waiting for the bill, etc.
As for the food, it's way better than we expected. We generally order from the Japanese portion of the menu and the sushi is unbelievably fresh and tasty, the chef clearly knows what he's doing.
We've gotten the tuna tataki, shrimp tempura rolls, eel rolls - all of which were excellent. We also love the udon noodle soup, but be sure to ask the server for the red pepper spice to sprinkle into it, the kick makes a very good soup into a great one. The only Korean item we've ordered has been the Bi Bim Bap, a particular favorite of mine -- I'd have to say it was good, but not great. I however get that one for takeout, so I'd need to try it again dine-in to really be able to review it.
Being sushi, the bill can run up pretty quickly and you won't feel stuffed when you leave -- which is probably something we need to experience more of, as we roll out of the chains filled with bloomin onions and 16 oz steaks.
One last thing of note is that they have lunch specials from 11am to 3pm. They range from sushi combos from $10-$13 (with miso soup) to lunch boxes (a variety of salad, soup, sushi, tempura) for $10-11 and noodles/soups for $9-$11.
If you live in the area, definitely try this place out. It's easy to miss but some of the best Japanese food I've found in southern mass or in Providence.
Interior of restaurant. Sushi bar is seen at back, left.
Small udon soup. Quite tasty!
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