this post is filed under Cuisine - Japanese, Location - Boston

Here is a meal I had at Suishaya in Chinatown, one of those Japanese/Korean places that seem so common in Boston.

mandu - pan-fried beef and vegetable dumplings - $5.95

nigiri (per two): hamachi ($4.25), toro ($7?), unagi ($4.25); rolls: bbq yellowtail maki ($4.95), alligator maki ($11.95)

The place has a whole lot of hot Korean dishes on the menu in addition to the usual Japanese. The mandu (aka a Korean potsticker) were actually quite good - clearly homemade, with a juicy stuffing. The sushi was alright. Probably a cut above Kayuga/Tokyo City, but not a ton better. The hamachi was pretty blah but acceptable. Toro wasn't very good. Can't remember how much it was... probably something like $6 or $7 for two pieces. The eel was also alright but not spectacular. I like trying these weird new rolls sometimes, especially if I'm not sitting at a true sushi counter. They tend to be safer bets. The "bbq yellowtail maki" had avocado, scallions, and grilled yellowtail inside. Pretty interesting having cooked fish inside. Probably wouldn't order it again but it was not bad. The "alligator maki" was shrimp tempura with spicy mayo wrapped with eel. This was good, but just another variation of the typical tempura/eel roll. It was pretty big too. Overall, a pretty solid Japanese option if you've got the craving in Chinatown. Suishaya won't blow you away, but it won't make you sick either. A lot of people around us were ordering the hot Korean dishes, so those may be worth a try.

Okay, now you've done it. NOW I'm craving sushi...I was going to lay off it until after the new year...but now I have to have it. There go dinner plans at home! I'll start chanting now..!

posted by Jennifer on December 21, 2004 01:13 PM

Be warned - you're gonna have more to worry about when I go to Vancouver on Thursday. I expect I'll be eating looootttsss of sushi... ;)

posted by Arthur on December 22, 2004 06:49 AM