Wanted: Uni Nigiri

Uni Nigiri at Benihana in Burlingame (yes, Benihana!)

I’ve had a difficult time finding quality sushi in the Daly City/South City area. I used to live next to the famed Ebisu sushi restaurant in the Sunset, where long waits for the sushi bar awarded you with the freshest raw fish and tasty delicacies like live scallops and my all time favorite uni. Now that I’m on the Peninsula, Ebisu is a bit of a journey away. And lately I’ve been craving uni nigiri. Sea urchin sushi. Oh yum.

This craving came from a drive my companion and I took down Highway One. We came across a gorgeous beach and began exploring the tidepools. In the shallow waters, we came across sea anenome, starfish, clams and crabs. Of course, no sea urchin. You have to dive for these. And no ‘opihi either (but that’s another story). The closest town was Half Moon Bay, and I didn’t know of any sushi places in the nearby area. I had heard through the grapevine about a fabulous hole-in-the-wall sushi place in Pacifica, but an aimless search for this no-name place proved futile. So to fulfill our uni cravings, we decided to return to the Japanese restaurant where I had my very first uni.

Benihana in Burlingame. Yup, I said Benihana. That famed chain Japanese restaurant known more for their large crowds seeking Teppanyaki actually has decent sushi. Okay, more than decent. Delicious. Exquisite. Fulfilling. A well-kept secret. I don’t know about the one in SF Japantown, but the branch in Burlingame is a haven for sushi lovers. The bar is never crowded. The sushi chefs are friendly. And the fish is utterly fresh, unbelievable for a chain restaurant, right?

I used to frequent Benihana’s sushi bar when they offered an All-You-Can-Eat sushi special. For $21.95, this was quite a deal. Imagine the freshest, tastiest nigiri made to order, as much as you want, for one low price. This included side dishes such as salad, soup, edamame, teriyaki skewers and more. I definitely had all the uni I could devour back then. Unfortunately, they discontinued the special in early 2003, and I hadn’t been back since.

So it was to my delight that the sushi bar was still the same. Fairly empty. Simply decorated, a few model airplanes dangling from the ceiling. And a stunning view of San Francisco bay, the SFO airport runways extending into the waters. You could sit there, eat sushi and watch jumbo jets take off and land.

As soon as we got there, the sushi chef offered us a special spicy tuna roll. “Not on menu,” he said before handing us a fabulous concoction of spicy tuna, scallions, and tempura flakes. In fact, he created several special rolls for us—a nice gesture considering he did not know us, and we did not know him. He treated us like regulars, perhaps because we were the only ones there, or perhaps because he simply liked that we ate uni and wanted to offer special things.

We ordered mostly nigiri—hamachi, salmon, and of course, uni. All delicious. We actually placed several orders of uni nigiri throughout the night, so much that we cleaned out his supply. He tossed the box and told us, “No more…” which was too bad since after 8 pieces we were still craving more.

We had other rolls—caterpillar roll and a special hamachi and papaya roll that was rather interesting. But with the uni gone, it just wasn’t the same. We saved our last three pieces for the final bite. They were heavenly. Satisfying. Just what we had been craving all day. The best uni ever is when it tastes like the sea, reminds you of swimming in the ocean. I’ve had uni before that wasn’t as fresh, rather strong, tasting more like the bottom of the sea—not a great thing, believe me. But this night, the uni was superb. We savored our last pieces. We drank the rest of the tea. Then we headed back home, wondering if we could find any other satisfying and quality sushi joints in our area to fulfill future cravings. We’re always looking for suggestions. Uni, anyone?

Comments

[Reid]

Hi Creen,

The uni nigiri looks so good! I can understand why you wanted more. I've never actually had the sushi at a Benihana restaurant before, but I might just try it. Next time you're in Hawaii, I hope you'll visit either Sushi Sasabune or Yanagi Sushi. Those are my two favorite places right now.

Happy Holidays!

[obachan]

You know I’m a Japanese living in Japan, but I have never had a real good uni nigiri in my entire life. All-you-can-eat sushi special for $21.95??!! What a deal! I envy you…

[Creen]

Hi Reid! Thanks for the O'ahu sushi tips. On Maui, I have to admit I really like Sansei sushi, especially the branch in Kihei. You can sit at the window, have sushi and sake and watch the beautiful sunset.

Hi obachan! Yeah, I was skeptical about uni nigiri--the first few times I had it wasn't that special, but when it's good, it's really really good. I wish they still had that All-you-can-eat special, but no more.

[celiaK]

hi Creen, first time here and I looove what I see. Great blog you have! I'll link you up, is it okay?

[Jennifer]

I am SO craving sushi now! Thanks! So much for a nice quiet dinner at home with the hubbie and cat...hmmm. I wonder how many times I'll have to say "sushi" to the man before he caves?

[Ed]

Hi Creen,
Just stumbled across your blog recently and have enjoyed it since. My wife is another transplanted Hawaii girl and we live on the Peninsula also. The no-name place you've heard of is Yokosa Nippon, 2470 Skyline Blvd in Pacifica (Map it - it's kind of in the middle of nowhere), minutes from Serramonte. Head up Hwy 1 toward Pacifica, take Skyline (Hwy 35) and head south for maybe two miles. It comes up fast on the right in a tiny strip mall next to a convenience store - look for the sign or you'll miss it. Nothin' fancy, but pretty good and *cheap*!! We go there a lot.

I also like Sushi Sam's in downtown San Mateo. Good, reasonable and always busy.

[Arthur]

Hey Creen - I've heard surprisingly good things about the sushi at the Burlingame Benihana. Be warned though, for whatever reason, the other locations aren't so good. I've had sushi at the Japantown SF location before (years ago) and it was mediocre at best. From what I've heard that hasn't changed. The uni at the Burlingame one must be fresh from Santa Barbara - looks delicious! I too have always loved uni nigiri... It's probably my favorite way of eating it.

[gabrielle]

Hi Creen -- I was reading my daily dose of food blogs and came across yours. Now, I'm craving uni. Yum! I enjoy going to Kobe Sake in San Bruno (word of warning it gets busy and noisy on the weekend). The restuaruant is on El Camino at Crystal Springs Road. The uni is usually very good. I really like uni ika sashimi with a quail egg cracked over it. ~cheers!

[Debra Solomon]

UNI SUSHI is to die for! Here in Europe we most often have to go without. My mouth is watering just looking at your images. Thank you.

[jupiter]

Hi Creen,

Sushi nazi here. Or so many of my friends call me. I love uni also. Along with many other neta. Like Reid said Sasabune is good on Oahu. Also good here is Suntory, Sushi Koh, Yohei/Maguro-ya, Sushi Masa and Michinoku. If you are ever in Hawaii contact me and I will be definitely down to go and eat some oishii sushi!

[Nanita]

Thanks so much for much-needed information about good sushi on the peninsula.

--And Ed, I live 3 minutes from Yokosa Nippon and always drive by it. Now I'll have to stop and check it out. Thanks for the tip!

--Nanita

[Erich Ian]

A sushi chef from Mashiko in Seattle once told me that wintertime (now) is "uni season," so everyone should get in a few uni fixes before the weather turns warm. If you're in SF, Benihana Burlingame is superb, especially if you can get either Scott or Takahashi as your sushi chef. If you're in Vancouver, sit at the sushi bar at Tojo's and order Omakase, where you put yourself in the chef's hands and they serve you items of their choosing until you're done. If you're in Denver, try out Hapa Sushi, but if you're in Boulder, opt for Sushi Tora instead. Sansei Kihei is good, especially for sashimi, but don't miss out on Harry's in Wailea (it's connected to the Lobster Cove, which is NOT recommended). Last I heard, Harry himself went on to start Hana Hou in Haiku. Slow service, but good local dishes. And after 4 PM, sushi!

[Carlosuave]

Love your website since I reside in the area and have filipino roots. Found this recent post on Chowhound for Benihana. No discount on the sushi, but the meal sounds like a good bargain.

Benihana is offering a meal for 2 for $20.05!!!

Anyway, I saw an ad in SF Weekly for "Benihana's New Years Special"
which is good until 2/28/05 (excluding Valentine's Day) and only
Monday-Thursday at the following locations:
SF, Burlingame (score!), and Cupertino

It's good for Hibachi chicken and teriyaki steak for 2, and comes with
soup, salad, shrimp appetizer, steamed rice, and Japanese green tea.

[Fuddster]

First time I tried Uni-sushi was in the Philipines
the Uni was fresh and the best part it was a quarter
of the price you pay for in Cali. Plate full of Uni
and iced cold San Miguel that's the Bomb !

Fuddster

[ewee]

actually -- my fave hole in the wall sushi place in pacifica is: Nippon Sushi -- in Ramallah Plaza (I didn't even know it had a name!) at Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35) and Manor Drive: http://www.ci.pacifica.ca.us/ECONDEV/centers.html#RAMALLAH

it's run by a Zainichi couple -- so if you ask for the noodle soup to be spicy, be prepared! i used to go often enough that the woman gave me a bottle of sake (with firm instructions to share it with my g/f)...

enjoy!

[Foovius Foo]

Try Sakae Sushi in Burlingame. It's the best place around. They get their fish from the Tsukiji market in Tokyo, and have selections that other sushi places around here don't. The appearance from the street isn't great, but it's very nice inside. The sushi chef and staff are great. Lovely, small place; great sushi.

[Foovius Foo]

Try Sakae Sushi in Burlingame. It's the best place around. They get their fish from the Tsukiji market in Tokyo, and have selections that other sushi places around here don't. The appearance from the street isn't great, but it's very nice inside. The sushi chef and staff are great. Lovely, small place; great sushi.

[Mike Arienti]

Stumbled on your site while doing a search for uni. I've searched high and low in my area and so far I have found ONE place which had it when I was there. However, it was a bit bitter so obviously not quite as fresh as I would've preferred.

And now I have a craving!