Sakura for lunch

mmm-yoso, the blog, is never on vacation.  Cathy is writing.

Hi.  This sort of is a repeat post, except I have never talked about Izakaya Sakura .  Kirk has blogged the Bento Lunch recently.  He has enjoyed a meal or two with Ed here and blogged it a few other times and all three of us recommend it to friends, co-workers and complete strangers online and, well, it is assumed and known that it is just good. The first time I met Kirk (and Captain Jack), it was here, for lunch… Gosh almost a year ago.

This is it-click onto the photo- see the "open" sign?  That is all the outdoor advertising you will ever see here.  Not on the large billboard on the street nor on the building (it is in the back of the parking lot where the Original Pancake House is located).

Very friendly, not too large, a limited menu- which they will give while explaining what is sold out already.  They do have sushi rolls at lunch on weekends and the lunch menu is good until 4:30 on Sunday (opposed to 2 p.m. the other days of the week) and, as always, everything is wonderful and fresh.

We started out with a cold tofu appetizer ($2.50).

I forgot to take out my camera and had to re-assemble this beauty..three medium sized pieces of a firm, fresh tofu, topped with sliced scallion greens, a thinly sliced okra-like vegetable and some freshly shredded horseradish (tasted like wasabi) and surrounded by a lot of large bonito shavings.

I liked the tofu plain but then when mixing bites of it with the wasabi and bonito and onion (the okra like vegetable was not pickled, not salty..it was sliced thin but could be considered crunchy but otherwise added not much flavor-wise) it brought out so many flavors.  It was just "fancy tofu" for me.

The Mister wanted something crunchy for his meal, so he got the "mixed tempura" ($7.50) Two pieces of shrimp and one piece of fish, along with 

tempura’d green beans, kombucha squash, thinly sliced Japanese eggplant and onion.  Light, crisp, fresh. Served with Japanese pickled veggies, salad with a homemade fresh ginger based creamy dressing, 

rice, fresh made (hot) tempura dipping sauce and some really good fresh made miso soup.  I assume the soup was made with a miso paste; it was so rich/deep flavored and had two small pieces of the firm tofu in it along with fresh seaweed.

I would like to add that piece of watermelon must be one of those Dulcinea seedless personal sized ones that costs quite a bit at the grocery store-it was packed with flavor.  The Mister put it aside and saved it for us to share for dessert.

At this time of year, Hiyashi Chuuka ($8.75) is available.  I had to…(in fact, I had to yesterday when we went to Chopstix for lunch…but I digress). Cold ramen noodles on the bottom in a light rice vinegar based sauce, topped with cold pork, bean sprouts, corn, shredded cucumber, sliced cold egg, ginger, fresh seaweed and top-topped with dried seaweed seaweed shavings and served on the side, a squirt of Kewpie Mayonnaise and hot mustard.  You basically mix it all together and eat.  Kind of upgraded leftovers and a real treat.  When you consider I do not crave noodles yet I will eat this two days in a row…well, you know I must love the stuff.  Oh, I got  side of pickled vegetables also.

The one thing we always get at Sakura- night (Izakaya) or at lunch (side order) – is Karaage ($3).  A simple, unassuming tidbit of 4 pieces of skinned chicken leg meat deep fried in a light flour breading and served in a bowl of fresh made sauce (not as salty as the tempura sauce) and a pile of shredded daikon radish.  At dinner it is not served with the sauce, but I enjoy mixing the remaining tart daikon with the sauce and slurping it up.

That’s it.  Lunch. Sakura.  Good.

Izakaya Sakura 3904 Convoy, #121 San Diego 92121