Recently while heading to Nijiya with the Missus, She mentioned Tsuruhashi. Which had me wondering when was the last time we visited. Getting back home I took a look and oh my gosh! It’s been over ten years! Kind of crazy since there was a time when the place was on our “rotation”. I’m not sure what happened here….prices had gone up….then Covid….then it kind of slipped our mind? Anyway, since JJ is good at home for a couple hours by himself these days, we decided to head on over for dinner.
We arrived and were seated quickly. Of course things have changed over the last decade…you now order on the iPad…..another change…remember when I was complaining about dinner costing us fifty bucks? We now it’s……
And while we really don’t go too crazy over the meats…we ordered what we remember enjoying over the years.
For some reason, the beeru seems a bit smaller now?
The premium beef tongue still comes with that all important cube of beef fat to get the grill nice and “lathered”.
We’ve always enjoyed the mushrooms here……
The key is to put them on the griddle once things are cooking. We put them at the bottom where all the drippings flow……to get them nice and fatty-moist.
The Kobe Outside Skirt is a must as it is so beefy, while a bit toothsome, the wonderful flavor is so worth it.
These days, it’s not drenched in sauce which suits us just fine as we’re after the beefiness in texture and flavor. Of course you must have this medium rare at the most.
We needed some rice and the Missus wanted to try the Bi Bim Bap….which was interesting.
This was interesting as while the items were typical, the veggies skewed toward ohitashi and Japanese pickled items….I guess as it should. The Missus enjoyed the egg and rice was nicely cooked. The Missus ate most of this.
And then there was the dish I was most looking forward to….the yukke, raw beef.
While being a bit more chewy than I recalled; this was still very refreshing; clean tasting, the quail egg yolk adding richness.
This was an enjoyable meal….I’m not sure why we hadn’t returned sooner! I kind of laugh when thinking about grumbling at the fifty dollar price tag back then! Now it’s double that! How times have changed. And then there was a really special moment. As I was walking to the restroom I ran into two of my favorite people…..”XJ” and her hubby. I was so honored to have officiated their wedding what seems a lifetime ago! It felt so special….and the hubby’s parents still call me “Uncle Kirk”! Life just hands you these magical moments at times……
I’m sure we’ll won’t wait ten years to return!
Tsuruhashi Japanese BBQ
3904 Convoy St.
San Diego, CA 92111
Current Hours:
Sunday 4pm – 10pm
Mon – Thurs 5pm – 10pm
Friday 5pm – 1030pm
Saturday 4pm – 1030pm