During the recent heat wave, I was wanting to take JJ out to lunch. After thinking things thru for a bit, I decided on Tanuki. It had been about 6 months since we last visited and the place has a covered porch to dine on.
We arrived right at opening time and had a seat on the covered wrap around patio. It wasn’t too hot in the shade.
They’ve always been really nice to JJ here and it was no different on this visit as he was brought water along with the menus.
I decided on getting the Chirashi Bowl ($20) with a side of Toro Wasa ($12). I was actually wanting some of the items that used to be on the menu here; like shiokara and kakiage….but of course, based on location (Kensington); items like that haven’t lasted on the menu.
It was good to note that the already small portion of chu-toro in the Toro Wasa hasn’t changed since our last visit and neither has the price.
The toro had some chewy connective tissue this time around, but was not bad. The wasabi and what seems to be ponzu based sauce was nice and pungent without being too strong and all of it goes well with the shiso. This was fine.
The really nice woman working who seemed to enjoy having JJ around brought me a complementary bowl of miso soup! She said “I know it’s hot, but I thought you might want to have some miso soup!”
So very sweet! JJ got his bowl of water and I got some miso soup! Nice!
The Chirashi Bowl was priced fairly low for these times so I didn’t expect much and it was fairly routine.
Texture wise; the salmon was very tender and meaty in comparison to the maguro which was starting to oxidize. The hamachi was decent, a bit more chewy than I prefer but not bad. The tako was pleasantly toothsome and had a mild “hint of the sea” that went well with the wasabi and shoyu.
The rice was quite chewy, but the seasoning spot on.
All in all, while not in the same league as lunch Chirashi at Sakura or Ju-ichi, I can bring JJ here, the service is nice. I do prefer Tanuki’s Chirashi to what is served at Kiiro or Oishi as well.
Tanuki
4191 Adams Ave.
San Diego, CA 92116
Nice chirashi. The name always reminds me of Rocking Tanuki that used to be on Friars.
Oh my goodness Rocking Tanuki, next to Mister Peabody’s! We moved away from that area before they opened Junichi; but I remember driving by.
nice!
Yes, JJ really enjoyed himself too Kat!