Hidden in a humble strip mall is a gem of a sushi restaurant. Haruka Sake and Sushi in La Canada Flintridge is an incredible place to relax, get some food and drink, and have a good time. The menu is wide-reaching yet not too overwhelming, and we knew we had to try everything!
Appetizers
We started out with the blistered shishito peppers which arrived steaming hot, piled high with a flickering layer of bonito – also known as fish flakes. Beneath the peppers lay a pool of glossy ponzu sauce – making for a dish that was just as beautiful as it was delicious. Biting into each pepper elicited a slight crunch, followed by a warm, savory flavor that was perfectly accentuated by the umami of the bonito. The ponzu sauce added the perfect sweetness that offset the slightly spicy nature of the dish.
Next, the yellowtail arrived. This work of art presented thick slices of yellowtail sashimi blossoming out of the center of the plate like a flower in bloom. Each succulent piece of fish was topped with a jalapeño slice and a vibrant dot of sriracha sauce, and drizzled with a lemon yuzu sauce. Even picking up the fish with our chopsticks caused it to fall apart – that’s how tender the fish was. The yellowtail perfectly melts in your mouth, with a soft and buttery flavor. Spice lovers, take note! The kick from the jalapeño and the sriracha was fiery, but balanced out well by the fish and the sweet and tangy lemon yuzu.
Main Course
For our choice of nigiri, we selected the scallop. Generously sliced, each piece came with a pinch of garnish that we later found out was yuzu kosho salt. Each bite of firm yet delicate scallop tasted like the ocean, with a slightly sweet aftertaste that we could not get enough of. The yuzu kosho salt, which is a combination of yuzu, Japanese chili, and sea salt, lent a hint of salt and spice that brought out even more flavors of the scallop.
Then, for the star of the show: the chirashi. This gorgeous bowl consisting of warm rice topped with slices of tuna, yellowtail, salmon, egg, shrimp, and unagi was (almost) too pretty to eat. Now, I think I’m pretty picky with my sushi rice. Too cold and hard makes for an unappetizing bite, and rice that’s overcooked or mushy is a turn off. I’m happy to report that the rice in this chirashi passed my test – it was perfectly seasoned, warm, and just chewy enough. The whole bowl was the perfect balance of flavors and temperatures. From the soft, fresh flavor of the lean tuna to the buttery flavor of the salmon, every piece of fish was a treat for the senses. We noted that the rice was in fact firmer than the fish, a phenomenon that you have to try in order to understand.
So if you ever find yourself in the area – or not, because let’s be real, I would drive hours for this – Haruka Sake and Sushi is definitely one for the books. In fact, writing this article just made me hungry. How about another round of chirashi?