Dinner & A Movie: Late Lunch Nirvana at Sushi Kokku

oBy Teri Bayus

Sometimes I do not just desire sushi — I wish to consume it, like a drug addict.

These feelings come most days around 3 p.m. This is when the majority of sushi restaurants do a weird thing and close from 2-5 p.m. (even though the chefs and staff are there prepping).

I’m not sure why, maybe they are watching anime on TV or having sea slug races. Either way, it is a pet peeve of mine. Some of us like to have a late lunch and we should be accommodated, in my humble opinion.

My late afternoon appetite was appeased when I found Sushi Kokku in Pismo Beach. It is a place where you can sit comfortably and have a quiet lunch for two, or take the grandbabies as they develop their palettes or get it to go, and head back to the office.

I like the atmosphere with its ornate chandelier and the original art by Suki, the owner. They also possess one the best selections of loose leaf teas this side of San Francisco that are served in a French press to bring out the best flavor in the tea. You can choose from any flavor on the wall, I like flowering Jasmine.

After we ordered, they brought Edmame, which are fresh green soybeans eaten out of the pod. (Edmame literally means “branch beans”). These boiled beans are delicious and a great starter for all Japanese food. The pods are dusted with salt, which transfers to the beans (like with sunflower seeds).

-2I started with the “Dynamite Roll,” a huge, spicy California roll with avocado inside and spicy, baked scallops on top with a ton of spicy mayo sauce. It is colossal and flavorful. The spicy cabbage salad was a fine accompaniment and I would order this “coleslaw with an attitude” as just a salad. It is the wasabi added that gives it vigor.

The biggest and best roll is the “Crazy Roll.” If you want to get a little crazy, I highly recommend this aptly named dish. It has spicy crab, spicy tuna, avocado, cream cheese, jalapeño, tamago, and kobo.  The whole thing is fried in tempura and topped with green onions and eel sauce. This is guaranteed to fill anyone with delectable joy.

The grandbabies loved the rice bowls with teriyaki chicken, carrots, zucchini and loads of Jasmine rice. It is a fantastic meal for those who aren’t a fan of fish. Udon is another way to go that is enchanting. Udon is a wheat-flour noodle, transmitted from China sometime in the 8th century.

The dough is cut into thick strips, which are then boiled and served in a hot broth of soy sauce, mirin, sugar and dashi. Various ingredients are added on top including vegetables, chicken, and tempura. We split a Mexican Roll, which had spicy California Roll on the inside and spicy imitation crab and shrimp on top. I also liked the Washington Roll with raw salmon on top, but all their rolls are big enough for a luncheon meal.

You can order rolls, bowls or specials and never be disappointed. The combination rolls are huge, filling and delectable. If you don’t see what you want, invent your own, as they are always up for a new challenge (and you might invent the next special).

Whether you are on the go, or need to take a break from the retail titillation that surrounds Sushi Kokku, this is a great place for a quick sushi meal that will satisfy and delight.

Sushi Kokku is located at 581 Five Cities Dr., Pismo Beach in the California Fresh Shopping Center. Open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. They do have bistros in San Luis Obispo (next to Best Buy) and in Paso Robles. Call them at (805) 556-0500 for to go orders or questions. And “Arigatou gozaimasu” (Thank you very much) to you.