Japanese Adventure at Kuru Kuru Sushi

Desperately Seeking Sushi

Of course, it goes without saying (that’s why I’m saying it), that the best food in Saigon is Vietnamese food.  So, if you’re a tourists or just a short-term visitor, my strong advice is to eat only Vietnamese food.  And better yet, make most of that Saigon street food.

However, for those of us who eat such wonderful Saigon street food day in and day out, occasionally we want to sample the world’s other great (but not as great) cuisines.

Just one problem, though – actually two.

First, it’s awfully hard to find great foreign (non-Vietnamese) food here in Saigon.  Of course, there are a handful of options for good-to-very-good foreign food restaurants.  But really not that many in a city of 12-15 million residents. Particularly for a city that is desperately seeking to lure in ever more tourists. But, I digress a bit.

Enter problem #2.  Those handful of good-to-very-good foreign food restaurants here in Saigon come with a hefty price tag!  And, most often, with only a developing-world level of service.  I’ve mentioned in my other blog rantings that I am totally comfortable with developing-world levels of service when I’m eating at a local family restaurant or enjoying Saigon street food – on the street.  But, I’m NOT comfortable with developing-world level of service when I’m paying New York City, London, or Paris prices! But, again! I digress.

Sorry! What was I talking about?  Oh, yes, good foreign food AT good prices, WITH good service.

Well, I found one! And it even comes with a bonus – pleasant decor and a fun ambiance.

… Drum roll please …

Kuru Kuru Sushi

Hai and I zipped over to Kuru Kuru Sushi last week on our motorbike after our now becoming-a-ritual evening at California Fitness & Yoga working off life’s caloric intake.

A loooooooooooooong serving counter greets you as you enter – with the obligatory Japanese revolving food conveyor.  Fun wall hangings, Japanese kitsch, and friendly, seemingly sincere hellos from the local staff, immediately transfix us from Saigon’s chaotic street scene into a welcoming Japanese retreat.

Now, my personal preference while dining at a Japanese restaurant that presents its various food items in an elliptical orbit is to view those festive, multi-colored plates for their entertainment value, but not to reach out and consume one.

How many times has that one passed by?  What transpired since that rice ball last passed in front of me? How could I be sure?

Okay, never mind.  I’ll just personalize my order directly from the menu!

First, the miso soup.

Very nice. Tofu, seaweed, and soybean fish stock comforts the belly as you contemplate the various food items passing by at eye level.  Served with a spoon? – Hello! – This is Japan. NO spoon please! Just raise the bowl to your lips and sip the soothing broth.

Spider Roll! Doesn’t that sound good!!  And it was – actually very delicious.  Filled with deep-fried soft-shell crab. YUM!  Always one of my favorites here.

And finally, Sashimi.  I love sashimi!

We order the 3-kinds-of-sashimi combo platter – salmon, tuna, and octopus (4 pieces of each).  (Always need an even number to avoid a family battle over that odd-numbered piece of tuna.)

But, neither Hai nor I like octopus sashimi (a bit too much like chewing a rubber band).  With only slight resistance from the waitperson, we succeeded in getting the octopus pieces replaced with sea bass. The wasabi paste was a bit mild for my taste, but by cranking up the wasabi-to-soy-sauce ratio, we were able to blend a nicely intense wasabi experience.

A very nice mid-week foreign food adventure here in Saigon.

Open from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm, and
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Our dinner for two cost us just above 500,000vnd ($24.00 USD).

Not a bad price for foreign food in Saigon, rating a YUM YUM here on Eating Saigon!’s Yum Meter.

Kuru Kuru Sushi
129 Nguyen Du Street
District 1
(08) 38243566
www.kurukuru.com.vn

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