If you are fed up reading Japanese restaurant reviews, we are just as tired of writing them. However, due to the advancement of Japan to the Knockout Rounds of the World Cup, we thought it would be appropriate to eat at a Japanese restaurant for good luck before watching Japan play Belgium. (Yes, as I am writing this, I am aware that Japan played a very exciting game against Belgium and one of them won and one of them lost. No spoilers here.)
We wanted to go to Japan Express, but they were closed due to their annual holiday, so we settled for Wasabi Sushi Bar East. Sister to Wasabi Hinkaku in Old Town, the menus across both locations are identical. Wasabi Sushi Bar East exchanges its superior execution for its less than optimal location.
As a collective, Wasabi offers more innovative and downright weird dishes than your average sushi bar in Wichita. Taking a quick look at their appetizers tells you there’s something else going on here; you rarely see takoyaki (savory octopus pancake balls) and what’s this about a deep fried avocado ball stuffed with spicy salmon and spicy tuna? I was looking forward to trying some of their more unique offerings, while also ordering some standard dishes to baseline.
We ordered takoyaki and a Crunch Rose roll to start off. Takoyaki always comes to the table piping hot and the inside usually very delicate as if just cooked. So, I do like I normally do, and I ate one right away and burned my mouth; it was still pretty tasty. The Crunch Rose roll came with spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, and avocado covered in crunchy bits topped with spicy mayo and eel sauce, and tasted delicious with multiple flavors and textures.
Being true to my nature as a creature of habit, I ordered the salmon teriyaki bento box as well. It came with salad with ginger dressing, California roll, mixed tempura, rice, and the most modest piece of salmon. I did not really care for the salad or California roll as the salad was overdressed and the California roll somehow had a similar texture. The mixed tempura and salmon teriyaki had great flavors and actually ended up being a decent portion given the rest of the items included and price point of $10.
I would definitely recommend heading out to Wasabi Sushi Bar East over Wasabi Hinkaku to beat the crowds and for better food. On a ranking of all the Japanese restaurants we have reviewed so far, this falls somewhere in the middle. Good in a pinch, but not something I would necessarily seek out.
Wasabi Sushi Bar East
3242 N Rock Rd, STE 112, Wichita, KS 67226
316-201-6885
Monday-Thursday 11:00AM-10:00PM
Friday 11:00AM-10:30PM
Saturday 12:00PM-10:30PM
Sunday 12:00PM-9:30PM