Sushi 101

Sushi seems to be one of the most polarizing foods around. Some people genuinely love it, some people eat it because they think it's cool to do so, and others find the idea of uncooked fish repulsive. Even among those who enjoy sushi, there are still factions. At one end are fans of various see-and-be-seen places, many of them chains, that have prevailed recently. At other end of the spectrum are sushi snobs, those who are so convinced that everyone should eat the purest, most authentic Japanese food that they shun rolls and sake bombers in favor of omakase at every meal. The polarization is unfortunate because there's really a place for a middle ground: reasonably priced, unintimidating places that serve a variety of cooked and raw foods, some authentic and some that would be barely recognizable in Japan, but all well-prepared.

If there is to be a middle ground, Sushi 101, located in Tempe diagonally across from the University / Rural light rail station, might be a candidate for inclusion. The name is an obvious reference to the restaurant's proximity to ASU's main campus and also melds with the restaurant's approach to engaging with diners via on-site classes, make-your-own roll contests, and outreach via social media. If you want to eat cream-cheese filled rolls with chopsticks and then dunk those rolls in a muddy melange of soy sauce and faux wasabi, Sushi 101 is happy to accommodate. On the other hand, if you'd prefer to focus on sashimi and nigiri, keep the soy sauce and wasabi separate, and eat the sushi with your hands, then Sushi 101 is also happy to pat you on the back for stepping up to a higher level of authenticity.

Sushi 101 occupies a key spot in the Cornerstone development, best known as home to the Improv comedy club. That venue encourages its audience to eat dinner from its own kitchen during the shows, but anyone wanting an alternative would do well to eat some Japanese food downstairs instead. In fact, the times right before or after a show at the Improv align well with Sushi 101's happy hours, during which most sushi is available at a deep sea discount. At any time of day, the sushi selection is varied and worth exploring. Most lunch specials come with an assortment of crowd-pleasing nigiri: salmon, tuna, and whitefish. Those are all solid choices: supple in texture, ever-so slightly briny but not overly fishy, and served on nicely packed beds of rice. For a bolder taste, try the mackerel or yellowtail. For a gentler touch, the snow crab is a good choice.

Of course, Sushi 101 offers a long list of rolls, including a weekly special announced on the restaurant's Web site. The roll of the week is usually a creative one with names like "Godzilla" and ingredients like imitation crab, avocado, and cream cheese to make purists cringe. Among the rolls always available, the "Monkey Brain" probably is the most radical departure from tradition with mozzarella, tuna, krab, and seaweed combined and then fried. Most of these concoctions are actually pretty good to anyone willing to approach them with an open mind, but they can also be quite filling. There are lighter, more nuanced rolls on the menu. The Krisp Green roll includes al dente asparagus, lettuce, carrot, avocado, cucumber, and ginger in a sort of salad wrapped in rice. It contrasts nicely with an order of unadorned sashimi.

Cooked food on the menu includes all the usual suspects: teriyaki, tempura, noodles, etc. The tempura vegetables are crisp and not burdened by excessive oiliness. Udon comes in three varieties, including versions with tempura, seafood and tofu, and a meatless choice. The broth is rich, and the garnish of shichimi togarashi, the red seven-spice mixture, adds additional flavor for those who seek it. All the udon dishes come in a big bowl on a wooden tray. The presentation is almost as much fun as those sushi boats over at Hana in Phoenix. Beverages offerings comprise a selection of wine and beer, including perennial sushi bar favorite Kirin Ichiban on draft, and mixed drinks with ingredient lists and names that rival those of the sushi rolls. As with the sushi, there are happy hour specials.

There is always room for improvement, and real grated wasabi would be a welcome touch, even if it came with an extra charge. Still, Sushi 101 is a perfectly good choice for either mainstream Japanese food or way-out-there rolls with myriad influences. Not everyone is going to like sushi, and not every sushi aficionado will appreciate the restaurant's catering to the college crowd. Regardless, Sushi 101 gets the basics right in terms of fish and rice quality, and pairs those fundamentals with efficient, friendly service at both the tables and the semi-circular sushi bar. There's even an attractive patio available facing the busy corner of University and Rural. Sit in any of those environments, order what you like, and enjoy a meal without the pressure to join any particular faction in the sometimes polarized world of sushi.

920 E. University Dr., Tempe AZ 85281 | Map
(480) 317-0101
http://www.sushi-101.com