Komachi Japanese Restaurant
Location: 727 S. Crouse Ave.
Price: Entrées from $10.99 to $20.99
Rate: 2.5 of 4 peppers

Komachi is a restaurant that falls somewhere in between the realm of good and bad, leaving neither a positive or negative impression. The small eatery, located on South Crouse Avenue in the alley next to Chuck’s Café, serves Japanese and Korean dishes, along with plenty of sushi options for both lunch and dinner.

At about 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Komachi was completely empty. Granted, no restaurant around Marshall Street is bustling at that time, but for a sushi place just steps from campus, a roomful of empty tables was unexpected and slightly off-putting.

At first glance, the décor in Komachi is charming. Japanese paper lanterns and paintings of dragons and geishas create an authentically Asian feel in the small dining room. But at a closer look, Komachi begins to feel a little bit like that weird Grandma’s house — full of weird trinkets and strange collectibles that are not allowed to be touched. Case in point: Toward the front of the restaurant, tiny ceramic dog figurines line the window ledges. Sit in this section, and prepare to eat while dozens of miniature poodle, beagle and German shepherd figurines stare you down with tiny glass eyes. The whole scenario is creepy, to say the least.

Navigating the lengthy menu is a challenge because much of it is written in Japanese. The safest (and easiest to understand) bets for food options are from the ‘Fresh Sushi Bar,’ which offers salad, miso soup and a selection of ‘A La Carte Rolls’ that range from $3.99 to $12.99 in price.

From the appetizer lineup, the Vegetable Tempura ($6) was tasty. Battered, deep-fried pieces of broccoli, onion and sweet potato are served with a savory soy dipping sauce. The piping hot vegetables were crispy, not overwhelmingly greasy and enough for two people to split.

For sushi lovers, the Golden Gate Roll ($6.99) is a good choice. It features both salmon and tuna, paired with tobiko (fish eggs), avocado and sesame seeds. The Golden Gate Roll tasted fresh and was served in a lovely little boat-shaped plate. The tobiko and sesame seeds added a pleasantly crunchy texture. Photographs of this dish, along with several other specials included on the menu, make it easy for the sushi novice to order based on what looks good.

Aimed at famished diners, for whom raw fish alone just isn’t enough, the Syracuse Box ($18.99) is Komachi’s version of a ‘Hungry Man’ TV dinner. The traditional Japanese bento box features beef or chicken teriyaki, shrimp and vegetable tempura, one California roll, five pieces of maki-style sushi, plus miso soup and a salad to start.

The beef teriyaki, paired with a generous scoop of white rice, was flavorful, tender and just spicy enough. The sushi components of the box, served separately on a small plate, were pretty standard. They weren’t terrible, but they weren’t amazing, either — it’s just what you would expect.

One thing you won’t expect? The wasabi at Komachi seems to be hotter than the versions of this sushi-friendly condiment served at other area restaurants. Be wary of the extra spice in the Japanese horseradish before it’s loaded it onto the chopsticks, or you (and your sinuses) will be very upset.

Overall, the dining experience at Komachi was predictable. The sushi is good, the service is fine and, with the exception of the questionable doggy décor, the ambiance is pleasant. If you head here for a tasty Japanese-style dinner or a quick sushi lunch, you’ll get exactly what you expect.

mcmurp05@syr.edu

 

Published on April 6, 2010 at 12:00 pm