If you’re looking for a fresh, contemporary way to experience Japanese food, check out Namikaze in north Fresno. A locally owned business serving sushi, ramen, and more, the restaurant is earning five star reviews, and it’s only been open for two months.
Named after the Japanese words for wind and wave, Namikaze is a delicious place to have lunch or dinner.
Delicious sushi rolls are popular items
My neighbor recommended Namikaze to me as a great place for really good sushi. Once I tried it, I wasn’t disappointed. The Katana roll I ordered was topped with amazingly fresh salmon. It was stuffed with shrimp tempura, crab, and avocado, and topped with the salmon, sliced onion, spicy may, sriracha, tobiko, and scallions.
Apparently I’m not the only one who loves Namikaze’s Katana roll—according to co-owner James Edwards, the Katana, Maiko, and Kimon rolls are some of the restaurant’s most popular sushi offerings.
More than sushi
If sushi isn’t your thing, there’s still a lot to choose from. My husband ordered the Honey Chili Seafood Mix. This is an entrée, so it came with a side of rice, green salad, and miso soup.
The main dish is a sautéed variety of scallops, shrimp, and calamari tossed in a honey glaze on top of sautéed vegetables. There was so much food, my husband wasn’t able to finish it all.
The restaurant offers a daily Happy Hour from 3-6 p.m., where you can sample the popular Namikaze Nachos and raw oysters. There’s also a $12 lunch combo served daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
According to Mr. Edwards, the restaurant’s goal is to serve delicious, healthy, and contemporary Japanese cuisine in a modern, casual setting. In that vein, you’ll find unique offerings like Tofu Steak, Miso Cioppino with fresh crab legs, calamari and more in a tomato miso broth, and even Uni Pasta. It’s pasta that’s tossed in an uni garlic cream sauce, topped with roe and daikon sprouts.
On my next visit, I’m excited to try the ramen. You can order Spicy Miso Ramen with a vegetarian stock and gluten-free option, or my favorite, the Tonkotsu Ramen, which is breaded pork loin.
Visit Namikaze today
The vibe inside the restaurant is casual and clean, with white chairs and calming blue wave patterns on the wall. It’s a great place to take a lunch break or grab a bite and watch the game with friends and family. Not only is the food fresh and tasty, the business is owned by locals who have been in the Fresno restaurant business for 20 years.
Namikaze is located at Champlain and Perrin, at 1134 E. Champlain #108. Open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., the restaurant offers catering services, as well. You can find out more about their menu and hours by visiting their website here, or following them on Facebook.
Have you tried Namikaze yet?
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