out and about: shiku sushi la jolla
If you’ve been around here for any length of time; or know us in real life… you know how obsessed all six of us are with sushi. If the choice is given, it’s pretty much the bday go-to for everyone. Not to mention special holidays, and take out.
But let me also tell you - we are picky, and i mean p.i.c.k.y. about our sushi. There are only four sushi restaurants we will go to… and one of those is only for dire emergencies.
Our favorite to-go local sushi spot that delivers is shiku sushi bar. It’s located on the main prospect drag, and since we get it to go on the regular, we don’t aways remember to pop in and eat in. But then we do, it’s always a good time. Not to mention, it’s always our first (and a fav) stop during the yearly taste of la jolla.
edamame: salted or garlic soy
I’m obsessed with edamame. Love starting a meal with it. Love snacking on it. In fact, just mentioning it now has me wanting to grab some.
Always have to get the edamame when having sushi, or you’re doing it wrong.
Branching out and trying a whole new style of ipa… and jamie loved it. Seriously. As in looking into where to find it for home use.
As for me? Wycliff is always one of my go to bubbles. It reminds me of this pear sparkling sav blanc I had once, and never disappoints. It was always the go to at draft, and shockingly still is at sea world.
mixed tempura: mixed vegetables, shrimp
Another must have is tempura. Sometimes we do all veggie. Sometimes just shrimp. In this case the mixed is shrimp and green bean.
The tempura is light and crisp. And what I love? Is how they nail the cook on the shrimp. It’s not chewy. It’s not undercooked - it’s just right. Definitely get the tempura.
miso soup: tofu, green onions, seaweed
A must have for the kiddos? It’s always miso soup. And sometimes two servings of it. Avy ranks all the different sushi miso soups… and just so you know shiku is tied for number one on her favorite list.
crispy rice: spicy tuna, avocado, jalapeño, gobo, balsamic glaze
Y’all know how obsessed I am with crispy rice. So much so I have my own tuna and salmon versions…
But holy heck you guys…. this crispy rice?!? I mean, let’s just start by saying instead of the typical eel sauce? Do you know what shiku does? A balsamic glaze… and it’s seriously sushi changing.
Love that they also add avo - cause not all crispy rice bites are created equal; and most of them don’t add avo. If you are only ordering one thing? This would be that thing, for the sheer innovation and taste.
tuna tango: tuna sashimi with truffle oil, basil, sliced avocado
Hello… sushi and truffle oil? Without the truffle being over powering? And letting the tuna shine?
Yeah - that’s this dish… and it will have you asking, just like us… why did we never think to put truffle oil on tuna? We do it on carpaccio… it totally makes sense.
sashimi selection: salmon, hamachi, blue fin
Do you see how fresh this fish is?
While I love all kinds of sashimi and nigiri: scallop, snapper, sea bass, amberjack, sea perch, etc. The core three for the kiddos? Salmon, hamachi, and blue fin.
Sometime’s it’s nigiri. Sometimes it’s sashimi. Doesn’t really matter as long as it’s fresh. And at shiku, you know it’s fresh. They choose do deal with west coast fish, so that you don’t have to worry about the time it may take to transport, freeze, fly it in. It’s always fresh and ready for you.
salmon and himachi nigiri
As I was saying… nigiri. Huge part of the kiddos’ sushi favorites.
Avy’s top two? Salmon and hamachi. Which are always on rotation.
avocado roll
Call us basic. But yes. We all love an avocado roll. You don’t have to be a vegetarian to do so. Not as long as it’s firm, fresh, and bright green.
casanova: spicy crab, avocado, cucumber, topped with yellowtail, cilantro, jalapeno, finished with a house special casanova sauce
el cartel: spicy tuna, cucumber, serrano chiles, avocado, topped with albacore and cartel garlic salsa
hunny: jumbo shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber, topped with fresh salmon, sriracha honey aioli, torched to perfection
indy-ana jones & the tempura of the doom: shrimp tempura, crab, topped with avocado, chopped soft shell crab, spicy aioli & sweet soy gla
Rolls are left to right, and then bottom.
Also. Rolls? Yes please.
Biggest pet peeve about rolls is if they are over sauced and you can’t taste the fish… leading you to wonder what they are hiding.
These are not those rolls. Yes, there is sauce. But no, it’s not over powering. It just emphasizes the fresh fish flavors.
Top two? Hunny and casanova. You can’t go wrong.
Seriously peeps - you need to check this spot out, even if it’s just for take out… it won’t disappoint.