By Pamela Brownstein
The building that once belonged to Misu is now home to Yama Japanese Restaurant. Though little had changed to the outside and inside of the restaurant, the new menu features sushi, hibachi and a variety of Japanese dishes.
The Lunch Bunch is always excited to try a new restaurant, and the five us sat lined up around the always entertaining hibachi grill fired up in full force.
For starters we shared the Shumai (shrimp dumplings) and Gyoza (pork and vegetable dumplings) with gyoza sauce, both excellent, as well as the Shrimp Tempura appetizer.
Next we moved onto the sushi round where we were treated to some awesome rolls. The special Tropical Roll was stuffed with crab meat, shrimp and apple and was wrapped with mango slices and tobiko served with mango sauce. It was crunchy and
sweet, and the mango sauce could also be called “awesome sauce.”
Then we tried the Saucy Shrimp and Crawfish Roll, which looked so bright and beautiful on the plate, with a flower in the center made from eel sauce, wasabi mayo and spicy mayo. The shrimp, crawfish and cucumber were wrapped in bright green soy paper, and once dipped into the trio of sauces, it was so tasty.
The General Manager, Mitch, also brought us the Sushi and Sashimi Combo for Two — salmon, tuna and yellowtail sushi on a long platter, and thick pieces of sashimi a top a bed of garnishes and flashing LED lights. The fish will be chef’s choice, and we were served salmon, tuna, white tuna and yellowtail sashimi, which is pieces of fish without rice. I could have eaten all
of it, the salmon and white tuna especially were my favorite, so fresh and yummy.
Of course, in addition to all the delicious appetizers and sushi dishes, the hibachi grill was the main event. Our chef cooked up onions and zucchini, fried rice, savory grilled shrimp, teriyaki chicken, and our must-have, the ribeye steak and mushrooms. All so good.
Yama Japanese Restaurant is at 1370 Ribaut Road, Port Royal. It is open Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 4:30 to 10 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 4:30 to 10:30 p.m.; Saturday noon to 10 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call 843-379-2599 for
take out orders.
