Sushi Kuni - Cupertino

I can't write this without gushing, Sushi Kuni is my absolute favorite sushi place in the south bay. Everything is really fresh, and prepared perfectly.

The restaurant itself is tiny, and only seats about 35 people. What I love is that it looks like a house that fell off the back of a truck in the middle of a strip mall.

The first time we went, we ordered the omakase sushi platter. Every roll was excellent, but the 2 that stood out were the Seared Scallop (Hotate) Roll, and the Octopus Roll. I have had octopus and squid at many places, but this was the first time ever it was tender, instead of rubbery and chewy.

There for dinner recently, we did kinda overdo it, but hey, there are worse things one can do... We had Futomaki Rolls, Chicken Skewers, Eel (Unagi), Octopus (Tako) Rolls, a cold Chawanmushi, with Sea Urchin (Uni), and Salmon Roe, Yellowtail (Hamachi) Sashimi, Hotate rolls, and Nabeyaki Soba. 

The sushi is always great, the fish is really fresh, and the flavors are a perfect balance. The Futomaki rolls were really yummy but on the large side -- nearly impossible to eat in one bite, and definitely impossible to eat elegantly.

The chawanmushi, something you don't see on a lot of menus, was silky smooth, and the salty roe and sea urchin provided contrast, and the daikon micro greens added the perfect bite.

The hotate rolls (not pictured) were one of the most unusual rolls I have ever eaten. It is seared scallop on rice with a spicy sauce. We ate this without the customary wasabi and soy sauce. It was one of the best rolls I have ever eaten. The scallops are silky soft, and the spicy sauce is a perfect contrast.

Sushi Kuni
(From Top Left - Futomaki Rolls, Chicken Skewers,
Unagi & Tako Rolls, Chawanmushi, with Uni Ikura,
Hamachi Sashimi, and Nabeyaki Soba)

If you are not into sushi, the nabeyaki soba is a comforting dish, the noodles are perfectly cooked and the broth is the very definition of umami.

Chef Kuni personally makes most of the rolls, and is always at the restaurant. Be sure to say hi to him when you make it there.

Bottom Line:

Price - $$
Ambience - Casual
Vegetarian Friendly - Yes