Posted: 4/13/2009
1 of 1 found this review helpful
This place has the best Salmon EVER!!! I always order that and the "Amber Jack" (has lime sauce and a little jalepeno paste). There menu is not that huge but the quality is excellent that it makes up for it.
Its one of those hole in the wall places that surprises you!
Posted: 4/9/2009
0 of 0 found this review helpful
I would even say best sushi on the westside, but that's because of the value Sushi Karen offers. The quality (fresh and thick cuts) and service (friendly and welcoming) must have been undervalued by the owner(s) of this establishment, because the price falls between fast-food sushi and mediocre sushi restaurants.
It is easy to miss this place as it seems like half the width of a normal shop along this block. Parking is not too difficult even though there is no lot for the restaurant. You can park along Midway Ave. (which intersects Washington) and enjoy a nice stroll to sushi bliss.
Not recommended for large groups as seating is limited, but I highly recommend this for couples. Order a little bit at a time (because the thickness of their cuts may throw you) and order some hot sake to sip along with your date.
Posted: 4/7/2009
0 of 0 found this review helpful
My fiancé and I had been searching the West Side for a neighborhood sushi joint, and we found it in Sushi Karen. The out-of-the-way location means easy parking in general and a low-key attitude from both staff and patrons – the décor is industrialist chic with little to no pretension.
But it’s the fish that truly shines at Sushi Karen. It’s extremely fresh – no rubbery, smelly fish anywhere in sight. There aren’t a ton of rolls to be had – this is definitely more of a traditionalist’s sushi place.
The Sashimi Carpaccio Specials are all fantastic, but the stand-outs are the Amberjack with Jalapeno and the Tuna. Melt in your mouth good. The cuts are a bit chunky, which adds to the authentic feel of the restaurant.
And the one thing you simply MUST get here? The Crunchy Roll. For a place without a whole lot of “specialty” rolls, they certainly know how to make them!! I know a Crunchy Roll sounds sort of typical – but trust me, this is ANYTHING but standard fare. The shrimp tempura is excellently cooked, and the tempura retains its crunch, even wrapped inside of that perfect roll of rice. They top the roll with tiny green and pink tempura crunchies and surround the dish with a duo of Sriracha and sweet (sesame?) sauces. OMG, the sauces are what REALLY set this dish off – make sure you dip your roll in both sauces together – the flavor combination is outstanding.
I think I’ve just convinced myself of where I’m having dinner tonight