Local eatery offers tour of Japanese cuisine

Community support has been essential to Nanami Sushi Bar & Grill.

The traditional Japanese restaurant has built a following in Southwest Austin mostly through word of mouth, Bar Manager Jenny Mao said.

"The community has been supportive. We would like to thank them," she said. "Everyone has been super friendly."

The restaurant opened in February 2010 in a recently built shopping center on Brodie Lane near Davis Lane.

Since opening, Nanami has offered a wide range of sushi options both on and off the menu, Mao said.

The restaurant has actually pared down its number of roll choices; customers "felt like they were back in school, [reading a long text]," she said.

The management listened to feedback and kept the best-sellers. Customers can request a favorite, however, if it does not appear on the menu, Mao said.

Nanami also offers healthier rolls such as the Barbie Doll (tuna, salmon, cod, masago, jalapeo, lettuce and sriracha in rice paper for $15).

Executive Sushi Chef Jason Liao said he recommends the sashimi.

"For something like the tasting menu, my philosophy is to bring out the fish," he said. "Pay respect to the fish that you are serving, and don't mask [the flavor]."

He said that if he is at the sushi bar and serving a customer who is unsure about sushi, he will encourage the customer to try a few menu items.

For those who are new to sushi, Mao recommended the cooked sushi rolls, such as the Angel Roll (scallops, avocado and cream cheese deep-fried with spicy mayonnaise for $14).

Nanami also offers non-sushi options and "kitchen dinners" such as the black pepper steak ($20) or ton katsu (fried pork or chicken fillet served with vegetables for $16).

Special rolls

• Hawaiian Roll—Yellowtail, strawberry ($15)
• E.T. Roll—Tuna, salmon, cod, kani, avocado, cucumber, masago and daikon sprout ($14)
• Paradise Roll—Yellowtail, white cod, avocado, garlic sauce ($14)
• Surf N Turf—Tuna, avocado, seared beef, garlic, chef's prepared steak sauce ($14)

Other options

• Nabe yaki udon—Noodle soup with egg, spinach, fish cake and shrimp tempura ($13)
• Nanami ramen—Noodle with pork, egg, vegetable, and fish cake in miso broth or soy sauce broth ($13)
• Cheesecake tempura—Lightly fried cheesecake with whipped cream and chocolate syrup ($6)

Bento boxes

The bento box lunch special ($10.95–13.95) comes with miso soup, house salad, pot stickers, fruit, four pieces of California roll and rice. Diners can choose shrimp and vegetable tempura or chicken, beef, salmon or shrimp teriyaki. The dinner version ranges from $18 to $21.

"The boxes let you try a little bit of everything," Bar Manager Jenny Mao said.

Tasting menu

Nanami's special tasting menu is an opportunity for chefs to be more creative as well as showcase the flavor and freshness of the fish, Executive Sushi Chef Jason Liao said.

One dish (right) is a Japanese flounder sashimi with beets prepared three ways.

Nanami Sushi Bar & Grill, 9001 Brodie Lane, Ste. B1, 512-292-4228, www.nanamisushi.com

• Sun.–Thu. 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m.
• Fri. and Sat. 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m.