Sumo San
This past weekend I had the opportunity to try Sumo San in Shockoe Bottom in Richmond.
Japanese by most measures, they offer both sushi, sashimi, rolls, and cooked dishes with rice. Some are typical, such as tempura, others are more south-east Asian inspired, such as one we ordered with a spicy ginger sauce.
I opted for the fish, and I thought I was getting some tuna served on rice, but instead, got the biggest, chunkiest, cold pieces of tuna I ever saw. It came with a spicer sauce for dipping, but without rice, the fish doesn’t pick up much from sauce. It was good, but I am not sure if you have put so much raw fish in your mouth at one time. As someone who wouldn’t cry to eat copious amounts of soy sauce, this “pure fish” experience was new.
The remainder of my meal consisted of rice-based rolls. One simple roll with avocado was delicious… an excellent texture, rice that was perhaps a tad too mushy, but nevertheless delicious. The spicy roll presented itself with a spicy mayo on top, on the bottom, with more tuna on the tops of each roll piece. Texture and flavor were good, but the flavor was necessarily enhanced with more heat and flavor from a wasabi-fortified soy dipping sauce.
The atmosphere was a little dull. I think a more lively environs might bring Sumo San better business. In the area, not too many things are open on Sunday night. They offered good service and fresh food. Following the up-beat review here, I might like to try Sum San again for some other less-familiar offerings, and their martinis.
Recommended.
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RVA Foodie
Said this on March 14th, 2007 at 6:37pm:Sumo San is my favorite sushi place in town. When you go back (and you must!), please order the Crouching Tiger roll for the best tasting bite of food that you might ever have (spicy, crunchy, fatty, smooth, creamy, mmmmm). Another sure thing is any of their sashimi that is served in their secret sauce. The albacore is one, but be sure to ask.
One of the popular dishes at Sumo San is the spicy cigar starter (okay, I forgot the name). It’s a really tasty alternative to a spring roll and starts the meal with smiles all around. Another way to liven up your experience is to order a round of “Sake Bombs.” Asuming that the owner and head sushi chef, Victor, is in the restaurant, he will bring out his famous beverage and perform a seemingly painful magic trick that will have you drunk with laughter as well as booze.
Repeat this a few times and Sumo San will likely move rapidly up your list of sushi hot spots.