---

---

Introduction: Besides having a great lunch deal (and a 10% discount for Caltech students), Hanabi, located by Trader Joe’s, is a spot for authentic Japanese food, ranging from sushi to hot entrées.

Goal: To check out a tucked-away sushi place a passerby would normally overlook.

Stockroom Options: There is a fully stocked sushi bar (with its own menu). Not in the mood for raw fish? Don’t worry, there’s a plethora of appetizers, combination plates, and entrées of traditional Japanese fare.

Materials and Cost: For dinner, we had the Sushi Combination Plate A ($14.99) and the Two Combination Platter with grilled chicken breast and shrimp and vegetable tempura ($12.99). We couldn’t resist dessert, and splurged for green tea and strawberry Mochi Ice Cream ($3.95) and vanilla Tempura Ice Cream ($4.95).

Observations: The sushi combination plate A was served as a beautiful 16-piece spread, including tuna, salmon, yellowtail, whitefish, crab, albacore, octopus, and California rolls. The California rolls were refreshing, and the sticky rice had a good texture. The favorites were the crab, salmon, whitefish, and albacore selections because they were light on the stomach and flavorful. The other choices were heavier and bland. Still, all the fish was fresh.

The two combination platter also had a beautiful presentation in a Bento Box. It came with a salad, which was cool and crisp, but a bit watery. The teriyaki sauce was sweet and tangy, though the chicken was a bit dried out. The vegetables used in the tempura were string beans, carrots, bananas, and sweet potatoes, and the shrimp was not over-cooked. Fortunately, they were not greasy at all, and had a flaky, light crust.

To round off our meal, we had two items from the dessert menu. First, we sampled mochi ice cream in two flavors: green tea and strawberry. These little balls have the ice cream surrounded by rice paste dough, which may sound odd but tastes delicious. The green tea ball had a distinct tea flavor (only for true green tea lovers), while the strawberry ball tasted like a piece of candy, sweet and enjoyable.

A new experience for both of us was the infamous vanilla tempura ice cream. Simply put, it was a big, deep-fried ball of ice cream. The crust smelled and tasted like funnel cake, and complemented the ice cream well. It was a challenge to eat, though with teamwork, it was devoured.

Atmosphere: Hanabi is a quaint, well-decorated restaurant. Everything felt authentic, down to the bamboo placemats. Don’t feel intimidated, the atmosphere and service are both definitely welcoming.

Conclusion: Definitely head to Hanabi for an enjoyable meal, especially with lunch combos starting at $7.99. It’s definitely one of Lake’s hidden treasures. Make sure to save room for dessert, and try the tempura ice cream!