‘Go local’ at sushi restaurant near Yokosuka

Being in Japan, it’s very probable that you’ve visited many sushi places and perhaps even already have a favorite place you like to visit when you’re in the mood for some rolls.

If you’re looking to step up your sushi game a notch and try some local ingredients at great prices, then you might want to check out Sushiyanokacchan, a short 20-minute drive from Yokosuka Naval Base.

Miura Peninsula is famous amongst gourmands in Japan for being the home of high-quality, fresh local seafood and veggies. And, it just so happens that Sushiyanokacchan is also in Miura Peninsula (so is Yokosuka base!), so getting your hands on fresh “maguro,” or tuna straight from Misaki Port and fresh Misaki “Yasai,” or vegetables grown locally, is easy here.

The restaurant is a favorite for my family and I when we’re craving fresh sushi and crisp veggies.

When you first enter, you might be surprised by how crowded the place is. Though the restaurant is spacious and can easily seat 70 in its table-and-tatami-room mixed dining room, after tasting their food it’s easy to see why this place fills up quickly.

For some deals, check them out at lunch time (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) when they have a couple of lunch sets starting from 1,000 – 2,200 yen ($ 9-20). We prefer to visit it in the evening, where we can enjoy our fresh sushi over glasses of premium sake.

The menu is filled with all your hand-shaped and rolled sushi, and sashimi (raw fish) favorites and more. Sushiyanokacchan serves up tuna (fatty and lean), squid, salmon, bonito, shrimp, scallop, mackerel, sea bream and egg. If you’re not a fan of raw fish, try their gently-fried tempura using local vegetables and seafood as well.

Much like the lunch set prices, dinner at the restaurant is inexpensive. A single hand-shaped sushi runs from around 100 to 250 yen. According to a server, the seafood is seasonal and purchased every morning at the local fish market, guaranteeing the freshest and safest cut for customers.

“We have fish and seafood that you can’t find at other restaurants,” the server added.

Though here there are no rules on how to enjoy your sushi, fish here is served with sides of soy sauce and rock salt to dip your sushi and raw fish into. A good piece of sushi has a nice balance of fish and rice, and the soy sauce will only enhance this perfect balance. Squid or white-meat fish, such as yellowtail, red sea bream and flatfish, pair better with rock salt and green citrus fruit.

I actually tried both soy sauce and salt for my yellowtail and noticed that soy sauce made the fatty yellowtail taste slightly sweeter, while rock salt just added the perfect depth to the flavor. But, let your taste buds make the decision between shio (salt) or shoyu (soy sauce) for you!

And make sure to check out their sake list as they carry many premium picks to pair with your fish dishes.

This casual and cozy sushi restaurant with its fresh catches and vast options for everyone in your party is sure to keep you coming for more. And it might even become your new regular sushi spot!

takiguchi.takahiro@stripes.com

Kacchan

Hours: Open Mon – Fri, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and 5 – 10 p.m., Sat, Sun and holidays, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. 
Location: 1-2 Yamashinadai,Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Pref. (20-minute drive from Yokosuka Naval Base)
URL (in Japanese): www.facebook.com/susiyanokacchan
Tel: 046-857-6474 (Japanese)