Dear Murasaki,
I think I’m in love. It happened immediately after a bite of your red-snapper sashimi ($11), delicate petals of translucent fish drizzled with a savory shishito and scallion oil that rendered me into a state of utter bliss. I think my eyes might have rolled to the back of my head. Before you came along, I was stuck in this sushi rut and I can’t thank you enough. It’s been almost a week since I last dined there and I have been thinking about you nearly every day …
OK, no really, would that be creepy of me to send along to the chefs and owners of Sushi Murasaki in Santa Ana? I can’t remember the last time I felt inspired to write such disgustingly sappy praise, but Sushi Murasaki deserves it. The former home of Restaurant Inaba, a traditional Japanese eatery catering to an almost all-Japanese clientele, Murasaki still draws a strong Japanese crowd, but that’s a good thing. While there are modern twists to traditional sushi, and even the obligatory spicy tuna and California rolls, you never once sense that Murasaki is only catering to the stereotypical, Californianized sushi eater. That’s definitely another good thing and Murasaki somehow manages to successfully balance both traditional and creative offerings. A full review to come … in the meantime, a peek to whet your appetite:
There are daily specials posted on a chalkboard near the front, from a fantastic steamed black cod ($8.50, above), sitting in a bath of ponzu, shiitake mushrooms and sprouts to pork kakuni, tender hunks of pork stewed in a delicate soy ginger sauce.
The lobster cut roll (the spicy yellowtail is a better pick); albacore (melt-in-your-mouth), silky octopus and some spicy tuna hand rolls. We’re not gluttons at all.
The Tuna Yamakake ($6.50) is a must-try. Though it’s not for anyone who might get squeamish over any kind of viscous, gooey texture. That’s beautifully cubed tuna topped with grated nagaimo, a Japanese mountain potato that’s like eating slimy jicama. Mmm-mmm.
I’m a big fan of raw octopus, but only when it’s done right. (I love it at Ikko in Costa Mesa!) At Murasaki, silver-dollar sized discs of octopus dabbed with yuzu sit atop crunchy slices of cucumber for a refreshing, almost canape-style dish ($10).
This had to be one of our faves: The salmon ochazuke ($5), a simple and homey tea and rice soup. I want a bowl so bad right now.
Don’t miss out on the Soy Milk Pudding ($4.50), a refreshing dessert that’s light and delectable. It’s like a lighter panna cotta with a berry sauce on top.
2901 W. MacArthur Blvd. (gray and red building)
Santa Ana, CA
714. 241.1000
