Pics by Josh

Kenichi is one of downtown Austin’s most established sushi joints, as I have been going here for almost a decade.  On Monday, Kenichi invited food bloggers for a tasting.  I don’t blame them for wanting to remind people about Kenichi, with old timer Keyoto in addition to the opening of Imperia, Yu Sushi Izagaya, Finn & Porter, Maiko, Silhouette, soon to be Pirahana Killer Sushi and Sushi Zushi, all in the downtown area, competition is fiercer than ever.  Yes, the restaurant is trendy, but the food is top-notch and should not be ignored.  Any foodies who hate ’see and be seen’ places, trust me on this one, the menu is first rate.  Sushi has a funny thing about it, I walked in there with zero appetite and after 9 half bites, I walked out starving.  No wonder sushi meals are so $$$!  FYI: go for happy hour when 40 menu items are $5 and under.  HH is Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday all night and 4-7 Wednesday, Thursday & Friday.  Mention MaggiesAustin and get a free appetizer.  Reservations highly recommended on weekends.

Grilled Shishito Peppers

To see pictures of Kenichi:

Storefront at 5th & Colorado

Chilled melon soup w/ yellow curry & thai basil.  I’m so vain, I probably think this song is about me, about me, yeah, yeah…..

Austin style Sashimi: thinly sliced yellowtail w/ ponzu, cilantro, & serrano peppers

Suzuki Confetti: striped bass sashimi w/ scallions & finely-minced peppers w/ a citrus vinagrette

Hearts of palm salad w/ asparagus, mizuna, & vanilla-mitsukan

Crispy tofu w/ ten-tsuyu broth & spicy garlic

Tuna tataki w/ avocado, japanese mustard, white balsamic, & crispy yuzu

Seared sea scallops w/ kabocha puree, shoyu-gari, herb oil, & tempura ginger.  The kabocha tastes similar to sweet potatoes and I would love to try making it at home but The Hungry Engineers said not worth the effort.  Peeling the vegetable results in bloody hands every time.  Will have to return to Kenichi for some I suppose!

Gluten-free tofu beignets w/ vanilla ice cream & local honeycomb.  Kenichi has an entire gluten free menu for all of you with celiac disease.  They are also happy to make any roll rice-less.

Kenichi 419 Colorado St. Austin, TX 78701 www.kenichiaustin.com 512-320-8882