As the weather gets warmer, we seek out cooler foods: icy beers, chilled sorbets and cold sushi! Thankfully, the Phoenixville area has no shortage of excellent sushi places.
Sushi was first developed in Southeast Asia and was found in South China before appearing in Japan around the eighth century. Salted fish was tucked into a fermented rice wrapper to keep it from spoiling; originally, it was said that the rice was used only to protect the fish and was discarded before the fish was consumed. This preserving practice, an important way of eating well, gave way to the many variations of sushi today.
In honor of International Sushi Day on Saturday, June 18, here are some of our favorite local places to enjoy sushi:
Liki Sushi & Hibachi
With a quiet front room and a dedicated hibachi grill, Liki is perfect for parties and dinner dates, as the menu is varied and flavorful—not to mention the show you get with the hibachi masters. For my grandmom’s 85th birthday, we brought her to Liki. She had never had sushi or hibachi before. The chef was flipping food to her plate and she was having a blast. BYOB and enjoy with hand-rolled sushi and other Asian-fusion dishes. 243 Schuylkill Rd., Phoenixville, (610) 983-996
Asian Cafe
This spot serves up traditional Thai, Japanese and Chinese fare, including excellent soups, noodles and rice dishes. Sushi entrees and platters are served at lunch and dinner with a variety of vegetable and seafood rolls. The Kani Salad is a favorite of many, along with the Unagi Don (broiled eel glazed with a sauce over sushi rice). 550 Kimberton Rd., #10, Phoenixville, (610) 933-2227
Kumo Sushi
Kumo is loved by locals for its hand-rolled sushi, soups, full lunch and dinner entrees and hibachi. This BYOB offers a relaxed and elegant décor and just debuted a new menu with new sushi items, including the The Spicy Girl Roll (crunchy spicy salmon, tuna, yellowtail and avocado wrapped in soy paper with spicy mayo on top) and the Godzilla Roll (with spicy tuna and avocado wrapped in tempura-style seaweed and scallions).
One of the best parts of the dining experience here is the service; friendly, warm and accommodating, the staff treats guests to a wonderful night out with friends or family, and even a quick lunch feels like a step away from the pressures of everyday life. Order up some hot jasmine tea, one or two special sushi rolls and relax. 99 Market St., Ste. 1, Providence Town Center, Collegeville, (610) 489-6868
Bonjung
With a huge catering menu, special roll menu and specialty seafood rolls, Bonjung has something for every sushi lover. Select sushi specials are often not noted on the menu, so be sure to ask your server. The sushi sashimi boat is a customer favorite, as are the Alligator Roll (with salmon cucumber, eel, salmon skin and scallion), the Bonjung Dragon Roll (with tuna, salmon, avocado, cucumber, crab stick and eel) and the Bul Go Gi Roll (with broiled thin sliced rib eye, cucumber, asparagus and carrot). W. 3rd Ave. & Walnut St (50 3rd Ave.), Collegeville Station, #220, Collegeville, (610) 489-7022
Veekoo
Situated in a small strip mall off Lewis Road near Kohl’s, this hot spot is always busy. A small sushi counter greets you upon arrival, and the dining area is hushed and serene. Veekoo offers a huge sushi boat for a large party (or a small really hungry party!) and features excellent appetizers such as the Kani Seafood Salad. The restaurant’s superb Asian entrees represent Chinese, Japanese and Thai cuisine. 333 10th Ave., Royersford, (610) 948-5433
Kamita Sushi
Special platters and a la carte items are offered, including the amazing Philadelphia Eagle Roll. This fabulous sushi roll includes shrimp tempura inside spicy real crab meat with seaweed salad topped off with a crunch. Entrees include miso soup. This Asian bistro is a great place to go before the movies at Regal. 180-C Mill Rd., Oaks, (484) 924-8681
- Liki Sushi & Hibachi photo: S. Adams
- Remaining photos: Christine Tarlecki
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