Little Tokyo in Long Beach
It’s only been a year and a half since Kihon Sushi and Japanese Tapas opened in Naples in Long Beach, and already chef/owner Erwin Angeles is making his mark in a world overwhelmed with sushi options.
Kihon, meaning “fundamentals” in Japanese, is a standout thanks to chef Erwin’s philosophy of focusing on a well-edited menu of the highest quality sushi and sashimi and his formal training. Erwin trained under master sushi chef Katsuya Uechi at Katsuya in Los Angeles, and even attended his prestigious Sushi Institute of America.
At Kihon, you won’t see the sushi chefs downing shots of sake, they are serious and skilled at preparing the freshest sushi and sashimi and a handful of sushi rolls. Erwin would like to see less rolls that are typical at sushi restaurants, and let the fish and perfectly seasoned rice and delicate flavors speak for itself.
Here’s a hot tip: order from the fresh fish board and let chef Erwin do the rest. You won’t be disappointed.
There are other great options on the menu: specialties, tapas, salads, and dinner combos. Some favorites include yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno with zesty ponzu sauce; the best and lightest vegetable and shrimp tempura in recent memory; and shisito, delicately sautéed peppers. Favorite rolls include and the light and refreshing New Naples roll with tuna, yellowtail, salmon whitefish and avocado wrapped in soy paper and sheet of cucumber; and the White Russian with spicy albacore roll topped with seared albacore sashimi drizzled with a creamy caramelized onion sauce.
For ramen lovers, you need to try Kihon’s ramen with flavors--tonkotsu, shoyu, spicy miso--slowly cooked for 16 hours until the flavors and texture are perfection. They add chashu pork, marinated soft-boiled egg, and other vegetables and seasonings.
Kihon is also one of the nearly 50 participating restaurants in Dine Out Long Beach, Restaurant Week 2.0 from February 28- March 5. Chef Erwin has created a special prix-fixe menu dinner menu at $30 per person. Tax and gratuity not included. You can view the menu here.
Open 5 to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 5 to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday.
5662 E. 2nd St. in Long Beach. 562.433.3800.
