March 28th, 2015

Rehoboth Beach Eats! Saketumi, Restaurant, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Asian Cuisine with a Modern Twist, Lunch & Dinner, Sushi, Sashimi, Open 7 Days a Week, Bento Box, Sunday Brunch, Delaware Beaches, Southern Delaware

Are the boys coming?  Approaching the Chef’s Table, (Sushi Bar)….Master Sushi Chef Shigeki Tanaka asked.  Not tonight but two good friends from Ocean City, Maryland, are coming.  Yes, Cindi and Ryan, were joining me for a little sushi and sashimi at Saketumi, located at 18814 Coastal Highway.  Tel. 302-645-2818  Website?  http://www.mysaketumi.com.

I have known Chef Tanaka for about 6 years since Saketumi arrived on the scene in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.  I have always taken the same seat at his Chef’s table.  He is an artist and his presentation is incredible.  To watch him work is mesmerizing.  You can still talk to him the whole time, but his concentration will be on his preparation of your food.

For the Saki aficionado there is plenty to choose.

You will first be served a bit of marinated fish…cucumbers, rice vinegar and Mirin.  Just to wet your appetite.

We ordered Seared White Tuna Tataki with Yuzo Citrus Vinaigrette and fried shallots, mango salsa and cilantro.  On the right photo an order of Torched Tuna with jalapeno, red tobiko, chive, masago cracker, and spicy ponzu sauce.

My Sunset Roll had spicy tuna, eel, cucumber topped with salmon, yellow tail and sliced avocado with sweet goma and mild “chilie” oil.  Scallop sashimi…I truly love.  So delicate!!

Another Sunset Roll was ordered just like mine and an additional roll….Dynamite which is a baked Cali Roll, with spicy mayo, scallop, fresh crabmeat and masago on top.

The Chunky Monkey Roll is a popular one and also ordered by us.  Fried banana, asparagus, eel inside.  Topped with crunchy tempura flakes, eel sauce and masago.

There is a difference between fresh wasabi and what it is served as wasabi.  On this photo, the fresh wasabi on the left, is delicate, somewhat sweet and and the same time spicy….so good.  The usual wasabi (right) served at most restaurants is a combination of horseradish, mustard, starch and green food coloring.  As you probably know, it is strong.  Fresh wasabi is difficult to cultivate, and therefore, a bit more expensive.  You have to request it and it will cost you about $2 extra but definitely worth it.

Saketumi has a menu that can accommodate everyone in your party.  Love the Lettuce Wrap & Roll with sauteed ground chicken and peanuts.

On Sundays they offfer a Sunday Brunch from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Bento Box Special on Wednesday, check the website above mentioned.

If you have a gluten allergy….they do have gluten free soy sauce.

And if you do not wish to cook….order take out….it is great.  No need to worry about parking any time of the year….they have a huge parking lot.  Have a great week-end!!

January 17th, 2013

Saketumi, Restaurant, Rehoboth Beach, Modern Asian Cuisine, Sushi Bar, Lounge…Fresh Wasabi!!, Delaware Beaches

My 3 favorites were at Saketumi.  And, I don’t mean food.  That too, though.  But, I am talking about Sous Chef Tanaka San, Saketumi’s Manager, Kim, and James, our server that is so professional.  My visit to Saketumi on Wednesday was the first of 2013.  Saketumi is in a very accessible location in Rehoboth Beach.  Right on Coastal Highway, with plenty of parking.  At this time of the year, that might not mean much, but wait until the summer and you’ll be a happy camper.

Address is 18814 Highway One (Coastal Highway), Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.  Tel. 302-645-2818.  Find them on Facebook!!

We sat at our favorite spot…the sushi bar; my favorite seat was available.  Right in front of Tanaka.  He immediately brought us his own specialty.  He has not give it a name.  I ask every time; what is it?  Yesterday he said, fish, with cucumber, rice vinegar, Mirin…just a delicious great way to start our evening.

A few drinks were ordered.  Then, an order of Torched Tuna Appetizer.  The tuna was served in a carpaccio style, with jalapenos, red tobiko, chives, masago crackers and spicy ponzu sauce.  Love this dish, light and tasty.

Do you see the wasabi next to that appetizer?  It is fresh wasabi.  It is a new sensation for your palate.  Freshly grated.  Not all Asian restaurants have it, but, they should.   Well, wasabi is difficult to cultivate, therefore, more expensive.  A serving in a restaurant is about $2.  The best way to experience it, is to just put it straight on your food.  It is delicate, spicy and completely different from the wasabi everyone seems to know. That common substitute is a mixture of horseradish, mustard, starch and green food coloring.  James, my favorite server, told me that Saketumi is offering to its customers all the time.

Tanaka is such an artist.  His presentations are a work of art.  When you sit at the sushi bar you can watch him work.

Our next dish was just as nice with a Cucumber Roll, Sake Salmon, and Unagi Eel…..need Gluten Free Soy Sauce?  They do have it!!

I was not finished yet….an order of Lettuce Wrap & Roll….I am addictive to this dish, more so even now that James suggested I try it with Sriracha sauce to give it that extra punch.  It really was very good.  Sriracha sauce is made from ripen chilies; ground to a paste with garlic.

That was it!! Perfectly satisfied with no room for dessert.

Saketumi has a Wednesday special with Bento Boxes at great prices.  They open 7 days a week and Sunday Brunch is from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Talk to you later….