1) Kawa Sushi
The second location of Kawa Sushi (2321 N. Murray Ave., 414-800-7979) is hipper and more noodly than its North Shore sister. Raw and cooked Japanese dishes get equal play, including four kinds of ramen.
The tempura (apps start at $5) is light and crisp, the gyoza al dente ($5), with a deliciously salty dipping
sauce. Like it raw? Order the 19-piece sashimi deluxe with rice ($24). Mmm.
2) Hungry Sumo
Hunker down at the sushi bar inside Hungry Sumo (2663 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., 414-595-9656), nod hello to the sushi chefs and get down to some raw business. Sumo’s food artists, led by co-owner Thitichai “Jif” Rukchon, make a variety of maki, classic and contemporary.
You can’t go wrong with a simple spicy tuna maki ($6.95), but there are some dynamite fancy maki, such as Black Tokyo (with black rice, spicy shrimp and jalapeno topped with super-white tuna, $14.95) and Very Crunchy ($11.95), a deep-fried whole roll with shrimp tempura, cream cheese, crab and avocado).
3) Sushi Go!
In a tiny strip mall co-occupied by Starbucks, Sushi Go! (2110 E. Oklahoma Ave., 414-333-5565) specializes in the trend-setting sushi burrito – or sushirrito! All that separates the burrito from a seaweed nori roll is its larger size and shape.
Sushi Go, which started as a food truck in 2015, has expanded its truck operation to sunny digs offering happy-hour mini sushi burritos, two kinds of ramen (plus a daily ramen special) and a full drink menu. You’ll need no additional sides when you order this wrap.
Props also to the flavorful, filling Tuna-Geddon ($14), whose plentiful, fresh yellowtail and ahi tuna go smashingly with cucumber, avocado, green onion, rice, tobiko and soy-wasabi glaze. ◆
Tips for Going Raw:
- Sushi was created as finger food. Feel free to ditch the chopsticks and eat using your hands.
- Mixing wasabi with soy sauce is considered poor form in Japan. Try dabbing wasabi directly on the fish.
- Open wide! Each piece of sushi is meant to be eaten in one bite.
