Izumi is a Japanese restaurant with a wide-ranging menu, offering everything from familiar favorites to more adventurous dishes. Japanese cuisine is incredibly diverse, and Izumi aims to cater to a variety of tastes and dietary needs.
A well-organized menu is key to a great dining experience. It allows customers to easily understand their options and customize their meal. Izumi offers a variety of courses and combination meals, making it easy to find something you’ll love.
This article will take a detailed look at the Izumi menu, covering all the sections you’ll find when you sit down to order. We’ll explore appetizers, sushi and sashimi, and main entrees. We’ll also highlight lunch specials, bento box options, and even the desserts that Izumi offers. Whether you’re a regular or a first-time visitor, this guide to the Izumi menu will help you navigate your next meal.
Appetizers: A Culinary Prelude
The Izumi menu has a wide array of appetizers, from tried-and-true Japanese classics to more modern and innovative dishes. Here’s a look at some of the hot and cold appetizers you might find.
Hot Appetizers
You can’t go wrong with these hot starters:
- Miso soup and edamame. Miso soup is a traditional Japanese soup, often served with a savory broth and cubes of tofu. Edamame, or steamed soybeans, are a simple and healthy beginning to any meal.
- Fried and crispy delights. Gyoza, or pan-fried Japanese dumplings, and shrimp shumai are reliable favorites. Vegetable egg rolls and crispy shrimp rolls will satisfy if you’re in the mood for something crunchy.
- Grilled and tempura options. Yakitori, or grilled chicken skewers, offer a smoky, savory counterpoint to lighter fare. Shrimp and vegetable tempura, lightly battered and fried, offer a pleasing mix of textures and flavors.
Cold Appetizers
These cold appetizers are light, fresh, and flavorful:
- Tataki dishes. Beef tataki and tuna tataki are lightly seared and served with ponzu sauce.
- Fresh and light options. Summer rolls offer a refreshing mix of vegetables and protein, typically served with a peanut dipping sauce. Madai carpaccio provides a delicate and flavorful raw fish experience.
Salads and Sushi Bar Tapas: Fresh and Flavorful
Izumi’s menu offers a refreshing selection of salads and sushi bar tapas. Here are some that stand out:
Salads
You can’t go wrong with one of Izumi’s traditional Japanese salads:
- Seaweed Salad (Wakame): A simple salad with a unique oceanic taste.
- Sunomono: A refreshing cucumber salad made with sweet vinegar.
Or, if you’re feeling a little more adventurous, try one of Izumi’s creative salad variations:
- Ika Salad: A chewy squid salad with plenty of flavor.
- Sashimi Salad: Fresh greens topped with slices of raw fish.
Tapas from the Sushi Bar
Izumi also has small plates available at the sushi bar:
- Red Hill Tower: A multi-layered delight.
- Yellowtail Heaven: An exquisite combination of flavors.
Sushi and Sashimi: The Heart of Japanese Cuisine
No discussion of the Izumi menu would be complete without a look at its sushi and sashimi offerings, which are, for many, the heart of Japanese cuisine. Here are some of the choices you’re likely to find.
Nigiri and Sashimi Selections
With nigiri, a slice of fish is draped over a small mound of rice. Sashimi is simply the fish, served without rice.
- Tuna (Maguro)
- Bluefin Tuna (Hon-Maguro) is known for its rich, buttery flavor.
- Fatty Tuna (Toro) is especially prized for its melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Salmon (Sake) and Yellowtail (Hamachi)
- Salmon is a very popular choice, offering a smooth, rich taste.
- Yellowtail has a slightly firmer texture and a clean, refreshing flavor.
- Other Seafood Options
- Eel (Unagi) is a sweet and savory option, often glazed with a special sauce.
- Scallop (Hotategai) offers a delicate and sweet flavor.
Maki Sushi (Rolls)
Maki are sushi rolls, often wrapped in seaweed (nori).
- Classic Rolls
- California Roll, a very popular choice, features avocado, cucumber, and crab.
- Spicy Tuna Roll combines tuna with spicy mayonnaise for a fiery kick.
- Specialty Rolls
- Dragon Roll features eel and avocado, often topped with tobiko (flying fish roe).
- Rainbow Roll showcases a variety of fish, creating a colorful and flavorful experience.
Entrees: From Teriyaki to Tempura
Izumi’s entree menu offers a variety of Japanese classics, from grilled teriyaki dishes to crispy tempura and katsu.
Teriyaki Dishes
The teriyaki dishes feature your choice of protein slathered in a sweet and savory glaze that complements the dish perfectly.
- Chicken Teriyaki: A tender chicken breast glazed with teriyaki sauce.
- Salmon Teriyaki: Flaky salmon fillet coated in the signature teriyaki sauce.
- New York Strip Steak Teriyaki: A juicy New York strip steak grilled and glazed with teriyaki sauce.
- Tofu Teriyaki: A vegetarian option featuring grilled tofu with teriyaki sauce.
Tempura Dishes
For those who love a crispy, light batter, the tempura dishes are an excellent choice.
- Vegetable Tempura: A medley of lightly battered and deep-fried vegetables.
- Shrimp Tempura: Plump shrimp coated in a light batter and deep-fried to golden perfection.
Katsu Dishes
Katsu dishes are breaded and deep-fried cutlets served with a tangy katsu sauce.
- Chicken Katsu: A panko-crusted and deep-fried chicken cutlet.
- Tonkatsu (Pork) Katsu: A panko-crusted and deep-fried pork cutlet.
- Red Snapper Katsu: A unique seafood option with a crispy, panko-crusted red snapper fillet.
Noodles and Rice: Comforting and Filling
If you’re looking for something warm and satisfying at Izumi, you can’t go wrong with their noodle and rice dishes.
Ramen
Izumi’s ramen bowls feature a flavorful broth and a variety of toppings.
Broth options include:
- Shio (Salt) Ramen: A light and clear broth
- Shoyu (Soy Sauce) Ramen: A richer broth made with soy sauce
Typical toppings include:
- Chashu pork
- Six-minute egg
- Nori seaweed
- Bamboo shoots (takenoko)
Yakisoba and Yaki Udon
Both of these dishes feature stir-fried noodles.
- Yakisoba uses thin wheat noodles.
- Yaki Udon uses thick udon noodles.
You can customize your noodle bowls with the following protein and vegetable options:
- Vegetable
- Tofu
- Chicken
- Pork
- Shrimp
- Combo
Fried Rice Bowls
Izumi also has fried rice bowls that you can customize with the following:
- Vegetable
- Tofu
- Chicken
- Shrimp
- Beef
- Combo
Bento Boxes and Combination Trays: Variety and Value
If you’re feeling indecisive or want a little bit of everything, Izumi’s bento boxes and combination trays might be just the ticket.
Bento Boxes
Available for lunch and dinner, the bento boxes are like a full-on, delicious experience. Options include a range of popular dishes like teriyaki chicken, crispy katsu, tempura, and even Korean bulgogi (thinly sliced marinated beef).
Each bento box is a self-contained adventure, typically including fluffy white rice, savory gyoza dumplings, crispy tempura, and a classic California roll.
Combination Trays
For sharing (or not, I’m not judging!), the combination trays are a great way to sample a variety of sushi and sashimi.
The Izumi Special Boat is a popular choice, while the Love Boat is a larger option designed for bigger groups or serious sushi enthusiasts.
Lunch Specials: Affordable and Quick
If you’re looking for a quick and affordable lunch, Izumi offers a range of lunch specials, including bento boxes, sushi combos, and classic Chinese-American entrees.
Lunch Bento Boxes
Izumi’s bento boxes offer a variety of options, including:
- Teriyaki Chicken
- Tofu
- Red Snapper Katsu
- Salmon
- Tonkatsu
- Chicken Katsu
- Shrimp Tempura
- Bulgogi
Each bento box typically includes rice, gyoza, tempura, and a California roll, offering a well-rounded and satisfying meal.
Sushi Lunch Specials
Sushi lunch specials feature combinations of various rolls for a quick and easy midday meal.
Lunch Specials
If you’re craving something other than sushi, Izumi also has lunch specials of:
- Kung Pao Chicken or Beef
- Cashewnut Chicken
- Sweet & Sour Chicken
- Yuxiang Chicken or Pork
- General Tso’s Chicken
- Orange Chicken
- Mongolian Beef
- Beef with Broccoli
Desserts, Drinks, and Kid’s Meals: Completing the Experience
The Izumi experience isn’t over until you’ve had a drink or dessert (or until the kids are fed, anyway).
Desserts
If you’re in the mood for something traditionally Japanese, try the mochi, a chewy rice cake with a sweet flavor.
If you’re feeling more adventurous, give one of Izumi’s fusion desserts a try. Options like tempura ice cream and banana katsu offer a playful take on traditional flavors.
Drinks
Izumi offers a wide variety of drinks, including bubble tea and soft drinks.
Kid’s Meals
The restaurant also has options tailored for younger diners, so even picky eaters should be able to find something they like.
Conclusion
The Izumi menu offers a wide array of Japanese-inspired dishes, from delicate appetizers to luscious desserts. Whether you’re craving sushi, ramen, or something entirely new, Izumi is sure to have something to delight your taste buds.
Izumi is committed to accommodating a wide range of preferences. With plenty of vegetarian options, kid-friendly meals, and dishes that can be customized to your liking, everyone in your party will find something to enjoy.
So go ahead and explore the Izumi menu. You might just discover your new favorite dish!