Sugoi Starts Slinging Sushi On Valencia St.

1058 Valencia Street, The Mission
Phone: 415-401-8442; Facebook
Status: Certified Open

Sugoi means "amazing" in Japanese, but the jury is still out on this newborn sushi concept from Hong Kong native Roy Louie and Cyrus Shen. The owners' track records are not too shabby. Louie has worked at Akira in San Rafael, Morpho in Cow Hollow, and Blowfish. 24-year-old partner Shen trained for eight years as a sushi chef in Japan. Together they are going on record with one goal: "amazing sushi for cool people." This means small plates, nigiri, "new style sashimi," maki and specialty rolls in the fresh, seasonal vein. The decor hasn't changed much since the Rice Broker days, save for some moody red lighting and the bar is now a sushi bar. The room seats just about sixty people, with outdoor seating coming soon. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5:30 to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Highlights from the menu follow, and do drop those early reports in the tip jar as time permits.

Small Plate Highlights:

- Miso Black Cod ($12)

- Hamachi Kami - Grilled Yellowtail Cheek ($11.50)

- Seared Albacore with crispy onion ($14)

- Grilled Whole Squid with ginger sauce ($10)

- Sugoi Spicy Pork Ramen with Japanese spice sausage, egg, shrimp, and pork ($12)

Sashimi Highlights:

- Torch Walu with yuzugoshou ($15)

- Hamachi Jalapeno ($15)

- Umimasu with ginger garlic shiso leaf ($15)

- Seared Blue Fin Toro with chili sesame sauce ($18)

Deluxe Maki Highlights:

- Hamachi Tempura Roll - fried yellowtail, avocado and gobo ($11)

- Sunnyside Roll - spicy crab, avocado, cucumber and shrimp tempura ($12)

- Dynamite - hamachi, albacore, salmon, scallions, chili sauce and lightly fried ($11.50)

- 49er Roll - salmon, avocado, cucumber, masago and lemon slices ($12)

Drinks: Sugoi's bar boasts an international list of premium sake and wines to compliment the Japan-centric cuisine.

· All Sugoi Sushi Coverage [~ ESF ~]