Kamakura’s Japanese Food: Delightful, From Eel to Roll

For good Japanese food and sushi in a cool, relaxing atmosphere, climb upstairs to Kamakura, nestled above a neat cluster of shops on Irvine Avenue in Costa Mesa.

After choosing either a seat at the bar, or at the sushi bar staffed with friendly chefs, or at a table, try some of the appetizers. The deep-fried sesame chicken ($3.25) makes for a tasty light meal starter. Other good bets running from $4 to $6.50 include crab and tartar scallops. Dinner prices range from $7.50 to $21.25 a person, and lunch specials run about $5.25 to $8.25.

For dinner, the lobster miso yaki ($21.25), served golden brown on a split lobster shell with rice, honeydew melon, orange slices and snow peas, is arguably the best item on the menu. For those who want to try a little of everything, the nigiri sushi ($12.75) includes eight kinds of sushi, ranging from octopus and eel to shrimp and halibut, plus California rolls and miso soup. The eel alone is worth a visit here.

Such old favorites as chicken teriyaki ($9.25) and yellowtail teriyaki ($11.75) are also abundant, as are the varied a la carte sashimi dishes, which range from $6 to $9 per person.

In any event, leave room for dessert, specifically for the Kamakura sundae for one person ($3.75) or the “humongous Kamakura sundae” for two ($6.75). The latter is made from a hollowed half of pineapple filled with ginger ice cream, whipped cream, and garnished with pineapple slices, strawberries and topped with the obligatory cherry.

Kamakura, 2675 Irvine Ave., Costa Mesa. Open Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 5 to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, 5 to 9 p.m. (714) 645-5518.