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| - "Irashaimase!" means Welcome! Traditionally, proprietors shout this to you as you walk in to their establishment in Japan and Hana is no exception.
As a Japanese native, I have very fond memories of how my food tasted while I was growing up. So far, there are only two restaurants I've tried in Arizona that have traditional sushi and dishes unique to Japanese home style cuisine. Hana is one of them.
Sushi is meant to be eaten in a single bite. Unlike most sushi restaurants in America, the chefs prepare the fish for nigiri sushi/sashimi thin and tender. This is how it is in Japan! Not the chunky block of fish you usually get. Sure, you feel like you are getting more value for your dollar but the whole idea around Japanese cuisine is balance, taste and esthetics. Too much fish overpowers the delicate flavor of the seasoned rice. Either way, their sushi is always fresh and delicious and creative. While cream cheese is not widely used in Japan, you can still get your Americanized sushi if you want it so you get a nice balance between authentic and neo-cuisine. I highly recommend any of their nigiri options (slice of fish on top of a bite of seasoned rice). We've tried a few of their rolls too and were not disappointed.
My favourite dish is their Tonkatsu Ramen. It is sort of off-menu; you have to request it. And it is amazing. The broth is a rich pork broth, made from boiling pork bones for literally hours and hours. The noodles are tender with a wonderful chewy-ness to them and the garnishments are wonderful. Takes me back to my childhood, slurping soup out of the bowl from a tiny shoppe in an alley, steaming my face in the rich aroma of pork. A recent trip to Japan reminded me of just how much I love that dish and Hana does it up right. In fact, they've won awards for their Ramen! Best in Arizona!
They also have some of the best Tempura available! Tender, light and delicious. I have yet to have a greasy tempura dish set before me from Hana. Try their Agedashi Tofu - Tofu squares battered, deep fried and then served with a light tempura sauce poured over. The batter turns gummy (in the best possible way), the tofu is piping hot (as in, be careful!) and the flavor is delicate and comforting. Oh! And the Hamachi Kama (this is the collar of the Yellowtail fish) is out of this world. Broiled perfectly so that the meat has a nice char but is still tender and moist. Served with a traditional ponzu (soy-citrus) sauce. YUM! (I'm making myself hungry!)
Other traditional Japanese dishes are offered from their "Japanese Menu". It isn't always handed to you at the table. Sometimes you have to ask for it. Most of the items found on this menu are visible on the chalkboard above the sushi bar too. Be sure to try them! They're terrific. I recommend the Takoyaki (little balls of seasoned dumpling, stuffed with cooked octopus and then topped with Kewpie Mayonnaise and other delicious toppings) and the cold soba (cold buckwheat noodles that you dip in a subtle soy/ponzu sauce.) Wonderful in Summer and surprisingly hearty for such a light dish!. Their main dinner menu features steak, chicken and lobster prepared in their own Hana style. It's pretty yummy but I admit that I tend to stick to the more traditional stuff. Price-wise, they are within the typical range for a Japanese eatery. My husband and I typically spend around $50-60 for dinner but he eats a LOT of sushi so...
The staff is always friendly, enthusiastic and attentive. The place really has good food so don't be surprised if there is a wait. It is a small place (they are expanding soon) so there are a limited number of tables. But they turn their tables around rather quickly so typically your wait is not longer than 30-40 minutes on a very busy Friday evening. This is a BYOB establishment. You bring your beer, sake or wine and they'll uncork it for you and provide fresh glasses. My only complaint (and this is entirely a ME thing) is that it can get rather loud in there. I'm accustomed to the quiet atmosphere you find in Japan but not at Hana. I'm sure it is just because so many people are talking so enthusiastically about how delicious the food is!
Footnote: My daughter is deathly allergic to shellfish but loves sushi. I like that this restaurant routinely asks about food allergies every time we order and they are careful to keep shellfish well away from her order so we can all enjoy without having to worry if we'll have to cart her to the ER!
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