Ahhh ... great sushi in Costa Mesa

Deirdre Newman

Nestled between a car lot and a psychic palm reader is an unassuming

building that packs a lot of flavor into little pieces of sushi.

Ahhh ... Wasabi, which opened on Harbor Boulevard three months

ago, offers tantalizing selections such as a caterpillar roll, which

is avocado on an eel roll snaking around the plate, and a special

cucumber roll, which contains tuna, white fish, salmon, crab meat and

avocado.

As you soon as you walk through the front door, which is painted a

bold red, the bustling cacophony of traffic on Harbor Boulevard

subsides, giving way to soft jazz and the soothing sound of gently

lapping water from an artificial pond inhabited by goldfish.

Rice-paper lamps emit a soft glow.

Sitting at the sushi bar gives you a front-row seat to the sushi

chefs slicing and dicing as waitresses dressed in colorful kimonos

are quick to bring ice water and tea. On Wednesday at lunch hour, the

bar was more crowded than the tables in the restaurant.

Ahhh ... Wasabi offers a “mix ‘n’ match lunch” of any two items,

including tempura and teriyaki selections, for $6.75. A la carte

items are $6.25.

It also offers selections on rice, such as eel and deep fried

chicken with egg. A variety of noodle dishes are also available.

The sushi bar, which has a separate menu, offers an overwhelming

selection that can entice novice and veteran sushi eaters.

The Bonzai roll, which contains tuna, yellow tail, salmon and

fried cheese, is a delectable combination. The soft cheese gives the

roll an original flavor. It comes in a secret, special sauce that’s a

little spicy, but the perfect complement to the dish.

The fresh water eel (unagi) is so tender that it folds over the

rice that supports it. The Crunchy roll has the requisite amount of

crunchiness. And the fried wontons stuffed with crab and shrimp

practically melt in your mouth.

For dessert, mochi ice cream is a refreshing way to cleanse your

palate and a delicious ending to the meal.

Owner Ming Chun Cha said he opened Ahhh ... Wasabi in Costa Mesa

because he wanted to be in the heart of Orange County. Cha is

following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who also

worked in the restaurant business.

The fish is always fresh and the sashimi is replaced every day,

Cha said.

Marcie Treybig of Santa Ana, who dined at the restaurant on

Wednesday, said she was impressed with how much food Ahhh ... Wasabi

offers.

“They have really big portions [that come with] soup and salad,”

Treybig said. “You usually don’t get all that.”

Manager Daniel Cha, Ming’s brother, said Ahhh ... Wasabi is

relying on word of mouth to attract customers. With the serene

ambience, hearty and tasty portions and genuine service, they

shouldn’t have a problem.