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Flying Fish Sushi Bar & Grill

A stripmall score ...

California Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, Alaska Roll, and the French Kiss. Pure bliss. Photo credit: Dutch Randall

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ANNOUNCER: As sushi becomes more and more popular with South Sound residents, new places seem to pop up around every corner. Once in a while, we are lucky enough to find that spot that sets itself apart from the rest. Dutch and Jackie head to Flying Fish Sushi Bar & Grill in Tacoma with the hopes of discovering just that.

JACKIE: The Westgate Shopping area has been a weird mix of growth and empty storefronts. While shiny new spaces are being filled with a plethora of dining options, older portions of the stripmall remain empty. I was delighted to spy a Flying Fish situating themselves as the neighbor to Chase Bank and transforming the space (I think it was a Curves before) into a delightfully delicious nook. The menu boasting sushi, teriyaki, ramen and more will fulfill all of your Asian fare cravings. We started with the Las Vegas Roll -- my husband jokes that I can make anything unhealthy and he's not totally wrong. Eel, crab, avocado and cream cheese is covered in a light tempura batter and fried. Say what you will, I'm a fan of all sushi, Americanized or not.

DUTCH: I went in big with four recommended sushi rolls: California Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, Alaska Roll, and the French Kiss. It's a lot to take on, but I was willing to give it a shot. The California and Spicy Tuna rolls were similar to what I've eaten in the past, however, a unique difference here is the crab meat in the California Roll -- a creamy mixture that added a pleasant texture to what is already a popular roll; likewise, the spicy tuna was a shredded mix of tuna and spice, rather than a common sliced fillet. The Alaska Roll is less traditional with cream cheese rolled with salmon and avocado, however, this is one of my favorites as it is just one creamy bite after another. The last choice was the French Kiss roll which is quite simply a traditional California Roll that is topped with a cooked shrimp. This alone was worth the visit.

JACKIE: Obviously on an Unagi bender, I had to try the Unagi Donburi Bowl -- a deep bowl piled high. Steamed rice lays down the foundation with broiled Unagi, veggies and a special sauce finished with bright and fresh microgreens. Yum.

DUTCH: The Donburi bowl isn't the only non-sushi dish that gets my taste buds amped up here. There are several teriyaki options that are served as you would expect with rice and a side salad, but a hidden gem here is the Salmon Teriyaki. With all the top quality seafood laying around for the sushi customers, it's nice to see fresh salmon set aside for the less adventurous diners. Most South Sounders are a bit apprehensive ordering seafood just anywhere, as am I, but the quality offered here will allow you to set any fears aside and simply enjoy.

JACKIE: They even have a few ramen options that will delight. The Re Men Noodle dish presented a bathtub-sized bowl of steaming broth, rich with a hint of spice loaded with ramen noodles, ample sliced beef, pork, and chicken and scallions for good measure. These cold, wet days call for this dish.

FLYING FISH SUSHI BAR & GRILL, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., daily, 2723 N Pearl St., Tacoma, 253.752.7675, flyingfishtacoma.com

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