Bistro Miyoda & Sushi Ichiriki UPDATE - Redondo Beach

It was a random dinner with friends a few years ago, yet another a nondescript storefront of a bustling bistro in yet another suburban strip mall. 

But there was something same-same but different about this bistro too, a buzzing ambiance, a cool-without-trying vibe, making it the Torihei of sushi spots.

We forgot about it for a while, but now, with it’s more Doordash-accessible location, it’s our new go-to place, with beautiful cuts of fish at twice the quality and a fraction of the price. 

They make a fabulous Fried Chicken - a perfect, golden batter, and they have a long list of creative artisanal-appearing specialty rolls. The Seared Ono Roll remains my favorite, and you can’t go wrong with classics like the Catepillar. 

Soft-shelled Crab is another sweet starter, not one but TWO crabs, classically fried. 

The Sushi Pizza makes it sound white-washed, but it’s a playful concoction of crispy rice topped with avocado and spicy tuna, a contrast of hot and cold, cream and crunch. Call it whatever you want - you won’t enjoy it any less. 

When you have a place with such quality cuts, stick to the straightforward. The Una-don, for example is slices of tender eel, drizzling its juices into the rice beneath. 

I've never met a dish more understated than their Tekka-don. They call it a bowl of tuna, but these fatty cuts are clearly toro. It makes the most beautiful bowl, and these oily slices are spectacular. 

The name is long and the location is random, and I think this makes Bistro Miyoda one of the better-hidden and perpetually underrated Beach City secrets. Splash into someplace sexy closer to Catalina or the pier if that’s what you’re looking for, but if you want real, affordable quality and a more relaxed atmosphere, make the drive to Bistro Miyoda where the sushi is great and the parking is free. 

Bistro Miyoda & Sushi Ichikiri - Redondo Beach

A shopping-center stand-out. Torrance is full of these easy-to-miss, hard-to-see-from-the-road restos, but I had yet to find one in Redondo Beach. 

Here it is, lurking in the shadow of the Vons. The inside is minimalist-chic-modern, with simple tables, spacious booths, and a gorgeous bar. 

The Seared Tuna with Jalapeno takes our table by storm. The sear is smoky and sexy, a bold hit of grill and a hot jalapeno fluorish.

The Crazy Roll is a cluster of madness, a pleasing melange of salmon, tuna, yellowtail, whitefish, crab meat, and the good kind of ADD.

The Volcano Roll is all about the eel. The usual comfort gets a kick thanks to the spicy sauce, and borrows a wake-up crunch from the tempura shrimp beneath. The Seared Ono Roll features stripes of wahoo on top, and it tastes like a firmer and denser white tuna. The spicy yellowtail and albacore roll is a base with bite.

The Hybrid Roll is a conglomeration of two good ideas. It's a spider roll base with tender slabs of seared albacore on top. Both are delicious, but together, they do make this roll difficult to eat.

The Alaskan Roll is simple and simply delicious. Just a California roll supporting strips of mouth-watering salmon.

The Caterpillar Roll is always a favorite, and this one is absolutely beautiful. I'll never know how they spread the avocado so aesthetically across the top, and the fresh water eel melts the rice for a roll that tastes as pretty as it looks. 

Sorry Flyin' Fin, I may have found another favorite for rolls. Bistro Miyoda is quality, creative, and flawless, and I just can't get enough!