By Harrison Mayesh
Circulation Editor
The Manhattan Beach community says Kon’nichiwa attracting sushi lovers far and wide to the newest sushi restaurant, i-naba.
The newly-opened authentic Japanese restaurant, i-naba, in downtown Manhattan Beach leaves customers satisfied with an array of fresh dishes available for easy carry out and exceptionally fresh taste of Japanese cuisine.
The menu consists of four different types of Japanese cuisine including three types of poke, two types of udon noodles, four diversely styled bento boxes and Osaka style sushi. The poke selection at i-naba includes include yellowtail, ahi tuna and salmon. The bento boxes offered contain different items including grilled chicken, grilled miso cod, grilled salmon and sashimi.
i-naba has six locations nationwide including its newest location in Manhattan Beach that opened earlier this month. Most of their other restaurants offer spacious dining arrangements, which include designated areas that serve particular Japanese cuisines, however the Manhattan Beach location is significantly less spacious as it is specifically designed for fast and easy carry out.
Check out other reviews on i-naba
i-naba focuses on Osaka style pressed sushi which is made in the restaurant by their chef daily. This traditional style is one of the most unique items making i-naba different than other sushi restaurants in the South Bay. The menu includes traditional sashimi such as tuna, yellowtail and salmon as well as spicy tuna, California and spicy yellowtail cut rolls. Apart from these, the menu also offers Japanese-style udon noodles, sushi boxes, bento boxes, rice bowls and poke. Every item on the menu is made to perfection and the quality of the food is fresh and is clearly seen through the outstanding taste.
Although the current space of the restaurant is small in size, which made it hard to fully enjoy dine in meals, the restaurant is typically ideal for to go orders. The small space of the restaurant makes it hard to fully enjoy an in restaurant experience, but the authentic taste makes up for this drawback. The size and simplicity of the restaurants creates an inviting atmosphere, and the outstanding and welcoming service by the chef and owner also add a similar welcoming environment.
Check out photos of the food from i-naba
The most impressive part of the experience of the restaurant is that the chef makes the sushi right in front of you with extreme delicacy. The chef’s precise manner is evidently shown through the delicious taste of the sushi, specifically the rolls. Having fresh made roll allowed for each individual taste to be evident with every bite.
As part of the owner’s plan to turn i-naba into the ultimate carry out Japanese restaurant, i-naba plans to offer take out options for the kids involved in Junior Guards this summer to offer them a much healthier lunch alternative than those offered to them in the past such as fast food. This is a positive aspect of the restaurant because the owner is working toward to build a healthier community.
i-naba’s use of fresh ingredients ranges from homemade pickled vegetables to ahi tuna poke and creates for a very healthy menu similar to many of traditional Japanese style menus. The freshness of the fish makes all of the meals stand out significantly amongst competing sushi restaurants in the area.
Overall, i-naba did not fail to impress with their fresh, authentic tastes and their employee’s welcoming manners. The outstanding service, attentive owner and chef extending their hospitality made for an ultimately enjoyable experience.
i-naba is located at 1300 Highland Ave. #107 in Manhattan Beach and is open from 11:30am to 7:00pm everyday excluding Tuesday.
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