my favorite eating and drinking excursions are with friends. so i was pretty happy that BlackSesame agreed to go to Momo Sushi Shack with me for dinner on Monday. i'm literally swimming in Groupons and Googleoffers that i don't know what to do with now that Sully and i are no longer together. BlackSesame has graciously agreed to help me use them.
the offer allowed me to order $60 worth of food (i only paid $30). even without the offer, Momo Sushi Shack offers a great price for fusion/modern japanese food. while perusing the menu, we quickly realized that we had a lot of food options.
the setting is very Williamsburg/Bushwick hipster. communal tables in a industrially-designed space. be aware that you will be sitting veryclose to your neighbors (and sometimes eavesdropping on their conversation). the food also comes out in no particular order, so there's no structure of appetizers vs. entrees. it wasn't so bad for BS and i, since we were eating family-style anyway.
so in no particular order, we had the following:
1. Yellowtail Bomb (hamachi, daikon, ponzu) ($6): the "bombs" are a unique aspect to Momo Sushi Shack. they don't serve nigiri sushi in the traditional oblong shape, but instead mold the rice into small balls topped with a fish of your choice. i always want to order yellowtail and uni at japanese restaurants (they were out of uni that night). this was good, but nothing memorable.
2. Party Bomb ($19): this is without a doubt the best deal on the menu. it's 12 bombs, serving a mix of 4 types of bombs (3 bombs per choice. it automatically comes with the Spicy McBomb (tuna, cucumber, spicy mayo, katafi), McLow Bomb (tuna, avocado, wasabi cream), and Pink Bomb (salmon, scallion). you can choose the 4th type of bomb: we chose the Spicy Una Bomb (bbq eel, wasabi cream, shiso).
i thought i would be "meh" about the whole selection, but each one had a slightly different flavor profile or accent that set them apart from your traditional sushi rolls. the Spicy McBomb had crunch from the katafi which a great texture enhancement to the bomb. the McLow Bomb's wasabi cream was a flavor shot of horseradish that cut into the typical combination. the Pink Bomb seemed to have a hint of sesame oil in it which made it seem reminiscent to certain salmon tartars i've experienced. no comment on the Spicy Una Bomb, which was good, but i'm not a big fan of eel on my sushi.
3. Heritage Pork Betty (sake, soy sauce, cilantro, wasabi cream) ($10): i've had many versions of pork betty at japanese izakayas and it's a hard dish to get wrong (in my opinion. i've also made this at home a few times). however, Momo Sushi Shack's pork betty is the most tender version i have ever consumed. it's simmered and stewed just to the point where the fat and skin hang onto the leaner meat, but only long enough for you to pick it up and put it in your mouth. after that, the meat simply dissolves in your mouth.
4. Lamb Offal Gyoza (special menu) ($11): i am so blessed that BS is just as adventurous a food eater as i am and willing to eat things off the trodden path. this was good, but very gamey from the lamb. the flavor aside, the texture never hinted that you were eating anything except ground meat. but if you're not a fan of the strong flavor of lamb, you should probably stay away from this.
5. Tofu Salad (avocado, tomato, basil) ($8): i didn't order this item because i was trying to be healthy. after all, i've already conned myself into believing that japanese food is healthy. but there were so many rave reviews for this item on Yelp, i figured i had to order it. and it did not disappoint. i suspect that certain portions of this salad are pre-made (or maybe the whole thing is) because it came out suspiciously ice cold. but everything tasted as it should: what was supposed to be crisp was crisp and nothing was wilted. no lie, this salad was damn good. and i rarely say that about salad. btws, there's also yellow squash and watercress/mizuna in this salad. i have no idea why they don't mention that on the menu.
for the price and the good/unique food, even without the Googleoffer, i would definitely come back. now i just have to hip myself up a little more so i can fit in.
the offer allowed me to order $60 worth of food (i only paid $30). even without the offer, Momo Sushi Shack offers a great price for fusion/modern japanese food. while perusing the menu, we quickly realized that we had a lot of food options.
the setting is very Williamsburg/Bushwick hipster. communal tables in a industrially-designed space. be aware that you will be sitting veryclose to your neighbors (and sometimes eavesdropping on their conversation). the food also comes out in no particular order, so there's no structure of appetizers vs. entrees. it wasn't so bad for BS and i, since we were eating family-style anyway.
so in no particular order, we had the following:
1. Yellowtail Bomb (hamachi, daikon, ponzu) ($6): the "bombs" are a unique aspect to Momo Sushi Shack. they don't serve nigiri sushi in the traditional oblong shape, but instead mold the rice into small balls topped with a fish of your choice. i always want to order yellowtail and uni at japanese restaurants (they were out of uni that night). this was good, but nothing memorable.
2. Party Bomb ($19): this is without a doubt the best deal on the menu. it's 12 bombs, serving a mix of 4 types of bombs (3 bombs per choice. it automatically comes with the Spicy McBomb (tuna, cucumber, spicy mayo, katafi), McLow Bomb (tuna, avocado, wasabi cream), and Pink Bomb (salmon, scallion). you can choose the 4th type of bomb: we chose the Spicy Una Bomb (bbq eel, wasabi cream, shiso).
i thought i would be "meh" about the whole selection, but each one had a slightly different flavor profile or accent that set them apart from your traditional sushi rolls. the Spicy McBomb had crunch from the katafi which a great texture enhancement to the bomb. the McLow Bomb's wasabi cream was a flavor shot of horseradish that cut into the typical combination. the Pink Bomb seemed to have a hint of sesame oil in it which made it seem reminiscent to certain salmon tartars i've experienced. no comment on the Spicy Una Bomb, which was good, but i'm not a big fan of eel on my sushi.
3. Heritage Pork Betty (sake, soy sauce, cilantro, wasabi cream) ($10): i've had many versions of pork betty at japanese izakayas and it's a hard dish to get wrong (in my opinion. i've also made this at home a few times). however, Momo Sushi Shack's pork betty is the most tender version i have ever consumed. it's simmered and stewed just to the point where the fat and skin hang onto the leaner meat, but only long enough for you to pick it up and put it in your mouth. after that, the meat simply dissolves in your mouth.
4. Lamb Offal Gyoza (special menu) ($11): i am so blessed that BS is just as adventurous a food eater as i am and willing to eat things off the trodden path. this was good, but very gamey from the lamb. the flavor aside, the texture never hinted that you were eating anything except ground meat. but if you're not a fan of the strong flavor of lamb, you should probably stay away from this.
5. Tofu Salad (avocado, tomato, basil) ($8): i didn't order this item because i was trying to be healthy. after all, i've already conned myself into believing that japanese food is healthy. but there were so many rave reviews for this item on Yelp, i figured i had to order it. and it did not disappoint. i suspect that certain portions of this salad are pre-made (or maybe the whole thing is) because it came out suspiciously ice cold. but everything tasted as it should: what was supposed to be crisp was crisp and nothing was wilted. no lie, this salad was damn good. and i rarely say that about salad. btws, there's also yellow squash and watercress/mizuna in this salad. i have no idea why they don't mention that on the menu.
for the price and the good/unique food, even without the Googleoffer, i would definitely come back. now i just have to hip myself up a little more so i can fit in.
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