1850 Gateway Blvd, Concord, CA 94520 (Suite C) | 925-288-9239
We often visit Fry’s Electronics (heaven for tech geeks), which is how I came upon this cozy spot. It’s tucked into the obscure backside of a suburban strip mall across from Auto Row. I’m not sure what pulled me in, other than a craving for sushi, as there’s nothing exceptional about the generic storefront. There are however, reassuring signs posted in the window with best of designations by local media.
The interior has tall ceilings and is filled with visual details to delight the eye. The menu offers traditional fare, with some really good lunchtime combos, as well as a few Korean dishes. After you order they drop off an unusual snack plate of nouveau banchan if you will. From the top left: pickled daikon slices with jalapeno, baked potato, marinated julienned carrots and daikon, steamed broccoli
The potato cube is unexpected and surprising. Rectangular pieces of tender potato are spread with a layer of mayonnaise and sprinkled with tiny cubes of carrot, broccoli and pickled daikon. The detailing is exquisite and it’s rather tasty.
Most of the meals include this green salad and a bowl of miso soup. It’s simple but comforting, iceberg lettuce with a few shreds of red cabbage and carrot tossed with a creamy miso dressing.
Here it is, the reason for my obsession with Sushi Raku. The first time I came here I ordered this dish for the name alone, Hwae Dope Bob ($10.95), and yep it’s pretty dope. It’s also known as hwedupbap, or hwe dup bap, hoedeopbap, hoe dup bap… It is a variation of Japanese chirashi, but with a distinctly Korean twist. This is so good that it is the only thing I have ever ordered here; I can’t seem to get beyond it, nor do I want to ! For starters, it comes in a huge (about a foot across) stainless steel bowl that is filled with a variety of raw fish over crisp fresh vegetables and rice. It is topped with with a mound of flying fish roe and drizzled with a rich nutty sesame oil and comes with a bottle of the housemade gojuchang chili sauce.
It is garnished with shredded daikon and some spicy daikon sprouts and is served with a small bowl of minced raw garlic and jalapenos. This dish has a wonderful combination of textures and with all of those amazing condiments, you can imagine that it will make quite an impact on your tastebuds. The fish tasted fresh and all of the crisp vegetables combine to make you feel like you are eating bright and healthy. Btw, I had to ask for some wasabi and soy to dip the fish into, which had the server shaking her head, but I thought it was a grand combination.
Here are a few dishes that my coworkers have enjoyed. A classic lunch combo, Sushi with Tempura ($8.95). Chef’s assortment of 4 pieces of nigiri, the tempura is lightly battered and coated with crunchy panko.
They have a really big lunch set for about $10 that offers the delicious combination of Udon (thick slippery noodles in dashi broth), Gyoza (panfried dumplings) a California hand roll
Oops, I forgot to include the tempura. Couldn’t fit the whole thing into one shot I suppose. That’s a lot of food.
6 pieces of nigiri with a Dragon Roll and California Roll. No idea what the price was, but I’m sure it added up.
another classic combination, Chicken Teriyaki and California rolls ($7.50).
And lastly, funny picture of a sushi roll with my boss Russell who decided to plant his face in the background of the picture. I don’t know what roll that was either as I was too busy indulging my tastebuds with my bowl of sushi dope. I admit that I only come here for that dish.
One day, I may overcome my fixation and try something else, but I have a feeling that I will only be disappointed. Anyways, if you’re shopping at Fry’s and work up a hankering for wasabi and fish, this is a good spot to check out.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Wonderful food!
Cheers,
Rosa
Wow, I can see why you go back again and again for that dish. I love chirashi, and this looks like chirashi on steroids! What a huge mound of fish.
Whenever I hear the name sushi it always intrigues me. I know that fish is healthy for you, but I find it hard to understand the concept of eating raw fish. So on my birthday I dragged along a friend and we went to a sushi restaurant. Se wasn’t impressed, whereas I was eager to try it. I found it hard to swallow at first, but once I got the hang of it, it wasn’t that bad, and I was surprised how a small amount of sushi was filling. I don’t know if i could eat this everyday but its definitely something I will trying again, so for all you sushi virgins, give it a go …like marmite, you will either love it or hate it!!
Is this place Korean owned? Seems to have a lot of Korean influences. That sashimi salad bowl does look really good, and huge. And what a great price. So funny that the woman gave you a disapproving shake when you asked for wasabi. I notice in Korean restaurants they’re very directive about how to eat the dishes. Like they’ll bring out the sauce and explain that you’re supposed to squirt it on your rice dish. But what if I don’t want to and just want to taste the natural flavors of the ingredients? LOL
I am not sure that hwe dop bap is an adaptation of a japanese dish, but most likely the restaurant is owned by koreans. I wish I could get that here in Germany.
Hey FH – That potato cake looked almost like a Peruvian Causa!
Sometimes these places at strip malls where you don’t expect anything great are the best! Growing up we always went to this sushi place (totally forgot the name) at a local shopping center next to Lucky’s. It just shows that you don’t need to shell out a lotta cash for good Japanese food!
You are so right, Fry’s is totally dope, as is that amazing meal. I’m with you and would likely order it over and over (and over) again!
It’s great to find hidden gem of a resturant.
Oh my goodness! This is such a good find! Your standby dish is worthy of your loyalty. Droooool… I like the way you eat, Foodhoe.