Restaurant: OOToro [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]

Location: 1569 Fairway Dr, Walnut, CA 91789. (909) 598-8299

Date: November 4, 2023

Cuisine: Japanese Sushi (with slight nod to China)

Rating: Ends of the earth, but very good

Chef Kaz of Totoraku, an occasional hedonist, sent us far east to this Sushi restaurant in 2016 and it was such a fun time that we had to return again for a sixth visit — it’s now become a twice a year thing.

And by far east I mean REALLY REALLY far east — to Walnut California. 40+ miles from my house. 20 miles past Alhambra (which most people consider to far to drive for food). It took an hour and twenty minutes on a Saturday night!

Look how clear it is after the rains (and snows).

The slick looking location is in the heart of the affluent Chinese American San Gabriel Valley. But yes, it’s Japan, if perhaps catering to Chinese taste. This photo was shot at about 10pm after everyone else had left.

Here is the private room — the only way to go.

They put up this weird curtain recently.

Uni, crab, caviar and some kind of ponzu jelly. Nice chunky crab but that cheap non-sturgeon caviar.

The yellow stick was a bit of crunchy fish roe, then proceeding right we have tender Abalone, Shirako (cod sperm sacks and always a favorite of mine) and some kind of fish tempura.

Zoom.

Wagyu tartar, fried seaweed, uni, truffle, and avocado. A great tartar bite with nice textural contrasts.


Tri of oysters: Caviar, uni, and Ikura (salmon roe). All great.

Hokkaido live scallops with caviar (more real this time) and Hokaido uni. A bit of fresh yuzu juice really “juiced” this up.

Sashimi plate of Shima Aji, Blue fin tuna, and Otoro with two slices of Monkfish liver.

Spanish Mackerel. Oily and delicious.

Golden Eye Snapper nigiri.

Skipjack Tuna with a bit of spicy ponzu.

Kama Toro. The always butter-like richest bit of tuna!

Seared Ruby Snapper Nigiri with some sweet miso. They called this the Queen of the Whitefish.

Charcoal grilled crab leg.

The awesome “BBQ Kama Toro” plate. It’s like ducky tuna and fishy smoked duck and is incredibly rich and delicious. Great with that special soy too.

Flaming sea snail with mushrooms. Chewy.

A5 Wagyu Tataki. Seared with a bit of pepper. Supper rich and fatty and melt in your mouth.

Clam Miso. Awesome clammy flavor.

Cheesecake with strawberries.

Strawberry Jam Gelato — an awesome daily Strawberry base swirled with Strawberry Jam — made by me for @sweetmilkgelato — sugar time! — #SweetMilkGelato #gelato #dessert #icecream #FrozenDessert #nomnom #dessertlovers #dessertporn #icecreamlovers #gelatoitaliano #foodporn #gelatolover #food #foodgasm #foodblogger #dessertgasm #desserttime #foodphotography #gelatoartigianale #gelatomania #dessertlover #icecream #icecreamlovers #strawberry #jam

Perfect pairing!

Another great meal at ootoro. A bit of an overlap with last time but every dish was great.

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