Tasty Tuesday and I’m back in Sweet Home Alabama for Kadoma Tuna at Jinsei. MEGabite #30 or 72 counting down.
Located in the SoHo neighborhood of Homewood, Birmingham. A modern and stylish area, full of vogue yet casual clientele, Jinsei already sounded cool and did not disappoint. They describe themselves as Jinsei (LIFE.) A “Sushi eatery featuring traditional rolls and other Japanese fare..”
Swank
Jinsei is a small Sushi restaurant. It has a well-appointed interior that one might expect in a neighborhood called So-Ho. Although it is small, there is really nice outdoor seating for people like me who love a bit of space. They have a signature cocktail menu and I saw a lot of people ordering the delicious looking cucumber mojito.
Oh those warm evenings.
The signature dish is called Kadoma Tuna and this is the dish to try on “The 100.” All that I can say is that this dish is out of this world delicious. Of the dishes that I have tried while galavanting about Alabama, it is certainly in the top 3 of “The 100.” Perhaps even #1 or #2.
TDF!
A dish where quality counts and fresh top-grade fish is flown in daily. The fresh ingredients are apparent and that with pure genius or idk say sorcery makes this dish unbelievable. It is beautiful on the eye with a crisp and creamy taste explosion. Sexy for sure.
There is a short video on their facebook page that shows how their dish is made. I guess it is pure talent and not sorcery after all. Breaking it down in steps is as follows.
- The tempura rice cake is fried in a circle. This giving this amazing toasted crunch to the bite.
- Taken to room temperature, the high-quality tuna is placed artistically on the rice.
- Topped with thinly sliced avocado (creamy), sliced jalapeno (spicy) and tobiko (which is flying fish roe and here in a natural color, giving it a smoky slightly salty pop.)
- Picture perfect eel sauce is drizzled over the top and on to the plate. (sweet salty and savory with a beautiful contrast) Super thin slices of green onion pops on top of the red roe and then all is sprinkled with sesame seeds. How is that not sexy baby?
Here are a few other sushi dishes that were tried at my table. Served with amazing wasabi and really fresh ginger. My husband who formerly was not a big sushi fan, was turned on by the dishes at Jinsei. Thank you to Jinsei and AlabamaTourism!
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Beautiful presentation
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perfect
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Right On Sexy!
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Come to Mama
Let me (try) do some translating also in () below.
- Red dragon rolls – Spicy tuna tartare, (chopped up tuna with oil and maybe spices) tuna tataki, (raw, sometimes seared on the outside) cucumber, sesame ginger dressing.
- Jarijari-Tempura shrimp, kani, (crab) avocado, cucumber, yamagobo (a pickled burdock root), tempura flakes
- Spiro – Spicy tuna-tartare, sake, tempura asparagus, salmon, avocado (this was recommended by the staff.)
MEGastars; 5 *****
****star for outstanding, delicious and unique dish AND meets one of the definitions set forth by Alabama Foods/Tourism, of local food and/OR highlights Alabama Pride. (to note my service was only meh-ok but not enough for me to to want to take a star away.)* 5th star for because I actually died, went to heaven and came back when I ate Kadoma. Oh and my husband loved it so really I should give it another star.
MEGatips;
- GO there. As a bonus tip, go on a Monday for $5.00 Mojitos and $8.00 Kadoma Tuna as usually this dish is otherwise $13.00. But just GO and try this.
- Not a sushi lover? Don’t worry, they have a wonderful menu.
- It is very small so be prepared if you are going out with a group.
- Check out the bathroom, it’s pretty sweet.
This MEGabites and MEGastars description is found at the bottom of each post. If you are new to my 100 Dishes in Alabama escapade, this may be helpful. *100 Dishes to eat in Alabama before you die is a compilation of food to chow down on Bama style. Thanks to Tourism Alabama, www.alabama.travel my Alabama bucket list just became a little easier. I am going to have some fun while making my way like Ms. Pacman, in yet another state that I call home. You too may pick up the brochure at Alabama Tourism stops or download the alphabetical brochure that begins in Abbeville and ends in York. From the little old diner to the white cloth joint, it is an opportunity to explore and experience pride in the food from restaurateurs who are dedicated to local food with some Alabama style. From the local BBQ cook to James Beard recipients, you too will take a culinary trip across scenic and historical Alabama.
I use a 5 MEGastar system. I am only a self appointed food critic, just Meg, a curious traveler, with an interest in trying different foods and sharing my two cents on my experience. I try to follow my star system so that I may be fair to the wonderful dishes on this list.
- *meh food. Just wasn’t good. Maybe the food came from a can. The place was not one that I would want to send someone to show pride in Alabama. This has happened to me a few times and it is a difficult write.
- ** passable – the food was ok and above happened but the place or vice versa
- *** good but not outstanding or unique
- **** Very tasty dish AND meets one of the definitions set forth by Alabama Foods/Tourism, of local food and/OR highlights Alabama Pride.
- ***** I actually died, went to heaven and came back when I ate the dish. OR, something is very unique, something you can not get anywhere else.
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