12/01/17
Otoro Nigiri at No. 1 Kazoku in San Gabriel, CA. Someone recently asked me what I would want to eat every day if I was forced to eat the same thing every day for the rest of my life. Well, that’s a tough call because I love so many dishes and types of food, but this piece of Otoro would definitely be in the running! As sushi aficionados know, most sushi restaurants don’t even carry toro (a very high grade of fatty tuna) due to its availability and cost. Depending on availability, No. 1 Kazoku carries several different forms of toro - Chutoro (less fatty part of the blue fin belly), Otoro (fattier part of the belly), and Kamatoro (fatty part of the collar), and their preparation is top notch. Having eaten at many sushi joints across the world, I would put this Otoro up against any piece of nigiri I’ve ever had. Unbelievably fresh, you can see from the picture the amount of marbling and fattiness in the tuna (fat is good in this case!). Another thing that sets this nigiri apart is the fresh wasabi on top of the fish, which many places don’t do. It gives the nigiri a nice contrast between the texture of the fatty tuna and the wasabi and the flavors burst into your mouth. No. 1 Kazoku is quite unique in that if you want a meal with really high end or unique fish, you can get it, but if you just want a simple bento box with basic fish, you can get that as well. I love sitting at the sushi bar where Yama-san (a wise and elder Japanese man) enthusiastically works his craft along with his protege Alex-san. Cavin the GM is super nice and knowledgeable and eager to please. I also love their toro taku (seared tuna), golden eye red snapper, horse mackerel, halibut with uni on top, and chicken skin yakitori. No. 1 Kazoku is open for both lunch and dinner Tuesday - Sunday as well as really late (closing at 2:00 a.m. Thursday - Saturday). One of my favorite dishes anywhere in the States and beyond - I absolutely love their toro and love this place!!