by Christine Wolfe

KANEYA SUSHI EXPRESS
6334 W. Bell Rd., Glendale, 623-979-3405
If you’re in a hurry, and you want quality, fresh sushi, then Kaneya Sushi Express is the way to go. By calling ahead, 20 minutes later you can pick up delicacies such as octopus rolls, fresh water eel or orange clam, then enjoy them at home. Or stay and belly up to the sushi bar and watch the chefs prepare raw spicy salmon rolls, futomaki, a roll featuring Japanese squash, avocado, cucumber, egg, crab stix and spinach, or the soft shell crab, a bargain at only $5.95 for an eight-piece roll. Noodle and rice bowls (including a vegetarian selection with sweet potato noodles, vegetables and black mushrooms), tempura and soups/salads round out the experience, where you and your non-sushi eating friend can eat like kings for under 20 bucks.

By Christine Wolfe

ICHIBAN RESTAURANT
3333 S. Rural Rd., Tempe, 480-345-9848
This Tempe mainstay, located away from the hubbub, commercialism and college hangouts of Mill Avenue, is an intimate, friendly place to order your favorite Japanese dish. From tuna rolls with their red flesh stark against the white rice to lobster rolls to the always-popular Ichiban spicy roll, a white-fish creation drizzled with spicy soy sauce and broiled, the sushi lover won’t go hungry here. Some specialties change daily; ask for the chef’s special and you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the freshest fish available.

by Christine Wolfe

HIRO SUSHI 9393 N. 90th St
Scottsdale AZ
480-314-4215

Specializing in ingredients straight from Japan, Hiro Sushi offers diners delicacies such as Stripped Jack, an expensive whitefish, snapper and Bluefin tuna. The Crazy roll, featuring spicy tuna, avocado, cucumber and rice wrapped around a deep-fried shrimp, is a pairing featuring the creamy texture of the raw tuna paired with the crunchy-sweet of the shrimp. Prices are moderate and the atmosphere relaxed at Hiro, so grab a saki and a seat at the sushi bar and dig into some of the best specialties of Japan.