by Sarah McClure

Wasa Sushi
13124 Jamboree Rd.
Irvine, CA 92602
714.665.3338

1346 Bison Ave.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949.760.1511

23702 El Toro Rd.
S-6A
Lake Forest, CA 92630
*Now opened February 2007

This restaurant offers what’s called “new generation sushi” for its twist on traditional sushi, Wasa Sushi boasts a contemporary setting and some of the most premiere sushi in Orange County. Started in 2001 by Chef Bronnie Lee and Chef James Hamamori, their latest and third location recently opened in Lake Forest February 2007. Japan-born Hamamori trained in Tokyo and has quickly become a favorite among his OC clients for his innovative style of cooking sushi. For example, he sears tuna to crunchy style. As a sushi chef in Los Angeles, he served up customers like Cindy Crawford, Dustin Hoffman and Michael Ovitz. Delicious items at Wasa Sushi include the Newport roll of spicy tuna and cucumber and the Wasa rainbow, a rainbow roll with wasabi sour cream sauce.

You have to love their Asian-spun deserts too, which include a banana spring roll with ice cream; a halved banana wrapped in rice paper, fried golden and served with a choice of green tea, vanilla or red bean ice cream. Also check out the watermelon cubes in coconut milk with a side of ice cream.