Homma's Brown Rice Sushi

[randomness]

On this trip, I've been letting others lead me to food. Kim suggested Homma's in Palo Alto. "It's a real hole-in-the-wall, but cheap and good."

I decided I'd keep my thoughts about brown rice in sushi to myself.

Homma's Brown Rice Sushi
2363B Birch St.
Palo Alto, CA
Caltrain: California Avenue

Tel: +1.650.327.6118

Lunch: M-F 1130-1430, Sa 1200-1430
Dinner: M-Sa 1700-2100

Homma's does in fact make good sushi with fresh fish. Personally, I'm so used to regular white sushi rice that the brown rice throws me off. Nonetheless, that the sushi is remarkably tasty. All sushi at Homma's is made with brown rice. If you can get past that, you'll enjoy the sushi.

Prices are quite reasonable. John and I both got the chirashi donburi ($9.50) which was a medium-sized portion, artfully arranged. Kim ordered the nigiri deluxe (Chef's Choice) ($10.80) which was eight pieces of assorted nigiri sushi. We then ordered a couple of hosomaki (normal rolls), both six piece which were on special: a mackerel and ginger roll ($3.40) and an eel and avocado roll ($3.90).

The menu is short, composed entirely of sushi, including a page of vegetarian options, and quite traditional. No weird or flashy roll options.

Prepare for a long wait. Homma's is popular and gets a lot of take out orders. We were advised that it would take half an hour before our food would be ready, so we ordered, then went down the street for pearl tea. This is probably a good strategy, generally. Or you might order by phone first. There are only a few tables but the bottleneck is definitely the speed of the chef and the number of takeout orders, since when we ordered the restaurant was empty but the chef was still working flat out.

Comments

[merlinofchaos]

I should comment on some of my favorite restaurants in the area. I think you may well know about most of them, but I will say so anyway:

City Pub, on Broadway in Redwood City

Some of the best burgers around, and their baby back ribs are to die for. Avoid the chicken, they can't seem to cook it anyway but dry.

Kaz II, on Broadway in Redwood City

Cheap but good Japanese fast food. They have a pretty tasty, if somewhat sweet teriyaki sauce and I don't know of anywhere else that I can get unagi donburi for only $6.75.

Oasis, on El Camino in Redwood City

Fantaastic burgers, pretty decent pizza. Second only to St. John's in Sunnyvale, IMO.

Kabul, on El Camino in San Carlos

Afghani. I'm sure you've been there. If not, try them.

Amber India, on El Camino in Mtn View

I haven't found better Indian food on the peninsula.

Hong Kong Flower Lounge, on Millbrae at El Camino in Millbrae

Excellent Hong Kong style dim sum. Somewhat greasy, insanely crowded on Sundays, and you get better service if you're asian. I am extremely fond of their wontons, otherwise everything else seems to be relatively standard dim sum fare.

Toshi's Sushiya on El Camino in Menlo Park

I have not been there personally but I've read some very good things about them.

Sushi-Tomi, on Dana st (near Castro) in Mtn View

My absolute favorite sushi place.

Bansai Sushi on Jefferson near Broadway in Redwood City

Big portions, good prices, fresh fish and interesting salads. They are not the best sushi ever, but their price to quality ratio is one of the highest I know of. The owner hangs around and will chat with regulars fairly often. He has a DJ friend who gives him popular music from Japan that they play; not necessarily j-pop but more fusion type stuff.

Suraj on El Camino in Redwood City

While their dinner courses are much higher quality than their lunch buffet, the prices go up as much or more than the quality does. Still, it's close and they do a pretty good job.

Little India on Broadway in Redwood City

Variable quality, honestly, but I /love/ their Nan. Sadly I think it's prepackaged, but even so it's somehow my favorite. I've had excellent food at their buffet, and poor, so go with caution. Also, go at lunch, not dinner; the buffet menu doesn't change at all at dinner, but the price doubles.

Vietnamese Place Whose Name I Forget, 26th & El Camino, San Mateo

My favorite vietnamese noodle place. Their noodles just seem like they're a higher quality than the ones I get at Tung Kee or Hong Kee variants. They're right on the corner, and I haven't been there in a couple of years now so I wouldn't be surprised if it's not even there. Have a backup plan if you decide to check them out.

Siciliano, on Broadway in Redwood City

Sicilian and Southern Italian food. Excellent service, fresh, tasty food at
absolutely amazing prices. Most Italian food is far more expensive than its quality would
merit, but this place is fantastic. I cannot recommend them highly enough. My favorite dish there is the Fettucini Zio Pino, and the spaghetti bolognese is a close second. Incredibly flavorful sauces.

Bangkok Spoon, Villa st near Castro in Mtn View

Excellent Thai food, some non-standard (For the area, anyway) dishes. All of them bursting with flavor. Portions are a little small.

Thai City on El Camino in Palo Alto

I've become less enthused with Thai City than I used to be, but they're still good. Avoid the yellow curries but the panang there is always excellent.

Continued

[merlinofchaos]

I ran out of space

Woodside Thai Spot, on Woodside at Hudson in Redwood City

They are a one trick pony to me--their pad woon sen, pad thai and yellow curry coconut milk are excellent. Everything else is average to weak, but the yellow curry is good enough that if I'm eating alone it's a good place to go for lunch. As a group? I like to sample flavors more and their other flavors just aren't as good. Their Thom gha kai was particularly lacking last time I went.

Joanie's on CalAv in Palo Alto

I'd be surprised if you haven't been here! Simple, delicious breakfast food that is always high quality.

NOLA on Romana in Palo Alto (Near University)

Cajun fusion food. The margarita list is long and distinguished. The quesadillas are excellent, as is the jambalaya. Again, this is a place that has lots of good flavors. Somewhat pricy for the portions, but I consider the quality worth it.

Palermo on University in Palo Alto

They specialize in seafood and rotisserie. They are all around extremely good southern Italian and Sicilian food.