Edamame Sushi Nu-Asian Kitchen

09/06/2018 6:00 AM

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It’s time I mentioned one of my favorite places for lunch or dinner: Edamame Sushi Nu-Asian Kitchen in Madison Heights.

As might be expected, the sushi is fresh and delightful, prepared by chefs at a sushi bar. But sushi is only the start on Edamame’s menu. Business partners Eddie Bautista and Noel Cabrera, both of the Philippines, feature Filipino cuisine as well as Japanese. The noodle and rice dishes and other items make good on the restaurant’s boast of “best quality at affordable prices.”

Edamame opened in December 2007 in the John R Square Shopping Mall, approximately a mile from Oakland Mall in Troy.

The sushi bar and a room divider are immediately noticed entering the small storefront restaurant. I always feel relaxed in this neutral, sparely designed space by Kerry Gluckman of Goldstar Supplies in Oak Park. The thinly banded walls are reminiscent of bamboo Japanese teahouses. Children’s crayon drawings brighten a hallway.

Edamame Sushi Nu-Asian Kitchen Turning to sushi again, the best-selling rolls are deep-fried TNT — tuna, spicy mayo, shrimp tempura and avocado — and Seattle — California roll wrapped with salmon, topped with spicy sauce and caramelized. Guests may also make custom rolls, choosing two to five ingredients.

The “Small and Hot” appetizers list includes Lumpia, a Filipino spring roll, and Agedashi Tofu, fried tofu with grated chili relish and a light soy-seaweed broth. Among the “Small and Cold,” two choices are Ika Sansai — thinly sliced calamari with Japanese mountain vegetables, and Fish Ceviche — tuna, salmon, yellowtail and escolar with thinly sliced onions and cucumbers in Ponzu olive oil dressing.

The nine noodle stir-fried dishes come with a choice of protein, including tofu. A friend raved about Diablo Noodles, thick rice noodles cooked in butter and garlic chili sauce with Asian veggies. Noodle soups are also enjoyed, especially those made with ramen and different food combinations.

I recently chose “Make Your Own Bento” at lunch. My three items came inside a lacquered Japanese assortment box. I received a substantial piece of delicious fried salmon, sushi pieces and battered tempura, plus seaweed salad, rice and miso soup. Everything was very good.

“Fried Rice” and “Garlic Fried Rice 2 Eggs and What?” are other menu headings. The latter choices have names ending in “silog,” as in: Longsilog, a Philippine-style sausage, and Steaksilog or Chickensilog, both teriyaki dishes.

Bautista said the restaurant’s “Specials Board” can feature its popular Edamame Crunch sushi. Filipino specials might include Sinigang, a sour soup made with fish or pork belly.

My friend Diane and I are fond of the Asian-Infused Tacos. Marinated beef is my favorite filling. Tacos are served with onion, tomatoes, cilantro, pickled radish, carrots and jalapeno cream sauce.

Edamame’s imported beers include San Miguel, a hard-to-find Filipino brand. Other beverages include several kinds of sake and fruit juices.

Open daily, lunch runs 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Dinner is 5-9 p.m. but closing at 8 p.m. on Sunday.