I’m not sure what’s happened in Barcelona in the last couple years, but I call it the ‘Sushi Explosion’. This is by no means a bad thing, especially if you love sushi, and I do. Yes, it’s trendy. No, they’re not all great sushi joints. And yes, many are stuffed to the gills with over priced cocktails and designer boots.
And then there are a couple others which just serve good raw fish on pads of rice, which is what I recommend when you get that wasabi-craving.
Here goes:
MACHIROKU
C/ Les Moles, 21 – 08002 - 93 412 60 82
This one is my favorite. Reservations are a must and it’s hard to find, well hidden in the immediate center of the city. The owners are Japanese and the décor reminds you of being in someone’s house in Japan. All the dishes are hand-made pottery in vibrant greens and reds. They keep it simple and traditional. There’s no beef and cream cheese sushi at Machiroku, just tasty miso soup, sake and a satisfying array of freshly cut rolls. Do yourself a favor and try the green tea ice cream for dessert.
Price: Starting at €12.00 p/p for dinner.
RESTAURANTE SHINJUKU
C/ Ciutat, 13 08002- 93 269 09 41-
Also in the center, this pleasant spot is right off Plaza Juame I in the Gothic Quarter. It’s a bit more expensive than Machiroku, and the ambience is more up-scale. Still, it’s authentic and offers a bit of everything with a long wine list. Shinjuku’s location is good for going out for a nightcap after dinner in the same area, which brims with bars and cafes.
Price: About €20.00 p/p
WASABI
C/ Torrent de l’Olla, 8 08012 – 93 476 3669
This restaurant is in Barcelona’s hipper than hip Gracia neighborhood. Visitors to Barcelona don’t visit Gracia, and it has maintained an image untouched by the tourism industry that runs around the rest of the city. Wasabi is also a simple place, tucked along Gracia’s Calle Torrent de l’Olla, which is not too hard to find with the right map. A small place, Wasabi offers reasonably priced menus del dia (an all inclusive lunch) Monday through Friday.
Price: Menu €9.50 -€12.50 p/p