Try Some Unique Sweet Stuff: Dessert Sushi

Nov 3rd 2010 5:15PM / by Nanette Wiser

Last night, I asked my favorite Ichiban sushi ninja for a dozen rice-only sushi-to-go, wrapped in seaweed for my honey's birthday dessert. Under the seaweed band, I slid red and green Swedish fish or a sliced banana, kiwi, mango or strawberry, drizzling Hershey's dark chocolate instant shell on top of the fruit. Voila! Dessert sushi for two. My inquisitive tongue wanted more sweet Japanese concoctions, and here's what I found:

Azuki Sushi: Find your happy spot at Azuki Sushi in the following: honeymoon oyster served with uni, ikura, quail egg and sweetened by ponzu; the chilled tofu served with black sesame, moromi miso and nikiri sweet soy sauce; or the bonsai special roll (shrimp tempura, spicy tuna, asparagus with sweet truffle, sweet poki sauce garnished with crunchy lotus roots and sweet potato). In addition, your inner child will delight in the acai caramel cheesecake and green tea crème brûlée.
2321 5th Ave., Banker's Hill; 619-238-4760
Café Japengo: At this premier restaurant and sushi bar, known for celebrity spotting and single mingle, you can feed your Twinkie spirit with the ahi stack (sweet nishiki rice, mango, toasted sesame seeds, avocado and chukka salad) and the Tootsie roll (soft shell crab topped with grilled shitake mushrooms, avocado and sweet sake marinade).
8960 University Center Lane, La Jolla; 858-450-3355
Harney Sushi: This swank sushi restaurant serves up sweet sake (Hanna lychee or apple, Moonstone pear sake), Kobai plum wine, sushi and a DJ. Sweet eel sauce tickles the taste buds, especially when combined with an eel cream cheese roll, a Bomb James Bomb (tempura fried Cali roll with spicy scallops) or an Orange Krush (shrimp tempura, spicy tuna, cream cheese, topped with salmon/lemon) with a side of sweet potato frites, vanilla salt and roasted garlic aioli. Add green tea ice cream or dark chocolate gyoza and purr.
3964 Harney St., Old Town; 619-295-3272 (check official site for Oceanside location)

Sushi Ota: At one time, Sushi Ota was the only game in town, a top 20 in Zagat's. Expect a well-worth-it wait for superior fish, exquisitely served. Toro sashimi is hard-to-get, and salves the sweet tooth, especially when followed by black sesame ice cream.

4529 Mission Bay Drive, Pacific Beach; 858-270-5670
Islands Sushi & PuPu Bar: At Islands Sushi & PuPu Bar, dig into deep-fried salmon kama topped with ponzu sauce and the dragon roll (shrimp tempura, crab mix, cucumber, topped with eel, avocado and eel sauce).
2270 Hotel Circle N., Mission Valley; 619-297-1101