Wasabi Asian Plates & Sushi Bar
12 West Main St, Somerville
908-203-8881
Hours: Mon–Thurs, 11:30 am–10 pm; Fri, 11:30 am–11 pm; Sat, 3–11 pm; Sun, 3–9:30 pm.
Price: $/$$
Style: Trendy lounge with black booths, sparkling lights and minimalist metal décor; Pan-Asian cuisine, specializing in sushi.
Don’t Miss: Start off with a tall glass of Sapporo ($6), a classic Japanese beer served on tap. For a taste of South Asia, try the samosas appetizer ($5.50), deep-fried vegetarian curry dumplings with cilantro sauce. The sushi bar is known for its freshness and consistency, so don’t miss the sashimi dinner ($21), twenty pieces of assorted fish and shellfish such as yellowtail, salmon, giant clam, and squid-wrapped tuna. In the mood for something more inventive? Try one of the special maki, like the salmon tobbiko ($8.50), which has spicy salmon and avocado inside and a rainbow of caviar outside, or the Spider roll ($8.75), filled with deep-fried soft shell crab, avocado, cucumber, scallions, and caviar. For landlubbers, there are noodle and meat dishes. Try classic chicken teriyaki ($14) or the wok-seared beef ($21) sautéed with black bean shrimp paste and a touch of Remy Martin X.O. sauce. A must-have dessert is the mochi ice cream ($6.50), a Japanese confection made from mochi (pulverized sticky rice) with an ice cream filling. Choose from vanilla, chocolate, green tea, red bean, or mango.
Heads Up: Since it opened in 2004, the restaurant has had a steady stream of busy nights, so call ahead for a table. While the floor plan is open, it’s still possible to have an intimate meal. There are also a limited number of seats at the sushi bar.
The Scoop: Forgot to make a reservation? Wait at the bar, which has an enticing selection of cocktails that beg to be tasted.
What are Quick Bites? Short takes on casual, affordable dining.
Restaurant Details
- Cuisine Type:Asian - Japanese - Malaysian/Indonesian
- Price Range:Inexpensive