Miraku Sushi Offers Full Menu of Japanese Specialties

Miraku Sushi

11 Lyons Mall, South Finley Ave., Basking Ridge

908-766-6677

The name Miraku Sushi indicates one of the major specialties of a relaxed Japanese restaurant in Basking Ridge, but it doesn't tell the whole story.

With its own sushi bar, sushi, sashimi and a variety of maki rolls are staples at Miraku, said owner Christine Hsiung.

When pressed, she'll also say that teriyaki dishes also are a local favorite. "We have a lot of teriyaki — chicken, beef, scallion and codfish," among the variety, she said.

The menu also includes a full slate of Japanese meals for those who aren't particularly fans of sushi (myself included). But you could eat here many times and still have other choices of teriyaki, tempura (my favorite), udon noodles, negimaki, salads with enjoyably spicy dressing and many almost dinner-sized appetizers. And of course, miso soup with many of the combos or meals.

That was exactly what I did on a recent visit. I ordered an appetizer of shrimp & vegetable tempura. ($10) One of Miraku's strengths is that it's ingredients are high quality, so I got a nice, big tender piece of shrimp, along with tasty vegetables.

Tempura is a specialty that fails or succeeds on whether it's soggy: Both times I've had tempura at Miraku, it's been crispy, although the first time was more perfect than the second.

But, if you're hungry enough, it's worth ordering the sushi & sashemi combos, with soup and salad, or another personal favorite — the bento box dinners or lunches.

My teenaged dining partner, who has eaten far more Japanese than I have, could hardly wait to order the $19 chicken teriyaki bento box dinner — again.

I had to fight hard for a taste of excellent chicken, a fresh California roll, a bit of the salad with Japanese dressing and some rice. I never was able to get even a speck of the evening's appetizer, shrimp dumpling. All in all, he pronounced the meal as "good — very good."

Given my own taste, I on another evening ordered sweet potato roll ($5.50) which was very filling as a light meal on the go.

Miraku does a brisk take-out business and also seems to attract a business clientele from area corporations.

Hsiung said lunch is a busy time on weekdays, and the dinner crowd really rolls in on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. 

Hsiung said she chose the location for the restaurant because she had long-ago ties to the area and wanted to be in Basking Ridge.

Drinks: Non-alcoholic, bring your own bottle, standard soft drinks.

Overview: Wide variety of Japanese specialties, and the bento boxes are especially a treat.

Decor: Calm, modern Japanese setting.

Desserts: This may not be a "dessert place," but you still can order fried ice cream, an assortment of ice cream flavors tht include green tea and ginger, or sorbet.

Service: Unobtrusive, efficient.

Cost: $$