If you walk into Charleston's Pan-Asian gem Ichiban looking for great sushi, don't be alarmed by the young white guy behind the counter making it.
"Almost everyone who comes in and a sees a non-Asian person in charge here tends to write it off at first," said Evan Wilson, the sushi bar's head chef and manager. "When in reality, I was trained and taught by some of the best sushi guys and Japanese chefs this town ever had."
And it shows.
Although he's only 30 years old, he's been cooking in the business for 15 years - the past 10 of those at Ichiban, where he took over as manager about three years ago. I've enjoyed his food many times through the years, but finally got to meet him last week when he threw down a taste-test challenge.
"Come try my sashimi nachos," he said, "and I guarantee they'll make your next best-dish list."
So, I did.
My God, these things are stunningly gorgeous, mouthwateringly delicious - and are so making that list.
Imagine five fried open-faced wontons topped with sliced avocado and tuna tossed with cilantro, scallions and the chef's formerly "secret mix" of ponzu, sriracha, chili oil and lime. After that mixture is carefully placed on top of the "nacho," it's finished with a drizzle of spicy mayonnaise, sliced jalapeño and tobikko (bright red flying fish roe).
The rush of flavors is outstanding, but Evan said it took a while for everything to come together just right.
"This dish has been a real labor of love. I went through about six different variations until I came up with the final product," he told me after the big taste. "And it means the world to me that you were so happy with them. It's been tough trying to fill in other people's shoes after my old bosses left."
But Evan needn't worry anymore. The next chef will be saying the same thing about him.
Now go try these babies yourself to taste just how good they are.
Ichiban, located at 103 Capitol St. downtown, is open from 5-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, call 304-720-7874 or visit www.ichibanrestaurantscharlestonwv.com.
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Perhaps Evan will contribute his culinary skills to Charleston's first ever Sushi Fun Run at 5 p.m. Oct. 10.
Yep, you read that right.
You've heard of other fun 5K races like the Color Run and Zombie Run. Now imagine one with six sushi stations situated along the course, where you'll be showered with toasted sesame seeds whether you grab a roll and go, or sit a spell to savor.
Plus there's a costume contest for a chance to win local restaurant gift cards and a rockin' sushi block party with free food, drinks and entertainment awaiting all racers at the finish line.
Now that's a run I can get into!
The race is open to all ages, with registration fees $30 for those 18 and over, $15 for ages 13-17 and free for children 12 and under.
The course will roll (get it?) through Charleston's East End, starting and ending at the State Capitol. For more information or to register, visit www.sushifunrun.com or www.tristateracer.com.
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In case you missed it over the long holiday weekend, the Charleston Gazette-Mail reported that a new sushi shop will soon be opening in Capitol Market.
Mike Oo, who runs the sushi station at Kroger in Teays Valley, will operate Fuji Garden in the small space between Purple Onion and The Wine Shop.
This is awesome news.
Although we already have some great sushi restaurants in town (looking at you, Ichiban, Su-Tei and Taste of Asia) it'll be nice having another local dining or take-out option at Charleston's sweet farmers' market.
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And in case you missed it on The Food Guy blog ...
We ALL love looking at food porn. (C'mon, you can admit it. You're not "reading it" for the recipes.) There's just something undeniably addictive about staring at gorgeous photos of delicious food - mouth gaping open and watering, eyes glazed over, tummy rumbling.
But how good are you at taking those scandalously scrumptious images? If you fancy yourself quite the food photographer, your skills could help you walk away with a mountain getaway!
"The Revivalist: Word from the Appalachian South" blog is sponsoring a food photo contest, Appalachian Appetite, that is looking for great images capturing anyone who loves growing, cooking and sharing food.
The grand prize is a two-night getaway at the historic Mast Farm Inn. Nestled in the secluded Valley Crucis, the inn boasts an award-winning restaurant, nearby shops and all the outdoor activities you could ever want. Two runners-up win one-year subscriptions to regional magazine Smoky Mountain Living, which celebrates life throughout the Southern Appalachians. The magazine will also showcase the three top-voted photos in an upcoming issue.
What kinds of photos are acceptable?
"Shots from your garden - yes. That beautiful pie you baked last Thanksgiving - yup. Great-aunt Edith dropping catsup down her blouse - absolutely," said Mark Lynn Ferguson, who founded the contest and the blog. He said as long as it's food-related, just about any photo is fair game.
Entries don't even need to be shot in Appalachia. They just need to appeal to The Revivalist's readers, who are also the photo contest's judges. Votes on the photo contest page will determine winners, now through Sept. 13.
For more information or to enter, visit bit.ly/1N9Z30U.
Steven Keith writes a weekly food column for the Charleston Gazette-Mail. He can be reached at 304-380-6096 or by email at dailymailfoodguy@aol.com. You can also follow him on Facebook and Pinterest as "DailyMail FoodGuy," on Twitter as "DMFoodGuy" and read his blog at blogs.charlestondailymail/foodguy.