Go Gaga for Sushi Kawa

Owner: Rick Luo and Lily Lee
Location: 469 Magnolia Ave. Ste 101, Corona, CA 92879-3303
Phone: 951-280-0398
Offers: Dine-in, Take-out
Cuisine: Japanese cuisine
Year of establishment: 2001

People in Corona, California may agree that Sushi Kawa is the best Japanese restaurant in the area. Some may go a step further and say it’s the best sushi they have ever had. It has also grabbed the attention of local media, such as Inland Empire Weekly and the Press Enterprise, which have spilled many barrels of ink on this hidden gem. Opened by owners Rick Luo and Lily Lee in 2001, the restaurant has been serving the community for nearly nine years.

Kawa, literally means river in Japanese, and Sushi Kawa is just like a haven of real sushi, sashimi, and other Japanese rolls. Stepping into Sushi Kawa, you may feel like you have been transported thousands of miles across the Pacific Ocean. Boasting traditional Japanese paper umbrellas, elegant screens, and a sushi bar, the restaurant looks like it should be located in rural Japan. Soft music and the aroma of dishes like Shrimp Tempura serenade customers as they marvel at the interior. While serious about sushi, the deftly situated flowers and hanging banners give the restaurant a convivial atmosphere. Be prepared to enjoy a feeling of tranquility only interrupted by an eruption of flavor corresponding with each bite of sushi.

With an extensive experience of 20 years cooking Japanese cuisine, owner Rick Luo has a deep understanding of Japanese cuisine, especially sushi. To Mr. Luo, sushi is a subtle interplay of Japanese and American influences centered on fresh ingredients and modernized American flavor.

In Japan, sushi is kept traditional, with local ingredients commonly being used. Any flavoring seems overpower the original taste, and so this illustrates how Japanese people tend to enjoy sushi with a lighter and milder taste. In America, those ingredients are not always available, and the variety of fish used for sushi is limited. To match traditional Japanese style with American tastes, Mr. Luo puts his own spin on the dishes through the use of sauces, herbs and spices.

Given a glimpse of the menu, the lengthy string of menu items may leave you in a state of euphoria. Which one to choose? You might want to try a hearty bowl of Teriyaki Chicken, or maybe an order of delicious Shrimp Tempura? Perhaps the hot selling Crunch Roll or Ryan Wrap is more suited for this meal. You might just end up ordering them all. Someone seeking something special will never be disappointed by Sushi Kawa’s bountiful choices. There is always something new to try, and always made just like you want it. Mr. Luo has a lot of tricks up his sleeves and always surprises customers with his aesthetically pleasing creations.

There is a repertoire of creative dishes and rolls on the palette of Sushi Kawa: Hawaii Poki Ahi Sashimi, Kawa’s Calamari tempura, Baked Garlic Oyster, Grapefruit Salad, Hana Roll, Ponzu Salmon, Onion Roll, Ceviche Roll, Paradise Roll, Tiger Roll, and more. Mr. Luo’s creations have no end.

He understands customers’ preferences then customizes Japanese favorites to their satisfaction. The result is a modern interpretation of traditional dishes, with some rolls being named after customers. There are many interesting rolls that blend customer taste with the spirit of Sushi Kawa.

You may feel a tremor of joy when your dish is presented. Each dish is a piece of art, going down well with the presentation and color. It is almost too delicate and beautiful to eat. Mr. Luo approaches it with a special take, rolling some tempura and fresh vegetables, making for both a visual and sensual encounter.

The Snow Roll is a scrumptious blend of red tuna, shrimp and neatly cut cucumbers, avocado and seasoned with the special snow sauce, which will whet the appetites of customers.

Kawa’s Tako is another delectable treat. The idea comes from the Mexican style tako, while Mr. Luo gives it a twist by adding shrimp tempura and crab, accompanied with homemade spicy sauce. The stuffed tako satisfies diners with a craving for ethnic flavors. 

Sushi Kawa is a great place to bring a date. Its specialties will definitely exceed your expectations. Their food can speak in a language anyone can understand. The romantic Kiss Roll and Sweet Heart Roll channel the feelings between the two of you into an edible form.

If you’re not a big fan of sushi, you will be after dining at Sushi Kawa. Sushi Kawa will teach you how to eat and love sushi. New enticing tastes are always added to the menu, and there are always new ones to look forward to. No wonder customers consider Sushi Kawa to be their second home. After a hard day’s work, they flock to Sushi Kawa for sushi or sashimi, along with fragrant sake. Leaving satisfied, they raise their thumb up: “It is the best sushi restaurant.” 

Sushi is an edible art, here at Sushi Kawa. Deeply steeped in the philosophy of offering “real” sushi far from the shores of Japan, the restaurant wows the customers with their fresh quality sushi, sashimi and other innovative creations. Maintaining freshness is really a formidable and complex task to undertake and calls for expert skills. Rick Luo knows the ropes well, but keeps it as a secret. “Deal with the ingredients as you treat your own scars,” says Rick.

As a man with great sense of humor, Rick Luo often makes customers happy every time when they sit around the sushi bar, and when he visits the customers by the table. The relaxed atmosphere prevails.

Thousands miles away from Japan, Sushi Kawa is really worth your visit, It is no exaggeration to call it a mecca of real and innovative Japanese food.