Back to Hashigo in Fullerton for Happy Hour

Last month, I wrote about the experiences my wife and I had at Hashigo Sushi in Fullerton.  That night, we had just missed Happy Hour and figured that we would have to return on another evening to try some of their Happy Hour goodies and specials.

A few nights ago, we were able to make that happen.  Hashigo offers Happy Hour specials every evening between 5-7pm which include drink specials such as 50% off well drinks as well as discounted appetizers and a few items not on their regular menu.

We started off with their spicy tuna tartare.  As you can see, the presentation was groovy and the tuna was served on crisps of some sort that didn't really add much flavor but did add a pleasant crunch.  Thumbs up.

I had heard about Hashigo's kalbi tacos and had to give them a try.  They were yummy, but I'll have to admit that they didn't quite meet my expectations.  Kogi BBQ set the bar when they launched their first Korean-Mexican fusion truck and created the kalbi taco, and Hashigo's version doesn't reach that level.  I think it mainly has to do with the sauce and the various ingredients used.  Hashigo's tacos taste like a regular taco that has had its meat substituted with Korean barbeque.  That's fine and good, but I was really hoping for more flavors like Kogi's version has that really make it a new and special dish.  The tacos are offered only during Happy Hour for $6 per plate of two tacos.

One special we missed on the evening we visited Hashigo was their $2.95 sushi handrolls.  I think that price might only be available Sunday through Thursday.  We didn't get the discount, but we did have a couple of handrolls.  Their spicy yellowtail handroll was fairly standard fare, but yummy.  Sweet potato fries are also offered during Happy Hour, and I can't seem to pass those things up whenever they're on a menu.  Hashigo's fries did not disappoint and managed to disappear within minutes.

All in all, Hashigo's Happy Hour specials provided us with an enjoyable meal.  Other places might have more menu options or slightly lower prices, but Hashigo's food is good, the service is attentive and the atmosphere is pleasant.

Kampai!
Druu

Sushi and More at Hashigo in Fullerton

I've walked and driven by Hashigo in Fullerton a bazillion times since they opened, and finally went in to check the place out and taste what they've got.  It's a hipster lounge/restaurant/sushi bar in a town center at the foot of the Sunny Hills area of Fullerton.  Considering that space is fairly small, Hashigo is laid out very nicely and doesn't feel crowded inside.

Upon entering, you can select which part of the restaurant you'd like to sit in.  The menu is the same whether you pick the laid back lounge area, the more standard restaurant area or the sushi bar.  My wife and I decided the lounge was the place to hang, and it was a nice change from your standard restaurant seating.  We basically each had our own couch with a table between us.

Now, the best time to visit Hashigo is probably during happy hour, which is 5:30-7pm each evening.  Unfortunately, we just missed it by about 20 minutes.  $2.95 hand rolls, $5-6 appetizers like stuffed shiitake mushrooms, Kogi-style kalbi tacos, spicy tuna tartare, 50% off well drinks...yup, that's the time to go.

Ok, so happy hour was out of the question.  No problem, though, as they had some interesting items on their regular menu.

Their miso shishito peppers were delicious.  Shishito peppers look sorta like skinny jalapenos.  They're not very spicy (though every once in a while you might find one with a kick) and the miso sauce they're grilled in makes for a very pleasant taste mix of sweet and mildly spicy.  Those are bonito shavings you see sprinkled on top.

Their take on Hawaiian-style poke is more delicate than most.  The fish isn't overpowered by the sesame flavor.  Very nice...and they didn't only use tuna.  There was also salmon and some kind of white fish.

It's hard to resist mochi ice cream for dessert (green tea, strawberry and mango).  I just love that stuff, and while I can find it pretty easily in the freezer sections of every Asian market around, I had no problem paying a little extra for a groovy presentation in the cool lounge setting.

Hashigo actually has three locations, sushi bars in both Fullerton and Huntington Beach and a Korean restaurant in Costa Mesa.  Find them on the web here.

Next time, we're going back for happy hour!

Kampai!
Druu