I have been to this place maybe once before but I never really went back because it is in an awkward place. There is not a lot off foot traffic around, and I am not really sure where to park. Admittedly, these are not barriers that I cannot overcome. They are not a mountain half the size of Fuji, they are just inconveniences that I rather not deal with. And then one day, I was walking back to my car, and I saw someone who I thought might use a meal. I later learned his name was Oliver. I asked Oliver, if he would like a meal on me. He explained that he was just going to KFC for something to eat, so yeah, he could eat. We both entered and sat and enjoy the fare of Sushi 21. And the place was a pleasure--- a big Arigato! I owe to them.
As I sat with Oliver, I took notice of the decorations. One specifically called my attention. It was a Japanese person, dressed in a regal robe, maybe a Kimono, scribing in parchment, not sure if it was papyrus, cause that belongs more to Egyptian culture. I wondered what the person was writing? A recipe for miso soup? A Haiku? Wisdom for the ages? I chose wisdom for the ages cause the person seemed lost in wonder yet focused in thought. That is how I get when I write wisdom for the ages. One of my favorite Japanese proverbs is the following: The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, and the second best day is today. Maybe I said it wrong. But I know I got its spirt right. I thought that Oliver could benefit from this moment. He shared that he had moved to California for a fresh start after painful years, but he already felt behind. He did not share much just that. And I did not want to hear more, if he was not ready to share more. I am glad that he accepted my offer, as I would want someone to buy me some food, some good food with color and dignity, if I ever was so hungry and broke. And this place did offer good food that had color and dignity. This is best represented in Oliver's order: a Bento box.
As the picture shows his chicken teriyaki Bento Box came with rice, miso, some gorgeous colors, and more sushi that I expected. I tried one of his shrimp. It was good but I wanted sweet shrimp with some wasabi under the shrimp, you know the kind that cleans your nostrils. He enjoyed every bite of his food. He cleaned his plate. He did not talk much, but heard a lot from me. He was kind, and allowed me share and he reflected as best he could. He was trying hard to practice principles of good personhood. And listening to me was a grand way to achieve the feat. He maintained eye-contact, did not use his phone, and shared that he was aiming to do better in life, in general and for that he needed focus to make good decisions. It was a grand sushi meal.
My salmon and tempura roll hit the spot, in such a way where I enjoyed every piece with gusto. It looks pretty too. They cared about their presentation. The edamame came too hot to eat. Once it was cool, it was exactly what I needed--- garlic edamame that was not spicy. I have grown to hate spicy as I have grown in years.
Two final interesting points. The miso soup did not come with a spoon. The server explained to me that in Japanese culture the miso waas drank from the bowl, like Belle learned to do after seeing the beast. I have been too many sushi spots and I have always received a spoon with my miso. Next time I will try to slurp my miso, and see how that goes. I have done it with other soups and I love it because the flavor nestles in the bottom and then you slurp and get concentrated flavor, like an injection of uncut flavor in the palette. The second interesting point is the concept of kintsugi which basically means that a broken vase can be fixed with gold, and the final product is a broken vase with gold lined cracks. The end result makes it more beautiful. Imagine a flawless beauty, like the Mona Lisa, with some milk foam on top of her lip. The messiness atop her smile is a wink to remind us that human beauty is cut and rebuild, and that journey makes the beautiful glow with meaning, like the wrinkles of worry in a mom when her son breaks her leg. Hopefully Oliver one days become the vase with broken cracks filled with gold, and if he does he sees himself as more beautiful for the journey that took him to that point. read more