Sakana is a Japanese restaurant tucked away in the meandering streets of Anjuna in Goa. It has been started by Indian-Israeli Eliko and his Japanese wife Mali. The interiors are rather pleasing and the place gives a very open and inviting feel. It has all the usual suspects in a Japanese menu, for a change both veg and non-veg. The extremely reasonable prices ensure that the restaurant is quite full all the time.

                     Interiors                                                     Bar

We start with a couple of sushi dishes, Ebi(prawn) Avocado Roll (Rs 280) and Kappa (cucumber) Roll (Rs 180). The sushi is well made but I suspect to keep the prices down, Japanese rice has been substituted by a cheaper Indian of Thai variety which does take away some of sushi’s charm.

             Ebi(prawn) Avocado Roll                        Kappa (cucumber) Roll 

Shrimp Gyoza (Rs 340) and Beef Gyoza (Rs 300) are both delicious when had hot, though could be a bit juicier.

                 Shrimp Gyoza                                        Veg Udon Noodles

Hot Kingfish Sashimi (Rs 400) seems perplexing on the menu, because heating raw fish in sashimi would make it a regular fish dish. Thankfully, the dish is tepid and it is sashimi all right. And it is good. Miso Soup Large (Rs 130) is competent. Harusame(translucent noodles) Salad (Rs 160) is great and much recommended.

             Hot Kingfish Sashimi                                  Harusame Salad

Wakame(seaweed) Salad (Rs 120) is a bit of an acquired taste because of its slimy texture, but can be enjoyable if you are adventurous and have a palate that is open to new textures. In the mains, Beef Yakiniku (grilled) (Rs 490) is most enjoyable.

                  Wakame Salad                                      Beef Yakinitu

Kake Udon (Rs 300) is served hot as a noodle soup in its simplest formin a mildly flavoured broth called kakejiru, which is made of dashi, soy sauce, and mirin. It is topped with thinly chopped scallions.Kingfish Teriyaki (Rs 580), the most expensive dish on the menu is also nice, but not worth the price really.

  

There are various icecreams as options for dessert. Hazelnut Icecream (Rs 240) is delicious and Cherry Icecream (Rs 240) is avoidable.

           Hazelnut Icecream

Sakana can be a refreshing option if you have had your fill of Goan food, and seek something light and not so spicy, and yet inexpensive.

The review was anonymously done after paying for the meal.

Ratings (Out of 5)  

Food: 3.5 | Ambience: 4.0 | Service: 3.5 | Value: 4.0 | Overall: 3.5

Meal for two: Rs.1000 | Alcohol: Yes | Credit Card: Yes | Wheel chair friendly: Yes

Address: Chapora Road, Anjuna, Goa. Tel: +91 9890135502