Yoshimatsu: Great Japanese Food and Atmosphere in Hawaii

Walk in to Yoshimatsu in Tucson, Arizona, and you will immediately feel like you are in Japan. Everything is authentic, from the sushi bar area off to the right to all of the trinkets and posters that adorn the walls of the restaurant. Even the staff is from Japan.

When Yoshimatsu opened its doors, it was in a very small location in Central Tucson on Campbell Ave. The seating was very minimal, maybe a few tables at best, but the food was oh so good. I knew from the first meal I had there that they would soon outgrow their location. And I guess I am psychic because within a year they had to move to a much larger location across the street. This time occupying an old Village Inn, Tucson's equivalent of a Denny's.

The food and service is top notch. Once you make your order you can have a seat at any table and they will bring your food to you. I like this style as it has a sit down restaurant feel without any of the extra fees that they normally would tag on to the food.

You most definitely have to try their Kara Age bento; this is a Japanese version of fried chicken. The chicken comes with a soy-based sauce, with hints of sweet and sour. Coupled with veggies and rice and the meal is to die for. You can also try other dishes like the katsu curry, which is breaded and fried chicken on rice covered in a curry sauce. Awesomely delicious. You can also get a shrimp tempura over soba noodles, one of my favorites. Think fried shrimp meets ramen noodles.

Yoshimatsu was started because the owner suffered from heart problems and knew that Japanese cuisine could be so beneficial because it is prepared so healthily. She wanted to share that with others and has done so for years. The staff is super friendly and willing to help answer any questions that you may have regarding the food. Be very careful about phone ordering though as I have had a few mix ups of my order. Once it was due to a new staff member and the other was just a miscommunication. Just be sure to ask them to read you back your order so you don't tack on an extra 20 minutes waiting for your original order.

All in all, Yoshimatsu offers great, authentic Japanese cuisine at an affordable price. They are in a great location just a stone's throw from the University of Arizona. If you have a chance to visit them you won't be disappointed.