RA Sushi Introduces New Seasonal Menu Items

The five valley RA Sushi locations are celebrating the new year with a variety of dishes. From sushi rolls, salads, entrees and, of course, drinks; they’ve mixed flavors and textures to tantalize those who want to break out of boring and jump into the bold New Year. But hurry as these are only on the menu until the end of  April.

Being a sushi fanatic I rarely get past sushi to try other creative menu choices (Sushi lovers- you know what I mean) but this time, not only the sushi rolls but the entrees had me hooked. The bartenders showed off their talents with several mixed drinks that were light, fruity and refreshing that went down so smoothly you weren’t quite ready for the “punch”.

The Bites

Start off with the Chili Garlic Shrimp: a mouth-watering taste of lightly tempura battered shrimp with a chili ponzu sauce, sautéed garlic and bok choy all topped with scallions, garlic chips and ramen noodles. Just as you savor the terrific mixture of textures, you get a little heat on the taste buds. Quench that heat with a Passion Punch Bowl; a fruity quaff with Amaretto Di Saronno, pineapple vodka, aged rum, passion fruit, pineapple, citrus juices and coconut water. This comes in a giant fish bowl (yes, for two) but a Baby Passion Punch is available.

Two seasonal sushi rolls are the Red Heart Roll and the Crunchy Yami Roll. A gorgeous presentation of hearts in the sauce in the Red Heart Roll and the right amount of Sriracha has this one on my “favorites” list. The Yami Roll is a non-traditional sushi option with sweet potato, cucumber and avocado – perfect for vegetarians.

The King Crab Salad, made with real king crab, ripe avocado, cucumbers and grape tomatoes, tossed in a Suehiro vinaigrette is one of a kind. The lightness of the vinaigrette is amazing as you enjoy the combination of vegetables and crab. And for an entrée, try the Seared Ahi Tuna. Perfectly seared, seasoned with togarashi and black pepper, it sits atop grilled asparagus with a velvety shiitake mushroom sauce. This one melts in your mouth!

The Booze

Pair these choices with a number of creative cocktails: along with the Passion Punch Bowl, the Lychee Margarita blends sweet and tart with lychee juice and lime juice. How about a Blue Ginger Martini, made with blueberry and ginger lemonade, blueberry vodka, muddled blueberries and fresh ginger. Oh my, who knew blueberries and ginger would go so well together! And don’t forget Ra’s extensive menu of sake. Try the TY KU Coconut Sake, an unfiltered sake with a silky texture with hints of coconut and vanilla. Or perhaps a Seasonal Sake Flight featuring three two-ounce tastings.

The Bucks

Get to RA soon as these bites and booze are here only until April, when they showcase other creative dishes. Hope to see several of the listed choices make it to their permanent menu. Prices for listed food items range from $11.25 to $17.50 and prices for listed drinks range from $8.50 to $18.00. Their locations include: Ahwatukee, Kierland Commons, Tempe, Dana Park (Mesa) and Old Town Scottsdale.

*This meal was provided to us complimentary as a part of a media invitation. However, this has no effect on our opinions and comments regarding our experience. View our Disclosure Policy for further explanation.