The Joy of Food: Shiki Sushi

shiki sushi

by Serenity Joy Miller

When Shiki Sushi opened in downtown Franklin a few years ago, my friends and I were excited about trying out a new, close by Japanese restaurant. And we were not disappointed. Shiki is a family-owned eatery with an extensive menu offering soups, salads, bento boxes, noodles and fried rice, Hibachi, lunch specials, and a wide variety of sushi rolls. Their dining room is charming and eclectic with beautiful chandeliers, multi-colored icicle lights hanging from the ceiling, and a large wooden Japanese boat that sits in the center of the restaurant. The servers are friendly and efficient, and the atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable with a touch of elegance. Shiki also offers a large table near the front door, which is ideal for friend and family gatherings.

Kristin Larkin and I visited Shiki Sushi, which has become one of our favorite restaurants, on Saturday afternoon. I started off my meal with hot Gyoza Soup and a cold, refreshing Kirin Ichiban beer. This was my first time ordering gyoza soup, and I was very pleased with the succulent mix of pork-filled dumplings; thinly sliced, crisp vegetables; and savory chicken broth flavored with soy sauce, ginger, onion, and garlic. I also ordered a small House Salad with lettuce, cucumber, tomato, and light but slightly creamy ginger dressing bursting with tastes of sesame, garlic, seasoned rice vinegar, onion, lemon, and a touch of honey for a little sweetness.

Finally, I ordered the Rainbow Roll, which included avocado, crab, rice, and cucumber topped with tuna, salmon, and red snapper. The creamy avocado and crisp cucumber complemented the texture of the high quality, fresh fish. The light tuna had a pleasant, mild flavor, while the rich salmon contributed its naturally slightly sweet essence to the dish. The white-fleshed red snapper rounded out the sushi roll nicely with a soft, pleasant texture and delicate taste.

Shiki Sushi is located at 1008 Columbia Avenue in the Franklin Plaza shopping center with Our Thrift Store, Piggly Wiggly, and AutoZone. Visit shikisushitn.com to review their menu and download coupons. Shiki Sushi is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 AM to 9:30 PM, Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 10:30 PM, and Sunday from 12 PM to 9:30 PM. They are closed on Monday.