I discovered Gen Kai in Dana Point one summer during college (pre-foodie years) and made it a habit to get there often. The fish was as fresh as I could find, the chefs were legitimately Japanese, the yellowtail would literally melt in my mouth. Maybe I was a foodie-in-training... One particular item -- this was before I discovered that I could not eat all that I wanted without working out -- was the Stuffed Tomato. A dollop of scallops and crabmeat (the real stuff) mixed with Japanese mayo, wrapped in two lovely pieces of Toro sushi, topped with a little green scallion. Truly, this is a yum-yum if you've ever seen one.
I always try to sit at the bar when eating sushi. One, there are always a little array of yum-yums that land in front of you, whether octopus salad, marinated cucumbers or miso soup. Two, you have the opportunity to talk to your sushi chef directly and inquire about the best fish in their cooler and the tastiest specials of the day. That, and when you visit a spot often enough, you can develop a rapport with your sushi chef who will remember the things you like and make the special items you crave.
Upon return to the OC, Gen Kai was naturally a first request to my father's offer to take me to lunch (In-N-Out was next; more on that later). I then discovered the best kept lunch secret in Orange County: the Happy Meal.
No, this is not your mushy and tasteless fast food kiddie combo from the local McD's. The Happy Meal at Gen Kai is a lovely adult lunch treat: portions of salmon, yellowtail, and tuna sashimi; a piece each of shrimp, tuna and yellowtail sushi; a large helping of California rolls; miso soup; and green tea. All this at the sushi bar for $10 at lunch. I am still in shock.
