Hiro Sushi has helped pave the way for other sushi restaurants in the Omaha area. What helped the community eventually accept and appreciate sushi is what owner Milton Yin set out to do 8 years ago. That was to deliver a diverse menu and a memorable dining experience. Offering Japanese and Chinese menu items, Hiro Sushi was able to draw the excited and even reluctant consumers into the restaurant to experience something new and unique to Omaha. Currently the menu is still very diverse, and even if you are not a seafood fan, there are plenty of items to choose from on the menu. Hiro Sushi has many signature items and one of the most popular is the Salmon Plank. Trust me when I tell you, it is one of the best salmon dishes you will ever have. They start with a thick Scottish salmon, which is lightly seasoned and grilled on a mesquite plank. The salmon is grilled for 25 minutes, to help achieve the light smoky flavor and is then artfully plated with a fresh Japanese cucumber and Fuji apple salsa. Finally, the salmon, topped with a raspberry, soy, and balsamic vinaigrette that immediately perfumes into the air from the hot ambers of the wood plank. Frankly, when this dish arrives, it takes you a moment to collect your thoughts and prepare yourself to enjoy this work of art. But take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy this milestone in your culinary adventures. At Hiro, you will find their sushi is more traditional, with some of the Americanized sushi rolls mixed into the menu. The number one selling sushi roll is the Wasabi Stinger. Two pieces of shrimp tempura, cream cheese, cucumber, and fresh jalapeño rolled inside of seaweed paper and rice and then topped with shredded crabmeat and drizzled with two fantastic sauces. One is a cool wasabi cream sauce and the other is a sweet unagi sauce, that helps transfer all the flavors of the ingredients into a fantastic piece of culinary heaven. Do not let the name fool you, this roll is very well balanced and will put a smile on your face. Whether you are a sushi newbie or a seasoned veteran of sushi, this roll hits on all cylinders. The restaurant offers a full bar, stocked with one of the best sake selections in the metro area. Sake has become a very trendy and personal drink over the past decade. The assumption that all sake should be served hot does not apply to all sake. Fortunately, all of the sake here is cold, but they will warm your sake upon request. In addition, the owner has really taken notice of classic and contemporary wines and has built a strong list to compliment any wine enthusiast’s dining budget. The cocktails are direct and sensible using simple recipes that are consistent and make you feel comfortable when ordering one.The staff at Hiro is unique, like the menu, and it works well for the customers who dine there. There are many on staff who have worked there for multiple years, thankfully this restaurant does not turn over staff as often as other restaurants. If you want a memorable service experience, make a reservation and request Sammy Moriyama. His menu knowledge and outlandish stories make for an entertaining experience you will not soon forget, and yes he really does smile that much.
