Katana Sushi & Grill

Sushi is health food.

John Kang, owner of Katana Sushi and Grill, knows this and abides by it.

“Sushi is one of the healthiest well-being food there is,” Kang said.

And his favorite items on his menu are those that are not cooked.

“This is the food I prefer,” he said.

Kang said when customers are new to sushi, he recommends a tuna selection.

“Raw tuna, yes,” he said. “It doesn’t have a fish taste, but it is flavorful and healthy.”

Kang gets his fresh fish – sashimi – in every other day.

“I promise to have the freshest fish all the time,” he said. “That is a major issue with good sushi.”

Popular on his menu are hand rolls, of which there are 40 varieties. Among the selections are ichi roll (crab and avocado topped with shrimp); spider roll (soft shell crab, avocado, gobo, cucumber and radish sprout) and dragon roll (crab, shrimp tempura and cucumber topped with eel). Perhaps less exotic are California rolls (crab and avocado), tempura roll (crab, avocado and tempura outside) and teriyaki chicken roll (chicken teriyaki, avocado and cucumber).

Kang said he and his staff can help educate customers about sushi and sashimi. And for those who don’t want to indulge in sushi offerings, a full selection of other entrees is available.

“We have a lot of things for people who might not want to eat sushi,” he said.

Katana Sushi and Grill has specials, appetizers, lunch offerings, salads, party platters and a children’s menu.

Salads include garden salads, seaweed salads, albacore taiaki tofu salads. A garden salad is $39.5, while the highest priced salad is the albacore taiaki is $8.95.

Appetizers feature edamame (steamed soy beans) for $3.50, “hello peño (cream cheese, spicy tuna, crab and jalapeño) for $7.50 and baked green mussels for $5.95. Other selections also are available.

The special hand rolls range in price from $4.25 to $10.95 for cherry blossoms (spicy tuna, crab, avocado, salmon and cucumber wrap).

Sushi bar entrees are offered and include miso soup and house salad. The sushi bar entrees are a good introduction to different kids of sushi.

Menu items for those who don’t like sushi (or just for a change of pace) include chicken, beef, sizzling beef and salmon teriyaki, as well as other selections.

The kids meal, available for children 12 and younger are $6.95. Children can select three items including chicken or beef teriyaki, California roll, combo tempura, edamame or gyoza.

There are two and three item combinations available for lunch. Lunch specials include miso soup, house salad and rice. Lunch combinations range from $8.95 to $10.95.

Party platters range in price from $45 to $95. A 24-hour notice is preferred.

Kang, who drives to Fountain Hills from Peoria everyday (“42 miles one-way”) said he is happy to be part of the community.

“The people in Fountain Hills know a lot about sushi,” he said. “They appreciate good food.”

Katana is located at 16425 E. Palisades Blvd, in the space that once housed Tom’s Barbecue. Kang has remodeled the restaurant to reflect his Asian background.

Kang has lived in the United States since 1974. He moved to California from Korea. His family owned a restaurant in southern California.

Kang, his brother Ben and John Kim are sushi chefs. The restaurant has a total of seven employees.

Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch Monday through Friday, and 5 to 9 p.m. for dinner Monday through Thursday.

Dinner hours Friday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The restaurant is open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday.

For additional information, call (480) 837-2399.