Is this a new place in San Francisco? San Jose J-town? San Mateo? Nope. It's a little deli/restaurant in Monterey.
A friend took us to Ocean Sushi Deli after a very nice afternoon at the aquarium. Usually, I don't equate homey, authentic Japanese food with Monterey (actually I wouldn't equate a lot of places even in San Francisco and San Mateo with authentic Japanese food either, but that's another story) but this place was pretty darn close.
It's a tiny place with long menus posted around the cashier. The menus were pretty extensive and impressive. They make a different kinds of Japanese food, from traditional home made dinners that mom would make (if your mom was from Japan and was an awesome cook) to more modern, fun food. There were items on the menu you wouldn't see even in Japanese restaurants in the City, like takoyaki (octopus balls) and HOMEMADE gyoza (potstickers)!!! Many places use frozen gyoza (or they taste like the frozen stuff). This place make them by hand.
I was very happy to see these. They're purin, Japanese-style flan. The one on the left is matcha (green tea) flavor, and the one on the right is...flan flavored. They were made from scratch and both were heavenly. I would go back just for the purin.
