SJ OMOGARI’S FINEST
Beef bibimbaps and a mild seafood tofu soup, Tuesday May 21.The Bay Area has tons of hidden gems of restaurants that are tasty and affordable, with a great ambiance.
Here are some great places that will excite your taste buds but won’t hurt your wallet.
Boiling Crab / Kickin’ Crab
$ – $$
Boiling Crab, 71 Curtner Ave., San Jose. 408-297-2322
Kickin Crab, 2675 Cropley Ave., San Jose. 408-945-0888
These backyard Cajun style restaurants have been gaining popularity both in southern California and in the Bay Area. Whether you’re a table for two or with a large group, Boiling Crab and Kickin’ Crab have food that can be enjoyed by all.
First, you order by the pound and by which sauce and level of spiciness you want. If you want to try a little bit of everything, I recommend sharing with friends.
Kickin’ Crab has special combo deals that include two pounds of shrimp, one pound of clams, two corn on the cobs, two potatoes and six sausages for $30.
Hopefully, you all eat the same spice level. If you don’t feel like having whole pounds of shrimp to yourself, Boiling and Kickin’ offer half pounds.
Cha Cha Sushi
$-$$
547 W Capitol Expy
San Jose. 408-265-2416
It’s hard trying to figure out which sushi restaurant has top notch quality sushi and a price tag that doesn’t make you gasp.
But Cha Cha Sushi is on point, with sushi chefs who make sure each roll comes out 100 percent perfect every time.
If you go during lunch they have a fantastic deal on a large bento box for under $15.
And who doesn’t love free appetizers? Cha Cha Sushi hands out complimentary mussels for every customer.
The prices of speciality rolls range from $5.95 to $14.95.
One of my favorite rolls is the Golden Gate which is soft shell crab, spicy crab and cucumber with salmon, eel, avocado, tobiko and house sauce on top.
Whether it’s bento boxes or specialty rolls, Cha Cha Sushi doesn’t disappoint.
SJ Omogari Korean Restauraunt
$$
154 Jackson St.
San Jose. 408-288-8134
Omogari, a family owned Korean restaurant, has a welcoming atmosphere as soon as you walk through the door.
The staff are always personable and they make sure your experience at Omogari isn’t anything less than perfect.
As for the food, the seafood pancake is heaven.
Shrimp, mussels, octopus and green onions are in the dish, and the texture is just firm enough to grab hold with your fork or chopsticks but easily slides into your mouth.
Other favorites are the bimbap, which is kind of like a mix-it-yourself Korean fried rice, or the soft tofu soup that comes in beef, chicken, mushroom, Kim-chi (with pork), and seafood.
Even though the prices range from $8 to $12 per plate, it’s a great deal because Omogari offers free appetizers that are refillable upon request and complimentary green tea ice cream for dessert.
