Although sushi is not the classic college meal deal that may come to mind, the charming Tsunami Sushi restaurant located across De Anza at the Oaks mall is worth a deviation from the regular cafeteria routine.

The restaurant features regular tables and a small sushi bar decorated with hockey sticks and pictures signed by members of the San Jose Sharks.

The unconventional bar decorations are misleading. The chef prepares sushi the traditional way with great craftsmanship and attention to detail and freshness of product.

Nigiri sushi and sushi rolls start at $3.95 respectively, $3.25 for the rolls and range up to $11.95 for the house specialty Tsunami dragon rolls, consisting of shrimp tempura, tobiko, grilled eel and avocado.

The menu also includes noodles, starting at $7.00, lunch specials, such as Chicken Teriyaki for $6.95, and the sashimi lunch for $10.95. Daily and dinner specials complete the versatile card.

For a quick, healthy and affordable lunch, I recommend a bowl of edamame, which is a bowl of steamed fresh soy beans, and an order of California rolls (makes six) for $8.30, including tax. If you feel like dessert, ask for banana tempura, fried bananas with chocolate sauce for $5.00.

Round it up with a generous cup of green tea, but stay away from sake, the famous Japanese rice wine, during lunch hours, especially if you have afternoon classes.

Tsunami Sushi gives 10 percent off any main entrée with the Oaks Theatres membership card and is open Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and every day from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

In addition, the restaurant hosts karaoke nights on Friday and Sunday after 9 p.m., which often extend the closing hour beyond prediction.

Also, don’t be surprised to see big men with huge appetites eating away plate loads of sushi. Tsunami Sushi happens to be a favorite for several Sharks players, including Alex Korolyuk, who sat next to me at the sushi bar with his wife and daughter when I had lunch there the other day.