Print this story | E-mail story | This story has 30 comments Add your own | iPod friendly
Japanese restaurant comes to Andalusia
Published Saturday, December 26, 2009
Those walking under the newly installed “torii” arches of Andalusia’s first Japanese restaurant Samurai Japanese Steak House and Sushi Bar are to be blessed with good health, good fortune, and of course good food — according to Masa Hwang.
Hwang, who worked Wednesday orchestrating the restaurant’s finishing touches, said he has worked in multiple Japanese restaurants such as Destin, Fla.’s, Osaka’s and he his family thought Andalusia was a perfect market for such a restaurant.
“A lot of people come from this town down to eat and they all said they need something like this in their town,” Hwang said. “It’s a good market and low competition, so here we are.”
Menu selections include a full sushi bar, seafood, traditional Japanese fare and of course, hibachi.
“We have four hibachi tables; they cook it right in front of you,” he said.
And Hwang promises a “good show” with knives flying and hot grills.
“It is entertaining and good food,” he said. “I know; I cook.”
Located in the old R&M Steakhouse building on Alabama Route 55, Hwang said he is shooting for today as his first day in business.
“We are going to try,” he said. “Lots of last minute things to do. We want to see the after-Christmas crowd. Our plan is to open seven days a week at 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. for lunch and dinner from 4:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.”
Additionally, Hwang said plans include a full alcoholic selection including sake, beer and traditional Japanese wines. At its last meeting, the Andalusia city council approved the restaurant’s liquor application. It is currently awaiting final approval from the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.
“A Japanese restaurant without sake? No, no,” he said with a laugh. “You see the torii out front. It means good fortune to all — good things to happen. We hope here in Andalusia.”
Comments
Posted by debij9999 (anonymous) on December 26, 2009 at 5:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wish this new restaurant the very best of luck and hope to visit soon! Love sushi! (And, no, it isn't raw fish!!!) Sushi means "with rice".
Posted by southernboy (anonymous) on December 26, 2009 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It will be very good to have diversity and excellence in Andalusia. We are very much in need of a healthy dining establishment. Anything to expand the awareness of healthy eating will expand the body- mind -consciousness .
Raising consiousness here will asssit anyone moving towards improving their health and relationship with food.
Better eating makes for clearer thought and can help to eliminate and/or mitigate angst/resentment and unhealthy attitudes.
And who ever walks away from beneveloent good fortune?.
There is a differentiation between Sashimi and Sushi. I suggest trying both.
Posted by nikon (anonymous) on December 26, 2009 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How exciting!! What a great way to head in to a New Year - and think of all the gas money we will save staying in ANDALUSIA.
Posted by pingbalata (anonymous) on December 26, 2009 at 8:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wonder if they will have a fish sanwich as good as McDonalds?
Posted by cottoncandy (anonymous) on December 26, 2009 at 11:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I love sushi!!!
Posted by AndalusiaWatcher (anonymous) on December 26, 2009 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I congratulate the new restaurant in Andalusia, I hope the community will respond favorably so Andalusia can continue to grow and prosper. With good reviews many people from nearby cities will motor to Andalusia to 'dine' in this establishment as it will be a 'one of a kind'. I ask the community leaders to 'support' this endeavor by dinning there publicly and let's give them a big Andalusia Welcome!
Posted by viewer (anonymous) on December 26, 2009 at 12:44 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by outlaw11 (anonymous) on December 26, 2009 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sashimi is steamed, blanched, or otherwise cooked, while sushi is raw, but both are served in a rice roll. Just to let debij9999 know...and, yes it is a welcome addition to our city.
Posted by hammer1 (anonymous) on December 26, 2009 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No, Outlaw11 SASHIMI is without rice and sushi is on a rice bed. Computers are wonderful things
Posted by knos (anonymous) on December 26, 2009 at 2:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh my racist comment! Way to go viewer...
Posted by bamafootball (anonymous) on December 26, 2009 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Now I heard this!!! Way to go!!! I haven't been many times to a Japanese restaurant, cause it's kinda expensive, but when I do go, I always enjoy the show, and the food of course, and of course, a few cold ones to wash it all down. So, BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by WAtidefan (anonymous) on December 26, 2009 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Try this link : http://www.sushifaq.com/ all you ever wanted to know and more.
A Japanese restaurant in Andalusia is great. Hope the restaurant is successful.
Posted by canon09 (anonymous) on December 26, 2009 at 6:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, it's about time. It's good to know that Andalusia is finally getting something different. People get tired of eating the same old thing all of the time. I hope this establishment is successful.
Posted by chefjones (anonymous) on December 26, 2009 at 9:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like to welcome the Hwang family to Andalusia. I'm sure the community will support their ADventure into the restaurant business in Andalusia. The area has been good to me and I thank everyone for that. So a BIG welcome to you. CJ's Grille
Posted by gladtobefromandy (anonymous) on December 26, 2009 at 9:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Im so excited! Ive never ate Japanese before but will def try it! :) Hopefully this business can stay open.. unlike taco bell.. which i didnt like that at all!
Posted by tikimonster (anonymous) on December 27, 2009 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am elated! Yea, I love "Show Guns", and not having to drive 85 miles to eat it will add to the frequency we get to experience this treat. Way to go! I know we will go.....Best of luck and I pray you are able to ignore the petty and strive from the loyal.
Posted by LoyalAmerican (anonymous) on December 28, 2009 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Welcome Samurai! Variety is the spice of life! Having diverse eating establishments in our area is a good thing! I wish the Hwang family great success in Andalusia!
Posted by LoyalAmerican (anonymous) on December 28, 2009 at 11:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
CJones: I like your comments and professionalism!
Posted by andytransplant (anonymous) on December 28, 2009 at 2:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I heard that Taco Bell was relocating up by WalMart. I've also heard 3 different places going into the old Taco Bell building...Wendy's, Krystal's and Chick Fil-A. Maybe it's just wishful thinking...but my vote is for Chick Fil-A.
Posted by gladtobefromandy (anonymous) on December 28, 2009 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh thats good news! I thought Taco bell was closed down for good. Chick fil-a for me too.. : )
Posted by andytransplant (anonymous) on December 28, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't know it for a fact. Could be just a rumor.
Posted by LoyalAmerican (anonymous) on December 28, 2009 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Chick-Fil-A is an awesome sponsor to Make A Wish and that, in my view, places them a cut above! They go above and beyond what one would expect! I would love to see such a great business in our community. Of course Wendy's would be welcomed also, I admired Dave for his devotion to helping families adopt children. He was an amazing man!
Posted by thugg4life (anonymous) on December 28, 2009 at 7:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i thought every new building was supposed to be a Ruby Tuesday!!
Posted by bogey (anonymous) on December 28, 2009 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I caught a sushi one time up in Alaska. They're pretty good, kinda taste like a filet-o-fish at McDonalds. Should go good with some fri ri.
Posted by Shamrock (anonymous) on December 29, 2009 at 6 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Biscuitsandhoovergravy: this isn't exactly the restaurant we had in mind...soft jazz-stlye music, low lights, cubbeyholes for privacy, thick, tender STEAKS. Maybe next time around.
May the Luck of the Irish be with you, Masa Hwang!
Posted by pingbalata (anonymous) on December 29, 2009 at 7:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry guys, I checked with Chik Fil-a and they have no plans to locate in Andalusia.
Posted by starfish (anonymous) on December 29, 2009 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a wonderful addition to Andalusia. I hope they have yellowfin tuna on the menu. It's great with sesame oil, soy sauce and lemon pepper, just show it the fire and eat! Best way to tell if it is good is to slice some of the raw tuna and taste.
Good luck to the Hwang family and I will see you there.
Posted by canon09 (anonymous) on January 4, 2010 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I went to this establishment today for lunch. I must say the food was very good. Once the word gets out about how good the food is the place is going to be packed. I only wish they would have located into a larger building. Best of luck to the Hwang family and I look forward to dining with you again real soon! :-)
Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on January 5, 2010 at 7:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was kinda curious about the location too. It will severely limit the drive by traffic which is so important to any resturant.
I wish I had the money to put Ophelia's in a big nice accesible location. We would dominate the dining scene in Andalusia. Mmmm!!!!!
Posted by Shamrock (anonymous) on January 11, 2010 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Biscuits: Ophelia a couple summers ago got the Prestwood Building and began a renovation NYC Italian style restaurant. Never knew what happened. Anybody know?
Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)
(Requires free registration.)