A new coworker recently joined our team, and it didn’t take long for us to discover we share a common interest: finding great food. Instead of grabbing quick lunches from Whole Foods every Friday, we decided to start taking real lunch breaks and trying restaurants around the neighborhood that had been on our lists for a while.
For our first Friday lunch outing, we headed to Azumi in Harbor East. It’s an easy walk from the office and one of those Baltimore restaurants that people seem to recommend over and over again.
Quick Guide to Azumi
Location: Harbor East, Baltimore
Cuisine: Japanese sushi and small plates
Known for: fresh sashimi, crudo, and Chef Andy’s signature rolls
Best for: sushi lovers and shareable plates
Since everything on the menu sounded tempting, we decided to share several dishes so we could try a little bit of everything.
Azumi
Scottish Salmon Crudo
We started with the Scottish Salmon Crudo, which was light, citrus-forward, and incredibly refreshing. It’s the kind of dish that feels perfect on a warm day when you want something bright and simple.
This was actually one of the dishes I had tried on a previous visit, and it even made my best plates of 2016 list.
Scottish Salmon Crudo
Shishito Peppers
Next up were Shishito Peppers, which are always fun to share.
Most of them are mild, but every now and then one packs a little heat, so eating them becomes a bit of a game—almost like culinary Russian roulette. It’s a great dish to split with friends while waiting for the rest of the food to arrive.
Shishito Peppers
Yellowtail Jalapeño
We also ordered the Yellowtail Jalapeño, and the freshness of the fish really stood out.
The thin slices of yellowtail were paired with jalapeño in a way that added just enough brightness and spice without overpowering the flavor of the fish.
Yellowtail Jalapeno
Jalapeño Hamachi Roll
Azumi is known for Chef Andy’s signature rolls, so we couldn’t leave without ordering one.
The Jalapeño Hamachi roll was easily one of the highlights of the meal. The roll itself was light and fresh, but the real standout was the jalapeño onion salsa that came with it. We made sure to finish every last bit of it.
Jalapeno Hamachi
Sashimi
Since Azumi is known for serving high-quality fish, we also ordered a plate of sashimi to really appreciate the freshness.
We tried both King Salmon and Bluefin Akami, and each bite was incredibly buttery and clean. If you’re visiting Azumi, ordering at least one type of sashimi is a great way to experience the quality of the fish.
Sashimi
Salmon Avocado Roll
Before finishing lunch, our server mentioned that you can order classic sushi rolls even if they aren’t listed on the menu.
We decided to try a Salmon Avocado Roll, and it ended up being one of the creamiest bites of the day. It’s a simple roll, but sometimes that’s the best way to see how a sushi chef handles the fundamentals.
Salmon Avocado Roll
A Perfect Friday Lunch Spot
Azumi turned out to be the perfect place to start our new Friday lunch tradition. Between the fresh fish, shareable plates, and easy Harbor East location, it’s a great option when you want a relaxed meal in the middle of the workday.
Azumi is located at 725 Aliceanna St, in Harbor East
If you’re exploring more of the Baltimore food scene, you might also enjoy some of the other restaurants I’ve visited around the city, including Clavel in Remington, Charleston in Harbor East, and Gunther & Co in Canton.
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Categories: Harbor East
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