Sushi rolls, sashimi, rice, udon and ramen are all available at Sushi Ken and with their generous lunch combos served until 4 pm every day and dinner combos with two or three item selections are sure to satisfy that craving for Japanese cuisine, filling you up and keeping it all under 20 dollars a person.
Sushi Ken is located in a bustling mall in downtown Fremont serving the local community for everyday needs. The parking lot can get a bit chaotic but if you're fine with walking, consider parking a bit further toward the side of the mall rather than in the middle near the main entrance (i.e., the closer you are to the coffee shops, the busier it is).
Once you step foot into the restaurant, you'll be amazed at the colorful wallpaper depicting people at a fish market. You'll have the option to sit near the sushi bar or at one of the many tables and booth available. The place is quite large and it doesn't seem like they get a lot of foot traffic. There is a large TV that was playing the sports game of the night but otherwise, it was pretty quiet. I had originally made a reservation through Yelp but it clearly wasn't needed as we were just about the only patrons until about halfway through the dinner service.
After being seated, we were given menus and waters. We had a bit of time to peruse the menu and ended up getting a few rolls and a three piece dinner combo including the saba (mackerel), tempura, sashimi, soup, and salad. The food was good and for the price, a decent value for Japanese food. As part of our meal, they also served a side of edamame and French fries for us to start on.
California roll - very heavy on the imitation crab and not as balanced with the avocado but for fans of this roll, you'll have a good time with this protein rich bite.
Unagi avocado roll - presentation on this decently balanced roll could be a bit better but it serves its purpose. Pieces of eel and avocado balanced in each bite, you'll get your fix with this one.
Mango spider roll - beautiful and refreshing with sweet slices of mango. Perfect for the kiddos.
Saba shioyaki - decently prepared mackerel although a bit dryer than others I've had. The taste was lighter than others as well. The portions were decent and paired nicely with the good mound of rice.
Sashimi - thick and meaty pieces of tuna and salmon were delicious and melted in your mouth.
Tempura - typically not a fan of tempura but the variety was great - shrimp, sweet potato, broccoli, and squash were all represented.
Soup - miso soup came with the meal but was a bit saltier than I'd like. It still came out hot though!
As an end to the meal, they also served a helping of ice cream (green tea). We originally came in for a birthday but they don't seem to do anything special for it so the ice cream was a nice consolation.
The staff were generally present and helpful. When we asked for no ice in our waters and were given ice, they quickly corrected the mistake. Our waters didn't need constant filling so we didn't really experience the topping off that we typically see in other dine-in establishments.
Overall, Sushi Ken has all things Japanese served at reasonable prices and decent portions. They don't seem to do anything exceptionally well, however, you'll get your fix and a pretty good value. It's probably best to get the combos when possible to make the most of your experience but their food options are priced well enough for dining anytime. Whatever you're looking to order, you CAN at Sushi Ken! read more