Sushi is something usually reserved for the meat-eaters among us, not vegetarians and vegans. But Kotobuki in the Ghent section of Norfolk has changed that with its extensive, and sometimes startling (vegetarian shrimp, anyone?), vegetarian menu. The owners even launched a monthly vegetarian lunch special, but you’ll need to ask for that when the server brings you a menu.
I’m usually a fan of the vegetable maki (hand rolls). I always get fried sweet potato and avocado rolls, and I always preface it with a bowl of miso soup. Their miso soup is one of my favorites and the owners assured me its fish flake free.
But when I want something to stick to my ribs, I go for the Vegetarian Sesame Chicken. The chicken pieces have a truly meaty texture and are fried and drenched in a sweet sesame sauce atop a bed of lettuce. In the bento tray, you also receive a salad with a terribly addictive dressing, a tiny fried spring roll and potato cake, and of course rice. And like most meals at the restaurant, it comes with a miso soup appetizer. Also not featured on the menu is brown rice, but they usually have it on hand for the vegetarian specials, so ask for it if you like.
The veg sesame chicken is a favorite among friends, but I’ve also tried the veg chicken teryaki and the veg chicken and broccoli. The teryaki has a great sauce, but the “meat” is a turn off - half moon shaped and cooked to a crisp, it’s pretty hard to tear your teeth through. The chicken and broccoli was the least enjoyable with an off-tasting gravy.
There are still a number of the restaurant’s faux meat dishes I’ve yet to try, such as the tofu steak or the eggplant “ham” platter, which won an award from PETA in 2006 for the best vegetarian meal in Hampton Roads
You may like these dishes, but if you’re going for the first time and want something spot-on, go for the veg sesame chicken.
And don’t forget the wealth of vegetable maki available, from vegetarian shrimp tempura rolls to spinach, fried tofu and asparagus rolls. Kotobuki also offers a number of veggie-friendly appetizers.
The details:
Kotobuki Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar
721 W. 21st Street
Norfolk
Phone: (757) 628-1025
Hours:
Lunch: Mon - Fri, 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.; Sat - Sun, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Dinner: Mon - Thur, 5 - 10 p.m.; Fri - Sat, 5 - 11 p.m.; Sun, 4:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Dine in or take out.
Accepts cash and major credit cards
The vegetarian shrimp tempura is awesome. I had to check with them like 4 times to make sure it wasn’t real shrimp, it’s that similar. Another thumbs up for the veg sesame chicken, the picky omni husband loves it as well. I have had the hijiki tofu patty things and they are fried, so pretty much everything with that meal is fried besides your miso soup. The patties are a little bland too.
This is a great restaurant; I’ve been there on more than once and will be visiting them again.
Wow! Thank you so much for blogging about this place! I am still reeling from the fabulous dinner we just had there. The vegetarian shrimp tempurah is out of this world! My mind can’t quite grasp that what I was eating wasn’t really shrinp! And my b/f had the Vegetarian Sesame Chicken, which was also fabulous, along with an appetizer of the vegetarian giyoza. This is now, hands down, our new favorite spot!
We went here on Saturday night after reading your blog and were extremely happy!
I had the vegetarian beef teriyaki. The teriyaki sauce is a bit strong but the texture and the taste of the “beef” was excellent. It came with a crispy, non-greasy spring roll, a potato cake, soup, and salad with an amazing dressing.
I could not resist the sweet potato “sushi” and was very happy with it. It was delicious.
The love of my life, who is not a vegetarian, had the sushi-sashimi platter and she asked the waitress to make sure that there was nothing in the shell on her plate. The waitress smiled and completely understood.
We will definitely be going there again!!
Are all of the mock-meats at Kotobuki vegan? Is there a “vegan section” to their menu? I’m vegan and planning a dinner with omnivore family members and would like to avoid the hassle of questions about specific ingredients in specific items. Thanks!
Hi Jay!
Kotobuki’s “vegetarian” menu doesn’t specify whether something is vegan or not, but I was told that the mock meats are all vegan. I’m planning on grabbing dinner there next week and will make a point to double-check for the sake of Web site research. Oh, and when you do go with your family I highly recommend the vegetarian sesame chicken! My omnivore/picky eating dad loves it.
- Mary