Hime Sushi Bar & Grill – Harlingen, Texas
Star Rating: 3.5
We’ll start todays review by first stating that our frame of reference is the context, viewpoint, and set of presuppositions with which we evaluate and ultimately score the restaurants we willingly pay out of pocket and frequently visit. We are first and foremost proud foodies, committed to being your go-to source for the best food in the Rio Grande Valley.
My frame of reference stems from a fortunate and blessed coincidence to be born and raised in the city of Chicago; One of 15 cities in the world with the most diverse food scenes – on the list with 66 counties represented. My bestie/partner and foodie/accomplice was born and raised in Los Angeles; Another of the 15 cities in the world with the most diverse food scenes – on the list as well with 61 countries represented. As a matter of fact, from sea to shining sea, we’ve experienced the very best in Japanese Steak Houses and Sushi Restaurants the likes of Benihanas and Ron of Japan to Katsuya and Nobu – amazing places renown for serving a feast for the senses.
So, what foods did Japan bring to America?
Items such as shiitake mushrooms, sake, bento, tofu, soy milk, teriyaki, and sushi should in many, if not most instances, be familiar to people, even if they had never tasted them. Few people, however, probably realize how these foods, and many others from Japan, came to be in America.
And, who brought the Hibachi/Teppanyaki cooking styles to America?
What you might not think of, however, is how much Benihana transformed America. Today, Benihana is a household name. But when Rocky Aoki opened the first Benihana in 1964, most Americans wouldn't even think about touching Japanese food. Since then, the company now owns nearly 100 restaurants worldwide with over 7400 employees, per the official website. Aoki was also a noted amateur wrestler, qualifying for the 1960 Olympic Games. Truly a remarkable story and an inspiration to anyone thinking that the American Dream isn’t worth fighting for.
Consequently, what brings all of us here to this country; and what must have inspired and motivated the Chiang family to start their family business in Harlingen? Once headed by Lin Fong Chiang, a chef and proud owner of Golden Garden Chinese Restaurant along with his widowed wife, Chun-Yen, currently the principal/owner who then pivoted the family business in 2007 by launching Uchi at the same location on 901 N. Ed Carey Drive while introducing Harlingen to Japanese cuisine. Since then, it has transformed and evolved into Hime Sushi Bar and Grill offering the area a much-needed change of pace in the dining scene, which is composed primarily of fast food, Chinese buffets, and taquerias. This restaurant owner has a rich family history and a proud legacy as a pioneer in the RGV.
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Note: Let’s give credit where credit is due: This family could’ve kept their business open as yet another Chinese restaurant, but instead understood the consequences of market saturation and the wisdom to assess, adjust, adapt.
With that said, we now present you the royal princess of East Asian Cuisine aka:
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Hime – 姫 (ひめ): a noun meaning ‘princess’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural. Native speakers use this noun to refer to a daughter of a king and queen in Japanese. In addition, they sometimes use this as a metaphor for a girl or woman who looks or behaves like a princess.
Serving the public an extensive menu of popular dishes that the Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Thai cuisines have to offer. We’ve been loyal customers from the beginning and even though the Tepenyaki dining room has been closed since the pandemic, our selection below keeps us coming back, time and time again:
Our favorite appetizer is the Shrimp Tempura with spicy mayo. If you like shrimp, and we know the RGV people do, you’re going to love the recipe for this ever-popular crustacean. The shrimp are “stretched shrimp”. The muscles on the underside of the shrimp are cut with small scissors. This allows the shrimp to stretch out straight and longer. This technique allows the shrimp and tempura batter made from three key ingredients: flour egg, and cold water, to fry very quickly. The main difference between tempura batter and conventional batter is that tempura batter uses significantly less oil and no breadcrumbs. With Tempura batter, you'll get a delicate, crispy result that is lighter and more palatable than conventional batter. In fact, a single order of this appetizer comes with 4 large shrimp paired with a side of onion rings dipped in the same delicious batter – making it a no brainer – opening up your appetite for the main course in the show. I personally could eat a dozen of these savory morsels with an ice-cold Kirin; A Japanese lager beer that complements a wide variety of food, kind of sweet and light body that’s very easy to drink, and quite refreshing. On second thought, I’ll have another cold Kirin with the rest of my meal:
And now for the star of today’s show, Teppan-Yaki it’s a style of cooking that originated in Japan but has since spread around the world. It is quite popular in some other countries, and it’s easy to see why. The food is prepared right before your eyes on an iron griddle, with lots of theatrics.
What Is Teppan-Yaki?
Teppan-Yaki is a style of cooking where food is prepared and served on heated iron plates. Teppan means “iron plate” and Yaki refers to the fact that many different types of ingredients are grilled, seared, or cooked at high temperatures on a smooth surface made of stainless steel. This type of Japanese cuisine was first invented in Tokyo during World War II when there were limited resources available for chefs to use to prepare meals for their guests. Nowadays this method of cooking has become very popular around the world as it allows anyone with access to Teppan-Yaki equipment to provide amazing meals without having any previous experience. It can be used by amateurs alike who want something different, but not too different from the standard BBQ, or by professional chefs to create unique and show-stopping dishes.
The Main Show – Teppan-Yaki’s Theatrics:
One central aspect of Teppan-Yaki dining is cooking with extreme precision, which can make the experience similar to dinner theater. This includes flipping cooked prawns onto diners’ awaiting plates in one motion and slicing meat or seafood as if it were butter. While some techniques like setting flame to sliced onions stacked on top, you’re sure going to enjoy an excellent well-prepared meal – fireworks and all.
And, whether you like surf or turf or a combination thereof, it’s always your choice. This menu is basically the meat and potatoes of the Japanese cuisine: Chicken, New York Steak, Filet Mignon, Calamari, Shrimp, Scallops, Salmon, Lobster, and for the vegetarian, a spicy mix of vegetables that won’t leave them out from sharing in this gastronomic experience. And, as an added value, all Teppan-Yaki Dinners are served with soup, salad, and fried rice.
What’s more, they also offer a Teppan-Yaki option seldom seen on menu’s; Korean Bulgogi, or Korean beef barbecue, which is undoubtedly one of the most quintessentially Korean dishes there are - gorgeously thin slices of ribeye, tenderloin, or sirloin marinated in a savory-sweet sauce, but we’ll cover this dish in more depth in one of our future reviews.
Finally, when we need a change from all the options above, we absolutely love and recommend their Pad Thai Noodles – a unique spin on pasta.
This delicious noodle stir-fry that hails from the rich food culture of Thailand has become one of the most iconic and beloved dishes around the world in the past few decades…and happens to be one of our all-time faves as well! Made with chewy al dente rice noodles, stir-fried veggies, usually at least one type of protein (chicken, steak, shrimp, tofu and veggie-only options) and an irresistibly fresh, sweet, tangy tamarind sauce, served with lime. The flavors of this dish are centered around a sweet-savory fusion. Salty, nutty, and with that slightly sweet sauce, it's a treat for tastebuds!
Hence, the title of royal princess of East Asian Cuisine aka Hime.
We cordially invite one and all throughout the Rio Grande Valley to come and visit Harlingen – supporting and embracing our siblings in keeping the American Dream alive and well – sharing our cultures through the foods we cherish and love.
NOTE: Life has changed for all of us since the “Pandemic” and the dining area where the theatrical portion took place is temporarily closed till further notice. Please check out the short video we’ve included so you can see what the show is all about. But in the end, with or without a show, it's still all about the food and ultimately as they say in Hollywood - The Show Must Go On!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.
