Marumi Sushi

Marumi, hidden in a sleepy strip mall in Plantation, defies the typical definition of a Japanese restaurant. The emphasis is on freshness and authenticity: a derivation of the Japanese practice of washoku, which favors of broad range of small bites over one main course. Take a glance at the specials board at Marumi -- placed a few feet in front of your table by the doting staff - and you'll find deep-fried glass minnows, sushi rolls made with fresh Florida lobster, and beef tongue braised in a sweet sauce; plus a plethora of locally and internationally sourced fish like yellow jack, skipjack, black grouper, and snapper rendered into sashimi or seared and sliced thick. That's on top of a menu that throws down on dishes like grilled black pork belly with ponzu sauce, fermented natto beans, sliced duck breast, fresh seafood ceviche, and boiling hot pots with udon and tofu. Couple the authenticity with the late hours and Marumi makes good on its promise to be "your Japanese kitchen."