Shinano

Shinano Restaurant Review:

In business for more than 20 years, Shinano is among the handful of Japanese restaurants remaining in this city sometimes referred to as the suburban Chinatown. Despite the presence of about a hundred Chinese restaurants, Monterey Park has long had a substantial Japanese community, and Shinano is strong culinary evidence of that heritage. The unassuming restaurant features a small granite cocktail bar and blond-wood sushi bar, comfortable booths with fresh flowers and several attractive tatami rooms. Staff, from the kimono-clad servers to the sushi chef, convey the impression they take their business seriously. The soft-shell crab roll, deriving crunch from both the tempura-battered crab and the fresh vegetables, is a fine example of the kitchen’s proficiency. Garlic salmon sashimi, chicken teriyaki and nabeyaki udon are other options, while the green tea ice cream makes for a refreshing finish to the meal. Specialty cocktails include a spicy grilled pineapple margarita.