Otaiko Hibachi & Sushi Restaurant from River View Observer on Vimeo.

By Sally Deering

Consider the waterfront view a side dish when dining at Otaiko Hibachi & Sushi Lounge, Bayonneâ€s newest hotspot on the Hudson. Serving fine Japanese cuisine that includes hearty Hibachi combination dishes of chicken, steak and seafood that are cooked right before your eyes by a master chef ; and fine Sushi creations designed by Master Sushi Chefs at the sleek and sexy Sushi Bar.  Whatever your tastes, youâ€ll find some delicious dishes at Otaiko, which opened just a few weeks ago in South Cove Commons on Bayonneâ€s waterfront.

Chef and co-owner Alex Ren, along with his three partners Leo Lin, Kenny Shao and Jonathan Jiang have many years of experience creating Japanese dishes. Ren has been a Sushi Chef for 12 years and served his apprenticeship with a Sushi Master who retired after opening several Sushi restaurants.

“I did only two things cook the rice and cut the cucumber,” Ren says. “After about six months, the Sushi Master said to me now you can go out and find a job. Now you can train in a restaurant.”

Ren and his three partners worked in several restaurants before teaming up to open Otaiko in Bayonne.

Otaikoâ€s menu features Appetizers from the Sushi Bar and Kitchen; Sushi or Sashimi A La Carte; Roll or Hand Rolls; Sushi Bar Entrees; Otaikoâ€s Signature Rolls; Chefâ€s Special Creations; Otaiko Noodle Dishes; Kitchen Entrees; All-Time-Classics; Hibachi Menu; Kidâ€s Menu; Desserts, Cocktails, Wines and Beers.

Otaikoâ€s Signature Rolls are a huge hit and feature the Amazing Tune Roll with spicy tuna, white tuna and avocado topped with pepper tuna and sweet wasabi mayo sauce; Angry Dragon Roll of Shrimp tempura and spicy tuna topped with spicy crab and eel sauce, and chili sauce; M16 Roll, spicy and crunchy yellowtail and avocado topped with spicy salmon, crab and spicy mayo and caviar; the Spicy Girl Roll with spicy crunchy tuna, soybean paper, topped with spicy white tuna tataki, jalapeno and sweet chili sauce; and the Bad Boy Roll with spicy crab and spicy white tuna topped with salmon and spicy mayo.

Chefâ€s Special Creations include the Tuna Mango Tango, fresh mango wrapped with sliced tuna, served with cranberry sauce and black caviar; and the Green Lady Roll, spicy tuna wrapped with thin slices of avocado served with Ponzu sauce. (Ponzu sauce is

All the seafood is fresh and the chefs create the sushi right in front of the customers using Salmon, Smoked Salmon, Red Snapper, Mackerel, Fresh Tuna, Albacore Tuna, Yellowtail, Lobster, Shrimp, Squid, Octopus and Sea Urchin.

“My favorite fish is sea urchin and I like octopus,†Ren says. “I taste everything that comes in. Everything I eat, you eat. Everything I donâ€t eat, Iâ€m not going to sell. Our fish is always fresh. When you eat something your tongue tells the truth.”

Thereâ€s a way to eat sushi, Ren says.

“Donâ€t eat sushi like a hamburger,” Ren says. “Eat it slowly and savor all the different flavors.”

Special Hibachi tables are set up in the middle of the dining room and Hibachi Chef cooks right in front of you and your guests. The Hibachi Menu features combination dishes like Shrimp &Salmon; Shrimp &Scallop; Scallop & NY Strip; Chicken & Shrimp; Filet Mignon & Shrimp; Lobster Tail & NY Strip; and more.

Signature drinks include the Martinis like the Otaiko Passion , Spiced Asian Pear, Cherry Blossom, and the Green Dragon. Thereâ€s even a special menu of Tiki Cocktails. Where else are you going to get the Scorpion Bowl, that vintage favorite which is a mix of Myerâ€s Dark Rum, Vodka, Bacardi 151, Pineapple and Orange Juice and Grenadine; and the Zombie, made with  Bacardi Light and Myerâ€s Dark Rum, Brandy, Triple Sec, Amaretto, Orange Juice and Fresh Sour Mix.  And of course thereâ€s the Sake Menu which features  the Sake Sampler, a mix of Hot and Cold Sakes and the high-end Sake, Junmai Daiginjo.

Although Otaiko just opened a few weeks ago, itâ€s already attracting regulars like Angela Brasington, who just recently moved to Bayonne.

“I was excited to find this place,” Brasington says, as Lin serves her a beautiful looking dish, the Green Lady Roll. “The sushi is better than good. I walked in here and now I feel better about the area.”

If you go:

Otaiko Hibachi & Sushi Lounge

South Cove Commons

RT. 440 North

125 LeFante Way

Bayonne

(201) 339-3399

www.OtaikoRestaurant.com

Lunch: Mon-Sat 12 noon-3 pm

Dinner: Mon-Thurs 5-10:30 pm

Fri & Sat 5-11:30 pm

Sun 12:30-9:30 pm

The post Bayonne by the Sea – Otaiko Hibachi & Sushi Lounge Serves Fine Japanese Cuisine in a Beautiful Waterfront Location first appeared on River View Observer.