Gohan Japanese Restaurant

Me and sushi go way back. My older cousin first introduced me to it when I was a child and it immediately became one of my favorite foods. Years later, it didn’t hurt that I had Japanese roommates in college who encouraged my foray into sushi eating. During a trip to Tokyo and Kyoto a few months ago, I got to eat sushi and sashimi to my heart’s content.

I had just finished up Trevor Corson’s The Story of Sushi when I was invited to lunch at Gohan in Petaluma. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but Gohan looked promising as soon as I stepped inside. The ambiance is bright and modern, and our friendly server immediately brought us tea while we looked over the menu. For those who aren’t crazy about sushi, there are Japanese standards to choose from, but the emphasis is on sushi and sashimi.

The first plate I had was the negi toro roll.

The toro was melt-in-your-mouth tender. Best of all, the rice was adequately vinegared and rolled just right – loose enough so that the rolls kept their shape but the rice wasn’t mushed together.

I also ordered a kryptonite roll.

Like most sushi restaurants, Gohan offers primarily Americanized sushi rolls. I don’t like the mayonnaisey, greasy renditions, and the kryptonite roll was thankfully neither. Comprised of tuna, hamachi, salmon, cucumber, avocado, sprouts, and crunchy tobiko, this was hands-down delicious and super fresh.

Since my first visit, Gohan has become one of my favorite restaurants in Sonoma County. It’s a good balance of accessible sushi for both aficionados and for those who aren’t well-acquainted yet. (And oh, for my Persian-speaking readers, don’t let the name deter you.) The warm staff, the inviting ambiance and the consistently tasty sushi make this place a winner.