Taiko

Taiko Restaurant Review:

This architecturally striking little noodle shop was a sleeper until Westsiders discovered it. Now they have sushi and sashimi on the menu, and the food is consistently high quality. We like the combination specials served with either hot or cold soba or udon noodles. For those who want to design their own noodle bowl, Taiko offers a list of 20 extras to add; among these are Japanese mountain vegetables, fried soy bean curd, tempura batter, cod roe and grated raw Japanese yam. There are also daily bento-box specials. If you’re in the mood for something more ambitious, Taiko offers interesting composed dishes like rock shrimp sautéed with shiitake mushrooms in a spicy sauce, prime rib grilled rare and drizzled with yuzu soy sauce, and broiled black cod marinated in sweet saké soy sauce and served with chunks of fried eggplant, zucchini and organic tofu.