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Business & Tech

Bites Nearby: Hana Sushi

An authentic taste of Japan right in downtown Nazareth.

There’s a lot of stigma associated with sushi. The whole “eating raw fish” thing just isn’t for everyone. Hana Sushi in downtown Nazareth wants to change that.

“[Sushi] is the new trend now,” said owner En Li. “People are stepping up and trying new things.”

Li, a Nazareth resident, opened his business in September of 2009 at the corner of Main and Belvidere Streets, in the building formerly known as Lily’s Tacos.

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In fact, Hana Sushi may be one of the best-kept secrets in Nazareth. The tiny storefront is deceptive when you step through the door, up a short flight of stairs and through a curtain into Hana’s dimly lit dining room.

Japanese music plays softly in the subtle dining room, decorated with paintings and curtains indicative of the restaurant’s heritage. A sushi bar along one wall offers guests a view of the preparation process as it’s made right before their eyes.

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Everything at Hana Sushi is made fresh per order. Their seafood comes from New York, from a Japanese supply company that specifically distributes fresh products for sushi.

The only people out of Hana’s staff of five that prepare their sushi are Li and his sushi chef, Ali. According to Li, it takes at least a full year of training for just basic sushi preparation.

The most popular delicacies at Hana Sushi are two of the Chef’s Special rolls: the Valentine roll and the Spicy Hana roll.

The Valentine roll is made with shrimp tempura and masago (a type of roe) topped with avocado, tuna and spicy mayo. The Spicy Hana roll is spicy salmon and black pepper tuna topped with avocado.

And at $10 to $15 per person, Hana Sushi can certainly compete with similarly-minded restaurants.

“I think we probably have the best prices on sushi, compared to other places in the Lehigh Valley,” said Li.

Li has been in the restaurant business his whole life; his parents own a couple of New York restaurants that are described as Asian-fusion. Li eventually struck out on his own, training as a sushi chef for three years in Harrisburg before opening Hana Sushi.

If there’s one thing that Li would like to tell the doubtful diner, it’s that not all sushi is created equal. Besides offering all sorts of varieties of sushi, Hana also makes cooked rolls, for those squeamish about eating anything raw.

“We get people of all ages,” said Li. “A lot of people that come in, it’s their first time trying it.”

Hana runs specials every couple of months; right now, they’re offering 30% off sushi rolls and special rolls.

Hana Sushi is located at 6 Belvidere Street, at the corner of Belvidere and Main. The restaurant accepts Discover, Mastercard and Visa. They are open Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; and Sundays from noon to 9:30 p.m. They are closed Mondays.

According to Li, most of his customers are referred by braver friends that have taken the chance with them before.

To any potential customers, he says, “You just have to try it for yourself.”

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