Sonobana Grocery
Okay, it has been an embarrassingly long time since I’ve posted on this website, but I finally revamped it and am motivated to get started again.
I’d like to start with my review of Sonobana Japanese Restaurant and, more specifically, the market. I have been going to Sonobana for probably close to 8 years now, back when it was Benkay, and it is still my favorite Japanese food restaurant in Nashville. Located just off White Bridge Road in the Lions Head Village, Sonobana consistently offers high quality, authentic Japanese food and sushi, as well as fun, creative, and customer-inspired sushi rolls. I am a huge fan of the Rebecca roll, a deep fried California roll with baked shrimp and spicy mayo, and I love the Hiroshi roll, a vegetable rice-free “salad” roll wrapped in radish instead of seaweed. On the more traditional side, their Udon soups, tempura combos, shabu-shabu, and much more, are all of excellent quality, portion and value.
The only, only, negative I could give Sonobana is that on busy nights, it can take a long time to get your food, especially from the kitchen. I may be more sensitive of this because I love the food so much, by the time I get to the restaurant, I feel like I’ve ordered it hours before because I already know exactly what I want. Despite the wait, the food always comes through and it is worth the wait. TIP- you can also order for take-out and their packaging of to-go sushi is expert!
Oh wait, I said this review was about the grocery store next door, but I rambled on about how much I love the restaurant. And I JUST realized I reviewed this place back in 2007…with pictures that no longer link to the right place, so I’m going to have to go back and get pictures again. Darn. 
But I didn’t talk about the market…
I’ve been in the market a few times, but always just to browse, never with a goal in mind. This past weekend I hosted a Japanese food party at my home and I traveled all around Nashville looking for supplies and ingredients. I went to at least 5 different international markets spread out across town before I remembered to check out the Sonobana market. It was my last stop the day before the dinner and I was kicking myself when I left. They have EVERYTHING you could possibly want to make any authentic Japanese dish you’ve ever had. Every sauce, curry, noodle, sushi supply, prepared dumplings, gyoza wrappers (so you can make your own), candy, Pocky, drinks….you get the idea. They even have Pocari Sweat, a refreshing drink I remember with fondness from the hot days I spent touring Japan. They have sashimi grade fresh tuna, frozen eel and other fish, salmon and smelt roe, dried shrimp, etc., etc. They have the best selection BY FAR of anything your heart desires. All packed into a small space no larger than 300 square feet. And all for prices less than you’ll find in other Nashville stores. Now I know I don’t need to shop anywhere else the next time I want to cook my own Japanese food.
But seeing how good the food is next door, I don’t imagine I’ll be spending much time making it myself again anytime soon.
