Home > Des Moines Restaurants > Editorial Review > Editorial Juice Review: Junko Japanese Cafe

EXPERIENCE

For most diners, sushi offers something exotic, an experience different from a burger and fries. Skywalk sushi spot Junko (pronounced "Joon-ko") delivers right away. Enclosed by glass and decorated with clean lines, it looks like an oasis from the downtown bustle.

The restaurant is split in two parts. One is for ordering and boasts the restaurant's vast selection of organic teas (lined up in jars). This is connected by a corridor leading to a spacious dining area. The Japanese decor features swords on wall shelves, simple laminate wood floors, paper lanterns and deep peach-colored walls.

Initially, we were disappointed by the service. The woman who took our order did so while cleaning up. It was clear she wasn't listening when she charged us for our miso soup but forgot to bring it out. The rest of our meal was out to us within two minutes of ordering.

ON THE MENU

The sushi menu offers 12 rolls, from the traditional California Roll at $4.99 to the Junko Special (crab meat, cucumber, masago, avocado and steamed beef) at $9.99. Combo deals are also available.

Junko has a vast drink menu with unique hot teas like organic white pomegranate, a full coffee and espresso bar, frozen coffee drinks and smoothies. With a selection like this you could easily skip Starbucks and head here instead.

WHAT WE ORDERED

My dining partner, not a sushi fan, tried the Chicken Roll, grilled chicken with teriyaki sauce and cucumber. He liked the simple flavors and felt comfortable eating everything. He even gobbled up the elegant seaweed salad decorated with sesame seeds that accompanied his dish. His miso soup was tasty, but salty.

My Hawaiian Roll had shrimp tempura, spicy tuna, crab meat, cucumber and avocado. It was hearty, with a beautiful swirl of avocado and fish on the top of the roll. The roll was nothing particularly unique, but it was tasty. I sipped on the organic masala chai with my meal. This spicy, sweet floral tea is Indian, but it paired beautifully with the fresh sushi.

GOOD IF YOU WANT ...

Quick and easy no-frills sushi. You'll get your food in a reasonable time, and it will be fresh with no surprises.