A small, bright sushi restaurant tucked away down by the docks, Wa Cafe was opened by Yoshimi Hayakawa on the 08/08/2008 - and this date is no coincidence, as the number 8 is considered a very lucky number in Japanese culture. It's a cosy little spot where the food is authentically Japanese, from sushi rolls, miso soup, bento boxes to green teas. The menu is short with a rotating choice of specials ensuring there is always something new and good choice for vegetarians.
Ms Hayakawa is a well known figure in Galway and largely credited with introducing Japanese cuisine to the popular food scene there. After moving from her native Japan to Galway in 2002 to learn English, she started selling her sushi at the Galway market and opened Wa Café six years later. A dedicated sushi bar and since rebranded to Wa Sushi to reflect that, it has given customers an opportunity to sample authentic sushi made with the best of Irish seafood in an informal setting - and Yoshimi not only has a passion for offering great Japanese cuisine, but also for sharing her culture. Over the years she has worked with some great chefs in Japan, and she reflects her passion and knowledge in her food, using some of the best local produce.
Over the years Yoshimi has refined the menu to incorporate flavours and local seasonal produce with special appeal to Irish diners. The short menu includes Connemara miso soup bowl and riceballs using seaweed from Mungo Murphys, Ramen with sticky Friendly Farmer chicken and vegetables from the market and, of course, you can have nigiri sushi made with local, sustainable and seasonal fish.
The Wa Sushi Lunch Box might include panko pollock, traditional tofu cake, chicken combined with miso soup, mama’s hand rice balls and pickles. You can also choose from the sushi roll selection that ranges from ginger and wasabi, Achill Island smoked mackerel, chicken or turnip roll. Although the café itself is distinctly bijou, it enjoys a brisk takeaway trade and their sushi rolls can also be purchased from the chiller cabinet in McCambridges on Shop Street and other selected outlets.
At Wa, it's all about the fish that comes fresh every day from the best that Gannet Fishmongers has to offer - organic salmon from Clare Island, bluefin tuna from Cork, mackerel from Donegal or scallops from Kilmore Quay. There is often a small selection of enticingly exotic, inventive desserts such as matcha green tea marble cake or aduki bean ice-cream.
Wa is a friendly café with efficient service and tasty food, a must for true fans of sushi and sashimi.
They have a stall at the Galway Market every Saturday and Yoshimi also runs sushi workshops teaching traditional sushi making methods.
