Nikko is which means sunlight in Japanese and a garden is a place of peace and tranquility, a description of the Nikko Garden on the Kenai Spur Highway in Soldotna. Since n Sicha Sin first realized her dream of having her own Asian restaurant in Alaska, she has strived to create a place of peace and tranquility that offers the best Sushi anywhere. The Nikko Garden Sushi Bar room has beautiful granite booths and aquariums with huge coy and goldfish. “The fish represent good fortune and are very beautiful, one of our coy is 13 years old,” said Sicha. “When most people think of Sushi they think of raw fish and say ‘Oh no thank you!’ but there are so many kinds of sushi and only a few are made with raw fish. The making of sushi is an art that is passed down through family for many generations,” she said.

The Nikko Garden Sushi menu reflects those traditions and has a wide variety of specialty rolls that you won’t find anywhere else. “They are original Sushi creations. During May we have specials on our Denali Mountain roll, very beautiful and delicious. Also we have on special the new Japanese Nacho and Tuna Love something you must try,” said Sicha.

The origins of sushi seems to travel through time and three different countries but most likely originated in China and traveled to Japan and Korea. It was first a means to preserve fish. As a preserved food, the salted fish, fermented with rice, was an important source of protein. The cleaned fish were kept in rice so that the natural fermentation of the rice helped preserve the fish. After a couple of months of fermentation only the fish was consumed while the rice was discarded.

When introduced in Japan around the 8th century AD it became more a cuisine rather than a way to preserve food and was turned into an art form for eating fish and vegetables cooked and uncooked. Since coming to America the variety of Sushi has become infinite but always with a special beauty in appearance and taste.

Nikko Garden features over 50 different sushi selections and a special New York style Sushi Menu with a wide variety of tastes and presentation. Try the flaming “Playboy,” the beautiful Volcano and the ultimate Nikko Sushi Love Boat known as the “Titanic” and Sushi artist Daniel Yi prides himself in new creations and presentations of perfection.

For those who have a limited time for lunch or dinner Nikko Garden offers a full buffet, including sushi and a wide selection of oriental cuisine and salad bar.

But for those who want a leisurely dining experience with a romantic flare and a desire to try new tastes of edible art you’ll want to visit the Sushi Bar room at Nikko Garden. They also feature a variety of imported and domestic beer and wine to accompany your perfect dinner selection. Be prepared to see old friends or make new ones at Nikko Garden as it is the home of the Kenai River Rotary Club. The Trip Advisor gives Nikko Garden a 5 star rating and says, “We laughed at the thought of a Sushi restaurant in Soldotna, Alaska. We sat at the Sushi Bar and simply let the chef recommend a variety of his special rolls. Probably the most creative I have ever had both in flavor and presentation.” Call Nikko Garden for take-out at 262-7122.