This weekend - Bamboo recommends you try these rolls

Some yummy combinations Chef Toshi's come up with! We've got classics and new creations straight from Bamboo's kitchen, using only fresh ingredients.

To see the whole sushi and roll selection, click here.

Baked Crab Roll

Made with avocado, asparagus, masago and crab. Quickly baked and brushed with soy and butter. Decadence without the guilt. We like!

Dragon Roll

Classic goodness! Ours is made with shrimp tempura, cucumber, freshwater eel, avocado and brushed with sweet soy for added umami.

Salmon Skin

Delicious AND great for the skin! Baked salmon skin, cucumber, yamagobo, onion and katsuo bushi meet in this truly unique creation.

Shrimp tempura

Another classic we all love, and this one is perfectly executed! Shrimp tempura, cucumber, masago with a little sweet soy.

Spider

Is there anything better than deep fried soft shell crab? This roll is crunchy, warm, moist and incredibly flavorful! Deep fried soft shell crab, cucumber and masago. No bells or whistles needed when you have an ingredient as special as soft shell crab!

Cocktails by the beach

You've come for the food but have you seen the selection of fun and vibrant cocktails Bamboo Izakaya is also offering? Made to pair with our dishes and to be shared and sampled between friends, these cocktails will make your taste buds dance with glee!

The smoking rosemary

Ilegal Mezcal, prickly pear nectar, shaken and served with a freshly cut rosemary sprig.

The Tokyo Manhattan

Classic Manhattan made with Yamazaki 12 years Japanese whisky, pressed brandied cherries and oranges.

The Karita

Cazadores Blanco tequila, Domain Canton ginger liqueur, shishito peppers, fresh lime, jalapeno Tabasco, served on the rocks with togarashi salted rim.

The Natsukaze

Tsukasabotan organic mountain yuzu sake, Thai basil, tall on the rocks with tapioca pearls and basil garnish.

The Giddy Geisha

Ketel One vodka martini shaken with lychee juice and passion fruit purée.

The Sumokaze

Grey Goose vodka and muddled shiso leaf, shaken with Japanese yuzu juice, served up with a shiso leaf garnish.

The Monica

Hendrick’s gin, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, grapefruit juice and rose water, served on the rocks.

The Ronin

Makers Mark bourbon, ginger purée, blood orange juice, ginger ale and housemade candied ginger stick, on the rocks.

The Suzushi

Nolet’s gin with muddled cucumber, fresh lime juice, served on the rocks with housemade basil syrup and lime zest.

Celebrate spring with us!

Who wears short shorts?

Bikini season is upon us and we all feel like it's time to step it up by dropping a few pounds and looking fit for the beach. The best way to lose weight without feeling like you're restricted is to cut out a minimal amount of options and instead focus on eating smaller portions. Japanese call this 'hara hachi bu' - eat until you're 80% full. It's a technique that's being practiced in Okinawa for the past decade and has resulted in a lower BMI (body mass index) and longer life expectancy amongst its population.

Japanese food is known for having much smaller portions than their American and European counterparts, and because of that, have a low percentage of obesity. Fast lunch options are also healthier; instead of hamburger and fries, a Japanese person can walk into a noodle shop and order a hot bowl of soba with seaweed and fish cakes. Tired of soup and sandwiches? Not in Japan; you can buy a delicious bento box made with vegetables, brown rice and a piece of salmon. For dinner, many flock to izakayas to catch up with friends and share an array of small dishes while drinking their favorite beer.

Some izakaya dishes can be high in fat and calories but because the portions are small and usually shared amongst a group of people, create little negative impact on the overall dinner you're eating (as long as you balance heavy with light.) Bamboo izakaya likes to promote healthy living - for us it's finding the perfect balance between work, play, healthy eating and spending time with family and friends. Each element is complemented by the other to create harmony. It's one of the reasons why izakayas have been popular for so many decades in Japan, and why they are quickly becoming the next big thing in food here in America.

Here's a list of our top healthy dishes and recommendations for those looking to shed a few pounds. Toss in a couple of guilty treats in there and you'll still look hot to trot!

Bamboo healthy menu recommendations

Have you tasted our top 3 most popular dishes?

For izakaya beginners, looking at our menu can be a daunting experience because of the volume and types of dishes we offer. But you'll quickly find that some dishes make regular appearances at other diners tables. Ask our servers for recommendations and they'll gladly run down a list of our most popular dishes. Today, we're sharing with you our Top 3.

Bamboo's top 3 most popular dishes

#3 MISO SOUPS

Miso manila clam soup

Plural because we have more than one for you to try;

• Classic miso soup with tofu and seaweed
• Miso soup with manila clams and tofu
• Country style miso soup with a stronger broth and kabocha squash

Our soups are extremely popular because they are comforting yet very healthy and savory. Served in classic Japanese soup bowls, they're the perfect light appetizer to start your meal.

* Did you know that the proper way to drink miso soup is to stir the broth with your chopsticks and drink it straight from the bowl? 

#2 EDAMAME

Edamame is a very well known and popular appetizer in America. Usually served warm with a sprinkle of salt, they can be found even in some pubs these days. However, our edamame dish has a kick! We've spiced it up and got creative in the kitchen to bring you revised edamame, better than you've ever tasted before!

We slowly steam our soybeans (never microwaved!) for an even and moist texture and toss them in a soy garlic sauce. Finger licking good!



#1 SPICY TUNA CRISPY RICE

This incredibly popular dish was created at our sister restaurant Ozumo in San Francisco. It was in such demand over there, we had to bring it to Santa Monica!

The mixture of spicy tuna mixed with a wasabi ponzu sauce and topped over cubes of crispy rice, is making people smile and ask for more all across California!

Bamboo's weekend specials

Come and try our delicious and healthy weekend specials. 

On the menu this weekend:

Marinated tuna with spicy roe dressing and micro arugula  $14

Seared black snapper with chili vinegar sauce $12