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 Joanna Adduci is a Northport resident, currently working as a writer. She has a B.S. in Journalism from St. John's University and is active within her community working as a blogger and musician. She enjoys cooking, traveling, hiking and performing with her dad in their LI-based cover band, Next Generation. Joanna can be reached by e-mail at: joanna.adduci10@gmail.com. |
| At koiKOKORO in Islip, the motto is: "The happiness that comes from good tasting food, brings us life". Their brand focuses on four things: honesty, health, fun and creativity. My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this gem during a recent trip to Islip, and I’m happy to say I’ve been back three times since. The atmosphere is pleasantly casual and authentic. I’m not sure what I love most about this place: the friendly service, the incredible menu offerings or the relaxed ambiance. Their menu includes: Appetizers, Buns, Bon Bombs, Soup, Salads, Tempura, Yutari Bowls, Sushi and Sashimi, Regular Rolls, Specialty Rolls, “Kitchen” (Noodles and Rice), Sauces (the sauce menu is something to come back for…and worthy of its own menu) and Desserts. It’s often difficult to find a sushi restaurant that offers authentic sushi and Japanese food. koiKOKORO has certainly mastered this task. The sushi rice is always warm, and flavorful. (Warm sushi rice is the only way to go.) It is certainly the most authentic sushi rice I have tried to date. My menu favorites include, but are certainly not limited to: Ginger Spicy Pork & Scallion Buns, Fish & Kimchi Salsa Buns, Buta Kimchi, Ahi Tuna Poke, every bon bomb that I’ve tried (these are worth a visit alone!), Tuna Belly and Scallion roll (my favorite sushi roll to date), Alaska roll, Yaki Soba Noodle (we tried beef, but I will try pork belly on my next visit), and Kokoro Short Rib “Galbi”. Don’t get me started on the sauces. Their wasabi cream, mango aioli, lemon white sauce, Kokoro hot sauce, and ponju sauce are good enough to drink. Seriously, they’re incredible. Order them. I look forward to each and every visit to koiKOKORO because I’m always eager to try something new on my food outings. On my next visit, I’m looking forward to trying the Spicy Miso Ramen “Dotonbori”, Aoi Sea specialty roll, pork belly buns, Galbi and scallion buns, and bulgogi beef Yutari. This restaurant is always busy. Not in an overwhelming way, instead, providing more of an enjoyable buzz. Sushi chefs intently focused on their artistry, patrons chatting over warm sake and cold beers, a line of customers waiting to get inside – it’s not just a meal, it’s an experience. On your visit, try to enjoy multiple offerings. Start with one or two appetizers. Next, share some buns and bon bombs. For your meal, perhaps share a roll and an entrée. The goal here is to try as many things as you can. The assortment and intensity of flavors will guarantee a visit back. The Meaning of koiKOKORO is, “Sincerely, Truly, Heartily” – something that is staggeringly obvious on each visit to this one-of-a-kind, modern Japanese establishment in Islip. |
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20 lucky winners will win $500 each in prizes totaling $10,000. 