Aoeshe Japanese Restaurant

Aoeshe Japanese Restaurant

+5

Perhaps it was the barbecue sauce from my yaki tori, but everything at Aoeshe in Iowa City tasted just a little bit smoky; easily my strongest impression from this unassuming restaurant right next to East West oriental market on South Gilbert.

The place had a nice atmosphere on one half of their dining, but they managed to seat us in the most dark, dingy looking place, just under what might have once been a place for live cooking demonstrations. The lighting was dim and unflattering on that side, but there was a calm, relaxed atmosphere with soft Asian music playing in the background. And although the waiters were friendly enough, the food did little to meet expectations - being a composition of undercooked, stale bleh.

We started off with some yaki tori and miso soup as appetizers. I quickly realized I would not come to terms with the Yaki Tori, considering it was boisterous of smoky, barbecue flavor, which I don't much appreciated. The Miso Soup was however delicious, and yet it still had fewer of my favorite parts (the pieces of tofu and green vegetables). My Gouza, though, also tasted extremely smoky, with an uncomfortably crunchy outer shell. Later they brought the main dish, a standard when it comes to Americans eating Asian food, Mongolian Beef. But, sadly, even that missed the mark. The meat was rare in many place, which was only barely hidden by the overuse of spices during cooking.

Pricewise, though, they were less expensive than other area Japanese restaurants (such as the Three Samurai, for example). Of course the other restaurants had better food as well. The portions were generous, and my $18.50 dinner provided several dishes that were more than enough. Even the fortune cookie tasted stale.

One couple we encountered there offered a different story. Jim and MJ both liked their meal at Aeoshe. "Mine was just what I was looking for," said Jim. "I'd give it a 7." MJ complemented the service, saying "I liked it, there were very sweet."

Deciding to give in to chance, I stole away the next day for another try, this time ordering their house special (Aoeshe Beef). It too, however, failed as undercooked and just not quite right. The rice, however, was excellent both trips.

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