Hokka Hokka Philadelphia – Too pretty to eat

On a recent visit to Hokka Hokka, my husband and I tucked into the back end of a very busy sushi bar, watching the delicate ballet of kitchen staff and sushi masters churning out dishes for a crowded dining room.

A dish emerged from the kitchen, was finished with raw fish and floral garnish from the bar, and rested on a counter to be carried to table. We stared at this masterpiece, simultaneously delicious and too delicately beautiful to eat. The server snapped a photo of it with his own phone before carrying it to a lucky diner.

This balance of taste and beauty is why we start so many dates here, even if only for a drink and sushi roll appetizer, before heading elsewhere for dinner. I love Japanese food, and this is one of the best places to eat it in Philadelphia.

There are no bad choices on this menu, but I especially love the tempura and the seafood appetizers. The latter are among the prettier of the menu’s offerings. And both pair well with the main draw, the sushi. Eat what you like; it is all good. I go for eel and yellow tail.

After dinner, stroll Germantown Avenue. This restaurant is at the foot of the lovely, historic Chestnut Hill neighborhood, with its gorgeous little shops and boutiques. Take some time to walk off your beautiful dinner and take in the setting.