Chronicle Finds Fukumoto Refreshingly Different

Fukumoto offered Chronicle editor Brandon Watson a breath of fresh air amidst recent restaurant openings. Aside from the much-too-short beverage list, the rest of the menu is a welcomed change of pace in Austin, from the perfectly executed sushi to the somehow light fried items. It's with the yakitori that the flavors really stand out.

The soy and sugars of the sauce, in concert with a charcoal basso profundo, harmonize beautifully whether on (the surprisingly tender) chicken gizzards ($3), heart ($3), or thigh ($3.50). The tsukune (chicken meatball) ($5.50) is even better, fortified with a pour of quail egg and a dip of bonito. The kushiyaki went bolder, whether a nicely fatted pork belly ($4.95), a folksy bacon-wrapped asparagus ($3.95), or beefy tongue special ($4.95).

The full list of the 120 tacos to eat in the state was released by Texas Monthly today. Valentina’s Tex Mex’s BBQ ranked within the top ten slots, joined by Tacodeli, Torchy’s, Rosita’s Al Pastro, and others.

THE BLOGS: Mad Betty obsessed over dumplings from Wu Chow, South Austin Foodie had an uneven experience at Juliet, and among Mike Sutter’s tacos for the week: buffet ones from El Faro and his 11th Torchy’s.