Sekisui Japanese

Sampling Grilled Yellowtail Cheek on a balcony at sunset may sound like an unusual night for a Vestavia Hills resident. But at Sekisui, a unique meal experience is actually quite common.

“We sell mainly sushi and also authentic Japanese food,” General Manager Toshi Morimura said.

Sekisui, which has a partner restaurant, Pacific Rim, in Five Points South, has resided in a far corner of the Vestavia Hills City Center for eight years. The restaurant also has locations in Tennessee, Illinois, Missouri and California.  

Not immediately visible from U.S. 31, Sekisui could easily stay under the radar, but thanks to a lengthy menu full of unique flavors and delicacies, the restaurant is thriving as a neighborhood favorite. Morimura said dinner is the restaurant’s busiest time and the outside balcony offers the perfect opportunity to watch the sun sink behind the neighboring shops.

To begin the meal, one can choose from a tantalizing selection of hot or cold appetizers. These selections include the Grilled Yellowtail Cheek, Fried River Shrimp or the Takoyaki, which is an octopus ball with seaweed, fish flakes and spicy mayonnaise. For the main course, the restaurant offers a variety of enticing signature entrees for both lunch and dinner. Chicken, Salmon and Shrimp Teriyaki are familiar Japanese items. For those with a larger appetite, combination entrees are available that include Shrimp and Vegetable Tempuras.

Sekisui also offers a lengthy sushi menu featuring items like the Pikachu Roll, which contains eel, egg omelet, mayo and crunches inside with fresh mango on top. Guests can order the rolls as part of a Sushi Dinner, side item or appetizer. 

 “Our most popular item is the Fire Roll, which has crunchy crab, shrimp tempura and hot and sweet sauce,” Morimura said.

For drink selections, the restaurant does offer specialty cocktails, beer and the traditional saké. However, there is one drink that customers love to pair with their meals.

“One thing that is rare and different about us as a Japenese restaurant is that we sell a lot of wine,” Morimura said.

When asked why he thinks Sekisui has survived despite the transient nature of many of the City Center’s restaurants, Morimura said all credit goes to his loyal customers.

“Word of mouth. We see a lot of customers talking to each other,” Morimura said. “It really has become a neighborhood restaurant.”