ByLINDA GRADSTEIN

I never thought I’d drive to Hadera for sushi, but that’s what I did on a recent hot afternoon.

I went to sample the new menu at one of the two kosher branches of King Kong, which features an extensive range of Asian fusion dishes. The restaurant in Hadera is part of a large outdoor mall called Mul Hof Village, just off the highway, and would make a good stop on the way to the North.

King Kong is part of a restaurant group that includes Fat Vinny and Minna Tomei. Co-owner Gadi Granot says there is a total of 18 branches of the three restaurants. Seven are owned by the restaurant group, and the rest are franchises.

Some of the franchise owners have risen through the ranks in the restaurants. The chefs here are all from Thailand. The only kosher branches are in Hadera and Nahariya, although more are slated to open in the coming months.

The popular sushi places I’ve been to in Israel often offer microscopic amounts of fish and way too much rice, as fish is the most expensive component of the dish. At King Kong, there was a generous amount of fish, and some of the combinations were unique. The menu tells you clearly which sushi rolls are spicy and which are vegan.

Urban renewal plan for the municipal market area in the center of Hadera
Urban renewal plan for the municipal market area in the center of Hadera (credit: Oka - Orit Wilenberg and Keren Yedwab Architects)

The Love Roll

We began with the Love Roll (NIS 66), which comprised spicy salmon and avocado, wrapped with red tuna, Japanese rice krispies, and nori aioli. It was not too spicy and had a great combination of flavors.

We also tried the Tokyo Pop (NIS 54), which consisted of four pieces of crispy nori with rice, avocado, salmon tartare, and crispy tempura beets.

The one appetizer we didn’t enjoy was the Agedashi Tofu (NIS 52). It was supposed to be crispy cubes of tofu in a broth, but they were a little soggy.

We also tasted the Beef Gyoza (NIS 58) – handmade dumplings made with minced beef in a very good dipping sauce. We tried the Chicken Nam (NIS 61), which is a crispy rice paper roll filled with chicken, bean noodles, and onions. You wrap the whole thing in a lettuce leaf and add mint and coriander. It was a crunchy, yummy mouthful.

The real winner was one of the specials: a skewer of bluefin tuna (NIS 87). It came with a ponzu dipping sauce and was cooked perfectly. Highly recommended.


 
King Kong

10 Shectman (Mul Hof Village)

Hadera

Tel: 077-724-214

Hours: Sunday-Thursday, noon-11 p.m.

Kashut: Hadera Rabbinate

The writer was a guest of the restaurant.