Sometimes, small-town, landlocked sushi restaurants will depend on specialty rolls to add flavor and help hide defects of the fish.
But the sushi and sashimi were the stars at Asian Lake, a carryout Chinese-Japanese combo in Sycamore.
The tuna combination featured three pieces of sushi, five of sashimi, and six rolls. And it did not disappoint. Sushi and sashimi can always be tricky, being dependent on the quality of the fish to carry it. But the colors were vibrant and taste matched. Even the rolls, which sometimes can be a scavenger hunt of trying to find the fish buried in the rice, were literally bursting with tuna.
The platter came with a side choice of soup or salad, and we rolled with the miso soup. While it seemed a little mild-mannered, with the miso flavor not really shining through, a younger member of our party loved it.
Our group also ordered a couple of specialty rolls, which were solid, but didn’t really compete with the sushi and sashimi. The Spicy Girl was mild, and the Rainbow Roll featured fish as the dominant flavor.
The orange chicken was a highlight from the Chinese menu. The generous portion featured the freshest orange sauce I’ve ever tasted in the dish, accentuated by an orange peel to drive the point home. Instead of the sugary, gloppy mess the dish can be at its worst, the citrus zest shined through, while the consistency of the sauce was as thick as usual.
The entree also came with a side of fried rice, and instead of plain, it was actually veggie fried rice, a nice touch you don’t see often.
The egg rolls also made an excellent side, and were nicely crispy.
The crab rangoons were exceptional. Served in a lightly fried shell reminiscent of the flat-style noodles served as a side at fancy Chinese places, it wasn’t a challenge breaking through to the filling like it sometimes can be when the shell is too hard or too large. And what a filling it was - again the freshness was obvious with a slight green onion taste complementing the filling. And it came with a heaping portion of sweet and sour sauce on the side that accompanied other dishes well, including the egg rolls.
While the miso soup might have lacked some flavor, the wonton soup had a very dark broth, making it visually intriguing off the bat. And the flavor matched that interest, delivering a savory taste I couldn’t quite figure out.
But it was delicious and the soup was a hit. We preferred the wontons steeped in the broth to the steamed dumplings.
But overall, both the sushi and the Chinese offerings were above average, and the cost wasn’t anything you wouldn’t expect, making Asian Lake more than a solid choice when the family is craving Chinese, Japanese, or both.
• The Mystery Diner is a Daily Chronicle employee who reports on their experience at local restaurants. The diner’s identity is not revealed to the restaurant staff before or during the meal. If the Mystery Diner cannot recommend the establishment, we will not publish a story.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Asian Lake
WHERE: 630 Plaza Drive, Suite 2, Sycamore
PHONE: 815-899-1188
INFORMATION: www.asianlakesycamore.com