Sushi Thursday: Gold Town Korean BBQ.

Good sushi isn't limited to Central Arkansas.  The northwest part of the state has a surprisingly strong sushi-loving community, and there are several great places to get fresh fish and rice throughout the I-49 corridor.

Of these, Gold Town Korean BBQ in Bentonville is my favorite.  Tucked into the back corner of an unassuming strip mall at SE 14th and J Streets, it doesn't look like much.  There's also the whole term Korean.  Don't worry about it.  You're going to like it.

There are lots of options, including a fantastic bulgogi and bi bim bap, but if you're going for sushi, go for lunch.  The Sushi Lunch special is $10..95, and it's five pieces of nigiri plus your
choice of one of ten rolls --

California, Crab Stick, Tuna, White Tuna, Salmon, Red Snapper, Vegetable, Spicy Crab, Spicy Tuna and Philadelphia -- and it comes with miso.  For a quick lunch, it's nicely priced and quick.

Other possibilities include a Sashimi Lunch and a Roll Combo -- or you can go for the Sushi Special for $8.50 -- which is two rolls from the list above.

We liked the freshness of our rolls.  However, we were a little confused on our first visit.  You order at the front, pay, and then find your seat -- more like a dairy bar than a sit-down restaurant, really.  We were also each given a tiny pajeon upon sitting, a little pancake with zucchini and scallions, a pleasant little surprise.

Our favorite dish from our visits has to be the jalapeno bombs -- fresh jalapenos seeded and stuffed with cream cheese, raw tuna and roe, battered and deep fried, drizzled with hoisin sauce and Japanese mayo and sprinkled with a little green onion.  Amazing.


Gold Town Korean BBQ has an extensive menu, and if we lived closer, we'd probably spend a lot more time in its dark interior.  Give it a shot when you're in Bentonville.  And check out the extensive menu before you go.

Gold Town Korean BBQ
1100 SE 14th Street
 Bentonville, AR 72712
(479) 172-1000