Taste With Tori: Oishi
NEWTOWN, Pa., (CBS) -- When it comes to Asian restaurants in our area Bucks County has one of the best.
For 15 years Oishi has been serving kicked-up Korean dishes and vibrant sushi rolls with spicy sauces.
The restaurant has a family history that goes back 2 generations, even though one member never saw his future in this popular place.
In this 'Taste With Tori' we find Vittoria Woodill dining at Oishi in Newtown.
If you speak Japanese you'll know that the word oishi means delicious.
Nothing lost in translation here since the name couldn't be more accurate.
Some say we taste with our eyes first and if that's the case Oishi's mix of Korean, Japanese and Thai dishes will lead you to feeling happy and full at first sight.
A vision that stays with Oishi's owners Sae Min and his son John Min.
"When we're home my father all he talks about is the restaurant," said John.
"That's true becuase I love it," said Sae. "I'm so happy."
Sae Min, a South Korean-born foodie, loves the restaurant business and has always had great instincts about bold flavors and a passion for pleasing customers.
"The food is outstanding and they always manage to cater to my needs and wants," said a diner as she enjoyed her sushi.
It's always been a family business with John helping out as he was growing up.
"It started off very humble," said John. "My mom would essentially come out, take the order, go back, cook it."
Eventually John was off to college and returning reluctantly on weekends.
"I hated coming back because any college kid, they want to spend time with their friends but you know like any family business everyone has to pitch in," he said. "And then you know, once I graduated I'm like I'm outta here."
John moved away and worked in finance.
But when the market slowed down and his mother became ill he came back home to support the family and the restaurant.
"My dad was always telling me, 'come back like we're going to grow, I need help'," John recalled.
The father was guiding the son back home.
"He let me do what I wanted to do but I think he kind of knew I would come around somehow," John said.
"I think looking at your parents as people you kind of really develop a relationship with them," he explained. "And I saw all the hard work they put in everyday and how much they loved what they were doing."
John said he found their passion to be infectious.
And the passion is reflected on the menu with items like a crunchy cucumber roll with tuna, caviar and spicy sauce.
In honor of family there is a a "Sophia Roll" which is a sushi dish named after his little granddaughter!
So many creations on the menu that come from Sae's imagination, which has no limits.
"I'm no slowing down because I have so many customers," Sae said beaming. "They give me so much energies that's why and they love my food."
We've set up link here so you can check out Oishi and its menu.
And don't forget to let Vittoria know about your favorite places and why you like them at Facebook.com/Vittoria Woodill.
