Hotaru Opens in Southport Featuring an Affordable, Intimate Omakase Experience

3363 Post Road in Southport is no longer the home of the $5 footlong, but that doesn’t mean there’s not a deal to be had.

In the bones of a former Subway franchise, right next to Dunkin’, is Hotaru, a predominantly Japanese restaurant where the star of their show is a very affordable omakase experience.

Hotaru opened very quietly to friends, family, and random curious customer walk-ins on March 16 with an abbreviated menu that’ll soon expand by the time you read this.

The team behind Hotaru is Yingying Yan, who owns Gingko Sichuan Cuisine in Fairfield, her chef at Ginkgo, Jerry, and Ken Piao, the owner of Yuki Kitchen in Westport.

The name, “Hotaru,” Yan shares, is the Japanese name for firefly. And it also has a double meaning.

“The Chinese character for my name is similar to the Japanese character for Hotaru or firefly, so it’s very meaningful for me,” she says. “When in the dark area, there’s always a light to bring you home.”

There’s definitely some A5 wagyu on the menu in a surf & turf roll (w/tempura lobster tail and asparagus), with uni in one of their “limited nigiri,” and as tataki with yuzu and onion.

Hotaru wasn’t the first name the trio thought of. Yan says that originally it was going to be Tafuku, which means much good fortune, great luck, or plenty of happiness.

“We didn’t want kids to try to pronounce that last part (for obvious reasons),” she says. “And as for luck and good fortune, we just want a little bit.”

And what they’re trying to do at Hotaru is offer quality food at an appropriate price point in a small, intimate space, with a focus on sushi, nigiri, hand rolls, and the aforementioned omakase tasting.

“During renovations, many people came in and asked if this was Dunkin’ Donuts, and since it’s off the highway, people were coming in asking if they can buy a sandwich,” Yan says. “But it’s all high quality here, all fresh, and at a fair price. We want people to be able to try the omakase experience. Most people hear the word ‘omakase’ and they think, oh my goodness, it must be way above 100 bucks.”

To drink, there are Japanese beers like Sapporo, Asashi, and HItachino Nest Beer by Kiuchi Brewery, plus, whisky, and cocktails that Yan said will rely on ingredients like yuzu, green tea, and lychee.

Bluefin with Osetra caviar

During their soft opening phase, Hotaru offered an omakase deal at $68 for 15 courses that included two pieces of seasonal seafood as an appetizer, miso soup to follow, then 10 pieces of nigiri, one hand rolls, and a fluffy, sort of sweet ending with a tamagoyaki, aka, a Japanese style omelet.

While we’re not certain that the $68 price tag will stick around since they’ve debated it amongst themselves and with friends, their commitment to giving you quality and an intimate omakase is something they are promising even this early on, as the chefs will curate a personalized experience for you and whomever you’re dining with.

It’s also an experience meant to highlight the best fish Hotaru can get that’s all flown in from Japan, where every catch implores the ikejime method where a spike goes directly into the fish’s hindbrain, then the spinal cord is removed, and it’s bled out. This instant death process reduces stress and lactic acid buildup in the fish, resulting in fresher, firmer, more flavorful meat. Additionally, any and all dry-aging is done in-house.

Prime ribeye teriyaki w/mushrooms, broccoli, carrots, and zucchini

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Crispy Chilean sea bass w/homemade wasabi sauce

And while Hotaru’s menu is fish heavy, Yan says that guests can expect plenty of vegetarian options in vegetable fried rice, miso eggplant, veggie tofu soup, and veggie curry to name a bunch.

As for what’s coming past those initial soft phases? Chicken katsu, karaage fried chicken, curries, stir-fried udon noodles, and so much more.

“Japanese curries are a little bit sweet, and not a strong flavor like an Indian curry, but less coconut than a Thai curry; it’s good to mix with the rice,” Yan says. “Our prime ribeye with vegetables is very good. We also thought about duck (Peking duck is extremely popular at Ginkgo), but our menu is already so big, so maybe it will be as a special.”

3363 Post Road, Southport
203.292.3284, hotarusouthport.com