HAVE YOU TRIED

Catch a sushi boat at Nippon Thai, a Thai and Japanese restaurant in Satellite Beach

Maria Sonnenberg
For FLORIDA TODAY
Nippon Thai in Satellite Beach sells sushi by the boatload.

Your ship has come in, and it is resplendent with yummy sushi at Nippon Thai.

The modest-looking Thai and Japanese restaurant is a Satellite Beach favorite, which is the reason Nippon Thai will soon celebrate 11 years in business.

The admiral of the menu fleet here remains the sushi boats, prepared by sushi chef extraordinaire Thakoon “Tommy” Benjapadee. Boats are best when shared with several loved ones, although Nippon Thai does offer a version for singles for ($30.95 for six pieces of sushi, nine of sashimi and one California Roll) and for couples at $53.95 with 12 pieces of sushi, 16 of sashimi, one Spicy Tuna Roll and one J.B. Roll with salmon, cream cheese and sesame seeds.

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The Boat Chu for three is laden with 18 pieces of sushi, 24 pieces of sashimi, one California Roll, one Rainbow Roll, one Spicy Krab Roll and one Naruto Maki. At $83.95, it is not inexpensive, but it really could easily feed four people.  

“We take great pride in our boats,” said Nippon Thai’s first lady, Ruangurai “Noi” Udomsataya, always ready to greet patrons with a big smile and “Sawasdee ka,” a warm Thai welcome.

Noi and Tommy have decades of culinary experience and the desire to make patrons feel at home, whether guests are sampling the boats or the rest of the extensive menu, which includes Nippon Thai specials such as spicy salmon with asparagus ($20.45), grilled salmon topped with asparagus and Nippon Thai’s own spicy sauce. All entrees are served with rice and miso soup or green salad.

Thai lunch specials, available from 11:30 to 3 p.m., are for the most part $7.95 and include Pad Khing, sautéed beef with ginger, onions, carrots, mushroom, snow peas and scallions.

Japanese lunch specials are also available, ranging from $9.95 for the vegetarian combo with one vegetable roll, four pieces of sushi and one vegetable hand roll to the top-of-the-line Sashimi Combo that, at $16.45, offers 12 pieces of sashimi served with rice. These specials include miso soup or green salad.

When Noi and Tommy opened Nippon Thai 11 years ago, one of their goals was to offer guests a creativemenu of endless choices.

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“We think that with 50 Thai dishes and 70 Japanese dishes, we have achieved that goal,” said Noi. “Our guests can try something new every time and never get bored.”

As for libations, Nippon Thai has a full-service bar that stocks a nice selection of sake, and there is plenty of wine and beer, too.

While the dessert portion of the menu is not huge, it serves to appropriately top off the meal, particularly when the choice is Sticky Mango Rice ($4.95). Should you dine at Nippon Thai between Nov. 8 through 10, Noi will regale you with a Sticky Mango Rice dessert in celebration of her restaurant’s anniversary.

Sawasdee ka, indeed.

Have you tried

What: Sushi boats

How much: $30.95 to $83.95

Where: Nippon Thai Restaurant, 1114 State Road A1A, Satellite Beach

Info: 321-773-0700 or nipponthaisushi.com

Also: Free delivery is offered with a minimum $20 order from 4:30 to 9:15 p.m. within a three mile radius. For orders less than $20, delivery charge is $3.

Email toastofthecoastfloridatoday@gmail.com.