Our Exciting Visit to Ji Restaurant
If you know me, you’re well aware of my passion for vegan sushi. It wasn't long ago that I didn't even realize vegan sushi existed, but once I discovered it, it quickly became my favorite culinary delight.
The Art of Vegan Sushi
I’m not referring to typical veggie rolls. Great vegan sushi requires genuine creativity, pushing the boundaries of flavor and texture. It’s an art form that I’m determined to explore, tasting every vegan sushi option I can find. So, when I stumbled upon Satori Maui, I knew I had to check it out immediately.
A Journey to Satori Maui
On a spontaneous Sunday, with no plans to leave our jungle home, the mention of new vegan sushi on the island was enough to make the 40-minute drive worthwhile. From our very first visit, we fell in love with Satori and were eager to learn more about the story behind this unique food truck.
The Vision Behind Satori
Satori was born from Morgan Miller’s vision. Growing up, his father owned and operated a sushi bar in Tahoe. After two and a half years of hard work, perseverance, and support from friends, Morgan transformed his dream into reality with this stunning bamboo food truck. The attention to detail is remarkable; Morgan shared the story of how he had to start over after using the wrong sealant initially—truly a labor of love.Morgan teamed up with Destinee Perata, Satori’s head chef, to bring plant-based sushi to the Maui community. While they do offer fish options, their primary focus is on creating innovative vegan sushi. Morgan's experience at Maui Kombucha opened his eyes to the delicious potential of vegan cuisine, and with Destinee's expertise as a vegan sushi chef, they crafted a menu that shines with creativity.
Commitment to Local Ingredients
What sets Satori apart is its commitment to using locally sourced, organic ingredients. Living on Maui means benefiting from the island's rich agricultural bounty, and Satori takes pride in sourcing ingredients from local farmers.
You can find Satori parked on Baldwin Avenue in Makawao. The cozy setup features picnic tables and a garden-like atmosphere. They often collaborate with other vendors, such as Humbowl Wagon, making it easy to enjoy sushi alongside an açaí bowl for dessert.
Must-Try Vegan Sushi Rolls
Each creation at Satori bursts with flavor. One standout roll is the Great Roll of China, a vegan stir-fry wrapped perfectly in sushi rice. It includes grilled baby bok choy, purple cabbage, daikon, and carrot, topped with grilled eggplant, house-made teriyaki sauce, and fried garlic—hearty and satisfying! Another favorite is the Green Goddess, featuring vegan macadamia nut pesto, pea sprouts, cucumber, avocado, lemon, and umami salt. This roll offers bright and earthy flavors reminiscent of a fresh salad. For mushroom lovers (and even those who aren't), the Hamakua Mushroom appetizer is a revelation! These mushrooms have a meaty texture, marinated in Satori's delicious homemade teriyaki sauce and served over rice—an absolute must-try. One of the most unique offerings is the Da Kine roll. Combining dragonfruit, mango, cucumber, cilantro, avocado, and mango coconut cream, this roll has a refreshing dessert-like vibe that is truly one-of-a-kind.
Vegan Ramen Delight
Satori also serves an incredible vegan ramen dish—one of the best bowls I've had on the island. Made with chickpea miso, organic ramen noodles, and fresh veggies like mushrooms and jalapeños, it’s perfect for those chilly upcountry days.
Options for Everyone
While I adore dining at vegan-only establishments, I appreciate that Satori offers options for everyone. They source all fish sustainably from local farms in Big Island, ensuring quality without mercury or parasites. Patrick particularly enjoyed the Kauai roll, featuring shrimp from a pioneering sustainable farm on Kauai. He also recommends their signature Spicy Lilikoi Tuna roll with ahi, avocado, cucumber, shiso, Lilikoi aioli, and mac nuts.
Visit Satori Maui Today!
If you're seeking something unique on the island, Satori Maui is a must-visit. Not only does the food impress, but the atmosphere radiates positive vibes and Aloha spirit.Thank you to Morgan and Destinee for creating such an incredible dining experience! We look forward to many more visits to Satori and can’t wait to see what they create next for our community.
Much love,Patrick & Kahala
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