Not much can compare with flaky, succulent lobster. But we had no idea how much we missed some crunch with the shellfish until we caught Otani Japanese Restaurant’s deep-fried lobster meatballs ($3.95). The lightly ground golf ball-sized spheres of lobster are rolled in panko breadcrumbs and deep-fried until golden brown. Served with a side of house-made sweet and sour plum sauce for dunking, the lobster beneath the crunchy surface magically stays fork tender, while the buttery meat and tangy sauce combo keeps us clawing for more. Owner Janet Yee added the appetizer to the 38-year-old restaurant’s menu two years ago after tasting them on a trip to California. “It had a very good flavor and that crunchiness,” she says. “We do that all the time. We find something that we like and we just introduce it to the customers.” 1625 Golden Gate Plaza, Mayfield Heights, 440-442-7098, otanicleveland.com
Best of Cleveland 2016: Deep-fried Lobster Meatballs
Otani Japanese Restaurant puts a seaworthy twists on the Italian staple.
