Bethlehem, PA — Dancing Fish

Dancing Fish 24 E 3rd St Bethlehem, PA

610.997.0360  map

Knowing that I would be in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, I searched for sushi restaurants on the web. I was encouraged since Dancing Fish got almost universally good reviews. I programmed Dancing Fish into the rental car GPS system and set out. I had some trouble finding the restaurant, in fact when I called to ask for directions I was parked only about 30 feet away. The restaurant name is written in frosted glass but the retail style window display consisted of a life size angel mannequin in a scene that looked like a snow globe.

Dancing Fish is a rather dark narrow restaurant with a sushi bar in the back corner. Since I often read in restaurants, I was pleased to be able to sit directly under a light. I ordered a sashimi combo and a Philly Roll.

The waiter brought my Miso soup out first and it was a disappointment. Visually, it was almost brown in color. I tried it but it tasted like someone had emptied half a bottle of soy sauce in it. It was so salty, that I could only eat a few spoonfuls. I hoped that the salad might be an improvement. When it arrived, the lettuce was very crisp and fresh bit it was simply drenched in ginger dressing. The dressing was very good but there was way too much and it simply overpowered the lettuce.

I was hungry so I finished the salad and waited for my sashimi. It seemed to take a long time and I heard another waitress tell her customers that the chef was working alone and couldn't keep up. The restaurant did not seem very busy to me and I have certainly seen other sushi chefs maintain this volume. It took quite a while to receive my order.

By this time, my expectations were pretty low. When my order arrived, Dancing Fish managed to surprise me. The Philly roll was especially good and the sashimi was nicely arranged on the plate. All of the fish was fresh and firm. The mackerel was exceptional. I am not a big fan of Unagi, I think the strong barbecue sauce detracts from the rest of the sashimi. I believe that this is the first time I have had eel on a sashimi dinner.

A little more attention to detail and Dancing Fish might even get four rice bowls.

Dancing Fish: 3 rice bowls