Shaka Sushi and Noodle Bar: Where Asian cuisine meets the beach
April 10, 2020
By Pam Windsor
INLET BEACH – Shaka Sushi and Noodle Bar is one of the newest restaurants in South Walton, but has certainly made a name for itself since opening last April. Located just east of 30A, Shaka is owned by the Last Call Restaurant Group which also runs other well-known area favorites like Shades Bar & Grill, Pescado Seafood Grill & Rooftop Bar, and Southside Slice. Adding a sushi restaurant to the mix offered the group an opportunity to offer another type of fare to area diners.
Co-owner John Freer says Shaka’s versatile menu offers an array of exciting and unique dishes created by longtime Sushi Chef James Sargent.
“We have sushi, amazing noodles, and a variety of other items that are really, really good.”
– John Freer, co-owner
“We have sushi, amazing noodles, and a variety of other items that are really, really good,” said Freer. “On the sushi roll side, a couple of our most popular are the Maverick Roll and the Inlet Beach Roll.”
The Maverick Roll has tuna, bacon, Asian aioli, cream cheese, tempura, and green onions, while the Inlet Beach Roll has shrimp, cream cheese, tempura, and Asian aioli.
The menu features a wide variety of small bites, entrees, and more. Guests ordering one of Shaka’s Poke Bowls can choose between fresh tuna, octopus, yellowtail, shrimp, or salmon.
Shaka also offers different types of saki (a Japanese alcoholic beverage that can be served hot or cold), wine, and beer to go along with each entree.
“We have a vast selection of different types of saki,” Freer explained. “We have a really amazing list of saki cocktails, and we also have wine and beer, with suggestions for pairing each with different items on the menu.”
Some of those saki cocktails are enticing by the names alone. There is Lemongrass Lemonade, Mighty Mango, Shaka Sangria, Inlet Lychee, and Time for Tea.
Shaka Sushi and Noodle Bar is housed in a development in Inlet Beach that includes a number of other businesses. The restaurant was specifically designed to offer a warm, welcoming, spacious feel. Guests have the option of sitting inside the restaurant or eating outside in a large open courtyard area. The goal was to make sure there was plenty of room available.
“There’s a uniqueness of the space,” said Freer. “The courtyard has an additional 44 seats, so it’s very likely guests will always be able to get a seat.”
For anyone unable to dine in the restaurant, Shaka offers a delivery service within a certain area. Take-out is also available. Check the website for more information.
Shaka Sushi & Noodle Bar is at 13625 U.S. Hwy. 98 East, Suite 5, Inlet Beach. Reach them by phone at 850-909-0030 or online at www.shaka30a.com. The restaurant is open for dinner seven days a week, from 4 to 10 p.m. and does not accept reservations.
