Sushi Village is a Japanese Sushi restaurant located in Southeast Harrisonburg near Walmart. On Sunday, my boyfriend, Parker, and I visited this restaurant for an early lunch. After debating briefly between the sushi menu and the other stuff, we decided to go with the other stuff: Parker ordered the hibachi steak, and I went with the spicy tonkotsu ramen.

The hibachi steak was $12.95; the ramen was $12. The atmosphere was interesting. The walls were covered in a tile designed to look like stones and the menus had great pictures next to many of the food options to help show what you were getting yourself into. We both ordered water to drink.

Sitting at a booth around the corner, we were alone at first. As the lunch date continued, many more people joined. By the time we left, nearly every seat was full.

The restaurant itself was clean, and the chopstick packaging had helpful directions on how to use them. Parker got a kick out of the “now you can pick up anything” conclusion at the end of the chopstick directions.

I was intrigued by the music choice. While waiting on our food, I was taken back to my Chinese host father’s car by one of the songs they played in the restaurant. It was the same song, which was surprising and exciting. I was sold.

The food came just in time. I was starving. We both enjoyed our own choice of food, but Parker mentioned how the steak was quite ordinary. My ramen, on the other hand, was absolutely extraordinary.

It had just the right amount of spice, and the noodles absorbed all of the flavor perfectly. We each had so much food, which was nice.

However, we did get what we paid for. Based on the price, I was expecting leftovers. This was not the case.

The wait staff was great, though. Our waitress constantly came around to refill our waters and ask if we were enjoying our food. Yes; yes, we were.

The music was the perfect background noise. The volume was ideal — not too loud, but still there. Parker rated the restaurant a 7.5 since his dish was ordinary and predictable, but I rated it a 9 because the spice was just what I was craving. I loved how the music brought back memories of China, even while eating at a Japanese restaurant. The amount of food was good, despite the prices being kind of high.

Next time I will have to try the sushi.

Sushi Village is located at 1820 Evelyn Byrd Ave. #110.