Traditionally fish balls are pounded by hand (rather than being ground) to achieve a smooth texture. If they're not done in the traditional fashion, those served at Mizu Japanese Steakhouse in Gig Harbor certainly fool me. Rolled in crunchy panko breading and given a turn in hot oil, these hand-formed morsels are made from tuna, scallop, crab and red snapper. These aren't crab cakes - you won't find any extra filler of bread crumbs, chopped onion, celery, clumps of herbs - just good seafood. A sweet thick sauce is drizzled back and forth across the frond-shaped plate. Five to an order, ping pong ball-shaped fish balls sit artfully arranged in the center of the plate. 

[3116 Judson St., Gig Harbor, 253.853.4020]