Like magazine editors, sushi chefs trim digestible portions from larger entities, nourish patrons with colorful tidbits, and avoid fishy-smelling pieces at all cost. Get the freshest news from the sea with today's Groupon: for $20, you get $40 worth of sushi, Japanese entrees, and drinks at Sushi Yama in Escondido.

Sushi Yama's chefs roll out an essential sushi and sashimi menu alongside a lunch and dinner menu brimming with more elaborate rolls and authentic entrees. Sit at the sleek stone counter to watch dexterous hands drape pairs of sushi ($4–$18 for two of one kind) in one of 23 sea treats, including yellowtail tuna, freshwater eel, and the aviator hats of flying fish egg. Saltwater bass, spicy tuna, and fried avocado give the kiss-off to tradition in the Kiss My Bass roll ($11), and rosy soy wraps hug breaded shrimp and snow crab in the Pink Flamingo roll ($10.50). Lips looking for something steamy can happily slurp noodles and broth from the tempura udon dinner ($12), which employs flavor to force the mouth's kennel gates open so that wild canines can crunch into fried vegetables and shrimp.

To toast an impending bowling triumph or bubble away the sticky sauce left behind from a mouthful of teriyaki beef ($15), track down a large glass of Kirin Ichiban beer ($6). Or, opt for a carafe of Kikusui sake ($15) if you seek an excuse to linger in the glow reflected from a wall of murals painted on copper.