Favorite Sushi Joint

[Vixens]

This red-blooded meat n' potatoes man dropped his guard recently and gave the sissy food known as sushi a try....not bad! Truth be told I actually eat it more than pasta these days.

If you live anywhere near D/T you know that there is at least one, if not two sushi joints on every block. I have become a bit of a sushi snob and don't really want to experiment anymore.

I would like to know what your fav place is, their best dish, service, and price....extra points if it's Japanese owned.

My first sushi experience was at Shogun (sp?) on Woobine. It's an all-you-can-eat which is great because you can gorge and freely sample several types of sushi in one sitting.

Cons: they are often out of Tuna, service is slow.

Best dish: Grilled scallops (not exactly sushi but farking awesome) and their Tempura shrimp is the best I've had.

Price; 18.99-21.99/person depending on day of the week.

Tako sushi

This place is great and reasonably priced; two of us ate for $60.

Best dish: I ordered a sushi boat and shared some spicy tuna, California, dragon rolls with Steph. Everything was good, the rice to fish ration was a touch high for my liking but still good.

Con: Grilled scallops were uneatable

They have a Teppanyaki bar as well but i haven't tried it yet.

Aji Sai

All-you-can-eat.

The Edamame is particularly good there.

Pros: Very busy so it's fresh

Cons: Slow service which is typical of AYCE places. Limited variety, no tuna sashimi

Sasaya

Simply awesome! They always have Hamachi (yellow tail tuna) and Toro (fatty tuna) on the menu.

Pros: Japanese owned, rice to fish ratio is perfect, excellent service.

Cons: A bit pricey but worth it. The Edamame sucks (frozen).

Fukui

Also awesome!

Pros: Great selection, all the exotic/expensive stuff, best Edamame so far (fresh), service is great.

Cons: Expensive!!! $120 for two.

Little place on Charles across from the Manulife???? I can't remember the name?

They have the best spicy tuna rolls bar none.

Pros: Service is great. I showed up 10 mins after closing and they re-opened! Everything was super fresh, rice to fish ratio is excellent. CHEAP!!! We gorged for $40.

Cons: parking sucks.

Cheers!

Steve

 

[james t kirk]

Ok, this topic has been covered before. But, what the hell - You are a noobie to the world of Sushi.

First off - and this is very important......

The words, "all you can eat" and "sushi" should never appear in the same sentence. In fact, they shouldn't even be in the same fucking book, unless one is mocking the notion of "All You Can Eat Sushi" For example, "I can't believe that he wanted to go to an "all you can eat Sushi Restaurant" or, "I wonder how they can even afford to buy the fish at these "all you can eat sushi places". It's probably highliner"

You get my point.

2. The words "gorge" and "sushi" should never appear together.

3. The words "cheap" and "sushi" should never appear together.


There are only 4 sushi places that I have discovered that are worth their weight in gold.

1. Kaji.

Simply the best, there is nothing that comes close in Toronto. It's fucking phenominal. 2 people = $350.00 (yes, you read right - 2 plates @ $120.00 each, plus some drinkies, plus tip.) It's the best, and it's a treat to go there. Don't go there expecting California anything, or spicy tuna rolls, or rolls of any kind come to think of it. But it will be an experience you will never forget and it will ruin your ability to ever enjoy "all you can eat sushi" for the rest of your life.

http://www.sushikaji.com/


2. Hashimoto

It's even more expensive than Kaji. It's arguable which is better. I'd give the edge to Kaji, but that's just personal preference.

http://www.kaiseki.ca/



3. Blowfish

2 people = $200.00. Very pretty crowd. I recommend the Ebi Shooter to start and the Hamachi in Hot Oil. Black cod is phenominal as well. Great place to go for dinner. Far more ambiance than Kaji, food is more north americanized, though it's very good. I probably go here most often because of the balance between price and what you get.

http://www.blowfishrestaurant.com/



4. Hiro

Very traditional sushi. Least expensive of the 4 and fantastic sushi at that. 2 people can get out of there for less than a C note. Funnily enough, Hiro recently went back to Japan for a visit and while he was gone, they simply stopped serving sushi. Yeah, they were still open, but sushi was not on the menu. Elvis had left the building. Oh, the restaurant itself is a bit of dump frankly. They could certainly stand to renovate the joint. But the food is very good.

 

[Medman52]

I spent some time in Japan years ago and grew quite fond of Sushi and ate it often when I returned to Canada until my yearly physical turned up a very high concentration of Mercury in my body.

I'm now 2-3 times a year eater of Sushi and NEVER Tuna Belly..the highest concentration of Mercury

 

[phail]

Kaji is phenomenal!!!!
A great experience.

 

[rama putri]

"All you can eat sushi" is a crime.

I second Blowfish. I eat there at least once a month or more. Ki is another.

 

[luckyjackson]

I'm no Sushi expert, (I reserve that self distinction for Thai ), but I do like Momiji. I suspect it's kind of westernized...but until I try the other places recommended here, this is my fave sushi spot. I also like Jimbay's at Dixie and Eglinton.

 

[mb12ca]

I just pick up the prepared stuff from T n T when it is discounted late at night. You can pick up a plastic package of 8-10 sushi pieces for $3.00. I eat it by the next day and it is just as good as anything I have had in a restaurant.

To the poster than pays $350 or in that ballpark for two meals at a japanese restaurant, I have to say, hats of to your success in being able to afford that. The only thing I ever pay $350 for is a hobbying experience. Everything else I do I go on the cheap.

 

[Adrenaline]

I've been to about 30 or so different all-you-can-eat sushi restaurants across the GTA, and I've noticed that their menus are almost identical, and the food tastes exactly the same. I've also noticed that about 5 or 6 new sushi joints pop up everyday around the city. I've also noticed that the vast majority are Chinese owned and operated.

It's as if the original sushi restaurant owner called all his relatives over from China to come open a new sushi restaurant. "You open all-you-can-eat susi, and white fork give you 20 dolla, you make lotta money, senk you."

 

[james t kirk]

I just pick up the prepared stuff from T n T when it is discounted late at night. You can pick up a plastic package of 8-10 sushi pieces for $3.00. I eat it by the next day and it is just as good as anything I have had in a restaurant.

To the poster than pays $350 or in that ballpark for two meals at a japanese restaurant, I have to say, hats of to your success in being able to afford that. The only thing I ever pay $350 for is a hobbying experience. Everything else I do I go on the cheap.

Kaji has 3 plates:

$80.00

$100.00

$120.00

All per person. If you're not a drinker, you can get out of there for less than $350.00 for 2 people. $350.00 is based on the most expensive plate, plus a bottle of sake, plus tip (say). So a Kaji experience is less than a 1 hour hobbying experience for sure.

Like anything else, life is all about balance. And as Ron Jeremy once said while devouring a plate of Sushi on CFNY, "this is sex to me".

 

[james t kirk]

I've been to about 30 or so different all-you-can-eat sushi restaurants across the GTA, and I've noticed that their menus are almost identical, and the food tastes exactly the same. I've also noticed that about 5 or 6 new sushi joints pop up everyday around the city. I've also noticed that the vast majority are Chinese owned and operated.

It's as if the original sushi restaurant owner called all his relatives over from China to come open a new sushi restaurant. "You open all-you-can-eat susi, and white fork give you 20 dolla, you make lotta money, senk you."

I don't do all you can eat sushi, ever.

But I do agree with you that the vast majority of run of the mill sushi joints are Chinese or Korean. There are very very few Japanes Sushi Restaurants. Even Blowfish is Korean I believe.

There's also a Japanese run Sushi joint on Queen, juuussst west of Woodbine that is pretty good as far as neighbourhood sushi goes. The name escapes me however.

Kaji, Hashimoto, Hiro, are all Japanese. None of them feature California anything

 

[Adrenaline]

I don't do all you can eat sushi, ever.

But I do agree with you that the vast majority of run of the mill sushi joints are Chinese or Korean. There are very very few Japanes Sushi Restaurants. Even Blowfish is Korean I believe.

There's also a Japanese run Sushi joint on Queen, juuussst west of Woodbine that is pretty good as far as neighbourhood sushi goes. The name escapes me however.

Kaji, Hashimoto, Hiro, are all Japanese. None of them feature California anything

I just see the all you can eat sushi joints as the McDonald's of sushi. It's cheap, it tastes great, but it's not authentic at all. You have to admit they make good salmon and butterfish sushi, and the red dragon rolls are phenomenal. I also love the chicken teriyaki and teppanyaki, the gyozas, the spring rolls, the egglant teppanyaki, the sushi pizza, and green tea ice cream.

 

[Consilio]

.. and if you don't want to spend $300, here are my favourites:

1. Hinote (Mississauga). Very fresh
http://www.restaurantica.com/on/mississauga/hinote-sushi-restaurant/23005103/

2. Ichiban on Queens Quay. Try the Hae Dup Bap

 

[diehard]

If I mention the words Wasabi AYCE, will I be banned from this thread?

 

[diehard]

1. Kaji.

Simply the best, there is nothing that comes close in Toronto. It's fucking phenominal. 2 people = $350.00 (yes, you read right - 2 plates @ $120.00 each, plus some drinkies, plus tip.) It's the best, and it's a treat to go there. Don't go there expecting California anything, or spicy tuna rolls, or rolls of any kind come to think of it. But it will be an experience you will never forget and it will ruin your ability to ever enjoy "all you can eat sushi" for the rest of your life.

http://www.sushikaji.com/

Very interesting. In my TDL now.

Do they have the real wasabi from Japan?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasabi

 

[Gyaos]

I spent some time in Japan years ago and grew quite fond of Sushi and ate it often when I returned to Canada until my yearly physical turned up a very high concentration of Mercury in my body.

Interesting point. Was the mercury from Canada's fish or Japan's?

Gyaos Baltar.

 

[Medman52]

Interesting point. Was the mercury from Canada's fish or Japan's?

Gyaos Baltar.

It was eaten here in Canada. My time in Japan was many years before that.

I was advised I stop eating sushi, but it's too good to stop, so I cut way back.

I would advise the sushi eaters to have your Dr check for mercury next time you have a physical.

Once again: Tuna has one of the highest concentration of Mercury, as do most fish higher up on the food chain,

There is a reason pregnant women are supposed to eat tuna in moderation.

Guide to Mercury in Sushi

Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should be especially careful about eating sushi. Many of the fish chosen for sushi are the apex predators of the fish food chain, which means they can bear high concentrations of mercury. The following list highlights sushi choices highest and lowest in mercury.

LOWER MERCURY

Akagai (ark shell) 1
Anago (conger eel) 1
Aoyagi (round clam)
Awabi (abalone) 1
Ayu (sweetfish)
Ebi (shrimp)*
Hamaguri (clam)
Hamo (pike conger; sea eel) 1
Hatahata (sandfish)
Himo (ark shell) 1
Hokkigai (surf clam)
Hotategai (scallop)*
Ika (squid)
Ikura (salmon roe)
Kaibashira (shellfish)
Kani (crab)
Karei (flatfish)
Kohada (gizzard shad)
Masago (smelt egg)
Masu (trout)
Mirugai (surf clam)
Sake (salmon)
Sayori (halfbeak) 1
Shako (mantis shrimp)
Tai (sea bream) 1
Tairagai (razor-shell clam) 1
Tako (octopus)
Tobikko (flying fish egg)
Torigai (cockle)
Tsubugai (shellfish)
Unagi (freshwater eel) 1
Uni (sea urchin roe)

HIGH MERCURY

Ahi (yellowfin tuna)
Aji (horse mackerel) 1
Buri (adult yellowtail) 1
Hamachi (young yellowtail) 1
Inada (very young yellowtail) 1
Kanpachi (very young yellowtail) 1
Katsuo (bonito) 1
Kajiki (swordfish)*
Maguro (bigeye*, bluefin* or yellowfin tuna)
Makjiki (blue marlin)*
Meji (young bigeye*, bluefin* or yellowfin tuna)
Saba (mackerel)
Sawara (Spanish mackerel)
Seigo (young sea bass)*
Shiro (albacore tuna)
Suzuki (sea bass)*
Toro (bigeye*, bluefin* or yellowfin tuna)

 

[phail]

Very interesting. In my TDL now.

Do they have the real wasabi from Japan?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasabi

yes they DO!!

 

[saliksalik]

Ok, this topic has been covered before. But, what the hell - You are a noobie to the world of Sushi.

First off - and this is very important......

The words, "all you can eat" and "sushi" should never appear in the same sentence. In fact, they shouldn't even be in the same fucking book, unless one is mocking the notion of "All You Can Eat Sushi" For example, "I can't believe that he wanted to go to an "all you can eat Sushi Restaurant" or, "I wonder how they can even afford to buy the fish at these "all you can eat sushi places". It's probably highliner"

You get my point.

2. The words "gorge" and "sushi" should never appear together.

3. The words "cheap" and "sushi" should never appear together.


There are only 4 sushi places that I have discovered that are worth their weight in gold.

1. Kaji.

Simply the best, there is nothing that comes close in Toronto. It's fucking phenominal. 2 people = $350.00 (yes, you read right - 2 plates @ $120.00 each, plus some drinkies, plus tip.) It's the best, and it's a treat to go there. Don't go there expecting California anything, or spicy tuna rolls, or rolls of any kind come to think of it. But it will be an experience you will never forget and it will ruin your ability to ever enjoy "all you can eat sushi" for the rest of your life.

http://www.sushikaji.com/


2. Hashimoto

It's even more expensive than Kaji. It's arguable which is better. I'd give the edge to Kaji, but that's just personal preference.

http://www.kaiseki.ca/



3. Blowfish

2 people = $200.00. Very pretty crowd. I recommend the Ebi Shooter to start and the Hamachi in Hot Oil. Black cod is phenominal as well. Great place to go for dinner. Far more ambiance than Kaji, food is more north americanized, though it's very good. I probably go here most often because of the balance between price and what you get.

http://www.blowfishrestaurant.com/



4. Hiro

Very traditional sushi. Least expensive of the 4 and fantastic sushi at that. 2 people can get out of there for less than a C note. Funnily enough, Hiro recently went back to Japan for a visit and while he was gone, they simply stopped serving sushi. Yeah, they were still open, but sushi was not on the menu. Elvis had left the building. Oh, the restaurant itself is a bit of dump frankly. They could certainly stand to renovate the joint. But the food is very good.

I second Kaji. I do wish to go Hashimoto. Nami on Adelaide is among the finest real Japanese restaurants. Take Sushi next to Hockey Hall of Fame is also good.
Cheers