Combination sashimi platter of the day's freshest seafood selection by Sushi Marché's Chef John Lee, along with the author's favourite negi hamachi roll.
Good food invokes all five senses; but the virtual palate can best be stimulated by sight. People also say a picture is worth a thousand words. In the case for hungry Torontonians, it is the hope that this column will help encourage you to eat also with your eyes and not just with your mouth. What better way to kick off my first contribution at TasteTO than with a series of photos of things I find extra tasty!
I love Japanese food. In particular, I love sashimi and sushi. Noting that numerous sushi restaurants populate the Toronto landscape, I've travelled far and wide in the GTA in search of the one location that has the freshest tasting, greatest value and the best selection of sushi. I've also taken the liberty to photo document some of these offerings.
Focusing on the downtown area (with a few notable mentions outside the core), we have menu items and prices that range from low to high. From simple fare that is made to order and portable (aka take out), casual dine-ins to omakase (allowing the chef free reign to create your meal) surprises, the following images are samples of what you might encounter. Once in a while, you might even be treated to something a little extra special.
Besides soup, salad and a plate of fresh sashimi, a dining pair would also receive a special sushi platter for their omakase lunch at Hiro Sushi
Ask about sushi chefs in Toronto, and Chef Hiro Yoshida and his well known restaurant Hiro Sushi (171 King East) would probably be one of the first that comes to mind. Lunchtime omakase menus could set you back a bit more than food court takeout boxes, but you would have the chance to sample his home brewed soy sauce, soy marinated tuna, torchon smoked salmon and other delicious fare.
For a large party, your omakase dinner might include luxurious surprises such as a giant platter of uni (sea urchin) sushi such as that provided at Sushiman
Dining at Sushiman (20 Richmond Street East) can be fun if you order the omakase dinner with a large group of friends. Besides the good value, the chef may surprise your party with numerous cooked items and bombard you with large platters of sashimi and sushi. Aside: Even if you have to fight with the lunchtime crowds, I find that Sushiman has the tastiest futomaki roll in downtown Toronto, that is worthy of the wait.
Clockwise from top left: sushi platter; chef created sashimi salad; take-out kamikaze roll; Chef Lee prepares a kamikaze roll
If you stop by Chef John Lee's Sushi Marché (1105 Queen East) you can order a variety of sushi items that the chef will create right in front of you. Most orders are for take out, but if you are lucky enough to snag a seat at one of the two small tables that are sometimes available, you could even ask the chef to create a small tasting of his own design (also seen in the top image of this post). Otherwise feel comfortable ordering from the menu as everything is wonderfully fresh.
(Trivia fact: Chef Lee trained under Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto.)
Lunch specials from sashimi sets, Hwe Deop Bap to Chirashi don (as pictured above) can be found at the ever popular Japango
If you can find an open table at the box-like Japango (122 Elizabeth Street) then you might want to join the throng of Torontonians that profess this restaurant a local fave. Fish is fresh and presentation is clean. Prices are on the upper end of average, but nothing that would endanger the slot back pig.
The Premium Sashimi Set from Kokyo Authentic Japanese Cuisine featuring wasabi prepared to the author's preferred consistency.
Reliving memories of Japan's Tsukiji Market with orders of o-Toro sashimi
Kokyo Authentic Japanese Cuisine (501A Yonge Street) has been one of my staple go to places, not just because Chef Johnny serves fresh fish, but because of the value and portion sizes that one is given. Where other locations edge on the conservative side, Chef Johnny spares no cost in giving the best bang for the buck. He is an advocate of premium fish selections and goes as far as to offer his clients special treats like seasonal fresh bluefin o-Toro (the highest grade and fattiest part of the tuna, a prized and extremely expensive cut) for fractions of what high end sushi restaurants would charge. If you're lucky, Chef Johnny might even sneak a piece onto your sushi platter, especially if you've never had exposure to such a luxurious treat! Can anyone be oppose to supporting this noble cause? Not I!
Sashimi don from Sushi & BBQ tops a bowl of white rice with chopped lettuce and an abundance of sliced raw fish accompanied by thick and addictive Kochujang, a chili pepper paste
Sashimi set B and selections of other fresh fish are prepared at Tokyo Sushi for locals and celebs alike that stay at the nearby Sutton Place Hotel.
It shouldn't be a surprise to you as you're sipping your miso soup at the sushi bar or at one of the little tables at the back of this quaint restaurant to see, meet or dine next to someone from Hollywood. Located just off of Bay Street, Tokyo Sushi (33 St. Joseph Street) is a humble restaurant noted not only for its fresh fish, but also for who could drop in to visit the ever pleasant Chef James to leave another memento for the wall behind the sushi counter. Besides his cheery greetings and ever pleasant smile, customers might even find a special treat (freebie, if you'd like to call it for what it is) given to you from the chef himself.
Hamachi and Hell maki orders to accompany the izakaya treats you might order at Sakawaya
Sakawaya Japanese Bistro (867 Danforth Avenue) is known more for the abundance of grilled foods and casual eats than for its raw fish. However cravings for sushi can be satisfied by a decent menu selection but be aware that warnings of heat may be misrepresented, unless you are allergic to spice.
(Not pictured here, but is worthy of a visit, is Ematei (30 Saint Patrick Street) a favourite for many Torontonians and non-city dwellers alike.)
Beyond the borders of the city of Toronto we can find other great purveyors of the delicious food named sushi. These are some notable establishments as we travel from west to east.
Bar eating at Kumai Sushi, best done with someone who speaks Japanese. Even if language is a barrier, just point to what looks fresh and the chef will create your items for you. Clockwise from top left: ikura (salmon roe) and kampachi sushi; spider roll (deep fried soft shell crab); delicious futomaki)
Starting with the lesser known Kumai Sushi (35 Brunel Rd. #1, Mississauga), a place I'd like to refer to as an authentic gem. With daily specials in both cooked and raw forms offered on a written menu to accompany standard fare, diners might find it best to sit at the sushi bar and watch the chef at work. Order by the piece, order by the roll, just don't forget to gaze admirably at your pristine nigiri-zushi before taking a bite.
Of the many dishes one may be presented at the ever praised Sushi Kaji Restaurant, there is no shortage of fresh and succulent fish during an omakase course. Clockwise from top left: assorted sashimi platter for two, including fresh prawns; tuna times two - toro and maguro sushi; unagi (eel) and ebi (shrimp) sushi; torchon hotategai (scallop) and fresh kani (crab) sushi
Chef Mitsuhiro Kaji takes diners on a trip to Japan without leaving the city at Sushi Kaji (860 The Queensway, Etobicoke). As one of the top ten restaurants in the city, patrons are presented with a number of dishes during their omakase dinner (three tasting menus available at $80, $100 and $120). Each dish is simple in nature, but beautifully presented and features some of the best fish that may be sourced for this city. Depending on the night and the season you might be greeted with a bountiful platter of hamachi (yellowtail), miru-gai (geoduck), anago (eel), maguro or toro from Spain or Hawaii.
The café au lait chirashi sushi at Le Café Michi consists of assorted sashimi laid decoratively on a bowl of sushi rice. It is accompanied by a mug of miso soup and chef's salad.
Jumping out east, Le Café Michi (1802 Pharmacy Avenue, Scarborough), formerly associated with Chef Kaji of Sushi Kaji, offers scrumptious courses to satisfy any sushi cravings. Albeit a tad pricey, the café au lait chirashi sushi features a rainbow of fresh fish, shellfish and roe over a paper-thin sheet of omelet that blankets unctuous unagi (deliciously broiled and slathered with sweet unagi sauce). Hearty and satisfying, you won't mind this once-in-a-while treat, especially since the colours of the toppings themselves can brighten any dreary day.
Large sashimi trays that can go straight from the cold fridge to your kitchen are available at Taro's Fish in J-Town
Finally, for those who just want to take their fish straight from the market to serve at home, you must visit Taro's Fish (in J-Town, 3160 Steeles Ave. E., Unit 6-11, Markham). Unpretentious surroundings and fresh offerings greet you when you step into the quaint and clean premises. You may find larger portions of fresh fish and shellfish in the open freezer, or reach inside the standing fridge for pre-packaged sashimi sets. Deluxe packs may offer sake (salmon), maguro (tuna), hamachi (yellowtail), ika (squid), tako (octopus), amaebi (sweet shrimp), hotategai (scallop), ikura (salmon roe), tai (red snapper) or saba (mackerel).
As inhabitants of the GTA, we are lucky to have such ample opportunities for dining discoveries. The possibilities are endless when one is armed with a digital camera, has a hearty appetite for good food and has a little sense of adventure. If these images tantalize your taste buds, please feel free to fish for more good eats from Toronto and abroad on my photostream below. Enjoy!
Renée Suen is a graduate student at the University of Toronto, specializing in cardiovascular sciences. She has an insatiable appetite and can often be found searching for the tastiest and best dishes in the city with her camera. Sometimes she recreates those experiences at home; many of these images can be found at her Flickr site (www.flickr.com/photos/sifu_renka).
This is a great post and a terrific reference for any sushi neophytes in Toronto. Many of my favourite places have been listed here....
Hi Shawn,
Thank you for your kind and encouraging comment. :)
Here's hoping that a few more palates will be enticed by the great selection we have in the city.
I went to the Kokyo based on this post a week ago. Unfortunately my experience was very sub par and I won't be going back.
When i go to a new sushi place i always order my "sampler" consisting of gyoza, vegi tempura some maki and a bento (between 2 ppl of course).
Gyoza was quite hard and over fried. Tempura and dip sauce were lacking in any kind of flavor and tempura was very mushy. Salmon bento didn't have much flavor to it as well as the traditional green salad that came with it. I haven't been to a japanese place yet which had a complete dull green salad.
The only thing that was semi okay was maki. I ordered johny's special. The fish was okay, but the rolls themselves were monstrous in size and had to be eaten in parts.
Overall I wouldnt recommend it.
Hi Alex G,
I'm sorry to hear about your less than stellar experience. I should note that my recs are based on the *raw* stuff alone, as that's what I normally order at a sushi restaurant (and really what my post was trying to highlight). I'm personally not into ordering the bentos, gyoza or tempura unless the restaurant is known for that (which is a separate post altogether). I will admit, Kokyo's strength is not in those areas, but that's why it was only recommended for the sushi/sashimi.
Regarding the comment about the "monstrous" sized rolls, I did prewarn readers that the sushi at Kokyo were of great "value [for the] portion sizes that one is given." ;) I still stand by my comments behind Kokyo regarding the uncooked foods and the value for sushi that fall under the economical category in this city.
I highly recommend Hashimoto, also in the West End in Etobicoke.
It was one of the best Japanese dining experiences I have had in North America. It isn't sushi and sashimi but definitely still delights the palate.
I stand by Kokyo 100%. I've been enjoying their sashimi for over a year now, and I think their other dishes have improved since their recent renovation. And Kokyo has the best sushi pizza, hands down.