Sherman's Food Adventures: Tokyo Sushi Express (Scott Road)

Tokyo Sushi Express (Scott Road)

For lunch today, I wasn't really sure where to eat. After all, there are not many restaurants nearby that I haven't tried already. While driving down Scott Road, I noticed that the new Japanese restaurant residing at the old location of Pico Bello had opened for business. I quickly pulled into the parking lot to give it a shot. Yah I know, Japanese food for the second straight day. Honestly, I can eat Japanese food every day if I had to. Thank goodness there are a lot of them. Of course, there are a lot of Japanese restaurants; yet not necessarily Japanese-run. Well, I can confidently say that Tokyo Sushi Express is Chinese-operated. With that being said, I will say what I've been preaching all along: it doesn't matter who makes it, as long as it tastes good.

So other than the addition of a sushi bar and Asian-theme lighting, the restaurant looks almost as it did before. I was the first to arrive for lunch and was greeted warmly by the staff. I think that one of the servers is actually Japanese since she didn't understand a word of what the other staff were talking about in Cantonese. I did and it's interesting to eavestrop on their conversations. Apparently, they are still working out their kinks being so new. I was tempted to order a combination lunch; but I decided to do a-la-carte to try more of their sushi. For me, cooked food like Teriyakis and Yakisobas are not necessarily the best indication of good Japanese food.

I started with Salmon & Tuna Sashimi and they came in really large slices. It's not the best sashimi I've ever had; but honestly, it wasn't too bad. Fish was not mushy and it tasted alright. Next up was 4 pieces of Nigiri which included Unagi, Inari, Toro and Chopped Scallop & Tobiko. Interesting that these looked a bit small since there was very little rice. Not really an issue for me because I don't like too much rice with my nigiri anyways. It was more or less decent for its location. The sushi rice itself exhibited an acceptable texture where it was slightly chewy and a bit sweet. Not much in the way of vinegar and it was a tad on the dry side. I also decided to try out the Phoenix Roll which consisted of imitation crab, scallop, tamago and cucumber encased in a soy wrap. The roll looked nice and was pleasant enough to eat; however, it could've been rolled a bit more tightly. I had to gingerly dip each piece into the soy/wasabi mixture so it wouldn't fall apart.

As if this wasn't enough, I decided to try out the Takoyaki as well. While I was waiting for it, I heard them yelling (and they were doing their best Cantonese "yelling") about where the takoyaki was. That made me a bit nervous because that would indicate premade takoyaki which would ultimately be deep-fried, not pan grilled in a mold. When it arrived, it looked the part, maybe a bit more bonito would've helped with the presentation. They weren't bad per se; but the inside was not as fluffy as I would've liked being a tad doughy. But it did taste alright. And that probably sums up my meal, it was acceptable. Nothing great while nothing bad. It's okay given that there are not many Japanese dining options nearby. Pricewise, I thought it was pretty reasonable and the service (for me at least) was extremely attentive.

The Good:
- Reasonably-priced
- Attentive service
- Food is alright

The Bad:
- Lacks a bit of authenticity (if that matters to you)

Tokyo Sushi Express on Urbanspoon

15 comments:

KimHo said...

I have to admit, it actually looks good! From the general population perspective, I think that we have started to deviate away of the "authenticity" perspective. Or at least that logarithmic curve of how good it is versus price/authentic has shifted to the left...

Sherman Chan said...

Kim, for me at least, it was actually quite decent. But I'm sure to some people, they'll complain about it somehow. Again, I don't care really too much about authenticity if it tastes good.

EnbM said...

There is another sushi place with similar name, with good reviews.

Tokyo sushi Express Japanese Restaurant
1101 - 7360 137th St

Sherman Chan said...

EnbM, I drive by the other all the time. However, for some reason or another, I never visited it. But when a closer location opened up on Scott Rd, it was more convenient. I actually went to the place across the street on 137th called Sushi Line. That was surprisingly good. Actually there are a few decent Japanese restaurants near the corner of 72nd and KGH. I never would've guessed.

Anonymous said...

The sushi is much better in Japan.

Sherman Chan said...

And so is ass cleaning with a squirt of water...

Anonymous said...

I find Sushi Line terrible... A must try at the Tokyo Sushi Expresses is the crunchy roll, spicy tuna mixed in with tempura bits it surprisingly works and tastes amazing. Their daily roll specials are a good deal, avoid the BC roll though. The yakisoba here is also too saucy, salty and terrible avoid it. However their udon & ramen bowls are quite good. I eat here a lot if you can't tell as I work near the 132nd and 72nd location =D

Chris said...

"And so is ass cleaning with a squirt of water..."

I knew it Sherman. I always pictured you as a bidet kind of guy ;)

..ok wait, let me clarify..I pictured you requiring a bidet...there was no picturing of you actually on a bidet *looks away awkwardly*

Sherman Chan said...

Actually, my experience at Sushi Line was decent. I guess it really depends on what you order. For me at least, I went for all raw stuff and didn't try the cooked items. With that being said, I don't dislike Tokyo Sushi Express. It was a good meal.

Chris, they really should adopt bidets here! TP only cleans so much! LOL...

Anonymous said...

Hi Sherman,
If you want to try a good sushi restaurant, there's one called Taka's near the Five Corner Cafe here in White Rock that my husband and I think is really good. It's a small little place, but the service is excellent and they use very fresh ingredients. Two things to try are the seared white fish and peppered tuna.... but all their rolls are very very good (IMO).

trisha said...

the nigiri looks kind of funny but i like the small amount of rice too. i'm not big on rice and i like the places that offer rolls without them. like the ocean garden roll at aka tom bo. i think iki has a riceless roll too? i need to find more!

LOL at your comment to sushi in japan. someone sent me a message on urbanspoon saying i was retarded for complaining about the food at an "americanized sushi place". apparently i should also go to japan...

Sherman Chan said...

Thanks for the tip!

Trisha, I know I had a brown rice roll at Iki, and I think you're right about the sans rice, but I never got to try it. Yah, don't you love people who are haters? "The food is garbage, it's better in Thailand/Japan/Malaysia etc..." DUH. When we talk about food here, it's mainly in relation to other restaurants here.

Anonymous said...

This restaurant is way overpriced for mediocre sushi. I have ordered from them a few times and I am disappointed every time I do. They service is often hostile, the food is mediocre and the prices are unacceptable. I'm done with this place. I don't care if there are no sushi places around; that shouldn't be an excuse for this kind of garbage.

Risa said...

Hey, well atleast it's WAY better then nordel sushi.

Sherman Chan said...

@Risa It is better than Nordel Sushi no doubt.

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