omakase Archives - Foodology

I’ve passed by Toyo Sushi so many times last year and it always seemed to be closed. I was on Instagram the other month and I saw one of my followers going and I had to check it out for myself as it’s right in my neighbourhood.

Reservations

I would highly recommend getting reservations, not because it will be really full as this place is still under the radar. Some people have said their hours of operation is unreliable, so best to make reservations to ensure they are open on the day and time you’re planning to dine.

Bar Seating

The space is a decent size, but bar seating is best if you’re in a small group. Watching the chef prepare your meal is the best. The chef isn’t very chatty, but I always appreciate all the hard work of seeing the meal come to life.

Sashimi Omakase

The sashimi omakase starts at $70 and it is essentially a sashimi platter. We expected the chef to serve it piece by piece as we sat at the bar like at other sushi bars around town. We were the only people at the restaurant, so we watched him make the whole platter and then present it to us.

When we went there, our sashimi omakase had 7 different sashimi and 14 pieces in total. The chef didn’t explain what sashimi was on the plate, but the server told us quickly. I tried my best to remember the names, but some of them looked very similar, so sorry if I accidentally misnamed any.

The sashimi omakase was a great way to try the freshest cuts of sashimi decided by the chef. My favourites were the blue fin otoro and scallop.

Chopped Hamachi and negi with fresh ginger

Fish is deep-fried and then can be eaten whole

Sushi Omakase

The sushi omakase has 10 pieces of nigiri on a platter and it starts at $60. It was similar types of fish in the sashimi omakase. At first it does seem steep of a price, but the quality is there. The negitoro, ikura, otoro, and scallop were outstanding. The other types of fish were good, but it wasn’t my personal favourite.

Unagi Nigiri

We ordered these both after the omakase because my husband judges a Japanese restaurant based on how they make unagi nigiri. This was really good! Very soft, tender, and packed full of flavour. Highly recommended.

Tamago Nigiri

Another item that my husband judges is the tamago. The side of tamago was thick and had a good balance of sweet and savoury to it. Highly recommended as well.

Kushi Katsu

These are deep fried and battered skewers. There is scallop and prawn in one skewer, chicken on another and then salmon on another. It comes with a dipping sauce too. These were decent. Since the meal we had was very clean and not too oily, this was the only fried dish we got beside the fried fish from the sashimi omakase.

Final Thoughts

The quality is definitely the best in Burnaby. It’s a great little hidden gem in The Heights, but it isn’t cheap. You are really paying for the quality. My husband and I spent just under $200 after tax and tip here. We had to try the omakase, so that why it’s pretty steep. Next time, we will probably skip the omakase and go with our tried and true favourite items.

Address:
3978 Hastings St, Burnaby, BC

Website:
https://www.toyosushi.ca

Torafuku celebrates their 4th year anniversary with a special omakase set. Omakase is a Japanese term that means “I’ll leave it up to you”, where the meal consists of dishes selected by the chef. I absolutely love these dining experiences as you get a taste of what the restaurant offers.

Their options are 7 course omakase for $45 per person or 10 courses for $55 per person, with amuse bouche and bonbons added on top. It is an awesome deal and only available during dinner until September 22, 2019.

Ever since they started Le Tigre food truck back in 2012, I was a huge fan because of their Kick Ass Rice Bowl. The sauces and flavours were just so good and addictive. As Torafuku opened up in 2015, it was exciting since I work just a few blocks away. There are usually great deals to be had here whether it be their lunch menu, Dine Out Vancouver, or their omakase.

We covered their regular $45 omakase a few months ago when I dined with my family. It was a great menu, so when they launched their 4th year anniversary omakase, I was excited to return. The 10 courses for $55 per is a steal and you will be bursting from the seams.

Here is a quick look at the dishes.

Amuse Bouche

The amuse bouche arrive to give us a taster before the menu starts.

Marinated Tomatoes with Shiso Leaf
Cheese Terrine with Hibiscus Jelle
Forged Mushroom Tart with Yuzu

A nice touch and I absolutely loved the mushroom tart. I am a huge huge fan of mushrooms.

Rabbit Food

This has a base of kale salad with gem tomatoes, lemon juice, grated parmesan, quinoa crunch, anchovy buttermilk dressing.

I absolutely love this dish and yes, I can make friends with salad. Props to you if you understood that reference. The salad is well balanced and love the quinoa brunch.

Chef’s Daily Sushi Rolls

Kick Ass Rice 3.0 roll has torched pork belly, furikake, cucumber, avocado, shiso, miso mayo, and fuku hot sauce.

Dy-No-Mite roll has prawn tempura, avocado, cucumber, steelhead salmon, mango and 7 spice aioli.

Both rolls were delicious and very flavourful. They really know how to balance the flavours and textures.

Fuku Style Kushiyaki – Cherry Tomato, Mochi and Corn

The mochi was so good. It is a house handmade sticky rice cake on stick, prepared daily with furikake and miso mayo. The corn was addictive and we couldn’t stop eating it. Corn is in season, so it was so good a naturally sweet.

Catch of the Day

This is their daily fresh fish ceviche. It was really good and fresh!

Higher Steak

This delectable dish has Wagyu beef tataki, cabbage slaw, crispy garlic, scallions, and citrus ponzu. This was a great dish as well. The tender and fatty beef goes so well with the ponzu.

Everyday I’m Brusselin’

This has Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, black bean balsamic vinaigrette, crispy chick peas, fried quinoa, and toasted almonds.

I love the abundance of vegetables in this omakase and the textures and flavours were so on point.

G-Tao’s Chix Wings

This has fried chix wings tossed in General Tao’s secret sauce and has broccoli on the side. I found it was overly sauced and sweet for my personal liking.

The Steak Out

This is made with a beautiful AAA rib eye 12oz., charcoal grilled, tamari butter, chimichurri, and seasonal veggies. So good! Who knew tamari butter would be so addictive with rib eye. Cooked perfectly too.

Gone Fishin’

This has a crispy whole market fish, toasted shrimp, crispy shallots, soy bean crumble, tamarind sweet and sour sauce. The fish that was available when were were there was sea bream, which has a nice meaty texture.

They debone it table side and its always a fun sight.

Mango Madness

This is served in a jar with Coconut Panna Cotta, mango sago and passion-fruit puree. The subtle coconut flavour in the panna cotta go really well with the mango.

Magic Stick

Chocolate Ganache, hazelnut feuilletine, raspberry coulis, and vanilla orange. It was rich and chocolaty which I enjoyed. The salt on top enhances the flavour too and gives it a salt and sweet combination.

Featured Anniversary Cocktails

In addition to the menu, they have a few featured cocktails to celebrate their anniversary and they are $16 each.

All 3 drinks are outstanding! They have an amazing cocktail program and the drinks are top notch.

Tom Yum Caesar

Suntory Roku Gin, fresh gem tomatoes, Thai spices and herbs, lime, fish sauce and cilantro.

Passion Libre

Los siete misterios doba-yej Mezcal, fernet branca, egg white, passionfruit, iron goddess tea syrup, and red Thai chilis.

XOXO

Calvados Brandy, Grand Marnier, lemon, pandan syrup, and Bitter Sling crabapple bitters.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully you’re able to make it for their 4th Anniversary Omakase as it’s quite a steal for either the 7 course or 10 course option. Only available until September 22nd 2019, but a lot of the dishes are on their regular menu.

Alternatively, you can order off the regular menu or call them to reserve omakase for your group. They are really easy to work with if there are dietary restrictions. I’ve always had a good time here when I dine with friends and family.

Address:
958 Main St, Vancouver, BC

Website:
http://torafuku.ca/