Tag Archives: Asian

12.04.13
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Yoshi’s Sushi

#604 – 771 Vernon Ave 
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 475-3900

Yoshi Sushi is one of Victoria’s hidden secrets. I’ve been here a few times before and they have never disappointed. When I’m here for a lunch with a new friend, I had to find that prawn cocktail that I tried before and only saw that it had been replaced with a sashimi cocktail ($11). I was not disappointed, as the former meal had a sharp tanginess that could have been brought down a notch. With this new variant, the intensity is only as strong as the diner wants it when its dipped in a mix of soy sauce and wasabi. With various slices of tuna, salmon, sweet shrimp and scallop (lightly coated with roe) presented over a bed of radish noodles and seaweed salad, I thought the presentation was impeccable. The only thing missing is what I believe is a tomato that their online menu illustrates.

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11.12.13
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Is Young Young Nom Nom?

Young Young 
1540 Cedar Hill X Rd.
Saanich, B.C. 
(250) 388-9806

J: Young Young is one of those Asian restaurants in the University corridor of Gordon Head, known as Cedar Hill X Road. It is not only a road frequented by Camosun College Lansdowne campus students but also the University of Victoria and the St. Michael’s University students as well. What is interesting is is this is a restaurant frequented by Asians, much like Kuma Noodle across the road. And why not, the restaurant has unique seating depending on what your eating arrangements will be. You have the wooden booths for hot-pot (and a special booth available for a large hot-pot party), the cushioned booths for regular eating, tables for two with mod looking chairs and there is a cozy corner for a large group to relax.

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11.03.13
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Azuma: Busiest Doesn’t Mean Best

Azuma Sushi
615 Yates St.
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 382-8768

E: I think James and I need a TARDIS the next time we plan for having a bite before going to see a theatrical production. We got into town at the right time, but when I was out looking for a collectible Superman coin from the Royal Canadian Mint and James insisted at a stop at Audio Video Reply, I was uncertain if we’d have time to have a proper dinner before going to the Rocky Horror Show.

Within the line of sight, I eyed Azuma Sushi. Now this place is popular … but I have to ask, to what community and who really likes to eat here? I doubt Dr. Frank n’ Furter would want to go here.

J: I think if Ed hadn’t managed to snatch that last silver coin of Superman from Canada Post (it was the display), his night would have been not as bright as it was. Ed brought me to Azuma and I’m going to be honest, it’s not my first choice for dining. It might look busy and the interior looked well designed but as I have learned a number of times before, that means nothing if they can’t get the food right. And for Azuma, it wasn’t just the food.

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10.29.13
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Cart on Over for Noodles!

Noodle Cart
1018 Blanshard St.
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 477-3883

E: For once, James did not lead me astray from finding good food. When he said, “Let’s go to the Noodle Cart,” I had visions of an operation similar to The Noodle Box, which I don’t care much for these days. Well, when considering this operation is run by a franchise operation Little Thai, I did have some reservations.

J: I’ve had previous experience with the Noodle Cart. A quest to grab some eats before a concert at Christ Church Cathedral lead me to sample their food. I was floored. I knew then this place needed reviewing. I don’t care if it’s a franchise, at least it appears to be a local franchise. The decor of this place is amazing. I would love to know who did all the artistry for this establishment.

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10.09.13
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Dining for Under Ten Bucks: Maiko Sushi

Maiko Sushi Restaurant
#119 – 877 Goldstream Ave.
Langford, B.C.
(250) 995-8432

It may be easy for someone from my generation to confuse the former Maiko Gardens with Maiko Sushi but apart from Maiko Gardens having served Japanese cuisine, there is little they have in common.

Mariko, owner of Maiko Sushi (now former owner, she just sold the restaurant) has a keen eye for creating decent decor and should seriously consider her future as an interior decorator. Her sense of style is pleasing to the eye from the Japanese influenced displays in her business right down to the brightly furnished and vibrant washroom.  But in this current day and age Maiko still has some growing to do before they could eve match what locals remember so fondly of the name’s predecessor.

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09.19.13
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Trying to find the Silver Lining at Japanese Village

The Japanese Village Restaurant
734 Broughton St.
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 382-5165

Yes, I’ll admit it. I have a life mission to try every Japanese restaurant in town, and one of the good places used to be Japanese Village. If this establishment can get past its modern trappings and a reduction to their ridiculously high prices, then maybe it could be something. This place flaunts its teppenyaki style of food over the traditional offerings and some of the staff must have forgotten that there are old souls like me around.

I was the odd man out in a party of five preferring to eat raw fish over cowboy meat. Is that bad? No. Technically, this style of cooking western food on a grill was introduced in 1945, conveniently after the United States occupied Japan. According to one source, foreigners preferred this style of cooking over other methods since they can see what is being made. Other than the soybeans, I think every other ingredient is Western Civilization in origin.

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