My only memory of Japolo Sushi is coming here for lunch in high school. Growing up, I loved sushi and with the limited Japanese restaurants in the area, I told a couple of my friends we had to come here. Both of my friends were pho lovers and left the restaurant quite annoyed at me, claiming I took them to one of the worst restaurants. But, I did not let that get to me since I left happy with a simple california roll and probably tempura in my belly.
Fast forward to years later, I avoid Japolo Sushi because there are so many better options but, BF has always wanted to try the restaurant (he likes to go to restaurants that I avoid, something to do with proving me wrong). Plus, I have never tried the Vietnamese food here before and did not mind trying. The restaurant is located in the same plaza along with North Garden as well as Okoman Sushi, and the interior looks pretty simple. Booth seats against the wall and tables in the centre.
GRILLED PORK BANH MI, PHO TAI, ASSORTED SASHIMI, UNI NIGIRI AND BUN BO HUE.
JALAPENO, LIME, CORIANDER AND BEAN SPROUTS.
We ordered sashimi first and thought to end dinner with noodles, but all the dishes came at once.
ASSORTED SASHIMI, TUNA, SALMON, IKA, IKURA, HOKKIGAI, TAKO AND SOCKEYE SALMON ($17.50), TORO NIGIRI ($2.70) AND SALMON NIGIRI ($1.51).
When asking the waitress what the assorted sashimi included, she said "only tuna and salmon". After politely insisting her to double check, she came back and told us a few more items including ika, which we asked to be omitted but was overlooked. The tuna, salmon and sockeye sashimi are sliced pretty average, not too big or small. To start, the tuna is the proper lower body portion and tastes average. Continuing, the salmon tastes average as well but is missing the fatty and buttery taste. Next, the ika is somewhat nicely presented, wrapped with seaweed so the slice sticks together. The ika has the usual sliminess but no hint of sweetness and tastes a bit warm, probably because of the smaller pieces. Moving on, the ikura, tako and sockeye salmon all tastes average. I like how the ikura is centred between the ika and the tako is not sliced too thick, making it easier to eat. And lasty, the toro nigiri tastes fresh as well as fatty, and the salmon nigiri tastes average. For the price, the value is not there considering close by competitors with the same or better quality, such as Sushi & and Sushi California. Also, the rice could have used a bit more sushi vinegar.
UNI NIGIRI ($3.75).
I always mention when restaurants overcharge on uni, especially when loose packaged pieces are used. So when I saw Japolos', I was quite surprised. The restaurant uses whole slices rather than broken pieces! However, the slices are cut in half. This is really cheap for a restaurant to do, especially for $3.75/EACH. Sushi & which is located nearby on North Road, only charges $2.50/EACH and uses a whole slice of uni, not halves or loose pieces.
PHO TAI, NOODLE SOUP WITH EYE ROUND STEAK, WELL DONE FLANK, FATTY BRISKET, SOFT TENDON AND BEEF TRIPE, SMALL ($8.35). The soup has a mild beef broth taste and the noodles are slightly overcooked, tasting mushy with no texture. The meats taste tender as well as tasty and the pho tastes average.
BUN BO HUE, HOT & SPICY RICE NOODLE IN SOUP WITH BEEF FLANK, CHICKEN BALL AND PORK HAM, SMALL ($8.35). The broth tastes bland, sweet and has no hint of spiciness. Was the chilli oil forgotten? Pretty much a disappointment since I love my bun bo. The dish has a good meat to noodle ratio with tender tasting meats like the pho, and the noodles taste alright, not overcooked. I like these noodles more since they are thicker as well as cylinder, and prefer bun bo sooo much more over pho, too bad this one was not good.
GRILLED SLICE PORK, SERVED WITH MAYO, PATE, CARROT, ONION, PEPPER, CUCUMBER AND CILANTRO ($4.75).
A baguette with a good meat to vegetable ratio. The slices of pork tastes somewhat tender as well as flavourful and the taste of the vegetables are apparent. The pickled carrot, daikon, cilantro, cucumber - the taste is all there and not one ingredient overpowers another. The sandwich tastes refreshing as well as light but the pate was a bit on the lighter side, as in only a mere barely existent smear - which is not an issue to me but may be for most. If anything, the baguette could have been toasted longer. Side note - on the menu, it states that pop is only $1.00 with an order of a sub. The waitress was not so sure and hesitant, and the sushi chef/owner was not so sure either. We forgot to check the bill to see what they charged us and not like it matters anyways... I just find it odd that it is written pretty clearly on the menu but there were some confusions.
POSITIVES
- Parking is not an issue, this plaza is never full
- Meats in the noodles taste tender
- Good enough eats
NEGATIVES
- Pricey for what you get
- Waitress could be more knowledgeable
- Worst bun bo I ever had (including Pho Hoa's!)
- Seating cushions are dirty and the table is greasy
LITTLE THINGS
- Service is not really there and people seem to pay at the front
- I rather visit Sushi & which is only five minutes away for better Japanese food
Food: 2/5
Service: 2/5
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