Anni Adventures

Lately niu and I have been eating out less and eating in more. Compared to before when we ate out four or five days out of the week.

Today I craved eating out for a change so after work after niu picked me up from the skytrain, we headed off to Okonomi Sushi near gateway station.  I had seen a review on it previously from Vancity Nom and really wanted to try it out.  Since it isn't too far from where we lived either, it was an ideal choice.

It was a quaint little location just steps away from Gateway station. When we entered, there wasn't a lot of people inside. They had an extensive menu. With both Japanese and Korean options available. Although the Korean food portion was significantly less than the Japanese.  We were amazed to see the selections offered. We started off with our must haves. Sunomonos. Niu thought that out of all the Sunomonos we've had, (We've had a lot) this was the best by far. I must agree taste-wise. It had the right level of vinegar and sweetness to it. For mains, we ordered an Alaska roll, some Nigiris and the Okonomi-yaki dinner set which included a miso soup, prawn and yam tempura and deep fried ice cream for desert. Our initial server had read out our order back to us, But they still managed to bring us the wrong order. They were very professional about it though, because they quickly corrected it and brought us a plate of edamame on the house and a bigger portion of the okonomi-yaki. They also informed us a sunomono was also included in the dinner set so they took that off our bill. 

The overall flavours were really on the higher end. All the sushi used their patented pink rice which is suppose to have added nutritional value. The portions were of decent size and both of us left the restaurant full. All while under $40 for the both of us. 

Okonomi Sushi

13448 108 Avenue

Surrey, BC 

For our mains, we ordered the OMG roll, the Deep fried California roll, the Philadelphia roll, far back, and ebi mayo (not pictured). 

The OMG roll is supposedly one of their best-sellers. I'm not exactly sure what the fried stuff is on top, but it adds a crunchy texture to the spicy salmon sushi underneath. I didn't find it all that special, although my bf thought otherwise. The deep fried California roll, which was my choice, was pretty good. Not the best, but it definitely tasted good. I couldn't say anything exceptional about the Philadelphia roll. It wasn't bad or anything, it wasn't great either. It was just a Philadelphia roll. 

I was most disappointed with the ebi mayo. It was one of the most expensive things we ordered. But when we received it. The portions looked kind of skimpy. There were maybe 4 or 5 pieces and a little bit overdone. I would maybe have been happier if they gave a few more. 

Overall the food was good. The service was great, the waitress always came by with tea before we asked for it. But given that we were the only customers, I wouldn't expect anything less. Pricing was average. Not too expensive. 

I give 4 / 5 stars. :)

Anyone that wants to give it a try: 

881 Carnarvon Street, New Westminster

A while back, a friend posted a picture of some sushi on his Facebook wall. It was only then that I realized it was from a restaurant in Surrey! This was a friend I knew from Ontario so I wouldn't have guessed. Anyways, since my "friend" and I are avid Sushi lovers, we decided to go try it out today.

The restaurant is called Sushi & Roll. It was located in a quiet plaza that didn't have many other stores open. From first glance, the restaurant was big. It was also well decorated and modern looking. We were greeted right when we got in and seated promptly.

The menu was just right. Not too much and not too few. The pricing was good too since we have been to many sushi restaurants, we could tell this restaurant priced their food on the low end. While my friend ordered BC Roll Combo, Tako Sunomono, Spicy Salmon Roll, Uni Nigiri and Tuna Nigiri, I ordered the Ebi Sunomono (a staple dish for me) , the chopped scallop hand cone and the Fantastic roll.

The ebi sunomono came next, and it was quite literally one of the best sunomonos I've had. It was a generous portion as well and a sweet yet vinegary taste. There was lots of bean noodle which made it so much better. 

 Last came my fantastic roll. And I think its name is justified. It was fantastic. the sauce on top was like the icing on the cake. Everything in the sushi really complimented each other. There was Deep fried prawn, avocado inside with tuna on top with the crunch stuff drizzled with special sauce. I thought it was soft and there wasn't an explosion of flavour which was perfect.

I also had one of my friend's Salmon Nigiri from his combo. His only complaint was the rice was too dry, and I had to agree. It wasn't the best sushi rice. However everything else made up for it.

Overall, the food at this restaurant was amazing. Good value and good eats. However my biggest disappointment was the service. The servers were not attentive enough and had to call and wave like madman for them to notice. Note to servers. Never have your back to the customers. They also made an error with my friend's order. He had ordered Uni Nigiri, but they brought out an Ebi Nigiri. My friend was nice about it and told them to just make him an Uni as well. In the end. They still charged us for it, which although I think its a culture thing, I think they should have gave him free of charge. It would have been the right thing to do.

★★★★☆

Anyways, If you would like to try the place out its located at:

103 - 10241 King George Boulevard, Surrey BC