Toyotomi Japanese Restaurant
In Vancouver you can count on two things, a Starbucks on every corner and a Japanese restaurant right next to the Starbucks. I’m not one to complain of this fact, my morning Americano helps start off my day and my constant craving for Sushi is only a few blocks away from being subdued.
Toyotomi Japanese Restaurant is located in Burnaby. Seating is somewhat limited so on the weekend prepare to wait in line but on any given week day you should be able to sit down right away.
On the menu is a wide variety of items that litter the typical Sushi restaurant menu and a handful of unique rolls that take up namesakes of various locations around the Lower Mainland. The Q.E. Park Roll, the Stanley Park Roll and the Hastings Roll are some of their creations and offer new creativity and change from the usual California Roll blandness.
Menu items are average in price, rolls can range from $2.00 for a simple Tuna Roll to $9.00 for a New York Roll. The portion sizes are quite average so after a few rolls and an appetizer or two will usually fill me up. All rolls are topped with sesame seeds, masago, green onion, mayo and their house sauce which also adds to the impressive plating presentation.
The Q.E. Roll at Toyotomi
During my recent trip I tried out the Q.E. Park Roll ($7.56) which contains prawn tempura, cucumber, avocado with tuna tempura on top. The rice was sticky enough to hold the roll together and it is tightly rolled so it’s contents don’t fall out. Overall I’m not a big fan of tempura as the batter sometimes overwhelms me but Toyotomi’s does it right and it makes for an impressive roll.
I know it might sound a bit foolish and closed minded but I like to judge a sushi place by their Unagi Nigiri. I’ve found the lower quality places will have more bones in the Unagi and the piece will be dried out. Toyotomi’s Grilled Unagi Nigiri ($2.26) is perfectly done and their sauce is quite tasty. My only disappointment so far is their Pumpkin Tempura. I was hoping for more flavor so it didn’t hit the spot.
Service is fairly quick, empty dishes disappear within minutes, the wait staff ensure that your tea is topped up at all times and are very friendly.
So if the Sushi craving hits and you’re in the Burnaby Heights area I can highly suggest going to Toyotomi Japanese Restaurant. With their extensive menu you’re bound to find anything you’re tummy is growling for.
The Good:
High quality food
Unique rolls
Wide variety of menu items. (Octopus Sashimi anyone?)
The Bad:
Pumpkin tempura was disappointing
Some rolls can get expensive.
Toyotomi Japanese Restaurant
4121 Hastings Street Burnaby BC
Telephone: 604-676-1506
