I had a client lunch meeting in uptown New Westminster today and we agreed to meet at Okonomi Sushi on 6th Street. I am glad we did.
For those who know New West, Okonomi Sushi is in the place that housed The Orange Room. It is a great room, comfortable with a classy but not pretentious feeling. As soon as you enter the restaurant the guys rolling the sushi all holler out a greeting making you feel welcome if not a little a self conscience.
As soon as you order your lunch the server brings over the cutest little bowl of edamame. It is a nice little touch to begin the meal.
I ordered the sushi combo C which has a BC Roll, two pieces each of salmon and tuna nigiri sushi.
The BC Roll, while on the massive side, is done in the traditional style with barbecued salmon skin (unlike the Asa Sushi BC Roll). The BC Roll was a flavour delight. The smokiness of the barbecued salmon skin stood out just enough to please the palate. I do admit, the Okonomi Sushi chefs could use a little more restraint when it comes to adding sauce to their rolls. The sauces are nice but they can overpower the more subtle flavours one expects to get in their sushi rolls.
The nigiri sushi at Okonomi, the salmon, more so than the tuna, is cut large. Not so large that you would struggle with it, just a nice large size. (Okonomi Sushi is definitely NOT your traditional sushi cut!)
One unique thing about Okonomi Sushi is that they use a pink rice. I asked why it is pink and … I can’t remember what they told me! I think it had something to do with cooking the rice with beet water or something in order to increase the nutritional value of the food.
Anyway, my lunch companion, not being too adventurous, had a combo that came with salmon and tuna rolls and a California Roll.
Both the salmon and the tuna rolls were good. Not great, just solidly good. (I do have to admit that I am not a fan of these boring little rolls).
As usual, the California Roll was stuffed with imitation crab meat. I would have preferred a little less fake crab and more avocado. Also the requisite deep fried prawn in the California Roll was non-existent in the flavour flow. Honestly, California Rolls are pretty typically blah-blah-boring and this one was just a regular California Roll.
Although many of the recent Urbanspoon reviews/comments are quite negative about Okonomi Sushi, I disagree with the sentiment many of them present. The food has good flavour, it was very fresh and well presented but smiling and professional servers. The restaurant, including the washroom is very clean and well maintained.
When I am in uptown New West and wanting a sit-down sushi fix, I will definitely be returning to Okonomi Sushi.
