Time of visit: Dinner, Saturday
Cost: $10ish
Location: 8211 Ackroyd Rd Richmond, BC V6X3J9
Website: www.tokyojoesushifactory.com/renewal/main.html
Dorothy’s POV
Situated between Richmond Centre and Lansdowne, Tokyo Joe isn’t really a place I’d normally stop by. It is a small little sushi restaurant right across from the Price Smart Foods, not a place you’d go to for fancy sushi. However, it is certainly a place where you can get cheap food for a relatively cheap price (if you pick the right things to order though).
For my first visit, I went for dinner. We were relatively early for a dinner run so the restaurant was empty when we first sat down. We sat at a two person table which I did not really enjoy my time at. The table was too small for what it was holding – napkin dispenser, soy sauce, chopstick holder. By the time our food arrived, there was barely enough room for us to put our dish of soy sauce. Here is a close visual representation:
The food was quite a surprise though. I ordered the avocado & salmon roll and mango California roll. I really enjoyed both of them HOWEVER I believe the California roll could have been better. It was quite obvious that they used frozen mango because it was soggyish and made the roll soggy too. Tip: Don’t order the mango California roll unless it’s summer (I’m not sure if they use fresh mangoes in the summer tho). In terms of sushi, avocado and salmon are my two favorite ingredients so the avocado & salmon roll is perfect for me. The roll consisted of very generous portions of salmon and some avocado wrapped in seaweed and rice.
Another point that draws me in: Tokyo Joe’s Sushi Factory (NOT the one in the same mall as price smart, only the one across from it) offers all you can drink miso soup. On a cold day (which our visit sort of was), this is a great addition. All in all, I managed to spend exactly $10 including tips and tax for my meal.
Now for my second visit.
I brought my friends here for a late lunch and the place was packed. We ended up being seated on the side bar(?) tables. It was an awkward place to sit because my jacket (which I always put behind my chair) would hit the person sitting behind me, on a lower table. It was also a difficult place to get in and out of, especially when I’m holding two hot bowls of miso soup. However, we managed to get through our meal without severely burning/hurting anyone.
I ordered the avocado & salmon roll again but I had the Alaska roll instead of the mango roll. Unfortunately, the mango roll is not something I’d have again here. This time, there was a bigger amount of avocado than salmon – which isn’t bad per se for the price I’m paying. As for the Alaska roll: I’d have to say this is one of the best Alaska rolls I’ve had (which isn’t hard because it’s basically smoked salmon on a California roll). It is absolutely something I will order again for my next visit.
For this meal, I believe I spent around $12 including tax and tips – slightly more expensive than I expected for a lunch.
Overall, this is a great restaurant to visit if you’re looking for something inexpensive with a relatively good quality. 10/10 will visit again.
Alaska and avocado & salmon roll
Mango California Roll and Salmon Avocado Roll
Closeup of mango California roll
Closeup of salmon & avocado roll
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