Toshi Sushi Restaurant Review

by Susan
(San Diego, CA, U.S.A.)

We call Toshi Sushi by a private nickname, "quiet sushi," to differentiate from "noisy sushi" (aka nearby Tokyo Sushi, a few blocks farther east on El Cajon Blvd). We're fond of both local haunts, but Toshi Sushi has emerged as a clear favorite in our household.

Unlike its hiphop-playing competitor, Toshi Sushi's calm dining room invites conversation and relaxation over a one of their many cold or hot sakes, or beers.

They also keep a big pot of soothing genmai-cha going (tea with roasted rice). Every time we go, our sushi comes with complimentary edamame included on the first plate.

Atmosphere aside, the biggest reason for our favoritism is the excellent hamachi served here. While "noisy sushi" does have excellent fish, our favorite fish at Toshi is plumper, richer, and melts in your mouth with a sweetness that puts you right in the ocean.

Toshi offers sashimi, nigiri, and many varied maki rolls. Being a hamachi fan, I often order the 5-piece hamachi sashimi for $8. “Like buttuh.” My usual dinner companion loves their amaebi nigiri, served with the fried shrimp heads. (He eats everything but the eyeballs -- I stick to the actual shrimp.)

The rolls range from the more traditional, such as rainbow, spider, and keppa maki rolls, to many more of their own invention. A favorite with us is the "Baja Machi" roll for $13, a maki roll that contains hamachi on the inside, then drapes beautiful plump pieces of hamachi on the outside. After the roll is sliced, each piece is topped with a single cilantro leaf and a tiny dot of chili paste. Plated in a great swirl on an oblong plate, it looks like a beautiful lei.

They also serve many “crunchy” rolls, as well as specials with in-season local ingredients, such as mangoes. We try something newevery time we go and have always been delighted.

Occasionally we enjoy sitting at the bar, where the chefs are friendly, but not intrusive. In fact, we happened into a celebration one evening, when many sake toasts were flowing among all the patrons at the bar, and we all felt like friends by the time we left. However, we do tend to sit at the tables, just because the lighting is more subdued and it is quieter. Generally the servers (all young women on our visits) are sweet and service is prompt, although every so often, we do have to wait quite a while to be served. Just in case, I would not go there in a hurry.

Toshi Sushi
5943 El Cajon Blvd (west of College Ave, btw 60th & Esther)
San Diego, CA 92115
(619) 287-3536
Accepts Visa, MC, AmEx.