Toronto Sushi!

Sushi Bong
5 Northtown Way

OK, there’s a nice long back story on this one. This past summer I realized that if I had bought an expensive DSLR, I should learn how to use it. Sitting there going “Whats this mean?” just doesn’t cut it for someone whose background is IT. So I signed up for a course at http://gtaphotographyclasses.com/. On the first day of the course, the instructor, Ana Belic, asked what everyone was taking the class for. I somewhat sheepishly said “I take pictures of sushi.” Well everyone had a place I just had to check out. So since last August, I’ve had her suggestion, Sushi Bong, in my to-do list. Finally, it has been done.

The address is a little misleading as it won’t really show up on google maps. It’s in a little mall slightly off of yonge, tucked between 4 condo buildings. It’s actually a really neat little area with a couple dozen shops and restaurants. I noted quite a number of sushi places that must be checked out at a future date. One thing that Ana didn’t mention was that there basically wasn’t any seating. I showed up with a couple of friends and there was room for individuals to sit and eat, or most likely wait for their order, but not for all of us to sit down. Bad photography instructor! Just for that I’m not going to use proper rules of composition on my photos!

They were, however, cool with me taking pictures of the sushi being prepared. While I was waiting, I was standing with an awesome (and mesmerizing) view, so why not take pictures of blurry hands making sushi at light speed? To sit there and watch it done with a perfect view really shows just how much skill is involved. Especially when it’s made so well so quickly.

Apparently, Sushi Bong is famous for their Spider Rolls, these being of enormous size. So the order was made of a Spider Roll, Dynamite Roll, Salmon Skin Roll, Pickled Radish Roll, Cucumber Roll, Gyoza, and Edmame. All, naturally, to go. Like a fool I forgot to write down what each item cost individually, but all of that food was $36. When we got home and saw the portions given, the unanimous consensus was that this place was an immense bargain. I had my hands full getting photos of it all.

When it was said that the rolls are enormous, there was no exaggeration. Heck, I even took pictures of the individual pieces with a tape measure underneath so that  you could see just how massive they were. Surprisingly, they also held together perfectly, and there was no “pick it up and it falls apart” nonsense. It was also really quite good as well. The only criticism that was leveled was by both myself and my friend Marissa. Each of our rolls contained sweet egg, and there was just too much in there. Sometimes less is more, and while you can stuff a roll with as much cucumber as you like, too much of some items, like egg, tend to take over the taste and texture of the roll. Still, they were very good and inhaled rapidly.

Morgan made me take a picture of the Gyoza, because it was different, as it was rolled in tempura before being fried. Gave it a little bit of a kick and was quite good! At the end of the meal it was discovered that about a third was left over. We really over ordered, and from 3 people who are regular sushi consumers, this is evidence that you get a lot of food for your money. So as far as value is concerned, 3 thumbs up. The speed was also very impressive. The two chefs were sushi making machines. Just banging out these perfect rolls one after another.

All in all, we’d all go back again, but next time order less and share more. Usually if you put your hand near my sushi you’ll lose a finger, but with Sushi Bong, I’m confidant that there will be plenty to go around.