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I'm gonna cry. Boston finally has edible sushi 😭

🍣 XOXO Sushi Bar: Chestnut Hill’s Modern Japanese Spot—A Rare Win for Boston Sushi Let’s be real: My standards for Boston Japanese food are rock-bottom. After too many disappointing meals, I’m not chasing “the best”—just “edible.” So when XOXO Sushi surprised me (thanks to an Amex credit that saved me from wasting money), it felt like a small victory. Modern, fresh, and far from perfect—but finally, a solid option. 🌟 The Hits Sashimi: 🐟 The standout. Ora King salmon and chutoro (medium-fat tuna) are exceptional—melty, buttery, and completely free of tough sinew. Fish quality here is top-tier, which says a lot for Boston. Sawara (Aged Spanish Mackerel): 🐠 A revelation. Dry-aged in their large aging case, the fish develops a rich, nutty depth—far more complex than fresh mackerel. Their signature touch? A light brush of house soy sauce that enhances, not overpowers, the fish. Genius. Miso Scallop Handroll: 🐚 Sweet, seared scallops + creamy avocado + tangy miso—all wrapped in crisp nori. It’s bright, balanced, and satisfyingly rich without being heavy. A personal favorite. Grilled Yellowtail Collar (Hamachi Kama): 🐟 Massive portion, with tender, fatty meat. The char adds smoky flavor, though the sauce is underwhelming (a touch too sweet). Still, worth ordering for the meat alone. 😐 The “Mehs” Unagi Crispy Rice: 🍚 First bite: great (eel + crunchy rice = classic). But it gets cloying fast—too rich, and the foie gras feels unnecessary (grease overload). Aji (Horse Mackerel): 🐟 Touted in other reviews, but I found it mild to the point of blandness. Not bad, just forgettable. Uni (Sea Urchin): 🍦 Decent flavor (sweet, briny), but $28 for a small portion? Overpriced, even for Boston. ❌ The Miss Ishigakidai (Snapper): 🐠 Rubbery texture, with a faint “fishy” aftertaste. Avoid. ✨ Why It Works Modern Edge: Chef Kegan (a young non-Japanese chef) leans into quality fish over tradition, and it pays off. No stuffy “old master” vibes—just good, approachable sushi. Consistency: Hits far outnumber misses, which is rare for Boston Japanese spots. Budget Score: 3.5/5. ~$100+ per person (we over-ordered—two people could eat well for under $100). Pricey, but justified for the fish quality. XOXO isn’t a “destination” spot, but it’s the first Boston Japanese restaurant that didn’t let me down. For a sushi craving or a casual date? It works. 📍 XOXO Sushi Bar 1154 Boylston St, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 #BostonSushi #JapaneseFood #ChestnutHillEats

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Margaret Cooper
Margaret Cooper
5 months ago
Margaret Cooper
Margaret Cooper
5 months ago
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I'm gonna cry. Boston finally has edible sushi 😭

🍣 XOXO Sushi Bar: Chestnut Hill’s Modern Japanese Spot—A Rare Win for Boston Sushi Let’s be real: My standards for Boston Japanese food are rock-bottom. After too many disappointing meals, I’m not chasing “the best”—just “edible.” So when XOXO Sushi surprised me (thanks to an Amex credit that saved me from wasting money), it felt like a small victory. Modern, fresh, and far from perfect—but finally, a solid option. 🌟 The Hits Sashimi: 🐟 The standout. Ora King salmon and chutoro (medium-fat tuna) are exceptional—melty, buttery, and completely free of tough sinew. Fish quality here is top-tier, which says a lot for Boston. Sawara (Aged Spanish Mackerel): 🐠 A revelation. Dry-aged in their large aging case, the fish develops a rich, nutty depth—far more complex than fresh mackerel. Their signature touch? A light brush of house soy sauce that enhances, not overpowers, the fish. Genius. Miso Scallop Handroll: 🐚 Sweet, seared scallops + creamy avocado + tangy miso—all wrapped in crisp nori. It’s bright, balanced, and satisfyingly rich without being heavy. A personal favorite. Grilled Yellowtail Collar (Hamachi Kama): 🐟 Massive portion, with tender, fatty meat. The char adds smoky flavor, though the sauce is underwhelming (a touch too sweet). Still, worth ordering for the meat alone. 😐 The “Mehs” Unagi Crispy Rice: 🍚 First bite: great (eel + crunchy rice = classic). But it gets cloying fast—too rich, and the foie gras feels unnecessary (grease overload). Aji (Horse Mackerel): 🐟 Touted in other reviews, but I found it mild to the point of blandness. Not bad, just forgettable. Uni (Sea Urchin): 🍦 Decent flavor (sweet, briny), but $28 for a small portion? Overpriced, even for Boston. ❌ The Miss Ishigakidai (Snapper): 🐠 Rubbery texture, with a faint “fishy” aftertaste. Avoid. ✨ Why It Works Modern Edge: Chef Kegan (a young non-Japanese chef) leans into quality fish over tradition, and it pays off. No stuffy “old master” vibes—just good, approachable sushi. Consistency: Hits far outnumber misses, which is rare for Boston Japanese spots. Budget Score: 3.5/5. ~$100+ per person (we over-ordered—two people could eat well for under $100). Pricey, but justified for the fish quality. XOXO isn’t a “destination” spot, but it’s the first Boston Japanese restaurant that didn’t let me down. For a sushi craving or a casual date? It works. 📍 XOXO Sushi Bar 1154 Boylston St, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 #BostonSushi #JapaneseFood #ChestnutHillEats

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