Sushi Yugen — Restaurant in Toronto

• true review, not from a food blogger getting a free meal *

Please note: We've learned that kids are not welcome here.

I came here with a friend who had gotten us seats at a Chef's Table on soft opening. We came with kids and each paid full price for their omakase, in addition to our own.

The meal was definitely above average, the appetizers were very thoughtfully created, very well execution in a detailed way. The sushi is what you expect at a higher end place, with the rice particularly nice (the fish was good but not wow). We chose the chef's table because their regular lunch counter and dinner counter is the same chefs as another restaurant in Markham, which charges half the price. We were more excited to try cooking from the star chef from Japan, who only serves the chefs table. Overall the food was good — just a bit sparse and heavily marked up.

Service was understaffed. You know it's understaffed when between getting water and drink refills and other guests, when the chef places a dish on the countertop before you, you need to wait up to 2 minutes before the server behind you sets it in front of you. A few times I thought, no biggie, I can just get it, the counter is just one step above the table infront of me. The server then stopped me and told me "I will serve it for you". This isn't the most thoughtful setup for a private room chef's counter, but it's ok.

Drinks are overpriced and uninteresting. I was given a standard Japanese teabag for $10. The kids were each charged $10 for juice that the restaurant owner offered us (we were under the impression that it was on the house). I was offered water, which I assumed was free but turned down because I didn’t want clutter. My friend asked for water in addition to tea, and was charged an additional $10 per person (not per bottle). The price of drinks would be less of an issue if there had been higher quality teas and house virgin drinks, rather than supermarket tea and juice.

Classless after-service Anyway, I thought the experience was great and although quite overpriced, I didn't mind paying for a better experience. My friend expected better value, and had left an honest 3 star review. That is not a bad review, until the owner reached out and contacted her about it in a passive aggressive way.

A conversation unfolded and my friend left a second review on a different platform, this time a 1 star. The owner reached out again. Nothing offered, just a passive aggressive message. (so why reach out?). This was unacceptable and highly unprofessional to me. For a 3 star review, I would suggest businesses to take a chill pill.

You can see the extent of the business’s attitude based on their condescending responses to other negative reviews.

Kids = wasted seats? The offensive part was, the owner sent my friend a screenshot of a mobile message from the server in the restaurant to the owner, saying "we wasted seats on kids too...". This is beyond my comprehension as a customer. We did pay full price for the kids. I suppose the restaurant's expectation was to make more margin on overpriced drinks. I'm sorry I didn't order alcohol either, as an adult, or left more tip beyond the 20% already included in the bill.

Anyways, I have not bothered to leave a review because I genuinely thought it was a good but forgettable experience. The classlessness of this restaurant makes me want to share this experience, because I hope that restaurants in Toronto will upgrade their standard when dealing with customers.

Annnd...just to prove we did dine there (since the owner is trying to say that people other than "Local Guides" with a bad review did not actually dine there, let me share a photo and leave my name. The best sized dish was this noodle in a rich broth. It was delicious.

Unfortunately everyone...

Heads up, this will be the longest review I've ever written.

TLDR: Sushi Yugen is Toronto's best Omakase. Sushi is my favourite food. I eat a lot of Omakase. Cost:Quality ratio is amazing. I almost DIED 2 weeks ago. Read for more!

Level Setting:

1. I've gone to all the Omakases in Toronto.

2. Sushi is my favourite food.

3. I lived in Japan and ate sushi every week.

4. I almost died this month in a car crash and this was one of the things that felt like unfinished business. I survived to write you this essay. (time slowed down and I had a lot of time to think)

5. TASTE AND EVOLUTION I have had the pleasure of eating at Sushi Yugen from basically Day 1. I went to one of their first seatings and one of their first chef's table's. I also was at their first event, where they flew in a chef from Japan. In my experience, most sushi restaurants I've been to get worse over time. This could be because of a number of reasons from cost cutting to change in management. Sushi Yugen has only gotten better. I've easily been to Sushi Yugen more than 10 times and I've gotten to know the staff. I know for a fact that the owner/management puts their entire heart and soul into the restaurant. So, I think it'll only get better. I can confidently say that Sushi Yugen can go toe to toe with any restaurant in Toronto.

6. COSTS When it comes to "bang for your buck" Sushi Yugen really shines. I absolutely hate it when I go to some restaurants and end up with a $500+ bill (for two), for slightly above average food. The Yugen price may seem high to some, but considering how much any restaurant costs in Toronto, it is a very reasonable tasting menu. On top of that, I see Omakases as a performance. It's prepared beautifully in front of you, in a wonderful venue, and it's meticulously curated. For those who want a more elevated experience, try the Chef's Counter.

7. EXPERIENCE I prefer the peaceful aesthetic of Sushi Yugen to other restaurants. It reminds me of a lot of the restaurants I went to in Japan. They have held several events as well and they're really close with the food community in Toronto, so I expect more in the future. The staff is very attentive and professional. It's a good spot for dates and business chats.

If it isn't obvious yet, Sushi Yugen is my favourite spot in Toronto. It is my "go to" place now when my friends visit from out of town or if I have a milestone in life. It's my "Cheers" for the older generation.

And.. That's why this final point

4. NEAR DEATH STORY Two weeks ago my car went through a tree, flipped, and tumbled. While I was spinning, time slowed down a lot, and I was thinking of my mountain of unfinished business. The PLAN was to write this review months ago. The PLAN was also to have my last meal here before my neck surgery. Yup, that's right. Three days after the car crash I had neck surgery. I'm dodging death like Final Destination. I'm currently recovering and working on some of those regrets. So, if you're still around reading this, please go check out this restaurant as my “almost” dying wish lol. There was so much love poured into this place and it shows. I hope to see you there. Say hi. I’ll buy you a drink.

Final Notes: I like going early and waiting in their seating area outside the entrance. Don't go to the door facing the street. Go into the actual building where MedCan is. Try the "Momo" (peach) drink if you like sweet and light drinks. The regular omakase is a shorter experience, so don't expect to sit down for hours; if you want a slower paced, more private, and fancier experience I recommend the Chef's Counter. If you want to extend your night with drinks I recommend walking across the hall to alobar. They have a good espresso...

Stepping into Sushi Yugen is like boarding a flight to Japan, only to realize you've already arrived. From the moment you enter, the carefully curated ambiance whisks you away from the bustling Toronto streets to a serene Japanese haven. The transition is so seamless that I found myself repeatedly forgetting I was still in Canada.

The Head Chef Kaiseiki Omakase at the intimate 8-seat counter is a transcendent experience that engages all your senses. Chef Kyohei Igarashi's 18+ course menu is a masterclass in flavor composition and artistic presentation. Each dish arrives on carefully selected dinnerware that could easily be museum pieces, enhancing the visual appeal and cultural immersion.

The progression of dishes is extraordinary - the shiromi truffle and braised rockfish dishes early in the meal set a spectacular tone for what was to come. These were followed by even more remarkable offerings, including luxuriously creamy uni with its sweet, delicate flavor and the melt-in-your-mouth otoro that defied description. The sake pairing program perfectly complements the culinary journey, introducing diners to exceptional varieties that enhance each course.

Service, led by the graceful Kamen and her team, is nothing short of perfection. Dressed in elegant kimonos, they move with such quiet efficiency that you hardly notice their presence, yet every need is anticipated and met. Their depth of knowledge about each dish and sake is impressive, adding layers to the experience.

Sushi Yugen isn't just a meal; it's an immersive journey into Japanese gastronomy and culture. The attention to detail in every aspect - from the zen-like decor to the precision of each knife cut - creates an experience so authentic that returning to Toronto streets afterwards feels like stepping off a long-haul flight. With such exceptional quality in every aspect of the dining experience, it would be shocking if Sushi Yugen doesn't receive its first Michelin star in the very near future.

This hidden gem is undoubtedly the closest you can get to Japan without leaving Toronto. For those seeking an extraordinary dining adventure that transcends geographical boundaries, Sushi Yugen is an...