Soyokafe Sushi and Ramen — Restaurant in Stockholm

Update April 2023: The Unadon was better this time, partly because now they served the cucumber and avocado on the side instead, so it was not like a Poké bowl. The Tayoyaki was good as ever. The wagyu beef sushi and soft shell crab sushi rolls were also very delightful. However the Otoro this time was not to my satisfaction. Comparing with all the Otoro I had in the past, this one was lack of fat in the meat and the color was a much darker red. When I asked the waiter if it was Chutoro, he insisted that it was Otoro.

First visit January 2023: Finally a Japanese place with varieties in dishes, if you want good sushi, good don, and good small bites all at the same time, this is the place. The Unadon (Japanese eel with rice) was a great surprise. I’ve tried other places for Unadon in Stockholm but every time was a disappointment. Soyokafe’s eel was super tender and juicy, it almost melted in my mouth, yet the textures of the skin and eel meat was still clear to be tasted. The Takoyaki (octopus balls) offered me different layers of textures, from the tuna flakes to the crispy surface, and from the creamy batter to the chewy octopus wrapped inside. Also it is so nice that I could order sushi by 2 pieces, the otoro and scallops that I had were both fresh and flavorful. I know there are other places in Stockholm that you can order sushi in 1 or 2 pieces as well, but with the combo of other dishes especially the Unadon, this place is such a delight. They also have a...

We tried the taste menu, resulting in an uneven experience.

The sashimi's great. Fresh, juicy slices. I especially liked the hamachi.

The second set of dishes were three bowls of fish tartar essentially. The hamachi is quite good, the char too fishy, and the roe was really tasty. Overall, uneven.

The third was a piece of grilled hamachi with rice. It is, however, a piece that mostly consists of bones and fins. Sharp and nasty bones! The sides are redundant: dices of cucumber, kimchi, and some greens. I appreciate the desire not to waste food, but serving this piece of fish to guests is surprising. It really feels like scraps. Why not use it for broth instead..?

Fourth, the nigiri sushi, is good, especially the eel, which is delicious.

The dessert, mochi ice cream, was underwhelming.

Overall, the cost-to-taste ratio tips over into the expensive as several dishes never quite take off, taste-wise. Also the grilled hamachi really needs to be discarded from the menu -...

So after experiencing the fantastic tasting menu at Soyokaze, we had some high expectations when we went to the sister restaurant Soyokafe for some sushi. Of course you can't compare a meal for €130 with €20 for 13 pieces of nigiri and makis. But since it is same owner, I'd expect that the treatment of the rice would at least be of high standard. The fish served maintained high quality and the rice is seasoned more or less correctly, but the rice was cold! It was like any ordinary sushi places in Stockholm. People tend to focus on the flavour of the fish, but in fact the rice is the most important ingredient and it must be served at body temperature. It was disappointing and I think chef Bagr needs to reeducate his colleagues at Soyokafe and try to at least maintain the basics of sushi. If he succeeds, it will be the next best sushi you can have, after Soyokaze of course, in Stockholm for a fraction of what it costs at Soyokaze. I'd...