Tomodachi Sushi — Restaurant in Austin

This is a much needed update of Tomo! It's been quite some time since I have been able to enjoy their delicious sushi and other Japanese specialty food items. When I was working, it was within walking distance of my office, almost too close as it was always tempting to head in for lunch or more frequently to head in when I was leaving the office in the evening. Their food has always been exceptional. Quality and freshness is particularly important when the main course is sushi or sashimi.

Tonight, I took a much needed break from cooking and we ordered takeout. Steve, Master Sushi Chef and owner, VALUES his customers and his team and is taking a slow, well planned approach to re-opening the dining room. He has a very loyal customer base and has been able to offer delivery and take out ever since the Austin closure orders were mandated.

I ordered Spicy Edamame along with a Cherry Blossom for myself and 3 American California Sushi Rolls for the hubster. I love the way they cook the edamame. Steaming it, then sautéing it in a little bit of oil and spicy chili sauce. The edamame pods are then given just the right amount of soy sauce and delivered into the plate -or in this case the takeout container. It has a nice heat and is a great way to start your meal. The cherry blossom consists of soft shell crab, with a wrap top to bottom, made from a perfectly ripe avacado. It covers the baseball sized crab mixture perfectly.(Be sure to take a look at the pictures of the Cherry Blossom in the photo gallery!) How they slice that avocado so beautifully and have it placed so evenly is beyond my comprehension. It's truly a work of art! It's drizzled with Unagi sauce. All the sushi chefs are formidable but Chad makes the best Cherry Blossom! The Cali Rolls were given praise by my uber fussy dining partner. Although a much simpler roll than many of their Specialty Rolls they are done with high quality ingredients producing much umami! The rolls are served with soy sauce on the side along with fresh ginger and wasabi. (Personally, I love fresh wasabi and the have it available here for just a slight up charge.)

So - support your local, small business owners and their longtime team by ordering delivery or take out. You can be sure your food from start to finish was handled and packed properly and you’re sure...

Stepping in, it's a surprise. It's very beautiful inside. You don't expect to see something like this place in a strip mall, next to an optometrist... It's so refreshing. I eat A LOT of sushi, but I still had a bit of a tough time reading the menu because they use lots of symbols and nicknames. So, don't feel out of place if you can't read the menu, or you're worried you won't like something because the wording is all crazy. Also, the main sushi chef kept yelling across the restaurant at different waitresses, and he seemed so stressed out, evem though there was only 5 tables occupied.. It was a bit strange, especially since there were maybe 4 sushi chefs, 3 waitresses, and he was the only one spazzing like that... The prices are high, I mean I paid $30 for 2 rolls and a miso soup... That's something I didn't even pay in downtown LA... Very overpriced for a place where the fish is shipped. I lived on the Bay in California for 2 years, and the fish was VERY fresh, and I was born and raised on the Chesapeake where they would catch fish and crabs, and bring them into the restaurant still alive... I don't even pay that much in those placrs. That was crazy, because you're not getting any extra, the generic 8 pieces. I was even disappointed by my shrimp tempura roll (they called it Crunch) because it was $11 (average is between $6-$8) and it was SOO small, so disappointed in that one. Don't get me wrong, the taste was good, just nothing I would ever pay for again... The highlight of my visit was the Volcano roll, a scallop/salmon roll. I normally don't eat fish, and after a few bites I stopped eating the salmon. HOWEVER, the rest of the roll was delicious. No other way to put it, so DELICIOUS. I said "mmm" almost every bite. The presentation was amazing, and just saved the visit really. I would recommend for a classy date, not a place to take children though, just way too expensive and not many choices for them. "Ex-girlfriend" "say my name" "call me daddy" ... Strange names for sushi rolls, I mean I get they're trying to be hip, but a Shrimp Tempura is a Shrimp Tempura, don't make it difficult. It'd be different if they called it Tempura Shrimpy or something where I could still KIND OF tell what I'm...

I went to Tomodachi for the first time this past weekend with a couple of friends & OMGSH, this place is my new favorite sushi restaurant!!! I'm really not too particular about most things, but when it comes to sushi, I'm definitely a sushi snob. I've been to more sushi places than you can shake a stick at & I can honestly say that Tomodachi has the best sushi that I've ever had in my entire life! All of their rolls have tongue-in-cheek names (i.e. Ex Girlfriend) & they tasted absolutely incredible. The fish was super fresh, the presentation was sharp, & all of the flavors complemented each other beautifully for one delightful bite.

Agedashi tofu is one of my favorite appetizers & it's always my default order when I'm trying out a new sushi restaurant. I've tasted the good, the bad, & the ugly when ordering this dish at other restaurants. Tomodachi did not disappoint & I was amazed by how perfect their Agedashi tofu was. Definitely the best I've ever had. There was a generous serving of mushrooms in their miso soup and I appreciated how they included several different types of mushrooms. This was not a garden variety miso soup.

Our super sweet server, Danielle, made our already amazing dining experience even more wonderful. She had the most gorgeous smile & such a bright personality. Danielle was very attentive and not once did I have to call her over for anything. It was clear that she loves working at Tomodachi not only because of her happy demeanor, but because of how well she knew the menu and how excited she got when she was giving recommendations on what rolls we should order. In addition to the great food and service, the atmosphere of this restaurant was lovely.

My dining experience at Tomodachi was flawless! I have been telling all of my friends & family about this place...we'll definitely be...