Photo by Lauren Kelly
Why Togo Sushi is worth your money
By Lauren Kelly, Graphics Manager
On the lookout for relatively cheap but good sushi? There are so many options for us in Greater Vancouver that it can be tough to know what’s actually good and what will just drain your wallet. To help with that, I’d like to recommend a chain that hasn’t let me down.
Togo Sushi restaurants can be found scattered across the Lower Mainland, from Burnaby Mountain to Tsawwassen Mills. Most of these are located in malls, and I’ll be honest—mall sushi can make me a bit wary. Sushi’s not cheap, so if I’m going to pay for it, I’d rather go somewhere with higher quality food. However, for me Togo Sushi is an exception. Their sushi isn’t much cheaper than the average restaurant, but it is fairly affordable, and the kicker is that the food is actually good.
Luckily, Douglas students at both campuses have easily access to Togo Sushi restaurants. There is one inside Coquitlam Centre by the Tim Hortons, and a standalone restaurant at New Westminster Station on street level. Of all the chain’s locations, these are also the two I have eaten at the most.
Each Togo location has slightly different menu options and prices, which means a favourite roll could be something you need to travel for.
The New Westminster location has my favourites, the newly added Green Dynamite Roll and Jalapeno Bomb. These options aren’t shown on the menus above the counter, but you can find them on the full takeout menu. The former is covered in a delicious, creamy helping of avocado, and the latter is a deep-fried monstrosity with jalapeños, salmon, and cream cheese inside. My next favourite would have to be the Burning Cheese roll, which I’ve only found so far at the Guildford location—another deep-fried cream cheese roll that is absolutely delicious.
The Coquitlam Centre location has some great Togo staples like their Crunch Roll—a California roll with tempura bits and spicy mayo on top—and an Alaska Roll, which features very flavourful smoked salmon. This branch acquired a deep fryer within the last year as well, so they can now offer deep-fried rolls as well as appetizers like takoyaki.
All right, so is there anything for people who don’t like sushi rolls? Luckily, yes. Their fresh fish is very nice, as is their meat for teriyaki. In fact, they have the best chicken bento box I’ve seen, and they also they offer unagi and salmon. I honestly haven’t eaten something I’ve disliked at any of their locations, and I’m fairly picky.
I would recommend anyone who enjoys Japanese food to give this place a try. The service is friendly and quick—I’ve literally been in and out in four minutes, and that’s including the time it took to place my order. So, take advantage and grab some sushi before or after class—it’s definitely worth your money.
