I was in New Westminster last week for First Aid training and during our lunchbreak, someone suggested Japanese food. Apparently, there were a few "good" Japanese restaurants in the area, but the nearest one was Ki Sushi. I was skeptical when someone said "good"
"Lucky Choice for Lunch" had me wondering is this place run by Chinese or Korean. My visit to the washroom didn't turn out any answers - it was filthy so it still could have been either.
Upon entering, the "irashai imase" was a little less than enthusiastic, but not completely mispronounced. The servers were not particularly friendly, but at the same time, not outright rude or anything. They just seemed tired and very overworked. I think it was probably due to understaffing.
Ki Sushi, not a single Japanese character to be found, not in the name of the restaurant, nor the menu.
All my questions are answered. On the same chopstick packet is written the name of two restaurants. Too cheap to print the names on seperate packages, the owners clearly thought they could kill two birds with one stone and print both restaurant names on the same packet.
And they did the same for the napkins.
Writing the number of the table on the sliding doors??? Okay, I think we've proven that without a doubt this place is not run by Japanese.
As usual, I ordered the chirashi don (my personal guage to see if the restaurant is any good). It came with a bowl of miso soup, which had a bit of negi, small cubes of tofu, and way too much miso. It was incredibly salty, but since I was hungry, I finished it. I was screaming for water after though.
My chirashi don had the usually assortment of seafood - tuna (x3), salmon (x3), tamago (x2), tako (x2), ebi (x1), hamachi (x2), hokkigai (x1), tai (x2). The cuts were a good size, and it was reasonably fresh. The hamachi was a nice touch, but it would have been nice to see some saba or ikura instead of the extra salmon and tuna (usually only x2 instead of x3). Presentation was pretty. and the shiso was very fresh, but the wasabi was an afterthought.
The sushi rice tasted a bit funny though. I think the chef used a bit too much sushi vinegar. It was a bit overwhelming and took away from the seafood. Well, for less than $10, it's hard to complain, but in the end, I think I'd rather pay a few extra $$ and eat at Aoki Sushi or Oyasato.
Is Ki Sushi a winner? I'd say no, and I don't think I'd go back. When dealing with raw seafood, the restaurant should be clean inside and out. The washrooms here did not inspire that feeling in me, and I felt my soul being soiled the minute I walked in. Ki Sushi is kimochiwarui.
