 ear the end of its run, Banjara Indian Cuisine at Yonge and Bloor sat half empty most nights. The restaurant was uninviting and not very well appointed - the lighting was dim, and on one visit, the room smelled of incense. But that restaurant has since closed, and when those same doors would re-open (last week), it would be to introduce to us the eponymous Sushi Train.
Conveyor-belt sushi - known as Kaiten-zushi - is wildly popular in Japan, London, Paris, Amsterdam and even New York. And, while took its time getting here, Sushi Train brings a taste of the almighty sushi-go-round to T.O.
Sushi Train's mission is admirable enough: as you walk in the restaurant, you're faced with a long, oval-shaped sushi bar that fills the front half of the restaurant. Now take a closer look. Look at the little plates of sushi trailing happily along the top counter. With an expensive-looking renovation, Sushi Train has the style factor in check, but that belt - complete with colour-coded plates - is the real draw.
Once seated at the sushi bar, you make your selections by picking plates off the line. Very easy: sushi is made; sushi goes on colour-coded dishes; plates go on revolving conveyor belt; sushi goes around and around until it's chosen by a hungry diner. Much like waiting for luggage at the airport, but much more fun.
Help yourself to wasabi, soy sauce and ginger from containers on the bar. It's an easy and fun lunch; you sit down at the sushi bar and simply take what looks good. Your bill is calculated by adding up the number of plates stacked. Different coloured plates clarify the price of each item taken.
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 AT A GLANCE
Sushi Train
750 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON
416-928-9423
Sushi
Yonge And Bloor
Venue:
Restaurant
Hours:
Daily 11:30am - 11:00pm
Price Range:
$ (budget)
Payment:
Master Card, Visa, American Express, Diners Club
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THE BUZZ
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IN THE AREA
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28 Reader Reviews | When I was first introduced to Sushi and Sushi Train, I just fell in love with it. It was fast, friendly service with good food at reasonable prices.
I was dishartened to learn this week that Sushi Train closed it's doors. It's a sad day in the Sushi world that this resturant is no longer operating. I prefered this place above other's for it's food.
Sushi Train will be missed.
1. Abby & Alexi's Review :: October 17, 2008 Abby & Alexi's Rating: 4 Stars |
I have been known this restaurant for couple years so far.
One thing that is not changing in this restaurant as time goes is that they are offering an awesome food everyday. Especially, their fusion style of rolls are very unique item which may not be found from other sushi place. Those rolls got full of flavor and very enjoyable. Moreover, basic japanese dishes are still tasty as well as fresh. Hope everyone would visit here to enjoy sushi and other dishes on the interesting concept of rotating dishes.
2. CHRIS's Review :: October 01, 2008 CHRIS's Rating: 4 Stars |
I have been to a few sushi restaurants, but this one made me feel "extravagant." The staff were some of the kindest people I have ever met. The food was delicious (try the sushi pizza, you won't be disappointed). As I've read other individual's reviews, I would like to say, if you don't feel the food which rotates on the sushi-train is fresh, then order it from the chef and you will get it fresh guaranteed (that's what I did). However, I do see them take food off which has been sitting on the bar for longer periods of time which tells me that the food can't be there for longer periods of time. All-in-all, I give this restaurant 4 stars because it has been a lot of fun on my first visit and I have made it one of my regular restaurants to visit whenever I'm in Toronto. Keep up the superb service!
3. Anonymous's Review :: July 17, 2008 |
I have been to a few sushi restaurants, but this one made me feel "extravagant." The staff were some of the kindest people I have ever met. The food was delicious (try the sushi pizza, you won't be disappointed). As I've read other individual's reviews, I would like to say, if you don't feel the food which rotates on the sushi-train is fresh, then order it from the chef and you will get it fresh guaranteed (that's what I did). However, I do see them take food off which has been sitting on the bar for longer periods of time which tells me that the food can't be there for longer periods of time. All-in-all, I give this restaurant 4 stars because it has been a lot of fun on my first visit and I have made it one of my regular restaurants to visit whenever I'm in Toronto. Keep up the superb service!
4. Kaleb P.'s Review :: July 17, 2008 Kaleb P.'s Rating: 4 Stars |
Wow, I guess it has gotten a lot better since 2006/07 because when I went it was the best Sushi I have ever had!! The food was super fresh and really good.
5. JJ's Review :: May 01, 2008 JJ's Rating: 4 Stars |
This was my worst experience eating sushi in 20 years. The ready-made sushi sold at the Robarts Library cafeteria at the University of Toronto is better than we were served tonight - December 3rd, 2007. The rice was like dried little nuggets - not undercooked so much as old. The sushi had no flavour - rice or fish. maki roles were falling apart. For the money, this portions were the worst I have ever received. Unfortunately, it was my birthday dinner! Won't go back there - ever!
6. Anonymous's Review :: December 04, 2007 |
This was my worst experience eating sushi in 20 years. The ready-made sushi sold at the Robarts Library cafeteria at the University of Toronto is better than we were served tonight - December 3rd, 2007. The rice was like dried little nuggets - not undercooked so much as old. The sushi had no flavour - rice or fish. maki roles were falling apart. For the money, this portions were the worst I have ever received. Unfortunately, it was my birthday dinner! Won't go back there - ever!
7. AC's Review :: December 03, 2007 AC's Rating: 1 Stars |
I enjoyed the whole experience, the sushi was FRESH, I don't what people are talking about saying it wasn't. Now i gave a '3' for atmosphere, would have given a complete '4' but there are very picky people who enter that restaurant and it really affects the whole experience you have there. You cant help but overhear these little rich kids with their folks ordering one thing, then getting it and changing their minds. The Sushi Chef or as I like to call him "The Sushi Master" was a casanova, even though my brother(whom I went with) could have been my boyfriend, he still made every girl blush after each bite sized morsel of sushi goodness!
The waitress was pleasant, especially when you are pleasant yourself. But of course, you get what you give.
I fell in love with the 'eel platter', as long as you keep to having an open mind and joyful heart, one sushi after another, the time you spend will be well worth it!
As for the money...hey...you want to enjoy yourself or save a few dollars? It's worth it, believe me! Now get out there and have some sushi at The Sushi Train!
I'll be there again later today, hope it's open on Canada Day lol!
8. Mimi's Review :: July 02, 2007 Mimi's Rating: 4 Stars |
Extremely disappointing. Yes, this place looks super cool. But, I would rather eat FRESHLY PREPARED sushi than admire a plate of aging food that has been rotating on "the train" for 20 minutes. Especially when there are only 10 people in the restaurant. Hmmmn. No wonder the prices are so expensive. You're paying for all the food that gets placed on the train that nobody eats! I was severely disappointed with the waiters as well, as one of them continually interrupted our meal so he could flirt with my girlfriend. Every time I pass this restaurant i laugh about how mediocre their sushi is. I will not be dining here again.
9. Anonymous's Review :: April 09, 2007 |
Extremely disappointing. Yes, this place looks super cool. But, I would rather eat FRESHLY PREPARED sushi than admire a plate of aging food that has been rotating on "the train" for 20 minutes. Especially when there are only 10 people in the restaurant. Hmmmn. No wonder the prices are so expensive. You're paying for all the food that gets placed on the train that nobody eats! I was severely disappointed with the waiters as well, as one of them continually interrupted our meal so he could flirt with my girlfriend. Every time I pass this restaurant i laugh about how mediocre their sushi is. I will not be dining here again.
10. Sushi Guy's Review :: April 08, 2007 Sushi Guy's Rating: 1 Stars |
I visited this restaurant yesterday after hearing my friend talk about it... Some kind of "rotating sushi" place. I envisioned a Willy Wonka-esque, Cirque du Soleil kind of place with people spinning dishes of Sushi on their fingertips... Don't ask.
While my first impression of the restaurant wasn't quite up to THAT kind of expectations, it came to me still as a shock... Fine, it's not that difficult to find a restaurant that is chic and sleek, but on Yonge St.?! A rare sighting indeed.
I was guided to a seat on what they called "the bar", which resembles typical bar seats in front of the bartender. Except you have a Sushi Chef here instead. While it didn't bother me that I was given a "sit wherever you'd like" option, it did rather baffle me as a first-timer because I had no idea what the advantages and disadvantages of sitting on-, and off-bar was. Upon inquiring, I was given a vague answer by the waitress that didn't seem to know too well what she was talking about.
The food itself was great! After being seated at the bar populated by other patrons that intently stared at the cute dishes passing by, I picked out a few Sushi items and tried them for a fit. A pleasant surprise - contrary to what I had feared, they were fresh and moist, and the texture indicated that it cannot have sat on that belt for too long. The rolls, while uninspired as another commenter mentioned, did not prove to be a total disappointment. The one I tried, while I do not know the name - they all look alike, by the way - turned out to be a crunchy delight with tinge of tuna flavour. The tempura turned out to be excellent as well. The only qualm I had with the food was an appetizer the chef wholeheartedly recommended, known as "fried salmon skin" - turned out to be this mash-up of flavours and textures that just did not seem to go with another.
Based on the overall experience, I'd say I'd visit the place again, if not for the food, but for the fun. The concept, while apparently not a novel one, is rather well-executed here, according to my companion whom I accompanied. For me, it was a new experience, and a pleasant one at that. 4 Stars for me.
11. Anonymous's Review :: April 02, 2007 |
I visited this restaurant yesterday after hearing my friend talk about it... Some kind of "rotating sushi" place. I envisioned a Willy Wonka-esque, Cirque du Soleil kind of place with people spinning dishes of Sushi on their fingertips... Don't ask.
While my first impression of the restaurant wasn't quite up to THAT kind of expectations, it came to me still as a shock... Fine, it's not that difficult to find a restaurant that is chic and sleek, but on Yonge St.?! A rare sighting indeed.
I was guided to a seat on what they called "the bar", which resembles typical bar seats in front of the bartender. Except you have a Sushi Chef here instead. While it didn't bother me that I was given a "sit wherever you'd like" option, it did rather baffle me as a first-timer because I had no idea what the advantages and disadvantages of sitting on-, and off-bar was. Upon inquiring, I was given a vague answer by the waitress that didn't seem to know too well what she was talking about.
The food itself was great! After being seated at the bar populated by other patrons that intently stared at the cute dishes passing by, I picked out a few Sushi items and tried them for a fit. A pleasant surprise - contrary to what I had feared, they were fresh and moist, and the texture indicated that it cannot have sat on that belt for too long. The rolls, while uninspired as another commenter mentioned, did not prove to be a total disappointment. The one I tried, while I do not know the name - they all look alike, by the way - turned out to be a crunchy delight with tinge of tuna flavour. The tempura turned out to be excellent as well. The only qualm I had with the food was an appetizer the chef wholeheartedly recommended, known as "fried salmon skin" - turned out to be this mash-up of flavours and textures that just did not seem to go with another.
Based on the overall experience, I'd say I'd visit the place again, if not for the food, but for the fun. The concept, while apparently not a novel one, is rather well-executed here, according to my companion whom I accompanied. For me, it was a new experience, and a pleasant one at that. 4 Stars for me.
12. William Gallagher's Review :: April 01, 2007 William Gallagher's Rating: 4 Stars |
It is my pleasure as the owner of Sushi Train to see in person what some of our clients had to say about our offerings.
I would first like to thank you for the constructive input which we have benefitted from, and derived encouragements from.
I also give thanks so that you may continue to contribute, as you have in the past, so that we may take into consideration and respect your opinions.
It is our desire to provide the best possible Kaiten-zushi experience for you, with nothing left to be desired. That is, to provide an excellent service in conjunction with the cuisine of most fresh quality.
We also strive to keep our restaurant an environment to converse freely and comfortably, and a place to be entertained and to be enjoyed. Our aim is to set a bar for quality in which the patrons may agree that it can be considered one of the best Sushi restaurant in Toronto - and we will continually try until we do.
I wish you best luck in all your endeavours, and hope to see you again soon. Your experience this time will not end in disappointment, I give my personal promise to you. Thank you.
CEO, Sushi Train
Tae Yong Lee
Head Chef
Chang Myong Kim
13. Anonymous's Review :: February 15, 2007 |
It is my pleasure as the owner of Sushi Train to see in person what some of our clients had to say about our offerings.
I would first like to thank you for the constructive input which we have benefitted from, and derived encouragements from.
I also give thanks so that you may continue to contribute, as you have in the past, so that we may take into consideration and respect your opinions.
It is our desire to provide the best possible Kaiten-zushi experience for you, with nothing left to be desired. That is, to provide an excellent service in conjunction with the cuisine of most fresh quality.
We also strive to keep our restaurant an environment to converse freely and comfortably, and a place to be entertained and to be enjoyed. Our aim is to set a bar for quality in which the patrons may agree that it can be considered one of the best Sushi restaurant in Toronto - and we will continually try until we do.
I wish you best luck in all your endeavours, and hope to see you again soon. Your experience this time will not end in disappointment, I give my personal promise to you. Thank you.
CEO, Sushi Train
Tae Yong Lee
Head Chef
Chang Myong Kim
14. Tae Yong Lee's Review :: February 14, 2007 Tae Yong Lee's Rating: 1 Stars |
i've to sushi train few times since it has opened, First time I was excited to go there and eat. however, first time i was bit disappointed cause of the new system aka conveyer belt. After I've been there few times, I got to know head chef, he was really nice guy and made me laugh while i was eating. he told me few things about the belt, like how it works and stuff. When he told me they take out the old plates from the belt and throw away and i saw waiters and waitress taking those old food back to the kitchen. Everythign was okay and fine.
In my opinion, they have opened the restaurant, for only few months and they were getting use to the system and actually they are changing the problems that were caused by unexperienced skills.
After the new year, my family went to sushi train once agian to eat some dynamite roll, rainbow roll. and philadelphia roll. Once we went in, I was surprised at the new things. They have changed things in good way. We were supposed to seat in the booth but we changed our mind cause the nigiri and maki on the train were, all different, like there were whole bunch of new makis and new sushi, that I've never seen before. My family decided to seat on the bar in front of the chef. SO I can introduce my family to him. HE told me they have changed lot of things and owner who is Mr. Lee is learning how to lead the restaurant to success. He told me lot of new things such as, they don't serve tap water, they serve filtered water, even ice is made of filtered water.
When i was eating the maki and my favourite salmon nigiri, everything looked really fresh so i asked the chef, and he said they changed the company where they get all the fish and maki stuffs. Even tho the price was expensive, mr. lee wanted to get every shushi stuff as fresh as possible. everything was new and fresh and especially, they were delicious,
I shouldn't say lot of things, lol you guys should go and try cause the whole things have changed since last year. I think I'll go to sushi tain to eat every mondays and wednesdays, I recommend to try new things from sushi train. those of you who went last year,, trust me everything changed. wow It was cooooll lol
Rating: 4
Allow this review to be placed for Sushi Train?
15. Anonymous's Review :: February 08, 2007 |
i've to sushi train few times since it has opened, First time I was excited to go there and eat. however, first time i was bit disappointed cause of the new system aka conveyer belt. After I've been there few times, I got to know head chef, he was really nice guy and made me laugh while i was eating. he told me few things about the belt, like how it works and stuff. When he told me they take out the old plates from the belt and throw away and i saw waiters and waitress taking those old food back to the kitchen. Everythign was okay and fine.
In my opinion, they have opened the restaurant, for only few months and they were getting use to the system and actually they are changing the problems that were caused by unexperienced skills.
After the new year, my family went to sushi train once agian to eat some dynamite roll, rainbow roll. and philadelphia roll. Once we went in, I was surprised at the new things. They have changed things in good way. We were supposed to seat in the booth but we changed our mind cause the nigiri and maki on the train were, all different, like there were whole bunch of new makis and new sushi, that I've never seen before. My family decided to seat on the bar in front of the chef. SO I can introduce my family to him. HE told me they have changed lot of things and owner who is Mr. Lee is learning how to lead the restaurant to success. He told me lot of new things such as, they don't serve tap water, they serve filtered water, even ice is made of filtered water.
When i was eating the maki and my favourite salmon nigiri, everything looked really fresh so i asked the chef, and he said they changed the company where they get all the fish and maki stuffs. Even tho the price was expensive, mr. lee wanted to get every shushi stuff as fresh as possible. everything was new and fresh and especially, they were delicious,
I shouldn't say lot of things, lol you guys should go and try cause the whole things have changed since last year. I think I'll go to sushi tain to eat every mondays and wednesdays, I recommend to try new things from sushi train. those of you who went last year,, trust me everything changed. wow It was cooooll lol
16. Ha Neul's Review :: February 08, 2007 Ha Neul's Rating: 4 Stars |
Very disappointing. The service was horrible. Upon seating, the staff moved us three times; After we had been seated the second time, we were asked to move again so they could clean the area. Although the moving train itself was reminiscent of the the 100 - 200 yen sushi experience when I was in Japan, it was incomparable. Staff seemed inexperienced. I had to ask for my drink twice before it arrived 20 minutes later. Food wasn't all that good. For people who eat at casual sushi restaurants, such as myself... this was probably one my worst experiences at a sushi/japanese style restaurant.
17. Sue's Review :: December 19, 2006 Sue's Rating: 1 Stars |
After one good lunch and one good dinner experience last month we struck out at lunch yesterday (13th Nov).
Sloppy table clearances and slovenly service were complemented by an embarrassment of congealed cooked food and poorly executed maki on the train.
Our suspicion that the discounted lunch offer had become a stripped hook was confirmed when the cheeky Md'S told us the tuna would be out "Maybe later, maybe tomorrow". Ho ho.
T-Y Lee deserves better from the investment in the lovely kit.
18. Geejaypea's Review :: November 14, 2006 Geejaypea's Rating: 2 Stars |
After one good lunch and one good dinner experience last month we struck out at lunch yesterday (13th Nov).
Sloppy table clearances and slovenly service were complemented by an embarrassment of congealed cooked food and poorly executed maki on the train.
Our suspicion that the discounted lunch offer had become a stripped hook was confirmed when the cheeky Md'S told us the tuna would be out "Maybe later, maybe tomorrow". Ho ho.
T-Y Lee deserves better from the investment in the lovely kit.
19. Geejaypea's Review :: November 14, 2006 Geejaypea's Rating: 2 Stars |
Yukky. I don't think they time how long that sushi is on the belt for...I swear I must have ate items that were 6 hours old. I was so turned off that I can't even look at Sushi anymore...and that was 2 weeks ago.
20. Pretense's Review :: October 12, 2006 Pretense's Rating: 2 Stars |
I visited Sushi Train today for the first time.
This is a restaurant owned by Korean, and run by Korean/Japanese/and Chinese. The atmosphere was like a Sushi restaurant in Seoul, which has a bit of "expensive" feeling, rather than "light-meal" in Tokyo.
The food itself were great! There are many comments about the quality of fish. However, it is a tradition that we -customers- usually ask a chef for quality fish. Usually the food circling around the belt are not good. That is why you ask a chef for good sushi. "Can I have Hamachi?" "Could you make one Uni for me?" "Do you have Toro today?" This kind of question and interection is crucial in terms of Kaiten-sushi. This is the only way you can get quality sushi.
Toro, Hamachi, Unagi and all sushi that I tasted today were wonderful. Of course, these were not on the belt. I ordered them. This is tradition of kaiten-sushi.
The service was great as well. I enjoyed the food more because of the good service. The membership card system was also good.
Overall, this is the best kaiten-sushi restaurant I ever been in Toronto.
Do not complain that they do not have much selection. ASK FOR MORE!
In order to serve fresh sushi, quality fish are no on the belt!
21. Michiyama Kenichi's Review :: October 05, 2006 Michiyama Kenichi's Rating: 4 Stars |
I have not been to Sushi Train yet, but I wanted to point out 2 things. First, has everybody forgotten about Mochizuki on Bay St.? I believe that they are actually the first conveyor belt sushi place in T.O. Second, you cannot and should not compare this type of restaurant to a fine sushi restaurant. It is much the same as comparing casual dining to fast food!
I personlly hope that Sushi Train is good enough to satisfy a quick crave and maybe bring back happy memories of the 100yen places in Tokyo!
22. Peter's Review :: September 28, 2006 Peter's Rating: 4 Stars |
Okay. Well, it wasn't the best sushi in the T dot. But the sushi chef – who's stationed right at the belt – certainly tries to accomodate. What makes this sushi place a cut above the rest is not necessarily the quality of the fish (it's very fresh) but the variety. Taste for yourself. But for sushi afficinados, you might want to stick with Nami.
23. Mark's Review :: September 20, 2006 Mark's Rating: 3 Stars |
I'm looking for my 'spot' in downtown for sushi. This isn't it. Sushi Train has a nice atmosphere and the service isn't bad – and I loved the conveyer of sushi. But, like it was written in the article, the sushi sucked.
We got California Rolls that were not edible and rolls of red snapper wasn't that good either. They were both flavourless and chewy, a hint that the fish was getting old. It just didn't have flavour or texture - unless you consider 'mush' a good texture. Lastly, the enormous shrimp roll was good, but it was served as big pieces - really two bites. Except it wasn't rolled tight enough so you took your first bite, the rest fell apart in a hideous mess on my plate. Otherwise, the salmon was good as well as the spicy tuna special.
24. Ben's Review :: September 19, 2006 Ben's Rating: 2 Stars |
I was going to say the same thing as the other poster....I've been going to Nami on and off for almost 20 years. Same concept with the little boats bringing the sushi around.
I will try Sushi Train however as it's in my neighbourhood.
25. Phil Gillies's Review :: September 19, 2006 Phil Gillies's Rating: 3 Stars |
Dear Anne and Robert.Sushi Train, as it is written in the martiniboys article, is "Kaiten-zushi," which is "Conveyor-belt sushi." By the way, I love Fune and Nami (both are much more superior restaurants) ... but they're not technically conveyor-belt sushi.
I'll make a point to visit this Sushi Train this week, just to see what the fuss is about.
Amanda Texier
26. Amanda Texier's Review :: September 19, 2006 Amanda Texier's Rating: 3 Stars |
And what about Fune? Huge island with sushi boats all around it?
27. Anne Popoff's Review :: September 19, 2006 Anne Popoff's Rating: 3 Stars |
You keep mentioning that this is the "first" conveyor sushi in Toronto... but what is the difference between this and Nami which has been around for years? Nami has a little stream with boats that go around in a circle carrying different coloured plates signifying different prices.. exactly the same concept...
28. Robert's Review :: September 19, 2006 Robert's Rating: 2 Stars |
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750 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON |
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