Sushi Yugen is tucked into a little space on the first floor of an office building on Adelaide, right smack dab in the middle of the Financial District. The restaurant offers, according to their website, an “authentic Japanese omakase sushi experience”.
I like this definition of Omakase from the Michelin Guide: Few formal dining experiences are as revered or as intimidating as omakase, a form of Japanese dining in which guests leave themselves in the hands of a chef and receive a meal which is seasonal, elegant, artistic and uses the finest ingredients available.
“Omakase” literally means, “I’ll leave it up to you” and typically a chef is so focused on your experience that the service is fantastic and the food fresh.
This is true of Chef Kyohei Igarashi and his menu at Sushi Yugen. Chef Igarashi studied at the culinary institute in Yamagata, Japan and after he moved to Tokyo where he worked with master chefs for 15 years. After travelling for years, he finally landed in Toronto where he has worked for 7 years.
I am of the Drake 150 & Drake Hotel vintage, so I used to go to the Drake Mini Bar when it was in this spot. I can only imagine if the Drake was trying to make it still the cocktails would be $50 and the fries $25…
Sushi Yugen is a welcomed addition to the neighbourhood. For the price point and personals service, it is not prohibitive, and they honor the time limits for each menu - you really can set a mid-day calendar lunch invite for this lunch.
What We Ordered: Main Counter Lunch $80 per person 45 minutes dining
The other options are: Dinner $98 per person 1 hour dining, or Chef’s Counter $275 per person 2 hours dining
Recommend For: It’s a great working lunch. I doubt I would ever hop to the financial district for dinner on a Saturday, unless it was before a game, and even then I don’t think I’m doing an omakase ‘experience’.
On the precipice of a trip of Japan, Sushi Yugen makes me think that this is the kind of restaurant that you will find on every block - intimate, exceptional, and busy. While you’re most likely there to talk work - the setting is beautiful and a step away from the hustle and bustle of downtown. The design is intentional and thoughtful - just like the menu. If you want to read about the cultural significance of their interior design choices, you can check out their explanation here.
Reservations: Yes - Via their website