Fresh Box Sushi
#221 – 7155 Kingsway
Burnaby, BC
While I have not been accused to be a sushi police of sorts, I am sure there are a lot of people who might have wacky thoughts about me when I go to a Japanese restaurant and order mostly nigiri sushi rather than the more popular rolls. I won’t deny there is something attractive in rolls, specially if you want to share but, otherwise… On one night, in one of my random errands in Burnaby, I was in Highgate Mall when I had to go home but I was, at the same time, I was hungry and needed something quick. My first thoughts was “go to Save on Foods, grab a rotisserie chicken and go home”. In fact, I have had a post about that in the back burner for some time already (as in 10+ months!). Anyway, that was until I saw some “light” at the far end of this mall into Fresh Box, a small sushi restaurant which, although serves nigiri, it seems to also deviate more towards rolls. Oh, well, I might as well give these guys a try…
This is a stock picture of mine, not a picture I took on the night I went there!
It was quite late already, I must mention. When I made my order, they were already starting to count the float so that meant ready to call it a night. At least they did not kick me out on the spot and let me do my order! However, at the same time that meant no eating in but take it home. I will have to admit that I ran into a small stumbling block: what rolls I should order? While they did have a sushi combo, for some reason, I wasn’t that enthusiastic in ordering it there. So, in the end, I decided to order two rolls, which ended up being…
A smoked salmon roll, specifically a “veggie sheet special”, which ended up being a California roll with smoked salmon on top. There is a reason why I ordered this one in particular. In their menu, they made special mention about the “veggie sheet” and its unique qualities so, heck, why not! But, in the end, I did not nothing anything particularly exciting about it. It was edible, yes, but nothing else.
I am sure there will be a lot of raising eyebrows with this other roll. “WTFH is this?!” a lot of you are asking? Well, for roll #2, I decided to go “wild” or, on the same lines of you can fry anything from Mars bars, to Oreo cookies or even jelly beans, you should be able to fry a maki/roll, right? So, that is exactly what I ordered: their deep California roll. This wacky concoction was covered with a really light batter, which didn’t really stick to the roll. Instead, it was a crispy layer (despite there were several minutes of transit time).
As for interior, in the end, it was your usual California roll. Despite that, the crispiness of those bites, along with the sauces outside, made this a really odd experience. Again, it wasn’t bad but, still, there something that left unfulfilled…
Fresh Sushi Box isn’t trying to sell themselves as a sushi spot, just as an alternative of actual sit down restaurants or just a quick grab and go. Because of this, I won’t mind dropping by if I am in a rush. After all, their product isn’t actually that bad. However, for a sit down restaurant, I think I would rather go to Nao Sushi across the street from the mall.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I think this may be a korean franchise. Hence the similarities and differences to traditional japanese sushi and the all korean staff.
Overall, I was not to enamored of their “sheet” sushi either. It’s supposed to be a healthy alternative to regular sushi, but I don’t know if the idea is a winner in the sushi world.
If I was in the mood for sushi, I would prefer fresh sashimi or nigiri style.
Holly, in a pinch, it will work but, as mentioned, otherwise, I would rather go to Nao Sushi.
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