FREQUENT readers of restaurant reviews around the world may recognise a phrase regularly trotted out that declares ‘food is theatre’.
At YO! Sushi that description is actually pretty apt…especially with its range of new menu gems...
THERE’S no place quite like YO! Sushi.
From the constant flotilla of colourful dishes to the funky flavours being prepared throughout in the open kitchen, it is a treat for the eyes as well as the stomach.
And with the introduction of a parade of bright new items now is a good time to revisit this fun food favourite - or check it out for the first time.
The YO! Sushi menu has always been something of a challenge for the indecisive - a sprawling collection of cold, hot, mainstream and more exotic fare.
This season it has revised the menu design and added 11 more options to the 90-plus choice street-food entourage, both vegetarian and non-veg.
From the constant flotilla of colourful dishes to the funky flavours being prepared throughout in the open kitchen, it is a treat for the eyes as well as the stomach.
And with the introduction of a parade of bright new items now is a good time to revisit this fun food favourite - or check it out for the first time.
The YO! Sushi menu has always been something of a challenge for the indecisive - a sprawling collection of cold, hot, mainstream and more exotic fare.
This season it has revised the menu design and added 11 more options to the 90-plus choice street-food entourage, both vegetarian and non-veg.
NAUGHTY BUT NICE: New dish Prawn Star is every bit as good as it looks - and then some
While many customers simply reach out for what looks good from the belt - eight different coloured plates designating different price points - you should make a beeline for cheekily named newcomer Prawn Star.
As tasty as it is playful, you can forget the omnipresent dynamite shrimp served by most other places for a moment as this lifts the plump oceanic morsels to heavenly heights.
An avocado roll in crispy panko coated nori and topped with spicy prawn cocktail sauce, it is a carnival of texture and flavour the demands more than one plate.
Much the same can be said of the equally handsome Blossom Roll, a potent combination of prawn katsu and avocado in purple shiso that’s then topped with spicy tuna, with a splash of teriyaki.
Sushi etiquette varies between individuals, but these rolls arguably call for an all in one mouthful strategy to get the full impact.
As tasty as it is playful, you can forget the omnipresent dynamite shrimp served by most other places for a moment as this lifts the plump oceanic morsels to heavenly heights.
An avocado roll in crispy panko coated nori and topped with spicy prawn cocktail sauce, it is a carnival of texture and flavour the demands more than one plate.
Much the same can be said of the equally handsome Blossom Roll, a potent combination of prawn katsu and avocado in purple shiso that’s then topped with spicy tuna, with a splash of teriyaki.
Sushi etiquette varies between individuals, but these rolls arguably call for an all in one mouthful strategy to get the full impact.
FRESH TREAT: The Chunky Tuna is seared and coated with coriander to complete a perfect little plate
Mixed maki rolls are often an instant and easygoing, across-the-crowd hit, but among the most inspired new additions is the Chunky Tuna, seared after being coated in glorious coriander. Texture meets taste and aesthetics for a perfect and actually rather healthy treat.
We never thought Avocado Nigiri could be a thing until this visit - but it is and it works well as a palate refresher, whether you are omnivore or not.
Shichimi Seared Salmon also locks in some prime taste headlines, and looks good on the grub ‘catwalk’ as well.
YO! Sushi isn’t your regular kind of dining experience…so there are a few non-fish alternatives on the menu, such as the Chicken Avocado rolls (pictured at the top of the post).
And, if you try one non-belt dish, the Stir Fried Pak Choi and Garlic plate is a winner, matching some of your daily greens requirement with luscious flavour.
We never thought Avocado Nigiri could be a thing until this visit - but it is and it works well as a palate refresher, whether you are omnivore or not.
Shichimi Seared Salmon also locks in some prime taste headlines, and looks good on the grub ‘catwalk’ as well.
YO! Sushi isn’t your regular kind of dining experience…so there are a few non-fish alternatives on the menu, such as the Chicken Avocado rolls (pictured at the top of the post).
And, if you try one non-belt dish, the Stir Fried Pak Choi and Garlic plate is a winner, matching some of your daily greens requirement with luscious flavour.
IN THE YELLOW CORNER: Newcomer Blossom Roll balances colour and flavour while the Teriyaki beef is a regular winner
Also in the ‘to order’ column is the ever-popular Teriyaki Beef - a melt in the mouth meat treat that again exhibits addictive qualities.
Less obvious, but a cunning combination no less, Tenderstem & Sesame is a colour-contrasting plate of young broccoli in a creamy sesame sauce that looks different but swiftly wins friends.
It is now 22 years since YO! Sushi burst into diners’ lives in the UK and - even with a proliferation of sushi outlets in most major cities since - continues to thrive and adapt.
Part of the success has to be down to public appetites becoming more acclimatised and hungry for sushi and other canny Japanese food.
But a substantial drive is YO! Sushi’s ability to innovate and put a spin on existing crowd-pleasers in an environment that is fast, fun - and family friendly - while still largely healthy.
Less obvious, but a cunning combination no less, Tenderstem & Sesame is a colour-contrasting plate of young broccoli in a creamy sesame sauce that looks different but swiftly wins friends.
It is now 22 years since YO! Sushi burst into diners’ lives in the UK and - even with a proliferation of sushi outlets in most major cities since - continues to thrive and adapt.
Part of the success has to be down to public appetites becoming more acclimatised and hungry for sushi and other canny Japanese food.
But a substantial drive is YO! Sushi’s ability to innovate and put a spin on existing crowd-pleasers in an environment that is fast, fun - and family friendly - while still largely healthy.
STEM GEM: Young sprigs of broccoli with a creamy sesame sauce is a recent menu entrant
And while some folk may not quite grasp the finer foibles of dishes from the Land of the Rising Sun, they get the chain’s concept.
It’s also hard to find a restaurant outlet with so many smiles - including those sushi operatives behind the signature kaiten conveyor belt, constantly re-stocking the cavalcade of cuisine.
While it’s easy to get carried away with those revolving treats, spare a thought for desserts.
Joining regular favourites such as Dorayaki Japanese pancakes with red bean filling and raspberry sauce is the new, naughty but nice Crunchy Fried Banana - coated in crispy cornflakes and criss-crossed with salted caramel sauce.
Then there’s the gooey Strawberry Mochi; a much-celebrated sweet rice ball centred with strawberry ganache.
It’s also hard to find a restaurant outlet with so many smiles - including those sushi operatives behind the signature kaiten conveyor belt, constantly re-stocking the cavalcade of cuisine.
While it’s easy to get carried away with those revolving treats, spare a thought for desserts.
Joining regular favourites such as Dorayaki Japanese pancakes with red bean filling and raspberry sauce is the new, naughty but nice Crunchy Fried Banana - coated in crispy cornflakes and criss-crossed with salted caramel sauce.
Then there’s the gooey Strawberry Mochi; a much-celebrated sweet rice ball centred with strawberry ganache.
SWEET FINISH: Dorayaki pancakes line up alongside Strawberry Mochi as dessert send-offs
These days, YO! Sushi serves more than five million customers worldwide each year, via around 100 restaurants in 10 countries.
Diners in the UAE have several locations to choose from.
For our review we sampled the vibrant Mall of the Emirates branch, which opens out onto the centre’s second level next to Vox Cinema…making it great for people watching if those coloured dishes doing the rounds is making you dizzy.
Whether you are a first-timer or a returnee, a couple or flanked by kids, now is a good time to go and see what that conveyor belt has to offer.
DETAILS:
TO see more of the current YO! Sushi menu, to find restaurant locations or to book a table, go to www.yosushi.com/restaurants/mall-of-the-emirates or call 04-392-7015
YOU can also check-out some enticing food images at https://www.instagram.com/yosushi_me/
Diners in the UAE have several locations to choose from.
For our review we sampled the vibrant Mall of the Emirates branch, which opens out onto the centre’s second level next to Vox Cinema…making it great for people watching if those coloured dishes doing the rounds is making you dizzy.
Whether you are a first-timer or a returnee, a couple or flanked by kids, now is a good time to go and see what that conveyor belt has to offer.
DETAILS:
TO see more of the current YO! Sushi menu, to find restaurant locations or to book a table, go to www.yosushi.com/restaurants/mall-of-the-emirates or call 04-392-7015
YOU can also check-out some enticing food images at https://www.instagram.com/yosushi_me/
