As soon as my mom saw the article in the Toronto Star about Just Sushi, she sent me an email, and I got on the phone to do my usual investigation. From the first words of my conversation with Ian, one of the owners, on the phone, I knew it was going to be worth the drive to the Lakeshore West area. He assured me that they use the best ingredients, and plenty of organic, all non-gmo and local first, plus they are the world’s first 100% Ocean Wise certified sushi restaurant. Of course, what they are not telling you is that if you don’t eat fish, they do incredible vegan and vegetarian sushi, including a full Garden Selection.
I tried to make a reservation, but quickly learned from Ian that they are mostly take-out and delivery and only have 6 bar stool seats, but we could definitely come and be served there. So, off I went to Just Sushi.
When I walked in, a few features of the restaurant caught my eye. First, the big wooden pillar stretching to the ceiling (which I learned are from reclaimed wood from the Brickworks lumber mill and had been floorboards), their delivery bike (which is electric), and the two tablets on the wall (I learned that they are available for ordering from if it gets busy). They also have a huge green living wall, with lots of interesting plant life from top to bottom, it’s super cool and makes you realize how high their ceilings are. It’s a small space, but filled with incredible eco and modern features.
I can’t possibly write about everything we had to eat there, took home to eat, or what I returned for today to take out family dinner – but you can imagine how delicious it was to make me want to consume so much of it. Highlights include their organic miso soup, and the fact that they give you a choice of organic white or organic purple rice – GO WITH THE PURPLE! It’s nutrient dense, and Gabrielle, one of the partners in this business researched everything to make sure it was healthy and sustainable. I also did try Shimeji mushrooms, which I had never tried before, but they can now be added to the long list of mushrooms that I love now.
Each maki, nigiri and garnish looked like a work of art (see below for pictures), and tasted fresh and incredible. The wasabi and pickled ginger are both organic, and aren’t those funky bright colours, and are naturally their own colour, like they should be. My mom was excited that they didn’t put that green plastic grass garnish in the containers to-go like other sushi places do for some reason.
Just Sushi gives you the option on any roll to make it into a handroll, or get it spicy – again, I recommend trying them both, but be warned, the spicy is really spicy, but spice lovers like me out there will adore each bite.
Like Feel Good Guru, and Doug McNish’s new Public Kitchen (review coming soon since you already know how much I appreciate his food!), they grow their own microgreens and sprouts, so you know they really care about their food, and giving us the best!
Also, there was a different chef today, Eko Prasetyo, who I found out was one of the owners too. What a great place run by such a great team! I had the immense privilege of meeting three of the four owners, which left an awesome impression on me.
If you are in the area, or not, it’s worth the drive to pick up some of this sushi, it’s healthy and makes you smile. Maybe if enough of us from central Toronto go there a lot, they will open another location closer to us quickly!
