Sushi California (kitsilano)

I needed to run an errand in the Kitsilano area so we ended up having dinner there as well. Sushi California is our go-to Japanese sushi spot in the area because they have such large portions! Sushi California actually reminded me a bit of sushi town or Nanaimo sushi because everything on the menu was quite affordable.

Spicy tuna sashimi

★★

 To start we decided to get the Spicy tuna sashimi ($8.95) which came to us as a MOUNTAIN. The tuna was pretty decent for what it was worth especially because there was so much of it!

Grenade roll

★★★

Brother deer decided to try the Grenade roll ($3.95) which had chicken terriyaki, lettuce, cucumber, wasabi sauce. Even though both old bean and mother deer said they didn’t really notice the wasabi, I thought it was noticeable. But, for those who COULD tolerate it, it was scrumptious.

Crunch munch roll

★★★

This was a take on B.C. roll because it had cooked salmon, cucumber, mayo, topped with crunchy potato and miso dressing. Everyone at the table enjoyed the potato topping because it reminded us of those oh so delicious hickory stick chips. The fish wasn’t dry and unlike B.C. roll, there was actual salmon inside and not just salmon skin.

Box sushi

★★★

The roll was filled with scallop, a bit of furikake seasoning, and scallop. Then, it was topped with smoked salmon, cooked shrimp and a slice of lemon. I thought the shrimp and avocado was nice in it but the lemon would be a bit much if you get a big bite of it.

Everyone thought that the box sushi roll was interesting because we never really get aburi sushi when we go out. However, they all thought it was a little odd that it was served with the rice still warm. It was warm the last time I was here but I thought it was just a one time thing but I guess it’s supposed to be served that way?

Las vegas roll

★★★

I don’t really remember what was in the roll but I believe it was topped with spicy mayo, sesame seeds and tobiko and had a filling of sweet potato tempura, imitation crab, avocado and cucumber on the inside. We adored the roll because there was a bit of everything in it. There was crunch from the tempura, creaminess from the avocado and a hint of spice from the mayo.

Yellow Town roll

★★★

This had crispy tempura flakes on the inside then to make the roll all the more exciting, it was topped with a mix of mustard, mayo, onion and imitation crab meat. Apparently there was supposed to be smoked salmon and scallop in the roll as well but neither of us could find any.

At first we found this roll to be interesting because of all the toppings it had but after a while the toppings got to be too much and all the flavors felt muddled. So we ended up having to remove some of it. We think that this roll was nice to try but it should probably be one that’s shared in a larger group because it does tend to feel a little heavy after a while.

Sashimi/sushi combo

★★★

The combo came with 1 piece of ebi, tuna, salmon, hokkagai, and chopped scallop nigiri along with 2 pieces of salmon and tuna sashimi. The fish wasn’t as fresh as a few of the other places we’ve been to in the past.

Even though the fish at Sushi California isn’t as fresh as ones I’ve tried in the past else where, I don’t think too many points should be taken off for that considering the affordable pricing here (you get what you pay for right?). Plus, how could you hold them to the fish when you get such THICK SLICES of sashimi! I know I’m definitely going to order sashimi on it’s own next time!