By Ashley Mussbacher (Contributor) – Email
Print Edition: September 4, 2013
#4-32750 George Ferguson Way
Abbotsford, BC
Hours: 11:30 – 9:00 (Tues – Fri), 1:00 – 9:00 (Sat), closed Monday and Sunday
I’m always skeptical walking into a nicely decorated Japanese restaurant. Not because I think a Japanese restaurant should look like a run-down hole-in-the-wall, but because I fear a lot of the budget goes towards a good-looking front, rather than good-tasting food.
Sushiwa sets a nice first impression with its brightly lit sign, faux wood flooring, and tasteful décor. A fountain bubbles away in a corner right where you walk in and soft instrumental music plays in the background (the Zelda theme, to be exact – total win).
The restaurant is a tiny room with the tables packed closely together. But regardless of its size, the restaurant was packed with people. I noticed while looking at the menu that the prices weren’t too expensive, but they are not the cheapest either. I also noticed that Sushiwa offers tempura by piece instead of by plate. So people like me with a low tolerance to deep-fried foods can order just one yam tempura piece at a time. Loved that!
There were only the chef and one waitress, but our orders were taken in a timely fashion. The food arrived within a 20-minute window. As a huge lover of exotic foods, I’ve been brave enough to try almost everything on a Japanese menu.
I typically gauge how good a Japanese restaurant is based on a few key notes: how much mayo is in the California rolls (less is best), how fatty is the salmon (fatty means it’s the cheap farmed fish), how salty is the miso soup (low sodium is better), is the seaweed thick and chewy or thin and crispy (thin and crispy is nice for cones), and can I taste the vinegar in the rice (if I can, there’s a good chance the chef doesn’t measure ingredients, or thinks our taste buds are dead).
I was extremely impressed by not only the flavour but the presentation of everything I ordered. The rolls weren’t huge, but they included more filling than rice. The miso soup was delicious, with little salt. The ingredients were fresh and colourful. Most of all, the teriyaki chicken was done to perfection. It came out on a sizzling pan with the skin on. The sauce was full of flavour, sweet and tangy. The bed was not overloaded with bean sprouts (which is a nice change).
To top things off, if you aren’t already full, you soon will be, because dessert is provided on the house. Banana with caramelized sugar. Sweet and free!
All in all, while the sitting space was cramped and socially awkward, the décor was tasteful and the food was absolutely delicious. I can say it easily ranks within my top three best Japanese restaurants in Abbotsford for cleanliness, affordability and friendly, efficient staff.
