Tsukishima Japanese Kitchen

Newly opened Tsukishima Japanese Kitchen is a little takeout restaurant diamond in the Kingston Road rough. This unassuming Japanese-run restaurant just east of Warden Avenue replaces the unfortunately off-target Hit The Spot Eatery that closed several months before.

Tsukishima is not complex Japanese food. It is just good take out for a good price. There are side dishes one can choose from which aren't on the menu. Just point and choose, as I did, for the delightful rice vermicelli with egg and vegetables, and the nicely seasoned eggplant with tofu and ground beef dish. On the menu board is more expected Japanese fare, such as various types of sushi and maki rolls, as well as donburi and udon meals. The sushi is simple and well-prepared, and fresher and better presented than most of the Queen Street sit down Japanese restaurants that target movie goers and patrons of Richmond Street dance clubs. There is a counter at which one can sit at Tsukishima, but this shop is really geared toward the quick lunch and take home dinner crowd, with prices to reflect that. I'm okay with that: Better food for a cheaper price? For that I'd be happy to take my food home to eat.

There are a few oddities on the menu, such as fresh cut french fries and gravy, and even poutine, listed right above the miso soup. I can't fault them for that though, as I happen to love poutine. Unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend their version of poutine as the gravy is rather bland.

If you're ever in a rush and have a hankering for Japanese food, you should check this place out. Just avoid the poutine.

Tsukishima Japanese Kitchen
1466 Kingston Road (at Warden)
Tel: 647-346-6443

Mon-Fri 11 am - 9 pm
Saturday 1 pm - 9 pm
Sunday - Closed