Asuka Japanese Restaurant - Toronto

After 28 years of truly great food and a go to spot for locals seeking their Asian fix, Asuka has closed. The building is to be torn down to make room for street level high end retail. Wish Asuka could afford to stay in the hood, it will be missed.

Asuka is one of the first sushi restaurants I went to when I was first introduced to sushi many moons ago. This place hold fond memories of good meals with friends and family over the years and there has never been a time where food and service were not exceptional. You can always expect something new and unique when you come to Asuka, all you have to do is ask and the chef will create a singularly unique item for you that is off menu. There are also other items the chef makes regularly that don't appear on the menu, they really keep you guessing but its a wonderful flavour experience. This isn't your typical AYCE sushi place so you should expect the typical AYCE price, but the food experience will be like no other at any sushi restaurant. Try out Asuka, you'll be glad you did.

Tiny place, lower level (basement,) easy to miss. Fills up quickly at lunch. The menu covers all the usual sush/Japanese staples but there are quite a few items meant to be shared or for a group. Service always pleasant and prompt. I thought the nigiri were smaller than they used to be but the fish is fresh and nicely presented. Not a bargain like most of the sushi places west of Spadina, but not bad, considering it's Yorkville.

From the outside does not seem to be a pleasant place, but when you enter your perception changes completely. attendants dressed in character provide good service. normal food and jotos prices.

The atmosphere is a bit sketchy, but it doesn't matter if you are there for the food! The seaweed salad was excellent and the spicy tuna rolls melted in your mouth (in a good way- not because they were warm.) We both ordered a Chirachi plate, which was a large variety of sashimi on a layer of rice. We ate so much, drank a couple of bottles of saki, and the bill was $35 - which I thought was pretty good value.