Tokushima Sushi (Japanese)

Has it really been 11 years since we did our first writeup of Tokushima Sushi? Definitely time for an update. It’s still located at 250 Taunton Road East, in north Oshawa, at the corner of Ritson Road. It's actually conveniently transit-accessible from Toronto via Ajax GO train station and then the Durham Transit 915 bus, which has a stop quite close to it (and I’m very happy for the One Fare program which makes it seems like all the transit systems are unified.) We went for weekend lunch. Ordering is through smartphone via QR code, although menus are available. There is even free Wi-fi, probably to support this ordering. AYCD canned pop is $1.99, which is excellent as canned is a rarity. Ginger is dyed pink. Mishy noted that if plain hot water is ordered that it’s served in a plastic cup which is odd and who knows what's dissolved in it. Soy sauce at table was excellent with a lovely wine-like flavour, very fresh, only slightly salty and full of savour. 

We both loved the green salad which had a very good dressing and was very fresh. Mishy loved the seaweed salad saying it had something extra in it. Miso soup was excellent, although a tiny bit dilute but not enough to matter, as it was very savoury and well-balanced. Sweet and sour chicken was excellent and we both loved it; Mishy said it was just about the best she ever had. Chicken and pork cutlets aka katsu were both excellent because the sauce was very flavourful and well-balanced, and they were not oily. Deep-fried pork wontons were excellent, and unlike other places’ in that they were smaller pockets and more crispy, and they ended up being more flavourful and Mishy indicated also less oily.

I also agreed with Mishy that the chicken skewers were about the best either one of us had ever had because they were very moist and the sauce was perfect, with no dryness or crunchiness. Beef skewers were likewise excellent, possibly in the same sauce. And, Mishy even loved the chicken teriyaki and described it as “not rubbery,” which is her highest praise, and I also enjoyed it very much including the sauce, which was gravy-like in flavour and in the upper tier of chicken teriyaki we've had anywhere. Vegetable udon soup had big pieces of broccoli and zucchini and a nice broth. General Tao chicken was excellent with a good sauce, not too sweet, and flavourful. Beef chow mein was very good with a nice flavour, and not oily or burnt.

We both loved the Philadelphia roll as it was very fresh with well-balanced ingredients that went very well with the soy, and of course our own brought wasabi these days. Salmon nigiri was excellent with good rice consistency and super fresh; salmon seemed more flavourful than most. Red snapper (probably tilapia) and crab (probably surimi) were equivalently good. Tofu nigiri was delicious.

For dessert, Mishy liked the banana tempura including the added blueberries and strawberry pieces although she said it could have used more chocolate sauce. The, mango, vanilla and chocolate ice cream had no freezer burn and the chocolate was excellent with plenty of cocoa powder. Weekend lunch was $26.99 and this is a very good price below the usual, especially with $2 AYCD canned pop. We had an excellent lunch and we’re glad that Tokushima has maintained its standards throughout the years.

Rating: 9.5 / 10 + 1 value adjustment = 10.5 / 10 = 10 / 10

Original review follows:

Update: 2022-Oct-01 - Tokushima's AYCE menu is on again ($24.99 weekend lunch, $35.99 dinner) so happy to welcome it back to the list!

Update: 2021-Aug-20 - There is currently no buffet/AYCE at this location post-lockdown, and it is unknown if and when it will ever return. I am therefore removing it from the active list, and will follow up periodically and restore it should it return to AYCE status.

Tokushima is located at 250 Taunton Road East, in north Oshawa, at the corner of Ritson Road. My brother-in-law recommended it highly, and I wasn't disappointed. It's a pleasant place with comfy booths and nice decor and atmosphere, but the food is, as always, what I go for!

The first time I was there, the miso soup was OK, but the second time it was better: dark and savory.

One of the highlights of Tokushima is the bacon-wrapped asparagus. It was as heavenly as he described, and unlike other AYCEs also comes with dipping sauce... can perfect be improved on? It appears it has been.
The shrimp tempura was excellent with light, flaky batter. I ordered three helpings of it.

I wasn't big on the beef teriyaki.

Tokushima has many special rolls. The Philadelphia Roll has a cream cheese filling... Smoked salmon, cream cheese and avocado. Although it was nice it wasn't my fave but, as with the beef teriyaki, my friend couldn't get enough of it. The cream cheese does work and adds an interesting flavor.

Salmon sashimi and sushi were very fresh and delicious... perfect quality.

For dessert, the banana tempura was the best I've had anywhere... excellent presentation with a strawberry and blueberry and perfectly prepared.

The service was also very fast, and accurate, which I always find important as it's so commonly overlooked in AYCE. And apparently the service remains as good even when Tokushima is full; it was about a third full on my visits... certainly should be fuller! 

But the best part came right at the finish with the bill... dinner, of a comparable selection and quality to Maki and the other top-rated Japanese AYCE's I've been to, was only $17.99! On any night! I am consistently being pleasantly surprised with the value and quality of the offerings of smaller town AYCE's and this is no exception.

Rating: 9/10