CLOSED - Aji Sai on Yonge

UPDATE 2018 -May-16 - This location of Aji Sai appears to have closed last year. There are others (which we still need to review!)

Aji Sai is similar to the recently reviewed Natural Sushi in that is also a "hole-in-wall" place in Toronto on Yonge St. a similarly short walk from Bloor St., so is equally transit-accessible being this close to a major subway interchange. Aji Sai is north rather than south of Bloor, and on the east instead of the west side of Yonge, 813 Yonge in this case. Note that there is another Aji Sai we've reviewed on Queen St. but it's unknown if they are connected (I would imagine so or there would be a possible trademark issue.)

We went for a weekend lunch and it was packed in the lower level (upper wasn't being seated.) It's a little brighter than average inside. Soy sauce is all low-sodium and fresh. Water is served by default but green tea is available for the asking.

I wasn't much impressed at the beginning: the miso's flavour was nice but it was too diluted to be good, and although Mishy loved the salad dressing, I give it a "meh" and the lettuce was wilting with brown edges. It got better with the well-cooked chicken teriyaki which was excellent but Mishy again applied her mysterious "rubbery" adjective which still eludes me. Dumplings and cheese wontons were both excellent and this we could agree on. Cucumber/avocado rolls were good, as was yam tempura. Spring rolls were good, but then had this red sweet and sour sauce poured all over them rather than having it on the side for diners whose palate or diabetes might prefer a choice. Mishy didn't like the sweet and sour chicken, finding it too greasy/oily, and although I enjoyed the flavour I tend to agree. Spicy salmon sushi was hot and very tasty, but Mishy didn't like it. Deep fried fishcakes were surprisingly excellent with a subtle flavour and one of the best offerings here. Also enjoyed the rock'n'shrimp; the sauce makes it. I didn't much enjoy the beef udon soup; the beef was not quality and it one large piece so large it was inedible. Dessert is the standard offering of green tea, red bean and mango ice cream

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If Aji Sai Queen St. is in fact under the same ownership as its namesake on Yonge, it's news to me as they seemed quite different in their offerings and styles: everything at the former was top-notch and Mishy and I were in agreement. Here, we disagreed and I left not having had as memorable an experience. Granted some items were quite good, but I think some intervention is required to bring it up to the same level as the other location. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and possibly a second visit to see if this was a one-off. The price for weekend lunch was $12.99 which isn't bad at all and this helps.

Rating: 7-7.5/10.