Tomi Sushi

Tomi Sushi
9 Raffles Boulevard
#02-12 Millenia Walk

30 East Coast Road
#02-16 Katong V

238 Thomson Road
#02-76 Velocity @ Novena Square

https://www.tomisushi.asia/

Hand Made Nigiri Sushi

Good Quality, Mid-Range Sushi

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 8
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 8
Value for Money: 8
Spent about SGD $138 per person.


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Established in 1954 in Joetsu city, Niigata prefecture, Chubu region, Japan, Tomizushi (Tomi Sushi) is renowned for serving good-quality Japanese sushi and sashimi at mid-range prices, using the freshest seasonal ingredients from the region. Since their inception by founder Tomiichiro Miyazaki, Tomi Sushi has expanded to 21 outlets across Japan, and 3 outlets across Singapore. Since Tomi Sushi first arrived in Singapore in March 2010, they've led the growing popularity of sushi / zushi as an affordable, fast-casual dining option (instead of the more traditional fine dining only option).

Ambience at Tomi Sushi is bright, clean, minimalist, and functional; all hallmarks now widely emulated by other brands. The sturdy modern wooden furnishings are decently comfortable, and the layout is neat and orderly. The high bar seats at the sushi counter allow you to watch the chefs at work, while the modest decor aptly hints of tradition. The discreet entrance with curtains calls to mind a haven, a sanctuary, a place where you can expect a good dining experience in a calm setting.

Service at Tomi Sushi is polite, efficient, attentive, and professional; well suited for a fine dining establishment, even though they're actually a casual dining place. Staff politely greet guests at the entrance, bowing slightly, then usher them to available seats. When queried, staff display good product knowledge of the menu, including the seasonal dishes. They proactively offer to top up drinks and clear finished plates throughout your meal, I also note staff quickly clean up when diners leave.

Food at Tomi Sushi is classic Japanese cuisine, with a focus on handmade zushi / sushi. Chefs are trained in sushi-making in Japan. Ingredients are fresh, with fish and seafood air-flown in thrice weekly. Dishes have been consistently well-executed over the years, and well-presented with appetizing visuals. Portions are generously sized for individuals, and nicely satisfying. Prices are mid-range but reasonable for the good quality, budget about SGD $138 per person for a meal with drinks here.

I personally loved the several dining experiences we've had at Tomi Sushi, and will certainly be returning for more.


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Tomi Sushi Exterior Katong V

Tomi Sushi Interior Katong V

Tomi Sushi Exterior Millenia Walk

Tomi Sushi Interior Millenia Walk

Seating

Table Setting

Sushi Counter

Staff brought over a mug of hot Green Tea (SGD $Complimentary) the minute I sat down, even without asking. This occurred twice, in different outlets, a sign of fantastic and consistent service. The green tea has a medium strength of body, with decent earthy grassy flavour.

Green Tea (SGD $Complimentary)

Green Tea

The Sake Manotsuru Junmai Ginjo (SGD $36) is brewed with Gohyaku Mangoku rice polished to 55%, by the Obata Shuzo brewery in Sado city, Niigata prefecture, Chubu region of Japan. It has a clear transparent colour, with aromas of white rice, watermelon, straw, and pebble. The body is medium-dry, smooth, gentle, and balanced, with tastes of pear, snow, musk melon, and green grapes. Served chilled, this has pleasant grainy fruity sweet mineral flavour, with a slightly spicy finish.

Sake Manotsuru Junmai Ginjo (SGD $36)

The Sake Hakkaisan Junmai Daiginjo (SGD $46) is brewed with a blend of Gohyaku Mangoku rice, Yamada Nishiki rice, and Miyama Nishiki rice, all polished to 45%, by the Hakkaisan Brewery Company in Minamiuonuma city, Niigata prefecture, Chubu region of Japan. It has a clear transparent colour, with aromas of freshly steamed white rice, spring water, honeydew melon, and clean grass. The body is semi-dry, crisp, light, and refreshing, with tastes of morning dew, mountain snow, red apple, and walnuts. Served chilled, this has bright fruity mineral earthy sweet flavour, very elegant and refined.

Sake Hakkaisan Junmai Daiginjo (SGD $46)

The Sake Manotsuru Junmai Sakura (SGD $28) is brewed with Gohyaku Mangoku rice polished to 60%, by the Obata Shuzo brewery in Sado city, Niigata prefecture, Chubu region of Japan. It has a clear transparent colour, with aromas of glutinous rice, spring water, tangerine, and lychee. The body is medium-dry, mild, gentle, and clean, with tastes of cherry blossom flowers, peach, snow, and slate. Served chilled, this has mild floral earthy mineral sweet flavour, nicely appealing.

Sake Manotsuru Junmai Sakura (SGD $28)

The Sake Kiminoi Honjozo Josen (SGD $20) is brewed with Gohyaku Mangoku rice polished to 62%, by the Kiminoi Shuzou Co., Ltd. in Myoko city, Niigata prefecture, Chubu region of Japan. It has a clear transparent colour, with aromas of white rice, straw, vanilla, and cedar wood. The body is medium-dry, fragrant, and delicate, with tastes of glutinous rice, white bread, tangerine zest, and grapefruit. Served warm, this has pleasant grainy floral sweet zesty sour flavour, crisp with a light bitter finish.

Sake Kiminoi Honjozo Josen (SGD $20)

The Tako Wasabi (SGD $8), also known as Takowasa, features chopped spring onions and diced raw tako / octopus marinated in wasabi, usukuchi shoyu / light soy sauce, white sugar, mirin rice wine, and sake rice wine. With a slippery, gooey, crunchy texture, this low-calorie and highly nutritious appetizer carries sharp vegetal earthy spicy sweet flavours with each mouthful. Good!

Tako Wasabi (SGD $8)

Tako Wasabi

Loved the Kani Ankake Chawanmushi (SGD $9), also known as Crab Thick Sauce Steamed Egg Custard. It features a wobbly soft hot chawanmushi / steamed egg custard, with bright eggy sweet savoury earthy flavour. Within are buried various ingredients, tender boneless chicken chunk, soft kamaboko surimi / seafood cake, and tender shiitake mushroom, all of which are infused with similar flavour. Over the top is an ankake / thick sauce, of deshelled kani / crab meat and dashi, with rich savoury sweet salty flavour. Feels so luxurious. Good!

Kani Ankake Chawanmushi (SGD $9)

Kani Ankake Chawanmushi

I loved the Tako Karaage (SGD $10), also known as Octopus Fritters. This features chunky bite-sized pieces of octopus, battered and deep-fried, served with a lemon wedge. With a crisp exterior and a bouncy interior, each mouthful releases a lovely spice savoury salty sweet flavour, rather addictive. Highly recommended!

Tako Karaage (SGD $10)

Tako Karaage

Tako Karaage

The Waka Tori Karaage (SGD $15) or Chicken Thigh Fritters features large hand-breaded chunks of boneless chicken thigh coated in the house special batter, deep-fried to a crispy crunchy golden brown, and served with a lemon wedge. Bite in, and you get the piping hot juicy chicken meat, bursting with meaty salty savoury spice flavour. Served with 5 large pieces. Highly recommended!

Waka Tori Karaage (SGD $15)

Waka Tori Karaage

The Hotate Toryufu Kombu (SGD $14) or Scallops In Truffle And Seaweed Sauce is an interesting fusion interpretation. This features bouncy juicy deshelled scallops, glazed with rehydrated kombu / kelp seaweed and truffle oil, giving it a bright earthy savoury sweet herbal flavour. Served with a fresh salad of crisp lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, and crunchy bell peppers / capsicum, dressed with a thick sesame sauce, having vegetal sweet nutty notes. Fragrant and enticing. Good!

Hotate Toryufu Kombu (SGD $14)

Hotate Toryufu Kombu

Hotate Toryufu Kombu

Chefs here expertly form the Hand Made Nigiri Sushi and Hand Made Gunkan Sushi upon order, with the goal that each piece is beautiful, bold, and artistic in presentation. Even with the premium quality of ingredients, dishes are priced comparatively lower than elsewhere. The base consists of koshihikari white rice from Niigata prefecture, Chubu region, Japan, which is said to be the "best rice in the world" for making sushi. For the nigiri sushi, over the top is laid a thick slice of fresh fish or seafood, and typically presented in pairs. For the gunkan sushi, a piece of crisp dried seaweed is wrapped tightly around, while the top is packed with fresh fish or seafood filling, also presented in pairs.

Hand Made Nigiri Sushi

Hand Made Nigiri Sushi

Hand Made Nigiri Sushi

Hand Made Gunkan Sushi

Hand Made Gunkan Sushi

Hand Made Gunkan Sushi

Hand Made Gunkan Sushi

The Sushi Maguro Otoro (SGD $30 for 2 pieces) or Bluefin Tuna Fish Fatty Belly Sushi is unsurprisingly, a top favourite. The equivalent of wagyu beef, the thick yet tender juicy succulent slice of maguro otoro / bluefin tuna fish fatty belly just melts away in the mouth, releasing a pleasant oily savoury sweet flavour. The tightly packed base of sticky sushi rice complements with mild grainy sour sweet fragrance. Highly recommended!

Sushi Maguro Otoro (SGD $30 for 2 pieces)

Sushi Maguro Otoro

Sushi Maguro Otoro

The Sushi Maguro Chutoro (SGD $20 for 2 pieces) or Bluefin Tuna Fish Medium Fatty Belly Sushi is lovely. The thick cut slice of tender moist maguro chutoro / bluefin tuna fish medium fatty belly is laid over a base of sticky sushi rice, rather like a blanket. Nicely sized for a mouthful, you first get the pleasant oily savoury sweet notes of the fish, followed by the mild grainy sour sweet flavour of the rice. Highly recommended!

Sushi Maguro Chutoro (SGD $20 for 2 pieces)

Sushi Maguro Chutoro

Sushi Maguro Chutoro

With the Sushi Aburi Maguro Oroshi Ponzu (SGD $20 for 2 pieces) or Flame-Seared Bluefin Tuna Fish In Grated Daikon Radish And Ponzu Sauce Sushi, the base of sticky sushi rice is covered with a thick cut slice of tender moist akami / bluefin tuna fish loin, gently torched till just cooked. Topped with crisp spring onions, and juicy oroshi / grated daikon radish infused with ponzu sauce (made from katsuobushi / bonito flakes, kombu seaweed, rice vinegar, yuzu juice, and mirin rice wine). You get a combined burst of smoky vegetal salty earthy meaty savoury grainy sour sweet flavour. Good!

Sushi Aburi Maguro Oroshi Ponzu (SGD $20 for 2 pieces)

Sushi Aburi Maguro Oroshi Ponzu

Sushi Aburi Maguro Oroshi Ponzu

The Sushi Shake Harasu (SGD $10 for 2 pieces) or Salmon Fish Belly Sushi is lovely. The thick cut slice of tender moist shake harasu / salmon fish belly is laid over a base of sticky sushi rice, rather like a blanket. Nicely sized for a mouthful, you first get the pleasant oily sweet savoury notes of the fish, followed by the mild grainy sour sweet flavour of the rice. Highly recommended!

Sushi Shake Harasu (SGD $10 for 2 pieces)

Sushi Shake Harasu

Sushi Shake Harasu

With the Sushi Aburi Shake Oroshi Ponzu (SGD $8 for 2 pieces) or Flame-Seared Salmon Fish In Grated Daikon Radish And Ponzu Sauce Sushi, the base of sticky sushi rice is covered with a thick cut slice of tender moist shake / salmon fish loin, gently torched till just cooked. Topped with crisp spring onions, and juicy oroshi / grated daikon radish infused with ponzu sauce (made from katsuobushi / bonito flakes, kombu seaweed, rice vinegar, yuzu juice, and mirin rice wine). You get a combined burst of smoky vegetal salty earthy meaty savoury grainy sour sweet flavour. Good!

Sushi Aburi Shake Oroshi Ponzu (SGD $8 for 2 pieces)

Sushi Aburi Shake Oroshi Ponzu

Sushi Aburi Shake Oroshi Ponzu

The Sushi Mekajiki (SGD $8 for 2 pieces) or Swordfish Sushi is among my favourites here. The thick cut of mekajiki / swordfish is juicy, fatty, crunchy, and slippery succulent in texture, overlaid on the tightly-shaped sticky sushi rice. Has lovely meaty oily savoury sweet flavour to the fish, with mild grainy sour sweet aroma from the rice, yum. Highly recommended!

Sushi Mekajiki (SGD $8 for 2 pieces)

Sushi Mekajiki

Sushi Mekajiki

The Sushi Kanpachi (SGD $12 for 2 pieces) or Greater Amberjack Fish Sushi is a popular choice here. The thick cut of kanpachi / greater amberjack fish is moist, firm, and springy in texture, overlaid on the tightly-shaped sticky sushi rice. Has lovely meaty buttery savoury sweet flavour to the fish, with mild grainy sour sweet aroma from the rice, yum. Good!

Sushi Kanpachi (SGD $12 for 2 pieces)

Sushi Kanpachi

Sushi Kanpachi

The Sushi Ika (SGD $5 for 2 pieces) or Squid Sushi was well-executed, with a thick and beautiful cut of fresh ika / squid, slippery and crunchy and smooth, on top of the hand-formed sushi rice with sticky texture. The squid has very little flavour on its own, just a faint hint of fishy sweet notes, with the grainy sour sweet flavour of the rice being more pronounced instead. This didn't appeal to me personally due to the slightly natural slimy feel it has.

Sushi Ika (SGD $5 for 2 pieces)

Sushi Ika

Sushi Ika

The Sushi Ike Ni Anago Ippon Nigiri (SGD $16) or Boiled Saltwater Eel One Point Two Fingers Sushi, features an impressive whole fillet of soft moist anago / saltwater eel, boiled and marinated with tare sauce (made from a blend of usukuchi shoyu / light soy sauce, koikuchi shoyu / dark soy sauce, mirin rice wine, brown sugar, sake rice wine, sherry vinegar, garlic), laid over a mound of nicely formed sticky sushi rice. The combination of eel and rice has an enticing meaty savoury salty earthy grainy sour sweet flavour, nice. Good!

Sushi Ike Ni Anago Ippon Nigiri (SGD $16)

Sushi Ike Ni Anago Ippon Nigiri

Sushi Ike Ni Anago Ippon Nigiri

Sushi Ike Ni Anago Ippon Nigiri

The Sushi Inari (SGD $5 for 2 pieces) or Fox Sushi is so named because of the belief that inari / foxes love eating abura-age / fried soybean tofu pouch, the key ingredient here. It features a spongy juicy piece of abura-age / fried soybean tofu pouch, generously stuffed with sticky sushi rice, carrying lovely sweet savoury grainy sour flavour. Served with crunchy pickled ginger on the side, which has refreshing vegetal sour sweet spice flavour. Good!

Sushi Inari (SGD $5 for 2 pieces)

Sushi Inari

Sushi Inari

For the Sushi Tamago (SGD $8 for 2 pieces) or Rolled Egg Omelette Sushi, staff offered a choice of having it either nigiri / battleship style, or house special style; I opted for the latter. This was served with a large block of moist spongy soft tamago / rolled egg omelette, within which was stuffed a small amount of sticky sushi rice. Has lovely eggy sweet earthy grainy sour flavour, yum. Also nicely refreshing. Good!

Sushi Tamago (SGD $8 for 2 pieces)

Sushi Tamago

Sushi Tamago

Sushi Tamago

Sushi Tamago

With the Sushi Ikura (SGD $12), or Salmon Fish Roe Sushi, a base of sticky sushi rice is wrapped with a crisp dried seaweed sheet, generously topped with juicy globules of ikura / salmon fish roe. Bite in, and you get a burst of fishy salty briny sweet flavour, followed by earthy grainy sour sweet notes. Looks so enticing. Good!

Sushi Ikura (SGD $12 for 2 pieces)

Sushi Ikura

Sushi Ikura

With the Sushi Negitoro (SGD $12), or Minced Tuna Fish Sushi, a base of sticky sushi rice is wrapped with a crisp dried seaweed sheet, generously topped with tender negitoro / minced tuna fish and crisp spring onions. Bite in, and you get a burst of vegetal fishy savoury sweet flavour, followed by earthy grainy sour sweet notes. Looks so appetizing. Good!

Sushi Negitoro (SGD $12 for 2 pieces)

Sushi Negitoro

Sushi Negitoro

With the Sushi Uni (SGD $30 for 2 pieces), or Sea Urchin Sushi, a base of sticky sushi rice is wrapped with a crisp dried seaweed sheet, generously topped with creamy wobbly bafun uni / horse **** sea urchin. Bite in, and you get a burst of briny salty earthy sweet flavour, followed by earthy grainy sour sweet notes. Looks so luxurious. Highly recommended!

Sushi Uni (SGD $30 for 2 pieces)

Sushi Uni

Sushi Uni

The aptly-named Futomaki (SGD $18 for 4 pieces) or Fat Rolled Sushi, is rather plus-sized, packing more than the usual amount of sticky sushi rice within sheets of crisp dried seaweed. Stuffed with a variety of ingredients, which includes juicy crunchy cucumber, crisp firm pickled daikon radish, moist spongy soft tamago / rolled egg omelette, and soft tender crab stick surimi. Has layered vegetal earthy grainy sour savoury eggy sweet flavour, yum. Rather filling, it's best shared. Good!

Futomaki (SGD $18 for 4 pieces)

Futomaki

Futomaki

The Gindara Teriyaki (SGD $18) or Black Cod Fish Teriyaki features medium thick cuts of bone-in gindara / black cod fish, marinated in teriyaki sauce and grilled to perfection. The fish meat is tender flaky smooth in texture, with the marinade lending a robust sweet salty savoury flavour. Has a nice smoky aroma, and the large bones are relatively easy to remove. Served with crisp red tip scallion with vegetal sweet herbal flavour, and a small block of moist spongy soft tamago / rolled egg omelette with eggy sweet earthy flavour. Good!

Gindara Teriyaki (SGD $18)

Gindara Teriyaki

Gindara Teriyaki

The Korokke Maguro Chizu (SGD $12) or Bluefin Tuna Fish With Cheese Croquette is a unique fusion dish. It features chunks of flaky tender moist bluefin tuna fish, formed into a ball and stuffed with mozzarella cheese, then coated in breadcrumbs and fried till the surface is crisp. Has a meaty savoury sweet cheesy salty flavour, interesting. Served with a fresh salad of crisp lettuce and crunchy bell peppers / capsicum dressed with a thick sesame sauce, having vegetal sweet nutty notes. Worth ordering!

Korokke Maguro Chizu (SGD $12)

Korokke Maguro Chizu

The Tempura Hegi Soba (SGD $18) is a delicious set meal. It features Hegi Soba, a Niigata prefecture style noodles, where soba / buckwheat noodles are infused with funori / jelly moss seaweed, presented on a tray and topped with nori / dried seaweed. Served chilled, the soba / buckwheat noodles have a long silky smooth feel and a chewy texture with mild grainy earthy sweet flavour. This is accompanied by crisp negi / spring onions with vegetal herbal sweet flavour, and warm mentsuyu / noodle soup base with savoury salty earthy flavour. On the side is Tempura Moriawase / Assorted Tempura, with various seasonal ingredients coated in a thin yet crisp non-greasy tempura batter. We received tender nasu / eggplant / aubergine / brinjal with warm vegetal earthy sweet flavour, juicy okra / lady's finger with vegetal sweet notes, succulent kuruma ebi / Japanese tiger prawns with sweet savoury flavour, and soft iwashi / sardine fish with fishy sweet salty flavour. Accompanied with warm tentsuyu / tempura dipping sauce for added salty sweet savoury flavour. Good!

Tempura Hegi Soba (SGD $18)

Hegi Soba

Soba No Nori

Negi

Mentsuyu

Tempura Moriawase

Tentsuyu

The Yuzu Shabetto (SGD $5.90) or Yuzu Sorbet has a beautiful juicy scoop of yuzu juice infused sorbet ice cream, studded with bits of chewy yuzu fruit. Has a refreshing fruity zesty tangy sour sweet flavour, yum. I also love the thoughtful touch of serving this on a chilled plate, which slows the sorbet from melting. A great palate cleanser to end off a meal. Highly recommended!

Yuzu Shabetto (SGD $5.90)

Yuzu Shabetto

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