Non-greasy fried shrimp here – Kaohsiung sushi shop’s “rice-aroma fried shrimp”

Text & photos /Shadow

The reason behind the name was to bring the delicacies of every Tokyo Metro station under one roof. Located in a residential alley near Huaxia Road, Tokyo Metro Handmade Cuisine has quietly been open for nearly a year, specializing in sushi and handmade dishes.

Upon entering the shop, you’ll notice it doesn’t follow the traditional layout of a Japanese restaurant. Although there is counter seating, the kitchen is clearly based on a Western-style island setup. However, this also brings you closer to the chef, almost giving you a VIP experience as you sit right in front.

With over a decade of experience in Japanese cuisine, the chef is deeply dedicated to his craft. For those who enjoy sitting at the counter, you can watch the entire cooking process up close.

In addition to commonly seen nigiri sushi, there are also set meals for individuals, vegetarian options, hot pot dishes, and more.

Here is the content of the individual metro set meal at NT$600:

Japanese-style seafood salad

Combining lettuce, fruit, and seafood, all seasoned with a Japanese-style dressing, this tangy and refreshing dish is a great appetizer.

Assorted sashimi

Tuna, swordfish, and mackerel – the freshness of the fish is exceptional.

Mashed potato with steamed green fish

Mashed potatoes and salmon are served steamed. Personally, I found the steamed salmon had a slightly stronger fishy taste in the mouth, and the seasoning sauce wasn’t particularly prominent, which was a pity as it didn’t fully blend the two ingredients together.

Rice-aroma fried shrimp

Instead of using traditional tempura batter, the shop creatively uses rice aroma as the coating. It’s less greasy than traditional batter and has a more fragrant taste. The shop provides two sauces: tartar sauce is perfect for dipping the rice-aroma shrimp, while tempura dipping sauce goes well with the fried vegetables.

Chirashi sushi

I love the sauce on the vinegar rice of the chirashi sushi – it has a slight sweetness, the rice grains are chewy and delicious, and lemon slices are placed between the fish, giving off a refreshing citrus aroma from time to time. Overall, it’s a very tasty chirashi sushi.

Fresh fish miso soup

The white miso soup is enriched with tofu and bits of fish for added texture.

Grilled halibut edge 60 NTD per piece, shiso shrimp nigiri 90 NTD for 2 pieces, limited-edition tamagoyaki 70 NTD for 2 pieces

The daily-limited tamagoyaki is made differently from the traditional version, with a texture as soft and fluffy as cake, light and airy with a rich egg flavor. The richly fatty halibut edge, when grilled, melts in your mouth, and the aromatic, flavorful fat leaves you wanting more.

Tempura sushi 180 NTD

The nori on the outside of the sushi roll adds a nice touch, and the vinegar rice suits our taste perfectly, leaving you feeling full and satisfied.

Clam garlic soup 50 NTD

The clam soup broth is cooked until milky white, with a strong, rich garlic aroma – absolutely delicious.

Metro bento 100 NTD

Available only for weekday lunch, this takeout metro bento also comes with a bowl of soup. Not only is the content generous, but the taste is uncompromised. (Reservations can be made by phone in advance.)

Situated in a residential area, this Japanese restaurant is definitely one of the dining choices for nearby residents. The chef’s skills are of a certain standard and quite to our liking. If the chef could interact more with customers, the dining atmosphere would become even livelier. Breaking away from the traditional impression of Japanese cuisine, the choice of a Western-style open kitchen that faces the customers is also an alternative specialty. Friends who enjoy Japanese food might want to check it out.

Tokyo Metro Sushi – Handcrafted Cuisine
Address: No. 233, Zhongshang Street, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 07-3501078
Business Hours: 11:30–14:30, 17:00–21:00 | Closed on Tuesdays

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