Yo! Sushi - Trying Out the New Menu in Newcastle (REVIEW)

Wow. Well, what can I say about Yo Sushi? I’m a big fan of sushi. It's fresh. It's light. I always feel like I’m being healthy when I eat it, yet I hadn't actually been to a Yo! Sushi restaurant before.

The boys have eaten there. My hubby has been – so it seems like I’m the last person to try out Yo! Sushi. In this house at least. So what better evening to try their food out, than when they are launching a new menu. At least I’ll be the first in my family to taste these dishes!

Yo! Sushi offers flavoursome street food and sushi that in their words ‘is just bursting with shinsen’ - that I have learned is Japanese for fresh! First opening in 1997 in Soho London they now have nearly 100 restaurants around the world - with one in Newcastle and one in Gateshead.

It is not all about raw fish though. There serve over 80 different Japanese-inspired dishes including hot classics, sashimi, tempura, salads, hand rolls and desserts. And whether you love meat, fish or vegetables, you're catered for, and I certainly discovered that when I went along to try out the new summer menu. I do eat fish, but I don’t eat meat - however that was no problem whatsoever for the brilliant chef, Ioan Cozminca, at Yo! Sushi on Grainger Street. Newcastle and they cooked me veggie versions of all of the meat dishes.

 So what new dishes are on the menu at Yo! Sushi?

CHICKEN KATSU SANDO - Crispy fried chicken thigh sandwiched in soft white bread, smothered with tonkatsu sauce and Japanese mustard. My dining companions were impressed by this sandwich that was inspired by the food carts across the network of Japan’s bullet trains but they were eager to see what else was to come. My veggie alternative was a TOFU KATSU SANDO. This is crispy tofu with mild curry sauce, sandwiched in soft white bread. It is the closest thing I have ever eaten, that comes close to a fish finger sandwich that doesn’t actually contain fish. It really was lovely.

Next to arrive was BEEF KATSU - Tasty beef in a crispy panko crumb served with a drizzle of fruity tonkatsu sauce. My PUMPKIN KATSU was so good. That good that my friend preferred that to her beef version – and the beef version was tasty enough. I will definitely be ordering the naturally sweet, crispy bites of kabocha pumpkin, drizzled with tonkatsu sauce again. We also got some of the sauce to take home – so I may be trying to cook this up for my boys and hubby as they missed out.

Next was our first fish dish so no need for an alternative dish for me. It was COD NANBANZUKE - Japan’s answer to sweet and sour! Crispy fried cod bites in a sweet and sour sauce and I think this was my favourite dish of the night. Looks great, really tasty and only 131 calories too.

Instead of the PORK TERIYAKI - Meltingly tender slices of roast pork belly with egg. I had KAKIAGE VEGETABLE. I’m a fan of shredded vegetables bound together in a crisp tempura batter with a sesame vinegar sauce, so although we were starting to get little full by now I was happy to eat it all up.

Another fish dish followed. This was a little different - OSAKA STYLE SQUID - Spicy Pepper Squid topped with bonito flakes, aonori, beni shoga, mayo and tonkatsu. The bonito flakes move when they come into contact with warm air – I haven’t had this before and it looks like your food is moving on your plate. I really liked the flavour and would eat it again but this was probably the least popular dish of the night amongst my dining companions.

The SEARED BEEF ROLL came which was radish, cucumber and quick-pickled onion wrapped in seared beef with shichimi powder. My dish simply didn’t have the beef and was really good.

We had managed to work our way through 6 courses and now there was dessert to some. TOKYO BANANA CAKE which is banana sponge swirled with fresh cream. It was a lot lighter than I thought, which was just as well after so many dishes and a delight to eat.

As well as tasty the food is definitely fresh and prepared right in front of you in the open kitchens, by Yo! Sushi expert chefs. 

In fact, I have to say that all of the staff were great. Friendly, helpful, and made great suggestions such as this drink ...

It comes in a glass bottle sealed with a marble, which once opened drops into the drink. The drink is often referred to as "marble soda" outside Japan. Ramune apparently translates as lemonade. It's not lemonade but it is a refreshing, fizzy drink that is also fun!

.. and also kept our drinks topped up from fizz to a green tea cocktail to the Ramune Soda.

The summer menu showcases all the colours and tastes of street food. The dishes are carefully created and beautifully presented and should make anyone who may think that Japanese cuisine is not for them, think again. Delicious is the word.

Are you a fan of sushi?

Deb x

Disclosure: I was invited to try out the new menu dishes in return for an honest review.