‍5 WORD CRITIQUE: Surprising, Decorative, Satiating, Zen, Quality

LOCATION REVIEW: 

If you’ve ever imagined how it was like during the time of prohibition to walk up to an unsuspecting door that opens up to an unexpectedly themed restaurant letting you know that you came to the right place, then you need to go to Sokai Sushi Bar. As mentioned, the location for this Sokai Sushi Bar in Flagler will deceive you when you first arrive. From the outside, it appears as though you are about to walk into a regular restaurant in a shopping plaza. The only difference is all of the windows to Sokai Sushi Bar have 100% mirror-like tints giving you the first clue that what happens at Sokai Sushi Bar can only be seen within. After checking yourself out in the mirror windows, you open the door to a surprisingly high ceiling and fully themed Japanese style restaurant. Behind the hostes booth is a literal open kitchen allowing you to be greeted by a smiling hostess and deliciously smelling food being prepared within view. 

Everywhere you look around you is something that stimulates the mind and senses. The jungle plant wall that you see the moment you walk in gives you an immediate dose of zen. The various large, modern lighting pieces hanging from the high ceiling are the first sign that there is a level of sophistication and quality to this place. The dining room is to your right once walking up to the hostess booth, giving an organized and direct flow straight to the tables for seating after walking in. When ready to go to your table, the moment you face the dining room you are met with a MASSIVE artwork stretching from wall to wall of incredibly elaborate Japanese style images ranging from a statue of buddha to paint brush style Japanese lettering in Red. The artwork alone sets such a tone in the room that you feel calm and relaxed your entire experience. 

In regards to the seating arrangements, most of the dining room’s tables and seats are all moveable, allowing larger parties to join them if needed. Cushioned booth seats against the walls allow for a more comfortable experience if preferred. High top tables that are closer to the windows are great for medium sized groups wanting to have a stand out experience from the rest of the dining room.

Overall, the atmosphere and space of Sokai Sushi Bar could be described as zenful, beautifully decorated, and perfectly setup to allow anyone to feel at peace while eating at a place you know is worth eating at. 

Key Takeaways:

• Sokai Sushi Bar in Flagler is a themed restaurant that is located in a shopping plaza and has mirror-like tints on all its windows.
• The restaurant has a Japanese-themed decor with a jungle plant wall and large, modern lighting pieces hanging from the high ceiling.
• The dining room is organized with moveable tables and seats, cushioned booth seats against the walls, and high top tables near the windows.
• The massive artwork stretching from wall to wall in the dining room creates a calm and relaxed atmosphere.
• Overall, the atmosphere and space of Sokai Sushi Bar is beautifully decorated, zenful, and perfect for anyone looking for a peaceful and enjoyable dining experience.

FOOD REVIEW:

Sokai Sushi Bar offers some of the best of Japanese & Peruvian fusion. As is common with this style of cuisine, meals are generally meant to be shared with the table as the portions and style of food make it perfectly shareable.  During our time at Sokai we started with Gyozas (fried pork dumplings) accompanied by Tiradito Hamachi, Pork Belly Buns, and Salmon Tacos. This was then topped off by 3 different rows of Matsu, Tokio, and Acevichado sushi rolls… I am literally drewling on my keyboard as I type this.

The Gyozas (pork dumplings) were not delicious, they were so good that you need to control yourself to not eat them in one bite with how perfectly textured and fulfilling they are. One dip in the soy sauce and you’re having an intimate experience with dumplings that will have you questioning every dumpling you’ve had before that moment. Moving to the Tiradito Hamachi, this dish is as beautifully prepared as it tastes. In a flat pan, you have thinly sliced Hamachi (fish) with another row of thinly sliced avocado followed by a ball of arugula with sesame seeds and quinoa sprinkled on top… oh and all of that is laying on top of a layer of Peruvian leche de tigre sauce automatically giving flavor to everything you eat off the dish. This one is a special bite as it is more delicate, but tasty and a great option to share with someone (cough) on a romantic date (cough).

Now I need to take a moment to talk about the pork belly buns. When I tell you that these soft, mouth watering tacos are worth every moment you chew on them, I mean that they are absolutely worth every moment you chew on them. The actual taco shell is a thick, soft, and slightly chewy dough with the most flavor filled pork belly around. If I had to only eat these for the rest of my life… well I think you get the point.

Moving onto the salmon tacos, these bites are an excellent addition to any options you choose. With the crunchy taco shell and fresh salmon, you can taste and feel the quality of ingredients the moment you bite into it. The taco shell is crunchy, but sturdy to hold the remaining piece in your hand after biting down. So don’t worry about taking that half bite only to have the rest of the taco shatter onto your plate. 

Finally, we have Sokai Sushi Bars famous sushi rolls! It must be noted that regardless of the rolls you choose, you will be more than satisfied with the portion and amount of ingredients within every roll. If you can eat an entire line of Sokai Sushi Rolls yourself then you deserve an award because we definitely had to box some to take home before leaving. Between the Matsu, Tokio, and Acevichado sushi rolls, it was Tokio that won my taste buds. Specifically because it felt like a true representation of the Japanese Peruvian fusion that Sokai Sushi Bar is built on.

The Tokio rolls are made with Mamenori, Rice, Masago, Crab Dib, Plantain, Avocado, Scallions, Salmon Katsu marinated in smoked Ponzu sauce, fresh tuna, Aji Amarillo, Smoked Eel, with Black Tobigo on top. Yes, this is all in just one single roll multiplied by up to 10 rolls in a single plate. When you come to Sokai Sushi Bar, you better come hungry and ready to eat.

All in all, the food at Sokai Sushi Bar was worth every minute we ate there. Eating here is an experience that will leave you fulfilled and glad that you spent money on food that you will remember eating.

Key Takeaways: 

• Sokai Sushi Bar offers Japanese and Peruvian fusion cuisine that is perfect for sharing.
• The restaurant offers a range of dishes including Gyozas, Tiradito Hamachi, Pork Belly Buns, Salmon Tacos, and various sushi rolls.
• The Pork Belly Buns are described as a highlight, with a soft, chewy dough and flavorful pork belly.
• The famous sushi rolls, including the Matsu, Tokio, and Acevichado, are also praised for their generous portions and quality ingredients.
• The overall dining experience at Sokai Sushi Bar is described as fulfilling and worth the cost.

AMBIANCE REVIEW:

From the moment you walk into Sokai Sushi Bar you know you’ve arrived at the right place. From the zen plant wall at the entrance, to the massive Japanese themed wall painting and modern light fixtures, everything Sokai Sushi Bar offers is more than you would ever expect. You are met with a constant dose of surprise and fulfillment that leaves you in a constantly good mood without realizing it. The entire restaurant is decorated and designed to represent what it offers, which is MORE. More space, More food, More plants, More zen, More exciting than you ever expected before arriving. This is to say that this estaurant has invested so much into the details and experience that it not only impresses you as a patron walking in, but is then multiplied when you receive your food and drinks. Consider the expression putting your money where your mouth is, Sokai Sushi Bar has a very big mouth, and their food, is the money they back up with that mouth letting you know that this is a place you will definitely want to return to. 

Of everything there is to say about Sokai Sushi Bar, it should be noted that this place is not a lounge or lowkey dining experience. It is an open floor plan surrounded by stimulating decorations and high ceilings allowing the energy and sound of the restaurant to mix together like a pool of zen and enjoyment. This should be factored into when you come as this is a place best experienced when shared with others.

Key Takeaways

• Sokai Sushi Bar offers an unexpected and fulfilling dining experience with a Japanese-themed decor and modern lighting fixtures.
• The restaurant is designed to represent what it offers, which is more in terms of space, food, plants, zen, and excitement.
• Sokai Sushi Barhas invested heavily in the details and experience, which is evident in the food and drinks they serve.
• The restaurant has an open floor plan with stimulating decorations and high ceilings, creating a pool of zen and enjoyment.
• Sokai Sushi Bar is a place best experienced when shared with others and is not a lounge or lowkey dining experience.
• Sokai Sushi bar has 4 different locations Dorla, Flagler, The Falls and Kendall with a location opening in downtown.
• The Falls locations has a big variety of cocktails
• You can find them on social @sokaisushibar