SmartShanghai | Yogafish

Yogafish

By Michael O., Oct 22nd, 2008 | In Dining

I generally don't do delivery, or even take-out. Pizza delivery? No thanks. The taste of microwaved cardboard doesn't appeal to me. The same goes for just about any food -- by the time it gets to your door it's either soggy, overcooked, or lukewarm. There are, however, a few foods that can be delivered with integrity -- salads, sandwiches, and sushi -- but even they need to be made fresh.

Welcome Yogafish, a new little corner spot on Changle Lu and Wulumuqi Lu, across the block from Enoteca and kitty-corner from Cafe Montmarte. They specialize in take-out sushi rolls, delivery and catering, but there's also about 5 seats for a fast lunch on the spot.

Yogafish is a slice of contemporary Californian comfort -- smart little sushi rolls, most of them with avocado, some vegetarian choices, and the option of brown rice (3rmb extra). Most of the rolls offer a variety of tuna, salmon, eel, or avocado. California rolls? Yes, they got 'em, 30rmb, and they do it right -- just a little bit of mayo, the avocado is good and fresh and creamy, soft, just barely sticky rice, and the tobiko fish roe tart and popping in your mouth.

The Drunken crab roll (40rmb) is like the Cali roll, but they add cucumber and a dash of sake to flavor the crab.

If you're having trouble deciding, there's always the Rainbow roll (45rmb), with 3 pieces each wrapped in salmon, tuna, or avocado. The set meals (55rmb) come with a roll of your choice, plus edamame or salad, a drink, and soba noodles (extra 10rmb).

The soba noodles are a small portion, gone in two bites, but they're artfully packaged with a raw quail egg still in the shell, wasabi, seaweed, and dipping sauce to justify the price.

There's also an Assorted Sashimi Box (35rmb) or Nigiri Box (29rmb), which are fine but don't expect large portions at that price.

Drink options are limited to S.Pelligrino bottles and the "Yogafish Singature Iced Milk Coffee or Milk Tea". When we asked why "signature" the waitress smiled and said "sorry, I can't tell you why, it's a secret." Of course then we had to order them and while they're certainly good versions -- very good -- but we're not sure why they're considered a signature. At any rate, we find them an odd match with sushi. Label us purists, but the option of simple standard green tea wouldn't hurt.

We'd also dig being able to order sake delivery, how about it guys?

The prices are totally reasonable -- you're getting some of the better and fresher sushi rolls we've had in town, especially the avocado -- but we had to spend 100rmb a person to fill up for lunch.

Delivery is free "in the Yogafish neighborhood." They close at 8:30 pm, so order early.

Tagged: Yogafish