Sushi Itshoni Japanese Restaurant

We were in the area near H-Mart and were looking for a place to eat. We decided we didn't want Vietnamese food (even though Pho Capital is right there and very good).

We were the only ones in the restaurant and they brought us the incorrect order.

My spouse and I, a senior couple, dined at this restaurant for the first time for dinner on a Thursday evening, arriving just after 5pm.

This was our first dining experience at this restaurant - we (senior couple) went for dinner, arriving just after 5pm (a Thursday). The restaurant is located within Hanin Village, and situated on the east side, at the far end of the shops, stores, and restaurants on that side of the plaza. Upon entering, we were greeted/welcomed by staff, and shown to a 'booth-like' table along the front-facing side of the restaurant by a young, and friendly male server. I thought it was a rather nice set-up - it seemed sort of cozy, and offered a sense of some privacy, and the overall darker colours and ambiance of the restaurant itself helped in that regard. The restaurant offers a fusion of Japanese and Korean dishes. I had had mackerel "on my mind" when we chose to try this restaurant (after seeing photos in reviews, and such, and not tasting such in so long), and once there, and into the menu, decided I just had to try it. The waiter advised at ordering, that the baked mackerel came with a good-sized bowl of steamed rice, and a soup. We decided to add an appetizer of gyoza, and their largest offering of assorted tempura to the order. Tea, and three side dishes of banchan (kimchi, sliced & marinated beets and cucumber) accompanied the order.The mackerel was a small, whole fish, that had been split in half, the two flesh sides presented 'up' on the plate. It was mackerel - tasty and oily - and when eating it, definitely brought back some fond memories of why I did, and did not like this fish. But no real complaints about the preparation - it was quite well-prepared, and offered a taste 'treat'. Except for a small portion of the head, little was left as waste to go back to the kitchen. Would I order it again? .. maybe, but not too soon! The side dish of rice was good, the soup, only so-so (not very tasty). The gyoza and tempura were just what I would call 'standard' fare - no surprises, and nothing special either. The prawns and veggies in the tempura were cooked well, and tasted fine, but the batter was greasy, and lacked any crispness. The banchan was nothing special - the kimchi peculiarly cut (like chunks), and too spicy hot for our tastes, the others cool, and 'ok'I believe our dining experience at Sushi Itshoni matched expectations. We were not thrilled, but we were not totally disappointed either. It was a decent 'ok'.

My Korean friends wanted roasted mackerel, and they'd been to Sushi Itshoni before, so that was our choice for the evening. It is set in a small shopping mall (be prepared for limited parking at times), and the interior of the restaurant was rather plain and utilitarian. Immediately upon being served, my friends commented that the restaurant was a bit stingy with the side dishes. They enjoyed their mackerel and I enjoyed my bi bim bap, but we agreed the food was not exceptional. Our server was friendly, but did not check back with us later to see if we needed anything... it took a bit to get someone's attention when we needed more tea. The meal for 3 cost $45.00. My friends wondered if ownership has changed since they ate there last time. I would be willing to go back to Sushi Itshoni, but it wouldn't be my first choice of a restaurant to take friends or colleagues.