Todo Sushi (Scripps Ranch)

mmm-yoso!!! is the name of this food blog.  Cathy is writing while Kirk and His Missus are researching.

A few weeks ago, I met a client at her workplace in Scripps Ranch.  When following Siri's directions and looking for parking, I noticed this restaurant, which was new to me but has apparently been here since 2007.

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IMG_7817 There is seating outdoors in front as well as inside tables and there is a lengthy counter for the sushi bar.

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The menu is pretty basic.

IMG_8416 I ordered the Shrimp and Veggie tempura appetizer ($9.95) to check out the frying technique here.  The veggies (two each of green bean, onion, carrot and potato) were battered and the two shrimp were also dipped in bread crumbs.  The tempura sauce (soy, sugar seaweed and bonita flakes) (each sauce is made here and ingredients listed on the menu under the “Glossary of Sauces”) was a perfect compliment to the crisp, non-greasy fry.

IMG_8413 I ordered the "Modern Sashimi Salad" ($15.95).  Assorted sashimi (tuna and salmon this day)-(a very large amount) topped with the House dressing (soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, onion and black pepper) on top of a crisp spring mix.  This was a wonderful choice.  Fresh, flavorful and plenty; I will order again.

IMG_8419 The Mister ordered the Tonkatsu Bento from the Lunch Special menu($13.95).  {Lunch specials served from 11 until 4:30} Breaded pork topped with a ponzu sauce (bonito flakes, soy, seaweed and citrus juice), rice, salad and tempura.  The pork was cooked about 30 seconds too long and was a bit dry but not terrible; the breading was not burned or too crisp.  It was on top of some sautéed cabbage, carrot and onion which was quite flavorful.  
IMG_8408 The lunch special came with a good quality miso.  Hot tea (as I always order) was a quality green with the grass-like flavor that I like and no charge.

We will stop by to try more of the menu when back in the area.

Todo Sushi 9823 Carroll Canyon Road San Diego 92131 Open Mon-Sat 11-9:30, Closed Sunday. (858) 566-0206 Website 

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Kumo Japanese Sandos

**** Kumo has closed

The Missus has been a fan of Japanese Supermarket Sandos ever since our visits to Japan. Strangely, I don’t have a post on the sandwiches we’ve gotten from Lawson over the years. Perhaps we just gobble them up too fast. And of course, the egg salad version has been quite hyped up; especially after this Tweet all those years ago.

The Missus’s preference is the Katsu Sando of the pork variety and after trying out the Katsu Sando at EE Nami She was looking forward to what Kumo had to offer. I was just waiting for the place to finally open. Which they did, though on weekends only. I hopped on down and took a look at the menu and had to deliver the bad news to the Missus, they didn’t do tonkatsu; only chicken katsu sandos. Which the Missus really didn’t want. The line on that day was rather long so I decided to wait until after our trip to Taiwan when the shop would have more regular hours.

Kumo 01 Kumo 02  When I finally had another opportunity, I arrived just as the very friendly young lady was folding up the blinds on the front door. And as during the soft opening, only one party is allowed inside the shop at once. I recall seeing chicken karaage on the menu when I did my aborted visit, but that was no longer offered. There are four sandwiches on the erase board menu; chicken katsu, menchi katsu, egg salad, and fruit and cream.

And since I had actually made it in the door, I decided to order the three savory sandwiches and split them with JeffP back in the office.

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Like I said, the young lady working was very nice. I ordered and was told to wait outside for my sandwiches.

I was intrigued to know that the bread came from MamMoth Bakery. We’ve been to their location in Marukai (now Tokyo Central) in Gardena.

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A few minutes later my sandwiches were ready and I headed back to the office.

You want to see what $40 of sandwiches looks like from Kumo? Have a gander.

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So how were they? Well, let’s go from “first to worst”.

For me the best was the Egg Salad ($12).

Kumo 09 Kumo 10  Compared to the Japanese version; this was chopped too coarse, there wasn’t enough mayo. There was a bit too much black pepper and it edged on the sweeter side. Liked the visual of the quarter tamago. The bread was slightly moist, but a bit too firm and chewy for me. Like I said before, I prefer my shokupan fluffier and softer.

The breading was not good on the Menchi Katsu ($13) as it was peeling off and soggy. The patty was very thin and overly chewy. This threw the bread to protein ration off in my opinion.

Kumo 06  Kumo 06b  It was also quite dry. This did the bread no favors. There was some flavor though it was quite mild. I could have used with a bit more katsu sauce to added a nice savory-umami-sweetness to things. It’s a sad day when I think that the shredded cabbage is the best part of the sandwich.

And yet, the Chicken Katsu Sando ($13) was our least favorite. I was thrilled to see that it was chicken thigh which would usually mean more flavor, but not in this case as it was rubbery and very bland. Look at the color of the breading.

Kumo 08  Kumo 07 Which was soggy and peeling off the protein. Man, this was not good eats at all. It seems that the only thing I could taste was the katsu sauce. Again it was the cabbage that was the headliner of the sandwich, bummer!

I spoke to JeffP a bit later and got his thoughts…..not surprisingly, his first to worse was the same!

It’s kind of sad, I was really looking forward to this place opening. I’m hoping that they do improve. But for now, I’m sticking with Sue’s next door when I’m in the area.

Kumo
6755 Mira Mesa Blvd.
Suite 108
San Diego, CA 92121
Hours:
Tues – Sun 11am – 5pm

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