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Sushi Marche
Category: Restaurants Sushi Bars Sushi Bars [Edit]
1105 Queen St EToronto, ON M4M 1K7
Neighbourhood: Leslieville
(416) 463-0114
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
27 reviews for Sushi Marche
Review Highlights
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"Chef John Lee has been serving up fresh and beautiful sushi..." In 3 reviews -
"...note that he worked under the iron chef himself, Morimoto." In 3 reviews
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"Their fresh ingredients are really the highlight." In 3 reviews
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27 reviews in English
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Review from Jason K.
11/7/2010
friend and i were itching for sushi, and through yelp, found sushi marche.... and better still, since we were feeling lazy as hell, they offer delivery!!!! ($3 charge, but i think if you live closer, they don't charge)
their menu has a pretty good assortment of choices from your standard options, to more obscure items like yamagobo (mountain burdock), and ume kyu (plum paste with cucumber).
we were feeling pretty futsu (read: plain), so we went with a few options, and the highlights where:
- maguro sashimi (nice cuts, beatufiul presentation with the shiso even in a plastic takeout container)
- tamago nigiri sushi (perfect level of sweetness and salty)
- tekka maki (this came with a hint of negi/green onion that gave a really finish)
- comment on the sushi rice: very tasty. good consistency. you can tell the person who made it knows what they are doing.
i will definitely order from them again... and plan to drop into the store one day....
random thought: not sure who originally picked up the phone to take my order, but it was clearly one of the japanese sushi chefs. he tried really hard with his English, and i give him mad props for making us both laugh with his explanation of yamabogo. -
Review from Marie F.
8/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
It seems like sushi tastes are as diverse and contredictory as a person's scent preferences... one person's Chanel No 5 is another's Grandma Mothball elixir. Sadly for Sushi Marché I am leaning towards the mothballs!
I have no cawlms about blaming this sushi snafu on Steeven L. who insisted on grabbing sushi lunch in Leslieville. Much like ordering poutine in Alaska, I am always a bit weary of ordering ethnic/culturally renown foods in areas which lack that ethnicity/culture. But I was hungry, in the area and thought the Yelp reviews looked great...
Upon entering the "restaurant" I understood why everyone mentioned that this is really more of a take out place. There were two tables shoved in the corner of the room and you have to order at the counter.
It seemed like every combo came with California rolls (which I despise). I asked if I could substitute the California with something else if I paid extra and at first the answer was no. I scanned through the menu some more and after about a minute the cashier said I could sub for 1$.
The food took forever to be ready. As the only ones in the place 20 minutes was un acceptable. I got 5 pieces of Salmon roll, 5 pieces of Kamikaze roll, and a soup for $15! The fish was fresh but way too over priced for lunch. Also their Kamikaze roll isn't all that great and I left the restaurant still hungry. :-( -
Review from Faye C.
11/19/2011
This is a well regarded sushi resto in the area. I like that the rolls are not overwhelming. I've had the california rolls here. They were ok. I find this place on the pricier side, but without all the ambience.
I prefer to trek up to the danforth for some lesser quality, but ok sushi, or down the street for some good sushi, with a great atmosphere that offers a true dining experience. -
Review from Patricia M.
Toronto, ON
11/14/2011
My boyfriend and I have come here often in the past, but had been away for a bit and decided to go back.
Sadly, it`s not the same place we remember. :(
The sushi was ok, not the AMAZING experience we recalled.
The Miso was the best part!
The service. . . Terrible! The woman who was running the cash this time around was possibly the most unhappy/grouchy Japanese woman I had ever met!
Sadly, I'd rather the congestion of T&T for the same basic quality. -
Review from Steeven L.
Etobicoke, ON
7/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was in Leslieville this afternoon and had a craving for some sushi. So I bring up Yelp on my phone and Sushi Marche comes up as the closest sushi place. It's got 4 stars, not bad I say! So off we go to get some sushi.
I don't think I've been mislead by a Yelp rating this badly before... First, this place has a very odd and unpleasant smell. It's not a good thing when I'm grossed out even before ordering my food.
Then, the sushi is ok, and I mean it. It's not bad but it's not superb either. It's right down the middle. The prices, however, are ridiculous! They charge 30% - 50% more than most other sushi joints in Toronto. Cost me almost 30 dollars for a lunch "special" with a soup. I've had more and better sushi, with a drink, for less than that downtown.
What really annoyed me was that, once we ordered, it took over 20 minutes to get our food. WE WERE THE ONLY CUSTOMERS! It took a good 5 minutes for the sushi chef to actually come out from the back and START making the food. Then he made it at a snails pace while chatting it up with the cashier.
The food: 3 stars
Everything else: Less than 1 star.
Do yourself a favour and skip this place. -
Review from Jennifer M.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 5/8/2011
I really hate to do this.
As mentioned in my other reviews, we live practically next door and get takeout Sushi Marche regularly.
Some things have changed. The little grocery area is gone, and there is seating now. Also Jon and Wife seem to be gone, likely to the new location on Laird.
The last three visits have been EXTREMELY disappointing, and after 3, I can confirm that it was not an "off" night. Last night (my favorite: Maguro Kamikaze Gunkan Sushi) the tuna was the muddy grey colour of a cheap sushi joint. So much so that at first I thought that I had accidentally ordered the salmon.. or something. It was also very heavy on the rice. The Kamikaze 1 had the most minuscule portion of salmon it was barely recognizable. Seriously barely a sliver with a tiny amount of roe, and 8 times the amount of crunch bit and mayo. The hamachi had the blood line attached (or whatever the dark bit was). I was crushed at how subpar my meal was, and for $22.
I don't think we can go here anymore. Not for the price. The platters we order are usually in the $60 to $80 range and it is not worth the value, when we can head to the Danforth and feed better for $35.
Jon Lee, PLEASE figure out why the quality has slipped so much and bring back the Sushi Marche of the past.
I hope things change.Listed in: Associasian Eats, Leslieville, Riverdale &…, Leslieville Proper, Sushi!!
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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1/7/2011
I think its fair to upgrade sushi marche to 5 stars, as I said "all that waste" is what was holding… Read more »
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Review from WaYnE c.
Maple, ON
9/13/2010 4 photos
The praise, the reviews, the self-promotion on the window aside, this place can be a replacement of my memories of a tiny take-out sushi spot near my old university campus. Being near a campus meant value for those growing students that enjoy something special aside from KD.
That place didn't offer FRESH made 15-minute wait time Sushi though and didn't have a wide-smile sun-shiny lady(+1 *Star*) that took my order and suggested the Ebi Ten + Asparagus(8p/$8.00) while I added Scallop Nigiri(2p/$4.00) and Japanese Sea Bream Nigiri(2p/$7.00)
As I sat on 1 of 4 seats to await our Sushi Meal, there is an assortment of basic Japanese Grocery items for sale next to me. There was a display fridge that was empty, but probably meant for quick pre-prepped food items for people on the go. The friendly lady came towards me with a white plastic bag with Meal inside as I took it away to enjoy.
Scallop Nigiri, I was happy with especially at $2.00 a piece good value. Fresh and scallopy flavour as it should be but I noticed that the rice ball wasn't as prepared to standards.
The Japanese Sea Bream Nigiri was nice to try but it didn't leave me with much memory at all. It's good if you haven't had the experience of Sea Bream lately. At this price, I probably should have got the Uni instead.
Ebi Ten + Asparagus Roll(Shrimp Tempura, Asparagus, Spicy Sauce) left me in awe actually as you have to realize it is $1.00 per piece and it's one of the small(Loonie-sized) bites with no uniqueness from Rolls of any other places. Spicy Sauce didn't have much flavour or spice even for me. My friend just thought it was Soya Sauce. -
Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
Updated - 9/14/2010 8 photos
2.5 stars
This recent visit to Sushi Marche is a little let down, compare to my previous experience.
The sushi are not tasting as good. Maybe I have tried Taro's Fish and that experiene have change my idea or standard of what good sushi are like??
I would still drop by for my sushi fix in the area.. but their sushi would not be the one that I dream about when I have the cravings!!Listed in: Japanese Restaurant Owned by…, A Day in Leslieville!, 4 and 5 Stars Venues That Did…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/24/2009
This is one of the most expensive take out Spicy Tuna Inside-Out Roll I ever have!
I can tell you… Read more »
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Review from Will L.
Toronto, ON
3/17/2010
while they don't have any seating at all and only serve take-out, they have earned the reputation of serving some of the best sushi in Toronto.
Owned and operated by Chef John Lee, who has trained under "Iron Chef" Masaharu Morimoto, they've gained somewhat of a fanatical following where patrons from all over (including myself) swear by the high quality and attention to detail of the sushi they serve.
If you're in the area for the day, stop by to pick up some sushi and head over to a park for a romantic lunch with your date. -
Review from Jimi S.
ON
11/23/2008 2 photos
This is the best place I have ever had sushi. It is obvious how fresh the ingredients are when you taste them. they adorn the take out containers with ample wasabi, (could be slightly more ginger pehaps, though maybe im a piggy, who knows), a few pieces of fresh fruit, including this strange yellow berry, the name of which i dont know, but im sure successive reviewers will point out.
I usually have a spider roll/kamikazi roll which is soft shelled crab roll. its very crunchy, large and tasty. even more silky and slurpy is the unagi (bbq eel) either by itself or on rice. My wife gets tofu covered rice sushi which is also quite tasty.
but biting into sashimi like their salmon or tuna is heavenly. its so buttery and tasty. for some extras try some of their gyozas and seaweed salad or buy a few different japanese treats while you wait for your sushi. its made from scratch and with care so either call ahead or be prepared to chill and wait for it. Youll have to take it home, as there is only one table. No problem there; who doesnt love curling up on the divan naked and feeding fish (or tofu) to their loved one? -
Review from Jon S.
Toronto, ON
4/13/2009
Too expensive, but it's the best raw fish I've ever shoved down my gullet.
Do yourself a favour and try the Kamikaze roll. Eat it! Now! -
Review from TOFoodReviews n.
Toronto, ON
2/26/2011
This sushi restaurant at the corner of Queen and Caroline is a take-out superstar. You can walk in to place your order or call ahead for pick up or delivery; they add a reasonable $3.00 delivery charge for the area nearby and $5.00 + for further surrounding areas, depending on the distance. If you call with special requests or large party orders, the chefs will accommodate you in a very timely manner - if it's not on the menu, just ask!
Just like the fish, the interior is raw. There is actually one very small table with some chairs around it by the front window, but I've never seen anyone sitting there. There's a display that sits just to the left when you walk in, covered with bags of Japanese snacks for purchase and, on your right, you'll find shelves filled with a few groceries; dried sheets of nori is one recognizable item that jumps out immediately.
Chef John Lee has been serving up fresh and beautiful sushi platters at this location since 2005. It is impressive to note that he worked under the iron chef himself, Morimoto. There is something soothing about the fact that they prepare your food behind the counter in full view. It's that commitment to preparing and presenting the freshest ingredients that has built their dedicated customer base.
Lunch combos range from $15 to $25 and dinner combos from $15 to $35. If you choose the sashimi - individual pieces of raw fish with no rice - it does bring the price up a bit, but it's well worth it for something so delectable. If ordering a la carte is more your style, there are unique rolls to choose from, including: nigiri sushi (fish on rice), small rolls, inside out rolls and special rolls with everything from eel to sea urchin to marinated dried pumpkin.
Our dinner for two was easily fulfilled with the vegetable sushi combo, which includes miso soup, and adding one Una Tekkyu roll (eel, tuna, cucumber, fish roe) and, my sushi must, an order of edamame. The vegetable rolls are prepped delicately to appear as if they too are made with tender slices of fish, the cucumber rolls are a refreshing addition and there is even a roll with an orange, crunchy vegetable called Burdock - carrot-like in appearance and texture, but with a different and unique flavour.
Their fresh ingredients are really the highlight. Nori can easily become chewy and tough, but Marche's is tender and graces the palate without even a hint of the unappealing sea-scent that you might get from a lesser sushi establishment. I have to say I'm not the biggest fan of the cold edamame they serve, but I wouldn't want to trek my raw fish home with something steaming hot resting on top of it anyway, so I don't mind this one pre-prepared item.
If your only sushi experience is picking up a pack of that generic grocery store stuff, with the fake green grass insert, Sushi Marche is really the place to discover all the glory of raw fish. -
Review from David S.
Toronto, ON
12/21/2009 1 photo
On a rare visit to Toronto's east-end (we went to Binz), we decided to "pass-by" Sushi Marche as we've hard nothing but rave reviews about this establishment and the Chef's training under Morimoto.
This place is quite small. There's a small counter with their preparation kitchen chock full of fresh ingredients. The menu is pretty straightforward and could be considered "expensive" but in my opinion, well worth it. We weren't that hungry and only wanted to try out something quick so we could continue our Christmas shopping.
A very friendly and polite staff member named Cecilia (I read her name on our bill) took our order for the Eel/Avocado roll. It only took about 10 minutes to prepare and I wish I had a picture to show you but the plating of our takeout order was very clean and impressive. Came with this cute (yes guys can use the word 'cute') soya sauce dipping tray and an abundant amount of fresh ginger. BTW, the rolls tasted delicious! Each one had a hint of lemon or citrus which was an unexpected but delightful surprise to our palate.
I want to mention that Cecilia provided us with TWO Miso soups on the house, which was a nice touch!
I think if Sushi Marche had some in-house seating, it would get more business. In any case, this place is definitely a hidden treasure for Toronto sushi fans. We will be returning eventually to try thier $50 Omakase! Recommended! -
Review from Dani L.
Toronto, ON
7/19/2010
When I allow myself to make the investment and drop some coin at Sushi Marche, I'm always hesitant to take it home and eat it. I mean, it always seems blasphemous to eat such amazing food sitting on my couch. The food from Marche is like an angel(fish) singing in your mouth, man.
I have this place on the speed dial on my cell. No joke. -
Review from Geoffrey W.
Toronto, ON
1/18/2010 1 Check-in Here
It has limited ambience, no real seating, and the prices are higher than most of the nearby options.
However, the take-out sushi is better than most sit-down sushi restaurants, well prepared and well-presented in containers, fresh and delicious.
If you're looking for a pampered total experience, this wouldn't be your first choice, but if you're looking for top-class sushi that you can take away and enjoy at home, there's no better choice in the city that I've tried. -
Review from James K.
Toronto, ON
5/25/2009
You're not going to find better take out (of any kind) in the east end. The sushi is masterfully prepared and expensive (this isn't all you can eat, remember) but totally worth it. It's not something for everyday (who could afford it?) but it is worthy of a monthly treat.
Here's what Toronto Life had to say:
http://www.torontolife... -
Review from Ricky Z.
Toronto, ON
7/12/2010
At night I pray to Neptune (is he the god of sushi?) and thank him for Sushi Marche. I also thank my lucky stars the BEST sushi in Toronto is in my hood. I also dream up new ways to use clichés to describe my love of this business.
I feel as if I was one of the first customers of Sushi Marche when they rolled into Leslieville a few years ago. The stretch of Queen East between, well, Yonge and Woodbine was void of any type of sushi for as long as I can remember, so I was eager to try out the new kid on the block.
The quality of their preparation and presentation was clear to see from day one--my platters would often come adorned with edible orchids and kumquats. Over the years I venture to say Sushi Marche has become my go-to for take-out food in Toronto and one of my most-recommended restaurants.
While everything I've ever tried is amazing (including their crazy-good green salads with miso dressing), I especially love the Kamikaze Rolls. These bites of heaven are hands down the best maki rolls I've ever tried. They have all the makings of the perfect bite: a bit of crunch, a bit of spice, a bit of creaminess and a little zing.
For special occasions I recommend determining a budget and asking the chef to whip something up, carte blanche. I've done this several times and my guests are always speechless.
Sure, sometimes it's really busy and orders take a long time, and it's quite expensive; however, I view these "problems" as a testament to their high quality and reluctance to become another fast-food take out joint. -
Review from Mike C.
Toronto, ON
10/22/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Sometimes stellar, sometimes... not. Seems like the delivery sometimes can result in sub-par experiences, but other times I've been elated by quality. Last couple of times weren't great, may try again in the future. Or may just hop a streetcar to Japango instead.
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Review from Phil M.
EAST YORK, ON
8/26/2010
I've had better sushi. People rave about this place, and I've tried it. It's not inexpensive, and really nothing to write home about. Nice little retail unit though.
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Review from Jonathan W.
Calgary, AB
1/26/2009
This is a solid as take-out sushi gets. Can be a long wait and is worth it. Not inexpensive but if you have a craving for quality fish...
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Review from Andre G.
Toronto, ON
Best sushi take-out in town. Amazing quality of fish and friendly staff. A little on the expensive side but they make up for it in all sorts of "on-the-house" extras...
Listed in: Leslieville FTW!, My Leslieville Favs
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Review from Sarah O.
Toronto, ON
2/21/2010
take out tip: if you call ahead to place your order, it takes about 45 minutes to an hour for your food to be prepared (or maybe that's just how friday evenings are).
This take out sushi place can weigh a little heavy on the wallet but it's worth it. I had their veggie sushi dinner which is plenty of food - roasted red pepper, eggplant, king mushroom sushi, two enormous & nicely flavoured inari sushi (rice bags, as we bananas call them) and 3 pieces each of avocado, cucumber, green bean and kampyo rolls (the menu says oshinko and yamagobo which i was a bit disappointed because i prefer oshinko to cucumber and i was eager to have yamagobo which is burdock, a crunchy root vegetable).
Since it was our first time coming here, I didn't know the wait would be so long but they were very friendly and gave us an extra fruit container with our meal. It also comes with miso soup or salad.
At the front of the place, there's different types of japanese food items for sale - containers of ice cream, wasabi, kewpie mayonnaise, pocky, dried wakame etc. I don't know if the prices are reasonable or not since there were no price tags.
It's nice to have a place to go to in case of a cooking emergency requirement for kombu and to have a great option for sushi in the neighbourhood! -
Review from Rich T.
Toronto, ON
5/3/2010
Like all the other restaurants in Leslieville, it's another great addition to this serious up-and-coming neighbourhood. That said, you wouldn't expect such great sushi from this place. Why? There's no seating (all take-out / delivery) and it's nothing but a basic kitchen set up with two guys working the sushi. I did some research and found that the owner trained with Japanese Iron Chef himself - Morimoto! While training is one thing - taste is another and to that point the sushi is fresh and first rate. How do you know they're the real deal? When they list something on the menu, they actually have it --- unlike most local sushi joints that claim to have certain types of fish only to carry your bulk barn tuna and salmon. You can tell the place is gaining a big following judging by how much the phone was ringing for delivery orders. +ives: legit sushi chefs, variety -ives: pricey
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Review from Stephen D.
Toronto, ON
1/10/2010
i live in the beaches and this place is bar none the best. every meal looks like you should photograph it. I love sushi , at least once or twice a month i get the craving. This time the chef gave me free king crab, wow.......
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Review from Aeriol N.
Toronto, ON
1/16/2011
Not a great experience. The sashimi was nice thick slices, the nigiri sushi was so so the eel was dried up and tough. Rolls... I've had better. Asked for extra ginger 3 times, never got it. That's okay turned out their ginger wasn't very good. The menu had no pictures & was very limited. Pricy for a takeout place only. I had a $30.00 Coupon from Living Social. Ordered a $35.00 meal. They wouldn't accept it. Claimed there were other rules to the coupon other than what was on the Living Social Site. Had to order more. My meal for one person cost $45.00 otherwise they would not honor the coupon.... that was with no glass of vino and no sitdown or atmosphere. Just down the road at District you can get a truly premium sushi meal with sit down service and a nice big glass of wine, truly tasty fresh sashimi and the yummiest rolls in town for the same money or less. And the service is great at District. Skip this experience & head down the road.
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Review from private p.
Toronto, ON
2/8/2010
This is the best take out sushi I have had.!!!!! Worth every penny. The wait can be long but worth it. The food is always consistent and beautifully presented. What else can I say.
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Review from Brian L.
7/9/2010
After reading reviews about this place, I decided to give it a try. My wife and I walked over 4 miles, and through some not so nice neighborhoods, just to gets to this place. The two people working were very nice. We ordered three different items. The price seemed a bit on the high side. And we were both disappointed with the Sushi itself. It was fresh, and it looks great, but I would give it an average score. Not great, and I'm not day dreaming about going back. This is our opinion, and some here think its great. We took a cab back. Like one person mentioned, I would advise driving or taking a cab after dark.
