We’ve all heard of Kura Sushi and Sushiro, but what if there was an even better budget sushi chain flying under the radar – Kappa Sushi!
I had just finished a tennis session at Nishi-Uji Park in Kyoto when I stumbled upon Kappa Sushi just outside Ogura Station on my way home. Not to be mistaken with Kappo Sushi which is a high-end restaurant way out of my budget, I thought I’d give this one a try and see how it weighs up against its competitors Kura and Sushiro.
Straightforward Ordering
The ordering system is super straightforward, featuring a touchscreen with their many dishes neatly categorized in a handful of tabs.
Language settings include Japanese, English, Korean, and Chinese, and you could also order with your smartphone as preferred.
Dishes range from as low as 100 yen to as high as 1,000 yen and beyond, though the expensive dishes are typically full on ramen or rice bowls.
Quality Dishes
For the measly price range of 100–200 yen, the quality of the salmon and tuna sashimi was pretty good, at least on par with Sushiro and Kura.
However, what really sets Kappa Sushi apart from the rest is their exclusive dishes that are typically not offered at other franchises, for instance, this roasted salmon nigiri with pepper and cheese toppings!
It’s dishes like these that make Kappa Sushi a unique experience that’s worth trying. When quality between sushi chains is equal, it comes down to personal tastes, and I suspect Kappa Sushi is favored by many.
Delicious Tempura
It’s not all about the sushi (surprisingly), but also the additional rice-less dishes that add a tinge of extravagance to your dining experience. Here, you can get some interesting tempura dishes featuring ingredients like sea bream, unagi, and mushroom which are quite rare in the realm of tempura.
Awesome Sides
Speaking of fried goods, Kappa Sushi also offers delicious side dishes such as takoyaki (octopus dumplings) and french fries.
Additionally, they have plenty of fried chicken options including karaage chicken and popcorn chicken.
In terms of drinks, you can pay a few hundred yen and get unlimited access to the drinks bar for sodas, juices, and tea.
Gourmet Desserts
Another unique aspect of the Kappa Sushi experience is their dessert menu, which is quite high in quality and also variety.
Their specialty is their chocolate mousse range which can be enjoyed as depicted in the photo or in a parfait form for a more filling dessert.
The cream, berries, and pistachio bits on top not only looked fantastic in its presentation but also tasted amazing!
Indeed, the desserts at Kappa Sushi were at the level of gourmet that I’d liken to wedding desserts.
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