This Columbus Japanese restaurant is serving up delicious and affordable meals
Newsrooms have historically been filled with doughnuts, pizza boxes and takeout containers of every shape and size.
Why? Because the news never seems to sleep (and neither do journalists). When working on a deadline, it’s best to find something to eat that’s quick, delicious and filling. However, I also like to try to keep within a certain budget.
So visual journalist Mike Haskey and I decided to run and grab lunch from Taste of Tokyo Japanese Express on Manchester Expressway. Located just a few doors down from the Walmart Neighborhood Market, Taste of Tokyo is a great option for those looking for something fast and reasonably priced.
The price point definitely makes the restaurant worthy of being included with the restaurants I reviewed in a story I did last year on cheap eats in Columbus. Now, I’ve finally gotten around to reviewing the restaurant. Better late than never, some say.
I’ve eaten at the restaurant several times to reward myself for doing my grocery shopping. Is this the best fiscal choice considering I just bought groceries? Probably not, but I only have one life to live.
This means I want as many of their hibachi bowls as possible. I always go with the shrimp hibachi bowl with fried rice for $7.99. A great deal, considering some meals from chain fast food restaurants cost over $10.
The bowl comes with an impressive amount of shrimp for the price. The fried rice has a rich flavor with nice overtones from the green onions in the rice. The hibachi bowl comes with a sweet teriyaki-like sauce on top that I like to mix into the rice.
Is it delicious on its own? Yes. However, I’ve always believed fried rice that tastes good on its own can only be improved upon by adding soy sauce, which I did. Though, I wouldn’t advise adding soy sauce to those trying to cut down on sodium.
Mike got the regular chicken hibachi with steamed rice and vegetables, which he seemed to enjoy. Both of our meals came with a sweet sauce that tasted similar to honey mustard with a creamier consistency.
If you stop by, I’d definitely suggest picking up some egg rolls. I’ve gotten them on several occasions in the past and they’ve always been delicious.
However, this restaurant is far from a one-trick pony. Those not wanting hibachi can choose from noodles, bento boxes, fried shrimp, cheese steaks, wings and salads.
So next time you’re craving takeout, head on down to Taste of Tokyo and grab a hibachi bowl of your choice.