Oriental food in Tampa, and rifling through the less than satisfactory.

Like many street side strip malls in america, a likely occupant of it’s imaginably underwhelming commercial real estate spaces, where a boost mobile hasn’t already made it’s stay, is a poorly advertised Chinese food restaurant with a name that follows the worn out two word pattern that includes the terms, but is not limited to, China, one, star, wok, town or oriental. And while there are those among them that surprisingly provide food that is presentable, or even perhaps edible, it is probable that the food is less than satisfactory. In tampa bay (without naming the names I just named) one will find many of these places living next to run down Florida themed T-Shirt shops or a glass storefront that simply says “vacant.” Unfortunately for the average consumer, and eater, these restaurants are one thing that many Asian restaurants of quality are not, and that is cheap. A number 2 general tso's chicken meal is unlikely to run the average in-a-rush customer no more than ten dollars, while cheap, it’s infrequently a cost that justifies forfeiting the comfort of one’s stomach upon eating it. Even more unfortunately there exists a market for particularly expensive Asian cuisine in America. Plates of miniscule, single serve shrimp wrapped in green onion shoots that cost more than buying a bag of shrimp at the store. Thankfully, like with many kinds of food in Tampa Bay, there is a happy medium. Not expensive, not cheap, good quality and great tasting Asian food, specifically in this case, sushi and complimentary Japanese accompaniments. 

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SOHO Sushi is a small Japanese and Sushi restaurant who’s Japanese flag resembling sign can be seen through the leaves of a tree that lives on the corner of West Kennedy Boulevard and South Bradford Ave. The inside is strangely decorated in the fashion of a higher scale steakhouse with high-backed booth seating, silverware wrapped in black linen and hostesses laden in long and tight black dresses, most of whom aian. In front of you as you walk inside is a long sushi bar, behind which practiced japanese chefs roll and slice sushi in a conductorial manor, filling and passing them without exchanging the focus of their eyes. You’ll likely be seated quickly and subsequently greeted by a server with a similar urgency. Their menu is extensive, as can be expected of most Asian or sushi places, but inclusive. For customers uninterested in sushi SOHO Sushi offers a full lunch and dinner menu featuring Japanese barbeque, fried rice and plenty of other Japanese staples. Their sushi menu is complete, to say the least; there isn’t a roll you’ve already found that you won’t find at SOHO Sushi (with the obvious exception of location specific specials). 

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So save yourself the 8 buck trip to the bathroom and enjoy some good quality Asian food for a manageable price. I recommend the spicy crunchy tuna roll. No I am not a sushi simpleton, I’m more exploratory than a picky, front page food chooser. Having said this, a sushi restaurant that can make a quality spicy tuna roll is reliable in my book. Also try their eel or tempora, both are awesome. Whoever you are or whatever your fancy, SOHO Sushi is likely to satisfy.