Introduction:
No matter the occasion, Tora is the place to be! Whether you’re looking for something cold, warm, or even spicy, Tora has just about everything. Tucked away in the heart of Boston’s Chinatown, this restaurant serves a variety of Japanese staple dishes like sushi, udon, and their signature Kaisen Don. We decided to go for a late lunch on a Saturday to celebrate a birthday, and Tora did not disappoint. Right as we entered, we were greeted by an upscale yet inviting atmosphere. The seating area had elegant, modern fixtures that added to its overall feel. Although we decided to sit at a booth, there is also seating at the sushi bar, which provides an up-close view of the chefs hard at work. After being seated, our waiter poured our waters and presented us with the menu, which was extensive and had a large selection of Japanese dishes to choose from. Each person at our table ordered something different, and everyone was able to find something that suited their taste. Needless to say, we have a lot of good things to share about Tora, so let’s get into it!
Avery:
I’ve wanted to try Tora for a while now because I’ve only heard great things about this spot. They’re primarily known for their Kaisen Don, which translates to seafood rice bowl. As a huge sashimi and sushi lover, I decided to get the Sake Maguro Hamachi Don – fresh pieces of salmon, blue fin tuna, and yellowtail all served over a bed of sushi rice. The dish also came with yellow pickled radish, ginger, wasabi, and a bowl of miso soup.
Right off the bat, the presentation was simplistic, yet mouthwatering. There was a generous amount of fresh, high-quality sashimi, and each piece had a vibrant color to it. I made sure to dip the fish into the soy sauce before getting the perfect ratio of sashimi to rice. As I took my first bite, I was immediately shocked by the freshness of the fish and how it melted in my mouth. The sushi rice underneath was fluffy, and it had a perfect balance of sweetness from the sugar and sharpness from the rice vinegar. The wasabi paired nicely with the dish as it added a depth of spice and earthiness. Next, I went for the pickled ginger and radish which were sweet and tangy – the perfect palate cleansers for in-between bites.
After trying the Kaisen Don, I decided to move onto the miso soup, which came as part of my meal. Still piping hot, the broth had a rich savory, umami flavor to it. The tofu inside was incredibly smooth and soft, and the green onions added a touch of freshness to the soup. This was the perfect side dish to complement my main.
Overall, all of the food I had was incredible. But, if I had to choose my favorite bite from this meal, it would probably be the yellowtail sashimi. Yellowtail is my favorite type of raw fish, and this was some of the best I’ve ever had. I highly recommend checking out Tora and trying one of their Kaisen Dons. I cannot wait to return in the future!
Sarah:
I decided to go with two smaller menu items, the Cha Shu Bao Bun and the Shrimp Tempura Maki. I’m not personally the biggest fan of sashimi like salmon or tuna, so I appreciated that they had many other options on the menu. The presentation was great, and the bao bun was even stamped with the Tora logo.
I dug into the bao bun first, which was light, fluffy, and ever so slightly chewy. The bun was filled with double cooked cha shu pork, cucumber, and pickled onion, offering a great balance between sweetness and acidity. The pork inside was soft, tender, and melted in my mouth, and it was coated in a teriyaki sauce that provided the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. The cucumbers and pickled onions added a fresh and crisp aspect to the dish, which made the overall bite feel balanced and complete.
I tried the shrimp tempura maki next, which lived up to the high expectations that the bao bun set. The rice was soft and slightly sticky, and there was a good amount of shrimp in each piece. The toppings are really what set this roll apart – it was topped with tobiko (flying fish roe) and unagi sauce, which made the dish even more flavorful. I dipped each piece in a bit of soy sauce, which added a saltier element and provided a nice balance to the sweetness of the unagi sauce. A shrimp tempura roll is my usual order at most Japanese restaurants, and I think that this was one of the best that I’ve tried.
While both elements of my meal were delicious, I would have to say that my favorite bite was the Cha Shu Bao Bun. The fluffy bun and tender pork were an amazing combo, and I look forward to ordering it again. Overall, I appreciated the extensivity of the menu and the large number of choices for my meal, and I can say with confidence that I will be returning to Tora the next time I’m looking for high quality and reasonably priced Japanese cuisine.
Conclusion:
Tora definitely exceeded our expectations, and we cannot wait to come back soon and try the rest of their menu. We highly recommend this spot if you’re craving delicious, authentic Japanese food. This is the perfect spot for either a solo dinner date, a special occasion with friends, or anything in between. 10/10!