Umi Sushi + Udon, Darling Quarter

Who remembers when the most exciting thing in Darling Quarter was Sega World? Now Sega World is long gone and there is a brand spanking new strip of eateries including a Guylian cafe, Janus cafe, Taste Baguette and an array of restuarants.

One of these new places is Umi Sushi and Udon, sister sushi train to Umi Kaiten-Zushi at Capitol Theatre.  Umi Sushi + Udon has a nice set up where the train is located inside but there are also several large tables outside.  You can choose to order off the menu or walk inside to take sushi off the train.  The benefit of sitting outside is that you get to people-watch the hyperactive kids scrambling around like psychotic monkeys on the playground.

Pricing of the sushi plates range from $2.60 to $6.60.  If you’re ordering off the paper menu, you can’t see how much the plates cost unless you ask the waitress because they are only shown as pictures (see menu below).

We ordered some plum umeshi (Japanese liqueur) to share and it arrived in a very cool jug.  The crushed ice is in that little hole!

I felt like trying a few different things and noticed the ‘Kids Bento Box’ option which looked like a steal for $9.80.  When the waitress came around, I asked if I could order one, half expecting to be rejected, but she didn’t blink and just said ‘sure, which one do you want?’  Yay for kids options not being restricted to children!

The bento box turned out to be great value and I think most kids would be happy with it.  Not to mention the extra novelty factor in having the nigri lolly!  Also good to note that the juice comes in a glass so if you’re an adult, you don’t feel like a dork drinking from a popper.

Next up were a few plates of sushi which were delivered fairly promptly.  It would be better if the menu had the names of the different sushi types rather than just pictures.

The surprise of the night came from the size of two salads ordered off the menu.  I was extremely impressed when they arrived – each one was about the size of my head!

I wouldn’t go out of my way to come back again because it’s not the cheapest sushi train around. Having said that, there aren’t many sushi trains in Sydney where you can sit outside and the salads were awfully good.