Kung naghahanap ka ng Japanese restaurant sa Edmonton na masarap, Instagrammable, at hindi naman gaano kamahalan, check out Kinjo Sushi & Grill – South Common.
I recently checked out their South Common location, and ito ang mga napansin ko:
1. 
First impression pa lang, wow na
Hindi ordinaryong Japanese restaurant ang interior.
Pagpasok mo, ang unang mapapansin mo ay itong giant cherry blossom tree sa gitna ng dining area, surrounded by Japanese-inspired decor, lanterns, artwork, at dramatic ceiling design.
Very photogenic. 
2. 
Parang mini Japan ang dining room
May Japanese lanterns, decorative banners, traditional-looking artwork, at even those cute sake-barrel displays.
The whole place has this festival-meets-Japanese-market atmosphere.
Hindi minimalist Japanese restaurant ang peg nito. Mas colorful, energetic, at theatrical.
3. 
Hindi siya gaano kamahal
Ito ang isa sa nagustuhan ko.
For a Japanese restaurant with this kind of selection and dining experience, hindi siya yung tipong kailangan mong mag-isip nang dalawang beses bago umorder.
May options for different budgets, so puwedeng casual meal lang without feeling na sobrang gastos.
Good food + nice ambiance without going overboard sa presyo. 
4. 
May mini Japanese market inside
Ito ang isa sa pinaka-interesting parts.
May section na Kinjo Express Market, where you can find Japanese snacks, drinks, instant noodles, sauces, collectibles, and other Japanese products.
So after kumain, puwede ka pang mag-shopping.
Dinner + Japanese grocery run in one place. 
5. 
Fresh-looking sushi selection
Of course, hindi mawawala ang sushi.
I tried a selection of sashimi and sushi, including salmon, tuna, white fish, octopus, and other pieces.
The salmon especially looked beautiful and fresh.
6. 
Their sushi rolls are not boring
Yung rolls na tinry ko had generous slices of salmon on top, with avocado and other fillings inside.
Malalaki rin ang pieces, so definitely hindi ito yung tipong “nasaan yung filling?” sushi. 
7. 
GAMECHANGER: SWEET SOY SAUCE! 
Okay, ito talaga.
Favorite ko ang sweet soy sauce.
And for me, malaking bagay na may sweet soy sauce option sa table.
I know, maliit na bagay para sa iba. Pero kung Pinoy ka na sanay sa medyo sweet-savory na sawsawan, gamechanger talaga ito.
Instead of the usual salty soy sauce lang, may sweetness na bagay na bagay sa sushi.
This alone made me very happy.
8. 
May ramen at other Japanese comfort food
Hindi lang sushi ang nasa menu.
May ramen din, including the creamy-looking bowl I ordered, plus other Japanese dishes and grilled items.
So kahit may kasama kang hindi masyadong mahilig sa sushi, may iba silang options.
⸻
My take
Kinjo Sushi & Grill is not trying to be a quiet, ultra-traditional Japanese restaurant.
Its strength is the overall experience.
