ami-no is Toronto's hidden gem for Japanese takeout, serving fresh slices of sashimi, colourful rolls, and crispy tempura. 

The menu features expertly crafted mamikomo, traditional kaisen donburi, and a variety of sashimi and makimono sets, served in biodegradable containers. 

Sustainability has always been a guiding principle for Alex Tan, the chef and owner of ami-no. 

For Tan, Japanese cuisine is about respecting both tradition and the environment. Every dish is created with this respect, utilizing fresh, premium ingredients without compromising environmental practices. Ingredients are sourced responsibly, mindful to avoid wild-caught or overfished seafood. 

"This philosophy of balancing delicious Japanese dishes with sustainable practices is what drives us," Tan shared. "It's not just about serving great food; it's about being mindful of the world we live in and ensuring that future generations can enjoy both our cuisine and a healthy planet."

The small, cozy spot is warm and bright. There's a mini fridge stocked with everything from tangy and fruity Japanese soft drink, Calpico to cold and refreshing Oolong Tea.

You can place your order online, by phone, or at the in-store counter, where wait times are minimal—even during the lunch rush. 

Chef Tan brings 30 years of global experience in Japanese cuisine, having spent years honing his craft in Japan, the United States, and Puerto Rico. His time in diverse culinary settings not only deepened his understanding of Japanese cuisine, but also allowed him to explore and incorporate new techniques and ingredients.

The result is a menu that showcases Japanese tradition while celebrating his journey as a chef.

Starting with the makimono, I tried the Tuna Tora (8 pcs, $14.50), which ended up being one of my favourite bites.

This crunchy tuna roll features crispy ebi (Japanese fried shrimp) in the center, wasabi kani, thinly sliced cucumber, and creamy avocado. The top of the roll is covered in a vibrant red spicy tuna and finished with a wasabi mayo and tamari glaze.

This roll has the perfect balance: creamy and crunchy, spicy with a hint of sweetness from the tamari.

The other makimono I tried was the Aburi Salmon (8 pcs, $11.90). This dressed-up California roll has torched salmon, crispy shallot, chives, mango, chipotle mayo, and a tamari glaze. Vibrant, smoky, and sweet, it’s a delicious twist on a classic favourite. 

The kaisen donburi is raw seafood over a bed of Japanese sticky rice. It's similar to a poke bowl, but without the marinade, letting the fresh taste of the fish shine through.

The Chirashi Don ($19.90) comes with beautifully chopped tuna, salmon, tai (sea bream), and ebi (shrimp). On top are ikura (salmon roe) and shaved tamago (egg). On the side is edamame and seaweed salad. 

The Kaisen Don ($34) is the most expensive and abundant option on the menu. It comes with tuna, salmon, tai, yellowtail, Hokkaido scallop, botan ebi, octopus, and ikura. Here, the fish is served as sashimi and is a fantastic choice for those who want to sample a little of everything.

In my opinion, the sashimi and makimono sets offer the best value. I can never settle on just one type of roll, so choosing a set with three different rolls or sashimi options is always my way to go. 

For all the salmon lovers, the Salmon Set ($19.90) was made for you. It comes with four large pieces of salmon sashimi, four salmon sushi, and five salmon avocado maki rolls. 

The simplicity of the set allowed me to savour the buttery richness of the salmon, and also appreciate just how good the sushi rice was. We don’t often think about the rice when ordering our favourite rolls, but at ami-no, the rice is truly a standout—perfectly sticky, soft, and well seasoned.

The ami-no Makimono Set ($16.90) includes eight dynamite rolls, five salmon avocado maki, and six California rolls. It’s a satisfying, filling set, and for the price, it’s hard to beat. The shrimp in the dynamite rolls have a satisfyingly crunchy panko coating, and you can’t go wrong with a tried and true California roll. 

ami-no also features a number of weekly lunch specials from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm, but across the board, I was impressed by how reasonable the prices were given the quality of food. 

The name, ami-no is a clever nod to amino acids and reflects the restaurant's commitment to nutritious, high-quality, flavourful cuisine. 

"Amino acids are essential to life and integral to the flavours found in Japanese cuisine. Fish, in particular, contain 9 of the most essential amino acids out of the 20 types," shared Tan.

ami-no is located at 755B Dundas Street West.