Do you dream of a restaurant opening in Perth with a dedicated vegan menu? Well dream no more, my friend. It’s here and it’s enough to tempt this sparkly vegan right out of her food comfort zone.
I’ve never been a Japanese food fan. I’ve only ever known sushi as cold, clammy rice rolls sold in sad little plastic boxes with plastic fish accessories. Whenever friends have tried to get me into a Japanese restaurant, I’ve managed to convince them that Thai or Vietnamese are much better options. I may have even bribed them with wine or discount vouchers – anything to avoid Japanese food.
Until now. Show me a stack of great reviews about the new place in town and tell me that they have a dedicated vegan menu, and I’ll be the first to round everyone up and convince them that I’ve always loved Japanese. I was just kidding all those other times. Really, I was. š
Check that baby out!! A whole page of vegan options. Thirteen choices, to be exact. Oh hello bliss. ā„
Aisuru doesn’t take reservations, so it pays to get in early. We were the first ones in the door at Noon on a Saturday (keen, much?) and had our pick of the conventional tables or seats at the sushi bar. We chose the sushi bar where all of the sushi is made fresh to order and we could watch the magic happen.
We started off with the Sweet Corn Tempura that has everyone raving. This dish is usually served drizzled with truffle oil and aioli but being vegan we requested it without the sauce, which is probably why we found it tasty but not as spectacular as the reviews I’ve read. I dare say that the sauce is the key ingredient, so next time we’ll stick to the Vegan Tempura (fresh pumpkin, eggplant, asparagus and button mushroom served with tentsuyu sauce, mmmmm).
The Veganpillar Roll made its appearance next (asparagus, cucumber and carrot wrapped in nori and shari, topped with avocado and drizzled with plum sauce). This was by far my favourite. I had no idea that sushi could be like this. I absolutely adored the creamy avocado slices wrapped around the fresh, crunchy filling, and the plum sauce was sweet and sour heaven.
The Magic Mushroom Roll followed (pan fried enoki mushroom and avocado wrapped in nori and shari, topped with seasoned, sliced button mushroom, with a mesculun side salad and Japanese dressing). This sushi was also delicious, especially mixed with a little of the pickled salad dressing.
We ran out of time to try any more dishes (places to go – people to see!), but with so many delicious vegan options, friendly and attentive staff and fantastic service, it won’t be long before I convince my friends again that Japanese is a much better option than Thai or Vietnamese. š
An Unrefined Vegan
June 10, 2012 at 8:40 pm (12 years ago)How lucky! And so wonderful that they have lots of vegan eats!
* Vegan Sparkles *
June 11, 2012 at 8:35 am (12 years ago)I know! There aren’t many places in Perth that even offer one vegan choice, never mind 13! *happy dance* š
Annette @ Wellness WA
June 10, 2012 at 10:39 pm (12 years ago)OH MY GOD, Amazing. I had no idea about this. Thank you for showing me the light! May I ask, in the pics is that the $8 veganpillar roll of the $15.50. What do you think of the pricing? XX
* Vegan Sparkles *
June 11, 2012 at 8:38 am (12 years ago)haha, my pleasure! š These were the $8 dishes (4 pieces per dish) which I thought was really reasonable. I also love that you can go there with friends and order a lot of these smaller dishes, so that you all get to taste everything.
brightowltutoring
June 10, 2012 at 11:10 pm (12 years ago)I’m jealous! It looks like it’s worth flying to Perth for!
* Vegan Sparkles *
June 11, 2012 at 8:38 am (12 years ago)haha, it almost is!! š
iameatingright
June 11, 2012 at 12:39 am (12 years ago)The Veganpillar looks divine!
* Vegan Sparkles *
June 11, 2012 at 8:39 am (12 years ago)It was soooo good! I can’t wait to eat it again!
m
June 11, 2012 at 7:08 am (12 years ago)Can’t wait to try this place out. While I am no longer a vegan (the majority of my diet still is, just trying different things out due to health issues), it is great to know that this place can accommodate for a variety of dietary preferences. I love Japanese food, so if and when I decide to venture back to the vegan life at least I know where I can go for quality food and not feel as though I am being difficult š
* Vegan Sparkles *
June 11, 2012 at 8:39 am (12 years ago)Absolutely! They have a very comprehensive menu, so there is definitely something for everyone. š
x24
June 11, 2012 at 7:24 am (12 years ago)Tell me more about the Magic Mushroom roll !!!
* Vegan Sparkles *
June 11, 2012 at 8:40 am (12 years ago)haha, not that kind of magic! Just ‘delicious’ magic. š
animalactionist
June 11, 2012 at 5:24 pm (12 years ago)Reblogged this on The Animal Actionist and commented:
I just found this wicked post by Vegan Sparkles about Aisuru Sushi restaurant in Northbridge. They offer THIRTEEN vegan options, and judging by the photos, they are all delicious!!! I cannot wait to try these out, and just had to share the great news with you all. š
Thank you Vegan Sparkles!! xxxx
animalactionist
June 11, 2012 at 5:30 pm (12 years ago)thank you so much for sharing this … I didn’t even know this place existed! I will definitely be trying it out.. and I hope you don’t mind that I reblogged this onto my site to share with my followers too. Thanks again for another great restaurant review! xx
* Vegan Sparkles *
June 12, 2012 at 8:17 am (12 years ago)I love that you reblogged it! The more the merrier! š I had a chat with the Manager too and he was just lovely. He said they spent a long time devising the vegan menu and the more vegans who come, the better! If only ALL restaurants had the same mentality!
Christabel
June 11, 2012 at 6:53 pm (12 years ago)Excellent! Will have to check this place out.
* Vegan Sparkles *
June 12, 2012 at 8:18 am (12 years ago)You will! Get some, get some! š
thepainterspalate
June 11, 2012 at 9:29 pm (12 years ago)LOL!! I dream of going to Perth one day, and then maybe I’ll get to try this yummy looking new restaurant. Photo’s r very good, looks like they created some delectable masterpieces.
* Vegan Sparkles *
June 12, 2012 at 8:19 am (12 years ago)They sure did! They also have a beetroot roll that I’m dying to try next time and a tomato one that they grill with a mini blow torch! Wooooo! Book your plane ticket!!! š
thepainterspalate
June 12, 2012 at 10:06 pm (12 years ago)hahaha…I wish. Enjoy!
Richgail Enriquez
June 12, 2012 at 2:37 am (12 years ago)Look at those mushroom sushi rolls! YUMMM…I think we also have a vegan sushi place here in SF, and will definitely go now that this inspired me. I dont think they have that kind of tempura though, so creative!
* Vegan Sparkles *
June 12, 2012 at 8:20 am (12 years ago)Ohhhh! Definitely get down there! Support the vegan-friendly love shacks! š
thecrueltyfreereview
June 13, 2012 at 7:35 am (12 years ago)How cool that you have more options than the usual vegan roll of avocado, cukes, and carrots. The Veganpillar roll is almost too cute to eat!
* Vegan Sparkles *
June 13, 2012 at 1:40 pm (12 years ago)haha, I thought the same thing! š
Alexiasana
June 13, 2012 at 8:13 pm (12 years ago)holy crazy sushi!! this looks amazinG! i love sushi ! these rolls look more than amazing! lets go on a sushi date one day:)
* Vegan Sparkles *
June 13, 2012 at 9:29 pm (12 years ago)haha, it’s a date! xx
erika
June 14, 2012 at 10:55 pm (12 years ago)Oh, Veganpillar and Magic Mushroom- YUM!
Danielle
June 19, 2012 at 4:26 pm (12 years ago)I love Aisuru Sushi! š My favourites are the Pyogo Roll, Beets International Roll, Magic Mushroom, Vegan Tempura and Teriyaki Tofu. Sadly, neither the miso soup or the agedashi tofu are vegan, as they contain seafood derivatives (seafood is used to make the dashi). I love both, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed they’ll change their recipe!
* Vegan Sparkles *
June 19, 2012 at 6:50 pm (12 years ago)Ooh, I really hope so too, and I can’t wait to try the Beetroot Roll next time!
blueberrykitten
June 20, 2012 at 8:52 am (12 years ago)It’s very tasty! I especially love the asparagus in it; it adds such a lovely taste and texture. Aisuru Sushi has become a definite favourite of mine. š
Have you ever eaten at Punjab Indian Restaurant? It’s another vegan-friendly restaurant that has several quite tasty options. I absolutely love the dahl!
* Vegan Sparkles *
June 20, 2012 at 11:29 am (12 years ago)Oh, no I haven’t! I’ll have to get myself down there pronto! Thanks for the recommendation. I love dahl. š
Danielle
June 20, 2012 at 12:59 pm (12 years ago)It’s fantastic! I’m going there on Friday night as my dad’s decided to have his birthday dinner there (he’s such a sweetheart, opting to have dinner at a vegan-friendly restaurant). I’m really looking forward to it! š I hope you enjoy it!
* Vegan Sparkles *
June 21, 2012 at 1:54 pm (12 years ago)Thank you. š And I hope you and Dad have a beautiful night. xx
Sophie
June 25, 2012 at 11:25 am (12 years ago)Yes! I love sushi and keep going past this place. Havn’t been yet, but it’s definitely on the to-do list now!
* Vegan Sparkles *
June 25, 2012 at 7:31 pm (12 years ago)You’ll love it! š
Lauren
August 14, 2012 at 3:25 pm (12 years ago)Hi Sparkles, this review has resulted in me calling up my girlies and making a sushi date at Sake (Sydney – you must try if you come visit!) Why can’t I read about sushi without immediately needing to have some! I was wondering if I could maybe get some help? Iām working on an app atm, and a part of the app will have bloggers recommending 5-10 places in their city to check out, I was wondering if you might recommend maybe a few places you love? I will put links up to your blog on the app and so far we have 2,000 signed up to download the app you can pop on here ā https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dG93enNmdHRPOTVuUWVqOFJMUElibnc6MQ or email me on lauren@heylets.com xxx
* Vegan Sparkles *
August 14, 2012 at 3:55 pm (12 years ago)Done! Enjoy your girl’s night out and I look forward to seeing the app in action! š
mangoaway
February 12, 2013 at 12:08 pm (12 years ago)Had a little scroll through the comments – and yes I would DEFINITELY recommend Beets International, and the sundried tomato maki as well. So simple, but SO tasty!