Restaurant Tora
1330 N Hamilton Rd, Columbus, OH, 43230
Restaurant Tora Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Columbus for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1330 N Hamilton Rd
Columbus, OH, 43230 - Phone (614) 428-8672
- Website https://www.restauranttora.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Upscale
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Divya R.
The sushi here is good, could be better. I was apprehensive about ordering the grilled squid, but it had a great char and grew on me quickly.The quality of food here was pretty impressive especially the sashimi, except the store bought mochi served to us at the end of the meal. Had to try this place twice before having an opinion on it, but overall for this side of town, can't complain.
(3)Courtney H.
Restaurant Tora is a gem for sushi lovers. My hubby and I tried this restaurant because of a Groupon; now we go there all the time. My favorite roll is the salmon avocado for $5.99. You can't beat that price so I normally get two, and Tora isn't skimpy on the fish ratio in the roll. I have also had there grilled calamari; which I was not in love with. The miso soup was just as tasty as my rolls. I can't wait to go back and equally enjoy ordering to-go.
(5)Tom L.
You would never guess how good the sushi is here by it's strip mall location. It is the best sushi I've had in Columbus!
(5)Ann a.
The best sushi I have had since moving to Columbus!!! So fantastic!!!!! Rolls are fresh, delicious and highly creative. Great quick service and overall clean and aesthetically pleasing environment!
(5)Adam N.
Always a great place for dinner. Their sushi is one of the best in the city. I love their bulgogi beef!
(5)Marlena L.
Perfect date night restaurant! Dimly lit,cozy with nice modern decor. Eye catching lighting! This was another groupon deal - $15 for $30. So glad I tried this place! The food presentation - fabulous! Portion and pricing - very good! We got the Kalbi beef box and the island roll, delicious! There are no words to describe the beef, unbelievably tender and perfectly seasoned! I also tried a combination appetizer, perfect sampling - sweet, spicy, crunchy and chewy. No complaints on the food! Service, very friendly but on the slow side for a Saturday night with an almost empty restaurant. This will not stop me from returning though, the food is well worth it. One last thing, the menu is loaded with many helpful photos! I will be returning soon!
(4)Liang G.
This used to be my go to but since the chefs left, the fish hasn't been as good. I continue to give it the benefit of the doubt as it's the best I can find on the east side.
(3)Tammy R.
I waited to write this review after the mixed feelings I had about the experience I went through a few weeks ago which I told another yelper about. Reason I came to this restaurant was because my sister was throwing a surprise party here for my sister-in-law who was about to turn 40 soon. So we wanted to celebrate the special time early and surprise her here. The service started off good until it came to the order time where they had to re-arrange the table to accommodate us to eat in the private room in the back. We each order our meals and some people ad never had Japanese food like my mom. So many things on the menu she was very conscious about trying. Therefore everything had to be explained to her so that she would understand what she is about to eat. We wait and I mean wait just to get a simple soup or salad and my sister is thinking that they must be talking badly about us back there in the kitchen saying how those white girls just gave us a huge order to work on. My food comes out last and I was unpleased because I had to keep reminding the waiter what I ordered and he also expected a good tip from everyone there. Had they used more waiters maybe this service and food would have been more pleasing to everyone.
(2)Erica R.
This is one of the best sushi spots in Columbus. They have a wide variety of specialty rolls and all of the I ingredients are super fresh. They also serve many delicious Korean dishes. They have excellent lunch specials and you can really get a lot for your money. On Tuesdays they even have a 1/2 price sushi deal. The restaurant is nicely decorated and has a great atmosphere and the staff is very helpful and eager to please. A definite must is you're looking for good sushi!
(5)Gina J.
I've been here a few times. I'll give it three stars because it's clean and the menu is expansive but the sushi is not fresh, the few times I've been there, the wait staff was terrible. The portions are small, the prices are mediocre but the sushi is far from great.
(3)Brian D.
The wife had a sushi craving, so I Grouponed it up and we headed to Restaurant Tora. Tora sits at the end of strip mall, but the interior is first-class all the way (good for a date night). The service is always great. While Tora has a full menu of Japanese cuisine, I've only ever had the sushi here. What Tora does very well: -they have some great and very interesting roll combinations if you're an adventurous roll eater; -the rolls are small in circumference and the sushi is smaller than norm, which alleviates that "can I really do this in one bite?" dread that I often have a sushi bars (no puffed out cheek chewing here!); -sushi always comes with two pieces per order, not one; and -they have specials which always allow me to try something new (red snapper sushi was the latest try). All the sushi is always fresh. My one Tora gripe is that the prices are a little steeper than other sushi places (especially when you take into account those smaller bites that I just raved about). The Groupon alleviated some of that pain. They also run a big special on Tuesdays (but that's my pizza night, damn it!) So, while Tora is not my favorite sushi spot in town, it is a very solid A-OK (somewhere between three and four stars).
(3)JioVanni J.
If I could give this place 10 stars I would! You've got to try the Easton Roll! Their hibachi meals are really great too! You can't go wrong with Tora!! I'm kind of hesitant to write this review because I want Tora to be my little secret!
(5)Taylor O.
Came here to check this place out. It has a very extensive and large menu with plenty to choose from. I really liked the food and look forward to a return visit to try many of the other offerings.
(4)Paul F.
As was the case the last time I came here, i did so with a groupon. That certainly makes the prices seem a little more bearable. Even with that, this is one of the most expensive restaurants that I have gone to. My tariff with tips and without drinks came to almost $60. But the food was good, and that's why I came. I had three rolls and all were better than just good, but maybe not great. The only gotcha is that if you sit at the sushi bar in the winter, as it was tonight, you get a blast of cold air every time someone opens the door.
(4)Robyn K.
My husband and I love this restaurant. We found it a couple years ago and we go at least once a month. Some items are a little pricey, but not compared to other good sushi places in Columbus. This is by far the best quality food for the price! We would recommend this place to anyone and would take anyone here!! The dishes we love most are: Kalabi beef, teriyaki chicken stone pot, storm roll, firecracker roll, jumbo shrimp tempura roll and the spicy tuna crunch roll. We honestly love everything we have ever tried!! Half price sushi on most of the lower priced sushi on Tuesdays. It gets crowded so be prepared for that!! Enjoy!!
(5)Allison H.
Had lunch at Tora once and got a big takeout order once, and based on that I'm going to be a regular after two good experiences. When you walk inside, you don't feel like you're in a suburban strip mall at all. The interior is sleek and well designed. Enjoyed various rolls and sashimi - the Eagle's Eye roll that the waiter rec'd was especially light and refreshing - and great service. More recently I got takeout that included the Scallop Dynamite app (SO DELICIOUS and creamy), gyoza, sashimi sampler, a kid's meal of chicken skewer, shrimp balls, and a rice roll (the kids loved it), udon noodles, and were pleased with all of it. Pretty fair prices, too.
(4)Brett S.
I really liked this place. It is near where I work, and we ventured over for lunch one day from work. Since then, I purchased a Groupon for dinner so I could return here with my wife. They had sushi, which I am a fan of, but I saw these meals that I hadn't seen before that came in a stone pot, and I really wanted to try one of those. I ordered a stone pot with pork. The concept is a bit like a Mexican "cazuela," where you get a super heated pot with your meal inside. This was less like a stew than a cazuela is, almost more like an Asian take on a lasagna or enchilada, with layers of different ingredients. Mine had rice at the bottom, then pork, then vegetables on top. The pot was super hot, so the pork was crispy and the rice would clump together on the sides of the pot and get pleasantly singed. It was really good. Our service was unremarkable, we were the only ones in the joint, so our server was pretty attentive. Price was reasonable. One note: they say they have hibachi, but I didn't see the big grill-tables. They might have been in a different part of the restaurant, or I may have missed them, but if you want the traditional hibachi experience (like a Benihana), I am not sure they have that here. Nonetheless, I liked it and would come back to split another pot meal and some sushi (which I want to try also) with my wife. My impression is that this is a new place; hoping that they're offering a Groupon isn't indicative that they are having an issue getting people in the door as I'd like this place to stick around.
(4)John G.
This may be the best sushi on the easy side! Great service, skilled cooks & sushi chefs and always welcoming. If you come more than twice, they will remember you and what you like. (tip well - it's worth it!!)
(5)Bethany K.
Tonight was a disappointing experience. My husband and I made a special trip to this location to only have our fun squelched by watching an employee scurry out the door to flip the closed sign. This was extremely upsetting as it was before 10PM, we checked the closing times prior to making the drive, and the hours are clearly marked that they are open until 11PM.
(1)Jeremy K.
Been there many times. Tuesday half off night is always crazy. Service can be kind of be slow. The food always makes up for it. Straight up, the people giving the sushi 1 star have no idea what good sushi tastes like. Ignore the haters. I always find the fish to be very fresh and creative. Try the Scotty rolls! If you like more traditional, going to Akai Hana is a great option. I haven't found another sushi place besides Tora and Akai Hana with fresher sushi! The appetizers and hot Japanese dishes are great too. Try some udon! I'll certainly be back.
(5)Liz M.
This place is a great spot for dinner! We loved the swanky modern interior. It reminded me of sushi places inside the casinos in Vegas. It was very nice, but still comfortable. I should note, despite the nature of the restaurant, it smelled great. No gross fish smell and no gross fry smell. LOVE THAT! The menu was pretty large, but well curated (I thought). Prices were reasonable as most dishes come with miso soup or salad. They have a long sushi list of standard and creative items. I ordered the tofu stone pat and boyfriend ordered the sushi sampler. He got the miso soup. I got the salad. The stone pot was great! Good flavor, lightly fried and seasoned tofu over veggies sauce and caramelizing rice. It came with quick pickles and a mayo based sauce. YUM! The sushi sampler had some nigiri and some simple rolls like spicy tuna and cali roll. On another note, the staff was wonderful! Our waiter took note that I ordered a veg dish and was thoughtful enough to tell me the miso soup was fish stock based. Thank goodness he told me! I hate fish! He saved me! Everyone was attentive, from the highschool aged host, who did a fab job, to the bus boy who was very good at anticipating needs. It also should be noted that the bathroom was spotless! This restaurant is a real gem. Who would have known tucked into to a strip mall? This is a must for any date night where you want to try something new.
(4)Jenifer F.
So, I just paid $30 to be ignored by my server. Don't get me wrong. The sushi was ok. But I've had better in at least 3 other restaurants and one of them is at Polaris. Tora got my business tonight because the call for sushi was too great to resist. But now - after the fact - I wish I'd gone anywhere else instead. The server came by and offered water. I admitted that I hadn't looked at the wine list; I asked him to stay. His annoyance was apparent. (I was a server once. I know this isn't a good thing.) He did wait for me to choose a wine (asked for the 1st thing I saw) and he still managed to get it wrong. It cost me an extra dollar. We'll call it his tip. But then, he never came back. 4 minutes later, the manager (owner?) brought my wine. 10 minutes after that she said she would take my order. I dont want to be that person that slays on Yelp but I could see him the whole time. He was at the front of the restaurant. Managing the party of 20. And I'm happy for him, I really am. But I hope they tip him (and the 2nd server) REALLY well. Because I, and the six other tables that got left in the cold, am not impressed. My rolls were small to be 12$ each. Granted they involved shrimp and avocado but there are restaurants where a 12$ roll barely fits in your mouth. I'm out 30$ and still a bit hungry. Next time, I'll order a pizza.
(2)Carol S.
The inside of this place is gorgeous! Very modern. The service was average, kind of slow at first but the waiter apologized for the wait. As far as the sushi, it was alright. Kind of pricey just for alright sushi. But I guess they need money somewhere for their fancy interior.
(3)Ashish G.
Over priced for what is served. Staff is fairly incapable. My server didn't realize that he brought out only 1/2 my order after a long wait. I'm one of those people that like to taste various things I ordered, sort of taste test when I eat sushi. After 10 mins I flagged my server down and reminded that I'm missing 1/2 my order. He proceeds to tell the sushi chef who was chatting away with some other staffer and continued to do so. I'm witnessing all this because I'm at the sushi bar. Oh btw, chefs never interacted with me while I was at the sushi bar. Didn't ask how food was or what I may like/dis-like. For those who may want to say that this is to be expected at a sushi place in Columbus, try out Aki Hana. It is top notch and worthy of mention amongst many great sushi places I have eaten at on my travels. Moshi in Belexy is good as well although not in same category as Aki Hana. Drive a bit extra to Aki Hana instead of eating at Tora. Even Edamame, that I would put in that second tier places is better price/performance than this.
(2)Kitty K.
I frequent Tora about once a month; usually on random off times, like Monday evenings or Wednesday lunches. The food is solid, and rarely do I get anything that is not what I expected. Service is solid too, granted I usually dine at quieter times, I've always been attended to well. Recently, I went in on a Tuesday evening, when they have 1/2 off selected rolls. It was the busiest I had ever seen the restaurant! It as packed, and with a wait! I was given the last single seat at the sushi bar, and waited... and waited, and waited, and waited. I work in the industry, so I know how one tops work. Usually the server least in the weeds will come around to pick you up... eventually, so I waited. While the seats next to me got up, were bussed and reset, I still wasn't claimed by any of the mad dashed servers around. Eventually, a server came by to take my drink order, I promptly handed him my order that I had written out already to expedite the process. Someone else brought me my app. I watched as the kitchen tickets on the printer on the sushi line pile up 7-8 deep. I settled in to my seat, resigned to further waiting (I'm not upset, mind you, I wasn't in a hurry, and I understand being in the weeds). Well, to my absolute delight, Peter, the sushi cook on the line, handled me my order over to me. YAY, to perks sitting at the sushi bar! Someone else refilled my drink, and someone else brought my check (at least it was the same name on the check). As to who my designated server was (aka who gets the tip) - no idea- but I'll give it to them (besides the initial wait) they did have pretty good team service.
(4)Alisa D.
Fabulous food, superb decor, relaxing atmosphere, but a bit slow service. It's well worth the wait however. I highly recommend the Storm roll. Extremely fresh sushi.
(5)Tina H.
Worst sushi I had in Columbus. You can buy better ones at Kroger at cheaper price. Having lived in Japan for more than a decade, I believe I've tasted varieties of sushi in my life and this is certainly overpriced for its quality. Fish is ordinary. Rice is horrible. Rice was low grade, too hard and dry. Avoid if you are looking for good sushi. Spicy ramen noodle was good, btw.
(1)Beth B.
This is my favorite sushi restaurant. I can't get enough of the crab cake roll. Great atmosphere and friendly service.
(5)Luan N.
This is my new fave Japanese restaurant in C-bus. The virgin sushi as well as the adorned sushi is legit. There was not one bad sushi/sashimi/roll that arrived on our table. Tuna carpaccio with lemon cream sauce was exceptional. The bulgogi entree was questionable. yelp.com/biz_photos/uWfR… yelp.com/biz_photos/uWfR… yelp.com/biz_photos/uWfR… yelp.com/biz_photos/uWfR… Note to self: Half price select sushi rolls on Tues 5-10pm Will stick to sushi appetizers and rolls here.
(4)Meghan T.
Tora has good sushi at a reasonable price with a zen atmosphere. It is a nice low-key date night spot with good quality sushi.
(4)E L.
I had eaten here about 1 1/2 yrs. ago and didn't like it. My husband was not with me and wanted to try it - I didn't like the food then and I didn't like it tonight. I think Mr. Sushi is better. Dumplings were falling apart both the dough and the inside, I have no idea what the filling was other than green onion, the sauce for the dumplings had no taste - I believe it was some kind of oil. The sweet potato tempera roll lacked sweet potato and what was in there was hard, the California roll was so so. My husband ordered a fried cod appetizer and it tasted exactly like a McDonald's fish. All of his hot food came out together both the appetizer and his main dish which was to be Shrimp and Veggie Tempera - the server didn't order the Shrimp. I won't be going back. Please note that the Dispatch wrote the California Roll is made with real crab - someone told me that is what they said - only the Tora California Roll is made with real crab.
(2)Michael P.
My fiancé and I have been frequenting Tora for awhile now, but it has to be said that this a jewel in Gahanna. I never play the "Asian" card, but my Korean background makes me skeptical of any of the plethora of Asian eateries in Cbus; however, Tora is fantastic. Their sushi is always fresh as fresh (while expensive the beef carpaccio roll w/ lobster is amazing as is the spicy tuna as well as the nigiri in general), and the service is impeccable. I think Tora gets drowned out with all of the options on that stretch of Hamilton, as well as being in a strip mall-ish area which is a shame. This place is fantastic as it is authentic (Korean food AND specialty items like the giant Asian oysters?) - you will not be disappointed here.
(5)Marie S.
My husband bought me a gift card for Christmas and we finally got here last week to try it out. The sushi was ok, not great presentation but not bad. Her entree was a bowl of rice with some brown gravy over it and one piece of broccoli for 12 bucks! When we were ready to pay we gave our server the gift card but she said we couldn't use it on Tuesdays. It doesn't say anything about that on the card. She went to ask the owner who said we couldn't use it for half-price sushi. I said "we didn't have any half price sushi". She said "you can't use the gift card". The bill was $72 and I had to pay with a credit card. They are very happy to take your money for gift cards but very rude when you try to redeem them.
(2)Ron T.
Tora is typically excellent with their food and presentation. We've eaten there multiple times and are most always pleased. The stone pots are amazingly flavorful and the sushi/rolls have not disappointed. The only thing we've consistently been disappointed with is the house salad. Typically the greens are a little past prime and laced with large chucks of the center vein from romaine. The menu is quite varied and there are plenty of other delicious choices.
(4)Brandon C.
Food and drinks ok, but very over priced. They wouldn't make a sushi without the sesame sauce even though it was due to allergies. Service was slow and I never got a refill.
(2)Laura V.
I have been to many sushi places across America and this is hands down the best I have had. Great atmosphere, service, and food. They have your classics and originals that are out of this world. Is the place to go.
(5)Young K.
One of the better sushi restaurants I have been in Columbus. We had tried several rolls before taking the waiter's suggestions on Scotty Roll #2 and the scallop crab roll. Both of those were pretty amazing. We also tried the Kalbi, which was a little on the sweet side for my liking but still very good. The decor is modern and intimate considering this place is in a strip mall plaza. I am thinking of going back on a Tuesday when they have half off the rolls!
(4)Angela T.
Guess what? They had a good Groupon deal so I tried it out. I'm glad I did, because it is a romantic little restaurant with great food that deserves to be patronized. Enjoy your meal and be sure to get an appetizer too.
(4)Amy C.
I brought my two young daughters here for lunch because I had a groupon. I was a little nervous because when we walked in the place is very nice and there were a few tables with people who were clearly on their lunch breaks, people in suits if you know what I mean. And then I enter with my three and four-year-old. Yikes! Lucky for me my children are very well behaved. Anyways, the service was stellar and the food was delicious. I would love to come back here some time, it's just a little bit of a drive for me, wish this place was much closer!
(5)Kelly R.
I went to Tora after an intense, sweaty workout. My friend and I realized right away that we were under-dressed and a little more sweaty than the people who were already in there. Nonetheless, we still decided to eat in the fancy establishment. We were both craving sushi and wine so we split four different roles to go with our white wines. The sushi was awesome--especially the spicy crab. They had a huge selection to choose from and the prices weren't bad either. I'd go back again for sure, but maybe next time a little less sweaty.
(4)Robyn F.
Yummy!! Went here because of a Groupon. I'm so glad we checked this place out (finally!) Husband and I both ordered boxes (I had bulgogi; he had the kalbi). Both came with soup, salad, egg rolls, potato salad, and California roll (although we switched ours out for the spicy tuna and spicy salmon rolls). Very impressed. I like sushi, but I don't get crazy over it. This was by far the best sushi I have ever had. My husband loves sushi, and said it's on par with one of the best sushi places in town (Sushi En). Will definitely go back!!!
(5)Josie M.
Slow service but their sushi rolls, sashimi, and green tea ice cream are soooo good.
(4)DJ D.
I ate at Tora for the first time this week for lunch and I was completely impressed. Sharp, clean modern restaurant , oh and did I mention the food was really good as well? I had the Toro Sashimi and a bowl of spicy seafood undo soup. I love soup and this will become a personal favorite. Tons of seafood and lots of flavor in a rich dark brown brooth. The Toro was very fresh and plated nicely. The topper of the whole experience was sitting at the sushi bar having a good chat the the sushi chef. great lunch!
(5)Mrs. S.
Tuesday night we ate here with our family. We did not know about the amazing specials with half price rolls. The place was busy and for good reason...inexpensive, delicious, fresh sushi served in a small restaurant with easy parking. Perfect. As a non Columbus native, we lucked into this one and felt glad we did.
(5)Dennis V.
This is the absolute best sushi I've had in Ohio to date. I might eat these words later, but for now it stands! 50% select rolls on Tuesday too! Cool place, come casual or dress up... the atmosphere allows for both. The "Scotty" rolls are all awesome, huge menu... took me a while to go through it all to decide!
(5)Warner T.
I dined here tonight for the first time. I was on my way to get something different but saw a sign for half prices sushi and couldn't resist. The good: the sushi was good, my girlfriend got a teriyaki chicken special that was tasty and of a good portion. The bad: the service was sparce at best. We waited 10 minutes just to get a water refill. The ugly: after the delivery of my girlfriend's food I sat and waited for 13 more minutes to receive my sushi rolls. And no, the place was not packed. Our server did not even realize I had not received my food until he checked back 10 minutes into her meal. No manager check in nothing. Maybe carry out would be better but it does not apply to the special. Asian Gourmet across the street would have been a better choice.
(2)Ariel B.
I met my parents here for dinner one night, and I was a little worried my conservative mother and father would be intimidated by their eclectic and vast menu of multi-cultural asian goodness. I was glad that these concerns were unfounded as my mom and dad jumped right in and ordered like long time world travelers. My mom was bold enough to try one of the spicy pork noodle dishes, and I even talked my dad in to trying my takoyaki! They liked it so much that they have even asked to go back again. I was very pleased by their noodle soups, squid and seaweed salads, and obviously the takoyaki as this is one of the few places you can find it in Columbus. The only downfall is that they serve Asian street food dishes without the pleasantly low street food prices. Despite that fact, I am certain I would order every single item I tried again.
(4)Beth S.
I visited Tora today to scope out the place while they were still running on their Grand Opening high, and was over all impressed with my Saturday lunch. Tora is the sister restaurant of Hama at Easton. They share almost an identical menu, but somehow bring even more of a presentation flair to the dishes. The tastes were all familiar as a run-of-the-mill upper-class sushi joint. And between the two of us, the check hit us pretty hard and fast at 80 bucks, before the tip. Tora is maybe the dozenth or so sushi place in the area, so they've got something going for them with the outdoor patio on the end of their strip mall location. A six person sushi bar, a twenty page full-photographic menu, and a cloistered private party room set this place apart. My meal started out with a nice big glass of reisling, a Scotty Shrimp something or other appetizer, a baked otoro filet slathered in mae ploy sauce,and a grilled chicken box. My date got a big bottle of asahi, and a galbi box. The meal filled us up, but it twas reaaaal pricy. Atmosphere was great: very modern and clean, but with a definite asian flair. I'll be back next summer for the sushi, but for the patio seating
(4)Robby S.
Went to Tora a few weeks ago, but I don't think we'll go back anytime soon. The service was not very good (waiter was never around, and they forgot to put in one of the kid's order). The miso soup was hot and delicious. The kids had Hibachi shrimp, which they said they liked (although when we got the second order, the shrimp had been cut into small pieces b/c they had to rush it, and it did not look all that appealing; still, he ate most of it). My wife had three different kinds of sushi (one of them had eel in it) and she said they were all excellent. I had Hibachi beef, and it had absolutely no flavor at all. It was very bland, and very tough.
(2)Roger Y.
We arrived at 8pm on a Friday evening. We were impressed with the clean atmosphere of the sushi bar and the dining area. Seated quickly by a friendly staff. Our waiter was very helpful in making choices. I ordered the hibachi scallops which actually had a very fair amount of scallops. Service was excellent and restrooms immaculate. Spicy shrimp tempura sushi rolls were excellent. We will definitely return.
(4)Casey B.
Foods was excellent however the service is terrible. We ordered several rolls for dinner and edamame as an appetizer. The edamame came after we were served our rolls. The the last roll came 15 mins after we finished eating. Although the service was bad, the sushi was awesome, would go back again.
(4)Michael N.
Seems as though I struck a nerve for Manny S. The reviewer after me. They might be the owner or an investor in the establishment cause they took it a little too personal. Thus the reason why an opinion is an opinion. But thanks for the attention to my poor spelling skills much appreciated. I have eaten at many a Japanese restaurant. Out of all of them this one I would have to say is pretty over priced for the amount of food that you get. Also the flavor of the food. It wasn't anything spectacular. It tasted like some that I could make myself. Typically I enjoy going to restaurants and eating food that I would have a pretty hard time making or not able to make at all. I had hibachi the chicken and shrimp. The one that I had at Hama at Easton tasted much better. The presentation was pretty much off the hook. Enjoy that but the taste of my food. Just was plain and rather bland. Next time I go back I will try their sushi. Maybe that is their signature dish (Pay attention to the last sentence Manny S.)
(3)Julia T.
Tora is great! The service was awesome, which means a lot to us these days, I hate going out and spending my hard earned money for bad service! Anyway, we had the Sunday Morning, Volcano,and Miki role. Very tasty without being too saucy.
(4)James F.
Restaurant Tora is always consistently good. I have eaten there many times and am never left wanting. The sushi is definitely the best in Columbus, the service is always wonderful and the quality of the food is great! Can't recommend Restaurant Tora highly enough.
(5)Cindy R.
Wasn't very hungry the night I went so didn't try anything else just these two rolls; The Humphrey and The Scotty #2. I am a softy for soft shelled crab and it is hard for me not to order anything without it on it, and although not a big salmon fan, I can say that I did enjoy the way it was prepared on the Humphrey. I can't think of anything bad to say about either one of these rolls to be honest. The interior is really nice and the staff was friendly. It was a week night so they were not busy or packed; neither of which is of importance to me anyways, but it is nice to eat and not have to listen to a crowded restaurant sometimes :) Upon my next return I will have to come with a better appetite because I seen about 30 items I would like to try, and to make good on that 4 star they get the first time.
(4)Angela F.
I had driven by this place a million times until I was finally prompted to try it out via Groupon. I am so glad we finally made it to Tora, the food was fantastic and for a little strip mall type place, the ambiance inside is quite nice. We will be back many times.
(4)Patricia K.
I've only been to Tora for lunch, and they have great lunch specials. I have mostly eaten their "You pick 3" for $7.99 - what a great value! I leave feeling adequately full and with relatively healthy food. I can't speak for their dinner menu..it looks extensive, and if the food is anything like the lunch menu then the quality is top notch. But I have to say the dinner prices will probably deter me from ever going there (that and it's completely out of the way for me). But if it isn't out of the way for you, I highly suggest going! Great Japanese.
(4)Dirk K.
Pleasantly surprised. While it would be a 3 star in California I think it is far better than I would have expected to find in Columbus. Often have nice, non-gaijin sashimi options and it really is quite fresh and flavourful. Can't speak to the rest of the menu but for pure sushi this is an excellent option in Columbus.
(4)Brian K.
I have been to over a dozen sushi places in Columbus and this is the best. You have to try this place at least once.
(5)Nicolas H.
Great new addition to the already ridiculously crowded area of what is now the Hamilton Road explosion. Just a few years ago restaurants over here were few and far between (except for good ol Max and Erma's). Now there are three sushi spots less than a mile from each other. I'd have to say that Tora might be the best of the three, if not defintely the nicest atmosphere and presentation. The prices seem a little jacked up, especially since this fish didn't come fresh out of the Ohio River, but the quality was pretty high as well. We had a couple appetizers (the gyoza and the fried chicken) both of which were good. The sushi was great though, especially the Hamachi. They actually had kampachi on the menu, which excited me, however I was informed that it wasn't actually in-season, so they didn't actually have it. The rest of the fish was tasty too (White tuna, Salmon, Halibut, Aji, Tuna, etc). The service is fast and friendly, so I hope this place sticks around until my next trip back home...
(4)Manolo E.
Best sushi in Columbus. BAR NONE. I am not sure where the first reviewer went, or who he works for, or why he can't spell "hibachi," but clearly he and his consorts know NOTHING about sushi and Japanese food. I have seldom had sushi of this grade, I hope the restaurant will maintain its consistency. The Yellowtail and Salmon nigiri is like crack, I could very easily form an addiction. Only other place that comes close is Daikichi in Chesapeake, VA and their quality is not consistent. Yes, this is a little expensive, but not that bad, the rolls are very reasonably priced and the prices are consistent with what all of the other places are charging in the area - you generally get what you pay for. Asian Gourmet . . . watch out, your sushi is not even close!
(5)Gdawg W.
Place was pretty dead on a friday night. got a little worried. Then we orderd a bento box. big and delcious. i like this place.
(4)Andrew R.
This place popped up on my groupon app one day so I decided to go for the deal and try it out. It is a very lovely place with nice decor. The sushi was outstanding!!! Although, the environment felt a little odd. Even though I went on a Friday evening it was really empty. More employees than customers. Service was good, though a little informal. Other than that, OUTSTANDING place to go and grab some sushi.
(4)Rick P.
good sushi very nice place seems a bit empty
(4)Caroline D.
awesome new restaurant. menu is huge and has something for everyone. good atmosphere. good service. would definitely recommend.
(4)Dayna S.
I have never been a real sushi eater but we went there with 2 young children and the food and service was superb. It wasn't that expensive and I would definately go back there again and again. The food was delicious!!
(4)Chad C.
We really enjoyed our dinner. We had 5 sushi rolls and dessert and all were quite good.
(4)Devon J.
My husband and I got a baby sitter (rare) and went out searching for a nice place to eat for our anniversary....we are not from around here and so we really didn't expect EVERY restaurant at Easton Towne Center to be packed and have wait times of an hour and a half. After aimlessly walking and a little bickering I finally decided to look for a restaurant on Yelp that was more off the beaten path. This place was the gem amidst a pile of rocks. The ambience, the service, the FOOD was so excellent! We asked the waiter to recommend a spicy sushi roll and he suggested the Jay Roll and it was SO GOOD. Crunchy, spicy, warm and just delicious! The second favorite roll that we ordered was the Citrus Roll....it had paper thin sliced lemon on top and it was some of the best sushi I had ever had. I ordered a vegetarian roll (it was called the Blue something) that had mango and a blueberry sauce on top that even my husband loved (and he isn't into vegetarianism lol)... The Tango Shrimp roll was a little bland, as well as the spicy salmon but both were still very well prepared and yummy. We also had the sampler appetizer and let me tell you: their calamari is excellent. It was lightly fried and then tossed with small broccoli heads and what looked to be onions? And then covered with this green pesto like sauce....it was just delicious. We finished the meal with their Mochi icecream plate and, well, who doesn't love Mochi icecream? Their menu was extensive with so many more things to try! My husband and I can't wait to get the chance to go back!
(5)Jeni M.
This was my first experience of sushi and I'm happy that my friends chose this place to take me. Very clean and classy eatablishment. We were offered the party room. Our waiter was the best and didn't steer us wrong. I experienced many sushi flavors and can't wait to return. Plenty of parking and friendly staff. Give them a try.
(5)Gus W.
I went to Tora for lunch today and had a pretty tasty meal of sushi. The place sits in a strip mall, but you'd never guess that once you're inside with the beautiful decor. I took a seat at the sushi bar, and the hostess was super nice and very quick. I didn't get to look at much of the other parts of the menu, but they do have some nice lunch specials for the sushi. I ended up going with a Rising Sun roll and the spicy salmon roll. There were a few tables seated when I went in, but it wasn't very packed, and my sushi rolls came out really fast. It could be based on the fact that they were pretty slow, but it was nice, since I was just taking a lunch break and needed to be in and out. The sushi looked and tasted great, especially the special Rising Sun roll. That roll by itself was pretty filling, and I'm assuming a lot of their special rolls are, so you probably don't need a second one unless you're super hungry. In my opinion, this restaurant is a step above your average sushi place, and I'll definitely be back again.
(4)T'Ria E.
Smaller sushi place but really nice. They have great happy hour pricing and Tuesday's is half off sushi (certain ones). I'd give 5 stars if the wait on food didn't always take forever, but then again can't give them that hard of a time when they only have 3 guys hand rolling the sushi and a restaurant full of people. The pricing on sushi is comparable with surrounding areas but I do believe this one wins for quality of sushi.
(4)Jess H.
Grilled squid rings. Oh my. I took the previous reviewer's advice and ordered them. They are phenomenal. Hands down the best squid I've ever had. I also ordered a spicy tuna hand roll. When prompted, yes you want cucumber. Prepare to taste one of the best hand rolls you've ever had. Seriously. The spicy tuna here is SO much better than all the other sushi places I have been. I love mochi ice cream. For 6.99, I received 4 whole pieces, all of them were split into two. Red bean, green tea, strawberry, and orange. The orange one had pieces of onions on the bottom of it. So they've got to watch sharing the cutting boards... But other than that, it was delicious. :) The server was excellent and hats off to Mr. Yoo, my favorite sushi chef of all time. I can't wait to come back again in a few weeks! Seriously. Order a spicy tuna hand roll.
(5)Beata K.
Great sushi place not only around this area but in general. I'm extremely picky when it comes to sushi and when my favorite restaurant was closed for the day we went to try tora. The atmosphere is very nice and reminds me of a clean fancier restaurant. We sat at the bar and had quick service. The fish tastes extremely fresh and when the sashimi melts like butter in your mouth you know it's good. The spicy salmon with tempura flakes is great here as well as the salmon sashimi.
(4)Madison R.
I GOT SPOILED IKA!!!! NEVER HAVE I EVER HAD SPOILED SUSHI. THIS PLACE IS NOT EVEN WORTH $1 a PC. Spent $70 for 2 people, for salad 4 pcs of tempura one roll and 4 pcs of sushi. I am so pissed the fuck off. I would've rather wasted my money on Wendy's. Do not go to this place!!! If you want real sushi for a good price go to mr. Sushi
(1)Meron G.
I've been coming to Tora since their grand opening years, ago. I was initially interested in trying out Tora because of the close distance to my home. And boy, am I glad that I tried it out! I've been hooked ever since! I only order their sushi and I typically come on Tuesday's. If you're not familiar with their Tuesday special, select sushi items are 30-50% off! My favorite sushi items on their menu: 1. Sunday Morning, 2. Spicy Tuna Crunch, 3. Philly Roll and 4. Shrimp Tempora Their sushi is absolutely delicious! Service is always good, I haven't had a bad experience yet.
(5)Amoli P.
It's hard to rate this because I haven't had other sushi in Columbus and I will have to compare this to my lifelong sushi experience. Tora is a great restaurant with a clean and modern atmosphere. The menu is expansive and they have a few items off the beaten path, especially in their appetizers as well as some stone pot entrees. I decided to avoid the rolls and try some of their interesting appetizers for my meal. Oyster Salmon Roll - Tora only had one oyster left so they gave me a half order of this since the full order usually comes with 2. Fine by me, it let me order more. I subbed the smoked salmon for fresh salmon and found this dish to be very fresh and very flavorful. A great start to the evening. Tuna Carpaccio - The tuna that accompanied this was excellent. Small cuts, but very fresh and it was a nice price for the full 5 pieces that come with this dish. I was not a huge fan of the lemon cream that the tuna came on. I tried a healthy portion of it with my first bite of tuna and was a bit put off by it and ate the rest of the pieces after scraping off the cream. Hamachi Carpaccio - Not the best. The yellowtail was reasonably fresh but the pieces were cut so thick, it was like eating slabs of yellowtail. I prefer my carpaccio to be thinly sliced with the jalapeno and ponzu in smaller cuts. So I was a bit disappointed with this. Not the freshest hamachi I've had either but it didn't have that bad aftertaste that really unfresh hamachi gets. I finished with an order of nigiri. I asked for hirame but they were out and suggested a different white fish instead. Very solid and fresh pieces of nigiri but I would have been happier with a standard sake or maguro if they didn't have the hirame. That one is my bad. Overall the experience was very enjoyable if not completely memorable. I wouldn't talk anyone out of eating at Tora but I will also explore other places first next time I'm in town.
(3)Jessica S.
Everything about this place was disappointing. My family made a reservation for the sushi bar and when we arrived they seemed annoyed that we wanted to sit at the bar. We did, but shouldn't have. We weren't allowed to order from the bar directly but instead had to order through the waiter. We made an extensive order, as we all love sushi, and instead of spreading out the delivery they gave us two large trays at once-30 minutes later. The owner seemed put off to even be there and didn't like that we wanted to keep the menus with us in case we wanted to order more. Now, all of that could be forgiven if sushi was good. It was terrible. Tasted as if it was frozen before and was incredibly plain. The toro, usually a favorite, was a terrible consistency and color. Yellowtail was plain, salmon was chewy and albacore was blah. Not one thing tasted good. $200 later for 4 folks and I can say I won't be back. Pros? Cute light fixtures and the waiter was nice.
(1)Srous P.
My boyfriend and I went on a Saturday and it was empty. The place looks nice and clean. We sat at one of the tables instead of the bar. The decor is very nice. We ordered four rolls. The rolls are small, but delicious. We got 3 basic rolls and 1 speciality roll. The deep fried rolls came out and was warm. They did take awhile to bring out the food especially since we were the only two people there.
(3)Elena K.
Delicious!! Sushi, grilled calamari, hibachi, bulgogi beef all wonderful. Corbin was an excellent server.
(5)Makiah D.
I came with 3 adults and 2 kids. It does not feel very kid friendly. They had 2 high chairs. We all had the boxes with different sushi rolls. We waited 30 min for our miso soup. But it was worth the wait
(4)Scott S.
If you enjoy sushi, find somewhere else to go. Their other styles of food may be why this place has multiple stars, but the sushi is not one of them. All the workers seem to be scared of the owner, and the owner did not appear to like the customers in his restaurant.
(1)Sharmeela S.
I was really impressed w the sushi at tora. They have an extensive menu with korean and japanese items. We started w the curry croquettes and the appetizer sampler and both were great. The croquette is made w potatoes. The appetizer sampler had shumai, dumplings, "candied" shrimp, and calamari. The miso soup was excellent. I had three rolls - humphrey roll was my favorite, amazing fried goodness with scallops and salmon. But i also really enjoyed the shrimp tango roll. The sashimi platter was also very fresh. We ordered more than we could finish and i was pretty distraught over having to throw away excellent sushi. We had a reservation but still had to wait a bit, but the staff was nice and they gave us free cocktails and edamame. Im looking forward to returning to Tora and trying the Katsu Don among other dishes.
(4)Will Y.
Been here a couple times since I'm out here on a project and was surprised at how good this place was. Tuesday half off deal is awesome and appetizers were delicious. We got dumplings and squid. Excellent!
(4)Tabitha F.
I have been struggling to find a great sushi spot in Columbus. Tora just made my fav list (along with Akia Hana). Tora is close to home; they have a variety in their menu with unique dishes-what's not to love? I ordered the Shrimp Shumia soup and Tuna & Avocado salad. The dumplings in the soup burst with flavor and the salad was......different: good different. Just try it. My husband settled on the Mushroom Tea Pot Soup; he enjoyed what I didn't steal from him! Yellowtail, salmon and tuna sashimi was super fresh. Tuna Tataki had a different spin on it - the sauce was more vinegary than salty....not sure how I feel about that. The kids split a Shrimp Tempura to get started, devoured it as if they hadn't eaten for days (I didn't even get to get a taste). My teen ordered Teriyaki Chicken Stone Pot. It was a lot of food and he is super greedy - so needless to say, he was happy. Full and happy. The picky eater (8 year old girl) had the kid's platter - she ate most of it happily. She wasn't a fan of the sushi rolls but made up for the lost rice by stealing some out of her brother's bowl. Staff was super nice and attentive. They even surprised us with complimentary orange slices topped with whip cream and chocolate drizzle. You can imagine who dominated the dessert. Good job, Tora. We will be back.
(4)Rebecca L.
Great sushi, and great deal on Tuesdays. 1/2 off select rolls. I've always had pretty good service. The one time it took a WHILE to get me another glass of wine, he didn't charge me for it, which was kind.
(5)William M.
Nice sushi but pricey vs the quality and quantity of food that you get... go there only on Tuesday as it is more affordable....
(2)Samantha V.
So I have been looking for good sushi in Columbus for a while, so far the only place I found was in upper Arlington. Tora, while farther away, is worth the drive. The sushi was spectacular, fresh and very flavorful. The waiters were great, especially Jarrod who took great care of us, and the price was just right. I had three rolls by myself plus sake and shared desert and only spent $40 each. Pretty good deal! I heard about half priced Tuesday, I'll be back for that another time.
(4)Stephanie P.
We met friends here for a combination celebratory dinner. There was an engagement, a couple birthdays, and finishing school all at the table. So, naturally, we hit 50% roll night so we could stuff ourselves silly with sushi and sake. Pro-tip: If you're coming on Tuesday for 50%, make sure to call ahead. It was packed and the restaurant is kinda small. Overall, the sushi is good. Some of the spicy rolls we ordered weren't terribly spicy. Although, the spicy tango shrimp was nicely spicy. If it's on the menu, I always order a salmon skin salad... here, it was fantastic. The salmon skin was crispy and the dressing was damn tasty. I think we'll be back, we were pretty pleased with our experience.
(4)Haley S.
Sunday Morning roll. Hands down the best roll they've got. You've gotta ask for Tora Sauce, too! Soooooo tasty!!
(5)Tom C.
Had my first meal at Tora tonight. I went on half priced roll night so it was busy but I had the sushi sampler. Overall the fish was ok. Not great, nothing special, but ok. It was not worth the price. Miso soup did not have much taste and needed salt. Service was good. Only two stars as fish quality and quantity was not worth the price by a long shot
(2)Amy C.
This is one of those rare places that manages to have a huge menu selection AND it's all fresh and delicious. I've never eaten anything here that I didn't absolutely love. The chefs take a lot of pride in their work and it shows. I've dined here about 20 times in the past two years and have never been disappointed by the quality, creativity and taste of the food. The only caveat is the table service. It's consistently slow and sometimes just plain bad. I just don't think they ever staff enough servers. Sit at the sushi bar and interact with the chefs for the best experience. The servers are more attentive because they have to go there to pick up the orders. The chefs like your interest and like talking about sushi. At the bar, I always get better cuts, bigger portions and an occasional sample. Always ask about what's not on the menu. Usually you'll be in for a pleasant surprise! I asked this on my third or forth visit and was presented with an oyster bigger than my fist. Seriously, it was 4-5 full bites of pure delicious goodness. I can't remember how much it cost, but it was much less than anticipated. It is on the pricy side, but the selection and freshness make it worthwhile. I eat sushi about six times per month and try to come here at least once a month. I'd go more often if they had better lunch specials. I reserve Tora for a dinnertime venue. As for gratuity, servers give 50% to chefs, at least at the sushi bar, not sure about table service. I like to bring cash and tip each separately.
(4)