Midtown Lunch

Today Luncher John finds out if robots can make sushi.

Suburban Station isn’t exactly the foremost food destination in Center City. It does, however, now offer something available nowhere else in Philly: Yoshi – a combination frozen yogurt and fast food sushi (YOgurt + suSHI) establishment. Sure, there are a ton of frozen yogurt shops in town, but where else can you get a sushi lunch to accompany dessert?

The preparation of sushi, of course, typically requires hands-on care by an experienced chef. Instead of having a whole team of chefs, Yoshi uses an innovative, automated sushi maker. The machinery prepares and packages the sushi in individual film wraps (two pieces of sushi rolls, or one nigiri sushi).

The main advantage of Yoshi is that you can pick and choose different rolls, nigiri sushi or triangle sushi to comprise your lunch. Can’t decide between the salmon and eel? Pick one of each. Above is a picture of the eel sushi roll ($1.19) in its film wrapping along with containers of ginger and wasabi. After unwrapping the sushi, a process that involves pulling with both hands and takes a while to master, you have a decent-sized sushi roll. The rice sticks together and does not fall apart. It certainly evokes more care than one would expect from an automated sushi maker.

For a sampling of the variety available, I chose a beef bulgogi triangle sushi ($2.59) (pictured without the seaweed), tropical roll ($1.19) and red snapper nigiri sushi ($1.29). The beef Bulgogi, made of beef rib eye, white rice, vinegar seasoning and seaweed, had a little too much rice and was not generous on the filling. The tropical roll (salmon and mango) was ok, but the red snapper had excellent flavor.

For dessert, Yoshi features five flavors of frozen yogurt and a toppings bar. Each flavor contains substantial nutritional information, so you can decide between the non-fat and low fat options. The toppings bar has candies as well as fruits, depending on how healthy you want it. I chose the old fashioned peanut butter with Butterfinger candy topping. ($0.49/ounce). The combination hit the spot. the yogurt was creamy and fresh, and who doesn’t like Butterfingers?

Yoshi is good for lunch, a mid-afternoon snack or even a quick take out dinner after work. Key tip: pick up one of the frequent customer cards for yogurt and get yogurt on Wednesdays, when it’s double stamp day.

THE + (What somebody who likes this place would say)

• Picking and choosing a mix of sushi
• Robot-made sushi
• Good nutritional detail on frozen yogurt

THE – (What somebody who doesn’t like this place would say)

• Plastic wrappers can be tricky to open
• Not the absolute best triangle sushi ever

Yoshi, Suburban Station Concourse, 215-575-0199