A hop skip and jump from Central station is Gou Sushi. Yes - it's yet another sushi restaurant in Sydney but Scoopsters this one is absolutely deserving of your attention and a visit.
Gou Sushi offers some of the best quality sushi train plates that we've tried in Sydney, at a reasonable price point, in a lovely setting and an easily accessible location.
Plates start at $3.20 for staples like salmon or prawn nigiri, with a large range of options at the $3.60 and $4.20 marks before the odd special dish that exceeds that.
We are delighted by the freshness of the fish and balance of flavours in each dish. Classic nigiri plates of salmon, kingfish, scallop and prawn are all made very well. Aburi (flame seared) options of several of the above are available and are just delicious, particularly when ordered fresh but also absolutely worth sampling straight from the train itself too. Aburi salmon ($3.60) is a personal favourite and Gou Sushi's version ticks all the right boxes.
For the indecisive, order a sushi sampler platter with 6-8 different pieces of nigiri sushi ($13.80 for 6 pieces, $16.80 for 8). These mixed plates are served on a stylish black board and are great not only for sharing but for people dining alone who want to try a bit of everything.
Sashimi sets are also available, in salmon, tuna (each $6.80) or mixed ($16.80, $25.80 for deluxe size).
Don't miss the hand rolls - lots of options for these in the menu that you order fresh from the staff. We are just delighted by the soft shell crab hand roll ($4.20) which is one of the best we've had. There's also the usual suspects of salmon and avo, tempura prawn, vegetarian (all $3.60), aburi salmon, spicy tuna ($4.20) and more.
One of the highlights for us was a cold dish of Green tea Soba Noodles with salmon sashimi and ontama egg ($13.80). Even on a cold rainy Winter evening this was a deliciously refreshing item with that subtle yet delectable flavour balance characteristic of Japanese cooking.
In terms of hot dishes there is a good range of snacks and larger dishes, from Takoyaki ($4.20), Agedashi Tofu ($7.80 and a generous portion), Pan Fried Gyoza ($7.80) and Karaage Chicken ($8.80) to Teriyaki Salmon ($13.80), the not-so-spicy Spicy Teriyaki Chicken ($9.80), Salmon & Tofu Hot Pot ($13.80), a range of Udon noodle bowls and Seafood Donburi.
There is also a selection of tempura plates, Salmon or White Fish Carpaccio ($12.80-$14.80), and Tuna or Beef Tataki ($14.80).
As well as their delicious matcha green tea ($3), the restaurant serves a range of Sake and Umeshu plus a few Japanese beers, for diners looking to complement their meal with a tipple.
Gou Sushi has a wisely simple dessert list, with options like Matcha or Black Sesame Icecream ($4.20 for two scoops) or the more adventurous Cheese Spring Roll of cream cheese, marscapone and red bean paste wrapped in mochi and spring roll and deep fried, served with icecream ($6.80). Worth at least trying to save room for.
Gou Sushi is at 2/30 Chalmers Street Surry Hills
Open Monday - Saturday for lunch and dinner
