Kokoro Sushi Bento
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Location:
19 Lr Liffey Street
Visited:
over 2 years ago
Reviewed by:
Aoife Crowley
Rating:
Sushi is a food that people have very definite ideas about. The general reaction I have encountered is a nose-wrinkling suspicion of raw fish. This is coupled with total incomprehension as to why anyone would be bothered making “neurotic fish origami” when they could just batter it up and have a nice fry.
But with sushi places popping up both left and right of the Liffey, the tide of opinion is turning. Kokoro, a new-ish takeaway, is usually quite busy at lunchtime, though service is still quick. They offer cold bento for €6.50, which includes miso soup, or hot bento for €5.45, which doesn’t. For those unfamiliar with the term, bento is a Japanese word for a single-portion takeaway meal.
There is a range of hot bento to choose from, but I would recommend getting a cold bento instead as they are nicer and more filling. From the hot menu, I sampled the chicken teriyaki and the tofu yakisoba. The yakisoba was good, the teriyaki fine.
Cold bento is where it’s at. There are five options to choose from, and I recommend the salmon and tuna sashimi. This comes beautifully packaged in a box, like a special edible present. Novelty factor is very high. There were five or six pieces of salmon and tuna arranged on a bed of white cabbage, with sushi rice to the left and soybeans, carrots and dipping sauce to the right. Chopsticks were also included. The fish was very fresh, rice was fragrant and vegetables had a nice crunch. The miso soup that was included was absolutely delicious, with small pieces of tofu and just the right amount of saltiness.
You also have the option of filling a box yourself with whichever pieces of sushi take your fancy. There are vegetarian pieces, as well as ones with no raw fish. Most are in and around €2 for two. There are also desserts, which I wouldn’t bother with. Take your euro and get an M&S cookie up the road instead.
Kokoro is a fun place to get your lunch if you are looking for something light, healthy and a bit different. Plus, the aroma coming out the door makes that little section of Liffey Street smell magnificent, which is no mean feat.
