Sushi Factory Sendo

Reviews

• ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
  Sendo has pulled off quite the magic trick, worthy of fooling Penn & Teller (well, more Penn), one of those clever switches where the illusionist misleads you into focusing on an innocuous element while clandestinely swapping the deck. Ramen Ya SENDO (and apparently, it’s spelled exactly like that, leading me to think I have to scream the last word) began as a typical sushi spot, an above average one. I had better, both out of town and recently within it (see Sushi 97), but Sendo was a suitable alternative given its proximity. For those living on the fringes, neighboring sushi can be a blessing. The Hart has Mr. Sushi and College Heights had Sendo—oh sorry, I meant SENDO!!! However, one aspect of the business I never appraised was its ramen, and I mean, why would I? It was called Sendo Sushi Factory. Friends had told me to partake in its ramen, and I had planned to do so on a return visit. Then came the previously mentioned turn, the palming of the sushi in one hand while secretly revealing the ramen while our attended had to be diverted. Few of us noticed the move. What had happened was its original owner (the sushi chef) had been sidelined by an injury and his son had taken up the mantle (so goes what I was told). The latter’s specialty was ramen, pushing sushi completely out of the menu and elevating the ramen as its sole feature. That took courage. Ramen is not a guaranteed economic windfall. It hasn’t swept the globe like sushi or pho. Though admittedly a common site on menus, ramen is seldom the dominant aspect in the western hemisphere. Someone will now tap loudly on their keyboards over the prevalence of ramen stands in Vancouver or Calgary, and I’ll counter by stressing my above wording—sushi and pho are far more popular in those regions, and a small town like Prince George already has two pho and maybe a dozen sushi restaurants. Ramen Ya SENDO appears a novel local introduction. The uninformed may notice an aesthetic similarity to that of the more popular pho. Both feature a flavorful broth dominated by chunky ingredients and plentiful noodles in a bowl so large, one is likely to be swept in its undertow…drowned when carried into the depths of one’s own soup bowl. To compare pho to ramen is like comparing French onion soup to Azorean holy spirit soup…wow, I just made an obscure reference; you’re welcome, fellow Azorean descendants. Both pho and ramen feature noodles…that’s about it. The broth is different. The dominant ingredients are different. Even the noodles themselves are technically different. Mine had half a boiled egg just floating on the side. It was the garlic butter ramen while my friend took in the special, piri kara spicy miso ramen with stir fried spicy vegetable and with spicy ground turkey in extra spicy miso ramen soup. That was verbatim. Now, I like me some spice now and again, but when it’s mentioned four times in its description, I get cautious. East Asian restaurants can differ greatly in their opinions of what constitutes extra spicy, with some adding a dash of extra chili sauce while others empty a can of bear mace directly into your face. In retrospect, I could have handled this meal but didn’t regret the one I ordered. The special came with a potato salad appetizer, which I thought was an odd choice. I appetized my meal (wait, can I use “appetize” that way in a sentence?) with a spicy sashimi platter. I considered the latter overpriced given the portion size, though the ramen bowls were a considerably better value. Mine was heaping, dominated by the abovementioned egg but with generous helpings of tofu, pork, corn, and noodles. It’s also common to fringe the ramen with gyoza, which we both did.
  By Chris Dias, June 01, 2017
• ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
  Sensei is an absolute marvel and such a privilege to have in Prince George. Excellent value for truly inspired sushi always served with a smile from the chef this place is a must for anyone with an appreciation for sushi. Try the Toro sashimi as part of your main and to start the Kitsune Udon.
  By John McAvoy, March 01, 2017
• ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
  Only place in Prince George, BC that is own,operated & chief by a true Japanese. Authentic Japanese crusine, from traditional to new flare. Very creative like art.
  By Brian Lee, February 19, 2017

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About Sushi Factory Sendo in Prince George