Next Stop: Genki Sushi!

Japan is far ahead of us when it comes to technology, and conveyor belt sushi, where plates of sushi move along a conveyor belt for diners to pick as they pass, is one proof of that.

Genki Sushi is a popular Japanese conveyor belt sushi chain, known for its affordable, quick, and convenient dining experience. It stands out by offering a wide range of sushi, sashimi, and other Japanese dishes, from traditional favorites to more modern creations. Customers use a touchscreen to place their orders, which are delivered via a “train” system that zooms directly to their table.

I’m thrilled that Genki Sushi has entered the Philippines, introducing this type of dining, so we can finally enjoy dishes served by a mini train. Here are the dishes we picked.

Creamy Seafood Ramen

There wasn’t a single visit to Genki Sushi where we didn’t order the Creamy Seafood Ramen. It was generously filled with ingredients, to the point that it almost felt like the broth was lacking. The soup was rich, creamy, and briny. The noodles had the right firmness, and the salmon had a nice pink hue. I also appreciated the corn, which contributed a burst of sweetness. Everything else was fresh.

Tuna Sashimi

I’m not sure why, but their sashimi had a hint of sourness, which was a bit unsettling for raw fish. However, this diminished when dipped in soy sauce and wasabi. The texture was chewy, not the melt-in-the-mouth kind.

Gunkan Trio

I chose the trio so I could try everything at once. The Tuna Salad Gunkan was a bit dry, only slightly moistened by the dressing. The Kani Salad Gunkan was just okay. As for the salmon, I realized I should have chosen the Salmon Sashimi over the Tuna Sashimi. It really melted in the mouth.

Shrimp Tempura Roll

I liked the shrimp. It had a delicate sweetness that made it enjoyable. However, I appreciated the crispiness from the tempura breading and toasted sesame seeds even more. The sesame seeds gave the roll a burst of flavor that stood out.

River Eel Handroll

This was my first time trying river eel, and it tasted like fish—but a really good one. It was seared on one side, adding extra texture, and the whole temaki was filled with the eel. However, the nori wrap was chewy, making the temaki hard to bite. It paired well with the sweet soy sauce that came with it.

Salmon Cucumber Roll

The salmon was overcooked, nearly to the point of dryness. As a result, I couldn’t really recognize the distinct flavor of salmon. The sauce and cucumber helped by adding moisture and freshness, but without them, the long cuts of the roll would have been bland.

Shrimp Tempura

It was a bit bland for my taste, but I understand that authentic tempura can be mild in flavor. However, the shrimp itself should have been sweet, which is its natural flavor. Anyway, it was cute that they served the tempura with Hello Kitty bowls for the tentsuyu sauce.

Matcha Latte

The Matcha Latte was too milky for my taste, likely appealing to those who don’t want their matcha to taste too grassy. It seemed like they were catering to Filipino taste preferences. While I could tell the matcha tea was authentic, the milk was just overpowering.

Gyudon

The thin strips of beef were guaranteed to be delicious because they were of good quality. However, there wasn’t enough sauce to make the rice flavorful, leaving the dish bland for a Gyudon. Plus, the egg was overcooked, making the rice bowl even duller. How could they do this to a Gyudon?

Fried Gyoza Nigiri

We were tempted to get the fried gyoza, but we saw the nigiri version and opted for that instead. However, it was simply gyoza on top of a clump of rice. I know that’s what nigiri is, but we were expecting some kind of twist. The photo on the menu looked more appetizing. That said, the fillings were luscious, and I got hints of seafood flavors.