Edoboy is a brand new 8-person standing sushi bar in downtown Orlando. The vision comes from the owner of Domu and Tori Tori, Sonny Nguyen. This intimate dining experience offers quality sushi at reasonable prices in an environment that isn't pretentious or overbearing. Head Chef Tyler and Second Chef Francis, who come from within Sonny’s hospitality brand, guide you through the experience.

How it works

Reservations will be needed when it opens, as this is a very intimate set-up with only eight people at a time.

You are brought in by one of the two staff on hand that will help you throughout the meal, and they will show you to your spot and explain how the menu works. Jot down on the paper menu what items you’d like (Max of 12) and hand it to either Chef Tyler or Chef Francis. If you don’t hit your max and want to add items as you go, that is allowed as long as time permits.

Your plates are large leaves placed in front of you with amazing homemade fresh ginger (this is not your standard restaurant-grade ginger). Throughout the meal, the leaf will be replaced, and your ginger replenished, so feel free to use it to cleanse the palate between bites.

Regarding beverages, they have a cooler behind you packed with Japanese beers, sake, a few sodas, and water. However, you have your own pitcher of water and cups at your stations. Also, notable for anyone with bags or purses, there are hooks beneath the counter to hang them.

The Vibe

The overall atmosphere is extremely relaxed and chill. A curated playlist made by the Chefs will accompany you filled with 90s and 00s jams keeping the ambiance fun and light. You are never waiting long from item to item, just long enough to watch the Chefs work, engage with them, take some pics or even videos, and enjoy the company of the other patrons. The Chefs will tell you what each item is as they present it to you and if you have questions, happily answer them.

While you can go to any sushi restaurant and sit at their bar, your vantage point here is different because you are standing. With an almost overhead view of the skills and work put into each individual piece, it adds to the experience, and for me, that is the most satisfying thing about it, next to the food itself.

The Food

What I ordered from the Sushi Menu:

• Toro (bluefin fatty tuna)

• Sake (faroe island salmon)

• Hamachi (japanese yellowtail)

• Madai (Japanese sea bream)

• Uni (sea urchin)

What I ordered from the Aburi Sushi (torched nigiri) menu:

• Aburi Aka Ebi (sweet red prawn w/uni butter)

What I ordered from the Temaki (hand roll) menu:

• Akami-Toro (mixed lean + fatty tuna with chives)

• Dynamite (spicy scallop/sweet red prawn/hamachi tartare + cucumber)

You can also add Miso Soup ($3.50) to the end of your meal, which I highly recommend. The Chefs described it as a labor of love as the process is time-consuming as they use bones of the fish cut daily to create a miso soup that will surely become one of your favorite items.

The Cost

The prices vary but range between $4.50 - $10 on the menu. You really control what you spend, and with the 12-piece maximum, you can’t really go overboard unless you order 12 pieces of Uni and nothing else.

Should you go?

If you love sushi, this is a no-brainer. I honestly enjoyed my meal here more than Four Flamingos or Ava Mediterraegean, and this was substantially less money. With it no doubt being a hot spot as soon as it opens, it may be challenging to procure reservations, but don’t give up; it’s worth it. On the other hand, if you aren’t that big into sushi or you drown everything you get in soy sauce, this might not be the place for you unless you are looking to expand your palate.

Watch their social media for opening announcement and reservation openings, and you can sign up for their newsletter for updates as well.

Edoboy Sushi - 728 N Thornton Ave, Orlando, FL 32803

I attended a Friends and Family time slot, but this was not a free meal or hosted meal, and this post is not sponsored in any way.