For my bi-weekly “Dinner and a Show” restaurant review for TheatreJones.com, I needed to choose a restaurant that would pair nicely with the upcoming Paul Taylor Dance Company performance at the Eisemann Center in Richardson, Texas. Since the performance features modern dance, a sleek and contemporary sushi restaurant with French-inspired touches felt like a fitting match. That led us to Edoko Richardson, a stylish sushi spot at CityLine. Here is our Edoko Richardson restaurant review, including what we ordered, what stood out, and what we would order again.
Edoko Richardson Restaurant Review
Edoko is located in the CityLine mixed-use development in Richardson, Texas. This is the second location for the restaurant brand, following the original Edoko, which opened in Frisco in 2011. The Richardson location fits well into the CityLine setting, offering a polished atmosphere that works for lunch, dinner, date night, or a pre-show meal before an event at the Eisemann Center.
Inside, Edoko has a modern, upscale look without feeling overly formal. The dining room is clean, stylish, and contemporary, which matches the restaurant’s menu. The options include sushi, sashimi, salads, and robata, a Japanese style of cooking food over charcoal. In addition to more traditional Japanese sushi selections, the menu also features rolls and sauces with French and Western culinary influences. The drink menu includes beer, wine, cocktails, and sake, giving diners plenty of pairing options.
Holy Mackerel
We started our meal with the Saba sashimi, made with Norwegian mackerel. Mackerel is one of my favorite choices for sashimi because it has a rich flavor and a satisfying texture. It is also known for being high in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and selenium, which makes it a flavorful choice with nutritional benefits.
At Edoko Richardson, the five pieces of sashimi were beautifully presented over thinly sliced daikon and ice chips. The plate was garnished with rosemary, scallions, and an edible flower, giving the dish a refined look without distracting from the fish itself. The mackerel was not as sweet as some versions I have tried, but it also was not overly salty or fishy. It had a pleasant, meaty texture and a clean flavor that allowed the fish to stand on its own. This was one of our two favorite dishes of the meal, and it is something we would happily order again on a future visit.
Ocean Beauty Sushi Roll
Next, we ordered the Ocean Beauty roll, and the name suited it well. This colorful sushi roll is made with salmon, spicy crab, panko shrimp, ginger sauce, bell pepper, jalapeño, cilantro, and onion. It was served with a sauce that quickly became one of the highlights of the entire meal.
A couple of the pieces loosened slightly as we ate them, but that happened only after we dragged them generously through the sauce. The roll itself delivered a good mix of textures, from the crispness of the panko shrimp to the freshness of the vegetables and herbs.
The sauce was the real star. It was slightly sweet, lightly tangy, and carried just enough heat to keep each bite interesting. It did not need soy sauce or wasabi, which says a lot for a sushi roll. Of everything we tried during this Edoko Richardson restaurant review, the Ocean Beauty roll was our clear favorite.
French Kiss
For our third selection, we ordered the French Kiss Maki. This is a rice-free sushi roll made with spicy tuna, spicy crab, and Cajun-seared tuna wrapped in soy paper, then served with spicy ponzu sauce. Because it is made without rice, we did not expect it to have the same visual appeal as the other rolls, and it was definitely simpler in appearance.
Unfortunately, this roll was too salty for our taste. The ingredients sounded appealing, and we liked the idea of a no-rice maki option, but after a few bites, the saltiness became the dominant flavor. It was the one item we probably would not order again, although diners who enjoy bolder, saltier flavors may feel differently.
French Rainbow Sushi
Our final roll was another attractive option: the French Rainbow Roll. This roll offered a colorful presentation and a generous variety of seafood, making it a strong choice for anyone who enjoys classic rainbow-style sushi with a slightly different twist.
The French Rainbow Roll is made with spicy crab, asparagus, cucumber, tuna, salmon, yellowtail, shrimp, white tuna, and French ginger sauce. It is finished with colorful flying fish roe, which adds brightness to the presentation and a light pop of texture.
Aside from the sauce, this roll tasted closer to a traditional American sushi roll than the other items we tried. The cucumber and asparagus brought a refreshing crunch, while the different types of fish on top gave each piece a little variety. It was fresh, colorful, and enjoyable, especially for diners who like a mix of seafood in one roll.
Only after finishing our meal did we realize that every roll we ordered included spicy crab. Next time, we would be more intentional about choosing at least one roll without it, simply to create more variety at the table.
One feature that helps set Edoko apart from many other sushi restaurants in Richardson is its robata menu, available only at dinner. Robata is a Japanese custom of slow-grilling meats and vegetables over charcoal. Since we visited during lunch, we did not get to try any robata dishes, but the menu made us curious enough to plan a return visit. When we go back, we will definitely explore the dinner options—and we will almost certainly order the Ocean Beauty roll again.
Address: 1250 State St. in Richardson, Texas
Website: www.edokosushi.com