Welcome, JAPANGO – a brand new addition to the Mills50 district near Downtown Orlando! Serving delicious sushi, a wide selection of teas and beverages, macarons and Mochi ice cream; JAPANGO is an incredible option for a to-go lunch or fun gathering with friends. Orlando Decoded was recently invited to experience their awesome food and drinks, and I can’t wait to tell you about it. Thank you, JAPANGO, for such a tasty treat!
Please note that JAPANGO is currently in a soft opening phase. While the restaurant will open daily at 11am, sushi will only be sold until the supply runs out. Follow their Instagram account for updates.
JAPANGO is located in the old home of Chewy Boba on SR 50. While there is limited seating available inside the restaurant, both the food and drink is packaged in beautifully branded to-go containers for easy transport home. I ended up eating a portion of my meal at JAPANGO and part of it after leaving. Spoiler alert: My food was just as delicious (and tasted just as fresh) at home as it was inside the restaurant!
JAPANGO Sushi
Chef Dennis Chung (who also owns Tokyo Tapas in Oviedo) has created an eclectic and wide-ranging sushi menu to fit every taste. You can order a traditional roll like the California or Philly OR try one of his more adventurous options, like the Torchy Tuna with sweet chili glaze and crisp shallots!
Vegan Sushi Options
But what really sets JAPANGO apart from many other local sushi options is its vast array of satisfying vegan rolls and nigiri! Dennis was kind enough to let me taste his vegan substitutes, and they were surprisingly convincing! My favorite, the eggplant “eel,” had a great texture and flavor that I really enjoyed. The “spicy tuna” made with tomato is seasoned just like the traditional fish version. Until the tomato texture hit me at the very end, I could almost believe it was the real thing. The “krab,” made with heart of palm, makes a gratifying substitute for a California roll or piece of nigiri. Chef Dennis’ creations result in vegan sushi that’s (as opposed to ordering a simple avocado or cucumber roll) actually exciting to eat!
Sushi Boxes
Instead of ordering your sushi a la carte, JAPANGO offers complete boxed meals in two sizes. The “Bitch Box” currently costs $19 and includes your selection of one sushi roll as well as edamame (While the current menu mentions pink salt edamame, this will soon be replaced by Chef Dennis’ “Sticky Fingers” edamame. It is served chilled with a soy reduction coating the outside, and it’s delicious!), plantain chips, five chef nigiris, and your choice of seaweed salad, watermelon ceviche, or sashimi (currently albacore) ceviche. The “Boss Box” currently costs $29 and includes everything from the Bitch Box plus an additional roll of your choice.
If you’re there for the vegan options, JAPANGO has you covered! The fish nigiri can be replaced with special plant-based selections, like heart of palm “krab” and seaweed salad. You can also choose the watermelon ceviche (complete with special sauce) in lieu of the fish ceviche option.
As someone with vegan family members, I really appreciate JAPANGO’s variety of beautiful and tasty fish-free options. Too many times I’ve watched my vegan parents resort to ordering noodles at a sushi bar as there were no other appealing alternatives for them. While they always insist they are fine, a bowl of noodles certainly doesn’t look that appetizing next to my full plate of beautiful sushi. But at JAPANGO my parents could enjoy a colorful and delicious sushi meal of their own so that everyone leaves with full bellies and happy taste buds!
My pictured sushi box includes only vegan options, but I also tried the Yellowtail Jalapeño roll with avocado and scallions. I’ve eaten plenty of yellowtail in my life, but I can’t remember it ever being paired with jalapeño. It was perfect! The pepper, fish, and avocado made a delicious combination! I am definitely looking forward to trying other fish-filled rolls on my next visit.
JAPANGO Beverages
If all that sushi is making you thirsty, JAPANGO offers a wide variety of beverages – including teas, blended drinks, and boba toppings. I tried the matcha green tea over ice, and it was DELICIOUS! I can’t wait to order it again!
And, vegans (or others with special dietary needs), JAPANGO still hasn’t forgotten about you. Most drinks can be made vegan or gluten-free upon request.
JAPANGO Macarons and Mochi
Don’t forget dessert! JAPANGO serves a variety of macaron and mochi ice cream flavors. Choose your favorite from the display or ask an employee about their current selection.
Freaky Thoughts
If you’re looking for a great meal (especially for carry out) in the Mills50 area, JAPANGO is an awesome option! The food is delicious, and already packaged for efficient transport! As I mentioned at the beginning of the article, I ate part of my meal at the restaurant and part of it back home. It tasted just as fresh and delicious after riding in my car as it had while sitting at the table. I will DEFINITELY be returning for more matcha green tea and a delicious sushi box!
In short, if you enjoy sushi, tea, boba, and/or blended beverages; there’s something on the JAPANGO menu for you! Come check it out (with your vegan friends!), and let them know Orlando Decoded sent you!
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Address:
1212 E Colonial Dr
Orlando, FL 32893
Hours:
Open Daily at 11am
Follow them on Instagram!
View their menu
