“Another sushi ?!” This observation of a passer-by on rue d’Alger in front of the poster announcing the opening of NKI Sushi came straight from the heart. It must be said that in recent months this type of restaurant has multiplied in the city center. Let’s take stock.
Between franchises and independents
The first sushi place appeared in the city center in 2004. Since then the precursor Sushi Roll has disappeared but many others have taken over. Including the unmissable Sushi Shop, the first national chain to have opened a store in Toulon in 2011.
But since then, even independents have managed to make their mark on the image of sushi or not sushi. “We moved to the city center in 2013. Since then, we have built customer loyalty. The people of Toulon like sushi!”Eric Mantelin, the boss, assures with a smile. For him, without a doubt, the market is lively and there is still potential: “A recent study showed that only 10% of French people eat sushi. In the end it is still little known.”
This undoubtedly explains the interest of the chains in settling in Toulon.
Three new guys
2021 marked the beginning of the strong return of these Asian specialties. Coba Sushi opened on the avenue de la République while the boulevard de Strasbourg saw the fall of Côté Sushi and SuandShi.
An exclusive move
The last restaurants to open try to distinguish themselves with different proposals. Nikkei cuisine (a mixture of Japanese and Peruvian influences) is therefore the business of Côte Sushi. At SuandShi we offer crunchy sushi and even a luxury range. Sushi or no sushi changes its menu regularly. “We make associations with foie gras, or even tomato-mozzarella-basil. The idea is to make sushi tasty even for those who are not fond of raw fish”justifies Eric Mantelin.
gone to last?
Is sushi just a fad or has it become part of our culinary habits? For the Sushi boss or non-Sushi, it is “much more than a trend.”
This new competition proves it well. “For me, these new installations are positive. This allows the product to be discovered more widely.” However, he remains skeptical about the number of establishments. “If before in Toulon the offer was very scarce. Today it is filling up. But only the best will come out!”
