Midori by Tao's

May 19, 2023

   

When V Series closed last year, they pointed their social media accounts towards their new venture, Midori, so I've had my eye on it for a while. The restaurant opened a couple of months ago, and we stopped in for a weekday lunch when we were headed east for a long weekend out of town. 

Midori is primarily a sushi train! And even better, it's all vegetarian and majority vegan - the plates containing eggs or dairy have clear stickers (see photo above). Plate colour determines the food cost. Drinks and a small selection of a la carte dishes can be browsed and ordered by QR code, with the dishes being delivered to the assigned table by a toy truck that travels above the train. Here's what we grabbed from the conveyor on our visit...

   

I'm always fond of inari ($4, left) and it was my first pick. Michael chose these more complex rolls ($6, right), which contained a vegetable selection rolled in rice and nori, and with the ends dipped in mayonnaise and floss.

   

More fancy rolls with mock-ham, floss, tofu and vegetables ($6, left) and simple, silly omni nugget nigiri ($5, right).

   

Fluffy tamago and cheese nigiri ($5, left, not vegan) and peeled tomato concealing a pickled plum ($5, right).

   

Floss mini maki ($4, left), and inari with cashews ($5, right).

I'm so happy that Midori is inviting veg*ns into the fun of sushi trains! (I don't think I've visited one in two decades, for obvious reasons.) Midori go above and beyond with the variety and flavour among their dishes and the clean, comfortable setting they've designed. It's worth crossing town for, even if you don't have another reason to be in the neighbourhood - I'd recommend booking ahead (especially on a weekend) to guarantee a table.

   

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Midori also appears on the blog That Vegan Dad.

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Midori by Tao's

268 Doncaster Rd, Balwyn North

9939 6133

sushi train plates $4-6 each

https://www.midoribytaos.com.au/

Accessibility: Entry is wide and flat. Furniture is quite densely packed, with clear corridors along the side; tables are regular height and seats have backs. We picked up food and ordered drinks online at our table, then paid at a lower counter.