Takeout Review: Kadence Restaurant Orlando
Kadence is Orlando’s original omakase institution and has maintained its Michelin star for years, remaining the pinnacle of traditional high end sushi in the city. So imagine my surprise when I was browsing ExploreTock one day and discovered that this Audubon Park gem offers a takeout option. High quality Michelin star sushi you can take home? I had to try it.
Here’s why this matters: traditional sushi is not the easiest to find in Orlando since most places still cater to Americanized rolls. High quality nigiri a la carte leaves you with a handful of options like Okonomi which is still in popup phase, Edoboy which usually requires advance reservation, and the upscale joints like Kabooki or Sushi Pop which are more specialized in contemporary sushi creations. That list gets even shorter if you want it for takeout.
But Kadence’s takeout option changes the game entirely.
About Kadence in Audubon Park
Kadence restaurant Orlando is located in Audubon Park and has been the gold standard for traditional sushi in the city. Their Michelin star recognition isn’t just hype. This is serious, high end Japanese cuisine done right.
The fact that they offer takeout is almost unheard of for a restaurant of this caliber. Most Michelin starred sushi spots don’t bother doing pickup preorders, but Kadence found a way to make it work.
The Kadence Sushi Box: Incredible Value for Michelin Quality
I ordered their sushi box for $55, which came with 15 pieces of nigiri and a tuna hosomaki roll. Let me break down why this is an incredible deal, especially coming from a Michelin starred restaurant.
That’s less than $4 per piece of nigiri. For context:
- Sushi Pop charges $65 for their 10 piece Premium Tokushu Box
- Oza Izakaya charges $49 for their 7 piece Premium Nigiri Set
You won’t find a better deal for high quality nigiri in Orlando. Yes, it’s still pricey, but relatively speaking, Kadence’s takeout is the best value in the city for this level of sushi.
Hokkaido Uni Ikura Don
Their Hokkaido uni ikura don is currently available on their menu for $39. This is quite steep, but uni is a very expensive and perishable ingredient, so that’s overall a good price.
My one complaint? I found the donburi too salty for my taste, even before adding additional soy sauce. The ikura is already marinated and quite briny, but I think the rice to topping ratio was off and needed more rice to balance out the saltiness.
The Transportation Challenge
Here’s the honest reality of getting takeout from Kadence: sushi is not meant to travel. After picking up my order and bringing it home on an hour long trip, the sushi suffered a bit. The rice got cold and hard.
Sushi is not a cold food, it’s a room temperature food. What I brought home was definitely cold.
But even with the transportation issues, the quality still shined through.
The Quality: Still Michelin Level
The fish was excellent quality. Glistening, tender, supple with a nice sheen, paired with high quality vinegary rice. This is what you expect from a Michelin starred establishment.
The salmon roe were perfectly round pearls of briny goodness with a deep orange hue from the marination. Like little dragon balls of flavor.
The only thing that seemed not at peak freshness was the uni, which was already starting its breakdown process and becoming a bit liquidy. Uni is delicate and highly perishable, so this happens if it was not properly packed by Kadence’s supplier or been sitting a few too many days in the fridge.
The hosomaki definitely suffered the most during transportation. The seaweed became soggy, and the rice was getting hard and stale. Obviously not the fault of the restaurant.
If I had picked it up exactly during my designated pickup window and stuffed my face in the car in their parking lot, I’m sure the sushi would have been absolutely top tier.
The Verdict: Is Kadence Orlando Takeout Worth It?
Yes, if you understand the limitations of takeout sushi and can pick it up quickly.
Kadence offers the best value for high quality sushi in Orlando. At less than $4 per piece of nigiri, you’re getting an incredible deal compared to other upscale sushi spots in the city.
The fish quality is exceptional, even after an hour long drive. The rice is high quality and properly vinegary. This is traditional sushi done right by a restaurant that has earned and maintained its Michelin star.
But here’s my advice: time your pickup perfectly and eat it as soon as possible. Sushi is meant to be enjoyed immediately, the longer it sits the more it suffers.
Tips for Ordering Kadence Takeout
- Pick up during your exact time window to get the freshest sushi possible
- Eat immediately or within 15-20 minutes for best quality
- Consider eating in your car in their parking lot if you live far away
- Order the set sushi box for the best value.
- Skip the uni ikura don if you’re sensitive to salt
- Check ExploreTock for their current takeout menu, as it changes
- Plan your route to minimize transportation time
- Budget $50-60 per person for a filling meal
For high quality, affordable Michelin star sushi in Orlando, Kadence in Audubon Park is unbeatable. Just make sure you’re strategic about pickup and consumption timing to get the full experience.
Have you tried Kadence’s takeout? What are your thoughts?
