I’d been really excited to try a new Asian-fusion restaurant in Darlington, and as it opened on Good Friday, I popped down for lunch with my best mate, Sana, on Easter Saturday.

T.A.O. Asian Streetfood & Noodle Bar serves a pan-Asian menu, mainly featuring; Japanese, Korean, Thai, and Chinese, and Vietnamese cuisine.

Sana and I both love sushi so we agreed it was great to finally have somewhere in Darlington to eat it.

We popped in for lunch around 1:15pm, the restaurant was about 70 per cent full, and there was a nice relaxed atmosphere inside.

The Northern Echo: T.A.O. Asian Streetfood & Noodle Bar, Darlington. Picture: Aja Dodd, NewsquestT.A.O. Asian Streetfood & Noodle Bar, Darlington. Picture: Aja Dodd, Newsquest (Image: Aja Dodd, Newsquest)

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We ordered two soft drinks; a Sprite for me and Sana ordered Ramune, a fizzy Japanese drink that tasted similar to cream soda.

The strange ball inside the bottle kept Sana entertained while I deliberated over which bao bun to have.

I ordered a portion of tuna sashimi (four pieces, £6.50) which is usually my go-to, and a beef brisket bao bun (£4.90). The tuna sahimi was just what I’d expect; clean, fresh and delicate.

As I write this, I assume the position of foetal cringe-ball while typing the words ‘the sashimi had an excellent mouth-feel.’

The Northern Echo: Spicy salmon maki rolls, tuna and avocado maki rolls, and tuna sashimi. (Sana started eating before I could take a picture). Picture: Aja Dodd, NewsquestSpicy salmon maki rolls, tuna and avocado maki rolls, and tuna sashimi. (Sana started eating before I could take a picture). Picture: Aja Dodd, Newsquest (Image: Aja Dodd, Newsquest)

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The bao bun surprised me with just how tasty it was. The beef was tender and not chewy at all.

The sauce was rich and sticky but not too sweet, and the crunchy cucumber and carrots served as a nice textural contrast.

Sana ordered the tuna and avocado maki rolls, and the spicy salmon maki rolls (six pieces of each, both at £7.50).

She had said she didn’t “actually have that much of an appetite”, and then proceeded to hoover the maki rolls up like a Dyson Vacuum Cleaner within ten minutes.

The Northern Echo: The beef bao bun was delicious. Picture: Aja Dodd, NewsquestThe beef bao bun was delicious. Picture: Aja Dodd, Newsquest (Image: Aja Dodd, Newsquest)

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I had already clocked the desserts before we had even ordered lunch so I knew I was ordering mochi, and I knew it wouldn’t be hard to convince Sana as well.

These strange ball of ice cream in a slightly chewy coating are foods of the gods. I’d tried it once before at an Eat Tokyo in London years ago but had never seen it on menus up here.

We ordered three scoops each; coconut, vanilla, and mango for me, and; coconut, strawberry cheesecake, and vanilla for Sana.

One portion of three scoops of mochi came to £6.90.

The Northern Echo: Coconut, vanilla, and mango mochi. Picture: Aja Dodd, NewsquestCoconut, vanilla, and mango mochi. Picture: Aja Dodd, Newsquest (Image: Aja Dodd, Newsquest)

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As lovely as the mochi was, it’s awkward to eat, and after about ten minutes we found that the not-so-elegant ‘stab and bite’ method was the only way forward.

The bill came to £44.90, and we were told it was 10 per cent off that day, which was lucky for us.

As the restaurant has just opened, we could only either cash or BACS transfer. We were also told the menu was a temporary version, which is a great excuse for me to go back once the menu is finalised.

Overall, we loved it. The food was delicious, the service was friendly and welcoming, and our waiter didn’t mind our many, many questions.

The Northern Echo: Vanilla, coconut, and strawberry cheesecake mochi. Picture: Aja Dodd, NewsquestVanilla, coconut, and strawberry cheesecake mochi. Picture: Aja Dodd, Newsquest (Image: Aja Dodd, Newsquest)

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Located at 27 Blackwellgate, there’s no need to book, it’s walk-in only.

Darlington is home to some lovely East Asian restaurants such as Eastern Bamboo on High Northgate, or Bambudda on Gladstone Street for pan-Asian food, or Andaman Home Cafe at The Travellers’ Rest in Cockerton. Now that there’s a place selling sushi in a central location, I’ll definitely be making a return visit.

Ratings (out of ten) Food quality: 9; Surroundings: 7.5; Value: 8, Service: 7.5.

Located at 27 Blackwellgate, and there’s no need to book, it’s walk-in only.

Temporary opening hours are from 12pm until 8pm, but this is subject to change.

Call: 01325 488862 or visit www.taostreetfood.com, or T.A.O. Asian Streetfood & Noodle Bar on Facebook or Instagram for more information.

The Northern Echo: Interior of T.A.O. Asian Streetfood & Noodle Bar. Picture: Aja Dodd, NewsquestInterior of T.A.O. Asian Streetfood & Noodle Bar. Picture: Aja Dodd, Newsquest (Image: Aja Dodd, Newsquest)