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London’s top five sushi restaurants

May 28, 2013

Once the fanfare of dieters and Far East gap yah travellers, sushi has changed…calmed, humbled even. Now even old Phil who sits across us in the office has a couple of pieces for lunch now and then.

But don’t let the now widespread adoration of this traditional Southeast Asian fast food leave you thinking there’s no originality, flair or taste sensation left to be discovered in our favourite healthy meal. We’ve searched the streets of London to find the top five hotspots for a rice-fuelled hit. Sushi, we salute you.

Eat Tokyo

When a London-based, Chinese-born sushi fan whispers the words, “you need to book if you want to eat there, it’s the real stuff”, about her favourite restaurant, we get shivers down our spine. Eat Tokyo are the originals. They are a Japanese-owned company with six branches in Tokyo and five in London, so whichever is more convenient, call up, book and make sure you go with an empty stomach. The boat-shaped plates are generously filled with the freshest, most tender and exotic sushi we have ever had. The staff in traditional Japanese outfits, the unbeatable prices, the near-perfect tastes are all a revelation. But be prepared to queue, even at lunch time and maybe take a notebook so you can jot down the impressive technique as the sushi is rolled and crafted in front of your eyes.

Rachel’s Kitchen

Rachel’s Kitchen is the sort of London secret we aren’t sure we want to share. We LOVE being the only ones who know about the inspiring, bubbly Rachel and her incredible intimate cookery classes based in North West London. The Sushi Masterclass in particular is one you really have to experience to truly appreciate. For a mere £65 (early birds can enjoy a satisfying discount), you are taught how to craft your own array of tasty sushi including maki, hand rolls, nigiri and inside out rolls, followed by a sit-down meal to enjoy the fruits of your labour. The lovely Rachel will also make sure you are well hosted with a couple of glasses of wine, some saki and a dessert or two for your delight! The price is worth it for a three-hour class, where you can ask and learn from a real culinary expert and have the chance to meet a group of lovely Londoners, not to mention walk away a semi-sushi expert. A perfect option for dates, mates, even parent visits to town. Book quickly to avoid disappointment and don’t be surprised if you then fancy the Patisserie Masterclass…sushi then coffee éclair anyone? Don’t mind if we do.

Sushi-Say

The phrase – you mustn’t judge a book by its cover – is hugely applicable in the case of Sushi-Say. From first glance, it isn’t what you’d describe as a ‘looker’. However, if you can see past the façade you’ll be rewarded by fantastic, fresh, delicious and authentic Japanese cuisine. This family-run business thrives in North West London and is regularly filled to capacity – which makes for a relaxed and bustling vibe. The service is refreshingly no-nonsense, yet helpful when needs be. Sushi-Say has such an enticing and varied menu that you run the real risk of over-ordering. But please, try to restrain yourself or you won’t have room for the famed home-made ice cream. If you manage to keep some space in your pudding compartment (which, trust us, will be hugely challenging), you will face a difficult decision….red bean, green tea, chestnut or wasabi ice-cream?! Perhaps one scoop of each – yummy.

Sushisamba

Dining at Sushisamba is an experience that is unrivalled at any other place in town. 38 floors up, in the second tallest building in London (second only to the Shard), you get a pretty amazing and unique view of London’s city-scape. The vast expanses of glass frame East London and East Village beautifully. It is this unique setting, among the clouds, that makes eating at Sushisamba such a special experience. Saying that, it would be unwise to overlook the food, which is rather delicious. As the juxtaposed Sushisamba name suggests, this restaurant is no ordinary sushi spot. Rather, the menu is an infusion of Brazilian, Peruvian and Japanese cuisine. We know what you’re thinking… “what were they thinking?”. But this eclectic mix has seen huge success and surprisingly works well. Sushisamba began life in the states, with locations in New York, Miami, Las Vegas and Chicago, before arriving here in London. The food is colourful, deliciously tasty and caters to all pallets. If you want to get a table, you will need to book in advance. We suggest (weather permitting) eating on the roof terrace. The ambience is truly spectacular.

Tokyo Diner

Oddly located in the heart of Chinatown, this delightful, authentically Japanese restaurant offers affordable sushi and friendly service. For the environmentally conscious among you, you will appreciate that Tokyo Diner refuses to include tuna on its menu in an effort to protect the worryingly depleted, global tuna stocks. The menu is simple and unpretentious – perfect for a quick lunch or a solo dinner, and it’s even open on Christmas day!

For your chance to win two spots at Rachel’s sushi masterclass on June 20th, worth £130, where you’ll be treated to a 3 hour workshop, dinner, wine, saki and dessert just leave a comment below telling us what your dream hand rolled sushi filling would be. If it sounds yummy to us, you’ll get the chance to make it with Rachel and become a semi-sushi-expert. Get that on your CV. Good luck, competition closes on Friday!

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31 Comments

  • Marisa Davies says: May 28, 2013 at 11:37 am

    I love sweet potato and it would be great to see what that’s like as a sushi filling…maybe with a bit of avocado. Would look good too!

    Reply
  • Jackie says: May 28, 2013 at 12:11 pm

    Couldn’t agree more!! My dream hand rolled sushi filling is the classic spicy tuna, avocado, cucumber and a bit of pepper!

    Reply
  • Cindy Gingell says: May 28, 2013 at 12:38 pm

    Mine would be prawn tempura, avocado and wasabi mayonaisse…yum!

    Reply
  • Vivienne says: May 28, 2013 at 2:05 pm

    My dream sushi filling would be spicy seared tuna roll with crunchy cucumber. I would love to learn how to make sushi as I have received a bamboo rolling matt and a serving plate for my engagement but don’t know how to make any! How to roll the sushi perfectly is a mystery…

    Reply
  • Marsha says: May 28, 2013 at 2:06 pm

    I have been to Rachel’s kitchen and it was awesome. Definitely worth a visit… to every class!!! YUM!

    Reply
  • Sarah Bowles says: May 28, 2013 at 4:13 pm

    I have been to the Italian Class, Macaroons and Cup Cake Class with Rachel’s Kitchen, I ended up on the BBC as a financial expert after the Cup Cake Class so I can highly recommend Rachel’s Kitchen for cooking and networking as well as your 15 minutes of fame! I think I need to compare and contrast Rachel’s Kitchen and Sushisamba to get the Sushi low down.

    Reply
  • Mar says: May 29, 2013 at 3:58 pm

    My dreamed sushi roll could be made of salmon, seaweed salad, eel and avocado. yummy 😉

    Reply
  • Barbara says: May 29, 2013 at 5:18 pm

    I love simple things, just a piece of salmon and avocado is what I love!

    Reply
  • Jose says: May 29, 2013 at 5:31 pm

    I was brought up mexican and dreamt about fusing both cultures. How does a ceviche style marinated tuna roll with creamy avocado, coriander, and some fresh jalapeño for a little heat sound?

    Reply
  • Gunter says: May 29, 2013 at 8:37 pm

    I would love to have one roll with ripe mango, tuna and avocado topped with balsamico syrup and sesame seeds. Should be just delicious!

    Reply
  • Mikaela says: May 30, 2013 at 10:01 am

    My sushi will comprise of avocado (keep me healthy), shrimp (can’t live without them), salmon (a must must!), then top with layers of mayonnaise and Masago. I will place my sushi in a line so they look like a mountain, surround them with tempura and then drizzle them with red source to create a dramatic look. How fancy is that!

    Reply
  • Anna says: May 30, 2013 at 10:22 am

    It would definitely have creamy,delicious avocado inside,with some shrimp or salmon,pineapple would give a special taste for the inside and I would cover it with different types/colours of tobiko. Definitely amazing final result 🙂

    Reply
  • Joe says: May 30, 2013 at 10:46 am

    I would love a scottish lobster tail roll with a hint of black truffle vinaigrette and hacho miso soy. Yum xx

    Reply
  • Verity says: May 30, 2013 at 10:53 am

    My favourite has to be salmon and avocado with lots of soy sauce (although I am also partial to quite a few other types!!)

    Reply
  • Lesley says: May 30, 2013 at 1:46 pm

    softshell crab with salmon, avocado, cream cheese and crab roe! all my favs in one!

    Reply
  • Peter says: May 30, 2013 at 3:19 pm

    I would love to have softshell crab, cucumber and avocado, would go down a treat!

    Reply
  • Anna says: May 30, 2013 at 5:33 pm

    I would love a tuna and mango maki… But it has to be a very sweet mango, which combined with the rice vinegar must give a very, VERY interesting flavour. I love sweet combined with savory :3

    Reply
  • Hannah says: May 30, 2013 at 8:31 pm

    I like my food spicy and I’m addicted to marmite so I would probably go for a tuna with marmite and avocado with a spicy edge! My mouths watering at the thought….

    Reply
  • Hermes Pittakos says: May 30, 2013 at 11:32 pm

    sticky brown rice, tuna, crispy bacon and mango and cucumber and toasted sesame seeds. Splash of teriyaki sauce.
    !! cant wait to get my hands rolling this <3

    Reply
  • angelo says: May 31, 2013 at 1:37 am

    A spicy tuna and a dgaron maki would be ideal at notting hill

    Reply
  • Jon says: May 31, 2013 at 7:31 am

    Hi, just wanted to mention that sushi is definitely not southeast Asian food – southeast asia comprises countries like Thailand and Singapore. Japan is East Asia.

    Reply
    • Jess says: May 31, 2013 at 8:25 am

      Hi Jon. Surprisingly, sushi actually did originate in South-East Asia (around the 4th century!) and not in Japan – have a look and you’ll see! It’s often attributed to Japan but this is not where it actually started.

      Reply
  • Lena says: May 31, 2013 at 7:45 am

    I would love a Prawn, cucumber and mango roll with a hint of chili-mayonnaise..

    Reply
  • Adam says: May 31, 2013 at 8:57 am

    Sushi with Hokkaido crab meat, sliced english asparagus and a dash of wasabi Mayo

    Reply
  • Zarina says: May 31, 2013 at 9:09 am

    Oh man this article is making my mouth water!! I also had no idea that sushi classes existed so I definitely have to check one out now (or hope I may be lucky enough to win it ;))

    If I could make any kind of sushi roll mine would probably have an Italian theme (very different, but could work) with for instance a filling of fresh basil leaves, mozzarella and red pepper, and rolled in prosecco ham.

    For a more traditional roll I’d go for a filling of lobster with a piece of mango, a piece of avocado, and a hint of chili for a nice kick. It would also be rolled in sesame seeds as that is one of my most favourite things in the world! 🙂

    Reply
  • Kelvin says: May 31, 2013 at 10:22 am

    My dream Dragon Roll would include; Japanese Mayo and Avocado for a smooth creamy texture, Tobiko for a bite, Tempura Cyan Pepper Prawns for a crispy spice, Toasted Sesame Seeds for a nutty flavour, Pickled Cucumber Salsa for a cool clean citrus element

    Reply
  • Vorn says: May 31, 2013 at 12:23 pm

    DREAM SUSHI = Tempura Prawn, tofu and avocado coated in sesame seeds!

    Reply
  • Fiona Gilbert says: May 31, 2013 at 2:10 pm

    I love the simply but tasty. My dream filling would be avocado, salmon and prawn with sweet chilli sauce. Mmmmmm!

    Reply
  • Úna - London Living says: May 31, 2013 at 3:20 pm

    Congratulations to our winner Joe! We love your original sushi roll ingredients – especially the fact that you have opted for Scottish lobster. We’ll be in touch with you shortly via email about your sushi masterclass prize.

    Reply
  • Joe says: June 2, 2013 at 9:39 pm

    Thank you Úna. Can’t wait to learn the art of sushi making.

    Reply
  • Jessica Donnay says: February 13, 2014 at 3:58 pm

    Hello My name is Jessica, before I visited Iso Sushi for a evening meal with the other half, Sushi food never really appealed to me before I tried Iso Sushi? the food was 5 star exquisite and Fresh. This instantly made us Sushi Lovers. I would strongly recommend this restaurant to anybody.

    Reply
  • Leave a Reply to Zarina Cancel reply

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