Here’s a guide on where to discover the best of London’s sushi restaurants:
Prime Central London boasts some of the best sushi restaurants in the country, from reasonably priced trendy haunts to fine dining with sushi prepared by some of the most skilful and talented Japanese chefs.
Top tips when it comes to eating sushi (quickly!)
- ‘Sushi’ does not mean raw fish, but references the rice being flavoured with vinegar.
- It’s fine to eat with your fingers rather than chopsticks, which should be reserved for raw fish slices.
- Place your chopsticks across your plate or bowl, standing them upright denotes an offering to the dead.
- Leaving soy sauce is considered bad manners, as is dipping sushi rice into it. You should only dip the fish part of the roll to avoid soggy flaking rice.
- Sushi is one meal where you are allowed to gobble quickly and eat up!
- 楽しみます
Simon Barnes of H.Barnes & Co recommends six of the best Sushi restaurants in central London
“Co-founder Shinya Ikeda at Yashin in Kensington and his team of chefs base their menu around omitting soy sauce if you wish, believing that this allows the diner to appreciate the true flavour of the fish. Their unique concept relies on traditional methods dating back some 150 years to the end of the Edo period of Tokyo and involves brushing the fish with exactly the correct amount of soy sauce and choosing the best accompaniment to complement the fish.”
Simon Barnes is a big fan, saying ‘It’s the best sushi I’ve ever eaten!”
“As well as Yashin Sushi, I would head to Roka sushi restaurant in Charlotte Street . It’s a great place to enjoy robatayaki cuisine in an informal setting with plenty of atmosphere in the heart of London’s media district.”
Mayfair is known for being home to all things luxury and Sumosan, hidden away in Albermarle Street is excellent and although expensive is a great alternative to Nobu. For culinary theatre delivered to your table on a glass tray, the ‘sushi and sashimi set’ features a delicious ‘Suzuki’ or sea bass and ‘yamachi’ or yellow fin.
Head to vibrant Marylebone to Dinings, where for ten years former Nobu legend, Masaki Sugisaki and Keiji Fuku have been creating amazing sushi and wowing diners. One of the house’s specialities is wagyu beef nigri finished with foie-gras and sweet soy.
Shogun can be found next door to the Millenium Hotel in Adam’s Row, Mayfair, hidden away in a basement with stone walls showcasing antique Japanese art. This establishment has been going since the 1980’s and provides a traditional and authentic Japanese dining experience favoured by locals and visitors to the Capital.
Sake no Hana in St James’ is a favoured by the smart business crowd, who come for the excellent sake and whisky as much as the food and stand-out service. The ultra-contemporary interior space was designed by Japanese architect, Kengo Kuma.
More modest but serving up an exciting choice of traditional and original dishes, Chisou in Princes Street just off Regent’s Street attracts a trendy creative clientele. Popular signature dishes on the menu include salmon sushi and unagi maki special (crabmeat and avocado rolled inside out with flying fish roe and finished with slow cooked eel. They have opened another eaterie in Knightsbridge to cater for the smart set in south west London.
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