Sushi of Shiori © Ming Tang-Evans
London's best sushi bars
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By Charmaine Mok
Posted: Tue Nov 17 2009 -
The best sushi in London can be found anywhere, from fine dining restaurants to simple family-run affairs and takeaways. Time Out picks the places where the chefs know their craft
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Atari-Ya
20 James St, W1U 1EH (7491 1178/www.atariya.co.uk). Bond St tube.
This sushi bar/takeaway outpost of Atari-Ya Foods (importer of fish and Japanese products) is tiny, with a few seats inside and out. Chef Indika and his team craft nigiri and maki to order; it can be a bit of a wait during busy times (a good tip is to call in your order beforehand and arrange to collect it), but the fresh fish and low prices make it worthwhile.
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Dinings
22 Harcourt St, W1H 4HH (7723 0666). Marylebone tube/rail.
A tiny restaurant with big flavours and a penchant for taking contemporary Japanese cuisine to the next level. Take a seat (one of six) at the sushi bar upstairs and order the signature wagyu beef nigiri with truffle salsa and ponzu jelly, or a simpler but equally exciting squid and natto (fermented soy bean) inside-out maki roll. Read more
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Sushi-Hiro
1 Station Parade, Uxbridge Rd, W5 3LD (8896 3175). Ealing Common tube.
Simplicity is revered here; you can tell from the basic decor and the straightforward menu that lists only sushi and sashimi (clam miso soup and edamame are the only exceptions to the rule). The fish here is the freshest we’ve ever tasted, each grain of rice in the nigiri gently coaxed into position. It’s also astonishing value, with a premium platter of quality nigiri (including crab, toro and scallop) weighing in at around £18 for 13 pieces. Read more
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Sushi-Say
33B Walm Lane, NW2 5SH (8459 2971). Willesden Green tube.
The sushi here is worth crossing town for, but be sure to book ahead. Our top picks include the bream, chu-toro (medium fatty tuna) and hotate (scallop). But year after year, it’s the amaebi (sweet raw shrimp) that remains the must-order. Read more
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Sushi of Shiori
144 Drummond St, NW1 2PA (7388 9962/www.sushiofshiori.co.uk). Euston Square or Warren St tube.
There are only a handful of seats at this sushi bar and takeaway, creating an extremely intimate eating experience. The skilled itamae (sushi chef) deftly prepares artfully presented sushi and sashimi. It may be the smallest sushi bar we know, but there are few that match it in quality, and it’s fairly central. Read more
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24 comments
Ever tried Tsunami? Great sushi!
Amberjack on Hoxton Square does delicious sushi. It's really fresh and so reasonable, the black rice maki and torched nigiri are my favourites. Also worth a try are the dan dan noodles. I succumbed to the Yo! Sushi 40% offer recently and regretted it almost immediately. Places like Amberjack are far superior and at a fraction of the price. Good beer there too.
I am a big fan of the little takeaway joint Sushi-So on Endell St in Covent Garden. Always delicious, fresh...and cheap! They also sell imported beer etc.
Atari-Ya - has lost its original qualities long ago
asolutely i agree.I visit atari-ya sushi regularly.you know I tried their dragon roll with eel,something new fantastic.very creative.
I love sushi all my life.My japanese friend recommend me atariya at james street as it is his and his family's favourite sushi place.I Must say I went to japan several times and tried sushi at many places.And this littleplace is a one of the best.I honestly love the taste,freshness,and very affordable price even though its asmall place with few tables inside and outside definitely worth trying.also its a very busy place.I and my all friends agree,this is one of a very best,and high quality sushi place in london.you should try their salmon vocado,beautifull rainbow roll,outstanding otoro with oshinko roll,seared otoro nigiri,scollop with shiso nigiri,treated seabass nigiri, ask sushi omakase mmm...you will be amazed....No.1 and they definitely deserved to be.
Tried Atari-ya on the basis of these recommendations, and it was awful. The staff were rude and it is impossible to get seating. Plus, they put mayonnaise and hard, unripe avocado in the salmon avocado roll. The nigiri were mediocre. I really would not recommend it.
I would recommend Sushi Hiro though.
you suckers paying so much for sushi, when the best is located at the japan centre!
Tajima-Tei on Leather Lane EC1 is worth a look. There are usually Japanese diners in there.
Hey all, none of their sushi/sashimi from the comments does like Sushi Hiro or Sushi of Shiori !!! Specialized in sushi & sashimi with reasonable price!!!
I agree about Sushi Hiro, but be warned that a reservation is usually needed, and they don't take debit or credit cards. I often have been there for Saturday lunch after my son finishes at the Japanese Saturday School, which is not far away. The clientele, aside from a few weird Western papas like myself, is almost entirely Japanese, which is a good sign. The fact that the sushi chefs themselves are also Japanese is also a very good sign, and in my experience with a lot of sushi restaurants in London, unusual. It isn't that only Japanese can make sushi, but it is the case that 99.9% of the world's best-trained sushi chefs are Japanese.
I lived in Japan for 2 years and have been a lover of Japanese cuisine ever since. I've trawled London to find good Japanese food that doesn't cost the earth...it's harder than you would think! The best restaurant without a shadow of a doubt is Kiraku in Ealing Common-http://kirakulondon.wordpress.com/ .The freshest most delicious Japanse food in town
Miyama on knightrider st is a small restaurant but the fresh fish is great and prices are cheap.
Amberjack in hoxton sq great choice of sushi made to order, try the black rice rolls!
The sushi at Tsuru in Canvey Street near the Tate is awesome. I could eat their cornish crab hand-rolls everyday for the rest of my life. Or the salmon and avacado, Or both... Yummmmmmm Oh, and the beer is cold too :)