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-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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30 comments
Chisou restaurant in Mayfair has some of the freshest sushi I have had to date in London -
I tried the catch of the day sushi and seaweed with dipping sauce. Both were excellent with hot sake !
Japan Centre has an amazing selection compared to most other sushi restaurants. For ex: beef tataki and beef nigiri, scallop and prawn sashimi, spinach salad with sesame dressing !
I say Sushi Waka on Camden Parkway.
I cant believe that you haven't mentioned Cape Town Fish Market here - quite simply some of the best Sushi in London. The staff are wonderfully friendly and relaxed. Good prices. Central SPot right near Liberty. Never feels rushed. And the added benefit of fabulous South African wines too.
As I said before, Sushi HIro is definitely worth a try. My brother in law is a sushi chef in Japan, and I have had a lot of decent sushi in my life, and Sushi Hiro is the best, by far, that I have had in London. Fresh fish, perfectly prepared, you wouldn't find as good in most Tokyo neighbourhoods, and definitely not in my crappy Tochigi, landlocked, neighbourhood.
Please I am japanese and the only so far is Soseki, the fish is directly sourced from Cornwall an is to sushi standard, where as Japan Cnetre and your Atari-Ya, isn't and is a day late in freshness, so isn't sushi quality
No London sushi list is complete without the wonderful Chisou on Princes Street, between Oxford Circus and Hanover Square. The finest sushi and sashimi in W1, nice room, friendly service, and deeply glamorous clientele from Vogue House over the road...
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.