My favorite sushi places in London
- anna
- May 1, 2019
- 4 min read
Who does not love sushi? In London, however, it's not easy to find sushi that is really worth the cost. A few tips after having tested a few of them during these years.
Temakinho, Soho
Food quality/ taste: 9.5/10
Price: 8.5/10 (£40-50 pp for a starter to share, a few rolls, desserts and one drink each)
Service: 7.5/10
Value for money: 9/10
As we started to cook sushi at home (mostly nigiris and rolls), we go to sushi places either if the place and food is somehow different or if the quality of fish is stellar. Being Temakinho a fusion sushi place (so mixing Brasilian/ Peruvian and Japanese ingredients in the rolls and serving great caipirinhas!) this makes it more attractive than a standard restaurant and definitively worth the visit.
I discovered Temakinho not in London, but in Milan, where the first restaurant opened. Given the huge popularity they achieved in Milan, they expanded in Rome, Ibiza and Formentera and London (they have just opened the second branch in Tower Bridge). I also find the restaurant convenient as, unlike many places in Soho, they take reservations and usually you can find a place just by booking 2-3 days in advance.
Despite the wide selection from the menu, which starts with a variety of starters (e.g. ceviches, tiraditos, croquetas, pokes ...) and tartares and then continues with a great selection of creative rolls or temaki, I have a few favorite dishes I stick to when I go to Temakinho.
I usually like to share one or two starters before the rolls arrive: my favorite ones are the Ceviche Mixto, the Peruvian dish made of raw mixed fish (prawns, salmon, white fish, octopus ...) marinated in lime juice, and the Tartare de Salmao Completo, pretty classic salmon tartare, but of great quality.
Then moving to rolls/ temakis (you can choose between the 2 options), I am not a fan of the really 'creative' ones with fried things or cheese or many salsas on top, in particular in places where the fish is already good as it is.
So my favorite ones are the more traditional Salmao/ Atum Completo Picante both as a roll, but really great as a temaki too, made simply of a salmon/ tuna tartare with some chilli), the Carnaval, made of yellowtail, marinated tuna, mango and flying fish roe) and the Pioneiro, with salmon tartare, flying fish roe, chives, avocado, salmon roe and seared salmon.
Beyond the amazing cocktails (in particular the Caipirnha with Passion Fruit), they also have great desserts according to Francesco, especially to chocolate coconut cake.
Only negative of the place is the service, which could be definitely improved, in particular it has happened multiple times that our order was delayed or things arrived not in the desired order.
Ataryia Sushi Bar, Swiss Cottage
Food quality/ taste: 10/10
Price: 9/10 (£50-60 pp for 3 starters to share, a sushi board each, one dessert and one drink each)
Service: 8.5/10
Value for money: 9/10
I tried this unassuming sushi place in Swiss Cottage following the suggestion of one colleague of mine and I have to say that my expectations around finding great fish quality were definitely met!
The place is a very traditional and small sushi bar in a fairly residential area close to Swiss Cottage station. We decided to sit at the counter to better enjoy the sushi preparation process, but there are also a few tables for larger groups.
The restaurant offer a wide selection of choices from fish starters and tartares, cooked fish and tofu, sushi, but also bento (including cooked meat). We tried mostly sushi/ raw fish given we wanted to try the restaurant specifically for this purpose.
Among the 3 starters we ordered, my favorite was definitely the dish of the day: a bluefin tartare with spicy miso sauce, really great in taste and quality of the fish! We also got edamame and a tuna carpaccio fisherman style, which was ok and a bit dry in my opinion.
Moving to the sushi part, we ordered a salmon and avocado roll, which was good, but the highlight was definitely the sushi board, made of a selection of nigiri (highlights to the lobster, scallop,SUPER FATTY TUNA (!!) ones) plus 6 salmon hossomaki.
Finally, Francesco also took a Dorayaki (a sort of filled pancake) with Matcha and Matcha Ice cream which was pretty good.
So overall, Ataryia is a really great discovery if you want to enjoy yourself with great seafood; keep in mind that this is not an all you can eat, neither cheap place given the quality of fish! On my side, I will definitely come back!
Other sushi places to keep in mind (Expensive options)
- Dozo, we tried the South Kensington branch a few years back and liked it (nothing crazy, but good food and at an ok price)
- Chotto Matte, for something more fancy or an occasion. This is a more expensive and fancy version of Temakinho, still in the heart of Soho
- Yashin Ocean House, for something definitely fancy and expensive (around £70-80+ p.p), this restaurant in South Kensington has really good quality food in an elegant setting.
Other sushi places to keep in mind (Cheaper options)
- Poppy Hana, close to Bermondsey station, is a go to place for us when we are not willing to move far to eat sushi or when we want a good sushi delivered to our place. Sushi is good and fair price wise.
- Sushi Eatery, a good option for an all you can eat sushi (with same restrictions on # of orders of specific items) and with decent quality for what you pay (around £20 excluding drinks). Strangely enough the place is in the heart of Soho. Remember to bring cash, as they do not accept credit cards!
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