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10 Best Sushi Trains Of London
*Originally published by Isabelle and Updated by Vanessa October in 2022
1. Kulu Kulu, Covent Garden
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This compact Japanese restaurant is one of the first that comes to mind when thinking about quality sushi trains in London. Both visitors to the capital and locals alike consistently praise their wide range of sushi dishes served in a laid back atmosphere.
It’s so popular, in fact, that you may encounter a queue at lunchtime as hungry tourists collide with local employees on their lunch breaks, so head there outside of lunchtime for a bit more space and quiet. The prices are extremely reasonable for the area, and staff are attentive and friendly. Regulars recommend sitting on the right of the restaurant to get the first pick of the freshest food coming round on the conveyor belt, and the tempura dishes are especially good if you nab them while they’re still piping hot.
The best thing about sushi served this way, as in, no kaiten, on the conveyor belt, is that you can enjoy eating as much or as little as you like, and at your own pace too. Whether you want to relax for a while with friends and savour a range of dishes as and when they arrive, or you’re on your own and are just looking for a fast, convenient quality meal, Kulu Kulu can accommodate you either way. Just don’t forget to enjoy your complimentary cup of green tea!
website
Address: 76 Brewer St, Soho, London W1F 9TU
Opening times: Monday – Saturday: 12 – 2:30pm, 5pm – 10:30pm, Sunday: Closed
2. Sushi Hiroba, Holborn
Sushi Hiroba Online
Tucked away just a short distance from Holborn underground station, Sushi Hiroba is a classic, communal eatery serving sushi and hot Japanese dishes, both made to order and from a conveyor belt. The interior of the restaurant is dimly lit, and the decor is traditional Japanese and minimalist.
The menu is considerably extensive, even for a sushi bar, and you’ll find all sorts on it, from elaborate stews for adventurous eaters, to the universally popular katsu curry. This makes Sushi Hiroba an excellent choice both for Japanese food connoisseurs and those who are new to the cuisine. You’ll find plenty of dishes loaded fresh onto the conveyor belt, so you won’t be waiting long to try something new.
Had enough of eating but don’t want the fun to stop? In the basement of the restaurant you’ll find a karaoke booth, perfect for singing off all that sake. Its location makes Sushi Hiroba perfect for a quick bite before taking in a show at one of the many theatres in the area, and the quick nature of the sushi train means you’re guaranteed a decent meal, whether you have 30 minutes or over an hour.
website
Address: 50-54 Kingsway, Holborn, London WC2B 6EP
Opening times: Monday – Thursday: 12 – 3pm, 5:30pm – 10:30pm, Friday: 12 – 3pm, 5:30pm – 11pm, Saturday: 5:30pm – 10:30pm, Sunday: Closed
3. Moshi Moshi Sushi, Liverpool Street
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Conveniently located within Liverpool Street Train Station, Moshi Moshi is a perfect sushi bar for refueling after a long train journey, or grabbing a quick bite before embarking on a trip out of London.
The restaurant proudly carries the award of London’s first sushi restaurant to use a conveyor belt, and all its classic dishes travel around it, beautifully presented. Whatever dishes you choose, you can be guaranteed that they will be super fresh, and for ultimate freshness the restaurant even offers a catch of the day meal. And the best part is that it’s a sushi feast which you can enjoy with a clear conscience.
Moshi Moshi is consistently rated among London’s most sustainable restaurants, and sustainability is top of their list when it comes to their business values. All wild caught fish is sourced outside of mass industrial fishing techniques, using smaller harvesting such as pole and line catching. If the fish is farmed, it is done organically and in small batches.
Their meat is also grass fed and free range. Moshi Moshi pride themselves on respecting staff, customers, and the environment, and you’ll easily be able to tell all that from just one visit.
website
Address: 24, Liverpool Street Station, Liverpool St, London EC2M 7QH
Opening times: Monday – Friday: 11:30am – 10pm, Saturday – Sunday: Closed
4. Sticks ‘n’ Sushi, various locations
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Originating in Copenhagen, the trendily named Sticks ‘n’ Sushi became an instant hit in Denmark’s capital and soon became one of their most successful and popular restaurant chains.
Since then, they haven’t been doing too bad here in London either since crossing the channel and expanding to several locations around the city. They market themselves as ‘a sushi restaurant even for those who don’t like fish,’ and they do this by offering an impressive range of both sushi and non-fish based dishes.
The inspiration for these is taken partially from Japanese cuisine, and in part from the restaurant’s Danish roots. This fusion between Asian and Scandinavian cuisine makes for some deliciously unusual dishes, such as shake carpaccio, and chiizu maki.
You can enjoy all this in the sleek, chic interiors that the chain is best known for, again combining Danish minimalism with classic Japanese touches. The menu of small plates, yakitori sticks and sushi dishes encourages sharing and sampling, making this an extra fun and social place to try new foods.
website
Address: Various locations
Opening times: Varies, see website
5. Yazu Sushi, Mayfair
Yazu Sushi Online
An unassuming but high quality sushi bar, Yazu Sushi prides itself on quality dishes made from fresh ingredients. You’ll find a wide selection of favourites on the conveyor belt as it moves slowly past you, such as California Hosomaki and Suzuki Nigiri. Make sure to sample the kimchi salad, as it’s known to be one of the healthiest dishes in the world.
The most interesting dishes come from the chef’s specials, which are updated daily with whatever’s freshest. It’s located not far from Buckingham Palace and Green Park Station, so expect a crowd made up mostly of tourists and some local office workers. That doesn’t detract from the fun, relaxed vibe however. The restaurant is on the smaller side, making for a cosy meal for a small group, or there’s also the option to take your sushi away if you prefer a bit more space elsewhere.
If you fancy exploring the area around the restaurant, make sure to take a look around Shepherd’s Market, an elegant Victorian piazza situated away from the hustle and bustle just a few streets away. You’ll find stalls, shops, eateries and regular events, perfect for treating yourself or buying gifts to take home.
website
Address: 46 Curzon St, Mayfair, London W1J 7UH
Opening times: Monday – Friday: 12 – 9:30pm, Saturday – Sunday: 1pm – 9:30pm
6.Endo at The Rotunda, White City
“The most flawless dinner I have had in a restaurant in more than 20 years as a critic,” said Giles Coren of his omakase sampling experience. As a result of additional excellent evaluations, Endo at The Rotunda now has a Michelin star and is one of the most sought-after tables in London.
Endo Kazutoshi, a third-generation sushi expert from Yokohama, leads each 20-course sitting, which is a personalised immersive experience. A historic cypress table with dishes is set in front of a white cloud light installation with sinuous wavy shapes. The restaurant’s slogan, “Sushi in the Clouds,” is a result of its location on the top level of the White City Television Center.
WEBSITE
ADDRESS: 8th Floor, The Helios, Television Centre, 101 Wood Ln, London W12 7FR, United Kingdom
OPENING HOURS: 6 PM-12 AM
7. Chisou, Mayfair
For its quick, fresh, and elegant Japanese lunches, Chisou has long been a Mayfair favourite among the stylish set. The interior features a sushi counter that is spotless and has beautiful blond wood accents. Ask the chef to give you one of the day’s best fish rolls at the sushi counter.
Start with the delicious horenso salad, a mound of spinach leaves topped with spicy tuna and a zingy yuzu sauce, before digging into thinly sliced nigiri and crunchy soft shell crab. For a special event, it is most definitely worth the price even though it is not inexpensive.
WEBSITE
ADDRESS: 22-23 Woodstock St, London W1C 2AR, United Kingdom
OPENING HOURS: 12 PM-3:30 PM
8. Sushi Atelier, Fitzrovia
The creators of Chisou, a traditional Japanese restaurant with locations in Mayfair and Knightsbridge, are the ones behind Sushi Atelier, their most recent venture. Carpaccios, steamed dumplings, and salads are offered alongside the sushi in an effort to make the establishment more relaxed.
A warm wooden bar dominates the room. However, the sushi is what you should really come for; try the tiger prawn with yuzu tobiko and the dragon roll with BBQ eel on top. Pick up quick bento boxes and mixed sushi sets during lunchtime, along with unlimited miso soup and salad on the side.
WEBSITE
ADDRESS: Sushi Atelier, 114 Great Portland Street, London W1W 6PA
OPENING HOURS: 12 PM-09:45 PM
9. Takahashi, Wimbledon
A second former employee of Nobu is the brainchild behind South Wimbledon’s modestly sized sushi joint Takahashi. The menu item for black miso cod gives it away, but after that, things get confusing. The Mediterranean influence is strong at Takahashi, where “tapas” dishes such as free-range crispy pork belly with aubergine miso and Cornish scallop carpaccio with yuzu salsa are offered.
Numerous sushi options are available, including spicy tuna, crab avocado, and snow crab among the maki, as well as pink shrimp, eel, and nigiri. Salmon and smoky toro taku are traditional hosomaki (just one filling). The level of cooking is higher than you might anticipate from a neighbourhood restaurant because it is owned by a husband and wife partnership.
WEBSITE
ADDRESS: Takahashi, 228 Merton Road, London SW19 1EQ
OPENING HOURS:7:30 PM -10:30 PM
10. SushiSamba, Covent Garden
When SushiSamba launched in London in 2012, it caused a stir at the top of Heron Tower in the City. The entire experience is powerful, from zooming up 39 storeys in an exterior glass lift to one of Europe’s highest outdoor decks to choosing small foods from a menu with influences from Brazil, Peru, and Japan.
There are currently four locations—three in Covent Garden, one each in Las Vegas and Amsterdam—and a fourth is soon to open in Dubai. Sushi lovers will appreciate the traditional nigiri and sashimi options available, as well as the funnier Samba rolls, which can have shrimp tempura paired with quinoa, Padrón chiles, cilantro, and spicy mayo.
WEBSITE
ADDRESS: SushiSamba, Heron Tower, London EC2N 4AY
OPENING HOURS:12PM-10PM
