Banstead, Japanese Restaurant Guide

“There’s no finer way than a visit to impress a business colleague or, indeed, anyone for that matter”, according to fans of “the magnificent Beaverbrook estate – a wonder to behold and with a Dining Room featuring the very best in Japanese food”. The dining room itself has been super-tastefully updated; and in it Wojciech Popow (founder of the Polish Association of Sushi Chefs!) creates a menu of sushi, sashimi and the finest surf ’n’ turf robata’d on the Josper grill. “Before and after dining, the spacious grounds are a joy to take a leisurely stroll in”.

2024 Review: This “relaxed local Japanese” in Raynes Park “opened recently on the site of (confusingly similarly named) Hashi”. Reports suggest “the quality of the food is better”, with “authentic, skillfully prepared dishes” including “good fresh sushi”.

“Peerless food and gentle, elegant service” again wins adulation for this “hidden gem” in an anonymous parade of shops near South Wimbledon tube. Ex-Nobu chef Taka and his wife Yuko have run this 12-seater for over 10 years now, where they deliver an “outstanding omakase” for such an affordable price – “absolutely exquisite” sushi; and “service that’s very sympathetic”.

“LOVE this chain and would happily eat there any day!” – These “always buzzy” Nordic operations (originating in Copenhagen 30 years ago) provide a “tasty mix of sushi and grilled yakitori kebabs” in Scandi-minimalist dining spaces. One or two reporters hesitate at the prices for these luscious morsels – “not sure you can justify the cost of leaving full up” – but the overall satisfaction-level is high. They added a branch in Richmond’s former House of Fraser in May 2024 followed by another on Islington Green in September.

“A bit of a dive to be honest, but the food is still so good!” – no-one claims Mr Taro’s group is particularly stylish, but for “very generous portions of the classic Japanese dishes (including decent sushi, teriyaki and katsu curry)” these functional canteens hit the spot, and at a very good price. The latest (summer 2024) additions to its roster of eight venues are Catford in southeast London and Brentwood in Essex.

This “handy local” in Battersea’s ‘Nappy Valley’ (from a Cheltenham-based group) has “interesting and fun decor” and offers a range of modern Japanese dishes that includes “reasonably priced sushi”. Marks remain capped by those who say the food is “good but a bit variable”.

“This local gem has an unchanging but always consistent Japanese menu”, including “great sushi”. “The delightful Bobby on front of house” earns repeated mentions in feedback for “making Umi exceptional”: “nothing is too much”, and he “remembers his regulars and treats everyone like family”.

This “longstanding Clapham local fave” – run by three “Nobu refugee” chefs – “keeps knocking out very good-to-exceptional sushi and sashimi” after almost 25 years (although some of the cooked dishes are less successful). “Service is local, friendly and charming but can seem overrun”, and the “ambience is Nobu-meets-nightclub”.

2022 Review: “Sink your teeth in and savour!” the “bold flavours” of former MasterChef winner Tim Anderson’s take on Japanese cooking using foreign or ‘barbarian’ (Nanban) ingredients, showcased in his “fast and furious” 10-year-old pop-up-gone-permanent on the edge of Brixton Market. “Their noodle dishes became a lockdown delivery staple, packed with flavour, a wonderful smoky depth to the tea eggs, heart-warming broths”. A new Covent Garden offshoot opened in September 2021 at Kerb’s Seven Dials Market, focused on ramen dishes.

2022 Review: This “lovely little Japanese restaurant with a very decent range” is a “very welcome option in Richmond”. Run by a Korean family, it has provided “sterling service” for 17 years.

‘Rebel against the establishment and join the sushi revolution!’ – purists should steer clear of this small Brixton pitstop, where various funky meat, vegan and veggie options sit alongside more traditional Japanese sushi combos. Feedback was limited this year, but continues to rate it positively all-round. And they must be doing something right, as a new Shoreditch branch opened in June 2024.

“A favourite for midweek sushi” – this 12-year-old pan-Asian group from Israeli-born Ohad Kastro started in Primrose Hill and has expanded to six outlets in a series of well-heeled locations, with Barnes and Chelsea particularly commented-on. Perhaps not a choice for foodie purists, they provide a convivial setting for “an interesting and varied menu of Asian-inspired” dishes prepared to an admirably consistent standard. (One gripe – the “astonishing number of takeaway food packages collected by delivery drivers” was an irritant in a couple of reports this year).

“Reliable sushi and excellent cocktails” remain hallmarks of this East Dulwich neighbourhood spot – a spinoff from Clapham’s Tsunami.

This 15-strong London noodle chain (now with branches in Brighton, Birmingham and Bristol) is “a good stand-by” – perhaps it’s “not as good as some of its competitors”, but it is widely seen as “good value”: in particular “the lunch-time meal deal” is a winner.

“A favourite for midweek sushi” – this 12-year-old pan-Asian group from Israeli-born Ohad Kastro started in Primrose Hill and has expanded to six outlets in a series of well-heeled locations, with Barnes and Chelsea particularly commented-on. Perhaps not a choice for foodie purists, they provide a convivial setting for “an interesting and varied menu of Asian-inspired” dishes prepared to an admirably consistent standard. (One gripe – the “astonishing number of takeaway food packages collected by delivery drivers” was an irritant in a couple of reports this year).