Sandiacre, Japanese Restaurant Guide

“Absolutely spectacular sushi” (sashimi, tempura and more) is the pay-off at this “no-frills, hole-in-the-wall” venue, in a “nondescript ’burb of Derby”. What can explain this “peerless” and “spot-on” example of “authentic Japanese cooking” in the unlikeliest of settings? There’s a Toyota car factory just up the road, whose expat staff need a taste of home!

“Always fab” – this Japanese-inspired grill specialist has “gone up another level” since moving to “a smart and crucially bigger venue (which means you can get a table!)” in late 2024 – and “thank goodness, after all the gushing national reviews”, among them a rave from the Telegraph’s William Sitwell in November 2024, who heaped praise on the “lavish mix of flavour-bomb and wit” shown in such dishes as their ‘prawn katsu sando’ (“more significant than Robin Hood”) and ‘tira-miso’ (“which, honestly, knocks any Italian number out of the park”). As one long-distance visitor moaned: “wish this was in London”. Top Menu Tip – “the set lunch is an absolute steal”.

“Tasty and hearty (read filling!) ramen dishes” that are also “full of flavour” and have a “real authentic feel” are the order of the day at MasterChef finalist Pete Hewitt’s collab with local street food heroes the Homeboys. The “stunning” spread, which also extends to small plates, wins nothing but praise, while the service, like the surrounds, is “hip”, it’s not too cool for school (staff being “fun with lots of enthusiasm” too).