Five years ago I bought myself a sushi kit. You see I had this plan. First learn how to make good sushi at home, then host fab sushi making evenings where I would use my awesome skills to impress guests. Two weeks, various not so awesome tries and one very concerned looking Freddy later, I packed said kit away and settled for ordering sushi when I went out.
Fast forward a few weeks ago when Sushi Shop invited me to a sushi making masterclass in their just opened Marylebone venue. I admit I had never heard about them before but after looking thought their website, looking at their extensive and creative menu (caramelised teriyaki salmon sushi anyone) and their beautifully presented products, I was very intrigued and happily popped along to the class.
Two things came out of the class. First – I had no idea good sushi was so difficult to make. These guys you see, cutting things up and rolling things out are very skilled chefs. I will admit that my rolling skills were not the best but my enthusiastic efforts and my even more enthusiastic eating more than made up for it.
And second – the recipes are very very good. Seriously good. So, after I had eaten all that I could possibly get into me, I took the rest home. To get the proper, critical review of my efforts from Freddy. His words ‘normally when I eat sushi I have to douse it in wasabi and soy sauce for it to taste good. This one was perfect just as it came’.
It did not end there. I was then asked if I wanted to pop along to Paris for a daytrip to find out more about Sushi Shop and well eat even more sushi. Erm, yes please.
So our lovely PR Francesca, three other foodies and I went on a Parisian Sushi Shop tour visiting a few venues, seeing the chefs at work and meeting some of the staff. Then we got to try some of their newly launched London box sushi. I don’t want to rave too much here so all I will say is this – tuna apple rolls and the spicy seaweed salad – best thing ever.
We then got to meet the French CEO of the company – You could feel his passion and enthusiasm as he talked us through the 17 years it has taken to build this company from his first shop in Paris to now, with over 100 restaurants. He has been able to grow by always concentrating on the quality of the sushi his team produce, while making sure it is still affordable. So, he’s collaborated with top chefs to get the right recipes, makes sure that all ingredients are as local and fresh as possible, and is obsessed by the freshness of the sushi – so much so that he won’t allow his shops to deliver takeaways further than 1 mile from the shop – to maintain freshness.
As we took the train back to London, full of sushi and I contemplated how much I had now fallen in love with sushi. If I have one complain it is this. They have now spoilt me for eating sushi as now I only want the best. This means I will have to regularly pop into their South Kensington or Marylebone branch to get some. Luckily they are going to be expanding with 2 new branches in the UK next year, so more spots for me to check out.
Folks please do pop into a Sushi Shop near you. And if you are in London then you definitely want to try their brand new London box. You will not regret it.
Thanks to Sushi Shop for inviting me to their masterclass and for whisking me away to Paris to learn more about them and for letting me use some of their images. I was not not asked to write a positive reviews an AKA all sushi love is my own.
Diana says
12/11/2015 at 1:01 pmSounds like an amazing experience! I love Sushi and would love to visit the Sushi Shop! Beautiful pictures Bintu 🙂
Bintu says
12/11/2015 at 1:41 pmThe sushi is really, really, really good.
Diana says
12/11/2015 at 3:53 pmI will be visiting soon!
Alyssiarose says
12/11/2015 at 1:16 pmI’m not a fan of sushi at all but I have to admit that this looks amazing!
Bintu says
12/11/2015 at 1:40 pmOH my gosh – this is the sushi to change your mind.
Patricia says
12/11/2015 at 1:32 pmLooks good – I just need to wait till they open up near me
Bintu says
12/11/2015 at 1:38 pmHere is hoping they open near you soon.
Amanda says
12/11/2015 at 1:33 pmThat sushi looks SO incredible! Definitely making me hungry. The box branding is just divine! xx
Bintu says
12/11/2015 at 1:37 pmThey do have a really good design plan.
Elizabeth says
12/11/2015 at 2:35 pmOh WOW! What a fantastic experience! That sushi looks amazing!
Bintu says
13/11/2015 at 10:29 amElizabeth you have no idea how good this sushi is.
Choclette says
12/11/2015 at 2:51 pmOh how ver wonderful. I love sushi and Paris – who doesn’t – so am super envious of this trip. Fab photos.
Bintu says
13/11/2015 at 10:30 am😀
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes says
12/11/2015 at 3:14 pmThis looks amazing! I love sushi!
Bintu says
13/11/2015 at 10:30 amPop in to a Sushi SHop and you will love it even more.
Janette@culinaryginger says
12/11/2015 at 3:33 pmI like to make sushi at home and I would love the sushi shop. I’ll have to check them out the next time I’m home visiting family.
Bintu says
13/11/2015 at 10:32 amYaye, come back and tell me what you think please.
Akaleistar says
12/11/2015 at 5:04 pmWhat an awesome experience! The sushi box looks really good 🙂
Bintu says
13/11/2015 at 10:31 am😀
Debra @ Bowl Me Over says
12/11/2015 at 7:13 pmOh that looks like so much fun and your pictures are fabulous! I especially like the one of all the chefs lined up. I love sushi!
Bintu says
13/11/2015 at 10:34 amThat is from Sushi Shop actually but yaye I agree that picture is fab.
The Food Hunter says
12/11/2015 at 7:57 pmwhat a cool experience
Elsa | the whinery says
12/11/2015 at 8:01 pmOh my that sushi box looks too pretty to eat, It sounds like such an amazing experience. I’ve seen Sushi Shop locations around Paris, will have to check them out next time I’m there. 🙂
KC the Kitchen Chopper says
12/11/2015 at 8:10 pmOnce you find “your” sushi place, it’s difficult to be happy anywhere else. This is one dish I don’t want to learn to make at home. I’d never go out to eat if I did! 🙂
Kelly @ TastingPage says
12/11/2015 at 8:49 pmI used to live in Paris and remember seeing Sushi Shops all over. I would order from them a lot and loved their sushi. Glad to hear they’re doing so well!
Bintu says
13/11/2015 at 10:53 amLucky you living in Paris and eating great sushi.
Manila Spoon says
13/11/2015 at 1:52 amWhat a fun experience Bintu! Will have to look for this sushi restaurant when we go back to visit London!
Bintu says
13/11/2015 at 10:52 amYaye, – please do.
Lisa | My Fancy Bathroom says
13/11/2015 at 3:00 amSo beautiful and delicious sushi! I wish a have a chance to try it
Bintu says
13/11/2015 at 10:51 am😀
Katerina says
13/11/2015 at 10:40 amI love sushi and so does my son> That box would be perfect for the two of us!
Bintu says
13/11/2015 at 10:52 amNext time you guys pop into London or Paris make sure to grab some.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
13/11/2015 at 3:09 pmAll of that sushi looks amazing, and what a fun trip to Paris too 🙂
Loriann Cargill Bustos says
13/11/2015 at 3:34 pmI know several sushi chefs & there is no way I could do what they do!
justine @ Full Belly SIsters says
13/11/2015 at 3:48 pmThis is a foodie’s ultimate fantasy! Thanks for letting me experience it vicariously!
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
13/11/2015 at 7:15 pmIt is such good sushi! I love the sushi shop and it was such a fun trip to Paris!
Bintu says
15/11/2015 at 9:42 pmI know right?
Debi @ Life Currents says
13/11/2015 at 10:56 pmI love making my own sushi at home, and even more, I love having someone make it for me! Looks like this was fun!
Bintu says
15/11/2015 at 9:43 pmI would never be able to make sushi this good at home.
Diane says
13/11/2015 at 11:17 pmWell you lucky! That sushi post was so fun to read. I bet it was even more fun to experience! I’m a bit out of your neighborhood but i was living the whole experience through your great post! How fun to have an expert class and a field trip to France! This sounds like a good company!
Bintu says
15/11/2015 at 9:45 pmI really did have a great time on the trip. Here is hoping you visit the UK or France one day and try some.
Divya Prakash says
14/11/2015 at 5:27 pmI am not really a fan of sushi too. But this sounds like an amazing experience.
Divya Prakash says
14/11/2015 at 5:28 pmThe london box looks so neat and colorful. Am sure it will be delight for sushi lovers
Bintu says
15/11/2015 at 9:43 pmIt was fab and maybe trying this sushi might change your mind.