From intricate California rolls to sushi so fresh it might just swim away, Japanese food in Leeds is a big deal.
With everything from maki to nigiri, Leeds is a city with a big love for sushi. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the mood for a multi-course extravaganza or want to get your chopsticks round something quick, simple and delicious, there’s no shortage of places to choose from. Unforgettable flavours, a sense of ceremony and total authenticity – seek out these Japanese gems for your next sushi fix.
Blue Sakura
Whoever invented the concept of all-you-can-eat sushi was a genius. Pay hungry tribute to that legend with a visit to Blue Sakura, where you can go all out on sashimi, rolls and more, starting at £29.95 at lunch, £42.95 on weekday evenings and £47.95 on weekend evenings.
Where to begin? Perhaps with torched salmon or tuna, surf clam or sea bass? A light seaweed salad with sesame dressing is the perfect prelude to octopus sashimi and a spicy salmon hand roll. The Black Dragon Roll is a keeper – shrimp tempura with avocado, cucumber, topped with BBQ eel. Still hungry? Get into teppanyaki-grilled dishes, chicken wings and spring rolls.
Where? Blue Sakura, 2-3 Merrion Way, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 8BT.
When? 12pm to 3:30pm then 4pm to 11pm Monday to Saturday and 12 to 3:30pm then 4pm to 10pm on Sundays.
Maki & Ramen
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They won legions of fans in Scotland and Maki & Ramen is now one of the best Japanese restaurants in Leeds. It’s the brainchild of renowned ramen chef Teddy Lee, who’s created a stylish dining room, all stripped back wood and neon signs, perfect for munching on quick-to-arrive eats from the east. But what will you go for?
Well, the name gives it away – you can’t go wrong with sushi like the prawn green dragon rolls or the deep fried chicken Tokyo roll, while ramen promises to take you from their signature black garlic tonkotsu to the oh-so-spicy hell ramen. Just don’t forget your sides – the gyozas here an absolute must-try.
Where? Maki & Ramen, 32 Bond Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 5BQ.
When? 12pm to 9pm Monday to Wednesday and 12pm to 10pm Thursday to Sunday.
Senbon Sakura
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It might be small, but sometimes the best things come in petite packages. With its Japanese decor, friendly staff and skilled kitchen, Senbon Sakura punches well above its weight. A platter of maki sushi comes prepped to perfection, then take some time to explore their rollickingly-good rolls, especially the Crunchy Prawn and Avocado. A combo of prawn katsu, avocado, masago and Japanese mayo, it’s a mouth-tingler.
Veggie? There are loads of options, from sweet tofu and avocado through to asparagus maki. This is only the start – it’s also celebrated for its miso ramen, wok-fried dishes and exemplary Japanese curries.
Where? Senbon Sakura, 71 Great George Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 3BR.
When? 11am to 10pm Monday to Friday, 3pm to 10pm on Saturdays and 2pm to 10pm on Sundays.
Yo! Sushi
Yo! Sushi feels like such a part of the foodie furniture in Leeds now that it can be easy to forget just how fresh and innovative it was when it first opened. Colour-coded plates! Drinks-serving robots! A conveyor belt of sushi!
Their offering has evolved over time – you can now get the dishes you crave by ordering them, rather than waiting to see if they come along the belt – but you can still expect mouthwatering sushi, fusion dishes, dragon rolls, maki, nigiri, gunkan and more. Get a taste of Osaka with the tuna tataki or warm up with spicy seafood ramen, swimming with prawn, salmon and calamari.
Where? Yo! Sushi, 419 Trinity, Albion Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 5AY.
When? 11am to 9pm Monday to Saturday and 11am to 7pm on Sundays.
Oba Kitchen
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From the food specialists behind the Hang Sing Hong shop on Vicar Lane, Oba Kitchen is an instant hit that serves up the best of Japanese and Korean food, with a bit of fusion magic thrown in for good measure. The sashimi and sushi selections are a great way to kick things off, but the real fireworks can be found in the roll choices.
Salmon avocado and spicy tuna might be familiar combos, but how about the eel cucumber roll? Best of all might be the Black Dragon – eel, gherkin, asparagus, spicy mayo, eel sauce and the crunch of tempura prawn. If you want something different to sushi, tackle delights like donburi, soba noodles and fried rice.
Where? Oba Kitchen & Bar, Unit 2, Wade Lane, Merrion Centre, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 8NG.
When? 12pm to 10pm Monday to Thursday, 12pm to 11pm Friday to Saturday and 12pm to 9pm on Sundays.
Tada
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Since it brought a taste of Japan to Headingley, it’s clear Tada wouldn’t be out of place in Tokyo or Osaka. They’re sushi specialists, offering everything from maki and nigiri to sashimi and uramaki.
Let’s talk about their house special rolls, though – their Philadelphia Roll in particular. With a succulent smoked salmon, cucumber, avocado, a smattering of cream cheese and a sprinkle of sesame seeds, it’s better to order for one and eat for two. As well as sushi, they’re just as good with ramen and yakitori. When you’re done, be sure to fill your belly with their Japanese fusion deserts, from a matcha brownie to apple gyoza.
Where? Tada, 49 Otley Road, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 3AB.
When? 5pm to 10:30pm Monday to Thursday, 5pm to 11pm on Fridays, 12pm to 3pm then 5pm to 11pm on Saturdays and 12pm to 3pm then 5pm to 10:30pm on Sundays.
Fern Modern Sushi
A new addition to Leeds’ Japanese restaurant offering, this is one spot that takes sushi seriously. Located in Central Arcade, it’s headed up by sushi chef Fern Lattawan who flexes her culinary mastery to bring bites of big flavour in this small-but-perfectly-formed eatery.
Crafted from imported, premium ingredients, the dishes here include everything from sea bass nigiri to salmon sashimi, rainbow maki and more, with poke bowls and hot dishes completing the menu. If you want to indulge in something spectacular, opt for the 10-course Omakase tasting menu, with the fish being switched up every Monday – so you’ll be tucking into something new and delicious every week.
Where? Fern Modern Sushi, Unit 8 Central Arcade, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6DX.
When? 12pm to 9pm Tuesday to Saturday and 12pm to 8:30pm on Sundays.
