Sushino Restaurant

Sushino Restaurant

Sushino Restaurant 
By Tamara Hinson

Last year, my boyfriend and I went to South America and Japan. Separately. While I decided to backpack around South America, my boyfriend opted to visit a friend in Tokyo. However, although we may have different ideas about holiday destinations, we both have an equal passion for Japanese and South American cuisine, so when I was invited to review Sushino, a Japanese/Brazilian restaurant in Chelsea, I jumped at the chance – and took my other half with me.

Cucumber Sour Cocktail

Located on King’s Road in Chelsea, Sushino is inspired by the Japanese immigrants who flocked to Brazil. Opened in late 2008, the restaurant won its first AA rosette within six months. 

After battling through an icy winds and freezing temperatures, we arrived at Sushino hungry and cold, but the tropical décor instantly made us forget the weather outside – think potted palm trees, bamboo dividing walls and décor that’s effortlessly stylish without being pretentious. 

We arrived just after midday so opted for the lunch menu, although it was obvious from the outset we could have happily eaten our way through everything on offer. The a la carte menu offered a huge range of sushi – nigri, gunkan, temaki, uramaki, hossomaki and sashimi, as well as ceviche, soups, tempura, a grill section and wide range of fish.

The lunch menu boasted a smaller selection of equally tempting food, including bento boxes, noodles and rice dishes, as well as a whole host of interesting facts (I’d never have guessed that Brazil is home to the largest Japanese community outside Brazil, for example.) Best of all, the restaurant has recently launched a low-calorie cocktail menu, featuring a selection of cocktails perfect for anyone craving a low-carlorie drink that still packs a punch in the alcohol stakes.

Sushino Restaurant

While my boyfriend chose a full-fat Brazilian Crush, made with Abelha Silver cachaca, lime juice and grenadine, I went for a low calorie Sangria Sparkler, which contained just 90 calories but tasted absolutely divine and certainly didn’t skimp on the alcohol, with a potent blend of red wine, brandy and orange liquor. Although the main cocktail menu is immense, with over 40 to choose from, the smaller low-calorie cocktail menu is just as tempting, boasting a range of cocktails with a calorie content ranging from 86 to 146.

Food-wise, we started with wagyu beef nigiri – two pieces of sushi topped with some of the best beef I’d ever tasted – alongside a pile of frighteningly hot wasabi and some ginger. I then opted for the udon noodles with broth and tempura prawns, while my other half went for the Beef teriyaki bento box.

My noodles came in a large pot with prawns and a whole egg – my boyfriend informed me that in Japan, “they chuck an egg into everything” – apparently it’s for good luck – the prawns were thick and juicy, with a delicious broth bursting with flavour.

Cherry Tea Martini

My boyfriend was equally impressed by his meal which came in a black lacquered box and contained enough food to feed an army – and just the right amount for him. In addition to the beef, there was a broth, prawns, sushi, rice and a delicious seaweed salad – he absolutely loved the broth and described the beef as the best he’d ever tasted. After all this, try as we might, we simply couldn’t find room for desert – although the menu looked incredible with offerings such as passion crumble and marble cheesecake all accompanied with drink suggestions  – and we opted for a delicious glass of the house white instead. 

When I was asked if I wanted to review a restaurant on King’s Road, I certainly expected sky high prices but in fact, the prices were refreshingly low and the portions huge. From the food to the cocktails to the service, there really wasn’t anything we didn’t like about Sushino, and to be honest, I’m not sure why it doesn’t occupy a bigger spot on the radar.

Visit www.sushinho.com/ for more information.

Expect to pay around  £12.00 per person for lunch with drinks.  Dinner with wine starts at around £40.00 for two people. Cocktails start at £7.50

Sushinho
312-314 King’s Road,
London,
SW3 5UH
020 7349 7496,