Kurumaya

Experience Authentic Sushi and Impeccable Service

Upon entering this contemporary echo of a Tokyo sushi bar tucked in a bustling London side street, I was met with a paradox of modern gastronomy: a venue buzzing with culinary vigor yet cloaked in an unexpected silence. Imagine, if you will, finding yourself at the center of a busy sushi cascade with debutantes pirouetting around you—the plates pirouetting in this case—and yet you hear only the hushed sounds of raw fish meeting gleaming steel. It's an awkward charm, dear reader, akin to an operatic aria performed in a library. The sushi, however, pays homage to authentic Japanese flavors with the salmon sashimi fresher than a seaside morning.

Then there's the allure of the sunken table area downstairs—a kind of underground dining ecosystem—but alas, we were positioned at a regular table where the banter of life felt subdued. What this understated spot lacks in decibels, it fully compensates for with its fiercely competent service team, helmed by Eric and his devoted brigade. They navigate sushi belts reminiscent of Formula 1 circuits and perform their duties with grace and efficiency—a Herculean task considering the myriad of plates both churning out from the kitchen and those inbound from the take-away throng. While the madness of orange, red, and green plate symphonies could overwhelm any palate, the staff ensure a seamless banquet experience. Note that such immersive gastronomy commands a service charge that could make even London's high-fliers wince, but for a ride on this culinary carousel, one might find it's worth unrolling a pink note or two. — Penelope Savory