Sushi Wakyo — Restaurant in Elmbridge

Upon our visit, Sushi Wakyo's single front-of-house staff member was commendably polite, pleasant, and attentive without being overbearing. The decor, however, presents an intriguing, albeit somewhat perplexing, blend of Chinese and Japanese aesthetics. Red lanterns and the use of Zisha-like pottery, typically not found in this setting, suggest the owner's eclectic personal taste.

/ Culinary Impressions Sushi Wakyo has garnered high ratings, and while the food isn't poor—especially when juxtaposed with the likes of Kro, W**ma, and the truly regrettable Itsu—it must be acknowledged that the overall standard of Japanese cuisine in the UK, particularly among chain establishments, often leaves much to be desired My order, the Cha Shui Ramen Sushi Set, offered a mixed bag. The sushi was generally acceptable, with the California roll standing out. However, the Shiromi Nigiri presented a challenge; the fish was difficult to eat, and its origin (whether Hamachi, Tai, or Suzuki) remained elusive.

The Cha Shui Ramen featured a thinner noodle variety, which, while capable of being pre-made and frozen, also achieves excellence when crafted daily by masters, and here, it offered a pleasing chew. The Tonkotsu broth was a milky white, though its flavor profile was a touch too salty for my palate, and it diverged somewhat from the classic 豚骨ラーメン found in Kyushu, reflecting the chef's unique interpretation.

The 唐揚げ (Karaage), a staple on any Japanese menu, initially arrived with a foreign object, promptly corrected with a re-cooked portion. The thigh meat was undeniably juicy, but the seasoning was mild. Visually and texturally, the batter was a departure from the ubiquitous Karaage found across Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Despite being freshly cooked, it lacked the super crunchiness and juicy contrast that defines truly exceptional Karaage.

/ Concluding Thoughts Sushi Wakyo undoubtedly surpasses many of the high street Japanese eateries currently prevalent in the UK.

However, it underscores a broader issue: the discernible lack of culinary excellence in a nation that proudly touts its multiculturalism, but instead serves a multitude of fast food options.

It's a genuine shame that such a diverse region often falls short in delivering truly outstanding gastronomic...

No bull - this place should have a Michelin star - it's THAT GOOD! We went on a quiet Sunday evening, just two other tables in. We had the spicy beef ramen noodles first - OH....MY. ....GOD!!! WHAT an explosion of flavours!! We were just in heaven. Generous slices of ribeye beef, melded into the expertly mixed flavours. Soft and crunchy noodles gave differing textures as we worked our way through it. Plenty enough for two to share. The soup left over when you'd eaten all the solids was a dream! I was a bit worried that it could only be downhill after this lush start. How wrong can you be? We moved on to the California roll (six pieces), which again was divine, drawing lots of 'Mmmmmmm-ing' from both of us. The waitress advised us to mix the wasabi and soy in a little side bowl and dip. We'd never tried this before, but will be doing it in future. Next was the piece de resistance for me - the volcano dragon roll. Words can't do this justice - some of the BEST and tastiest food I've ever eaten! Just the look of it is enough to make you drool! That was our original order done, but we just HAD to try one more dish, so we ordered the Rainbow Dragon roll. Again, but in a different way, outstanding! Such sublime and complimentary flavours that just took eating pleasure to a new height. Completely satisfied and satiated, we gladly paid the bill. We just WISHED this place was nearer to us! Spicy beef ramen £18:50 California roll 6 pieces £9:50 Volcano dragon roll £16:90 Rainbow dragon roll £13:90 Large...

My girlfriend and I have just been to Sushi Wakyo and I feel like if I have to share the experience. At arriving to the restaurant with a 7 o'clock booking there were no tables available. We were eventually sat down at about 7:10 and waited patiently to be seen. Come 7.40 we had still not been offered drinks or a menu. After asking, this eventually was provided but only after waiting another 5 or so minutes. At around 7.55, some 45 minutes after being sat down, our drinks finally were provided. The food came fairly quickly (too quickly even as the main was handed to me before I had even finished my starter) and was absolutely amazing! Ordered the rib eye rare and it was cooked to absolute perfection. We came away thinking that it was such a strange experience, food was unbelievable but the service was probably the worst I have ever experienced in 34 years. Whilst we were there 3 couples walked out and one couple left shouting 'save your money and go elsewhere' to the entire restaurant. Unfortunately I could not disagree given the horrendous customer service. If the front of house staff were anywhere near as good as the chefs this restaurant could be up there with the best in the area. One thing to note, if you are looking for a 100% covid compliant restaurant this is probably not the one for you. No sanitizer provided at all, staff leaning over you and some of the tables are probably half a metre apart at most. Let's hope things change......