Shiosai Sushi — Restaurant in Hastings

Wow wow wow! From the second I walked into Shiosai Sushi in Hastings, I knew I was in for something special. The vibe was just right – super chill but still really clean and modern. It’s tucked away by the seafront, and you can literally hear the waves while you eat. That made the whole experience feel so unique.

The staff were honestly amazing. You could tell they actually cared and weren’t just doing it because they had to. They smiled, gave helpful suggestions, and even explained some of the dishes without making me feel dumb. It’s the little things like that that make a place stick in your head.

I started off with the crispy tuna hosomaki, and my jaw actually dropped. It was crunchy on the outside, soft in the middle, and had this little spicy kick that hit just right. I’ve had sushi before, but this was another level. I could’ve eaten 10 more pieces, no joke.

Then I tried the sashimi platter and wow again. The salmon and tuna literally melted in my mouth. It was so fresh you could tell it hadn’t been sitting around for ages like in some places. Every bite just felt super clean and flavourful.

I couldn’t leave without trying something hot too, so I went for the chicken katsu curry. The chicken was crispy but juicy, and the curry sauce had the perfect amount of spice. Not too heavy, just comforting. Honestly felt like a warm hug in food form.

They’ve got drinks too, and I had a yuzu highball which was banging. Not too sweet, not too strong, just really refreshing. It actually matched the food so well – definitely recommend getting one if you go.

Dessert wasn’t even in the plan, but I couldn’t help myself and ordered the mango mochi. Light, chewy, sweet, and it didn’t leave me feeling stuffed. It was a perfect way to end the meal.

One thing I really appreciated was how clean everything was. The place felt fresh and well looked after, which is a big deal when you’re eating raw fish. The kitchen area was open too, and it looked spotless.

What’s cool is that even though everything tasted top-tier, it didn’t feel fancy or stuck-up. It felt like a hidden gem where anyone could come in, relax, and get blown away by the food. No stress, just good vibes and even better sushi.

All in all, Shiosai is a solid 10/10 from me. The food, the people, the atmosphere – everything came together perfectly. If you’re in Hastings and love sushi, you have to try this place. Trust me, you’ll walk out saying “wow...

This is a new sushi restaurant situated in The Courtyard at White Rock, Hastings.

My main message today is that the whole place is spot on. It feels like a tiny, quirky Japanese restaurant that I used to visit in London in the 90's. Much missed. The food and drink is absolute top notch. Right up there amongst the best I have eaten.

Vegetable Gyozas were outstanding, the avocado and special vegetarian (mango) sushis were excellent. A side bowl of rice, pickles and the wasabi were perfect.

Staff are extremely helpful and you can sit outside in the sun should you wish to.

There are three issues, none major and one is not the fault of the restaurant.

Firstly, the menu overall is predictably sushi (lots of variety) or rice dishes. There is heat in some which I avoid. But if you are vegetarian then there is very little choice. This was compounded by the tofu item I chose being unavailable. Something like a katsu tofu with rice would be wonderful.

The other issue is price. While the food is of the highest quality, prices are high, even for non-fish items. I don't know if this is the decanted London set pushing up expectations (see Coquina). I spent £40 for one person without a main (one beer).

A small 330ml bottle of Asahi is £5 which has all the usual caveats - I know they expect to make some money on drink, but a large bottle is £3.50 in Sainsbury's or £6-£7 a pint in any pub.

Finally, access. I am a wheelchair user. I used the lift in Source Park and negotiated the narrow clear pathway to the restaurant. All good. It would not have been so easy if the Courtyard were busier.

But (and it is a big but) the route through the Source Park is depressingly maintained. Filthy. I doubt it has been cleaned for months and it really takes the edge off the experience. In fairness, one would not get this coming down the staircase from the promenade.

If I had a restaurant in The Courtyard, which is genuinely a lovely spot, I would not want to be allowing my guests to come through the grime on their way in and out. I have reviewed the Source Park with more photos.

Overall, very highly recommended. But do...

WOW WOW WOW!! Absolutely Amazing Experience. Felt Like Japan! I’ve been searching for a place that truly captures the authentic taste and feeling of Japan, and I finally found it here! From the moment I stepped in, I genuinely felt like I was back home in Japan.

The atmosphere, the service, and most importantly, the food — everything was just perfect(Miso soup, Katsu Curry, Tuna lovers🩷) I had the pleasure of chatting with Andrew and the bartender Davies (Peach sour!!!! I’ll definitely be ordering it again.) both were incredibly friendly and made me feel so welcome. The rest of the staff were also fantastic and made the whole experience.

if you’re looking for sushi that tastes just like what we have in Japan. This is the place for you. The chef may not be Japanese, but I must say, he makes brilliant sushi with the same heart and precision as in Japan🍣🍛🍶 I left with a full heart and a...