Bushido Sushi & Izakaya — Restaurant in Ipswich

That was soooo disappointing, giving it 3 stars is actually too generous but I’m adding a star since I believe they are still in “soft opening” phase.

I made a reservation however when we arrived, he spent some time rearranging the furniture to accomodate our family of 5. When the food arrived, he then set about bringing plates, chopsticks, napkins etc…. It was so uncomfortable to have him lean over us to set the table when the kids want to eat the food. Why not have the table ready before we arrive? They were not busy, it was empty when we arrived. He was only one person so could see it was too much to set the table, take orders and serve drinks etc, he tried but rather frustrating when your kids are hungry and want to eat the food on the table but there are no chopsticks or plates to eat it with!

We ordered 4 miso soups, server should have told us that they don’t do a traditional miso soup. I think it was actually the miso ramen stock with some bits of seaweed. He definitely should have told us as we didn’t want that. I ended up drinking 2 of them and my husband 2 of them as it was too salty and fatty for the kids.

The miso ramen we ordered was probably left sitting before being served as the soup was not hot enough and the noodles were soft and stodgy. The stock and bamboo shoots were waaaay too salty, my inner lip is now sore from all the excess salt. I think this ramen would have been good if it was less salty and served immediately whilst piping hot and whilst noodles still had a bite.

One reviewer said the tempura was light so I ordered that but in my opinion (and compared to real Japanese tempura) it’s too oily. Also rather expensive since you only get 2 prawns in the mixed veg. The prawns were not typical tempura, they were more a breadcrumb type coating. It came with a chilli mayo for the prawns and a ponzu sauce for the mixed veg. My son asked what a ponzu sauce is and I explained it’s a type of vinegar dressing. The server said there is no vinegar in their ponzu sauce….. he is mistaken. You can taste the strong vinegar. I use it regularly at home, it’s a soy citrus and vinegar mix, strange to say there is no vinegar in ponzu!

Another dish we ordered was the tuna hosomaki. This tasted nice but again, with no info on the menu, server should tell you it comes with mushed tuna with wasabi and sweet soy soaked rice. Nothing like a traditional tuna maki. As I said this tasted nice but I think definitely needs an explanation as to what you’re ordering if it’s non authentic food.

Overall the sashimi was not bad, hamachi was good, salmon was good but the chu toro (medium fatty tuna) was of poor quality, very stringy, not very fresh and did not melt in my mouth at all.

The best plate was the tempura sushi roll. It came with avocado wrapped on the outside, beautifully presented and tasted great.

The drinks were nice but £10 for a small glass of sake with a splash of sparkling water was an absolute scam. I can only imagine that he opened a bottle of sparkling mineral water, put one splash in my glass and charged us for the whole bottle without actually giving us the bottle. Very disappointing service, I basically paid £10 for a shot of sake and ice.

I asked for the bill and it took such a long time for him to calculate our bill since they are not using the till.

I admit my expectations are high since I am half Japanese, people who’ve never tried authentic Japanese food I’m sure will enjoy this place. For me, it’s overpriced, too salty, too oily and too...

I debated whether to leave this review, but a week after visiting I’m still so baffled as to why this place is rated as highly as it is. We booked a table based on the glowing reviews and TikTok videos we’d seen. I love ramen, and without heading to London it’s hard to find a really good one, so I was excited to try.

We managed to secure a table and all seemed fine. On arrival, however, the front door was locked even though people were eating inside. We waited about 10 minutes outside until another customer kindly let us in. I didn’t mind being let in this way, but the doorbell wasn’t working and it would have been nice to receive a prior heads-up about how they operate.

We were seated in a converted courtyard out back. It’s essentially outside with a wooden roof built over it — a clever way to increase tables, but the space felt unfinished. There were holes, cobwebs, and wires hanging around, which gave the impression it wasn’t quite ready for customers. The garden furniture was really uncomfortable, and the small glass bistro tables didn’t feel appropriate for the type of restaurant.

As for drinks, we were told the bar wasn’t staffed until 7pm (our reservation was at 6), meaning cocktails were unavailable and we were limited to soft and bottled drinks. Disappointing, as I was looking forward to trying one.

Now for the food — the main event. My husband and I both ordered ramen with a chicken broth, but the only flavour was salt. It was so overwhelmingly salty that it masked any other taste and made it difficult to eat. The noodles and vegetables had absorbed the salt too, so the whole dish was almost inedible — like accidentally swallowing seawater. I’ve eaten ramen everywhere from supermarket packets to top London spots, and I’ve never had one so flavourless and salty. Honestly, I think I would have enjoyed a Pot Noodle more. We mentioned this politely to the waiter (not in a complaining tone at all), but the only response we got was “okay.”

When we asked for the bill, the waiter said he’d be right back. Twenty-five minutes later, no one had come by — and we were the only table in the courtyard at that point. We were about to go inside to find someone when a staff member finally appeared, but not with the bill — just to ask if we needed anything else. We asked again, and thankfully it only took another five minutes after that.

I’m honestly gutted. This was our first proper date night since our son was born 16 months ago, and we were really looking forward to enjoying the amazing food everyone else seems to rave about. We had wanted to try sushi and other dishes too, but after that experience we didn’t feel comfortable risking it, especially at the prices charged.

Maybe they had an interim chef (I overheard something about the chef being unable to prepare a certain sushi dish for another table), or maybe it was just an off night. I don’t know. I really didn’t want to write a negative review, but this experience was far from satisfactory. I felt it was important to share so that others don’t visit with expectations as high...

Bushido Sushi & Izakaya brings a taste of authentic Japanese cuisine with a warm and intimate atmosphere that makes it feel like a hidden gem. The menu offers delightful dishes, with highlights like the Shoyu Ramen in a rich chicken broth. The charred pork is flavourful, and the noodles—whether thin or udon—are perfectly cooked, smooth, and easy to slurp. The enoki mushrooms add a wonderful, earthy note, and though I’d personally enjoy a soy-marinated egg, it’s otherwise an exceptional bowl.

The Umami Bites are a treat for those who love crispy and succulent textures. These fried chicken bites combine crispy skin with tender meat, accompanied by a well-balanced sauce that adds just the right kick. The Bushido Prawn Tempura is another standout, with a crisp panko batter that doesn’t overpower the prawn. Although I couldn’t take a photo, the tempura sauce deserves mention, as it brings a depth of flavour that makes the dish memorable.

To complement the meal, the yuzu cocktail is a refreshing favourite with a delicate balance of sweetness and citrus, making it ideal for cleansing the palate. This drink, with its light and crisp finish, is something I’d happily return for on any casual visit. And for dessert, the banoffee-inspired treat with a hint of sake and caramel was the perfect end—light, creamy, and soothing.

The restaurant’s ambience is cosy, adorned with Japanese touches like daruma dolls and bonsai that enhance the experience. Fabio, the owner, welcomes each guest warmly, creating an inviting atmosphere where diners feel at home. With thoughtful seating arrangements, including accessible seating, Bushido is clearly dedicated to the comfort of all its patrons. They take pride in sourcing fresh ingredients locally, ensuring each dish highlights quality and flavour. Although the price is on the higher end, it makes sense for the level of authenticity and the quick, attentive service. It’s a place I’d gladly come back to, as it truly feels like a local treasure, blending exceptional service with delightful,...