WAZUZHI (formerly Wasabi) — Restaurant in Manchester

I visited this place after it was recommended to me...it is now my go-to sushi joint when I am in Manchester. As my usual one has gone down the toilet. This place is always busy...but they do have some covid measures in place. They have the separating plastic things, though, you can still be sat next to other customers - which does make me feel uncomfortable, but what can you do? it is a small space. Luckily, both times we have visited, we arrived after people were finishing their lunch and it was not as crowded. They ask you to temp check and sanitize your hands as you come in. The staff wear face masks. Not sure if this is because they run by Chinese/Asians that this protocol is in place (but I have noticed western run eateries do not have any of this, the staff don't even wear face masks!), so well done Wasabi for keeping us and yourselves safe!

The food is good! some of the items like the hand wraps are are pricey, but it is nice to come out and eat good food in Covid times, so spending £4.50 on a handroll I can make myself is OK! On my recent visit, they didn't have a bunch of stuff (sold out), which was a bit disappointing, so we ordered other stuff we wouldn't of ordered normally, to fill our bellies. Glad we did because it was very nice.

The staff are very nice and friendly. The food portions are pretty big, some reviewers have complained about (!?), but it is better than paying a lot of money for a small piece of sushi! The California rolls (I didn't try because I don't like them), are absolutely massive! will take at least two bites to eat ha ha.

Didn't get to try the dessert place upstairs as it was closed on our visit, which again was disappointing! But something to look forward to on our next visit.

The prices are OK, I paid about £50 for lunch for two people - which was the same amount I paid at my old sushi place - difference was, I left Wasabi with two, satisfied, full bellies versus a bitter taste in my mouth having spent the same and was not full at all!

Definitely recommend this place if you like sushi and your...

I have been using the wazushi(wasabi) chain for 8+ years, and it's about time I left a review. It's the only Japanese ramen/sushi chain in the UK that tastes as close as possible to Japanese cuisine without rinsing your pockets for the rest of the week.

Having spent a lot of time in Japan throughout the years, I've tried all sorts of restaurants in the UK to fill the void and while there are a few that do just that; you're guaranteed to be spending an extortionate amount at those places. At Wazushi, you can get a main meal and 3 sushi plates for £7.95 during lunchtime hours. That is ridiculous. You'd be paying almost triple that at somewhere like Shoryu, Ippudo, or god forbid; yo sushi and Wagamama, of which the latter two couldn't possibly understand Japanese cuisine any less.

I've never had a bad dish in Wazushi. If you're on a budget you can stick to the grey plates (the cheapest) which still taste great, but I'd really implore that you spend a few extra £ to get the slightly more expensive plates, which are divine in comparison.

The menu is massive. The set menu is my go-to, but it's definitely worth taking your time and ordering outside of the set menu because there are some hidden gems to discover there. There is something for everybody on the menu and the staff are always willing to cater to your tastes, although it's probably polite to not ask for something that requires more preparation if you're walking into the restaurant 30 minutes before closing time.

The takeout options are also excellent, but it's always better served fresh and intended to eat immediately. I do regularly get takeout, though!

The only thing I don't like about Wazushi is the music they often play in there, which is why I gave atmosphere 4* instead of 5*. It's mostly Japanese rock/pop, but still better than anything on the UK top 40 these days.

Overall, Wazushi is probably my most frequented restaurant in the UK. Ever. It's therapeutic at this point. Thank you to all the staff there that make...

After eating lunch here a few times I have found this place gets better every time. The lunch set menu let's you pick a main meal from a list and get three plates of sushi from the belt for only £10 ish. The sushi alone is great, best I've had from a sushi restaurant. The main dish included in the lunch deal is a little small on its own, but with the three plates of sushi it's more than I would normally want to eat. I have tried and loved both the chicken tonkotsu ramen and chicken yakisoba, both were lovely, and the ramen was a little more substantial and had lots of flavour in the rich broth. I really liked the tuna gunkan sushi rolls, but the salmon nigiri and inari tofu sushi were also favorites I've gone back for. I have yet to order any of the more interesting dishes not included in the set lunch menu.

I also have high praise for their puddings. The snow ice "mountains" are lovely, especially the mango! The crepes and waffles also look really good although I've not tried them. They were all huge and lovely desserts worth a try if you have a big appetite.

In summary, the lunch set menu is the way to get a good big meal, but if you fancy something smaller or want a much bigger selection, they have a huge menu filled with things to try, all of which I know will be great. Try anything from the lunch set menu and takoyaki or hirata steamed bun, and maybe puddings if you're feeling...