Reviews Makiyaki

Food is superb highly recommended 4* would come back again

Been here many times before. As the name states they specialise in Makis and a large variety at that. Ooooh can't wait to go back for more

Best sushi south of the river?. Discuss.

definitely try the fresh tuna/ garlic/ roe salad...

As I’ve harped on several times before (of which you are all duly sick of), I have a regular weekly column on the website of my local newspaper, Food Bites with yours truly for Your Local Guardian. The other week I submitted my entry as usual to a lady who works there. She takes my articles, portions them up into more digestible parts (long paragraphs are not aesthetically pleasing in narrow columns) and publishes them on the site. She of course also reads through the whole thing to, I assume, check I haven’t misspelt, cursed or offended any powerful figures. The submission that particular week was ‘the 10 most hated foods of the nation’ and her response to entry number six reflected my own, ‘How on earth did sushi get on this list? People are mad.’ Yes, yes they are. Another individual after my own heart - rejoice.

She went on to elaborate, ‘Being long-term sushi fans, my husband and I visited Japan a few years ago in search of (supposedly) the best sushi fresh from Tsukiji Fish Market. But we actually discovered the best sushi we’ve ever had is from Makiyaki in South Wimbledon! I defy anyone to try the ‘Ocean’, ‘Lion King’ or ‘Crispy’ rolls and not become addicted’.

A quick fumble on the keyboard and it turns out Makiyaki is just a 20 minute stroll from my house. Hard to resist a meander culminating in sushi on a balmy evening after an acclaim like that, especially with a menu item named after the best Disney movie ever made.

Makiyaki is situated on a busy Merton Road a mere five minute walk from South Wimbledon station on the Northern Line, positioned next to a set of billboards. Step inside and you’ll be greeted with pleasant interiors, smiling staff and a sushi chef dressed in traditional Japanese garments behind the counter; no doubt to delight the clientèle hoping to experience something close to an authentic Japanese experience, whatever that may be. I like to think in restaurants in Japan, belted samurai swords are whipped from holders at the call of an order and in a blur of metal and kimono silk, fresh fish is portioned up with exacting precision. That would be so cool..

And onto the maki (sushi rolls). There’s a long list available to choose from, with such creative names as ‘scallop volcano’, ‘spider’, ‘rock ‘n roll’ and ‘999’, the latter an incarnation with the word ‘spicy’ present twice in its short menu description and so its name perhaps an indication of the dialling action required after consumption. We of course selected Lion King, a ‘California roll with salmon, wrapped and baked’. What we were presented with on an unfurled piece of tin foil was hot cooked salmon, wrapped in soft rice that had absorbed the ambrosial slightly sweet and spicy sauce it was doused in, topped with roe and something else we couldn’t quite decipher (or at least bring ourselves to accept our initial analysis of).

‘It’s cheese’ said Matt. ‘It’s been topped with cheese that's melted during baking’. I was quite adamant there was no way this topping could be one of cheese. It did look a lot like cheese, I’ll grant him that. But cheese and fish is considered by some a culinary cardinal sin, surely and especially when it comes to Japanese cuisine (noted for their lack of dairy) and sushi? I had to enquire and guess what, it was cheese. And it was all the more excellent for it. Luscious and savoury and a joy to eat - the recommendation was spot on.

We moved onto a sushi and sashimi platter, the colour from the bright and firm flesh rendering the plate a picture to look at. Spanking fresh fish is what it is, and the salmon, tuna and mackerel were all a pleasure to devour, particularly their textures; they were so firm they were heading towards crunchy. Accompanied by shredded daikon radish for additional texture and with the ubiquitous eye-watering hit of wasabi and seasoned with soy, it was a fantastic plate of food.

Great service was fully exercised with a beautiful young Japanese girl tending to our needs, pouring and topping up our green tea. Is it the best sushi I’ve ever tasted? It’s certainly very good. Although I am yet to try sushi within Japan itself (I’m fortunate enough to have a trip booked in next year which will soon see to that). The huge variety of maki rolls on offer and the pleasure derived from the first and only one we have so far sampled is enough to entice us back repeatedly to work our way through the list, as I’m sure is the case with other customers. It also offers something unique to the restaurant, helping it to stand out from other quality sushi establishments. And considering it’s so close to my home, it’s now down as a solid entry on my ‘local favourites’. Without a doubt worth a jaunt down the Northern Line.

Liked lots - maki rolls, chef attire, service, value
Liked less - salad
Good for - casual dining, regulars, fresh fish, regular visits to work through the huge maki offering, venturing to Wimbledon for something other than tennis

Amazing food, amazing atmosphere and amazing service. I would most definitely be going back again. I’d recommend checking out their rolls but their rice and noodle dishes were delicious as well.

Been coming to this place since 2017, quality has been kept high since back then and love the sushi. Haven't tried anything else apart from sushi and desserts as I cannot find the strength to resist the sushi when we ar there, lol. Great friendly service. The atmosphere is ok, felt bit cold on our last visit but they got a heater turned on and helped. Keep up the quality service and food you provide please, will be coming back for years.

The atmosphere was nice and relaxed with some piano music playing on a Saturday night. Ok prices for the sushi though the more interesting ones will be more than a tenner. The only downfall of the sushi was that all pieces crumbled and fell apart as soon as you picked them up. Quick and friendly service.

Very nice waiters and well served food

Delicious, nom nom Lovely staff, waitresses first week— she was great :) Very nice atmosphere, nice music and you can watch the sushi chef prepare the food which is great 😀 I believe that good and bad feedback is useful, for that reason i would say add how many pieces of sushi come with each plate. We ended up with so much! which wasn’t a issue as we ate it all 😋 but would have been good to know

The best sushi we've ever had. It's incredible! We spent £80 in sticks n sushi and this cost us £40. We'll be regulars now!

Such a nice experience. Woman serving us was so friendly and attentive. Food was beautiful and fresh. Will be coming back for sure :) thank you.

All the food we had was delicious, but what really made our experience special was the staff. Very welcoming and friendly - my guests were very impressed. We will happily return.

Excellent sushi and cooked dishes! Tables are not too squashed together. The ambience is nice, I took my partner here when we were first dating. This is our go to place for good Japanese food! I recommend the baked scallop volcano and Wimbledon rolls! You won't be disappointed!

The best sushi place in my opinion in London. The wife and I used to travel into central London to get good sushi but now we support this local business. Whenever the two of us go we need a four person table because we order so much food, everything is delicious!!!