Hi Sushi, London

Advantages: Very good food, funky style, pleasant waitstaff
Disadvantages: While the prices are reasonable, it is easy for the bill to add up when ordering a lot of sushi

The Hi Sushi in Chinatown is pretty groovy. The upstairs is sushi bar-style and the downstairs is a sit-down. The seats and table are set into the ground so it appears that you are sitting on the floor when you really have your feet sunk into the foothold area (sorry, hard to explain). White walls are accented with bright coloured tables- orange, lime green, and the like. You get a laminated menu of delights- lots of sushi, sashimi, noodle soups, ...
...to mention that not all Hi Sushi's are the same. In particular, avoid the Hi Sushi in Hampstead- filled with haughty waitstaff that had forgotten to bring my starter and then tried to charge me after I had finished my main meal. When I asked them to remove the charge from my bill, they said that they might have already prepared my starter, in which case it was their right to charge me. They didn't get away with it but I haven't been back. ... Read review

Advantages: Unlimited sushi
Disadvantages: Terrible atmosphere and decor

I guess this place is most famed for its buffets so that was the option we went for. How it works is that they give you two pieces of paper: one for hot foods which you're allowed to order 8 items once, and another for sushi which you're allowed to order as many times as you want. The hot foods were decent, the typical chicken teriyaki/yakitori/katsu, prawn tempura, fried pork/squid, miso soup, and various vegetables which I'd imagine have never ...
...quality was average, nothing to write home about. The sushi selection was very limited and salmon-based: salmon nigiri/sashimi/iso, California/avocado/cucumber rolls, etc. "Crab" simply meant processed crabsticks and there was no prawn/tuna/eel/octopus/hamachi in sight. The quality of the sushi was not bad, again nothing special but the fish was fresh and the portions were generous. When they say all you can eat they really mean it. You have an hour ... Read review

Advantages: friendly staff
Disadvantages: not Japanese chefs: chinese & other south asian mixtures

...out for celebrations. After tried Hi Sushi on 14/02/2007, we were very disappointed on the test, so I tried to have a look at the cooking area while my husband was paying the bill, and I saw all the Chinese tools they were using (sorry for the most of people that it's difficult to tell the difference between Chinese & Japanese); also all 3 chefs were talking in Cantonese - no wonder the fried pork tested 100% Chinese as I told my husband at the table! ...
...dryer than the Japanese ). The tempura dish should come with light soya souce & mushed radish, but there was no mushed radish with it. (this is a HUGE mistake as this little mushed radish makes the whole world difference from a Japanese to Chinese dish) Anyway, after knowing they are not Japanese-cooking trained chefs, we will not go there again. A BIT WARNING FOR SUSHI LOVERS: BEFORE SITTING DOWN IN ANY JAPANESE RESTURANTS, MAKE SURE ASK THEM IF ... Read review