Sushi Like Oxford Circus: London’s Cheapest Temaki Set Reviewed

Sushi Like, Oxford Circus – Temaki That Punch Above Their Price

There is something quietly radical about Sushi Like. Tucked behind the noise and consumer delirium of Oxford Circus, this 10-seat counter offers one of London’s most affordable expressions of hand-rolled sushi Temaki. The team behind Japanese BBQ favourite Kintan is responsible for it, and the lineage shows: precision, restraint, and a clear understanding of value.

The headline grabber is the temaki set priced at just £19.99, which includes miso soup—arguably the cheapest serious temaki offering in central London. Long-time readers of this blog may remember that I was invited to Kintan when it first opened back in 2014; Sushi Like feels like a younger, leaner sibling, stripped of excess but not ambition.

Sushi Like operates strictly on a walk-in basis, counter seating only, with chefs assembling each temaki directly in front of you. Prices start from £1.80 per temaki, with sets beginning at £8.99. For the truly committed, there’s an option to eat all 15 temaki on the menu for £58, should your appetite (and stamina) allow.

What I Ordered at Sushi Like

I chose the Contemporary Collection Set (£14.99) and supplemented it with a few à la carte temaki. Sushi Like’s temaki are served in a rectangular form—nori folded tightly around warm rice and filling—less cone, more architecture. Each piece arrives moments after being made, still fragrant with toasted seaweed.

The meal began with katsuo tataki (鰹のたたき): three pieces of lightly seared bonito, dressed in a thick, pungent sauce, scattered with garlic chips and greens. It was assertive and aromatic, a strong opening note.

Next came the hamachi temaki (はまち手巻き), the least memorable of the lineup—a straightforward pairing of yellowtail and spring onion, clean but restrained.

The red prawn temaki (赤海老手巻き) followed, naturally sweet and delicate, lifted by shiso leaf. The herb’s minty, basil-like aftertaste lingered long after the last bite.

From the à la carte menu, I ordered uni temaki (ウニ手巻き) on instinct alone. Creamy, rich, and unapologetically simple, it arrived without adornment—no toppings, no distractions. The sea urchin stood on its own, and rightly so.

The grilled eel temaki (うなぎ手巻き), part of the set, arrived slightly cool but carried a pronounced smoky depth, the char still present beneath the sweet glaze.

Then came the kani temaki (かに手巻き): generous king crab meat layered with cucumber and shiso. Fresh, textural, and one of the highlights of the meal.

The final temaki was o-toro (大トロ手巻き), chopped and lightly minced, releasing bursts of fat and green onion in each bite—a quiet indulgence tucked into nori.

To drink, I kept things simple with a yuzu soda. When the bill arrived, a complimentary cup of hojicha followed—warm, roasted, and grounding.

Final Thoughts

Sushi Like delivers exceptional value for money, particularly when ordering à la carte, where the quality shines brightest. I skipped the 8-temaki set, which leaned too heavily on fillers that didn’t appeal to me. Here, discretion pays off.

In a city where sushi often feels priced for spectacle rather than substance, Sushi Like offers something rarer: affordability without apology. It doesn’t try to impress—it simply feeds you well, quickly, and honestly.

Total bill with 10% £35.19.

Details

Sushi Like by Kintan
21 Great Castle St, London W1G 0HY
Walk ins only