Temaki is London’s first Japanese hand roll bar review

Temaki is London’s first Japanese hand roll bar located in Brixton Village. It’s been a while since I’ve been back in the area for food. A lot has changed over the years, I even bumped into The Black Farmer that evening.  

Temaki is a small restaurant, the U-shaped countertop seats a handful of people, they also have smaller two-seater tables nearby. The evening service was empty when the time arrived, and we managed to get seated without booking. 

The ambience enveloped me like a comforting embrace, with minimalist décor and the faint aroma of freshly prepared ingredients lingering in the air. It was a sanctuary for the senses, where culinary craftsmanship thrived, and authenticity reigned supreme. 

On the menu 

As the restaurant’s name suggests, the forte of food is the temaki hand rolls inspired by Japan. You can go ‘a la carte’. Or go for the set menus, ranging from £24-39. A selection of sakes, wines, cocktails, beers and soft drinks is available.  

As a first-timer, I went with the most expensive set menu, £39, Gohan with trout and matcha tea.  

What is Temaki? 

Temaki is a type of sushi that originates from Japan. It’s often referred to as a hand roll because it’s shaped like a cone and is meant to be eaten with your hands. The word “temaki” literally translates to “hand roll” in Japanese (“te” means hand and “maki” means roll). 

I started with the Akami tuna, followed by lobster, trout, otoro tuna, prawn tempura and BBQ eel. The grande finale of the BBQ eel was an explosive smoky umami flavour bomb.  

I had great conversations with the chef making the handrolls, about the ingredients, and inspirations from executive chef Shaulan Steenson. Most ingredients are imported from Japan and only a handful of rice bags are shipped to them weekly.  

Overall thoughts 

What truly set Temaki Handroll Bar apart was not just the calibre of its cuisine, but the passion and dedication of its artisans. Each handroll was a work of art, meticulously crafted with precision and care. It was a labour of love that resonated in every bite, a symphony of flavours that spoke volumes of the culinary mastery at play. 

The bill for the set menu, starter and matcha tea was £68.  

More information 

For more information on Temaki Handroll Bar restaurant visit their website.  

12 MARKET ROW, LONDON, SW9 8LB 

HOURS 

Brixton Village is open 7 days per week. 

Mondays: 8am – 6pm 

Tuesday to Sunday: 8am – midnight 

Nearest tube station: Brixton