Sushi Passion

Sushi Passion is one of the better Sushi restaurants in Birmingham. I’ve been twice, ordered a chirashi platter once and shared some rolls on the other occasion. Sushi is fresh, and there are lots of options and interesting rolls on the menu. Food is beautifully presented.
The only thing that bugged me was that on both occasions I was urged not to order tap water, being told that it would be potentially dangerous to drink Birmingham tap water and eat sushi at the same time because ‘the building pipes are old’. I couldn’t really follow the logic other than they were trying to get me to spend more money… seemed a bit ridiculous. I drank the tap water and am just fine: P

Absolutely the best Sushi, and the Miso soup is amazing. You definitely need to book ahead! We visited in early December and it was completely full! We ordered the bridge platter with 5 or 6 rolls on it! The four of us devoured it! Delicious!!!

Ok so the name doesn’t exactly conjure up images of quality but immediately ignore it, Sushi Passion is a quality restaurant.
I’m not hugely knowledgeable about sushi so I came here with a friend of mine who spent several years living out in Japan so he could help me make some interesting choices as well as really assess the food.
Walking in from the Great Western Arcade is quite an experience, you’re transported into a softly lit, quiet, gentle little piece of Japan which is a really welcoming and relaxing atmosphere for a good meal.
The selection is pretty daunting but the staff will help you along and they have a variety of set platters to cover the basics. When your food comes (we had a platter) they really go for the presentation, ours came on a bridge! The food itself was seriously good, much better than any sushi I’ve ever had and received a big thumbs up from my friend.
If you’re in the mood for sushi in Birmingham you won’t be disappointed.

I’ve now visited Sushi Passion twice and the second time was even better than the first.
Situated in Great Western Arcade, this is a tiny restaurant– you need to ring to book a table or you may not get in. There are tables with chairs, tables where you sit on the floor and a few bar seats where you can watch the chef at work.
The decoration is Japanese themed but classy with it. I love the pretty plate and soy sauce dish with its delicate flower motif.
The menu could be overwhelming but it is organised into different types of sushi and there are clear photos. I recommend having one of the sets so you can try some different things.
I’ve had the party set on both my visits. The first time there were three of us sharing and the second time there were five. On the second visit we also had a side each– I had the spicy salmon roll which was incredible and a new favourite.
The party set comes with a variety of sushi and sashimi, including some which I wouldn’t usually try such as cuttlefish. I love the sashimi– the tuna is particularly amazing. The ingredients are fresh, simple and expertly matched.
Service is friendly but be aware that you can’t split the bill on cards. For such a small set up, this isn’t really something you can complain about when the food is so good.

Sushi Passion is the best sushi restaurant in Birmingham and I often visit — spending well over £60 each time.
The staff are friendly and helpful. It is good to be able to watch the Chef’s making your sushi in front of you.
In the past, you’d always get a small bowl of Miso soup thrown in with your order over a certain price. They have stopped offering this and now charge almost £5 for a bowl. Which feels very penny pinching.

I’m going to keep it simple. Best Sushi in Birmingham.

We’ve managed to sneak in for early lunch without booking and kick off our shoes to take a seat at one of the low-​lying zakatu tables, which adds to the whole experience.
The menu itself is a delight, set out in a colourful picture grid showing off each dish, from individual nigiri to elaborate platters. Laid out like a comic strip, each box has its own spiky bubble giving its name, making it look like a fight scene from a Batman comic strip.
There is food and there is *FOOD*. There are things you eat and there are things you truly enjoy. If I could rate the food at Sushi Passion higher than ‘five stars’, I would add another couple of stars on top. The folks here prepare food that is far more than simply ‘tasty’ and ‘filling’- they provide food along with the atmosphere, its something to be experienced.
I have eaten at a fair number of Japanese restaurants around the UK, and I suppose I have to eat here a few more times to confirm my view, but Sushi Passion seems to be emerging as my ‘number one’.
The sushi and miso at SP are in a different class from everything I have eaten previously. Why? The ingredients are very fresh and the dishes produced are perfectly balanced– clearly prepared with care and with no seasoning shortcuts. I had a tuna selection and the balance of deliciously delicate and tender fish coupled with the soft rice was perfect. Along with the tuna sushi I was given a generous helping of mouli, which complements the taste of the fish, especially when lightly dipped in soya sauce mixed with a little* wasabi. (*The wasabi is pretty strong, as good wasabi should be, so be sparing with it!)
This is the kind of restaurant that puts you in the frame of mind to enjoy food and take your time over savouring the flavours of your dish and experiencing it visually. There are elegant Western– style tables and traditional Japanese floor-​seated options.
I am definitely going to return to explore the menu further. This is going to be an adventure rather than just a ‘dining experience’, so I am looking forward to the weeks ahead. This is most certanly ‘fine dining’ at its best. But friendly dining at its best, too. There’s a certain ceremony to this restaurant, but it’s one that comes from respecting the food and respecting the diners, rather than out of ostentation.
Eating at Sushi Passion is like having someone you love give you a beautifully wrapped gift that you open to find that it’s something you never thought of buying for yourself but you are thrilled because they have put so much effort and thought into creating it and you know that you’ll treasure it… if that makes any sense?
Price-​wise you will probably pay 10%-20% more at Sushi passion than at other sushi restaurants, but considering that you’ll get the best of the best in food and sushi craftsmanship, and a great venue in which to enjoy your meal, this is a treat well worth the extra in expenditure.
If you want a memorable culinary experience that will make you content and happy, this is a restaurant for you.

I believe all the sushi sets they amazed me are all around Avocado! Since I visited Sussi Passion for several times, I love to try Avocado with sushi rolls. A little pity thing is that they don’t offer any meal dish they are only specialised in sushi making.

It had been a while since I’d had sushi and after seeing Sushi Passion on the recommended list for Birmingham, I thought I’d check it out. At first I thought I was in the wrong place as the Arcade is quite deserted in the evening (most businesses are open during the day) but as soon as I was starting to worry, I came across the place I was looking for. I ate at the bar, as even on a Tuesday this place was surprisingly full. The ambiance is perfect – quite, relaxing and has tables with cushions for you to sit while eating on the floor (asian style!)…The service is excellent, when I asked for water the waitress recommended warm water, which is so strange because I enjoy drinking warm water but feel weird asking for it at restaurants. In any case, I sipped my warm water while taking the place in and watching various sushis being prepared. I ordered a sushi platter, which had a great variety of sushi. I was very happy with this platter and was so full I wasn’t able to finish! The sushi is of high quality is artfully presented. My bill came around 25 GBP was was well worth it! I’ll be returning again!

I am not usually a sushi fan. Until certain trips abroad showed me how great sushi can be when done well, and served correctly. Now Sushi Passion offers me the closest experience to what I have enjoyed in Canada and the far east.
This modest size restaurant offers sushi, and sashimi. Everything is made fresh, and served at room temperature.
Sushi Passion offers takeaway too; worth knowing if you need a sushi hit but can’t get a table.
The service here is good. Though sometimes when the restaurant is busy, we have to wait a little. It’s understandable given how small the kitchen is.
There is no hot food menu here. So if you’re not a sushi, or sashimi fan, you may struggle. Also, there is not a huge amount on the menu for vegetarians, and vegans — don’t bother.
I now find myself often craving the teriyaki roll. In fact, I could go for it right now.

It was really lovely to try new types of vegetable sushi and I had a good selection to choose from. It was really yummy and reasonably priced. I also really liked the authenticity of the seating and removal of shoes to create a lovely Japanese atmosphere. My only complaint was that the fruit salad was overpriced for how small it was.

The quality of sushi is fairly good, not the best I’ve ever had but it was definitely still delicious.
We had lunch here while it was quite empty, so we enjoyed a nice quiet atmosphere. The only con I would mention is that the menu is a bit confusing, and huge — almost looks like a child’s schoolbook. We ordered a roll and instead was given the set at a higher price — but the waitress charged us only for the roll, which was a great relief. Also, the power went out twice while we were there, but quickly went back on. The staff mentioned the building was old and they were doing repairs.
Overall, lunch was nice in this little spot. I’ll pay another visit when I’m in the area.

Having wanted to dine here for such a long time I’m disappointed to say I felt let down.
We had booked for 8.00pm and arrived some time after 7.30 thinking we could enjoy a drink, a little people watching and get a feel for the place, but unfortunately if you arrive too early you are sent away like a naughty schoolboy!
We waited outside as less than 30 mins meant we didn’t have time to walk anywhere else for a drink, I know it’s not the waitresses fault that there was no waiting area but this was not the start to our evening that I had anticipated.
Arriving back at 7.55pm we was greeted in a friendlier manner and shown to our seats, unfortunately they was the seats right in the corner and I was squashed and less comfortable that I would have liked, the lack of space was hi lighted when our food came and I had nowhere to put my plate of food other than placing it directly on my plate in front of me, as an ornament on a rabbit skin was taking up a good chunk of my dining area. The other diners around the food preparation area do not have this problem it was just unfortunate for me. Watching the chefs prepare the food is certainly entertaining, and the chefs passion does shine through, the food is lovely, but for me I think there are Japanese restaurants in city centre that do food that is every bit as nice and can cope with diners arriving a little early and offer ample space. For me it was too cramped and overall a disappointing evening. The food is great and very generous portions but a restaurant needs more than just great food.
I will continue to say ocean dragon is my favourite Japanese restaurant, and for me is a much more authentic dining experience.
Sad to say we will not be returning to sushi passion.

I finally made it to Sushi Passion after a lot of prompting and I’m glad I did as it offers some of the best Sushi in Birmingham. Plus, there’s a train that goes around the counter if you ask the staff nicely. The customer service is good particularly when dealing with strange customers asking about a toy train.
There’s a good range of sushi available including a vegetarian selection. The platters in particular offer good value and are a good excuse to share. A particular highlight was the cherry blossom tea which is unlimited and lighter than the usually available green tea which is everywhere.

Take it from me, I’m allergic to seafood so whenever friends want to go for sushi it’s always an awkward moment when I’m scanning the menu looking for something I can eat and won’t end up in A&E by the end of the evening.
We sat at the bar and had a great view of the chefs preparing sushi — I could see that it looked like a therapeutic process.
The food — well I had a choice of tofu, raw beef and avocado. And honestly it was amazing. My friend had sashimi and a few others which I didn’t catch the names of. The whole experience from walking in, sitting, soaking up the atmosphere, choosing sushi (if you’re a creative person you’ll love the menu layout!) and watch it being prepared.
The drinks are dear but that’s understandable if you have any experience in working in restaurants.
I’m so glad I didn’t wimp out when my friend suggested sushi. We’re both of diets that involve is eating lots of meat and little bread. So this was a great break /​treat from our training diets. Everyone needs to go!

I walked past this place last week and was immediately keen to try it out. The low Japanese tables (optional — there is table seating and bar seating too), the serene music, the dim lights and then, when I looked it up, the fantastic reviews.
I have to say this place absolutely deserves the 5 star review that so many others have given. The sushi was fantastic — I had the miso soup followed by a dragon roll — both of which were delicious. We got over excited and over ordered but they packed up what we couldn’t finish so I had a lovely sushi lunch the next day.
The service was friendly and we sat on the bar seating and watched the chefs at work which was a nice addition to the experience.
All in all — if you like sushi, this place is a MUST. So far, the best sushi I’ve had in Brum.

After hearing amazing things about Sushi Passion, I am pleased to report that I was certainly not disappointed when I visited for the first time on Sunday. Me and Dan had, had a hard morning stroking animals and mooching about at the Pet Show and decided that we needed to grab lunch. After a quick chat on the train back into town, Dan suggested that we try Sushi Passion (being one of the few places we hadn’t had a chance to try as yet).
We rocked up to Great Western Arcade just before 1pm with no reservation and managed to bag one of the two tables that seat four. There is a choice of seating options in the restaurant (dependent on how busy it is), but the unique style offering here is the chance to sit on low style Japanese tables and enjoy your dinner whilst kneeling. We didn’t think our knees could take it, but these spaces (as well as everywhere else) filled up quickly with other diners that had the same idea as us.
The décor in here is simply fantastic. Between water features, gorgeous traditional style painting and a cute little train going around the counter highlighting some of the sushi options available; it feels like a little slice of Tokyo in the centre of Birmingham.
The service was swift, polite and our waiter was really friendly (advising us on the benefits of each platter available). Even the menu is Kawaii, with a «comic book style”(photos of each type of platter/​sushi and captions underneath to tell you what it is) just adding to the charm of this Great Western Arcade gem.
We opted for the Sashimi Platter as it came with a large variety of veggie and fish sushi, as well as some cuts of sashimi and two bowls of Miso (as well as refillable green tea). Our green tea was bought out to us immediately and was refilled the minute it had cooled down (our waiter checked on this about every 10 minutes). The Miso was bought out in around 10 minutes and was simply divine. I’ve had a fair amount of Miso in my life and this was honestly the BEST I have ever had. It wasn’t too salty and had lovely tender pieces of tofu and mushroom floating in it.
Our sushi platter took a little longer to bring out (maybe around 20 minutes). That’s because every single order at Sushi Passion is handmade fresh to order. It was totally worth the short wait. I could regale you with the buttery texture of the tuna and the subtle deliciousness of the sashimi; but just look at the photos and you can see for yourself.
Every single individual piece of sushi was amazing but the real standout for me was the Sashimi. I’m not a huge fan of Octopus, but the squid, prawns, tuna and salmon were melt in the mouth and 100% perfect. It was demolished, right down to the last pieces of roe and the Mooli base the Sashimi was presented on.
Our platter was the princely sum for £46 for over 40 different pieces of Sushi and Sashimi, Miso and green tea. The food was exceptional and the service was outstanding. I’m going to add to the various voices recommending this place… If you’re a fan of Sushi go and prepared to be amazed.

I’d heard great things about the original sushi passion located in the indoor market but had never got round to going, when I’m down that neck of the woods it’s generally a smash and grab style food shopping mission on a Saturday morning. When I heard they were opening a new restaurant in the lovely great western arcade I was very excited to try it out. So, when stuck for somewhere to go for lunch on Sunday this popped into my head straight away.
We turned up just after 12 and were seated straight away and given the choice of sitting at the bar, at a standard western style table or at some traditional Japanese low tables. We opted for the standard western style tables as honestly I don’t think my dodgy knees could cope with kneeling for lunch! I’m glad we turned up when we did as by 1 o’clock the place was very busy.
The restaurant looks like you’d expect a stereotypical traditional Japanese restaurant to look. Bonsai, kimonos and a water feature adorn the place and create an incredibly tranquil vibe.
We flicked through the manga-​esque menu and decided on a sashimi and sushi platter that came with miso soup and green tea. The miso and tea were brought over promptly while our platter was being prepared and the small bowl of miso filled with mushroom, seaweed and tofu set the tone for the quality of the food. The depth of flavour was beyond any miso I’ve ever had, not too salty, not too fishy — you could tell the dashi was top notch.
After a while our platter of sushi and sashimi arrived. A fantastic looking selection of hosomaki, uramaki, nigiri and sashimi wonderfully presented on a ‘bridge’ was delivered and looked absolutely fantastic. The tuna was amazing — buttery and soft, the octopus nicely bouncy without being rubbery and the salmon absolutely delicious.
The service was excellent throughout, attentive and helpful without any hint of pushy and overbearing.
This place is just what Birmingham needed and provides some of their best sushi I’ve ever eaten.

I like sushi. And not just the M&S prefab, handy snack sushi or the buffet conveyor belt sushi. I order a la carte when I go to Yo! I know the names, I order massive hunks of tuna loin from the interwebs and make it at home, I even make my own tamago and dashi from scratch like a real foody geek. I *really* like sushi.
I say this because when I say the Sushi Passion is in a different league to anything I’ve tried before, I want you to understand my full meaning.
The restaurant, having moved to their new premises, is an unassuming shop front in Great Western Arcade, obscured by bamboo blinds and hanging curtain across the door. It doesn’t look like much. But when you step inside you are transported to a different world!
The restaurant is intimately lit, the echoes of the arcade are silenced by unobtrusive oriental style background music. There are 4 tables plus the bar /​open kitchen at the back (which I think you can sit at.) Each table sits 4 and there is ample room (none of this squish as many tables in as you can!) 2 of the tables are as you would expect, table, 4 chairs, neatly laid with bamboo place mats, chopsticks etc. The other 2 are traditional (I think) low, kneel at style of tables, on a raised platform that is a shoe free zone for that more traditional experience! (If only I had the knees!) You can just imagine that there’s a beautiful rural Japanese scene outside and not the hustle and bustle of Birmingham. It’s beautiful.
But the ambiance was not why I came. I came because the reputation of Sushi Passion from their previous little counter in the Birmingham market, that I had never managed to find, was fantastic.
We ordered the first set meal for 3 – 4 people. £46, so comparable to any other sushi restaurant when split between 4 and more than enough to stuff 2 sushi fans! It wasn’t quick, in fact I think it took 45ish minutes, but they can be forgiven for that. What was brought to our table was art, just as sushi should be, just how any sushi lover dreams of sushi. Everything was beautiful, you could see it was all freshly made. We ceremoniously photographed the plater before guiltily digging in!
This is sushi as it is meant to be! The nigiri were draped with large expertly sliced pieces of tuna and salmon, the maki was well sized to accommodate a useful sized filling (they’re often so tiny!) the gunkan were wonderful, the best though was the salmon teriyaki roll, absolutely heavenly!
By far the best sushi in Birmingham, a lovely new restaurant, wonderful staff, and I will be going back, this week! 5 stars seems so inadequate…

I’ve now been to Sushi Passion 3 times — twice for dinner and once for lunch, and it has been consistently excellent every time!
I love the cosy atmosphere (this place is fairly teeny, so you definitely need to book for dinner, especially at weekends) and the enthusiasm of all who work there. The food itself is brilliant, a mix of sushi and sashimi, accompanied by the traditional Miso soup (which, if you are lucky enough to be sat at the bar area, may be delivered to you by a rather cute model train!), all fresh and delicious, and prepared in-​sight in the open kitchen behind the bar area.
The menu is easy to follow as there are photos of all the dishes, and staff are happy to make recommendations if you are unsure of what to order or if they aren’t sure you’ve ordered enough. There are Japanese beers, sake and plum wine on the menu.
I’ve been here on both a date night with my other half, and with a large group of friends (who were visiting Birmingham for the day and all very impressed with the food, including the member of the party who had been to Japan) and would recommend for either type of visit.