Hi Sushi Salsa aims to happily marry Japanese and Latin cuisine, but can two flavours from such different cultural backgrounds really find happiness?

The Venue:
Hi Sushi Salsa is perched prettily on the edge of Camden Lock, with indoor and outdoor tables. And although you can sit outside and defy the smoking ban, inside’s where all the action is. From the tiny bridge and waterfall fountain at the entrance to the sunken sushi bar in the centre, the decor of this restaurant is all high style. The tables are Japanese style and sunken into the floor, and diners sit on red and blue cushions whilst their feet kick freely in the holed out space underneath.

The Atmosphere
The crowd is upmarket Camden, with plenty of well-to-do trendy media types and local workers but nary a Mohawk or studded belt to be seen. Service is friendly and everyone all seem to have smiles on their faces – having to twist and crawl along the floor in order to get into your seat means you can’t be the kind of person who takes yourself too seriously, although hopefully the wait staff won’t wind up with too many back problems from crouching down to take orders.

The Food
Hi Sushi Salsa bills itself as a combination of the best in Latin and Japanese flavours, and they’ve got at least half of it right. The sushi is fantastic and fresh, with dozens of types to choose from. If you’re not sure what to pick, go for a set – the Superior Set has salmon, tuna, shrimp, octopus, mackerel, clam, squid and sea bass, a delicious mix of old favourites and more interesting cuts. Sides to try include slightly spicy sticks of fried tofu and the searingly hot vegetable gyoza, which are so good that you’ll burn your tongue from trying to eat them too fast.

When it comes to the whole fusion aspect, it’s unfortunately a bit hit or miss. The salsa style rock shrimps are succulent, lightly battered and covered in a creamy sauce, but the fatty and chewy duck tataki bears no resemblance to the dish on the menu. Although there’s no real dessert menu, if you still have room after your mains make sure you try the sesame ice cream, which is sweet, surprisingly purplish and packed with tiny sesame seeds.

The Drink
The well-priced cocktails fare a little better with fusing Latin and Japanese flavours. Try the green tea mojito, which is made with green tea sugar syrup and a dash of apple juice, or the pomegranate margarita.

The Last Word
If you’re under the impression that combining Latin and Japanese flavours can’t be done, you’ll never know unless you give Hi Sushi Salsa a try – and if you’re not a fan of the results, there’s always the sushi to fall back on.

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