Behind this unpromising facade in Ealing Common hungry diners find some of London’s best Japanese fishy delights. A beacon in the quest for affordable, fresh sushi and sashimi in the capital, it’s worth the trip out West for those who like their piscine life served cold.

The Venue
From the outside, this looks nothing special – in fact, the white windows make it impossible to see in at all, and there’s little indication it’s actually a restaurant. Inside, the appearance is slightly canteen-like, with guests sitting at small Formica tables or at the sushi bar watching the food preparation. There’s not a lot of space here, and the packed seats give an impression of good things to come.

The Atmosphere
It’s clear this is a place people visit for the food, rather than for decor or service. Yet somehow, its clean and simple setting is fitting – it has the genuine sobriety of sushi restaurants in Japan, where customers don’t come for the frippery, but for the fish – and the presence of many Japanese guests is testament to the continuation of that tradition. Be aware that the restaurant takes cash only, and has rather eccentric opening hours; lunch starts at 11am and stops at precisely 1.30pm, and no food is generally served after 9pm, meaning this isn’t one for a glamorous night out.

The Food
Anything lacking in the decoration and demeanor of the staff is more than made up for by the quality of the melt in the mouth food – it’s here that the restaurant comes into its own. There’s no tempura, noodles or other Japanese staples on offer here. Instead, sushi and sashimi are the name of the game; the focus is on simple, top quality fresh fish, prepared beautifully and served efficiently.

Guests choose from a huge variety of fish, served with proper Japanese rice in a bowl (chirashi) or presented on a wooden chopping board. Nigiri starts from £1 a piece, while sushi rolls begin at £2. More expensive rolls such as sea eel cucumber are around £3.20, while the more pricey fishes such as turbot and crab are between £2.20 and £2.40 for sashimi. Particular highlights include the soft but meaty tuna belly and succulent abalone.

A few of the fish are characteristically rubbery, but by-and-large the sushi is excellent quality. The mixed selections are excellent value and enable you to try a great selection of fish – Deluxe Nigiri is £12 for 10 pieces, while a Deluxe Chirashi will set you back around £16. For the inexperienced, helpful posters adorn the walls so you can see which fish you’re eating. Novices be warned – genuine wasabi is used here, and it can blow your eyeballs out. Be sure to have a glass of water handy.

The Drink
Sushi Hiro’s drinks menu includes several hot and cold sakes starting at around £5.50 for a large flask. You can select dry, mild or sweet according to taste. Japanese beers retail from about £2.20 and include Asahi and Kirin Ichiban. For something a little different, the plum wine is quite sweet with a strong hint of almond – an interesting accompaniment to the cold dishes on offer. It’s £4.50 for a generous glass.

The Last Word
Unless you like raw fish, forget this one as there’s nothing else to eat apart from maybe some plain rice. If you do like traditional sushi and sashimi, it’s a steal. While not the ideal venue for a romantic evening or lingering meal with friends, this is a great place for lunch or a snack before a night out in West London and it remains one of the most authentic Japanese restaurants in the capital.

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