Atari ya in Kingston upon Thames

Review written on 7 October 2021: I have been a customer of AtariYa in Kingston for many years ever since the shop originally opened, but my visit yesterday with a friend was most disappointing. In fact, we were so disgusted that we walked out. My friend and I were both wearing masks. I have a Japanese family and I have lived, worked and travelled widely in Japan for over 45 years and have friends who run top quality sushi restaurants in Tokyo and Narita so I do know proper Japanese food. My first disappointment was the lack of sushi Bento boxes. Previously, there has always been a really good selection of excellent quality all freshly made but on this visit there was very little on display and all looking rather dull. Apart from the lack of stock, possibly caused by the present worldwide delivery problems, I was disappointed to see items which appeared to be Japanese but were not actually made in Japan. That is extremely misleading. Inspection of some of the nori seaweed packets showed that they were produced in China, similarly, some items in the freezer which were made in Vietnam. I asked the male fishmonger (not Japanese) behind the sashimi counter about this but got no answer. Of course it is not impossible to produce good quality food which is not made in its original country but I go to a Japanese food shop to buy genuine Japanese food, not food produced somewhere else. I do not eat anything from China because I do not trust their production methods due to at least one scandal in Japan involving the use of pesticides on imported Chinese products. At the sashimi fish counter at the rear of the shop there seemed to be a much smaller selection than there used to be. I ask the male fishmonger, in Japanese, for a particular fish but he didn't understand me so I repeated just the name of the fish (shime saba) and he did point to the correct fish. However, although he was wearing a mask, it was pulled down, thus exposing his nostrils. A female staff member then appeared, also wearing a mask but also not covering her nose. I asked both of them why their masks were not correctly positioned but they just smiled (I don't know why) and pulled the masks up to cover their noses but it was too late. I told them that it was disgusting to be breathing all over raw fish while the Covid pandemic is still continuing but there was no proper reply from either. These two staff members were not Japanese and the very nice Japanese gentleman who has always previously run the fish counter was not present. Two English men then came in and looked at the sushi bento items but neither was wearing a mask even while leaning over the products. The products were in plastic boxes but that is not the point. It is absolutely unimaginable that any Japanese person, either customer or staff, would lean over any food, particularly raw food, in a virus pandemic without wearing a proper mask. In Japan, staff who are preparing food in public view normally wear masks, gloves, hats and a proper uniform but, of course, this is England. I absolutely cannot imagine what Japanese people think of such low standards. I complained once before about the poor attitude of an English staff member in this shop and received an apology from AtariYa. Obviously, poor hygiene is even more important so I will be writing again to the AtariYa management. It is very important that shops purporting to be Japanese do actually give a proper good impression of their products. Very few non-Japanese people have any idea what real Japanese food is and what I saw in the shop yesterday was simply not acceptable. Other reviewers on this site have made similar criticisms. I will never go to this shop again. Nor will my friends.

I have been a customer of this shops for many years and always found it excellent. However, after moving back from abroad I found it completely changed. We ordered a large quantity of sushi and sashimi and were given the total amount to pay without a detailed note of the costing. After opening the packages at home we were not only puzzled by the small quantity of sushi and sashimi but also by the very very poor quality of the service. After a few years living in Asia the way the Japanese rice is cooked and dressed with the zushi-zu really makes a difference. The way the sashimi was cut was totally unacceptable- definetely not done by a sushi chef! Unfortunately not to be recommended any more unless Atari-ya raise their standards!

This used to be wonderful but today they were open (listing on Apple Maps says temporarily closed) with a sign asking customers to wear a mask and for only two customers to enter the shop at any one time. Seemed reasonable. When we finally came in I see that their sushi and sashimi chefs do not have face masks. The simply said they got virus tested nearly a month ago. That and the new employees lack of knowledge (all answers come from reading the back of products) makes me sad since we used to come here often. It's not what it once was.

this is a Awesome place to go for a meal foods, service Excellent i recommend this place to you all.

So me and my dad went here and we got 3 tokojyo And some sushi on the side. So I tried the toro(fatty tuna) it melts in your mouth and it is great and the uni was outstanding this coming weekend I am going there to bring home some fish 🐟.

A small Japanese supermarket with Sushi prepared to order. We stopped for lunch as they have a few tables outside and it was a sunny day. Simple to order Sushi and Sashimi made up for you, or you can choose something already packed from the cold cabinet. The kids where welcome to watch the chiefs prepare the food and enjoyed their choices. All in all very good, apart from maybe the reheating if some dishes/ingredients like teriyaki.

This is the best place in the local area to get Sushi, its often busy so it is best to order it via phone and then go a collect it. The selection of sushi options is much wider than anywhere else, they have several grades of Tuna, butter fish, yellow tail, sea bream, seabags etc whereas most places in town only really sell Salmon and Tuna.

We purchased some ready made sushi for lunch as we were in a hurry, the food was good as always and was reasonable value. This is the best place in the local area for Sushi.

This used to be my number one sushi/sashimi place and I felt lucky to live close to it for visits a few times a week. Having been away, I came along today to be met with all new Asian (not Japanese or oriental) faces. It has really changed the vibe of the place which was quintessentially Japanese. The sashimi I ordered was okay - and the sushi was okay, but neither like it used to be. Felt like going to an ITSU or similar, with all the old charm gone. This is such a shame. There is a skill to sushi and sashimi, it isn’t just raw fish and rice. That’s what my food tasted like today, the latter. It’s very, very sad

I love this place for its consistency in delivering excellent value sushi and the friendly attitude of staff. This is the best bang for buck sushi you'll get anywhere in London from the numerous places I've sampled

Enjoyed a very tasty vegan lunch before shopping trip in Kingston. 👍🏻 Staff very friendly & discussed vegan option Quick service Sushi tray with avocado, fresh peppers, cucumber and fried tofu was tasty and freshly prepared Excellent value ( couldn't eat all) Authentic Japanese 👎🏻 Limited seating ( more a take away place than café/restaurant) Too much plastic rubbish created by one meal (e.g. Why not use cardboard boxes for sushi and reusable bowls for serving miso soup?) better labelling in the shop section for non-Japanese customers

The sushi at Atari ya is excellent, they have a wide range of different types of fish and the food is very authentic. The sushi is mainly made to order so it’s best to order ahead by phone.

This is the best place to get Sushi in the local area, they serve a wide range of fish not just the typical tuna and salmon on offer in most the local restaurants, the staff are mainly Japanese and this is proper authentic sushi not the rubbish you get in the chain restaurants in the town centre.

Wimbledon, Kingston, Norbury, Croydonあたりに住んでらっしゃるならここのAtariy a Kingston店は重宝する日本食を扱う店でしょう。刺身や手巻きすし用に安心して生食できる鮮魚が揃っています。和牛も扱っており、ちょっと高額ですが、接待などでは重宝するでしょう〜乾物やだしの素、日本のお酒なども。地元の方々にも人気のショップです。

If you want to eat the best sushi in the local area this is the place to come. It is Japanese run and most people order takeaway as there is only limited room to eat in the shop. What sets this apart from the competition is the variety and the freshness of of the fish. With many of the local sushi restaurants (in particular the chain restaurants) the fish options are more or less limited to Salmon and Red Tuna. At Atari Ya there are far more options you can buy red tuna, medium fatty tuna, fatty tuna, yellow tail, salmon, mackerel, butter fish, sea bream, sea bass, scallops, octopus, squid etc.

The food is always fresh here, not necessarily the best cuts but definately not the worst. The Walayama plum wine was fabulous and you won’t hear me complaining as they are constistantly good 😍

This is the best place in Kingston to get authentic take away sushi. Its run by Japanese and many of the staff are Japanese. Unlike the numerous other sushi outlets in Kingston Atari-Ya sell a wide range of fish not just Tuna and Salmon. For example at Atari Ya you can buy Red Tuna but you can also buy medium fatty tuna and fatty tuna as well as a wide range of other types of fish including butter fish, sea bass and mackerel.

I am an usual customer and I can easily say that the sushi there is amazing. The quality of the fish is very good, the portions are generous and the staff is lovely. I really recommend this place to everyone.

Unlike a lot of sushi places in London this is run by Japanese and is the real deal. Was told about the Japanese fishmonger which sells sashimi by the Japanese teacher of my Japanese suchi cookery class. They also sell sushi boxes and make sushi to order. As you would expect, everything is of the highest quality and its has more of a range than normal sushi places. Very reasonably priced too.

Este es el mejor lugar localmente para llevar sushi, a diferencia de la mayoría de sus dirigido por japoneses y vende una amplia gama de pescado salmón y atún no sólo como los lugares en el centro de la ciudad. Es mejor pedir con antelación por teléfono, ya que puede llegar a estar muy concurrida por las noches y fines de semana.

Sushi excelente a buen precio. Puedes pedir lo que desea, y normalmente se hará de inmediato. Personal recuerda que como un cliente que vuelve. Si vas 30 minutos antes de que cierre, es 50% en aquello que se encuentra en la nevera. Aunque cuidado, regularmente venden!

Mi ex dice que el mejor lugar es el japonés Atari Ya si quiero comer comida fresca algunas hermosas/japonés. Ayer fuimos allí y tuve una enorme sorpresa. El lugar está impecablemente limpio y el personal es amable.

Si quieres comer sushi japonés adecuado aquí en lugar de cadenas de restaurantes de moda en el centro de Kingston. Comida para llevar, pero tienen un mostrador cerca de la ventana, donde se puede comer. Tienen una enorme variedad de pescados y mariscos que va mucho más allá de las habituales de salmón y atún en oferta en muchos restaurantes de sushi del Reino Unido.

this is a Japanese shop with a fresh sushi bar & food counter to eat on location or take away. it is by far the best sushi locally - prepared with care from very fresh ingredients. i use it mostly for take away as the eat-in facilities are limited but you can perch at the counter and eat in if you like.

Este es el único lugar que va principalmente por los japoneses alrededor de Kingston. La mayoría de los así llamados restaurante japonés está dirigido por el coreano. . No no es tan auténtico.

Siguiente Nivel de sushi. Diseñado para llevar más de comer en (sólo un pequeño mostrador para apoyarse en) pero la calidad es increíble.

This is by far the best quality sushi you'll find in this area, if not the South East including London. I've tried numerous other Japanese restaurants/takeaways and they don't come close, that's why I have no problem making the 45+ minute drive to Atari Ya. The fish is of superb quality and the chef is a sushi master held in high regard. The shop also offers many other Japanese food products you won't easily find elsewhere. Phone ahead to order as they get busy especially at the weekend.

Unlike the establishments down the road in New Malden which do sushi but are normally owned by Koreans (there are Japanese restaurants which give you kimchi as soon as you sit down!) this one is Japanese owned. It isn't a restaurant at all, more a shop, but in addition to buying Japanese food and fresh fish you can also buy sushi and sashimi. There are a few stools in the window to sit on and eat lunch but it is more fast-food style. Everything is made to order, and they also do good big selection boxes for events. Whenever we go to a party when everyone brings a plate we bring a sushi plate which is always welcomed!

Wasn't really huge sushi fan previously, but the sushi they make with excellent soy sauce it's just mouth watering. I have to warn you thou: you might get addicted!

Everything is top, including service from Takasan and his team. Been a regular for over 15 years. Great work.

Atari-Ya has been recently renovated, there is now a bigger emphasis on the Sushi and a counter and a few stools have been added at the front of the shop so you can now eat you sushi in the shop. The sushi menu remains unchanged and the quality is excellent as always. Its best to phone your order through and collect it, as it can be very busy at the weekend.

Been regular here for over 20 years. Good choice of fish and well prepared. Fish delivered daily. Choice of Japanese Groceries too. Pricing reasonable for Sushi/Sashimi. As it gets ever more popular, waiting times can grow particularly at weekends. This is now part of small chain. This is a shop with takeaway sashimi and sushi, they also have sushi bars and restaurants around London and operate wholesale business to other restaurants so fish is high quality and good condition. Thoroughly recommended but price is fair for Japanese which does not mean cheap. Take Visa/Mastercard (I thjink JCB) but not American Express.

I have been going to Atari ya for 10 years and they are simply outstanding. Their fish and other produce is very fresh. They are always friendly, fast and accommodating. Their prices are very good, not expensive. One of the best Japanese delis in London.

It's a take away, sells other food items, sits amongst a butcher and fishmonger of high repute.Recently refurbished, opens at 10.30amBusiness is brisk, Sushi for the most part made to order, excellent, try the California rolls with butter fish and with smoked eel.Not cheap, but the large in size when compared to the offerings by the Korean restaurents in New Malden.Don't like the green plastic decoration or that the wasabi is wrapped withe similar plastic. The ginger is perfect.

The staff are polite. The sushi is fresh and delicious with a wide variety of menu options with many vegetarian choices to less vegetarian choices like eel and octopus. They make the sushi to order which can take up to 10 minutes. This is high end restaurant grade sushi and supermarket sushi prices. Worth many visits, jealous of those who live locally. There is nowhere to sit at this particular Atari-ya branch, you get and you go.

This little Japanese market offers freshly made sushi whilst you wait. I go there once each weekend now as it's that good! It's NOT a restaurant.

Been going here for years, it's fantastic & the staff are very friendly. Freshly made Sushi to order with a good variety available.

Atari Ya is run by Japanese and is extremely popular with the Japanese living in the local area. The main attraction is the sushi both the sashimi and the maki are excellent. if you want maki its best to order in advance by telephone using the menu available on their website.

A small shop with enthusiastic Japanese staff. There is a sushi counter at the back making sushi to order, frozen cabinets with fish etc. for sale, sauces, beers, noodles, rice, snacks etc. The imported instant noodles and black Asahi beer and particularly different to be good.

Been going for Years !Staff treat me like Family , especially Mr Taka the legend!!!Superb selection of fish , 1/4 the price of the restaurants which they supply!Just go for the fish, if you order ahead of time with a collection time then it's much easier especially when it gets busy at peak times!!

Out of a small and unpretentious Japanese supermarket and fish mongers comes the most incredible and reasonably priced sushi. They also sell Japanese deli dishes including pre marinated black cod that can give nobu a run for its money. The staff are friendly and welcoming. Most staff are Japanese speaking limited English, but the owner, who is nearly always there, is always at hand with recommendations and helpful advice (such as how to best cook the black cod). The only downside is that it is only take away, and it doesn't deliver (although I'm probably out of the range anyway) so I have to make regular excuses to go to Norbiton - but it's worth every inconvenience. Also, make sure to book ahead on weekends, it gets really busy.

Excellent Japanese sushi/sashimi freshly prepared by Japanese owner and staff - takeaway in Norbiton/Kingston. Choose from pictured menu - fish is fresh and goes down well with a cold asahi beer or saki which they also sell. Never been disappointed - and all staff friendly.

I love it here, very fresh and brilliant menu to order, ideal for entertaining. The sushi is yummy! Also Japanese food in stock, worth a visit and brilliant for lunch

This is one of the best places to for Sushi in the local area. Unlike most sushi restaurants Atari Ya is run by Japanese and has many Japanese clientele, when you call them they often answer the phone in Japanese (The also speak english). The sushi is made to order its best to phone though your order using the menu on their website then turn up and collect it. Atari Ya also have a wider selection of fish than most sushi restaurants, and the take away sushi is probably about 50% cheaper than eating in one of the local restaurants.

Excellent sushi takeaway, just phone through your order using the menu on the website and collect your freshly made sushi. Atari-ya has a much wider selection of fish than most of the local sushi restaurants. The sushi chefs are Japanese so the sushi is authentic, It is also much cheaper than eating sushi in a restaurant.

Atari Ya is a little shop of wonders. It is a truly marvellous thing to be able to phone up, place an order of the most delicious sushi hand made to order and pick it up shortly after. My favourite sushi is the salmon skin inside out rolls - with extra wasabi on the side. The salmon sashimi is especially heavenly. They also stock frozen edamame beans which easily defrost ready to be seasoned with some crunchy sea salt and there you have it, bliss. Everything is reasonably priced and the service is friendly too.

The sole reason I went to this shop is because I heard the sold this beverage of the gods, but I ended up spending a fortune as I saw everything I loved from Japan! The sushi is gorgeous and the staff are so friendly and helpful. I finally learned how to make a Katsu curry and it turned out great! Very thankful for the help I got here and the endless supply of calpis! ♥

This is a great local shop for Japanese food, especially sushi. They have ta sushi takeaway menu on there website and you can phone your order through and the pop in to collect it. I have bought sushi and sashimi from here on several occasions, there is a wide selection of fish, including may varieties such as butter fish which are difficult to source locally and the quality is excellent. It is also a good value alternative to visiting a Japanese restaurant.

Excellent Japanese run shop selling Sushi and other Japanese foods. There is a sushi menu on the shops website so you can phone in and place your sushi order then come in an collect it. There is an excellent selection of fish and shell fish to choose from, the quality is excellent and the price it significantly cheaper than going to a sushi restaurant. The sushi is made fresh to order.

I've been going here for a few years now. Excellent sushi and sashimi, freshly prepared in front of you. Great service by Taka San and his team always helpful and passionate about their food. They also sell quality marinated fish, salads and nibbles.

Yes, it's not a restaurant , never said it was . It's a place where you can pick up your groceries and get takeaway sushi / sashimi & other cooked food .The fish quality is excellent , best place for proper tuna Bfin & yellowtail . Mr Taka who runs the sashimi is a legend so helpfulAlways recommend here to friends .very good value , I travel here once a week from west London .

I am so pleased to have this shop so close to my home. Over the past 20 years I have bought many authentic Japanese ingredients and have tried a number of very successful and (for my guests) popular Japanese recipes.As for the sushi ... just fantastic and whilst not cheap I would say given the quality it represents excellent value as a treat. I would highly recommend this shop. I am so pleased it is part of my local community.

There are many so called "Japanese Sushi take away" in Kingston around.But, all are NEVER serve Japanese foods except Atari-ya. These fake Japanese food restaurant /take-away restaurants are managed/coocked by Korean or Chinese, so that its taste is far from Japanese foods. We, Japanese never eat these unhealthy fake Japanese foods.If you want to eat "Real Japanese Sushi", go to Atari-ya. Atari-ya serves very fresh fish with very competitive price.

there is not a restaurant.It is just a market and 1 people trying to make kind of sushi. the taste is also not good

This is my favourite place to eat.The staff are lovely, sushi is incredible. It's ridiculously cheap for the quality of the fish. Go go go

The sushi here is fantastic , made fresh in front of you. I often get my Friday night fish fix here. Other than that you can buy Japanese ingredients from noodles, pickle to frozen foods such as edamame and goyosa. The staff here are really friendly too

Biggest & best importers of fish for Japanese restaurants n other places in London ! So obviously their own products are going to be amazing !!! Mr Taka is a legend at his store !! I usually just get sashimi & make the rice at home but they stick everything u need, groceries , cooked / frozen food , sake , veg & everything else . Also does sushi to takeaway but is advised to order ahead or be prepared to wait 15mins as its freshly made & rolled. value is excellent comparing with other places !!

The best food shop in Kingston. 他にもToGoの日本食店やスーパーマーケットにSushiとか置いてはあるが、日本人には満足できるものは無い。　Wagamamaなどの日本食とされているレストランも、日本食風レストランで、日本人客はまず居ない。　Atariyaは日本人も買いに来る、日本の味を出しているお店。レストランじゃないのが残念。

I go here every week after the gym and it never disappoints. The fish is so fresh and delicious and the staff are great. Lots of other Japanese fare sold there too, but I tend to stick to the sushi. I did once get a plate of sashimi from there and it was to die for!

This place is great! Quality always the best !!! The staff are amazing !! Go here every week without failTheir yellow tail is outstanding !! Ideal for takeaway only ! Is more of a deli / supermarket than restaurant !

I often come here for sushi - it's made fresh to order in front of you, is very reasonably priced and the staff are all so friendly. So much better than any supermarket sushi. Plus it's a Japanese deli/supermarket. Should have a much higher rating!

Sushi is made fresh to order in front of you, is very reasonably priced and staff are always so friendly. Far better than any supermarket sushi could even imagine; I come as much as I can!

Atari Ya is special. Best sushi I have ever tasted. Taka San is a nice (and famous) man and his staff produce excellent (world class) sushi to order. Today my daughter and I walked in and ordered various sushi including mackerel, tuna, salmon and squid (I forgot to ask for eel, my favourite): these were made to order and were £3-odd each. They were delectable and we could not help eating them in the car.The various eats on offer include frozen goods (kingfish, mackerel in miso, oyster meat), sauces and relishes (oyster sauces, exotice Japanese salad dressings, many soy based sauces), fresh ingredients (mushroom, tofu, seaweed), and delicious dishes prepared on the premises (tempura prawn, fried chicken, etc.). As far as alcohol is concerned, this place carries the biggest selection of Sake I've ever seen, as well as a fridge stocked with a variety of Japanese beers at very reasonable prices.There are always items on special, be they udon noodles, sesame oils, wasabi snacks or other Japanese confections. I can't go in there without spending £50. I can't get home without feeling I've robbed somebody.This place is a winner.

I love this place ! Come every week. Very high quality fish always available as they're the biggest sushi grade fish buyers in london & supply top Japanese restaurants Prices very low also. Sashimi , sushi , salads, pickles & tempura available every day. Loads of groceries from japan also. The Famous mr taka behind the counter is a legend! Staff not the best at speaking English but u get by. Really recommend this place just outside kingston in norbiton !!!

This is a food store but also has sushi sashimi for takeaway.The company buys the best fish in london and supplies top restaurants in london .Has other items like salads tempura and etc.Staff are very helpful & friendly especially the sashimi chef. The value is unbelievable , so cheap compared elsewhere ! Highly recommend this place go here very week!