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Sushi Revolution, founded by friends and colleagues Tom Blackshaw and Aidan Bryan, is a modern interpretation of a traditional Japanese Izakaya. Having just opened a second site on Shoreditch’s Curtain Road, we chatted to Tom about the restaurant’s menu, his love of Japanese food and exciting future plans:

What first got you into cooking Japanese food?

(Left to right, founders Tom Blackshaw and Aidan Bryan)

While cooking in a hotel in Switzerland I met an American sushi chef called Peter Sol Rogers who was known as ‘Sushi Pete’. He was from Oregon via Los Angeles and had this larger-than-life charisma and attitude and his sushi was just amazing. I asked him to take me on as his apprentice and I started learning from him. Then the more I learned, the more I loved it and now 15 years later I haven’t done anything else!

What made you choose Shoreditch for your second site?

We chose Shoreditch and The Stage specifically as it’s an amazing new development. We will be right opposite the new ‘Museum Of Shakespeare’ where you will be able to actually go and stand on the old foundations of the original Curtain Theatre which is pretty cool. The Stage Plaza is fantastic and once everything is open, it will be an amazing destination. Our landlord has also been incredibly supportive in helping us open our second restaurant.

What makes you unique as a restaurant brand? 

We believe in old-school hospitality so we aim to serve good food and drinks, at a good price, in a good venue, served by good people. Our food is a modern interpretation of a traditional Izakaya, with a great range of dishes that hopefully everyone can enjoy whether they like fish or not.

What do you love about Japanese food?

Eating it! But also the traditions, techniques and skills required to prepare it. I embrace the Japanese philosophy of ‘Kaizen’ which is daily improvement little by little. It takes many years to master the skills required to serve great Japanese food. Am I a master yet? Ask me tomorrow!

What’s your favourite dish on the menu?

As a chef I’m inherently greedy, so my favourite dish is normally the last dish I had to eat. But if I had to pick one maybe our Tuna Tartar which comes with avocado, goat’s cheese and a delicious truffle onion miso dressing.

Name your three favourite London restaurants (apart from your own): 

Smokestak –  just down the road from us in Shoreditch. Such great food and always a great night out. Try the charred pork belly rib or pastrami, so delicious.

Bar Kroketa – they have sites in Soho and Marylebone. We always sit at the counter and order loads of tapas. I love the ‘Gilda’ which is a guindilla pepper, anchovy and olives on a skewer.  They also serve Mahou lager in chilled glasses which is excellent!

Honest Burger – Great burgers and amazing chips at a great price. Love the monthly specials, anything with truffle mayo and shoestring fries I’m ordering!

What’s next for Sushi Revolution?

Hopefully more restaurants! We would love to open more sites around London, and maybe one day even outside of the capital would be amazing.

For more information on Sushi Revolution, see here