Celebrated table

Ebi Sushi

Name: Ebi Sushi
Address: 59 Abbey Street, Derby, Derbyshire, DE22 3SJ, Derby, GB
Telephone: 01332 265656

A locally rooted Japanese kitchen in Derby known for seasoned rice, crisp tempura, and steady recognition from food guides.

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The story

Ebi Sushi in Derby Offers No-Frills Japanese Cooking Near Abbey Street

Roots at the Counter

Ebi Sushi in Derby operates as a straightforward Japanese kitchen, originally founded to feed workers from the nearby Toyota factory. Patrons gather around the back wall counter where the chef prepares each piece directly ahead. This layout favors a laminated two page menu over complex presentations, keeping the focus on consistent execution rather than theatrical service. Regulars of all ages share the same space while waiting for plates that move quickly through the pass.

Seasoned Rice and Crisp Textures

The kitchen balances temperature and texture across every plate, starting with cold soba noodles served alongside a light dipping sauce. Fried soft shell crab tempura arrives with a delicate crust that gives way to sweet meat, while mixed prawn and vegetable tempura offers a contrasting crunch. Assorted pieces feature carefully portioned roe gunkan and scallop nigiri resting on temperate rice wrapped in fresh nori. These preparation methods prioritize precise seasoning over heavy sauces or elaborate garnishes.

Steady Service and Local Recognition

Guests typically finish their meal with a simple scoop of green tea ice cream before settling the bill. The team maintains swift service and reasonable pricing, qualities that have earned this establishment a place in The Good Food Guide. Visitors appreciate the calm environment where conversation flows easily between the counter stools and tables during typical Japanese dining hours. A selection of imported beers, sake bottles, and a minimal wine list complete the experience without overwhelming the kitchen’s straightforward philosophy.

Recognition

Awards & accolades

2026

The Good Food Guide

Good

Details

At a glance

The Good Food Guide 2026 — Good

Cuisines Japanese

History

On the record

2026

The Good Food Guide — Good

‘Truly a local restaurant in the best sense,’ noted one reporter after a visit to this easy-going Japanese eatery originally set up to feed workers from Derby’s Toyota factory. Inside, you’ll find a ‘mixed bag of regulars, including children, merrily eating sushi and a chef working at the counter on the back wall’. The laminated menu is a simple two-pager; you can stay with this or simply see what’s coming from the kitchen – perhaps cold soba noodles with a light dipping sauce, fabulously fried soft-shell crab tempura and equally good mixed prawn-veg tempura, assorted sushi with a lovely roe gunkan and scallop nigiri. Each morsel is perfectly balanced with melt-in-the-mouth nori around perfectly seasoned 'temperate' rice. To finish, a scoop of green-tea ice cream should do the trick. This is not rarefied omakase; it’s no-frills Japanese dining, made even better with a bottle of Japanese beer, a cup of sake or something from the minimal wine list. Service is swift and bills are reasonable – no wonder this place is ‘obviously well-known among Derby’s fish fans’.

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Established

Location

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59 Abbey Street, Derby, Derbyshire, DE22 3SJ
Derby, United Kingdom
01332 265656