In a basement unit on Deanhaugh Street, Kenji Sushi is a dining destination you have to intentionally seek out rather than one you simply stumble upon. But once you descend the stairs and step inside, the fragrant noodles and delicate sushi rolls quickly overwhelm the senses. Over the handful of years I’ve lived in Edinburgh, I’ve never seen it empty. After dining at Kenji, it’s clear why.
That constant buzz has earned the restaurant a loyal following among Stockbridge locals and Edinburgh regulars alike; it’s been a fixture of the neighbourhood’s food scene for the past decade. The interiors are dotted with red lanterns that hang from the ceilings and a Japandi style that shapes the space – light wood, leafy plants lining the entryway and bamboo room dividers separating a handful of tables – cultivating an environment that feels both tranquil and sociable. One thing to note: the seating is somewhat eclectic, with traditional tables alongside four-person booths that can be tricky to access. Something worth keeping in mind for anyone with mobility concerns.
Kenji is a sushi restaurant I’m confident I’ll be returning to again and again
As my husband and I made our way to our table along the side wall, I was immediately struck by not only the dishes passing by but by the pottery that framed them. With every morsel of food set atop a differently designed piece of tableware, each felt like a small, curated work of art.
Once seated, we opened our menus to a plethora of food and drink options, spending longer than usual poring over the offerings: small plates like aubergine goma and cold dishes such as tuna tataki, to the main event of sushi in all its forms, including nigiri, sashimi, maki, temaki and rolls. And that’s before even reaching the back half of the menu, where images of tonkotsu ramen, donburi and stonebowl fried rice made deciding what to order all the more difficult.
In terms of beverages, it was a weeknight, so we made the difficult decision to pass on the sake – although next time, I have my eye on the Masumi “Okuden” Junmai from Nagano, Japan. Also on the list for a return visit? The ramen and donburi, as we found ourselves seduced this time by the extensive range of sushi rolls. Arriving hungry, we ordered five to start, gravitating towards salmon- and tuna-based options.
Crazy Tuna and Crazy Salmon Rolls
Dynamite Roll
Red Dragon and Volcano Rolls
Dishes arrive as they’re ready, and the first to appear was the Dynamite Roll – six pieces of soft-shell crab tempura with salmon, avocado, and jalapeño, topped with tempura flakes, teriyaki sauce and spring onion. It delivered exactly what the name promised, a satisfying crunch from the crab and tempura flakes, balanced by the richness of the salmon and avocado, with the jalapeño adding a gentle heat.
If the Dynamite Roll set the tone, the next two dishes raised the bar even higher. The Red Dragon Roll and Volcano Roll arrived, both a sight to behold. The former was a delicately composed lineup of prawn tempura and cucumber, topped with torched salmon, mayo and flying fish roe. The latter, by contrast, took on a more dramatic form: an eye-catching tower of prawn tempura, avocado and cucumber, finished with a creamy sauce, flying fish roe, spring onion and dried shredded chilli.
While we devoured both, the Volcano Roll’s sauce proved a touch too heavy for my personal liking, overwhelming the combination of flavours beneath. The Red Dragon Roll, however, stood out as one of the best I’ve had, striking that ideal balance between a crunchy interior, a small dollop of sauce and lightly charred salmon edges that brought both texture and depth to each bite.
Just as I was savouring the final bites of the Red Dragon Roll, our server delivered our final two plates: the Crazy Salmon Roll and the Crazy Tuna Roll. Nearly identical aside from the protein, we were persuaded to order both after wavering between them. Each featured asparagus, avocado and cucumber, topped with sesame, spicy salmon or tuna, spring onion and tempura flakes. They proved easy to eat, delivering a gentle heat that added interest without overpowering the freshness of the fillings.
Despite it taking a little extra time to catch our server’s attention for the bill, we didn’t mind lingering, people-watching and rounding off what had been a thoroughly comforting sushi dinner. Even as we stepped out the door, diners continued to file in well past 9 p.m., greeted by the same lively atmosphere we’d experienced all evening. Clearly, its popularity shows no sign of fading anytime soon. And I can attest: it’s a sushi restaurant I’m confident I’ll be returning to again and again.
24 Deanhaugh Street
Edinburgh
EH4 1LY
April 2026
