Sticks 'n' Sushi From sashimi to yakitori

Gastro chains are rarely represented in our portfolio. And yet, every now and then, there are those that are so good that we simply can't pass them by. This time we visit Sticks 'n' Sushi, the chain of high-quality Japanese restaurants from Denmark.

Almost thirty years ago, the founders Jens Rahbek Hansen, Thor Andersen and Kim Rahbek Hansen opened the first Sticks 'n' Sushi restaurant in Copenhagen. The idea came to them during a trip to Japan, during which they particularly liked the yakitori restaurants, i.e. grill restaurants where mainly grilled sticks are served.

Yakitori combined with sushi and international influences make up the essence of Sticks 'n' Sushi. The concept caught on quickly in Copenhagen. New branches gradually followed throughout the city, until they expanded to London and later Berlin. There are now three branches here, the "flagship" in Potsdamer Straße, the somewhat smaller and more personal restaurant in Kantstraße, and brand new: the smallest and thus most intimate branch in Torstraße.

Sticking with the basics, let's visit the Potsdamer Strasse branch. The restaurant is very spacious, with a large dining room and more seats at the gallery on the first floor. The interior is simple chic: dark furniture between white and grey walls, a free-standing bar and an elongated, open kitchen.

The menu reads quality and versatile. Different menu combinations are possible, as well as your own composition. The selection clearly goes beyond yakitori sticks and sushi. The aim is to cater for everyone - even those who don't like sushi or eat vegetarian or vegan food. Accordingly, the selection is difficult - a luxury problem indeed.

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One menu, in particular, stands out for us: "As Good as it gets" is, according to service staff Eleni, the perfect combination of sticks 'n' sushi dishes. She does not exaggerate. Even the grilled edamame as a starter has a special touch that sets the mood for the versatile menu. The mixed concept is reflected in the following plates: finger bites with Wagyu tartar, Greek kataifi with scallops and miso aioli. Both are very fine and harmonious.

The following raw delicacies are the menu's highlight: Salmon carpaccio, tuna tartare, scallop ceviche and especially the lightly seared tuna tataki virtually melt in your mouth and are further enhanced in flavour by individual sauces.

We were so impressed by the selection that the following sushi is almost a bit difficult. But only almost. Because just like the skewers of cod and duck meatballs that conclude the menu, the three shrimp sushi rolls are excellent.

Despite the size of the restaurant, the service is fast, friendly and competent. You can feel the excellent cohesion of the team, which is just as international as the menu. The mixed concept of Sticks 'n' Sushi proves that even restaurant chains with the right concept can offer high-quality restaurant experiences.

Maximilian Zeh

Marketing & PR