Tobiko

Tobiko operates almost entirely as a takeaway counter, serving the kind of fatty tuna and yellowtail usually reserved for sit-down dining. You won’t find a dining room here – the interior is strictly functional, consisting of little more than a service counter where staff assemble orders for collection. While there are a few seats on the pavement outside for groups of two, the setup is designed for people who are already on their way somewhere else. The kitchen prioritizes ingredient quality over the heavy sauces often found in grab-and-go sushi. The menu allows you to build a custom box piece by piece, selecting specific cuts like sea bass, hamachi, or ikura gunkan. Hand rolls, such as spicy tuna, are made to order rather than sitting in a fridge, ensuring the seaweed stays crisp. For those not looking for raw fish, the shop serves hot rice bowls, including grilled eel unagi don and a popular chicken katsu curry. Given the location in Covent Garden, the lunch rush is significant. Regulars often order online to secure a discount and skip the queue that forms at the door. Portions are packed carefully, with distinct containers for soy sauce, ginger, and wasabi to keep flavors clean until you find a place to eat.