When you’re serving food in the bustling heart of Manchester longevity means quality. It takes a lot to make things work, and even more to keep that up over many years. Samsi, situated on a Whitworth Street corner close to the Gay Village, is testament to what can happen when the right ingredients are tossed together — great interior design meets flavourful dishes, prepared with authenticity and seasonality at the front of mind. Iconic cherry blossoms overhead, original artwork on the walls, a sensory delight plucked straight from the Far East on your plate.
“The Japanese culinary tradition, also known as Washoku, is not just about sushi or ramen, but an intricate dance of flavours, colours, and textures. Its deep-seated roots in seasonal availability and age-old practices ensure that each dish is a celebration of balance and simplicity,” explain the team at Samsi, proudly referring to what makes the cuisine itself so special, and the reason why this particularly establishment has stood out for so long. Of course, all that could be phrased a little faster — if you’re eating here it’s going to be very good. The menu has a number of highlights, and as such the three set price offers — Sakura, Samurai Feast, and Kabuki — are popular choices, each allowing you to try a number of different items across starter, main and dessert courses.
In addition to excellent service, Samsi is well-known for its freshly-prepared sushi, including Norimaki, Sashimi, Uramaki, and Temaki, although there’s plenty more happening here besides. Light bites range from takoyaki octopus and crispy gyozas to chicken karaage, giving an idea of the overall scope on offer. Teriyaki & shichimi, katsu, yakisoba noodles, and nabe yaki udon all have their own dedicated menu sections. Ideal when accompanied by the impressive selection of sakes, Japanese whiskeys, beers and wines, with a number of non-alcoholic drinks also hand-picked to compliment the food.