Issa Sushi, Best Japanese Restaurant in the UK, expands from Worthing to Hove, with third branch planned in Chichester for January

Sahil Ahmad and his older brother Samir were proud to win the Asian Curry Awards 2022 title for Issa Sushi, in South Street, Worthing, and have now expanded the restaurant to open Issa Sushi in Church Road, Hove.

There was a soft launch on Wednesday, December 14, and more excitement to come, with plans to open another Issa Sushi branch in Chichester in mid-January.

Samir said: "We really appreciate the support, especially us opening these restaurants at a young age of 18 and 23. All the support has been great."

He said the openings followed the success of being named Japanese Restaurant of the Year.

Sahil was also named Chef of the Year 2022 and Spice I Am in Goring, where he is executive chef, was named the best Thai restaurant in the UK at the Asian Curry Awards 2022.

Sahil was raised in Worthing and his passion for food grew as he watched his father Minhaz Nasir, founder of The Lemon Grass Group, prepare authentic Thai dishes, chopping, preparing, crafting and cooking using his own herbs and spices. He has been cooking since he was seven and sees food preparation as a work of art, to be adored on a plate and the palate, too.

Sahil said: "It was one of the most incredible nights for our industry. Achieving this at the young age of 18 is truly a remarkable achievement. We are truly humbled and honoured because there were some very tough and excellent finalists."