Ireland has a real paucity of Japanese restaurants and it is disappointingly difficult to find made-to-order sushi.

Mitsuba, named after a Japanese herb, has set out to rectify this, in a small premises on Dublin’s northside. Surrounded by Chinese and Korean restaurants, this may seem like a token nod to another Asian cuisine, but one meal here will dispel any sense of gimmickry.

With bright red signage, it’s easy to find and the warm welcome from hospitable staff marks the beginning of an unusual and very enjoyable dining experience. Pleasant Japanese pop music creates a nice ambience and there’s an immediate sense of quality.

The vast menu offers a selection of Japanese lunch dishes including varied bento boxes, donburi bowls and teppanyaki specials served with complimentary miso soup, green tea, vegetables and rice.

This Dublin restaurants dinner menu offers other hot favourites like noodle ramen, teriyaki and grilled meats and fish. Lest the Japanese names confuse you, the charming staff will happily explain the intricacies of each authentic dish.

While the hot dishes are well executed it is the sushi that is Mitsuba’s real star draw. Made-to-order at a special counter in the narrow dining room, you can choose from nigiri, sashimi, temaki and makimono using scallops, flying fish roe, squid, shrimp, salmon, tuna, mackerel and octopus.

Especially delicious is the spicy eel roll and California temaki. Beautifully crafted and bursting with fresh flavours you’ll never settle for conveyor-belt sushi again.

A short wine list offers 15 bottles under €22, but we recommend a Japanese or Asian beer to accompany the food.

Offering superb value for money Mitsuba’s quality cuisine is delivered by super-friendly staff in a comfortable, upbeat dining space.

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