Wasabi Sushi and Bento

Decided to have something to eat before going to Be at one cocktail bar launch day… And ended up here.
It was 5.20pm and few people were sat eating and others looking in the fridges. One fridge was empty so I looked at each shelf. I ended up with a soup noodle as I love soup noodle, took a mochi and a green tea drink.
They heated up the soup (I didn’t see if he just added water or stock … I wish I was taller to look over the counter ha ha they take credit cards which is great and I had to ask for a receipt!
There are lots of tables and benches to sit at though you can takeway food. My noodles were not as soft as I normally like them but it was fine. I didn’t eat the mochi so I put it in my bag and ate it later!
The green tea came in a metal bottle which dented easily so not that nice to look at as people generally don’t like dented tins. I wasn’t that keen on this green tea but it maybe because I been drinking fruity green tea and this was plain green tea. I took it home too and will try finish it tomorrow!
It’s good place to get something different. Next time I should try the bento!

Birmingham New Street station was for years one of the worst stations in the UK. Hideously ugly and mostly under what seemed liked interminable construction, I dreaded my regular commutes through there.
But I immediately took back all the whingeing once I saw the finished (actually not quite finished as they are still building the tram line which seems to be taking approx 100 years) product. There is a John Lewis INSIDE the station. The station is BEAUTIFUL. There are so many CUISINES available. So many FANCY SHOPS. I honestly would borderline go to Birmingham just to visit this station at this point (although I of course would also visit Harborne, the Jewellery Quarter and the museum).
***as an aside, this would all be way more appealing were the train line from Manchester to Birmingham not an absolute joke. 2 poo-​smelling direct services an hour with only 4 carriages (so it’s always rammed, no matter what time of the day) and a 1h30 journey time is ridiculous and the fact this is not a priority over the connections to London is nonsensical***
Despite the choice, Wasabi is my go to because it’s so quick to pick up some sushi, some red mochi and some aloe vera juice and then head to my train where I anti-​socially eat raw fish for the first leg of the journey to Wolverhampton.
It’s not cheap but I think the quality is very good, I normally get the rainbow set and have never been disappointed. IF ONLY such a sushi place existed in any of the Manc stations. Wasabi does also have two outlets in Leeds, where I also had a positive experience.
The hot food doesn’t appeal to me much but the miso soup was fine.

A little expensive but the sushi here at Wasabi is the best you’re going to get on the go. Situated on the lower level of Grand Central this little place is great to grab some quick, healthy food.
The hot food is not worth bothering with in my opinion. It is often left to sit under the heaters, and each time I think I’ll give it another chance, I am left disappointed and hungry. And at these prices, that isn’t a good thing.
The individual sushi pieces work out quite expensive so I would suggest a box set instead. Unfortunately the chiller cabinet keeps these a little colder than the optimum sushi eating temperature. I have to leave the sushi a little while before eating it. But I always enjoy the sushi boxes from Wasabi, and think it’s a great addition to the station food outlets.
There are several tills open at busy times, but I have been made to wait because someone is finishing in five minutes and is just hanging around the fringes ready to go. A little annoying but not enough to put me off.

Wasabi is a good quick service option in Birmingham New Street Station! I’ve visited branches in London, but I am particularly happy with the new location– well located, well designed. The sushi is incredibly fresh. Above expectations for a takeaway sushi chain– honestly, on par with some of the other sushi places in Birmingham.
The eat-​in fees though seem steeper than other places… maybe it’s my imagination as I’ve been told it’s just the standard VAT and the law in places that aren’t takeaway, but they don’t even serve anything on dishes that need washing… they just put the pre-​packaged box on a tray. I recommend getting your food to take away and then you can still sit and eat in the provided seating area… no one seems to mind, just throw out your own rubbish ;) There’s not much of an ‘in’ to eat in.
I also have found that while the shelves are always pretty well-​stocked, there often isn’t a lot of variety. I think the favorites probably sell out early!
Anyways, the food is very good. A solid option when you’re on the go and you’re tired of meal deals!

Wasabi Sushi and Bento has become my go-​to casual dining restaurant in the Birmingham New Street Station. Until recently, I did not know that they are a chain based in London where they have many, many locations. Although they have been around for a decade, the new brum outpost is one of only four outside of the capital. Count us lucky then, to have access to their wide variety of Sushi and Bento food items.
The set-​up is akin to a very large cold case you would find at the front of pretty much any take-​away place in town. It’s separated out by sushi boxes, salads, individual sushi pieces, bento bowls, and a behind the glass deli section. You can choose to go with one of their pre-​selected sushi boxes, or choose pieces a la carte. Wasabi claims to be the first outlet in the UK to offer individually wrapped sushi pieces.
There are fortunately a ton of vegetarian options, from seaweed sushi, inari tofu, vegetable sushi, pumpkin croquettes, several tofu curries, and tofu yakisoba. I’ve dined here over five times already and I still haven’t covered half of their non meat meals. Although it’s not explicitly posted, all of the items are up-​charged if you eat in instead of take-​away by substantial margins. The seating is modern, open, and airy, which means you’ll have to deal with the frigid temperatures of New Street Station during the winter. I suggest getting your sushi as take away, and chow down at one of the benches further into the station.
The sushi uses high quality ingredients, and unlike other spaces in the station, the food is made in their kitchen behind the outlet. So far, my favourites are their tofu sushi pieces, either as futomaki or the tofu nigiri, as well as the interesting pumpkin croquette set. The price points are affordable, especially for New Street/​Grand Central. Two individual tofu nigiri pieces are only £1.50. My only fault with Wasabi is that it seems like most of the food is prepared in the morning with only certain items being refreshed throughout the day. If you arrive for dinner, you may find the items you planned on eating are no longer in stock. Overall you can buy a substantial meal at Wasabi, and both your wallet and stomach will feel good about it.

I’m a big fan of the Wasabi chain and their yakisoba are my go to if I’m hungry at a station. This is one of the branches which, instead of counter service, has prepackaged meals. So I can’t get just yakisoba, I have to combine it with with a sauce dish. Fine by me, because the spicy chicken is pretty tasty. Don’t bother with the teriyaki — it’s just bland.
This Wasabi is the nicest I’ve come across as far as the seating area goes — not surprising since its in the flashy new New Street station. It’s shiny, new and well laid out.

I’m a massive fan of Wasabi, I love the premise that sushi and asian food can be fast food and not a sit down meal and this coming to Birmingham is awesome.
I love the sushi selection which is made fresh all the time and you can ask for a fresh batch to be made up if you want.
The hot food is served quickly and actually tastes pretty decent, there is a nice seating area and a good selection of drinks including some Japanese juices which have awesome flavours.
Food can be eaten in it served in a takeaway box with chopsticks or cutlery. I really think this is a great addition too new street

All I can say is Yum!
Thank goodness for this wonderful location in the Birmingham New Street Train Station!
Quick, easy, plenty of options, open late, take away bag provided, dessert options, need I say more?
Well, the box I had contained delicious salmon sushi with a soy sauce packet, wasabi packet, and ginger packet. At the till the guy threw in some chopsticks and a serviette… and I was on my way.
There was also included a small portion of tasty edamame and seaweed salad. I also bought the red bean pancake for dessert.
I will definitely eat at this place again. Hands down best fresh sushi I’ve enjoyed in a long time!

I really like the concept and prices of Wasabi Sushi and Bento in New Street Station. Located in the main walking thoroughfare, this spot is incredibly convenient for a quick bite on the way, during a layover, or when it’s just too rainy/​cold outside to be bothered walking about.
Seth S. and I tried Wasabi for the first time last week. I chose a chicken curry bento box and matcha filled pancake for dessert. He got a veg sushi sampler plus two individually wrapped tofu sushis. All food is ready to grab and go. I’ve never seen individually wrapped sushi before — what a cool concept — makes for easy meal customization at a great price.
The chicken curry bento is delightful (though arguably not very Japanese). Packaging is a little excessive, but it keeps each food item separated so as not to get soggy or over saturated. The chicken is breaded in panic crumbs and fried. It is moist, tender and light — not greasy in the slightest. I loved the flavors in the burry — it’s a brown curry with ginger and onion undertones. It’s thinner than Indian curries, however, and there are no spoons so it was a bit messy. The matcha filled pancake is soft, moist and perfectly balanced in terms of sweetness. It was the perfect pudding to cap off a warm gingery meal.
Seating at Wasabi is plentiful. Being in the train station, it is open, airy and minimally decorated. Dining is self-​service and as with other food options in the station, prices vary for eat in vs. takeaway.

Grabbed something quickly as I hungrily waited for a friend’s train to arrive. All of the food looks so amazing, I kinda wanted it all… despite being a vegetarian. There are still lots of veggie options however so I went for a seaweed wrap which was £1.99 for a less than small palm sized triangular seaweed wrap with rice inside. Kind of expensive for what it is but divinely yummy and gorgeous. Will return to try a main meal instead of just a snack but I am not looking forward to the price

I kind of stalked this place while it was being completed — like some grand central goblin. Kept checking to see when it would be completed, really excited to have somewhere to buy this kind of food — I’m biased because I love it!
They open from 8 on the weekdays which is a little disappointing because I’ve usually passed through by then on almost all of my shift patterns except 1. So I can’t always buy lunch but that’s probably best as it is a little pricey for what it is. 1.99 for an onigiri — for a 2 minute walk out of the station you can get a baguette for £1 from Meal Deal. But it does taste good, I’ve almost mastered getting into the packaging as well. You can mix and match your own sushi, picking up individual choices to suit your tastes.
There’s also hot and filling options, chicken Katsu Donburi and curries; served in what are like smaller KFC buckets. They are about £6.99 which is expensive when you can go and have a sit down meal for the same but then you remember your in the middle of the stations concourse and you can suddenly understand the pricing.
The staff seem pretty friendly, there can be a bit of a delay putting the food out in the morning just after 8. But it’s just usually me lurking around then anyway. A quick request and they’ve either found or made what I wanted.
I really like this place and think it’s a good addition to the station for travellers and commuters with a hunger for this type of food.