Home-based Japanese takeaway Sumo Sushi launches in Ashford
05:00, 26 March 2022
A new sushi takeaway that has launched in Ashford is hoping to set a trend for home-based businesses in the town.
Husband and wife team Swee Hoh and Hui Cheng from Singleton launched Sumo Sushi on March 1 which serves authentic home-cooked Japanese cuisine.
Mr Hoh has more than 10 years experience cooking Japanese food having previously worked as a chef in the Nippon Izakaya restaurant in North Finchley.
But since moving to Ashford a year ago, and struggling with the commute, the 40-year-old quit his job in London and decided to set up the home-based business which he describes as 'a takeaway, just without the shop'.
He added: "I have always liked cooking and I learned to cook different cuisines as a kid but I then moved into Japanese foods.
"We use all the same methods as takeaways and we serve dishes you would find in a Japanese restaurant in London, instead we just do it from home."
Customers can place orders by filling out a form through WhatsApp and selecting a collection time between 5.30pm and 9.30pm.
Mr Hoh will then prepare the fresh food in his kitchen, which has a five star hygiene rating, before Miss Cheng takes it to the collection point in the car park at Singleton Village Hall.
Sumo Sushi hopes to fill a gap in the market as the only independent sushi takeaway in Ashford.
Yo! Sushi and Wagamama at the Designer Outlet are the only other restaurants serving Japanese foods in the town but these are part of international chains.
There used to be Aji in New Rents but that closed and is now the Aji Bhaji Restaurant and Indian Takeaway.
Miss Cheng, 32, added: "People can order at least an hour before their purchase time or pre-order for a later date on their phone.
"We will make it fresh and I will take it to the hall for them to pick.
"Even the ingredients we’re using are from leading suppliers which makes us different from other home-based businesses.
"We have fresh food and even though it's made at home, it's the same as a takeaway shop.
"We want to start a new trend for home-based food businesses."
To celebrate their launch, Sumo Sushi is offering 20% off all orders placed in March.
Their signature dish is the sumo sushi roll which has eel, prawn, tamago, pickle, cucumber, sesame, sweet soya and tobiko.
The Dragon and Firecracker uramaki closely followed by the Katsu curry, have also proved popular.
Vegetarian and vegan options are also available.
To find out more on how to order, click here.