Supermarket sushi often gets a bad rap, and after tasting several selections, it's clear why. The bar is low, but not all products are terrible. Our main concerns were freshness and sustainability, as fish stocks are depleted and open-water aquaculture can harm the environment. Only two products had third-party certifications. We rated based on quality, freshness, certifications, and inclusion of condiments (soy sauce, wasabi, pickled ginger).
Best Overall: Taiko Smoked Salmon Deluxe
£6.85 for 291g at Waitrose (£2.35/100g) ★★★☆☆
The freshest and most skilfully made sushi, rolled fresh in store. Includes 14 pieces: nigiri, lettuce rolls, hosomaki, and smoked salmon, red pepper, and rocket rolls. Comes with soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi. No third-party certification, but Taiko is a member of the Sustainable Seafood Coalition.
Best Bargain: Sainsbury’s Fish Sushi Selection
£3.30 for 150g at Sainsbury’s (£2.20/100g) ★★☆☆☆
A king prawn and smoked salmon nigiri, a sweet chilli and MSC-certified cold-water prawn California roll, an RSPCA-assured cured Scottish salmon California roll, and two veggie hosomaki. Overcooked rice, only soy sauce. One of the few with third-party certification.
M&S Kando Classic Fish Selection
£6 for 167g at Zoom by Ocado (£3.59/100g) ★★★☆☆
Eight pieces: king prawn and avocado California roll, reverse surimi roll, tuna and cabbage roll, king prawn and Scottish salmon nigiri, and cucumber hosomaki. Firm, well-cooked rice. Soy sauce, ginger, and wasabi. Good traceability; M&S sources responsibly.
Yo! Ultimate Catch
£6 for 279g at Co-op (£2.15/100g) ★★☆☆☆
12 pieces: four prawn and salmon nigiri, four California rolls (MSC-certified surimi, avocado, sesame, and salmon, cucumber, sesame), and four veggie hosomaki. Tired but enjoyable. Soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi.
Tanpopo Montaro Sushi
£5.75 for 257g at Ocado (£2.24/100g) ★★☆☆☆
Eight pieces: salmon and prawn nigiri, tuna and chicken maki rolls. Includes all three condiments. Overcooked but firm rice, plenty of fresh protein. Almost three stars, but no certification or clear sustainability.
Tesco Smoked Salmon, Tuna & Prawn Sushi
£3.30 for 136g at Tesco (£2.43/100g) ★☆☆☆☆
Seven pieces: tasty sriracha prawn California roll, underfilled tuna mayo California roll, three salmon hosomaki. Firm, fresh rice, but only soy sauce. Tesco says it sources responsibly.
Co-op Sushi Menu Salmon & Tuna
£3.75 for 132g at Co-op (£2.85/100g) ★☆☆☆☆
Two California rolls (surimi crab stick and tuna teriyaki), two salmon nigiri, two salmon hosomaki. Only soy sauce. Overcooked rice, disparate flavours. Packed in UK from Norwegian fish. No certification, but Co-op has sourcing standards.
Asda Salmon & Prawn Sushi Large Pack
£3 for 210g at Asda (£1.43/100g) ★☆☆☆☆
Three nigiri, two California rolls, three small hosomaki with cured and cooked salmon. Good firm bite, reasonably fresh rice and flavour. Soy sauce, wasabi, and ginger. No certification.
Aldi Eat & Go Fish Sushi Selection
£2.19 for 146g at Aldi (£1.50/100g), in store only ★☆☆☆☆
Six pieces: two reverse California rolls (tuna, salmon with cream cheese), prawn and salmon nigiri, two hosomaki (cucumber, salmon). Firm and fresh. No certification.
