Greater Manchester’s 'altar of sushi' named one of the best street food spots in the country

A sushi and Neo-Tokyo restaurant which started life as a food van in Trafford has been named as one of the most Instagrammable spots in the UK.

Unagi, which now has restaurants in Altrincham, West Didsbury, Cheetham Hill and Wilmslow alongside a kitchen in Lime bar in Salford Quays, has been ranked as one of the top ten best food van concepts in the country.

Using data from Instagram, the list from Vansdirect analysed search terms and the social media followings of all British Street Food Award winners and runners-up over the last five years. Ranking in the top spot was mobile pizzeria Wanderers Kneaded in Edinburgh, followed by Flying Cows in Birmingham for their hand-balled, native breed beef burgers.

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Unagi came in third place on the list, with a special shout-out for its expansion to a multi-site operation in the space of four years. With 17,500 followers on Instagram, the restaurants have gained a strong social following.

Writing about the concept, the list said: “Born from a food truck in Altrincham during the 2020 lockdown, Unagi has risen to prominence with its Neo-Tokyo-inspired cuisine.

“Since then, it has expanded rapidly, now boasting multiple locations across Manchester. In just two years, Unagi has gone on to win People’s Choice at the 2022 British Street Food Awards, Northern Heats.”

Opening its Altrincham restaurant in October last year, residents living near to the Central Way venue already dubbed it the ‘altar of sushi’ for its prominent arched building. Housed in a former clothes shop and store room, owner David Vanderhook told the M.E.N at the time: "It's like a beacon - you can't miss it. Some people have already nicknamed it the 'altar of sushi' because it looks a bit like a church at night."

On Unagi's menu is a range of in-house ramen soups, sushi, poke bowls, curries and street food treats - like the popular Unagi Cauliflower ‘Bang Bang’, crispy fish tacos, and bao buns.

Alongside its win at the British Street Food Awards two years ago, Unagi was also nominated at Deliveroo's Regional Cuisine Awards in the North England and Midlands category earlier this year.

Rounding out the rest of the top five on the Vasndirect list was Pizza Leonati in Eastbourne and Bao Bros 23 in Leeds. In tenth place was Oi Dumplings in Huddersfield, who were a popular fixture at last year’s Christmas Manchester Markets for their selection of Vietnamese delights.

You can see the full top ten list here.