Leeds United stars love this city sushi bar – we put it to the test

The restaurant has attracted the likes of winger Dan James and ex-Whites star Kalvin Phillips

Dan James visited the restaurant(Image: Samuel Port/Fern Modern Sushi)

We visited a Leeds sushi bar popular with Leeds United stars.

Fern Modern Sushi has attracted the patronage of winger Dan James and ex-Leeds, now Sheffield United loanee, Kalvin Phillips. The venue shared some nice photos of them posing with staff.

The restaurant is tucked away in Central Arcade, a retail alleyway which bridges Briggate and New Market Street. It’s in a small ramshackle looking unit, but you can’t really beat it for convenience if you’re visiting the city-centre.

When I arrived, it was abuzz with lots of dinner guests who had swarmed to the venue, no doubt for its lunchtime meal deal that lasts until 3pm. It was packed but I was overjoyed to see the restaurant had a traditional sushi bar, so you could sit shoulder to shoulder with fellow diners.

I was welcomed in a bright and friendly manner by the owner Fern who directed me to one of the seats at the bar. The instant warmth was gratifying and put me in a great mood for food as I sat among fellow diners who were slurping away from their colossal bowls of ramen and chomping down on their vibrant looking sushi dishes.

Fern Modern Sushi in Central Arcade(Image: Samuel Port)

The fish and sushi meals were being prepared directly in front of customers at the bar, which was a nice touch, and she seemed to be enjoying her work. There were big smiles all around from the lively customers and the fast-working restaurant staff.

I decided to take advantage of the lunch time deal, and I ordered the Zap Zap Chicken Karaage starter, Chashu Pork ramen with pork soup, fresh noodles and with a ‘normal’ level of spice. Then to sample their fish offerings, I decided to go for one of their Omakase sets. I went for the Hon Maguro Lover set, which comprises of different cuts of tuna, a fatty cut, a less fatty cut and a lean cut.

Fern Modern Sushi’s Zap Zap Chicken Karaage starter(Image: Samuel Port)

The Zap Zap Chicken Karaage was flavoursome, a nice little morsel of food with distinct notes of soy, ginger and garlic. Perfectly cooked, melt in the mouth texture. The flavour had distinctive spicy sweetness.

The ramen was utterly sumptuous. The broth was rich with flavour. It really warmed the cockles up on a cold and bleak day. The lunch time set came in a smaller bowl than their A La Carte menu but it was still a massive portion. There was a healthy balance noodles, meat and veg.

Fern Modern Sushi’s Chashu Pork ramen(Image: Samuel Port)

The Hon Maguro Lover set came generously portioned, which is what you should expect with a £32 plate, and I had a fairly mixed experience with the tuna. The lean cut, the Akami, was easily the highest quality. It felt like biting through velvet, the texture was so smooth and tuna flavour so rich.

The Chotora, the more fatty cut, had a more rounded flavour, with a spongey texture. The full fat cut, Chotora, wasn’t the most pleasing of situations. It felt too fatty to enjoy, especially when comparing it to the two superior cuts.

Fern Modern Sushi’s Hon Maguro Lover set(Image: Samuel Port)

It also came with Toro Hosomok, sushi rolls, which were nice light bites, although, you could barely taste the tuna amid the rice.

If you find yourself in town midday and you’re looking for an authentic meal reasonably priced, then I heartily recommend Fern Modern Sushi. I had a lovely time there.

Fans of Japanese food will be pleased to learn Fern Modern Sushi will be expanding to a second venue in the city-centre.