Gaijin Sushi, a Birmingham sushi restaurant once acclaimed as one of the finest dining destinations in Britain, has unexpectedly closed its doors on Bristol Street. The closure comes just weeks after the establishment was fined due to evidence of mouse activity on the premises.
Customers arriving for special occasions, including Father’s Day, were surprised to find the restaurant shuttered without prior notice. Several patrons took to Google Reviews to express their disappointment and frustration. Navjeet Mangat shared that despite having a confirmed booking for Father’s Day, the restaurant was closed, leaving his family disappointed. Similarly, Matthew Hopwood recounted his experience of booking a dinner only to receive a last-minute cancellation email when the restaurant was already closed.
Online listings for Gaijin Sushi still mark the restaurant as open, and no recent updates have been posted on its social media accounts. When approached for comment, the restaurant informed BirminghamLive the closure was temporary and they were evaluating their future, noting new management had taken over.
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The restaurant’s troubles began earlier this year when it was fined by the Birmingham and Solihull Magistrates’ Court for breaches of Food Safety and Hygiene Regulations. Following an inspection in February 2025, multiple violations were uncovered, including clear evidence of mouse activity throughout the premises and structural gaps allowing pest entry. Additional issues included poor cleanliness and maintenance, leaking kitchen sinks, dirty surfaces across the kitchen and basement staircase, lack of proper handwashing materials, and damaged equipment such as a heavily scored chopping board.
Gaijin Sushi pled guilty to all five charges, resulting in a £940 fine, £1,000 in costs, and a £376 surcharge. A subsequent Food Standards Agency inspection in September 2025 downgraded the restaurant’s hygiene rating to 3 out of 5, meaning ‘generally satisfactory.’
The sudden closure comes amid a challenging period for the once highly regarded sushi venue, which now faces an uncertain future under new management.