From Brixton to Regent Street: The Restaurant that Ignited London’s Love for Temaki

New on the Regent Street food scene, Temaki’s head chef Mark Totterveich tells us all about the sushi restaurant and why it’s put hand rolls on London’s culinary map.

Inspired by California’s relaxed hand roll bars and anchored in Japanese craftsmanship, Temaki built a devoted following in Brixton with its freshly rolled temaki and easygoing atmosphere. Now, the restaurant is opening its doors on Regent Street, bringing the hand rolls Londoners have been lining up for to our very own neighbourhood.

Head Chef Mark Totterveich sat down with us to talk about the big move, his new Regent Street favourites and what’s next for the restaurant.

Can you tell us about your journey into becoming a chef, and what eventually brought you to Temaki?

Food was always at the heart of my family and culture. Growing up in Hungary, sharing meals with the family was a huge part of everyday life, so a career in food felt like the natural path. When I moved to London, I wanted to do something I genuinely loved while continuing to learn and develop as a chef. Before joining Temaki, I barely ate sushi, but I quickly fell in love with the cuisine and culture: the incredible variety of ingredients, the precision behind every dish and the unique connection that comes from serving guests directly across the counter.

The restaurant has become known for its relaxed counter dining. What makes the experience so special for both the chefs and the diners?

The counter is what makes Temaki unique. It creates a genuine connection between chefs and guests, giving us the chance to share our knowledge of the ingredients and Japanese cuisine while getting to know the people we’re serving. Sometimes we even learn something from them too. Our hand rolls stand out because they’re original, thoughtfully balanced and made with carefully sourced, high-quality ingredients.

For anyone discovering Temaki for the first time, how would you describe the experience?

Relaxed, approachable and centred around exceptional ingredients. It’s a chance to enjoy high-quality sushi in a casual setting, with great music, friendly conversation and a front-row seat to watch every hand roll being made.

We like to keep our service warm and consistent while regularly introducing seasonal specials that give returning guests something new to discover. Plus, the chefs are always happy to chat and pretty cool to talk to!

We know it’s hard to narrow it down, but if you had to pick three items from the menu, what would you choose and why?

I’d start with the Prawn Katsu Slider. It’s packed with flavour and always a crowd favourite. Then I’d go for one of the signature Temaki hand rolls, which really captures what we’re all about. To finish, I’d recommend the Seared Chu Toro Truffle. It’s rich, indulgent and a perfect showcase of the quality of our ingredients.

Why did Regent Street feel like the right place for Temaki’s next chapter?

Regent Street feels like the centre of London, and in many ways, the centre of the world. It’s a place where different cultures, cuisines and people come together, which reflects what Temaki is all about. We’re incredibly proud to be part of such a vibrant neighbourhood.

When you're not behind the counter, where do you like to eat, drink or spend time around Regent Street?

Sabor is definitely one of my favourites. Regent Street is full of brilliant places to eat, so it’s hard to stick to one place. That’s what makes it so exciting, there’s always somewhere new to discover.

After your visit to Temaki, don't stop there. Explore more places to eat, things to do and ways to enjoy summer on Regent Street, then share your favourite moments with us over at @RegentStreetW1 on Instagram and TikTok - we'd love to see what you get up to.