Thanks to a big Irish Times write-up in July, the Hop House is no longer one of Parnell Street’s best-kept secrets. Now everybody is in on it, which I grudgingly admit is great for business, so I really can’t be covetous about my little corner of heaven, the best sushi restaurant in town. You sure you want to know where it is? Ok, I’ll spill… The Hop House (Kim Chi) takes up half of what was the Shakespeare pub, which is still going strong but now also serving up delicious Korean and Japanese food as well as the usual pints of plain.

Myself and my better half usually get along to the Hop House about once a week. Yes, it’s that good. One of the first pleasant surprises you’ll encounter is the size of the menu – there are over 20 types of sushi alone on offer, not to mention noodle dishes, tempura options, Japanese-style rice dishes, curries, hot plate teriyakis and of course the traditional Korean dishes and soups. At the moment I’m stuck on the many norimaki (rice rolls) options, at last count there were about 18 to choose from. A personal favourite is the Spider Roll – avocado, cucumber, crabmeat and soft shell crab, with flying fish roe to add extra visual pizzazz! Herself swears by the Crunch Roll, which has the same base but includes king prawn tempura with honey mustard and teriyaki. Other favourites include the Flying Crazy Prawn Roll (bit of chilli gives it a wonderful kick), the Seafood Roll Tempura, and the Eel Dragon Roll, which looks so good you almost don’t want to devour it on the spot (almost).

The Hop House dispels the notion that Japanese food equals raw fish. Of course sushi and sashimi proper does mean raw fish (it still tastes good!) but all the rice rolls are made of vegetable or cooked ingredients, so if you want to bring along someone who will drag their heels about eating fish, just let them know that there’s a wide variety of options and they won’t be sorry! Advance knowledge of the treat that is in store usually means that we go there hungry and can manage about two plates of rolls each, after which we sit back contentedly. What’s more, the smiles don’t go away after the bill arrives, as it is probably the best value sushi you will find in Dublin, not to mention the freshest and most creative. The staff are lovely, maybe at their busiest times you might need to ring the service bell on the table, but more often than not, they beat you to the punch, in the most friendly and cheerful way, of course.

So, if you’re not already on the way, go, now! And order me a pint of Guinness with some Flying Crazy Prawn Rolls…