Itsu restaurant opening in St Peter's Street, St Albans

Itsu, which has numerous bases in London, is expanding to five new areas including St Peter’s Street and will officially open tomorrow (Friday).

The move will create more than 30 local jobs – with 34 al fresco dining seats earmarked to meet increasing demand for outdoor dining.

Among its staples are fresh sushi, wholegrain brown rice, greens, steamed dumplings and hot noodle dishes, with 50 per cent of the menu featuring hot food.

Itsu will open tomorrow (Friday). Picture: itsu

Itsu founder Julian Metcalfe said: “Our hot menu starts at £2.49, our dine-in & takeaway fresh food is nutritious, light & packed with bold, exciting flavours. It’s about time our industry worked harder at this, to offer decent food at a decent price.

“Covid has highlighted the need and joy of eating well and eating local.”

The St Albans restaurant will give locals the chance to have a nutritious meal for around £7 from a dine-in or takeaway menu.

After 5pm the hot menu will be served in traditional ceramic Japanese bowls to create an authentic dining experience. 

Itsu serves Asian food and is expanding out of London. Picture: itsu.

The chain also says 38 per cent of its menu is plant based as part of its focus on the future of food.

Mr Metcalfe added: “Itsu’s restaurant openings are not about making a quick buck, they’re about post-Covid customer demand for better food.

“As the rise in health continues and more of us keep shopping local, we hope it won’t be long before an itsu could on all local high streets, helping people make better food choices.”