Fusion Explained: How We Blend Asian & Western Influences

Small Plate duos at Waterside Kitchen

Sushi Platter

At Waterside Kitchen, balance is everything – in flavour, in texture, and in the way we bring ideas to the table. Our menu is where two worlds meet: Japan’s precision and deep umami notes mingling effortlessly with the bold, indulgent comfort of the West. Every plate is a handshake between cultures – and you’re always welcome to join the conversation.

Our Influences

We’re inspired by the elegance and craft of Japanese cuisine, the focus on fresh produce, balance, and umami depth – and we pair it with the generous, comforting heart of modern Western dining. Think the refined techniques of Tokyo meeting the relaxed, hearty plates of the Cotswolds.

Standout Fusion Dishes

There are a few dishes that have quickly become part of the Waterside identity. Our Beef Tataki Nigiri is a perfect example of fusion done right. Slices of dry-aged beef fillet, served rare over sushi rice, with ponzu and teriyaki sauces that bring the richness into sharp, savoury focus. It’s East meets West in one elegant bite.

Other favourites that capture our style include:

Aromatic Duck Pancakes – Creedy Carver duck with pancakes, spring onion, cucumber & hoisin sauce. A classic with roots in both Asian street food and Western sharing culture.

Chicken Katsu – Crispy chicken breast paired with aromatic katsu curry sauce, the ultimate Japanese comfort dish that wins hearts every time.

Black Cod – Nobu-style, marinated in saikyo miso and charred to perfection, an indulgent nod to modern Japanese fine dining.

Cauliflower Karaage – Japanese-battered cauliflower florets with sesame & sweet chilli sauce, showing how plant-based can still pack a punch.

Poke Bowls – Served chilled, with sushi rice, avocado, seaweed, salad, vegetables, edamame, sesame & ponzu dressing – fresh, vibrant, and endlessly customisable.

The Waterside Sauce

Every kitchen has its secrets, and ours comes bottled. The Waterside Sauce is the best expression of our fusion ethos – a carefully balanced mix of Asian-inspired depth and Western-friendly richness. It finds its way into more dishes than you might expect.

Customer Favourites & Surprises

Chicken Katsu is the clear champion, comforting, familiar, yet still distinctly Waterside. Black Cod holds its place as the star of our date-night orders, while the Cauliflower Karaage surprises even the most committed meat-lovers. And the Beef Tataki Nigiri? It’s often the first plate to hit the table – and the first to disappear.

At Waterside Kitchen, fusion isn’t a trend, it’s the way we think about food. It’s about creating a menu where the refined and the relaxed share the same space, where flavours travel without borders, and where you can find something both exciting and comforting in every bite.

Book your table and experience the fusion.