Freak Scene Sushi & Robata Balham

Scott Hallsworth has bought Freak Scene Sushi and Robata to 1 Ramsden Road, Balham, SW12 8QZ. His local area, the popular Japanese stop off is a colourful and welcome addition to the neighbourhood.

Freak Scene Sushi & Robata in Balham has 80 covers and features sushi from ex-Kurobuta sushi chef Yauheni Kharytonau. Dining areas include a sushi bar, a covered outdoor patio with heaters, a main ground floor space with high ceilings and more Takeshi’s Castle action as well as a secluded downstairs lounge – ideal for private events and late-night sake and cocktails. Freak Scene Balham’s sake menu will be curated by London’s foremost sake expert, Oliver Hilton-Johnson of Tengu Sake. 

Freak Scene Sushi and Robata’s menu will focus on sushi and charcoal robata grill items that will feature bursts of flavour from previous Freak Scene menus. Expect a few of the classics such as grilled hispi cabbage with beurre noisette, ponzu, dried miso and truffle and Singapore chilli crab.

You cannot visit this restaurant and not indulge in the special sushi roll, the Freak Scene Special with Tempura Shrimp, Topped with Hamachi. I’ve been to both Nobu’s in London, and the sushi nowhere near compared to this roll – it was hand’s down the best sushi I’ve had in London. Maybe even the whole of the UK.

Other highlight dishes include Sushi Tacos with the freshest fatty tuna or lean salmon and the most moreish Duck Red Curry which is served in bao buns that are made from the same dough as doughnuts. Indulgent, sweet and spicy.                                                                                                                  

Scott Hallsworth says: “I’ve selfishly been really keen to launch in Balham for while because it’s where I live but it’s also super lively and fast becoming a brilliant food hub for the greater area. Shifting the focus to sushi and grill allows us to have a lot of fun with menu categories which we haven’t played around with yet. It’ll display all of the hallmarks of my previous sites but it won’t be just another Freak Scene.”

Ex-Nobu Chef Scott is a globally-recognised, pan-Asian cooking pioneer having launched restaurants in Melbourne, St. Tropez, Bodrum, Jeddah, Zermatt, Chamonix, Nairobi, Cape Town, Toronto and London. 

In early 2023, Scott teamed up with Australian comedian, author, radio and television presenter Adam Hills, known for his stand-up and hosting of Channel 4’s The Last Leg and the channel’s Super League rugby coverage. A longtime admirer of Freak Scene and Scott Hallsworth’s cooking, the duo came together to kick off Freak Scene with 46 covers in Parsons Green in March ‘23. He will continue to partner with Adam for Freak Scene Balham.