Wallisdown Road is not the first place most visitors would go looking for carefully made sushi, which is a large part of the appeal. More Than Sushi is a small family-run Japanese kitchen where the rolls are cut by hand after you order, rather than sitting in a chiller waiting for a taker. The name is a fair warning, too: sushi is the headline, but it is nowhere near the whole menu.
The food
Sushi is the foundation, and it is made to order. Maki, nigiri and filled rolls form the bulk of the list, with the kitchen leaning on freshness and a straightforward, generous approach rather than showy plating. If you are unsure where to start, the combo and assorted sets do the work for you, arriving as a mixed spread of pieces designed either for one hungry person or for a table to pick at. There are larger platters for groups, and smaller single rolls if you only want a light lunch.
Beyond the sushi counter, the menu widens into the sort of Japanese comfort food that makes a proper meal. Gyoza, prawn tempura and poke bowls all feature, and the kitchen puts out chef specials that change from the standing list. Dishes can be adjusted to suit, which is unusually flexible for a sushi place. Vegetarians and vegans are genuinely catered for rather than tacked on, with vegetable sushi and a meat-free assorted set among the options. Prices and the full current menu are best checked on the restaurant's own website, as the line-up shifts.
The setting
This is a neighbourhood operation rather than a grand dining room, and it makes no pretence otherwise. The focus sits squarely on what comes out of the kitchen: hand-prepared food, quick service and fair value, run by a family who are usually on the premises. A good share of the trade is collection and delivery, with online ordering and an app for regulars, alongside loyalty perks and gift vouchers. Eating in is possible, but this is somewhere to come for the food rather than a long, lingering evening.
Where it is
More Than Sushi sits at 291 Wallisdown Road, BH12 5BT, on the stretch of road that marks the boundary between Bournemouth and Poole. It is a short hop north-west of Westbourne and close to the Wallisdown university campuses, which explains the steady student trade. Frequent buses run along the road, making it easy to reach without a car. If you are building a list of places to eat across the conurbation, it is worth reading alongside the rest of our food and drink guide.
Good to know
Opening days vary through the week and the restaurant is not open every day, so check before you set off. Tables need to be booked in advance and a small booking fee applies, with a cancellation window to be aware of, all set out on their website. Parking is limited to a couple of spaces directly outside plus whatever is available on the surrounding streets, so factor that in at busy times. For allergen questions, contact the kitchen directly rather than relying on the menu descriptions, and if you would rather eat at home, the delivery and collection options cover the Wallisdown and wider Bournemouth area.