UK’s Weirdest Christmas Menu Item: Yo! Sushi’s Xmas Tempura Wrap Review
Yo! Sushi has unveiled what may be the UK’s most eccentric Christmas menu item: the Xmas Tempura Wrap, a deep-fried behemoth packing pigs in blankets, char siu chicken, cranberry teriyaki, Brussels sprouts, and more into one chaotic bite. A daring reviewer from the Mirror tackled the under-£7 giant sized like a “baby’s head” and declared it “unbelievable,” defying expectations with its festive flavor explosion despite 17 competing ingredients. This standout joins broader 2025 trends of quirky holiday foods amid supermarket innovations like Pigs in Blankets Cheddar and Turkey Baubles.
The Xmas Tempura Wrap: Ingredients and First Impressions
Priced under £7, Yo! Sushi’s creation stuffs a tempura shell with cranberry teriyaki sauce, char siu chicken, pigs in blankets, pickled red onion, sautéed Brussels sprouts and carrots, plus mayo-dressed red cabbage, served with katsu or gravy. Its sheer girth three times an average mouth’s width demands jaw-unhinging or knife-and-fork tactics, far from dainty sushi norms.
The reviewer noted an initial “fishy” seaweed hit balanced by tangy pickled onion against sweet cranberry, though pinpointing flavors amid the medley proved impossible. Doused in sauce, it evokes a “Boxing Day sandwich on steroids” festive, overwhelming, but surprisingly harmonious, though not refined dining or craving a second serving.
Reviewer Verdict: One Word Captures It All
“Unbelievable” sums up the experience, per the Mirror’s taste test at a local Yo! branch. It excels in holiday spirit over subtlety, appealing to festive flavor fans willing to embrace the frenzy. Yo!’s full Christmas lineup includes enjoyable extras like Tokyo corn and J fried chicken, encouraging merry indulgence.
No formal sales stats emerged, but its conveyor-belt origins and viral buzz position it as a novelty hit in a season of boundary-pushing eats.
Broader 2025 Christmas Food Trends
Supermarkets amplify the weirdness. Sainsbury’s offers Tira-Merry-Su, Sleigh de Noël, Mince Pie Brioche Wraps, and Mince Pie Wensleydale, blending sweet-savory whimsy. Waitrose reimagines Pigs in Blankets as Scotch Eggs or Quiche, plus Turkey Bauble a bacon-wrapped ornament and Cauliflower Cheese Galette Crown.
Asda experiments with Pigs in Blankets Cheddar and Gingerbread Cheddar shaped like gingerbread men. M&S counters with Black Forest Wensleydale (cherries, chocolate, Kirsch), while Tesco deploys cinnamon-coated tortilla rolls. McDonald’s Grinch-themed menu adds Mischief McFlurry with Smarties and strawberry, Grinched Fries, and mismatched socks.
Quirky Cheeses and Mains Dominate
This table spotlights 2025’s boldest launches, from sushi wraps to cheese oddities.
Public and Expert Reactions
Forum chatter on MoneySavingExpert hails these as “weirdest Christmas flavours 2025,” referencing past gems like Five Guys’ Pigs in Blankets milkshake. Food blogs like Breaks and Bites praise cheese experiments (e.g., Sticky Toffee Cheddar) as festival favorites, though Mince Pie Brioche Wraps spark curiosity.
No official statements from Yo! beyond menu promo, but the reviewer’s endorsement “genuinely recommend” fuels trial buzz. Trends analyses predict indulgence drivers: wordplay, fusion, and vegetarian twists like Mushroom Wellington.
Critics tie quirks to medieval roots or Dickensian excess, questioning hot meaty salads’ dignity. YouTube unboxings (Sainsbury’s range, McDonald’s Grinch) amplify hype, with viewers eyeing party snacks.
Holiday Food Innovation Context
2025’s eccentricity reflects post-pandemic playfulness, per Food Manufacture: tie-ins, tastes, and trends prioritize merry excess over tradition. Express tips odd pairings like Brussels with chestnuts to curb fullness, fitting the “stop feeling full” hack amid feasts.
Yo!’s wrap epitomizes this festive chaos that “works” despite overload, much like supermarket quiches or baubles. As Christmas 2025 unfolds, these items test palates, blending nostalgia with novelty for social media shares.
The core story Yo!’s wrap as UK’s weirdest leads, backed by taste verdict and trends. Supporting details like retailer rosters add depth, while reactions confirm cultural buzz. One bite encapsulates the season: unbelievably bold.
