A SPANISH couple with a taste for Japanese food are following their dreams and have opened up a sushi bar in Kendal.

Ernesto Perez and Maria Collantes Cantero are the couple behind Neko Sushi and met when they were working at an Italian restaurant in Blackpool.

Having moved to England in 2007, Mr Perez started as a waiter, worked his way up to management and then started started to help in the kitchen.

The couple decided to make the move to Kendal in 2014, with Mr Perez working at Paulo Gianni's in Kendal and Ms Caollantes Cantero last working at the Castle Green.

However, the couple have now decided to take the plunge and make a go of it alone.

"We've always been thinking what can we do, how can we run our own place," Mr Perez said. "We came to the point that a small takeaway would be easier to manage than a larger place. So we will get experience and from there we will grow the business."

The couple both love sushi and enjoy making it at home but felt like there was not anywhere in the local area to buy it fresh.

"The Japanese don't just eat the fish raw, they use the sauces to make it different," Ms Collantes Cantero explained. "If you ever see a Japanese chef working they waste zero, they use everything and they are so clean on their movements.

"I tried the Japanese food and I just loved it. I feel really comfortable working with their methods.

"Japanese is really different from our culture in Spain, it's something new to learn."

The menu includes nigiri, maki, urimaki, edamame beans and miso soup but will continue expand as the couple settle into their new routine.

The couple are utilising local suppliers for their seafood but are also offering Japanese drinks and desserts such as mochi.

And they are able to cater for different dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free.

The restaurant is located at 37 Stramongate and is currently open from 12-2pm and 5.30-8.30pm, Tuesday to Saturday.