Tesco meal deal shake-up as supermarket announces big change

The chain has teamed up with the popular Asian-inspired high street restaurant Itsu and will introduce the high street chain's dragon roll sushi range to its Premium Meal deal menu

Tesco is set to revamp its meal deal selection from next week. The supermarket giant has partnered with popular Asian-inspired restaurant Itsu, and will introduce the high street chain's dragon roll sushi range to its Premium Meal deal menu from October 21.

Priced individually at £4.75, the range will be categorised as a "main" in the supermarket and includes four varieties: Teriyaki Salmon, Vegetable Crunch, Katsu Chicken, and California. Each sushi pack comes complete with its own mayo sachet, sweet soy sauce, and a pot of crunchy tempura pieces - small balls of batter.

Itsu also highlighted that the trays feature a border to prevent the sauce from spilling over the sides. Claudia Santagada, Itsu's grocery Managing Director, said the chain had been striving to deliver a sushi range for supermarkets for "several years", due to "so many challenges in terms of quality".

This move follows research by Tesco revealing that sushi has surpassed smoked salmon sandwiches as the UK's "favourite premium lunchtime treat". Tesco isn't the first supermarket to collaborate with Itsu, as Sainsbury's has long offered a range of Itsu products as part of its wider range, including the chicken and spring onion gyoza, the chicken big bao, and the chicken ramen.

Tesco's iconic meal deal, offering a main, snack and drink, is now priced at £4, or £3.60 for Clubcard holders. The supermarket's premium meal deal, featuring Tesco Finest products alongside brands like YO!, reports the Mirror.

Sushi, costs £5 with a Clubcard and £5.50 without one.

In August, the prices rose by 20p for Clubcard users from £3.40 and from £3.90 to £4 for non-Clubcard holders. Despite this increase, which followed after "recent improvements" to their range according to Tesco, over 80% of customers still purchase the deal with a Clubcard.

The company assured The Mirror that the meal deal continues to offer "great value and the ideal way to grab lunch on-the-go". Moreover, Itsu is expanding its offerings with new sushi ranges and frozen items including Chicken and Vegetable dumplings at £3 for six, Vegetable Tempura Fries, Glazed Miso Aubergine, and Pumpkin Crispy Fritters costing £3.25.

These new selections will be available from November 4.