Latest reviews for Japanese Restaurants in Tottenham Court Road, London, United Kingdom

Hi Sushi - More, MORE I TELL YOU! by Mescaline

Mescaline — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:52:16 +0000

Review by Mescaline

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7734 9688

Tags: good value, lively, japanese, cheap eat, takeaway, crowded, sushi, terrace, sushi bar/restaurant, all you can eat, buffett

I could eat here every day and never get bored.

'nuff said.I could eat here every day and never get bored.

'nuff said.

Wagamama - Wagamama Bloomsbury by jezzifishie

jezzifishie — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:43:38 +0000

Review by jezzifishie

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7323 9223

Website: http://www.wagamama.com

Tags: japanese, good value, cheap eat, lively, crowded, family & home feel, air conditioning, vegetarian dishes

This was my first visit to Wagamama since becoming vegetarian, and I wasn't sure how much choice I was going to have. I was pleasantly surprised - there were quite a few options, and they all looked really yummy. The service was great, really speedy. It did start to get quite crowded just as we were finishing up, but the waiters tried to seat people as far apart as possible, which was appreciated. My food was delicious and there was a lot of it - I was very very full! I also appreciated the free green tea.This was my first visit to Wagamama since becoming vegetarian, and I wasn't sure how much choice I was going to have. I was pleasantly surprised - there were quite a few options, and they all looked really yummy. The service was great, really speedy. It did start to get quite crowded just as we were finishing up, but the waiters tried to seat people as far apart as possible, which was appreciated. My food was delicious and there was a lot of it - I was very very full! I also appreciated the free green tea.

Roka - Very Disappointing by SONYC

SONYC — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 20:03:06 +0000

Review by SONYC

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7580 6464

Website: http://www.rokarestaurant.com

Tags: japanese, lively, expensive, business, crowded, good value, romantic, seafood, bar, sushi, cocktails, international, hip, entertainment, vegetarian dishes, non-smoking area, outside tables, best japanese, best in bloomsbury

Wholly unimpressed. Mediocre at best. The sashimi/sushi was not of a very high quality and certainly not for the price, and the "signature Roka dishes" such as the lobster and black cod dumplings were quite bland and left much to be desired. The baby back ribs were also some of the least tasty I have had, while the mirin marinated eggplant was completely overdone and watery. I know I go against the grain here but I have eaten at quiet a few spectacular high concept buzzy Japanese restaurants and I would certainly rate this at the bottom of the list. On a positive note I thought the service was quite good.Wholly unimpressed. Mediocre at best. The sashimi/sushi was not of a very high quality and certainly not for the price, and the "signature Roka dishes" such as the lobster and black cod dumplings were quite bland and left much to be desired. The baby back ribs were also some of the least tasty I have had, while the mirin marinated eggplant was completely overdone and watery. I know I go against the grain here but I have eaten at quiet a few spectacular high concept buzzy Japanese restaurants and I would certainly rate this at the bottom of the list. On a positive note I thought the service was quite good.

Abeno - okonomi-yaki oishii by taryneast

taryneast — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:09:53 +0000

Review by taryneast

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7405 3211

Tags: japanese, good value, family & home feel, lively, friendly, healthy, takeaway, fresh, okonomi-yaki, japanese alternative, vegetarian dishes

I have been looking for somewhere that sold this dish, as it's one of my favourites. It's a cross between an omelette and a pizza, made by mixing finely chopped cabbage into egg, along with several other yummy and extremely fresh ingredients, then cooking it into a large patty on the hotplate on the table in front of you.

You then have the option to finish the dish with the traditional condiments - various sauces, bright green powered seaweed and bonito flakes that wave in even the most delicate breeze.

It's certainly an experience, and the food is so fresh, healthy and delicious. Well worth a visit.I have been looking for somewhere that sold this dish, as it's one of my favourites. It's a cross between an omelette and a pizza, made by mixing finely chopped cabbage into egg, along with several other yummy and extremely fresh ingredients, then cooking it into a large patty on the hotplate on the table in front of you.

You then have the option to finish the dish with the traditional condiments - various sauces, bright green powered seaweed and bonito flakes that wave in even the most delicate breeze.

It's certainly an experience, and the food is so fresh, healthy and delicious. Well worth a visit.

Soba - Not a trusted place for Japanese cuisine by m1esk

m1esk — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 02:53:55 +0000

Review by m1esk

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7287 7300

Website: http://www.soba.co.uk

Tags: cheap eat, japanese, vietnamese, takeaway, modern, good value, benches

The cooking style and ingredients are obviously Vietnamese and the restaurant is trying to imitate a Japanese menu.

The ironic thing is that it does not have soba on its menu.

I'd give the food 3 or mayb 4 stars if they market themselves as a Vietnamese noodle bar instead.

Good things to mention are the atmosphere (although they can do with a few more ambient music, the CD managed to loop within my dinner session) and the price.The cooking style and ingredients are obviously Vietnamese and the restaurant is trying to imitate a Japanese menu.

The ironic thing is that it does not have soba on its menu.

I'd give the food 3 or mayb 4 stars if they market themselves as a Vietnamese noodle bar instead.

Good things to mention are the atmosphere (although they can do with a few more ambient music, the CD managed to loop within my dinner session) and the price.

Centre Point Sushi Cafe - Sushi Centre by PalAtTable

PalAtTable — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:43:45 +0000

Review by PalAtTable

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7379 3369

Tags: japanese, good value, sushi, family & home feel, quiet, romantic, vegetarian, sake, cheap eat, seafood, proper food, hidden, korean, peaceful, vegetarian dishes, authentic fresh japanese food, perfect ambience

That subheading probably comes across like I'm referring to a large place where much activity occurs involving a mass of Sushi with (pro)portions to settle a hundred growling bellies, but as much as I'd like such a place to exist, I'm going to lead you down a path to a humbler restaurant at Centre Point.

Yes, odd as it may sound, the Centre Point Sushi Cafe is a must for anyone who loves Sushi. I'm not talking about pre-packaged or conveyor belt basics here, I'm on about the expertly rolled, cut, cooked and presented Sushi in an authentic league of it's own. I've visited this restaurant quite a few times after first being taken on a recommendation - that person deserves a whopping kiss on the head for suggesting this little gem - and on each occasion it's consisently impressed. It's another place tucked away, (you may find this a running theme with my posts as I find that generally, well, the best ones are), tucked away within Centre Point, on St Giles Street, above a Korean grocery store. The unlikely location is probably the reason for the minimal amount of customers, but this needn't bother you, you've got a vast menu to consider.

Prices are good value for the quality of food served, the only problem you might have is curbing your orders, the Sushi here is far too moreish for its own good! However, if you are sensible and only want to select a few dishes may I recommend the salmon Teriyaki, chicken katsu and Tamago Nigirizushi (omlette topped).

But if you really want to treat yourself, they do plates of 6 piece Makizushi rolls with various fish options including an impressive softshell crab - just be cunning about the way you eat these little displays of art.

That subheading probably comes across like I'm referring to a large place where much activity occurs involving a mass of Sushi with (pro)portions to settle a hundred growling bellies, but as much as I'd like such a place to exist, I'm going to lead you down a path to a humbler restaurant at Centre Point.

Yes, odd as it may sound, the Centre Point Sushi Cafe is a must for anyone who loves Sushi. I'm not talking about pre-packaged or conveyor belt basics here, I'm on about the expertly rolled, cut, cooked and presented Sushi in an authentic league of it's own. I've visited this restaurant quite a few times after first being taken on a recommendation - that person deserves a whopping kiss on the head for suggesting this little gem - and on each occasion it's consisently impressed. It's another place tucked away, (you may find this a running theme with my posts as I find that generally, well, the best ones are), tucked away within Centre Point, on St Giles Street, above a Korean grocery store. The unlikely location is probably the reason for the minimal amount of customers, but this needn't bother you, you've got a vast menu to consider.

Prices are good value for the quality of food served, the only problem you might have is curbing your orders, the Sushi here is far too moreish for its own good! However, if you are sensible and only want to select a few dishes may I recommend the salmon Teriyaki, chicken katsu and Tamago Nigirizushi (omlette topped).

But if you really want to treat yourself, they do plates of 6 piece Makizushi rolls with various fish options including an impressive softshell crab - just be cunning about the way you eat these little displays of art.

Kyoto - A little gem in Soho by gastro1

gastro1 — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:42:23 +0000

Review by gastro1

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7437 2262

Tags: good value, japanese

Kyoto is a gem of a little Japanese restaurant .

Today I had excellent shrimp tempura , grilled pork Gyoza dumplings and well prepared , made to order Sushi . The fish used , mainly Tuna and Salmon in my case was of very good quality and freshness

Service is very good as would be expected for a place that serves Japanese nationals lunch and dinner !Kyoto is a gem of a little Japanese restaurant .

Today I had excellent shrimp tempura , grilled pork Gyoza dumplings and well prepared , made to order Sushi . The fish used , mainly Tuna and Salmon in my case was of very good quality and freshness

Service is very good as would be expected for a place that serves Japanese nationals lunch and dinner !

Abeno Too - AbenOrdinary by chrisp

chrisp — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 10:53:06 +0000

Review by chrisp

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7376 1160

Website: http://www.abeno.co.uk/

Tags: japanese, crowded, expensive, lively, central

Abeno Too is an 'Okonomi-yaki' restaurant. I have no idea of the literal translation of this phrase, but as far as I can make out from my lunch there on Saturday afternoon, it's probably something like "egg and rice patties, cooked on a hot plate in front of you". Which isn't quite as catchy as 'Okonomi-yaki', so I can see why they've gone with the Japanese.

Apparently these kind of gaffs are all the rage over in Japan, and it certainly felt very authentic with the all-Japanese waiting staff and wooden bench seating. As for the food itself, well, maybe I'm missing something. I got the impression it was a twisted Japanese take on American food, in much the same way we consider Chicken Tikka Masala to be Indian. I ordered a Pork (actually bacon) Deluxe and a vegetable noodle omelette thingy, the omelette thingy arriving first and rather disappointingly already cooked from an extra hidden kitchen out the back somewhere. It was dressed with what was billed as "Japanese brown sauce and Japanese mayonnaise", but which tasted for all the world like Heinz and Helman's. It tasted pretty much like you'd expect - noodles and vegetables, wrapped in egg.

The Okonomi-yaki patty itself was, thankfully, cooked with a bit more theatre. The ingredients arrived raw in a metal bowl, with a whole egg yolk perched proudly on top. Our waiter then unceremoniously mashed up everything together vigorously and poured the mixture onto the hot plate. Once ready, we split up the patty with our little paint scraper tools into bitesize portions and wolfed it down. It tasted, again, rather like you'd expect fried egg and rice with bacon to taste - "familiar" I think is the word. In fact, it's probably true to say that were it not for the extra excitement of seeing your food prepared in front of you, the cuisine at Abeno would be considered too dull to be worthy of a prime location in the centre of our nations capital. I can perhaps see how this kind of thing would work in Japan, where the fusion of European and Japanese ingredients may seem exotic and different, but when I saw the contents of the metal bowl being mashed up and dropped onto the heat all I could think was "I could have done this myself, at home, and it would have cost about 50p".

But then again, maybe I'm missing something.Abeno Too is an 'Okonomi-yaki' restaurant. I have no idea of the literal translation of this phrase, but as far as I can make out from my lunch there on Saturday afternoon, it's probably something like "egg and rice patties, cooked on a hot plate in front of you". Which isn't quite as catchy as 'Okonomi-yaki', so I can see why they've gone with the Japanese.

Apparently these kind of gaffs are all the rage over in Japan, and it certainly felt very authentic with the all-Japanese waiting staff and wooden bench seating. As for the food itself, well, maybe I'm missing something. I got the impression it was a twisted Japanese take on American food, in much the same way we consider Chicken Tikka Masala to be Indian. I ordered a Pork (actually bacon) Deluxe and a vegetable noodle omelette thingy, the omelette thingy arriving first and rather disappointingly already cooked from an extra hidden kitchen out the back somewhere. It was dressed with what was billed as "Japanese brown sauce and Japanese mayonnaise", but which tasted for all the world like Heinz and Helman's. It tasted pretty much like you'd expect - noodles and vegetables, wrapped in egg.

The Okonomi-yaki patty itself was, thankfully, cooked with a bit more theatre. The ingredients arrived raw in a metal bowl, with a whole egg yolk perched proudly on top. Our waiter then unceremoniously mashed up everything together vigorously and poured the mixture onto the hot plate. Once ready, we split up the patty with our little paint scraper tools into bitesize portions and wolfed it down. It tasted, again, rather like you'd expect fried egg and rice with bacon to taste - "familiar" I think is the word. In fact, it's probably true to say that were it not for the extra excitement of seeing your food prepared in front of you, the cuisine at Abeno would be considered too dull to be worthy of a prime location in the centre of our nations capital. I can perhaps see how this kind of thing would work in Japan, where the fusion of European and Japanese ingredients may seem exotic and different, but when I saw the contents of the metal bowl being mashed up and dropped onto the heat all I could think was "I could have done this myself, at home, and it would have cost about 50p".

But then again, maybe I'm missing something.

Kobe Jones - CLOSED - Going downhill a bit... by stew

stew — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:39:01 +0000

Review by stew

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7300 3250

Website: http://www.kobejones.com.au

Tags: japanese, expensive, cocktails, american, romantic, wood, beef terriyak, vegetarian dishes, toptable

I've been here on a few times on the 50% off weeknights deal too - to be honest it'd be a bit too expensive for what you get otherwise. The food is generally OK (sushi with a Californian twist) but nothing amazing.

The dessert platter OTOH is amazing (sushi cheesecakes, chocolate chopsticks etc.) and the cocktails are pretty good too, so maybe it's worth popping in after a cheeky main meal elsewhere?I've been here on a few times on the 50% off weeknights deal too - to be honest it'd be a bit too expensive for what you get otherwise. The food is generally OK (sushi with a Californian twist) but nothing amazing.

The dessert platter OTOH is amazing (sushi cheesecakes, chocolate chopsticks etc.) and the cocktails are pretty good too, so maybe it's worth popping in after a cheeky main meal elsewhere?

Satsuma - not for me by yeebi

yeebi — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 13:52:23 +0000

Review by yeebi

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7437 8338

Website: http://www.royalchinagroup.co.uk

Tags: japanese, lively, good value, expensive, quick bite, takeaway, crowded, sushi, chinese, pretentious, budget, slow service, late

Food are over priced and very small.
Not authentic.
A sashimi set dinner will have about 4 pieces of sashimi for the same price you can have 10 plate at yo sushi.
Service is quite poor. Staff are not always available when you want their attention.Food are over priced and very small.
Not authentic.
A sashimi set dinner will have about 4 pieces of sashimi for the same price you can have 10 plate at yo sushi.
Service is quite poor. Staff are not always available when you want their attention.

Taro Japanese Restaurant - "Fast" Food by foodbymark

foodbymark — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 21:46:50 +0000

Review by foodbymark

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7439 2275

Tags: japanese, takeaway, good value, cheap eat, air conditioning, vegetarian dishes, non-smoking area

This Taro is conveniently tucked away just off Charing Cross on Old Compton Road. It is the second of three restaurants with the original just nearby. The ground flood serves as the kitchens where you can see the team of busy chefs working away. With a single set of stairs leading down to the basement you arrive at the restaurant which has a very open layout with wooden tables and benches along the walls and tables and chairs dotted around the middle and towards the back.

We ordered the Toro Rolls (4 pieces), Gyoza (5 fried pieces), 2 portions of Beef Teriyaki, 2 cups of green tea and glasses of tap water. Our friendly waiter hurried back with our drinks almost immediately and within a couple of minutes the Toro Rolls arrived. Almost melt in mouth, the fatty tuna rolls were a perfect light start. Almost immediately our Gyoza arrived, fresh and light with a crispy underside and not drenched in oil. Again, perfectly timed for out "fast" food dinner, the beef teriyaki arrived. Thinly grilled strips of steak, sliced and placed on top of steamed rice and a small amount of fried vegetables. A medley of julienned carrots, cabbage, onions and bean sprouts. The beef was succulent and although stated on the menu as being medium done, the medium rare result in mine was perfect.

An early evening meal for two, the restaurant wasn't too busy and there never seems to be many tourist there, if any at all. Â£29 including service at 10% is just right.
This Taro is conveniently tucked away just off Charing Cross on Old Compton Road. It is the second of three restaurants with the original just nearby. The ground flood serves as the kitchens where you can see the team of busy chefs working away. With a single set of stairs leading down to the basement you arrive at the restaurant which has a very open layout with wooden tables and benches along the walls and tables and chairs dotted around the middle and towards the back.

We ordered the Toro Rolls (4 pieces), Gyoza (5 fried pieces), 2 portions of Beef Teriyaki, 2 cups of green tea and glasses of tap water. Our friendly waiter hurried back with our drinks almost immediately and within a couple of minutes the Toro Rolls arrived. Almost melt in mouth, the fatty tuna rolls were a perfect light start. Almost immediately our Gyoza arrived, fresh and light with a crispy underside and not drenched in oil. Again, perfectly timed for out "fast" food dinner, the beef teriyaki arrived. Thinly grilled strips of steak, sliced and placed on top of steamed rice and a small amount of fried vegetables. A medley of julienned carrots, cabbage, onions and bean sprouts. The beef was succulent and although stated on the menu as being medium done, the medium rare result in mine was perfect.

An early evening meal for two, the restaurant wasn't too busy and there never seems to be many tourist there, if any at all. Â£29 including service at 10% is just right.

Itsu - Great place to detour to while shopping by Jongleur

Jongleur — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 20:29:50 +0000

Review by Jongleur

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7479 4794

Website: http://www.itsu.co.uk

Tags: lively, japanese, bar, expensive, takeaway, pretentious, good value, business, delivery, vegetarian dishes, non-smoking area

One of my favourite places to escape from the bustle of Oxford Street! Itsu is a sushi â¬Üconveyor beltâ¬" restaurant but I like it much better than some other chains like Yo! Sushi. The food here is always extremely fresh and well prepared and with a good variety. Itâ¬"s not the most authentic Japanese food (California rolls, chocolate mousse for dessert etc) but good for all that - and of course very healthy.

Just a note to a reviewer before me â¬ this is NOT the restaurant where Litvinenko was irradiated, that was the tiny Itsu joint on Piccadilly. This one is officially polonium-free :-)
One of my favourite places to escape from the bustle of Oxford Street! Itsu is a sushi â¬Üconveyor beltâ¬" restaurant but I like it much better than some other chains like Yo! Sushi. The food here is always extremely fresh and well prepared and with a good variety. Itâ¬"s not the most authentic Japanese food (California rolls, chocolate mousse for dessert etc) but good for all that - and of course very healthy.

Just a note to a reviewer before me â¬ this is NOT the restaurant where Litvinenko was irradiated, that was the tiny Itsu joint on Piccadilly. This one is officially polonium-free :-)

Gili Gulu - CLOSED - by olliebax

olliebax — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:27:56 +0000

Review by olliebax

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7379 6888

Tags: japanese, good value, cheap eat, lively, laid back, sushi, vegetarian dishes

Gili Gulu was the first conveyor belt restaurant that I ever went to, and set the bar very high for other chain sushi restaurants I have subsequently visited. The atmosphere is relaxed, but also exciting and stylish, with flatscreen TVs generally showing MTV or some other music channel. The important thing about Gili Gulu is that it is obvious the conveyor belt is merely an efficient way to transport the delicious food, as opposed to just being a gimmick. In addition to this the place is affordable and the service really fast (even when the staff deliver your food that isn't available from the conveyor belt...) They do have a bit of a strong policy on groups though, not that this is a problem, often if one of you is ordering a set number of plates and the others aren't, they will make you sit on opposite sides of the belt, so noone swaps plates!!Gili Gulu was the first conveyor belt restaurant that I ever went to, and set the bar very high for other chain sushi restaurants I have subsequently visited. The atmosphere is relaxed, but also exciting and stylish, with flatscreen TVs generally showing MTV or some other music channel. The important thing about Gili Gulu is that it is obvious the conveyor belt is merely an efficient way to transport the delicious food, as opposed to just being a gimmick. In addition to this the place is affordable and the service really fast (even when the staff deliver your food that isn't available from the conveyor belt...) They do have a bit of a strong policy on groups though, not that this is a problem, often if one of you is ordering a set number of plates and the others aren't, they will make you sit on opposite sides of the belt, so noone swaps plates!!

Yo! Sushi - Go for the novelty not the food by johnny2323

johnny2323 — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:47:34 +0000

Review by johnny2323

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7287 0443

Website: http://www.yosushi.co.uk

Tags: japanese, expensive, lively, crowded, sushi, good value, cheap eat, air conditioning

This chain has either gone downhill or the standard of sushi elsewhere has gone up - I'm not sure. But as a sushi addict who's been to this Poland Street at least twice a year since it opened I'd say it's a bit of both.
If you've not been it's worth popping in for a small snack for the novelty experience of choosing your food from a conveyor belt and your drinks from a little robot. But beware - it is very very expensive and the quality, while OK, is not high. Most worrying of all is the hygiene - something you could never accuse most sushi places of lacking in. Seeing as the kitchen is on full view you can see exactly what the chefs get up to and while I was there I saw a knife being taken straight from a sink of murky washing up water and used to chop some fish. it put me right off and to be honest i doubt if I'll go back.This chain has either gone downhill or the standard of sushi elsewhere has gone up - I'm not sure. But as a sushi addict who's been to this Poland Street at least twice a year since it opened I'd say it's a bit of both.
If you've not been it's worth popping in for a small snack for the novelty experience of choosing your food from a conveyor belt and your drinks from a little robot. But beware - it is very very expensive and the quality, while OK, is not high. Most worrying of all is the hygiene - something you could never accuse most sushi places of lacking in. Seeing as the kitchen is on full view you can see exactly what the chefs get up to and while I was there I saw a knife being taken straight from a sink of murky washing up water and used to chop some fish. it put me right off and to be honest i doubt if I'll go back.

Kulu Kulu Sushi - not 5 star... but has its benefits by patheticshark

patheticshark — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 12:30:51 +0000

Review by patheticshark

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7287 1738

Tags: japanese, good value, business

Kulu Kulu has two other branches, one on Brewer Street in Soho, and one in Knightsbridge. This one has arguably the best location, being in Covent Garden, but for some reason this branch is always basically empty. Even on a Friday night, there are usually only a handful of other people here. Why is this? It's unclear - the sushi, while not being the most amazing around, is usually fresh and well-made - on occasion it's not been quite up to scratch but it's always at least acceptable and quite often very good. It's also good value, with a range of plates going from something like Â£1.20 up to Â£4-ish. Favourites are the soft-shell crab and California hand rolls (rice in a cone of nori, with either crab or salmon, tempura-battered king prawn and avocado). Service is fine. So, yeah, not amazing, but if you're after somewhere in Covent Garden that's not hugely expensive and not hugely crowded, this is a good choice.Kulu Kulu has two other branches, one on Brewer Street in Soho, and one in Knightsbridge. This one has arguably the best location, being in Covent Garden, but for some reason this branch is always basically empty. Even on a Friday night, there are usually only a handful of other people here. Why is this? It's unclear - the sushi, while not being the most amazing around, is usually fresh and well-made - on occasion it's not been quite up to scratch but it's always at least acceptable and quite often very good. It's also good value, with a range of plates going from something like Â£1.20 up to Â£4-ish. Favourites are the soft-shell crab and California hand rolls (rice in a cone of nori, with either crab or salmon, tempura-battered king prawn and avocado). Service is fine. So, yeah, not amazing, but if you're after somewhere in Covent Garden that's not hugely expensive and not hugely crowded, this is a good choice.

Yoisho - Unfeasibly good Japanese Food by Hugo

Hugo — Sat, 03 May 2008 08:55:14 +0000

Review by Hugo

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7323 0477

Tags: japanese, lively, crowded, good value, family & home feel, scruffy, vegetarian dishes, wonderful

Yoisho is stealth Japanese food at its best. The restaurant itself is low key, scruffy and about as posh looking as a chippy. However, absorb the details. It is full of Japanese, it looks like it has been going for ever, it is packed and the menu is stuffed with intriguing things I have not seen on most normal Japanese menus.

Apparently the restaurant is run by a famous ex-boxer who likes his grub, straight up, rough-ready but seriously tasty.

The waitress was fantastically helpful saying that the food style was like Japanese tapas and that if you are drinking then it was not the done thing to eat rice (after all Sake as your rice quotient in it).

The result was a heavenly journey into Japanese food: seaweed soup, crispy tofu, prawn and ginger crispy things (like a japanese pizza?), salmon belly, sashimi (I know this sounds implausible but I have never eaten such fresh sashimi, it was a whole new level of freshness that makes me suspect they have a small artificial ocean underneath the restaurant) and much more. I am almost fainting with pleasure just thinking about it.

Eating here is a touch dangerous because the tapas are small and so delicious that it is hard to stop yourself from feverishly ordering more and more.

The person I was with, who found out about this place from a Chelsea street flower seller and has recently been to Japan said that this more closely reflects the local experience. It won't be for everyone, it is noisy, not smart, a little chaotic (all of which i quite enjoy from time to time) but yoisho's raison d'etre is its sheer tastyness.Yoisho is stealth Japanese food at its best. The restaurant itself is low key, scruffy and about as posh looking as a chippy. However, absorb the details. It is full of Japanese, it looks like it has been going for ever, it is packed and the menu is stuffed with intriguing things I have not seen on most normal Japanese menus.

Apparently the restaurant is run by a famous ex-boxer who likes his grub, straight up, rough-ready but seriously tasty.

The waitress was fantastically helpful saying that the food style was like Japanese tapas and that if you are drinking then it was not the done thing to eat rice (after all Sake as your rice quotient in it).

The result was a heavenly journey into Japanese food: seaweed soup, crispy tofu, prawn and ginger crispy things (like a japanese pizza?), salmon belly, sashimi (I know this sounds implausible but I have never eaten such fresh sashimi, it was a whole new level of freshness that makes me suspect they have a small artificial ocean underneath the restaurant) and much more. I am almost fainting with pleasure just thinking about it.

Eating here is a touch dangerous because the tapas are small and so delicious that it is hard to stop yourself from feverishly ordering more and more.

The person I was with, who found out about this place from a Chelsea street flower seller and has recently been to Japan said that this more closely reflects the local experience. It won't be for everyone, it is noisy, not smart, a little chaotic (all of which i quite enjoy from time to time) but yoisho's raison d'etre is its sheer tastyness.