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Abeno Too - review by chrisp

Rating: 4.0

Location: 17-18 Great Newport St, WC2H 7JE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7376 1160

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

Tags: japanese, crowded

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.]]> Mon, 01 Dec 2008 10:53:06 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1e12p8a/abeno-too604401854 japanese crowded 51.511889 -0.127329 Abeno Too - review by chrisp http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1e12p8a/abeno-too
Abeno Too - review by chrisp

Rating: 4.0

Location: 17-18 Great Newport St, WC2H 7JE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7376 1160

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

Tags: japanese, crowded

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.]]> Mon, 01 Dec 2008 10:53:06 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1e12p8a/abeno-too1874108128 japanese crowded 51.511889 -0.127329 Abeno Too - review by chrisp http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1e12p8a/abeno-too
Abeno Too - review by chrisp

Rating: 4.0

Location: 17-18 Great Newport St, WC2H 7JE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7376 1160

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

Tags: japanese, crowded

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.]]> Mon, 01 Dec 2008 10:53:06 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1e12p8a/abeno-too345797049 japanese crowded 51.511889 -0.127329 Abeno Too - review by chrisp http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1e12p8a/abeno-too
Abeno Too - review by chrisp

Rating: 4.0

Location: 17-18 Great Newport St, WC2H 7JE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7376 1160

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

Tags: japanese, crowded

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.]]> Mon, 01 Dec 2008 10:53:06 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1e12p8a/abeno-too1863262394 japanese crowded 51.511889 -0.127329 Abeno Too - review by Niamheen http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1e12p8a/abeno-too
Abeno Too - review by Niamheen

Rating: 4.0

Location: 17-18 Great Newport St, WC2H 7JE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7376 1160

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

Tags: lively, central, japanese

I was introduced to Okonomiyaki by an ex-work colleague, who adored it and insisted that we all go to Abeno for her work leaving do. I'd never heard of it before and was intrigued, some googling told me that it was a Japanese style omelette, native of Osaka. Hmmmm. I was wondering what could this Japanese style omelette be like?

So, off we trotted, I keen as mustard with the idea of a new culinary discovery awaiting me. Abeno Too, is situated just off Leicester Square, and has a large centre counter with teppan grills and a few tables to the side with teppan grills in the centre. So, it's warm. Very warm. They offer a variety of dishes from the aforementioned okonomiyaki, to soba dishes and a wide range of starters and desserts. We opted for the okonomiyaki and the prawn yaki-soba and within minutes they were making them in front of use and shortly after, we were eating it.

So what is it? Well, omelette isn't a fair term, the base is cabbage and some okonomiayi flour with a little egg and then other ingredients depending on your choice, mine was prawn, squid and salmon. As can be expected of most Japanese restaurants, the produce was extremely fresh and flavoursome. I really liked the okonomiyaki, although it tended on the heavy side, and having been to Japan since where they're a little more moist, I wonder if they've been adapted to our Western tastes e.g. bacon and cheese doesn't seem all that traditionally Japanese. My other gripe is that, while it's not expensive, it is a little expensive for what you get.

What's going for it? It's fun, sociable, different, central and fresh. That's enough reason to go, and I've gone there again since. I do prefer their sister branch, Abeno, near the British Museum. It's more intimate and cosy, consisting mainly of tables and away from the madding crowd in Leicester Square.]]> Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:39:05 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1e12p8a/abeno-too1950793004 lively central japanese 51.511889 -0.127329 Delicatessen Yoshino - review by emmanx http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/takeaway/1c04i8t/delicatessen-yoshino
Delicatessen Yoshino - review by emmanx

Rating: 4.7

Location: Japan Centre, W1J 9HG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7434 3610

Website: http://www.yoshino.net/delica

Tags: rare finds, bargain

I have a slight sushi obsession and this place was walking distance from work so I'd say I've spent the majority of my take-away lunches munching away on their sushi.

Unfortunately, Yoshino has been kicked out of the Japan Centre basement but they are promising to re-open it somewhere 'close' in October. In the meantime, the delicatessen is operating out of their restaurant just down the road from the Japan Centre so I guess not all is lost....]]> Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:11:05 +0000 /review/uk/london/takeaway/1c04i8t/delicatessen-yoshino1299055552 rare finds bargain 51.508568086856 -0.13679106058116 Faltering Fullback - review by lokester http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1p25j7/faltering-fullback
Faltering Fullback - review by lokester

Rating: 3.5

Location: 19 Perth Rodd, N4 3HB, London, United Kingdom

Tags: friendly, sport pub, standard pub food, beer garden, independent pub, rock, pool, underground

Hidden away in a street off Stroud Green road. Great atmosphere and choice of beers. And even the jukebox is great, with bands like Queensryche, Iron Maiden and Slayer in the list!]]> Sun, 07 Sep 2008 19:09:46 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1p25j7/faltering-fullback1947369452 friendly sport pub standard pub food beer garden independent pub rock pool underground 51.568387425534 -0.10981537806761 Abeno Too - review by sjsoutherner http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1e12p8a/abeno-too
Abeno Too - review by sjsoutherner

Rating: 4.0

Location: 17-18 Great Newport St, WC2H 7JE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7376 1160

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

My absolute favourite restaurant in London. It was introduced to me by a very health conscious American friend when I lived in London. Now i take every opportunity to visit when I'm back in the city. I've taken my whole family there and all have reviewed it equally as favourably.

This restaurant is always busy as its only small which is a shame as its location is great (being just off Leicester Square). I am sure this could cater for so many more people with its unusual menu.

Everytime I've ever been I've had the mixed mushroom okonomiyaki as I love the delicate flavours of the mushrooms mixed with garlic. The food is very professionally prepared in front of you and cooked on the hot plates at each table. Makes the food more of an experience than simply sitting down to eat a meal. My sister recommends the noodle pancakes (althought the portion size was more than she could manage on her own).

I love the detail of the sauces that are used to decorate the top of each pancake and the fish flakes (while offputting in appearance) are a real taste bonus.

While not Japanese in origin i would also recommend the dessert pancakes with a small fruit coulis. The most exceptional pancakes I've eaten out in London.]]> Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:40:44 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1e12p8a/abeno-too908677894 51.511889 -0.127329 Abeno Too - review by heyphilip http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1e12p8a/abeno-too
Abeno Too - review by heyphilip

Rating: 4.0

Location: 17-18 Great Newport St, WC2H 7JE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7376 1160

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

Tags: expensive, japanese


When i heard UK's first or Europe for that matter, okonomiyaki restaurant in London i was excited. The food is very amazing, and it is cooked in front of you, so a bit like a mini version of teppanyaki. I got to admit the space is not particular comfy or spacy. i do advise to sit near the window where there is more leg room. Also i feel bad for saying this.. but the cost of these okonomiyaki is well over priced compared to Japan, but then again its about supply and demand. This place is definite a place to come eat if you have not tried Okonomiyaki. ]]> Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:36:12 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1e12p8a/abeno-too1327531329 expensive japanese 51.511889 -0.127329 Delicatessen Yoshino - review by Mattweir http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/takeaway/1c04i8t/delicatessen-yoshino
Delicatessen Yoshino - review by Mattweir

Rating: 4.7

Location: Japan Centre, W1J 9HG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7434 3610

Website: http://www.yoshino.net/delica

Tags: Sushi

The Sushi here is fresh and delicious - sometimes handed over as it's made. You won't find Sushi at a better price in central London, and you only need to see the number of Japanese here at lunch time to realise this is the 'real deal'. I've been enjoying it for over 2 years, but it is now becoming incredibly busy at lunch time.]]> Fri, 30 Nov 2007 12:26:54 +0000 /review/uk/london/takeaway/1c04i8t/delicatessen-yoshino1038586939 Sushi 51.508568086856 -0.13679106058116 Delicatessen Yoshino - review by Mez http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/takeaway/1c04i8t/delicatessen-yoshino
Delicatessen Yoshino - review by Mez

Rating: 4.7

Location: Japan Centre, W1J 9HG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7434 3610

Website: http://www.yoshino.net/delica

Tags: cheap, cheapest, bargain, rare finds, delicatessen, sushi, shop, japanese

This place is tucked away, in the Japan Centre, itself a 2 seconds walk from Piccadilly circus.

The Japan centre houses a restaurant on the ground floor (which is always busy, offers good food albeit pricey, but that's a review for another day!), and a Japanese delicatessen/shop downstairs - the subject of this review.

The sushi @ Yoshino's is the cheapest I've found. It's of a decent quality and variety too (to give you an example, you can get a pack of 8 Salmon & Avocado maki/roll for £2.95. BAR-GAIN!).

The place is always full of people, esp. during lunchtime, but their super efficient order processing system won't make you wait for more than a couple of minutes.

It's THE place to go to pick up a packed sushi lunch at more than an affordable price.

NB. When I went today (29th Nov 07) the shop was being revamped. Not sure what they're planning there but it used to offer everything you needed to make your own Japanese meals. I'll try to update when I find out what they've got in store (pun intended ;)

]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:07:08 +0000 /review/uk/london/takeaway/1c04i8t/delicatessen-yoshino830636187 cheap cheapest bargain rare finds delicatessen sushi shop japanese 51.508568086856 -0.13679106058116 Abeno Too - review by gizmogirl http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1e12p8a/abeno-too
Abeno Too - review by gizmogirl

Rating: 4.0

Location: 17-18 Great Newport St, WC2H 7JE, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7376 1160

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

Tags: expensive, crowded, japanese

t's a bit pricey but deff worth going. I luv the fact that you can put your coats and bags below the wooden seats so you won't need to worry if your coats will smell after.
The salad is deff a must try and i luv their yakitori.
]]> Tue, 20 Nov 2007 16:11:19 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1e12p8a/abeno-too1517972865 expensive crowded japanese 51.511889 -0.127329 Centre Point Sushi Cafe - review by lenalouise http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o42p8p/centre-point-sushi-cafe
Centre Point Sushi Cafe - review by lenalouise

Rating: 4.3

Location: 20-21 St Giles High Street, WC2H 8LN, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7379 3369

Tags: japanese, hidden, family & home feel, sushi

Initially, we were just gonna pop in and order some takeaway but the restaurant looked so inviting we decided to sit down after all. The staff are attentive and it was interesting watching the sushi chef expertly cut perfect slices of sashimi :D

We had some miso soup, gyoza and a selection of nigiri with some green tea. I especially enjoyed the scallop, eel and the sea bream. The scallop was just melt-in-your-mouth delicious...smooth and creamy with a natural sweetness. Unfortunately, they didn't have any toro that day but most places I've been to don't seem to have it that often.

The bill wasn't that cheap. I think it was about £60 for 2 but we could have eaten more. I'd definately come back again though.]]> Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:23:56 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1o42p8p/centre-point-sushi-cafe1794303244 japanese hidden family & home feel sushi 51.51564292351 -0.12929577817609 Centre Point Sushi Cafe - review by mif http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o42p8p/centre-point-sushi-cafe
Centre Point Sushi Cafe - review by mif

Rating: 4.3

Location: 20-21 St Giles High Street, WC2H 8LN, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7379 3369

Tags: japanese, good value

It wasn't easy to find this place the first time as it is upstairs in a Japanese grocery store. It's a gem of a place. Only a few steps from Tottenham Crt Rd station, the restaurant is small, cosy and authentic with consistently delicious sushi that tastes fresh (you can see the sushi chef slicing and rolling quietly on one side of the room). The times I've been here for dinner, patrons have conversed in quiet tones so it is easy to enjoy the ambience too. By luck I've been seated in a booth each time I've dined here - they are probably the best seating you can get if you enjoy people-watching the street below but it doesn't detract from the place and delicious sushi if you don't get a booth seating.]]> Mon, 22 Oct 2007 15:24:56 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1o42p8p/centre-point-sushi-cafe583019432 japanese good value 51.51564292351 -0.12929577817609 Centre Point Sushi Cafe - review by osaru http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1o42p8p/centre-point-sushi-cafe
Centre Point Sushi Cafe - review by osaru

Rating: 4.3

Location: 20-21 St Giles High Street, WC2H 8LN, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7379 3369

Tags: japanese, perfect ambience, seafood, good value, vegetarian

A real hidden gem in Tottenham court road.

Quality of the sushi (especially the toro) is the best I have tried in London, even later in the day. A real head and shoulders above some places that serve mayonaise in next to everything.

Love the relaxed atmosphere, just feels right, like a small slice of Tokyo transported to London, not pretentious or too shabby.

Also great value for money considering the prices that get banded about for sushi in London.

Highly recommended.]]> Mon, 24 Sep 2007 12:59:24 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1o42p8p/centre-point-sushi-cafe1778699733 japanese perfect ambience seafood good value vegetarian 51.51564292351 -0.12929577817609