Harden's survey result
Summary
“Like dining in Japan!” – Toru Takahashi is “the real deal” and provides an “intimate master sushi experience” at his “special” Clerkenwell 7-seater, which “is without doubt the best sushi in London at this price point” (and which, some would argue, invites comparison with The Araki, which charges about 4x the price here). The only fly in the ointment is the “ridiculous booking process” – it’s just “so hard to get a seat”.
Summary
“Less hyped than Araki, with great food at one-seventh the price!” – “Toru Takahashi entertains both your taste buds and your eyes” at his “charming” Clerkenwell 7-seater: “a showcase for his uncompromising attention to detail and illusionist-like skills”. “It feels like a stellar, very special experience” – “as close as you can get to authentic Japanese dining in London” – and delivers “astonishingly good sushi, yet without an absurd price tag”. The catch? – “it’s a nightmare getting a seat”.
Summary
“Having eaten in the fish market in Tokyo I know how authentic this restaurant is. Amazing!” – Harumi and Toru Takahashi are “charming hosts” and their “very intimate” Clerkenwell 7-seater serves “astonishing” sushi and other fare – “a mix of traditional and experimental dishes with perfect quality as the unifying factor”. It invites some comparison with The Araki, although “here you can enjoy Japanese-style seasonality without splashing quite so much cash”. “Booking is taken in one morning, two weeks in advance. It’s a race. Follow the Twitter account for a chance to get a last-minute seat”.
Summary
“As close to the Japanese sushi-ya experience as it’s possible to get outside Asia”; you sit at the bar, one of only 7 people face-to-face with the chef at this “amazing” Clerkenwell “hole in the wall”, run by a “lovely husband and wife team” and serving sushi “like an incredible dream”. (“It’s akin to the Vienna Philharmonic performing just for you and six others, while explaining every note!”)
Restaurant details
12 Jerusalem Pas, London, EC1V 4JP
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 5:30 pm-10 pm |
| Wednesday | 5:30 pm-10 pm |
| Thursday | 5:30 pm-10 pm |
| Friday | 5:30 pm-10 pm |
| Saturday | 5 pm-9:30 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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