Harden's says
A second branch of Eat Tokyo for Golders Green; this one focuses on Shabu-Shabu, a Japanese dish of thinly sliced meat and vegetables boiled quickly in boiling water and served with dipping sauces (also available at the other NW11 branch).
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Genuine”, “pleasingly quirky” and “unflashy” – these “humble”, extremely popular cafés offer “excellent-value Japanese food” from decent ingredients in “large portions” and are “always full” of “Japanese students and other Asian locals”. The “brusque” service is “a little haphazard, as is the seating”.
Summary
“A go-to place for an affordable and tasty Japanese ‘hit’” – this superbly consistent, “authentic” (slightly “dingy” looking) chain is “always full of Japanese diners so you know you’re onto a good thing”. “Prices are not the cheapest-of-the-cheap, but great value for the quality of Japanese food served” including the “real sushi, which bears no resemblance to the factory-produced, over-cooled and formulaic conveyor-belt muck you get elsewhere”. “Daily specials and a wide range of lunch Bento boxes mean they’re always bustling.”
Summary
“The mostly Japanese clientele speaks volumes” for the virtues of these “busy and cramped” canteens (“like a typical Tokyo dive”), which serve “excellent sushi and have plenty of other dishes to choose from”: “portions are generous and the price is good for the quality”. Top Tip – a wide variety of “great value bento boxes”.
Summary
“Hype-free, authentic Japanese cuisine”, inspires “popularity amongst ex-pats” and “queues out of the door” at these “unpretentious” (“noisy” and “crowded”) cafés. The menu is “voluminous”, but “they understand Japanese food: tastes are fresh and genuine and come at low prices”.
