Harden's survey result
Summary
“Now happily doubled in size” – this favourite stalwart near Hampstead tube “hasn’t been spoilt by its recent expansion” and remains “an atmospheric local gem”, much to the relief of its large following. “You feel like you might be in Tokyo here”, such is its unpretentious yet “elegantly bustling” nature; and “wonderful sushi and yakitori” (especially the latter) gives it a justifiable claim to offering “the best value Japanese food of its quality in London”.
Summary
“Sit at the counter and you might almost think you were in Tokyo… until you step outside and walk back to town over Hampstead Heath” from this “favourite Japanese” – one of NW3’s best claims to culinary fame. “A small place, it feels so down-to-earth and unassuming, and then blows you away with delicious sushi and yakitori grilled dishes, with even humbler items like seaweed salad made to perfection”. We’ve rated it in accordance with its long-term trend, but – having closed for much of the last year – it reopens in summer 2022 almost doubled in size. Here’s hoping they’ve kept the best facets of its former quaint and “most authentic” style.
Summary
“Simply the best for authentic yakitori and Japanese grills”, this small-but-perfect Hampstead veteran inspires an ardent fan club, having provided food of the very highest quality for four decades now. It’s no one-trick pony, either, complementing its yakitori grills with wonderful sushi, sashimi and hotpots, along with a good range of wine, beer and saké.
Summary
“Outstanding” Japanese cooking (“we dream about it!”) has made this stalwart “izakaya-style” venue one of Hampstead’s best foodie destinations for decades; and it attracts fans from across north London and beyond. “And it’s not all about sushi” – yakitori (“grilled delicacies”) are also a speciality here, and “the hotpots are brilliant too”. “Service is lovely”, and the only drawback is its diminutive size – “so get a reservation if you can”. Top Tip – “sit by the grill upstairs for the treat of watching the chef at work”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Jin Kichi?
73 Heath St, London, NW3 6UG
Restaurant details
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £21.00 |  |
|
|
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £3.50 | £22.60 | £6.40 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £40.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.50 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
73 Heath St, London, NW3 6UG
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12:30 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 12:30 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 12:30 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 12:30 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 12:30 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | 12:30 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
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