Harden's survey result
Summary
Long a beacon for “exceptional and authentic Japanese” cooking – and at “great value for Hampstead” – the ratings have dipped for this restaurant since it expanded into the premises next door a couple of years back. “It’s twice the size and quite posh now, but the service is not as great” and “the sushi, yakitori skewers and so on are good, but didn’t blow me away as they did in the past” – “maybe the standard of London sushi has risen but it all felt rather lacklustre several years on from my previous visit”.
Summary
This “top-value Japanese for its quality, now happily doubled in size”, has drawn aficionados from across London to its Hampstead premises for decades, to sample sushi, yakitori and other delicacies. Guests can perch at sushi or grill bars where “you can watch the genuine article being prepared under your nose” – or sit at tables where “we were allowed to drink tea all afternoon when lunch just wasn’t long enough”.
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.
For 34 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
Jin Kichi Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Jin Kichi is a really good, local restaurant to have - good variety of food, good service and decent value."
"Excellent, authentic Japanese food in a cramped (despite doubling in size) local Hampstead spot. Half the restaurant is native Japanese diners, which is a testament to the quality of the food. Excellent sake list. Service would have scored a 4 if I could speak Japanese. Priced reassuringly high. "
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £60.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
73 Heath St, London, NW3 6UG
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12:30 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 12:30 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 12:30 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 12:30 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 12:30 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | 12:30 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
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