Harden's survey result
Summary
“Well produced, tasty morsels of delight” including “ace lunchtime bento boxes” are served at these “pared down” Japanese canteens, which provide “good value for money for what is generally an expensive cuisine”. Founder Mr Taro is not one for fast food: he conceived the idea of opening an ‘everyday dining room’ on a visit to London in 1979 and launched it in Soho 20 years later. Two decades on he is in expansion mode, and in February 2023 opened a sixth branch in a former Manze Pie & Mash shop in Walthamstow, with a Grade II listed interior now restored to its previous glory.
Summary
“It’s easy to walk past” these “unassuming” Japanese canteens, but “don’t – go on in!” There’s a “great choice on the menu of both cooked plates and sushi”; “the food is always delicious” and prices are keen for a cuisine that can be very expensive. After two decades in Soho, the group has now pushed into Balham, Kennington and Finchley, with Pimlico and Walthamstow scheduled for late 2022.
Summary
“No frills but great food” is the deal at this small group of basic Japanese canteens, which has pushed south and east after more than 20 years in Soho, with branches now in the City, Balham and Kennington. They serve a wide range of sushi, noodle and rice dishes, with the best value to be found in the bento boxes and ‘set’ meals.
Summary
Bustling “no-frills” Japanese canteens that serve “great value” noodles and sushi at an efficient pace. The Soho original of over two decades standing has now been joined by branches in the City, Balham and most recently Kennington (which is a little more spacious).
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).
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Restaurant details
Taro Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Used to eat here occasionally when I worked round the corner. It was ok then (not great) and has now really gone downhill. Cannot understand why it is so busy. Greasy fried lumps of oil as well as greasy chicken. Soggy prawn tempura. Live thin sashimi which means none of the taste sensation of good sashimi. "
"A disappointment this time, as it was not as good as in the past. The beef teriyaki wasn't great and everything in my bento box was just a little too ordinary. Been going here for years so I will go back hoping to have a better experience "
Opening hours
dinner till 10.30 pm
Last orders: 11 pm, Sun 9.30 pm
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