Walking in, you have the feeling you’ve walked into an authentic Japanese Izakaya –the dishes of the day scrawled on the dark walls, the waitresses in kimonos. And the food is the real deal. The Sukiyaki is amazing (though as is typical in Europe it’s served minus the raw egg); and take a tip from a seasoned Sukiyaki fan: one serving is enough for two.
The sashimi and sushi are made with super fresh ingredients. There is a great selection of sake and Ozei Hana Awake Junmai (sparkling Sake), while you can also try some of the more unknown Japanese drinks, like the Calpis Sour (concoction of vodka and juice), or the alcoholic mountain tea, called Uron Hai (Oolong Tea with Shochu typically distilled from sweet potatoes, rice, or barley).
The chef, Taiyo-san, comes from Hokkaido, one of the four main Japanese islands. The service is sharp, and will make you feel at home. There’s a well-priced lunch menu at Nihon Bashi.
We also recommend… you order the Matcha Set – green tea made with a tea powder and a special bamboo whisk known as a Chasen.
They also have… desserts that are very Japanese, and tasty ice cream in a range of exotic flavours. We recommend the Wafu Aisu Moriawase (combination set), which includes green tea, red bean, and black sesame flavoured ice cream.
Also good to know… there’s also karaoke, from Mon until Sun 6pm–11pm
