Japanese Journey at London Restaurant Festival 2014

It is the London Restaurant Festival again and as always, there is so much to do. It gets better each year with more events and more restaurant deals. I was well delighted when we were invited to the Japanese Journey at London Restaurant Festival. It was the most delightful Saturday of eating and drinking through Japanese food and whisky.

Japanese Journey: How it Works?

If you are wondering how this works, you will receive a Japanese Journey passport once you've bought your ticket. There will be a list of six restaurants with a simple map provided in the passport so you can plan your journey accordingly. There is no schedule to the trail. It is pretty free and easy, as long as you complete it between 12pm-6pm.

All meals will be served with a choice of Suntory Yamazaki Distiller's Reserve Highball, or Suntory Hakushu Distiller's Reserve Highball. So yes, you will be having 6 long glasses of whisky and soda over ice throughout the Japanese Journey.

Below is the list of six participating Japanese restaurants for the trail that will give you a few different perspective of the Japanese cuisine. I definitely came across some that I will return to fairly soon.

TONKOTSU - SOHO

Twitter: @tonkotsulondon
63 Dean Street, London W1D 4QG

We started off with the first stop at Tonkotsu which we were served three different types of gyozas and a glass of Suntory Whisky each. Please also see my earlier post on Tonkotsu East for a full review.

Fresh, home-made gyoza dumplings, filled with pork, prawn or shiitake

  

SHORYU

Twitter: @shoryuramen
3 Denman Street, London W1D 7HA

Inside Shoryu

Here at Shoryu, we were given two choices, as shown below.

Wagyu Beef Hirata Bun

The white steamed bun was soft and fluffy, filled with thin slices of juicy and flavourful wagyu beef yakiniku (grilled meat) with shiso, daikon & shimeji.

For those of you unfamiliar with Japanese ingredients, wagyu beef is meat from Japanese cattle, known for its quality and intense fat marbling which is highly desired. Fat marbling in beef is important in providing flavour, moisture and tenderness. Although the hirata bun above looks plain, it delivers in flavour, and juicy tenderness.

- Shiso is a type of herb belonging to the mint family, widely used in Japanese cuisine.
- Daikon, also known as mooli is a white winter radish.
- Shimeji is a type of mushroom from East Asia.

Taster size Kotteri Tonkotsu

The Koterri Tonkotsu is the signature ramen of Shoryu. Kotteri ramen is characterised by its rich, thick, heavier and more oily soup. The thick and richer soup coats on the noodles when you slurp away. Simply delicious.

STICKS 'N' SUSHI

Twitter: @sticknsushi_UK
11 Henrietta Street, London WC2E 8PY

Sticks 'n' Sushi has a modern ambience suited to its location. They serve sushi and sticks (grilled yakitori sticks) with a unique concept combining Japanese and Danish cuisine, influenced by the half Japanese and half Danish roots of the founders. The food were beautifully plated as in the pictures of their very well presented menu. 

Sushi Plate: Salmon sashimi, Tempura shrimp with avocado, tuna and spicy sauce, Ebi panko roll of tempura shrimp avocado, sesame and tsume sauce; Monti Carlo rolls of avocado, cucumber, cray fish with miso aioli and trout roe.

Colourful, fresh and flavourful with multiple textures make the plate of sushi very interesting.

Sticks plate: Edamame with spicy miso sauce; chicken breast topped with chili dip, teriyaki and spring onion; Bacon wrapped asparagus

CHISOU

Twitter: @ChisouLondon
4 Princes Street, Mayfair, London W1B 2LE

Chisou is known for its traditional and authentic Japanese cuisine with an extensive list of sake where most of them are not available in the UK. The food is elegant, as you would expect from a detail oriented Japanese restaurant.

The entrance filled with many different types of sake

We had perfect seat at the sushi bar watching the chef at work

Spicy Hamachi Carpaccio - Kagoshima line caught yellow tail carpaccio win a spiced dressing

Such a delicate plate of carpaccio that was fresh and perfectly balanced. Sublime. 

Gyu tataki - thin slices of seared rare beef fillet with ponzu sauce and daikon

KUROBUTA

Twitter: @KurobutaLondon
17-20 Kendall Street, Marble Arch London W2 2AW

Kurobuta Sampler

The Kurobuta Sampler includes BBQ Pork belly buns with spicy peanut soy sauce, Jurusalem artichoke chopsticks with truffle ponzu, Smoked duck tataki with burnt ginger amazu, Nasu dengaku with caramelised walnuts, and Salmon nigiri with bernaise salsa. 

BBQ pork belly buns

We all agreed that the BBQ pork belly buns were fabulous. I suppose this is their signature dish since Kurobuta, the name of this restaurant means 'black pig' in Japanese. In Japan, kurobuta pork is the king in flavours and tenderness in the pork world. This bun has certainly lived up to its expectation.

KANADA-YA

Twitter: @kanadaya_LDN

64 St Giles High Street, London WC2H 8LE

It is a shame that the queue was too long when we arrived so we hopped on to other restaurants on the trail first. By the time we got on to the fifth one, we were all too full to carry on to Kanada-Ya to complete our trail. The owner was very kind to let us return with the passport to try their popular ramen another day. I shall update this post once I have been back to try their Original Ramen or Moyashi Ramen. I heard they have one of the most original Ramen in London.

More About Japanese Food

Since this is a Japanese Journey post, there are a few articles and links that I think is useful to expand your knowledge about Japanese food.

- Ramen Glossary
- Guide to Ramen Styles by Serious Eats

London Restaurant Festival 2014

8-27 October 2014
Twitter: @LRF_2014

- Japanese Journey
- Chicchetti Trail (Italian)
- Tapas Tour
- China Town Tour
- More Events

Remember to checkout Hecticophilia and Wander to Wonder's write up for more about Japanese Journey. If you are more interested in the Italian Food trail, The Awkward Blog, Whatever Gets You through the Day and My Little Italian Kitchen has recently been on it so that's where to find out more.

P.S. : I am aiming to post reviews for both The Balcon and Winter Gardens that I have recently been to on the London Restaurant Festival in the next days so do remember to check back.
    
Enjoy the rest of the London Restaurant Festival!

*Thank you NuffnangUK for the complimentary ticket.

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Japanese Tapas at Kirazu | London

Kirazu has very discreetly tucked itself on Rupert Street, still remains almost a secret even on a street that can be rather busy. As you enter, you will be greeted with a counter packed with all sorts of interesting Japanese tapas but for some reason, none of us noticed it when we entered. We just somehow walked pass it. I do recommend you having a browse at these selections as they do look pretty tempting.

Right in front of the counter are two long wooden tables where we sat next to strangers who seemed repose even on a mid week night. Maybe it is the vibe of the small and cosy space that exudes calm.

What I like most about this little restaurant is its almost east end décor of bare hanging light bulbs and old wooden crates on the wall sat on steel hooks.  

Agedashi tofu

We ordered quite a few little plates but did not order rice or anything substantial to go with them so I would advice ordering some ramen or rice to go with your tapas as a filler. The agedashi tofu had crispy skin and very soft wobbly inside. It was tasty with its umami sauce. The takoyaki too was really good with tender pieces of octopus and gooey filling.

Takoyaki

Salmon sashimi; Grilled eel and cucumber with Japanese vinaigrette 

I love unagi so this grilled eel and cucumber salad with seaweed was something I appreciated. It was more refreshing than the usual unagi as they have added cucumber and vinaigrette to it. As for the sashimi, it was nice and fresh.

Grille aubergine with sweet miso paste; Choi-yaki mentaiko (speared spicy cod roe)

The seared spicy cod roe was rather salty and spicy, almost like little caviars. I can see how some people might not like it but I find it interesting especially eaten with something else like rice or congee so it does not taste as strong. The grilled aubergine on the other had was nice but was not fantastic.

Overall, it is a lovely little intimate restaurant serving decent food but not one that will blow your mind away. It is worth visiting though, if you would like to have some sake with light food to go with it.

Smile..

Enjoyed the intimate setting.

Frown..

Portions are really small.

Will I return?

Yes, if I would like something light to eat and not too filling.

Kirazu

47 Rupert Street

W1D 7PD United Kingdom.

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7729 0246

Closest station: Piccadilly Circus / Leicester Square

  

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Assa, my favourite Korean | London

It has taken me so long to write about Assa. It is truly my favourite Korean restaurant in London by a mile. I've been going to the original Assa on St. Giles High Street for as long as I remember being in this city. It is a very cosy and homely little restauarant which has gotten popular seeing them open a branch on Romilly Street not far from St Giles Street. I have never been to the new branch but I don't feel the need to as I have gotten attached to this simple little cosy Korean restaurant. I like feeling as if I am in a small little restaurant in Korea.

The simple interior 

Pork and kimchi Hot Pot

The hot pot is such a winter warmer, one of my favourites during winter or any other time of the year. It is packed full of flavour, hot and spicy with lots of ingredients. It gets tastier at the end when the water in the broth has slowly vaporised and and the simmering had garnered the flavour and sweetness from all the goodness in it.

Hotpot's ready!

A bite of the BBQ marinated beef could tell that it has been marinated for hours, if not overnight. It was WHAM BAM BOOM in the mouth!! (yeah, out of words)

Stir fried spicy marinated beef was so delicious, we finished it in a blink. 

Stir fried spicy marinated beef, all gone and we almost licked the plate clean.

Pan fried mackerel, crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Well tasty.

Smile..

Cosy ambience and fantastic Korean food with no fuss. My favourite Korean in London.

Frown..

There will be a long queue at peak dining hours so get there early. Unless you're in a big group, they don't take reservation. It is a small restaurant.

Will I return?

Yes. And I have return many times over the years.

Assa

53 St. Giles High Street (Closed. Now relocated to Romilly street)
WC2H 8LH London, United Kingdom.
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7240 8256

Closest station: Tottenham Court Road (central, northern)

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Yotam Ottolenghi's NOPI

Yotam Ottolenghi's NOPI is glossy and golden, with long and spacious dining room; quite an adult compared to his little cosy cafes. The service was smooth, staffs were friendly and the food is true to his style.

We were served this lively Squash Hummus as soon as we settled in to our seats.

The quail was smartly cooked with Miso and served it with grapes to give it some juicy sweetness to the already perfectly cooked quail.

The very thin and tender slices of seared beef.

Moist seabass with crispy skin and citrus was fresh and clean.

I really like the Mediterranean appearance  of this Chargrilled Octopus With Morcilla. It tasted good too.

When we initially ordered the galette, we expected it to be a typical circular french galette but this was so much better! What seems like a simple dessert came out to be a fantastic end to the meal.

Smile..

Vibrant flavours and I really like the small plate concept as there is more varieties to try. Remember to visit the mirror maze of a restroom. It can be quite cool and fun unless of course you aren't able to wait any longer to find your way in.

Frown..

The small plates are really quite small so it can be pricey once you add them all up.

Will I return?

Yes. Highly recommended for the food and service.

NOPI

21-22 Warwick Street
London W1B 5NE
Tel: +44 (0)207 494 9584

Closest station: Oxford Circus (bakerloo & central)

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Bone daddies for a bowl of warm bear hug this winter

It was a cold wintery day, having just snowed the day before. Most people stayed home and those who were out like us, were wrapped up like dumplings. Yes, we had to meet this specific day. No postponing or whatsoever. Firstly, we had to hear all the juicy details about the proposal from our newly engaged girly. Secondly, another friend of ours was leaving for good the next day. See, all the reasons to be out on such a cold day.

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Since we were in Soho, what better place is there for hot soupy ramen! We headed straight to Bone Daddies and were so lucky there was no queue. It was probably cause we were there before the busy late Saturday lunch time.

Tonkotsu Ramen with bone broth simmered for 20 hours - not spicy for those who can't eat spicy food

Tantanmen - slightly spicy for those who like it spicy

The ramen had thick flavoursome broth, very rich and sweet. They came with perfectly cooked eggs which were slightly runny and pork slices that melt in the mouth.

By the time we were finishing our meal, the queue was already piling up, with people staring at us, hoping we would gobble up our two slurps full of deliciously hot soupy ramen so they get to do the same.

Smile..

Well flavoured ramen and very comforting like a warm bear hug during winter. The big bowl of ramen is enough to keep you filled up for the whole day.

Frown..

It is eat and leave type of place and not suitable to linger a little longer for dessert once the ramen digests.

Will I return?

Definitely, especially during such cold weather.

Bone Daddies Ramen Bar

31 Peter Street
London W1F 0AR
Tel: +44 (0)207 287 8581

Closest station: Piccadilly Circus

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Randall & Aubin

Tuck in the vicinity of the Soho red light scene, the seafood displayed at the window and the usually long queue definitely entice Soho passersby. That was the reason why some of us were keen to go there in the first place. The interior had shelves filled with bottles of Champagne, framed pictures of seafood on the walls and a big disco ball on the ceiling. It was dim with groovy music that will get everyone ready to continue the night with more drinks and dance in Soho.

Well presented fresh Devon crab salad with shrimp, avocado and pimento dressing

Considering this is a crab and avocado salad, the chef could be more generous with both ingredients. It lacked the sweetness of crab meat and avocado creaminess although, I like the pimento dressing and that they packed the stacked salad with lots of crab roe which I absolutely love.

Mixed grilled seafood - scallops, squid, tuna, seabass, prawns, mussels with aioli and grille garlic flatbread

The mixed seafood was well cooked except for the fish. The tuna was overdone and was not seasoned well. The seabass could be better with crispy skin. The flatbread was good but aioli was more like mayonnaise as it lacked garlic and lemon juice.

Large roasted Langoustine with garlic butter  & pommes frites

The garlic butter brought out the already fresh and sweet langoustines to live. Remember to suck the juices out of the head. That is where the flavour and creaminess is concealed. Peeling them were a little messy but that is part of the fun of eating seafood. Get your hands dirty, lick the your fingers for any seafood juices that has trickled down your hands. At least you will be provided with enough serviettes and bowls of lemon water to wash your hands.

Sticky date pudding with ice cream

A plate of warm pudding with toffee sauce and cold vanilla ice cream that is to die for. I have been searching for this sticky date heaven that is rich but light in texture for a while now, and I found it! This is only second to the ones I had in Marco Pierre White's Kings Road Steakhouse and Grill.

By the end of the night, my legs were a little numb from sitting on the uncomfortable chair but since the end of our meal was a delight, that did not bother me so much. My personal reasoning behind the awkward chair is to make sure customers are not able to sit and chat for too long while a long queue of people are waiting in the cold for their turns. It is a small restaurant, very packed and do not take reservations for dinner so get there early or wrap up tight.

Smile..

Fresh langoustines. Sticky date pudding to die for.

Frown..

Uncomfortable seats, too dark and loud music. Price and value ratio needs revising.

Will I return?

For when I have craving for pudding.

Randall & Aubin

16 Brewer Street
Soho, London
W1F 0SG

Tel + 44 (0) 20 7278 4447
Lunch time reservations only

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