Restaurants

This patch of Golders Green must have reached saturation point for Japanese food. Café Japan is now neighbours with Hi Sushi, while Eat Tokyo sits around the corner, just a couple of doors down from grocery-cum-takeaway store Unohana. Sashimi and sushi dominate proceedings here, with the itamae (chef) slicing and splicing behind the front counter to please customers who regularly fill the yellow-walled dining room. Oyako chirashi – bearing cucumber, kanpyo (dried gourd), tamago (sweet omelette) and crabstick – was so well endowed that the salmon and ikura (salmon roe) had to be served on a separate plate. The specials list is always worth a read to catch rarities like yakigani (‘grilled Japanese giant crab’) or good deals such as six ebi tempura for £9. This well-worn North London favourite has changed hands twice since winning a Time Out gong in 1996, but still seems to be the king of the Golders Hill. However, it failed to wow on our last visit. While portions were healthy, prices trim and the waitresses as welcoming as ever, the sauces contained too much sugar and the sashimi looked a tad tired.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2008