Restaurants

Theres something about Nara that harks back to the 1980s. It could be the coloured uplighting, recalling old Duran Duran videos, or the fact that the Korean students who flock here for cheap lunches are enthusiastic fans of the Desperately Seeking Susan school of fashion. Nevertheless, the fitted black barbecue tables lend Nara a degree of sophistication and the set lunches with rice, soup, kimchi and namul are a bargain. The menu includes several Japanese dishes, but its the Korean food that steals the show. We visited on a busy weekday and, once seated, were presented with full-flavoured kimchi, spinach and beansprouts with sesame and translucent cubes of mung bean jelly. Mains werent far behind; the satisfying beef bulgogi was served on a sizzling iron platter with lots of onion and vegetables (table-top barbecues are mainly used in the evenings). Seafood tang was also impressive: whole shrimps, mussels and white fish in a rich, chilli-infused, bouillabaisse-like soup. However, the evening service can fall short; diners have complained about being rushed from their tables by overzealous staff.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2008