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Asakusa is crammed every evening. The young Camden crowd, Japanese and otherwise, don’t come for the frankly rather dingy, ‘squat-chic’ decor; they come for the low prices and the food, which is generally very good. Relentlessly cheerful servers bear constant smiles and a willingness to help decipher the menu. This makes few concessions to readability, but lists a staggering array of inviting victuals. Teishoku (set meals) make a decent starting point. Our mixed tempura (fat prawns and various veg) was hot and crisp. Sushi (juicy eel maki) and sashimi (yellowtail) are of a high standard and there’s a varied range. Small dishes are difficult to resist; our beef tataki wasn’t the most tender meat in town, but had plenty of flavour and was nicely presented. Buta kakuni, a slow-cooked pork belly dish, was rich and warming with an appetisingly sweet undertone, but we’d have liked it cooked a bit more, until it fell apart under the pressure of chopsticks. Most customers stick to large-format bottles of beer or tea, but there’s saké on the drinks list too. Book ahead if you’re after a ground-floor table; otherwise, it’s down to the basement.
Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009
London's best review, food and drink news
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By far the best Japanese in London, although tightly packed on weekends and don't even think of getting in there without a reservation. Best book a few days in advance. Highlights: unagi (eel), try Unagi Tamago, eel wrapped in pancake-thin omelette which is sublime, and definitely, DEFINITELY the noodles of the house, Asakusa Udon. It is the most expensive noodle dish on the menu but God is my witness these are noodles from heaven - and I have eaten them all over Japan. Do not think "I can always get noodles at Wagamama", because the Asausa bowl is in the class of its own. Thick, fragrant broth, with a poached egg which releases the yolk as you poke it, with deep fried ebi (prawn) and fishcake. The only thing to improve would be to have more imported beers (they only had Asahi Black from Japan, the rest was licenced stuff).
Love this place. The food is incredible and sooo cheap. The staff are lovely and helpful. This is by far my favourite restaurant in London.