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What is 'following'?Restaurant: Japanese
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Time Out says 2 Users say Rate it
During these balmy summer evenings, I can't think of anything better than cooling down with some iced green tea and a platter of fresh sashimi, followed by a dish of tart, cooling citrus sorbet. These were the highlights of the meal at Tokyo Jo. It's manned by a benevolent Japanese sushi chef called Danny, who on our visit was darting about tables introducing himself and welcoming the diners. The waitresses are also a cheerful bunch.
The menu's a fairly standard Japanese selection, taking in mainly sushi and sashimi but with a few noodle dishes, grilled meats and donburi (rice bowls) bulking it out. But then Tokyo Jo's not trying to be the next Nobu.
The room's a spacious two-tiered affair that seats two dozen. Japanese memorabilia decorate the room, such as illustrated postcards depicting samurai and geisha; empty saké bottles; even a samurai sword rests on a shelf behind the sushi bar. The background music takes in everything from ghetto rap to the mellow twangs of the Thievery Corporation.
Everything on the sushi and sashimi menu was sweet and fresh, with creamy mackerel standing out for its lack of 'fishiness'. But the knifework could be improved, with slices of fish varying in thickness. Danny's nigiri sushi were more consistent, with the grains of pleasantly vinegared rice slightly on the al dente side, but well-formed. They were the perfect size, too, with a good ratio of fish to rice - just small enough to pop one, whole, into your mouth in one go, as you should.
But the cold tenzaru udon (wheat noodles, served with prawn tempura) was no patch on our current London benchmark, Koya in Soho - but then, few are. The noodles (not own-made) were soggy, and the portion small for £10. The prawns were sweet and bouncy, but the tempura coating was too thick and brown (instead of light and golden).
The ice-creams and sorbets might not be own-made, but the yuzu (Japanese citrus) sorbet is a stunning way to end the meal. Cool, tart and peppered throughout with tiny yuzu zest; it's a shame we can't commend the kitchen at Tokyo Jo for it.
For service, atmosphere and food, Tokyo Jo is great as a local. But despite Danny's charms, we wouldn't recommend going too far out of your way to dine there.
Tokyo Jo Café details
Follow Tokyo Jo Café to receive updates on special offers here.
What is 'following'?Transport Clapham Junction rail or bus 77, 87, 156, 345
020 7924 5656
Open noon-3pm, 6pm-11pm Tues-Sun
Meal for two with drinks and service: around £60
Tokyo Jo Café map
Restaurants & cafés near Tokyo Jo Café
See all restaurants near Tokyo Jo CaféComments & ratings 2/5 (Average of 2 ratings)
Extremely extremely rude staff, booked through a groupon voucher, after trying numerous times to book a table they refused to book us in and quite literally shouted down the phone "everyone has groupon vouchers, we'll take no more bookings". Surely if that's the case they shouldn't have sold so many in the first place and should refund their customers. Anyhow, i cannot speak for the actual food, but if you're considering buying a groupon voucher or expecting good customer service i would not recommend this restaurant!
Tokyo Jo's is very good. The staff were exceptionally friendly, helpful and efficient, the chef came out to speak to us and the excellent sushi, followed by grilled chicken skewers and rice was very much up to standard. However, we followed up with an order for "rare" grilled beef, which nevertheless was very overdone. When asked, the very friendly chef said that they cooked it that way because that is the way the English like it. I really cannot believe that people who had really really enjoyed an extensive variety of sushi would want their beef over done, especially when they had ordered it rare. However, we would certainly return, but making sure that our orders were thoroughly understood before submitting them to the kitchen.
A Japanese Culinary Adventure in Clapham! Have an appetite for authentic japanese food without the expense of a trip to Japan? Then Tokyo Jo Cafe is the place to go.Everything they served was authentic to taste,so DELICIOUS.Great atmosphere with excellent service and value.Simply AMAZING!!!!!
Really great place to explore Japanese standards. Very friendly staff, chef always comes out to have a chat, and the food is packed with flavour. The restaurant design is pretty, with an open fireplace and large tables. Highly recommended.
This is a fantastic place for Japanese food! I go there on a very regular basis and I am always super happy with the food and service! Really a true taste of Japan and does, without a doubt, get top marks from me!!! I love Japanese food and have visited many Japanese restaurant in London and abroad and Tokyo Jo is really one of the best - if not the best!!! So go on and try it out! You will be a very happy customer, I assure you!!!
Tokyo Jo Cafe is Brilliant! This is the best Japanese I have had in London - and I lived in Japan for awhile. It is incredible (light years better than Miyajima - I disagree with the previous comment - I even like it better than Nobu !). The chef, who worked at Intercontinental Hotels for over 15 years training chefs around the world in Japanese cuisine is incredible, every time I have been the food has been impeccible and incredible quality - from the yaru soba, to sushi to the yaki tori dishes - the best Japanese food in London at any price range!
Tried this place last Friday and really wanted it to be good as it's so close to my house. Compared to Miyajima though, it is awful. The quality of the ingredients seems to be a couple of levels down and the sauces are not as refined and full of flavour. Amoungst other things we had Yaki Soba, which was just noodles & chicken in soy sauce. No egg, no peanuts, no flavour, no nothing. A real disappointment.
i totally agree with all of you this place is out standing as good as Donna margherita restaurant very good for lavender hill hopefully will get very busy soon!!!
they deserve it!!
I'm a massive food fan and spend an extensive amount of time trying new restaurants and love anything remotely asian. Let me tell you Tokyo Jo is truly stunning. The fish is unbelievably fresh, the menu exciting, presentation top top notch and the chef is such a character. I am proud a place of this quality has found it's way onto Lavender Hill and truly recommend it to anyone as I genuinely believe it is up and coming. My favourite place!
I've been a few times now and I think it great and do go out of my way to travel to this 'local'. Always very fresh great quality sashimi and some great hot dishes too.
The BBQ Eel is a stand out dish.
Good portion sizes too.
The chef is very friendly and happy to chat to you if you are at the sushi bar.
i disagree totally with your opinion and strongly believe that your comment are out of order this place is staining the chef is brilliant i just think that you have no idea of what you are talking about i strongly recommend it to Avery body and make your way so you can realise our an fare they have been!!
I think it is unfair that the review ends on a low point. This is probably the best Japanese cafe that I have tried in London and it regularly tempts me back. Give it a try and make your own decision.
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