Tipped

Among the Best Sushi Restaurants

December 06, 2008

This seeming hole-in-the-wall sushi restaurant is actually one of the top London sushi restaurants, regularly praised as a favourite sushi restaurant by some of London's top chefs. The decor is dismal, and the space is cramped, but you don't even notice because the food is so impressively good.

The sashimi and fish are top grade, making all of their sushi, sashimi and fish dishes spectacular. Jin Kichi also has an in-house grill (there are seats available at the bar around the grill), where they grill delicious skewers of chicken, beef and fish. Warming bowls of soba and udon are also available -- the menu is quite large. Everything is prepared with care, and the Japanese staff works with great consideration, making for a great overall experience.

There aren't a lot of seats available, and they book up in advance, so booking ahead is highly recommended if not absolutely necessary. A good time to go is also for Saturday lunch (which also requires booking!).

Keywords: awesome sushi, cuisine: japanese, Great Japanese, cuisine: japanese noodle bar

Hidden Hampstead gem

October 20, 2008

This unpretentious Japanese in Hampstead is one of our absolute faves! The menu is excellent, the pretty traditional food is fresh as can be and yummy, the staff and many customers are Japanese (always a good sign!), and the atmosphere is always buzzing.

There's a small room on the ground level and a tiny downstairs room near the kitchen. Both are good.

It's not in the usual main street, it's up the hill from the tube station - on the left. If you find Gaucho Grill, it's pretty much opposite.

Best to book ahead as it is always packed.

Keywords: japanese, hampstead