Shogun

Food is great - don't think twice !
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ono74 - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, July 05, 2011

Shogun is a hidden gem tucked down a side street so many people may not know about it. I've been to all of the "popular" sushi / japanese places in London based on recommendations. I must say that the sushi at Shogun is by far the freshest and the best sushi that I've had in London and it puts those recommended places like Nobu, Zuma, Sumosan, etc to absolute shame. While the atmosphere may be nothing special, the quality of service and the friendliness of the staff more than make up for it. This place clearly deserves much more recognition than it gets and it definitely deserves the recommendation for the sushi alone...it is just the best in London.
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Shawn
8 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Saturday, January 09, 2010

I went tonight to Shogun for a meal for my birthday, after having tried to choose "the best authentic Japanese restaurant in London", searching all sorts of reviews and asking fellow friends in central London. I could not be happier with my choice of Shogun. I have eaten at Nobu and Zuma countless times, and wanted something more genuine Japanese of great quality.

We arrived early, and there were two other tables in the restaurant occupied; the room is like a grotto, underground, so could be off putting to someone wanting the buzz of a "nobu", but by 9 pm the restaurant was full with a great mix of clientelle. The service was absolutely delightful, professional and enthusiastic to wanting us to enjoy our meal to the fullest. The food was delicious, from the small starters such as steamed spinach, black cod and clear soup, to the Tuna Teriyaki I had and the sashimi my husband had was first class, fresh, second to none. My husband lived in Japan for 5 years, and he loved the food, saying it was as good as he had had anywhere. I personally eat out in top restaurants around the world, and Shogun is at the top of my list as places I want to eat at again, and top of my list for Japanese restaurants in London for quality and taste of the food. I am planning my next visit for next week! Thank you for a great night and wonderful food, if you're reading this Shogun!
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sal - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, June 18, 2009

I took my wife to Shogun for her birthday and am afraid to say we were both completely underwhelmed by the experience. We both chose a set meal, duck and sashimi. The hors d'euves of chicken balls, salmon and potato salad were ok but a little tasteless and averagely presented. The 'soup in a kettle' was enjoyably gimmicky but fairly tasteless too. They then proceeded to mix up our next courses which meant I was given a small sashimi course and, when we pointed out their mistake, received a larger for my next course . The sashimi was nice and fresh but inelegantly presented- I was expecting something a tad more special than a chunk each of salmon (again) tuna and sea bass. My wife's duck was overcooked, as were the accompanying carrots.

We were then presented with the ubiquitous 'free' fruit salad even though this was included in the set meal menu.

The staff were pleasant and attentive but, all in all, a very disapointing evening. On this evidence I would be more likely to return to Yo Sushi than Shogun.
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Phil McMahon
6 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Sunday, March 22, 2009

I would like to offer a slightly different take on Shogun than other reviewers here. The fulsome praise it's received suggests this restaurant is as astounding a take on Japanese cuisine as you will find outside of Tokyo and I'm afraid this just isn't so.

I'm certainly not saying that Shogun is a bad place to eat. On the contrary, our meal for two was pleasant, the staff attentive but not in your face, the food tasty and well presented.

But it was not, as other reviewers suggest, fantastic. The hors d'ouvres were a little bland, the salmon tasted quite literally of pre-packaged supermarket fare and the chicken teryaki felt as if it had been sitting out for some time.

On the plus side, the tempura was pretty good, the chef's clear soup very nice indeed, and the main course - mine beef, my other half's duck - was plentiful, even if the side vegetables were completely underwhelming - brocolli and carrot?

All in all, Shogun is good but not great. Pleasant but not particularly memorable. Worth bearing in mind before you book on the basis of the other reviews here as I did.
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N Garrett
8 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Sunday, February 15, 2009