Tajima-Tei

Went to this restaurant for the first time last year and have been going back regularly for the past few months. My Japanese flatmate says it's the best restaurant she had tried in London. I think we must have tried more than 20 of them.

If you don't know what to order, order a set. I personally love the grilled eel set. Only around 20 pounds and it's really filling. You get a Japanese potato salad - the mayo they use is different from Western mayo and a lot more delicious, a small portion of fried vege in a soya based sauce, rolled egg omelet (it's cold), the eel of course, rice, miso soup and fruits.

If ordering seperately, try the grilled black cod and the fried aubergine with miso paste (it's sweet). The soft shell crab was pretty good, but I find it slightly oily. The Deep fried chicken was yummy and the yakitori was okay. I'd prefer Soho Japan for grilled dishes. The agedashi tofu is okay - it's constantly good. The sashimi is very decent. I would go to I would skip the grilled beef though. It's a little chewy.

We tried some off the menu dishes as well such as chawan-mushi (steam egg custard), a seafood soup served in a tea pot and soba. My boyfriend really enjoyed them, but I found the egg and the soup too artificial - I could taste the fish stock more than the ingredients themselves.

Last but not least, try the black sesame ice-cream. It's really really good. Let it sit in our mouth and let the sesame taste spread all over your tongue. Absolutely delicious.

When I go with my girlfriends, it rarely costs more than 25-30 pounds per person. If I go with the guys, it can easily go up to 40 pounds. It's a great price for all the good food, great service and a nice but not pretentious atmosphere.
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JL
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Went to Tajima-Tei on Wednesday evening. The outside of the restaurant does n't look like anything special, but the food was really good. I would definitely go there again. We had the gyoza for starters, it was very nice, even though it was n't served until after we had received our main courses. The main courses were excellent. Even the house white wine was n't bad.
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Ballu Sesay
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8
Friday, February 01, 2008

Been here a number of times and just keep going back, excellent food and good friendly ambience. Staff are very friendly and don't sem to forget face, we once went and ordered far too much sushi. The waitress remebered us and warned us in a very cute jokey way that we shoudln't do the same again! Will keep going back.
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PA
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, August 31, 2007

Here's the problem.......I am now addicted to this place (Tajima Tei)....what makes this addiction worse is that I live around the corner and have recommended Tajima Tei to my friends and they all want to eat there.

After we go to Tajima Tei with our friends ......they want to go back for more. (its starting to get enjoyably painful)

The staff are now wondering if we actually have a home....and if we actually cook for ourselves. Yes we do.

To be honest, the food at Tajima Tei is the best we have had outside of Japan. Eating at Tajima Tei is an experience and one that constantly reminds us of or experiences in Japan. The restuarant decor and presentation is just right and the establishment does not try and be something it isn't. The honesty in appearance is true and comfortable.

The popularity of this restaurant with Japanese business men is testament to the success of this restaurant experience, staff and its food.

The location of this restaurant is also a highpoint. quiety tucked away at the end of Leather Lane EC1/around the corner from Chancery Lane means that you don't get any type in this establishment. Its only the people who 'know' and the appreciaters

10/10 in our books. we'll keep coming back.
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sushi destruction
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Friday, August 03, 2007

We went here last Saturday evening for dinner having read the reviews on london-eating. It was absolutely superb. The food is some of the best Japanese food I have ever had. The soft shell crab in particular is to die for.
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js
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, June 26, 2007

An excellent restaurant with tasteful decor, and service of Japanese high standards. The food was excellent, particularly the sushi and sashima which was very fresh. Will definitely visit again.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Excellent food at very reasonable prices.

I've been here countless times and have yet been disappointed.

The intimacy of the restaurant is somewhat dependent on where you are seated but this is easily overlooked.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Bright Japanese diner with attentive staff serving generous portions of authentic food. I agree with the previous writer that I owuld not propose here, but I would (and do) come here for good chats over good food.

Bottles of Asahi and Sapporo cater for the Hokkaido and Kansaijin amongst us, and the ashtrays provide the salarymen with a welcome place to smoke after a meal.
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ryan
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Having tried over the years, dozens of Japanese restaurants across London, Tajima-tei remains firmly my favourite. Sashimi and sushi are invariably fresh and come in generous portions. The quality and variety of non-raw fish dishes are also impressive and worth trying. The place is quite often filled with Japanese expats, attesting the authenticity of the food being served. The only caveat other than the rather spartan interior (not exactly the ideal place to propose to your future spouse) is the fact that the place can occasionally get smoky, especially in the presence of a large party of Japanese corporate types. Try to book the individual room downstairs to secure a smoke-free dinner experience.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Excellent value combined with very good quality and service. Rare indeed for a London restaurant. Highly recommended.
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peter
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, December 06, 2005