Zin

Always nice finding a local gem. Wandered in here sporting a semi-hangover with pangs for noodle soup. Got a fair-sized bowl with vast amounts of wonderfully savoury char siu in a superb stock with mushrooms, seaweed, carrots and pak choi (£5.50)

What led to a follow up visit was what was coming out of the kitchen to other diners (only 20 covers, but it was full by 12.30) - crisp, non-oily duck spring rolls and what looked like immaculate vegetable and prawn tempura. Said follow-up visit resulted in a yaki udon packed with everything under the sun - salmon, prawns, squid, mussels and char siu again, really fully flavoured, kicking Wagamama firmly into the next postcode. Probably not quite up there with the wonderful yaki udon from Slurp in South Wimbledon, but excellent nonetheless - and at £5.95, wonderful value.

Service attentive and friendly - the older guy behind the counter afforded a smile on both visits, something that can be hard to come by at times in oriental places!
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Richard - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Thursday, April 14, 2011

I've just been to lunch at Zin on a recommendation from one of the waiters at an event last night. It's about 5 minutes walk from my house, I pass it every day, but have never been lured in as it's not very smart, the windows are busy so you can't see what lays inside, and I've never been very intrepid.

How wrong could I be?? For 3 years I've lived with this Japanese gem on my door step. All those horrid take outs, all those late nights wandering round the M&S garage trying to find something to inspire me, when I could have been eating the best salt & pepper squid I have ever had. Or gorging on roast duck on crispy noodles.

I shall now spend 2011 righting my wrongs and being an dedicated customer. Lunch for 2 including 3 starters, 2 mains and 2 drinks = £20... AND IT'S BYO.

You have to go!
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Jenny
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, March 01, 2011

We found this sushi/noodle restaurant on Google map when we were in the area & really gasping for sushi (as you do).

I'd web-searched for sushi places in this area before, & had found only Ginza, down the road, which had an online menu I liked the look off. When we turned up Sat lunch & Ginza was closed, we were very disappointed. But thanks to my mobile's Google map, we rolled up at Zin & found they had lots of things we love to eat!

On the menu (no website- boo!) : All the usual raw fish suspects- even surf clam; so sushi(£2.60-ish/2pscs) & sashimi, tick.

Again, all of the usual Makimono suspects: Dragon, green dragon, rainbow, spider, California, smoked salmon, spicy tuna etc, etc. (£3.60- £4.50 ish/ 6pscs); Hand rolls, Ramen & Udon.

Katsu curry rice/ Heaps of starters: Edamame, spicy fried wings, seaweed salads.

We had Age Dashi Tofu: crisp batter, very tasty soy broth/ Chinese style Salt & Pepper wings(£3.60-ish). Both very good, tho' the wings were re-fried-common practice in Chinese restaurants, therefore a little dry.

Sushi & rolls. Very fresh fish- they had a sushi counter with a countertop fridge- seemed well stocked.

Malaysian lamb curry (£5.50ish)- I'd give it a miss in future 'cos lamb wasn't up to much, but the sauce was great.

Roast duck ramen (£4.60-ish): ok duck, lots of veggies & tasty broth with a hint of MSG (?)

Overall: great value. Not hugely smart place, but clean & smilely service. Ticked all my boxes for a quick lunch, when all we wanted was Sushi & noodles.
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Colin
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Saturday, July 24, 2010