Zipangu

This restaurant is great value for money, with a friendly atmosphere, and good food. You don't go here for Valentine's Day, or a wedding anniversary. But you do go here for a meal with your mates before going out for the night, or for a quiet meal with you and a newspaper after a busy day. The staff are great, the katsu curry is addictive, and Japanese beer well priced.

In short unpretentious, cheap, filling, friendly and greal location.
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Tim Beavis
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Saturday, February 16, 2008

I read about this place on here, so thought I'd give it a try. I'm constantly searching for good, reasonably priced Japanese food in London. And this place definitely fits the bill!

I'd like to think I know my sushi -- I've eat enough of it in many different places, and come from Vancouver where they say there is some of the best in the world. Zipangu's food was well made, the sushi was fresh, and portions are generous. And it is definitely reasonably priced -- I left very full. I had one of the bento boxes, and it came with more than enough food and a good variety too. I added a roll and was as happy as could be.

Service was unassuming but friendly. Atmosphere is quaint and minimal, but definitely not worth complaining about. Not sure what folks look for in their Japanese restaurants but if it's high end, then it's not the place for you -- you'll be missing on some good food though.

Will definitely be going back.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Saturday, December 29, 2007

We love this place.Myself and finace visit this place frequently as it's quiet and tucked away from the main restaurants.Although the menu has not changed much,the food is always delightful and the friendly service tops it all off,"Oh and not to forgetting the "hot sake" it's a must have.We have tried other restaurants but we always end up back at,well you know "Mothers Kitchen".If you want something abit more glamourous with all the trimmings and pricey then this place is not for you.
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The Gentleman - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, December 27, 2007

This restaurant was recommended a colleague. Following this we booked a number of places for a group. A friend of mine and myself thought we would try it out beforehand. After an excellent day we headed for ZIPANGU.

When we arrived we thought we had arrived at a take-away! Because of the recommendation we just walked straight in and was offered a table in a corner of a corridor-type space on the ground floor. The decor was particularly awful. Plastic tablecloths, badly painted walls and door, and a picture/hanging(?) of two very big Sumo wrestlers for the only decoration that we could see.

It felt as though we had walked into a morgue - absolutely NO atmosphere, although the waitress was both pleasant and polite.

Perhaps the food is going to be be really special, we thought. But unfortunately we were wrong - it was very poor. Chicken with different tones of brown to white topped with fatty original 'skin'. A strange chemical 'ginger' taste on the glutenous rice. Tempura OKish. Small plastic bowl for the inedible parts of the meal. We gave dessert and coffee a miss and ran.

The day after we cancelled the 'group' visit.

It took a few hours to get rid of the acrid taste. When looking for another Japanese restaurant for our group we saw the reviews contained on this website. We have never been inclined to write a review on a restaurant before but we felt obliged to try and set the record a little more straight.
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 2
Friday, October 26, 2007

Not sure why this place has such great reviews... I went to Zipangu with my boyfriend yesterday evening and was really disappointed. The miso soup was ok, but certainly not great. My yaki soba had barely any chicken in it and although it tasted fine, it was nowhere near as good as I've had at other places. My boyfriend had the gyoza, which tasted quite bitter and chicken-don which was pretty bland. Wish we'd gone to Wagamama instead! Plus they charge £7 for tempura - whaaat?!
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ollybee - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Friday, July 13, 2007

My brothers and I love this little restaurant. We go at least once a week.

The miso soup is lovely- best in town. It is excellent value- under £10 for a 5 course meal- miso soup, sushi, tofu, chicken teriyaki and a slice of orange. One always leaves there feeling pleasantly full with money left in your wallet!

A gem in the heart of China Town.
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Philippa Lucas
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Thursday, March 22, 2007

I went here at the weekend based on the good reviews.

It is a small place, spread over 3 floors, it's almost like eating in someones house. The service was OK, maybe a little slow, but they were pretty busy. The food however was fantastic. The Miso soup was perfect, the bento boxes are excellent value for money, and the Sushi and Sashimi was also of a good quality. It was all very reasonable and I would highly recommend it. I'll definately be going back!
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Adam Smith - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, February 13, 2007

I really liked it when I was in London.

Small restaurant but really charming.

All the staff is Japanese and they're really kind and nice.

I'm a new entry in Japanese cuisine but I relly appreciated futomashi, nigiri and sashimi.

Prices are not high (it was cheaper than Japanese restaurants here in Milan !!!)

and the service is perfect.

I will surely come back to ZipanGu on my next holiday to London.
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Valeria
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, January 19, 2007

absolutely gorgeous!! I eat here everytime I visit London. The restaurant is small but this just adds to the cosy atmosphere. Try and sit downstairs in the little coves if you would like a little more privacy. The sushi is the best ive ever tasted and the noodle soups are very authentic. Everything is reasonably priced, and if you cannot decide what to have the set menus give you a little taste of everything. I recommend the sushi set menu. The staff are all japanese, giving you a very warm welcome and excellent service.
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Mollsy
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Zipangu is an excellent Japanese restaurant on Little Newport Street, just off Charing Cross Road (Leicester Square exit 2, I believe). They can provide a very good two-or-three course meal for less than five pounds a head, whilst not skimping on quality ingredients.

The restaurant itself is very well presented. The sign outside says "mother's kitchen", and that's exactly what it feels like. There's a mirrored wall and bamboo plants, as well as a little table loaded with fan and newsletters. When you come in you're greeted by the lovely waitresses who are happy to help you -- even if you come barging in with twenty people in your group. It always feels like coming home for a good, hot meal with this kind of welcome.

The food itself is delicious. If you are lucky enough to visit during lunchtime you will be able to try the set lunch. This provides you with an appetiser, miso soup, pickles, a main meal, rice, and salad. This is more than enough to fill anyone up, and usually costs about £5.

Going onto their a la carte menu, the food is a few pounds more expensive, but it's definitely worth it. You do get a lot for your money at Zipangu's.

The sushi isn't amazing, but it's better than the kind of thing you'll find at Yo Sushi or Hi Sushi. I would recommend their tuna or salmon nigiri, but save the sashimi for a restaurant like Okiwari, who do it a lot better.

Zipangu will never do amazing, high quality food that will have all the television chefs visiting and swooning or will see royalty, but it is very good for the man on the street, and great for newcomers to Japanese food - everything is explained clearly, and if you find out that you don't like a certain dish, it hasn't cost too much so there's no fretting. It's a restaurant I keep going back to even after five years. Recommended!
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Karinna - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, July 29, 2006