Ryo

My overall impression of Ryo was not so positive. Inevitably, having lived and eaten ramen in Japan for almost four years, I might have relatively high expectations of what a ramen shop should offer, but Ryo did not come close to meeting them.

First, the notion of ordering and paying upfront for your meal is a little unusual, perhaps, taking into account the rather slovenly appearance of the staff, due to their laziness and their unwillingness to move. In a bar, I could understand such a system, but why not let customers choose their order from the comfort of their seats ?

As regards the menu, I could not understand why for the set menu ( ramen plus fried rice or plus gyoza ) the ramen came in a smaller portion. This smacks of British-style pennypinching. In the end, because I wanted the normal portion of ramen, I ended up paying £3 for fried rice, expensive by any stretch of the imagination.

The ramen itself was not exceptional, and some of the items on the menu were bizarre ( Curry ramen ? Kara age ramen anyone ?). Of course in Japan, you would not find carrots and onions in ramen soup, but this is the UK after all.

The prices ( £5-6) for ramen was expensive for the quality and standard of service, but probably to be expected for Japanese cuisine in London. However, instant ramen is probably a perfectly valid alternative given my experience at Ryo!!
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Oliver Gordon - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Thursday, June 26, 2008

We went straight into the restaurant to find a seat but was told in a fairly strict voice that we had to order our food at the counter before we sat. I thought that was very weird. The walkway into the seating area is narrow so for their safetys sake they thought it was a better idea for the customers to order their food at the counter to prevent clashes between the waiters/waitresses but I think that is very selfish. I even saw a relatively old English couple leaving since they were denied the option to look at the menu at their seat. The food was okay but seriously, how hard is it to print a menu and try to be careful when carrying the food. This restaurant could do better !
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310 - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 3
Monday, June 09, 2008

this place is one of my favourite restaurants in london. i've been using it regularly for about 11 years - it was originally called hamine in 1996

it's no frills and unpretentious and ideal if you want great japanese food at a reasonable price.

it's perfect if you are on your own and want to eat at the bar or if there are two of you.

they have never succeeded in managing to feed large parties at the same time and it isn't a particularly romantic setting for a date, so if that is your requirement, i'd avoid.

their gyoza rice is the best in london and i defy anyone not to fall in love with this dish!
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jimla - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, January 21, 2008

I'm Japanese and a regular customer in Ryo. My favorite menue is Karaage set. Lots of my Japanese frieds love it and say 'I feel I was in a local diner in Japan'. They can make it very tasty. Yet I don't order any other menue as I can make better.....sorry
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Yuk
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Sunday, July 29, 2007

Okay folks, it is a diner. DINER. Not restaurant. Personally I love this place. I've been back many many times now. The Katsu-don (soft egg and breaded pork on rice) Katsu-kare (typical curry, just like they serve in Japanese diners) and Spicy Negi Ramen (noodles) are all delicious, but best of all is the kara-age (deep fried chicken) which is at least as good as at my local Izakayas back in Japan.

I'd not take people there for a fancy night out (try Zinpangu instead) but as a place to get a quick Japanese meal without any fuss, this is great, even if it is a bit odd to pay in advance. Almost invariably there are more Japanese than English in there, which is generally a good sign.

I do wish they'd let you pay by card though.
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Russ
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Monday, March 19, 2007

This place is like a genuine Japanese diner... The key word is "diner", don't expect haut cuisine. At least half the clientele are always Japanese and I take that as a good sign. I think the majority of other reviews are being really harsh, I wouldn't recommend going there on a date, I don't think it's even possible to book tables, but it's cheap and cheerful (you can eat well for less than a tenner) so if you walk past and you're hungry then don't be afraid to pop in for a casual meal. The staff are very friendly, the food's not bad and there are some interesting dishes to try. One word of warning though... The nigiri ain't great. It's overpriced for what is, compared to the price of other dishes at least, and it's just mediocre. Stick to the roll sets of sushi.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 9
Thursday, February 01, 2007

No frills,cheap and delicious japanese diner.Not for you if you are seeking an all-round culinary experience but I use it as my works cafe.

I eat there at least once a week,rain or shine. They deliver a good value, toothsome alternative to western chainfood and overpriced, overcomplicated exotic West End establishments.Bravo Ryo.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 10
Monday, April 24, 2006

disgusting. from the spanish music being played, through the waitress with the hacking cough and the need to choose and pay for your food before sitting down, to the black oily fingerprints on the wasaby, this was the only restaurant that i have ever left without even touching the food. the last straw was when i found myself checking the green tea to see if someone had spat in it - dont need it, and neither do you.
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Thursday, March 30, 2006

Noodles are like the instant ones you get in supermarkets. I can cook better than that. The rear end of the restaurant was horribly cold I had to wear my coat whilst eating, and so did the lady nearby..will not go back again, although very cheap and no need of tips(you pay first , eat and leave)
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businessman
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, March 08, 2006

first of all, the concept of paying at the front before having a meal does not make sense to me, because it dones't encourage you to order more side dishes or anything else, besides, you don;'t know what you will get once the food has arrived, as you already pay before you eat!?!?....

secondly, I thought that the portion of the Chicken Curry was very very disappointing, I can actually count the number of 'TINY' pieces of what was supposed to be 'chicken', in my plate. There were only 5 'very small' pieces , the rest were souce, and 4 little pieces of chopped up carrots! The rice was vbery badly done, very hard and not moist like normal japanese rice. With the hobby of food tasting, I must say that the quality and the value is well out of balanced, and, the restuarant is topped of with no sense of service.

Complain could not be made, since I already paid at the beginning, and in conclusion, is to NEVER come back again.
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Narisa
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Saturday, February 11, 2006