Soho Japan

I don’t think I have ever been served or eaten such a huge portion of chicken katsu curry – it was delicious and great value given the size.

We were sitting downstairs which I didn’t like much since it was very quiet and had two small tanks with some forlorn fish and two turtles swimming around which was a bit depressing to see. Upstairs looked really nice however.

Service was fine, attentive although a bit quiet. Will definitely be going again.
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Annie - View all reviews by this user
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 8
Monday, February 21, 2011

This is a great authentic (as in actually run and owned by Japanese) restaurant, hidden in a quiet Oxford Circus street. I've had two birthdays here, all excellent. The food is always good, from the Sushi and Sashimi to other dishes like teriyaki. Despite japanese food's reputations for being expensive, it is possible to eat quite affordably here.

Apparently David Bowie used to eat here
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8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, September 08, 2010

I can't believe Soho Japan is getting bad reviews.

I live really nearby and I went for the first time with my brother, no expectations. We just ordered classic stuff (maki, nigiri, tempura) and we spent £20 per person. I swear we could not finish the food. The quantity was immense and despite the amazing quality, we just couldn't eat it all.

This place has the best value for money rolls this side of the Chinese Sea. For a little more than £3 you can get your usual tekkamaki except the roll is twice the diametre of what you would normally get in the UK for that price and the quantity and quality of is amazing. They have lovely riceballs with salmon inside which I haven't seen in other places. Nigiri are good too, tempura is nice elbeit a bit expensive. I like the sashimi too but there again, it's within the good standards you would expect from a W1 Japanese restaurant run by Japanese people.

I went back many times, even had a 20 person birthday dinner there, it was all good. I DO reckon that drinks are a bit expensive, 4.90 for a pint of Asahi is really too much, never tried the cocktails.

But still, the atmosphere is very nice (you can see the staff working on your food), Mai-san is lovely whenever she is around and the quality/quantity you get for the money is amazing.

I never tried anything other than sushi, sashimi and tempura, I just don't see the point, it's not THE Japanese food I want.

I've been to Japan and I tried some of the best sushi that country can offer and Soho Japan is almost as good. I'd give 10 to Japanese food IN Japan, 9 to the very top of London (Nobu, Hakkasan, Roka), but Soho Japan is just after them with an 8/10. Some things offer better value for money than others, but all in all the place is amazing. Everytime I try a new Japanese, I regret I didn't go to Soho Japan instead.

If you are fond of maki sushi, you'll love this place to death.
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Franz S
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Used to be one of our favourite family-run Japanese restaurants... Does anybody know what happened to the old Japanese couple who were in charge of that place for a long time? It looks like they retired and someone else is running this place now. The quality of food has dropped substantially since then...Also don’t like their refillable plastic tea pots...
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Elena77 - View all reviews by this user
3 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 2
Sunday, December 20, 2009

Went here last night and was completely ripped off. We were having a party for 28 & were paying £10 a head for a buffet. What we received wasn't even worth £5 a head - 10 small platters of mediocre food to feed 28? We were served 3 dinner plates of edmame, 2 platters of deep fried chicken, 2 platters of potato & veg balls, 1 platter of noodles & veg, 1 platter of 3 chicken breasts cut up into cm strips.

After complaining that not many people had eaten enough (some who arrived late didn't even get anything) they refused to bring out more food, and still charged us £280. The value of the food there was probably about £40 wholesale (at a push) and definately shouln't have been more than £100 with all restaurant costs being taken into account - especially considering they were making a killing at the bar where the prices we also less than impressive - a pint being £4.80... I personally was served a cocktail from the bar, and at £6.50 it wasn't even filled to the top of the martini glass & again after complaining apparantly that's how they serve it.

I won't be coming back & would warn anyone else who is contemplating visiting to stay away.
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0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Definitely my favourite Japanese restaurant in London! The food was fantastic and the price is reasonable. The restaurant itself is nicely decorated too. Highly recommended!
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Popsky - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, May 25, 2009