Taro (Brewer St)

Popped into Ramen Taro for a quick meal after spinning last night. I thought it was nice enough but lacked the authenticity of Ramen Seto. My gyozo dumplings were so so but my chicken terriyaki and rice were lovely, really tasty. Service was a bit charmless but it was cheap and quick. I would pop back as it makes a change from Wagamama's
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david ginsberg - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

I really like this place. I have been plenty of times, with friends and family. Perhaps the food is not as good as in one £70/person japanese but its value is definitively reasonable.

I specially like the gyoza and the beef teriyaki don. I you really want to enjoy the last one, ask for an extra of teriyaki sauce. In Winter, I used to have Chicken Ramen which is deliciuos. Sushi is good although the last time I went was a little bit dissapointing (smaller portions and pretty hot - they put too much wasabi on each portion). Anyway, that happened unfortunately only one day. So, I haven't had any problems in 95% of the times I have been there. Therefore, I recommend it because you can eat, for instance, for less £10. (miso soup + chicken teriyaki don + beer).

The service is fast, kind and nice. I don't really mind if the staff is korean, arabic or english. For me it is enough If they attend me well and pay attention when I need something which is the case almost always.

Atmosphere is alright. It could be very crowded during weekends. Don't expect a luxus-exquisite restaurant. They will serve you fast and they won't expect you to stay more than one hour there. They make money with the high table rotation. Value for money is overall very good.
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Javier H.
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Monday, August 11, 2008

I ate here a while ago and I'd say it was middling average in terms of service, food and atmosphere.

If you are into your Japanese cuisine and can easily distinguish between the authentic and the fake then I don't recommend Taro. Taro is a great place for a casual meal, simple filling food for a reasonable price.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 8
Friday, March 28, 2008

Have been going here for a couple of years and it's consistently great. Everyone I've ever taken raves about it. OK, so the staff aren't Japanese but the food is pretty authentic and pretty cheap. Probably the best consistently good Japanese food on Brewer Street. Gyouza and tori karage are both freshly fried and very moreish. The teriyaki dons are delicious and filling, sushi is fresh and tasty and if you're after a steaming bowl of ramen it hits the spot.

Super fast service so don't come for a lingering dinner.
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Catherine
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, February 26, 2008

The salmon maki I ordered was fresh and well made. However, the spicy fishcake ramen was not spicy whatsoever. It also had a mere 2 slices of fishcake. I found this to be rather mean - after all, surimi fish cakes are hardly expensive. I shant be returning because of this.
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Beff - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 5
Tuesday, December 04, 2007

I've been going for years. It's a simple place with good food at very affordable prices. Staff could be a little more polite but on the whole a very worthwhile experience.
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Jason Mewes
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 9
Thursday, October 18, 2007

Fantastic restaurant! the person just below must have been having a bad day. The restaurant is very picturesc. Film like, The menu is good.
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De Root Art
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Saturday, September 22, 2007

I don't know how anyone can rate this restaurant well.

We made the mistake of eating here one night.

The soup base for our ramen tasted like boiled salty water. We ordered gyozas and this came with no dipping sauce. When we asked the waitress for sauce, she came back with chilli sauce. I'm sorry but this is definitely NOT authentic japanese. I think we have learnt from our mistake now. If wonton noodle is on the menu of any so-called japanese restaurant then it's defintely NOT a japanese restaurant.

I will never go back to this restaurant and do not recommend it to anyone who has a craving for real japanese food.
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Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 3
Monday, September 10, 2007

A really nice comfortable place to eat decent Japanese food. Had an excellent experience there last night and would definitely be back soon for more.
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Aniket - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 9
Sunday, September 09, 2007

When you enter Taro the staff say welcome in Japanese but they are not Japanese. I made the mistake of ordering food in the language and was told "Sorry but I'm Korean". Anyway, the food is fine and the service is ok. On a busy day it can get quite noisy but it won't break the bank going there.
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Petey - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Friday, February 16, 2007