Toku

Standards have slipped since Toku's move to Regent Street from its old home in the Japan Centre.

Toku used to be a place to get excellent Japanese food - some of the best in London - at prices that were expensive but justified. This is no longer the case. For example, we ordered inari and avocado futomaki (large rolls) which Toku used to serve and are standard, inexpensive items on a Japanese menu.

The waiter didn't know either dish - which is fair enough - but then tried to upsell us. When we politely refused, he promised to ask the kitchen if they could make the rolls but forgot to do so; and when we told them, nothing was done. We also had an awkward negotiation when the waiter initially refused to provide three cups of sake that were offered complimentarily in the menu.

My goodwill having evaporated, I asked the waiter to go through the bill with me line-by-line, because it was not properly itemised. It was thus I discovered that a £10 service charge had been hidden under the line 'DPT. 17'. Dishonest if not downright illegal.

Frankly none of these minor irritants would have mattered if the food was wonderful, but the truth is that Toku's food quality has suffered badly. The tamago (sweet egg omelette) nigiri - always a test of a good sushi chef - were tasteless on bland rice, the tempura undercooked, even the tea was bitter. It should in fairness be mentioned that the nasu dengaku (grilled aubergine) was astounding, some of the best I've ever tasted. For the price charged of £30 per person, this was not on. I can honestly say that Feng Sushi is better.
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Benedict
5 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 3
Sunday, February 05, 2012

Situated next to Japan Centre in Picadilly Circus, I came here for lunch with my workmates. The food is good but expensive for what it is. I am more inclined to head to Golders Green where prices are friendlier and food is better.
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Chopstix2Steaknives - View all reviews by this user
5 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Monday, October 17, 2011

Went back last night for the first time in a while and came out extremely impressed. I'm not sure what's happened in the year I've been away but the menu seems to have been updated and the quality of the whole experience was far better than I remember (which was already pretty good). The people I took were also really impressed with things too. All around a great evening.
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Peter James
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Friday, September 09, 2011

We came here for lunch three days ago and we had to wait a long time for our table and for our food because the service is so disorganised. The food was bland and flavourless. We ordered chicken and rice and chicken yakisoba but it wasn' t good because the chicken was sinewy. All in all, it wasn' t good value for money. We wouldn't come here again!
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Sam and Lora.
4 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Have not ordered the kimchi for a while as my friend can not eat too spicy... after trying hard to convince them to taste the kimchi in Toku, I finally had ordered it... but the taste is not as perfect as before (i remember it was the best when I tried it in piccadilly). However the food still great and the service is good too!
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TXJ
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, March 30, 2011

This place is thoroughly enjoyable. I was pleasantly surprised by the food. The tempura was light and do delicious as was the sushi - the Dragon Roll is recommended. The amount of eel given is impressive.
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Debs
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Monday, January 17, 2011

Had a lovely late luncheon at Toku today. It's currently going through a facelift and already is looking more homely and welcoming.

The food was good as ever however I felt that the service staff kinda let the experience down as they were not very attentive despite the fact that there were too many milling around.

Yes it's relatively expensive but it is much better than most high street offerings.
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SC
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Monday, January 10, 2011

My wife (who is from Tokyo) and I pop in regularly to shop and eat. The food is always good, and my wife is an honest critic. The service is good, the atmosphere relaxed, and the prices reasonable (I think people saying it is very expensive are from out of town). Set meals start at about £6 for lunch and the prices for Sashimi and Sushi (considering you are in Central London), are entirely reasonable. I work around here to and I'm hard pushed to get a sandwich for less than £4 so to me it is very reasonable.
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James
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, February 16, 2010

I really dont understand the bad comments. I go there very often for 7 years. And I love it. Its a very good qulaity/price! Try Cocoon opposite!

Ive tried many Japanese, this the nest by far! and theres a real choice. Less than few years ago but still.

Theres always plenty of Japanese there, I guess its a good sign.

Ok atmosphere could be better, because its very busy but come on guy! the food is delicious, Fish so fresh, and the rice is cooked not cooked? the rice is one of the stuff I like, no one else does it like that! and £25 in central london is cheap.

oh and....people are queuing to get a place....
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Karine
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Monday, January 18, 2010

There are places that you go for certain foods that you know live up to expectation and it is just as you want it. For Sunday breakfast it has to be The Chelsea Bun, pizza you can’t go wrong with The Yellow House and as for a decent Chinese that won’t go near to breaking the bank, The Hing Lee at Tower Bridge.

The only thing that I have not found so far is a place for roast pork / char sui ramen…..until 2 days ago. The best noodles I have ever had – fact. Dense spicy miso stock, ample soft firm noodles with the tastiest roast pork. It did not disappoint.

The rest of the food coming out also looked amazing so there are plenty of other dishes there to try.

Value for money? For the both of us, it was a little more than I expected but trying to find an alternative for what I had tasted – nothing has come close. I highly recommend a visit.
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orhan
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, August 19, 2009