The Japanese Canteen

How often do you see Italians cooking in Pizza Express, you don't have to be Japanese to cook Japanese, anymore than you have to be Indian to whip up a curry. Its served fast, which is what we all expect these days. Its not fast food, its good food served fast
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Karen
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, February 28, 2007

The food is not even close to being Japanese! I had the veggie curry and it consisted of literally two pieces of vegetables in a thick and rather sweet sauce. And the rice was lumpy, like thick porridge. Never again - I'd rather spend my £5 on a sandwich and soup from Pret!
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Mona C
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Saturday, February 03, 2007

A very bad meal at the Japanese Canteen on Marylebone High Street. It's normally of the cheap and cheerful variety, nothing to write home about, yet still fresh and filling. Today's Katsu Chicken curry was aweful, very old and tough chicken, soggy breadcrumbs (to the point of being disturbing), long grain rice (instead of the usual Japanese rice) which was undercooked, almost clear miso soup with no flavour (I think I fished out a single piece of seeweed). Just dreadful. This was cooking by a kitchen with no pride or care.
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JamesC
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Oh would everyone (with a few exceptions) just get over themselves! Sheesh, it's a fiver of food, what are you expecting? It's hot, tasty, vaguely Japanese and is served in a trice. Just what you want when your busy and it's lunchtime - hot cheap tasty food to go.
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Johnny Walker
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Despite some of the negative experiences of other diners, I give this place a thumbs up and eat here regularly. It doesn`t pretend to be anything but cheap and cheerful - the word "Canteen" in the name is a subtle hint - some of the dishes are really good, although admittedly there are a few duds. I recommend the curry, chicken teriyaki donburi or salmon chilli fried rice with a side of dumplings, edamame or miso soup. All are inexpensive and perfect for a hot lunch. The sushi may not be very exciting in terms of range, or very well presented, but this belies excellent quality of fish (much better than Itsu or Wasabi) and the portions are generous. Some other places cut the fish so thin you can read a newspaper through it, not here. The staff can sometimes be a little brusque, but it is fast food, not silver service.
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Orlando Matkin - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Thursday, December 21, 2006

Went to today for the first time and wasn't impressed. The order was messed up and the rice wasn't cooked properly. The food was nothing special either. If there weren't so many better places practically next door then I would go again but luckily I won't have to.
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Will Humphreys
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Friday, December 15, 2006

On a good day this restaurant serves good food. On a bad day, the rice is either not cooked or they have put in too much water when cooking and the rice is a hard dough. As a Japanese person, I franctly find it insulting that they name this restaurant "Japanese Canteen" as it is not remotely Japanese in quality or style what so ever.
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Japanese
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, December 11, 2006

I have eaten here a few times, but have learnt to avoid the hot meals as they are not cooked or prepared in the Japanese style. I was slightly disappointed to see there were no Japanese staff in the kitchen - which there does not necessarily have to be, but the quality of food reflects this. The sushi is good, although you can buy sushi like this anywhere nowadays. Not overly impressed.
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Leah McQueen
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Can I just say, what a ridiculous review! Its not exactly japanese fine dining nor does it hold itself out to be. Your poor deluded reviewer clearly doesn't realise that true Japanese canteen costs more than £4.95.. I think Jap Canteen is great for what it is. Tasty, cheap, japanese inspired lunchtime fare.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, November 07, 2006

I am rather amazed at the negative reviews the JC in the Minories has copped over the last few months. I have eaten there failrly regularly (grilled fish on rice with seaweed salad - rather nice), and it has always been pleasant. The staff are rather reserved but the bento box was fine (fish, rice, salad and fruit).
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Mike
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Thursday, October 26, 2006