The Japanese Canteen

Went in the old street branch at about 7/8pm

Decor was nice enough

Dirty looking staff, no Japanese people which bothers me because its a very difficult food to make well and I'd like to know the staff will have even the remotest idea of how it should be which is unlikely when they look like a grab bag of European backpackers.

Had Gyoza and Chicken Yaki soba, gyoza was forgettable, not great but not disgusting.

I wish I could say the same for the Yaki Soba which is still fresh in my mind weeks later, disgusting tumour-esque lumps, chewy and tasteless. Noodles were poor stodgy and tasted bad. Horrible

I can only imagine the positive reviewers either got very lucky or their Japanese food experience goes all the way from the tesco sushi fridge to Wakamamas.

And to the person saying "What do you expect for £5" well a lot frankly, you can eat like a king if you know where to look for that price in London.
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James
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Sunday, June 01, 2008

Review of Holborn branch.

Food is passable, even quite good sometimes; was going here every night for food during busy periods at work. Most of staff do their job ie take the order, pass out the food bid you good day - it's a fast food place what more could you want? Fine no problems.

However, stopped going as the mid-twenties dark haired girl is just so rude and unhelpful. Have forsaken my hot food when working late becuase i just cannot deal with this person even for a brief exchange of food ordering!

Management PLEASE take note - your staff could be losing you business!!!
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Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Thursday, April 03, 2008

The food tastes is if it has been cooked in Japan and then sent on a six week sea voyage before being re-heated and served up. That could be the only similarity with Japanses food.

If you go after 12.45 in the day it will have been cooked so long it should be labelled with a half life.
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, January 14, 2008

The Japanese Canteen(Ludgate Broadway), some mixed feelings. The Bad: Today I purchased a Chicken Katsu with rice, there was a generous portion of chicken, far to much sauce and hardly any rice. The chicken was VERY over cooked to the point where I don't think you can call it chicken! So was not impressed and ate less than half! The Good: I have had a good meal there on the odd occasion and was worth every penny! Maybe it is the luck of the draw if the cook is in a good or bad mood. I think that due to the food being cooked in bulk allot of it can be cooked incorrectly, but I still think this is not acceptable and will not be rushing back to eat there any time soon!
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Jay de Araujo
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Monday, January 14, 2008

I've just returned to the office after purchasing a vegetable curry from the Minories branch of the Japanese Canteen.

I found a large piece of pork in the middle of the curry halfway through eating it. I'd suggest if you're a vegetarian, or don't eat pork for any reason, that you don't purchase your lunch from this branch
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Giles Clinker
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Thursday, September 06, 2007

WEll, I should have found this site before going to the location on High Holborn.

The meal was awful. Atmosphere worse.

I had the Udon Chicken and some bits of prawn roll. The chicken was over, over cooked, brown and black in appearance. Not the best cuts of meat I suspect. Didn't manage to eat much after the first mouthful. The noodles were soggy and what was that hard as leather veg?

I have been to Japan and did lower my expectation. However, I did think that at least it would be mildly better than the 'supermarket variety'. Its more like the 'corner shop' quality!

I don't know why this place is not yet closed down! I would have preffered to eat the sold of my shoe. STEER clear!!
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Concerned citizen
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Friday, August 17, 2007

I (and many of my colleagues) eat here almost every day. We love it.

The staff are functional - not brilliant - but do the job.

The food is is quickly delivered and tastes great.

I can only imagine that the queues every single lunchtime must be a fluke or alternatively, the reviews on this page are written by competitors.
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JMac
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Tuesday, August 14, 2007

I (and many of my colleagues) eat here almost every day. We love it.

The staff are functional - not brilliant - but do the job.

The food is is quickly delivered and tastes great.

I can only imagine that the queues every single lunchtime must be a fluke or alternatively, the reviews on this page are written by competitors.
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JMac
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Tuesday, August 14, 2007

This is the worst japanese food I ever had in London for many years. The miso soup was like hot water with one pathetic, bit tofu in it and virtually did not have miso flavour in it. The chicken curry rice was just ok but the marinated chicken did not taste fresh was far too salty . (Those who know how to make Japanese curry know that you cannot get it wrong). This is an insult to Japanese food. And the staff put dirty napkins along side of clean plastic forks and spoons. How aweful!
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chu
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Thursday, March 22, 2007

Truly awful food, and truly expensive food to boot.

The meat looks as if it's just come out of a grinder. The rice is more often than not drenched in soy sauce - so much it drips if you lift a spoonful of it.

And the price? Nearly £7 for a 'bento box' which is basically a nonburi with a few strands of seaweed, and a miso soup. The miso soup is actually the only good thing you can get there.

At least the service is fast. Just go elsewhere - much better places in Leadenhall.
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Food Fan - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, March 21, 2007