Ikkyusan

A disappointing experience. The previous reports re un-itemised bills is, I'm afraid, absolutely true. We were brought a bill that simply presented a total, with a couple of pieces of paper stapled to it that named the dishes and drinks we'd ordered... but not their prices. The total seemed quite a bit higher than the menu prices would suggest so we asked for an itemised bill. When this was produced it clearly showed that the "total bill" included a substantial service charge. There had been no indication on the original un-itemised bill that it already included a service charge: in fact it was placed on a tray with a note attached that "tips are always appreciated". I have no idea if this is official restaurant policy or simply some enterprising staff trying to get double tips... but it does leave a rather sour after-taste.

The food itself was a mixed experience: I ordered a bento box which contained (at different times) a lovely piece of teriyaki salmon and some decent soft shell crab (if they had managed to produce both items together I'd have given them more than 5/10... see below for further explanation). It was accompanied by some very nice miso soup, which was livened up by some mushrooms (dried shitake, I think) in addition to the usual tofu and seaweed. It was let down, however, by the salad, which came slathered in some ghastly substance that resembled salad cream rather than eg the ginger dressing that you often get in nice Japanese restaurants.

The food was also spoilt by poor service. They initially got my order wrong, bringing a box containing a rather greasy piece of deep fried chicken (well, I think that was what it was, although it was hard to tell under the breadcrumbs). When I pointed out the mistake the waitress insisted on taking away the box. We did try to suggest that they could simply bring the salmon separately, but the waitress insisted on taking the whole thing away. I twiddled my thumbs for about 10 minutes, watching my companions tuck in -- and then the waitress brought a box that contained the aforementioned lovely piece of teriyaki salmon. This would have been great, except that the rest of the box had simply sat in the kitchen while they replaced the salmon and my softshell crab was, by that point, cold and unlovely.

I think that this restaurant probably gets a lot of business from large groups who are going out for the night and are probably a bit too tipsy to notice the un-itemised bills and aren't that fussy.Or can't make up their mind whether they want Chinese / Japanese / Thai food.

If you do go to eat at Ikkyusan, I would suggest you triple-check to make sure that the waitress has your order down correctly (I wasn't the only person who had problems with this -- and we were all sober, spoke clearly and also pointed to the item on the menu). But I wouldn't recommend this place -- the food is ok, but it's not great value even before the service-charge issue.

If you are in the centre of town and want Japanese food, try the Tokyo Diner (nearby, authentic, friendly and less expensive) or, for Thai, I'd recommend a branch of Thai Square. And, for Chinese, you've got the whole of Soho to choose from... (Mr Kong's is ok) though for good value (and friendly service) I'd head south to the Dragon Castle (the Elephant & Castle isn't as far away as you might think, honest).
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Bento lover
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Sunday, May 25, 2008

We went to this place for lunch one Saturday and sadly had an awful time. The waitress never brought our drinks (despite us repeatedly asking for them), the food was cold and the service very rude. Don't go there.
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Sunday, May 04, 2008

A top drawer restruant, I have now lost count on the number of occassions I have now visited. The Sushi, is absolutley gorgeous. I have taken my non-sushi eating friend along three times now & converted him [on the 1st occassion]. My Girlfriend is Vietnamese & tell a poor dish from a mile off. However in Ikkyusan, you will be hard pushed not to find quality dishes. The Service is generally top notch, however if the restruant is busy then sometimes the pressure shows[ but that can be said of most places]. The decor & ambience is chilled out & relaxed, a real good vibe.

The Sapporo beer is worth a sup, I know Tiger is generally the popular choice, but Sapporo is lovely [ If not a bit pricey @£3.50 per can], if you take stroll you can find a can for @£1.45 across the road in the little shops.:)

Overall I would highly recommend this restruant, there is a wide & varied choice smack bang in the middle of the HUB of China town. However this place stands head & shoulders above the rest.

Try it out, you'll love it.
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Craig
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, March 17, 2008

i have been going there for years, and i can highly reccomend it. good food and service. go there if you're around centre london! .
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maryjane
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, February 12, 2008

As a native Londoner and oriental food enthusiast I can safely say I've been searching for a restaurant that ticks all the boxes like this one for a very, very long time. The atmosphere's fantastic, the service is great, prices are low, and the food is EXQUISITE! I now make an effort to go here once a week and I suggest you make it your goal to visit at least once - you wont regret it.

I recommend the Dim Sum; Char Sui Bau (honey pork buns), Har Gau (prawn crystal dumplings), Prawn and Pork Sui Mai (glass noodle duplings) and Pork Gyoza with their Fried Sweet Potato chips on the side. Also especially good is the Pad Thai and also all the sushi, which is made fresh in their seperate sushi kitchen on view in the dining area.
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Phoebe
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, February 10, 2008

The bad reviews are unjust,

I went on the 6 feb 08 and thought it was excellent,

Being 15 i am not usually taken seriously in restaurants but at Ikkyusan i was treated with upmost respect,

My food came out quick,hot and concomitantly,

i decided to try all three regions: Japan: Ikkyusan fry mix beto/Fresh water eel Nigiri,China: Chiu chow chicken and vegetables dumplings/Pearl milk tea and Thailand: Black rice pudding,

all were well prepared and well cooked although the dumplings seemed to have a lack of chicken but they were still very tasty,

When i got my bill the it WAS Itemized and if the service wasn't already added i would of given it anyway,

all in all I would eat there again and would recommend it to others.
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Charles Goodall
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Thursday, February 07, 2008

I've been in this restaurant quite a few times and I always had great time and excellent food for the money. Yes, you can get better Sushi around but be prepared to spend at least twice.

I am veggie (no meat, no fish) so the choice could be limited compared to others, but I never get bored due to the good selection on the menu.

The Veggie Sushi is simply delicious, higly reccomended.

I've been with friends an no one was disappointed, even friends from abroad (never been in a Japanese restaurant) found it really good.

The service is variable, but always ok, I mean: I don't get bothered by a prawn in front of me, if someone has this problems better go in a Veg-only restaurant, isn't it?
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Andrea Cattolico
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, December 04, 2007

one of my favourite restaurants, purely for the variety and quality of the dishes alone. Perhaps a touch on the expenive side (but not excessively - this is central London, lest we forget!) and the service can be variable, but the food is simply magnificent.

I like it because you can do a version of "oriental tapas" that is, select a number of smaller dishes from across the menu. There's some pretty exotic stuff on there and some fascinating taste experiences to be had.

If you're wandering around Chinatown and you're not sure where to go - spoilt for choice is quite a natural state of mind round there - then this is always a good option due to the fact that there's pretty much something for everyone on the menu, from fairly standard well-known dishes through to nichier stuff.
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Bob Cantona
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Monday, August 20, 2007

My family and I had a very pleasant meal. I found the menu a little daunting with so many dishes to choose from. The waitress was very helpful in suggesting dishes suitable for us to try.

The children enjoyed the fact that we sat in the low seats (upstairs), however, the grandparents weren't so keen on this aspect!

The food and service was very good and we would defnitely go there again and recommend it to our friends.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Tuesday, June 05, 2007

WOW!

Went there for Sunday lunch and it was packed. I have been there quite a few times and have really enjoyed myself. Was a bit wary about going there again after having read some of the negative reviews. But went there and had a fantastic time. As a reviewer said earlier, do NOT listen to the negative reviews. This place is a real gem.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Monday, June 04, 2007