Soho Japan
Restaurant - Japanese in London
52 Wells Street
London
Greater London
W1T 3PR
Contact Numbers
Reviews
Good food
I've only ever come here for a takeaway, but I ate in for lunch the other day. Gorgeous food - I had the sashimi lunch. A bowl of steamed rice, miso soup, and a great platter of sashimi with big slabs of tuna, salmon, snapper, yellowtail and a scallop. I finished off with a green tea and red bean ice cream which was also good. The only dud note was the cold spinach side - it tasted like it was dressed with a thin peanut butter which wasn't to my taste. However, I called up recently to order a takeaway of chicken teriyaki, listed on the website at £6.50. When I got there, I was told I must pay £7.80 as the prices have changed. Fine, but when I pointed out that they should change their website-listed prices, I got a tirade: "The website is wrong! It's old! Don't look at the website, you shouldn't look at the website". This really did get my goat; it's not my problem that they haven't updated the website. Given their attitude over this and the accusatory stares afterwards as if I were trying to fiddle them, I will not be returning no matter how good it is.
A User - 02/09/2008 | report this review
Traditional Perfection
SohoJapan (in Noho) provides excellent food at very reasonable prices in this unpretentious, family run Japanese restaurant. I couldn't fault a single dish and a few were really excellent. The Yaki Gyoza and the Shitake Mushrooms Stuffed with Chicken were both miniature taste sensations. It isn't anything spectacularly original, but all done to traditional perfection.The cocktails aren't bad with the two green-tea options being refreshingly original.It is a bit of a trek from anywhere, but its location means you can get a seat on a weekday evening. I've heard that it's packed every lunchtime and I can see why.I've yet to try the sushi or sashimi but given the quality of the hot dish selection I enjoyed yesterday, I'm very much looking forward to it.The only downside I can think of is the setting. It's very much a place that is accustomed to large crowds and a quiet weekday evening left it feeling rather empty, though this did result in excellent service so I can't complain too much.Total price for two to stuff themselves, plus 4 cocktails & service: £67. Not bad at all.
A User - 10/07/2008 | report this review
Unique!
SoHo Japan was recommeded to me by a Japanese colleague, and as the previous reviewer mentions, it does have a large Japanese clientele - always a good sign.The staff are so friendly, and the menu is very comprehensive. Yes, a lot of it is in Japanese, but there are translations and pictures available. It's a great introduction to Japanese food, because it isn't just sushi and sashemi - for example, I had asparagus wrapped in bacon as a starter - OK, so not particularly adventurous, but very tastey all the same.For main courses I kept to traditional stuff like teriyaki chicken (other marinades were available) and my friend ordered a large sushi/sashemi selection. This came is a beautifully lacquered box, with individual drawers filled with sushi, and when the lid came off there was another tray full of sashemi - really lovingly prepared and the presentation was wonderful.I go to SoHo Japan all the time, and always end up ordering too much (the menu can be confusing, with some items served along with Miso soup and boiled rice) but it's a lovely experience. I have never had any worries about safety in the area (it's a few hundred yards back from Oxford Street) and I would recommend it to anyone.There is a rather strange theme with this restaurant - adverts for Guiness are everywhere, making it feel almost like an old Irish pub. But that's just part of the quirkiness of Soho Japan.
A User - 01/09/2007 | report this review
Authentic Japanese
Soho Japan - Well, it's probably not really in Soho and definitely not in Japan but you'd be forgiven for thinking you were the minute you walk through the door.The first thing I noticed was the patronage. All Japanese! Well, beside me and my guest that is and always a good sign they say! I can't say I was impressed by the restaurant itself. The decor is drab and the seating is cramped but I'm holding out for the menu - judging by the locals I'm sure it's a doozy.Ah...the menu. To start with I got the Japanese version.. probably a little too authentic for the standard Soho crowd! Once that was replaced with the laminated English version my next stumbling block was the choices... so many choices! Even with the vast menu I still ended up going for a standard array, miso, sushi, chicken, deep fried prawns and a collection of other goodies to share around.How was the food...I've got to give it to them - brilliant. The sushi was probably the best I have eaten and the miso soup is actually remarkable. (A contradiction of terms?) If only the silly little buzzer thing at my table worked, I would have got a top up!All in all, great food, well priced but let down by the marginal venue & strange "I hope I don't get mugged' location. Perfect for a group of old friends looking for a good old mid week Japanese slap up in Soho.
A User - 04/01/2007 | report this review
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