A little place called Koya [Closed]

I don't want a big flat noodle 

Cosmo Kramer (Seinfeld episode “The Virgin”) 

Update: Place is closed since I visited

Koya is a small Japanese udon noodle place in Soho. Simple decor, cozy, wooden communal tables, a bar in front of the kitchen at the back, wood panels with the menu and some blackboards with specials on chalk on the walls, and Bib Gourmand award by the Michelin Guide. The place is usually packed so we took a chance for lunch on the bank holiday. 

Marisol at the place

We started with the Kakuni, a braised pork belly in cider. It was lovely, nice broth, wonderful flavours, perfectly cooked. Then we shared Kamo Roast or roast duck, nice dish but missed a bit the wow factor, overall ok. 

Pork belly time

Duck

As main I got the Atsu Atsu, hot udon in hot broth. It was ok, again not impressed, I think the broth needed more time to develop flavours. Mine was with tempura prawn, not a good idea to have a crispy tempura in a hot broth, after I ordered I knew that the broth was going to dissolve the crispiness of the tempura. Marisol got a Donburi, the ten curry don. Basically rice with a tempura prawn, it was really nice, great flavours, perfect to appreciate the crispy tempura, excellent dish, and it comes with a nice miso soup. 

Atsu Atsu

Donburi

Miso

Overall Koya is a nice place, for me the broth was a bit weak, I like dense, depth, developed flavours, Marisol on the other hand prefers this kind of light broths. So I guess is up to you, I will come back but definitely the rice is what I will have.

Time to taste the duck

Koya

T: 020 7434 4463

Japanese Cuisine / Udon Noodles

Approx Damage: £27pp

Area: Soho

Borough: City of Westminster

Twitter: KoyaUdon

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