Some Japanese Tapas in Chelsea

Well, Jerry, they're Japanese. I mean, that TV you watch, that sushi you eat, I mean, even that kimono you wear. Where do you think all that money goes, hmm?

Cosmo Kramer (Seinfeld episode “The Checks”)

One of my latest restaurant visits was to try Kurobuta cuisine. They are an Izakaya UK version, this is a Japanese concept where people get drinks and share small plates, pretty much their tapas concept. What began as a pop up now has three locations in London with the kitchen rule by Nobu’s ex Head Chef Scott Hallsworth.

Darkness and Neon lights

We embrace the concept and went for different dishes, with some highlights such as the beer-grilled beef with wasabi salsa, the Wagyu beef sliders, and the Kurobuta pork ribs. Probably the most anticipated hit and miss was the pork belly steam bun, sadly it didn’t hit the mark.

Not as good as expected

The promise Japanese food with a western twist. Lovely food, but a bit pricey.

Kurobuta

T: 0207 920 6442

Japanese Cuisine

Approx Damage: £60pp

Area: Chelsea

Borough: Kensington & Chelsea

Twitter: KurobutaLondon

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Chiswick Sushi Bar

Well, Jerry, they're Japanese. I mean, that TV you watch, that sushi you eat, I mean, even that kimono you wear. Where to you think all that money goes, hmm?

Cosmo Kramer (Seinfeld quotes “The Checks”)

Makoto is a small sushi bar near by Turnham Green station. Fresh quality seafood, good execution, and fast delivery make it a great option in Chiswick if you have appetite for Japanese cuisine.

Starters

We got some tempura for starters, and also the soft shell crab. For sushi we went for a selection of spicy tuna, king prawn, and also salmon. Rolls were quite nice, my only complain was that some of the rolls are XL and not bite size, so when eating makes it a bit difficult and the roll crumbles apart. I will stay with the 6 pieces portion, as they are perfect small bite size rolls. 

Sushi time

To end a lovely wasabi and green tea ice cream. Overall great flavours.

Ice Cream

Makoto

T: 020 8987 3180

Sushi Bar

Approx Damage: £30pp

Area: Chiswick

Borough: Hounslow

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When Sushi Met Ikea

Well, Jerry, they're Japanese. I mean, that TV you watch, that sushi you eat, I mean, even that kimono you wear. Where to you think all that money goes, hmm?

Cosmo Kramer (Seinfeld episode “The Checks”)

I would have never believed I was going to love a Danish Japanese restaurant. Let’s face it, Denmark has become in a culinary centre so it was about time that some of their concepts start to spread around the world. The place Sticks ‘n’ Sushi. The credentials “voted the best sushi restaurant in Copenhagen”. The concept sushi and Yakitori.

A Modern concept from Denmark that was born 18 years ago, Two locations in London Wimbledon and Covent Garden. Ample space, modern, upscale, Scandinavian atmosphere and functionality, definitely the place is IKEA meets sushi.

The decor

We opened with a miso soup, OMG! The Miso was dense, depth flavours, really nice, I can’t believe I’m praising a miso soup, but it was absolutely fantastic, a great start. Then we went for some sushi and obviously some sticks. Extremely difficult to choose as everything looked amazing. I was worried as they have pictures on the menu, but I think I found the exception of the rule! We got the table for 2 meal, Nigiri, Uramaki, Futomaki, Yakitori, edamame, and spicy chicken bites. It was fantastic, great flavours, the sushi and sashimi were fresh, the sticks had a nice and lovely flavour.

Sushi & Sashimi

Chicken wg

Yakitori

We got more sushi roles, the Futomaki, a soft shell crab with abocado, fantastic. Great flavours again, flawless execution.

Futomaki

We moved for more sticks and got the Man Food. Great name and amazing flavours. More Yakitori, more edamame, and lamb chops. The highlight I have to say was the goat cheese in dried ham, it was exquisite, it was so good we ordered more of that ham and melted cheese delight.

More sticks

Chops & Ribs

Sorry for the broken record but the food was perfect, this is one of my favourite restaurants in London for sure! A piece of advice the edemame in the meals wasn't hot, so you will need to tell the waiter in order to get it hot. Service spot on, food amazing, 10 over 10 for the Danish Sushi chain.

Sticks 'n' Sushi

T: 020 3141 8800

Japanese Cuisine

Approx Damage: £42pp

Area: Wimbledon

Borough: Merton

Twitter: sticksnsushi_UK

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Novikov a Russian with Asian and Italian Flavours

Well, he called last night about 3 a.m. and we got talking, he sells Russian hats down at Battery Park, forty bucks

Jerry Seinfeld (Seinfeld episode “The Chicken Roaster”)

What has in common Japanese, Italian and Russian? Apparently Novikov. The Russian restaurateur Arkady Novikov opened a huge space with a lounge, Asian room, and Italian room. Novikov has more than 50 restaurants in Moscow and now he's up to the quest to conquer London with two head chefs and two sommeliers one for each room and cuisine to double the fun.

The place

The place is luxurious, spacious, and noisy. We were a big group from a reunion of the MSc and ended in the Italian room to try Marco Torri menu. Lovely red Barolo wine, for starters we shared burrata con pomodorini, carpaccio di filetto di manzo, and calamari fritti. Nice flavours, fresh ingredients, good start.

Calamari

For main I got the Ossobuco con risotto alla Milanese. Amazing, great flavour, everything spot on, but the risotto was exceptional.

Veal Ossobuco

I also had the chance to try the Bistrca di manzo, outstanding, the flavour of the 28 days aged rib eye steak was just great.

For dessert we shared a couple tiramisu, really nice and lovley flavours.

Tiramisu

To end a shot of Limoncello and I got a Santa Teresa 1796, a great finish, neat Venezuelan rum, one of the best rums for sure, outstanding.

Limoncello

The colour of rum

If you like opulence, high prices, good service, and nice food this is your kind of place.

Novikov

T: 020 7399 4330

Italian Cuisine / Asian Cuisine

Approx Damage: £70pp

Area: Mayfair

Borough: City of Westminster
Twitter: NovikovLondon

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Lion City [On The Road: Singapore]

That's like putting your whole mouth right in the dip!

From now on, when you take a chip just take one dip and end it 

Timmy (Seinfeld episode “The Implant”) 

Singapore is an island country formed by 63 islands. I had the chance to visit the country thanks to my job. Once a fishing village today Singapore is a cosmopolitan city, with an amazing skyline, vibrant nightlife, and diverse cultures. 

Merlion

Sadly I didn’t have enough time to do a proper sightseeing, so I only can comment on shopping in the Orchard, the huge Singapore Flyer, walk the three quays (Robertson, Clark, and Boat) along the Singapore River to look for a bite or maybe some drinks, wander around Merlion Park and enjoy the lights and skyline of Marina Bay at night. On the other hand I got a better glimpse of their culinary scene. 

Seafood time

So let’s talk about food, as I got the chance to try a couple of the local specialities. 

The Japanese Ramen chain 

I visited Ippudo in one of my first stays, the chain originated in Hakata Japan and now with restaurants in 9 countries. The place is a noisy, I sat in the bar in front of the open kitchen and the chefs screamed every move they made. Plates and spoons as décor. I opened with a Shrimp bun, nice the bun was fluffy, shrimp nicely battered, lettuce gave texture and crunchiness, and the mayo hold it together. Finally, I had to try the Ramen pork belly, broth was pretty nice, noodles gave depth, pork belly finely sliced, overall great flavours. 

Ipuddo

Ramen

Shrimp bun

Ippudo

T: +65 6235 2797

Ramen Bar

Area: Orchard

Singapore
Twitter: ippudosg

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The Hainanese at the Hawker Centre 

Hawker Centres are opened air food courts originated in the 50s nearby housing areas or transport hubs selling inexpensive food. I ended in Maxwell Food Centre thanks to Anthony Bourdain, specifically looking for Tian Tian stall to get their Hainanese Chicken Rise. Bad news for me the stall was closed, but as I was over there I had to try it, so I look around and ended a couple stalls away in Tong Fong Fatt.

Tong Fong Fatt

Maxwell Hawker Centre

The Chicken Rise is a quite simple dish but laborious one, boneless pieces of chicken, white rice pre-fried in chicken fat and cooked with chicken broth, soy sauce, chilli and ginger. As a side a bowl of the chicken broth. The technique to create the dish is explained in Bourdain’s episode, but basically first you boil the chicken until it is cooked, then immediately soak it into cold water to stop the cooking process and ensure the chicken is tender, and you easily can separate the meat from the skin, keeping a layer of fat. 

Chicken

Hainanese Chicken Rice

Chicken rice was really tasty, I don’t have any other to compare but it’s a nice and cheap meal I would recommend to try if you’re in Singapore. 

Chicken time

Tong Fong Fatt
Chinese cuisine
Area: Redhill
Singapore

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The Chilli Crab 

One thing I was obsessed was with the Chilli Crab, yes the highlight of Singapore culinary creations. I checked where were the best places to have it, and what type of crab I had to order. Wandering around you can see the many options you have Alaskan, Australian, Sri Lankan, King Crab, Snow Crab, and so on. I ended in Long Beach and got the traditional chilli crab and the restaurant specialty the black pepper crab. Both with Sri Lankan crabs following Bourdain’s recommendation. It was by far the best thing I ate, the chilli crab with the tomato and chilli notes, a mix between mild spicy notes and sweetness. Toasted buns were at hand so you can dip and double dip the amazing sauce. The black pepper one, a bit bolder on the spiciness, but overall lighter as there is no sauce. Great food, crab and beer a combination from heaven.

Chilli Crab time

Chilli Crab

Black Pepper Crab

Long Beach
T: +65 5323 2222
Seafood
Area: Dempsey Hill
Singapore
Twitter: longbeachseafd

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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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