Today I had the pleasure of being treated to lunch at Sanjugo, what a nice surprise, I found out that This traditional but modern Japanese restaurant has been here for over seven years. Its a lovely little restaurant nestled in the heart of Shoreditch. Apparently the name "Sanjugo" translates to "thirty-five" in Japanese and reflects the restaurant's diverse menu, which offers both traditional and fusion dishes. I hope that’s right, let me know if I’m wrong. As soon as I walked in I instantly felt transported to Japan, with the chef right in front of you preparing what looks like delicious dishes. The staff are welcoming and polite and make you feel instantly at home immediately with lovely smiles and greetings. The good news is there are two more of these lovely places, one in islington and the other soon to open somewhere in Victoria. The owner is himself a trained chef so he keeps an eagle eye on the quality of the food to make sure the standard doesn’t drop, this is such a plus because you can almost guarantee the quality of the food. The saki is of the highest quality I sadly did not get to try all of them but I did try one and oh wow, absolutely top quality. This lovely place has three levels, the ground floor was full and buzzing at lunchtime, so I dined on the second level in what felt like a beautifully laid out private room and if that gets full there is a small overflow room on the next level. I must admit it felt classy from the minute I was served a soft drink, it arrived in a glass bottle with a glass with ice and lemon and a straw (nice touch) I knew from then it was all going to be good. My lunch today was Crispy chicken, with home made spicy mayo (delicious) well cooked and very tasty everything tasted fresh. Alongside that I also had vegetable spring roles again “ very nice yum”, in the lunch box there was also vegetable sushi, which I dipped in soya sauce which made it taste even better with green leaf side salad added ginger and of course white rice. I had a separate order of Ebi fried prawns again served with with home made spicy mayo on the side and drizzled over the prawns, this again was served with a
lovely green leaf side salad. I really enjoyed this visit and left there feeling very satisfied. This branch is open 7 days a week Based on other reviews I read, other customers have praised the restaurant for its fresh and authentic Japanese cuisine. They particularly enjoyed the sushi and sashimi options, highlighting the quality of the fish and creative presentations. The menu features a range of traditional Japanese dishes cooked with a modern twist, offering a unique dining experience “I can confirm that”. Overall the restaurant's ambiance is trendy and stylish, with a modern interior design that reflects the vibrant atmosphere of Shoreditch. Once again the staff definitely provide attentive and friendly service, ensuring a pleasant dining experience, I will be back and will recommend to my clients...
Read moreTucked away in London's bustling cityscape is Sanjugo, an authentic Japanese restaurant that is a true culinary gem. With its richly flavored food, genuine ambiance, and excellent value, it stands as a testament to the art of Japanese cuisine.
Stepping into Sanjugo, you're immediately greeted by a warm, welcoming atmosphere that mirrors the charm and sophistication of Japan. The décor strikes the perfect balance between minimalism and elegance, setting the stage for an authentic dining experience.
The highlight, of course, is the food. The sushi platters are a visual delight as well as a gastronomic one. With a vibrant display of impeccably sourced fish and perfectly seasoned rice, each piece is a bite of freshness that transports you to the shores of Japan.
For the more adventurous, Sanjugo offers exotic and specific dishes like Unagi (Eel), Uni (Urchin), and Tobiko (Fish eggs). These might not be the usual choices, but they are undoubtedly a culinary adventure worth exploring.
Accompanying the fantastic food is a range of traditional Japanese drinks. The Yuzu's sweet-sour balance, the smooth blend of whisky and soda in the Highball, and the sweet, milky Calpis all add a refreshing touch to the meal.
One might think that this authenticity and quality would come at a high price, but surprisingly, Sanjugo offers incredible value for money. Depending on your appetite and the choice of dishes, you can expect to spend between £30 to £60 per person. Considering the fresh ingredients, meticulous preparation, and the sheer taste, it's well worth the spend.
In conclusion, Sanjugo is more than just a restaurant - it's a little slice of Japan in the heart of London. It offers a dining experience that is genuinely satisfying, both in terms of taste and value. Whether you're a fan of Japanese cuisine or a food enthusiast looking for new experiences, Sanjugo...
Read moreThis place has now become one of my top 5 Japanese restaurants in London and I am so glad I found this place!
I came here with some friends as a late birthday celebration dinner after work one Thursday which also happened to be during this heatwave week in London and so sushi was naturally the best answer to a hot day.
The staff were all very friendly and approachable and we were served by a number of them and had really good experiences with them all. They were chatty and smiley and made us feel comfortable the whole time so 5 star for service.
Food was amazing - between one friend and I we ordered chicken karaage, sashimi omakase for 9 pieces and sanjugo roll to share and everything was so delicious. One thing that I didn't enjoy/ like was the thick batter used to fry the chicken which was where the food lost one star because I couldn't taste much of the chicken meat. For the price of £9 it's a little bit of a rip-off ngl. But the sashimi were extremely fresh and refreshing on a hot day, and the sanjugo roll was such a pleasant surprise. I loved that it was fried ok the outside and with all the ingredients in the filling it was so crunchy and fun to eat and just upped the texture so much. We enjoyed it so much another friend who also shared it went for a second round. The downside about this was once again the high price (£18) for 5 pieces.
One of the staff was attentive enough and paid attention to detail to realise that it was my birthday and gave me a mochi dessert on the house! What a nice gesture honestly.
This place has easily become one of my favourite Japanese restaurants with authentic food and I am definitely coming back soon to try other things...
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