Sapporo Ichiban — Restaurant in London

We have waited too long to write a review for our most favorite place in London. And no, we are not in the so called new age "food critics" category, whatever that meand. If you're expecting high end service and a katana wielding lesson, this is not the place for you. We are also not "authentic Japanese food experts", as some gleefully label themselves, we just like the restaurant, top to bottom, authentic or not. Service can be slow at times, as it can be experienced IN ANY OTHER RESTAURANT ON THE PLANET, but if you're not going there after a starvation diet or during peak times, it should be fine. Consider that it is a family business and three, four people are usually doing everything, from cooking to serving and cleaning. We often take our own empty plates back or we even clear our own table, as to give them a hand (now the restaurant aficionados are going to have a mild stroke upon hearing this) but that, for us, is part of the charm of the place. Food wise, we have never been disappointed, I mean NEVER, and the price per quality and quantity can't be beaten in London. We are two average people and we never seem to pass over the 25 pounds bill, for both of us. That's literally the cheapest dinners we ever had in London. Since we've been going there for one year and a half we've got to know the staff and they've gotten to know us and we've always been understanding of the serving times or possible mishaps. So, my advice is to go there with an open mind and decent appetite and if you're planning to visit the restaurant at peak times, be ready to wait a bit for your food. And stop whining about everything.

2024 UPDATE: Sapporo has lost nothing of its charm, despite others trying to squeeze it out of Catford (yes, Taro, I am looking at you!). We moved to East London a few months ago but Sapporo still remains our go-to sushi spot in London, and always worth...

I used to come here regularly and then moved away and returned tonight for the first time in about 2 years. One of the worst experiences ever in a restaurant. Cold, felt like putting my coat on. Took half an hour to order after I had to embarrassingly get up from table and ask waiter for service. Starters finished arriving 2 hours after we arrived. Sensing they were short of staff and slow service (we were told some staff didn't turn up for work - there was one poor waiter for the entire restaurant and two people cooking) we ordered our mains whilst eating starters. We received the main dishes 2 and a half hours after setting foot in the restaurant. My main served 10 minutes before my wife. Other diners who arrived after us received their dishes and left before us which is good for them but was painful to watch and wait. Really sad that this was the last time we will come here. Staff present I can see are lovely people and it pains me to write this review. The food is still really good, really good value for money, but to spend 3 hours in a restaurant and not even have the courage to order a dessert because of fear of the further wait tells its own story. Please visit this place but you need to ask first what the service is going to be like. Never received an apology until we mentioned our upset on leaving. I noticed the place is looking a little run down which was sad, and in need of some basic renovation e.g. paint, fix the lighting. I brought my in laws here 3 years ago and we had a similar experience with service on that occasion -I can't take...

Was surprised to see a Japanese restaurant in the local area, so I for sure had to try this place. It’s not in the very best place in Catford, rather I never knew this place was around until a friend recommended it whilst looking for places to eat at in the area

The food itself was quite disappointing. The ramen didn’t offer much flavour to it, broth was quite bland and the beef was very plain in flavour. It did sort of offer the spicy kick as it was advertised, but it wasn’t as strong as I was expecting. Wasn’t really the best value for money.

The tapioca pearl drink was unbearably sweet, was super bummed by the tapioca. It wasn’t chewy, nor was it even of a ball-like form like usual tapioca pearls.

Could do with a clean as the interior was quite filthy and the display menus was filled with dust - essentially it looked like the place wasn’t well taken care of

I do like how it has seating options where you can either sit on the floor with your feet in a sunken floor, or go for a western style table and seating. Service was okay, staff were friendly, but the food took a while to arrive.

Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this place if you’re looking for good quality Japanese food, but for the location and if you’re looking for something cheaper and more local in the market, then this...