TANAKATSU — Restaurant in London

I had really high hopes for this place. I happened to be walking past, it was lunchtime, I saw the high rating on google maps and decided to check it out. Boy, was I disappointed. The miso was possibly the saltiest miso i’ve ever had in my life, it was actually undrinkable. I don’t know what they did to it. Had to wash it down with some water. Although the bento visually looked kind of promising, the sushi was very clearly not fresh and tasted very odd. I only managed to brave the two small pieces, but it was possibly some of the worst sushi i’ve ever had in London. It simultaneously tasted completely bland and like it was past its sell-by date. I also don’t think that the fish inside was sushi grade at all judging by the cut. The two pieces to the right with shrimp and salmon I couldn’t even touch, they smelled weird and rancid. The teriyaki salmon on top of the rice had a really weird earthy type taste which Im pretty sure fish isn’t supposed to have. It was also cold on the inside which leads me to think it was reheated. I couldn’t finish it. The rice underneath tasted bitter (?!). Probably explains why I’ve been doubled over with intense stomach ache for the rest of the day today. The “seaweed” salad was mostly salad leaves which HAD SAND IN IT. The croquette tasted factory made. (I think I even know which brand it is.) The pink pickled ginger once again, tasted weirdly mouldy. Didn’t know that was even possible! I didn’t see any actual mould on it but you know that feeling when you bite into a piece of bread and the you can taste the mould even though its not overtly visible? It was the same here. The fried chicken was probably the only edible thing out of the whole set and even then, I wasn’t super convinced by how pink the chicken seemed on the inside when I bit into it. It felt undercooked. It’s a real shame, could have been a nice meal. Definitely a waste of money.

The person who took my order was nice and polite though! The only...

Tanakatsu – A Hidden Gem in Barbican for Japanese Comfort Food

If you’re looking for authentic, no-nonsense Japanese comfort food in London, Tanakatsu near Barbican is a spot that delivers. I recently visited for lunch and tried their pork katsu and chicken teriyaki, and both dishes exceeded expectations.

The pork katsu was the standout. The breadcrumb coating was light and crisp without being greasy, and the pork inside was perfectly cooked — juicy, tender, and full of flavour. It was served with finely shredded cabbage and a classic tonkatsu sauce that added a nice balance of tanginess and sweetness. This is easily one of the best katsu dishes I’ve had in London — comforting, satisfying, and cooked with care.

The chicken teriyaki was also very good. The glaze was on the sweeter side, but not overpowering, and the chicken was grilled nicely with a slight char that added depth. It paired well with the fluffy rice and vegetables on the side. While the pork katsu stole the show for me, the chicken teriyaki was still a solid choice, especially if you enjoy bolder, saucier flavours.

Tanakatsu has a minimalist interior — clean lines, warm lighting, and a calm vibe that makes it perfect for a quiet lunch or casual dinner. The service was quick and friendly without being overbearing, and prices are reasonable for central London.

Overall, Tanakatsu nails the basics: quality ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and a menu that sticks to what it knows best. Whether you’re craving a crunchy katsu or a comforting bowl of teriyaki, this place won’t disappoint. I’ll definitely be returning — and next time, I might try their katsu curry or the salmon option.

Rating: 4.5/5 – Worth the visit for anyone who loves good...

I was going to a pub near Angel, but rough pub foods are not my favourite, checked the google map found this one, have no idea it’s that popular. I didn’t book, but a friendly black guy was so efficient and professional, sort out my table seamlessly. I took a glance into the kitchen, and told my friend, “oh, all white chefs !”how surprising, tbh, I was expecting full Japanese team, but I like surprises.

Well, as an Oriental boy, I am so used to the taste of Japanese deep fried pork chop, with or without curry. I went to some original restaurants in japan just for Pork Katsu. And of course I had some cover versions elsewhere around Asia. Still, Japanese made the best.

I took my friend to here, first thing she told me, this restaurant is on her must-try bucket list. She ordered the Pork Katsu Set, I picked the Pork Katsu Curry, and a glass of Prosecco.

The first bite of the crunchy pork meat brings me all the good memories of eating this simple delicious dish. The taste is really close to the famous one in Tokyo. And most importantly, it doesn’t have the weird pork meat taste that you can easily found in UK both in restaurants or you buy them in supermarkets. I don’t think their meats are delivered from Japan, but they must be carefully choosing them.

And the portion is big enough for boys, my friend said her set it’s a bit big for her. Well, I was happy to help her finish the rest.

The curry source was so smooth and buttery, typical Japanese curry, not spicy but slightly sweet in a good balance.

I’m always happy for myself for finding good restaurants without reading any review. With a clean tidy environment, wonderful friendly service, happy customers surrounding you, you know, you are gonna have a...