April 2018 - Food
Where To Eat this Month - Izakaya
The izakaya (i-zaka-ya) has hit London and this new breed of Japanese "restaurant" is fast gaining a following. They are, in fact, traditionally places first to drink and then eat. The izakaya is a temple of grown-up booze and affordable Japanese snacks, usually yakitori (meat skewers) or other small plates. The izakaya’s arrival and reinvention in London is undoubtedly cause for celebration. Only relatively recently has the full breadth of Japanese cuisine been embraced in the capital. Now, thanks to the likes of Koya and Tonkotsu London our taste for Japanese food has advanced beyond just sushi.
The izakaya (i-zaka-ya) has hit London and this new breed of Japanese "restaurant" is fast gaining a following. They are, in fact, traditionally places first to drink and then eat. The izakaya is a temple of grown-up booze and affordable Japanese snacks, usually yakitori (meat skewers) or other small plates. The izakaya’s arrival and reinvention in London is undoubtedly cause for celebration. Only relatively recently has the full breadth of Japanese cuisine been embraced in the capital. Now, thanks to the likes of Koya and Tonkotsu London our taste for Japanese food has advanced beyond just sushi.
The food includes soft-shell crab, Jerusalem artichoke chopsticks — glorious straws of the vegetable encased by a deeply savoury batter and many other umami-rich snacks designed for sharing. Typically, in Japan, the food served in these establishments is fatty, salty, often fried and matched with beer or a refreshing Highball. The latter is a phenomenon in Tokyo where salarymen glug gallons of the stuff well into the night as a means of winding down. The menu offers a wide variety of dishes; from sushi, to noodles, to grilled meats. My personal favourite was the Yaki Soba, prawn tempura, Sake Sashimi and of course the Unagi (Eel). Drinking and eating. In that order, Japanese style. It’s easy to understand why the izakaya is here to stay. My rating 8/10.
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