Akasiro

Traipsing around Soho, looking for somewhere to eat that wasn’t extortionately expensive, my friend and I eventually found this place.
Our decision was based on the fact that we were just bored of looking and really hungry, this place was reasonably priced and it looked cute.
When we walked in we spotted a large downstairs section which looked like a good plan for parties and big groups. We were sat in the small upstairs section which was clean, simple and classy.
There was plenty on the menu to tempt you so we ordered and didn’t have to wait a long time for the food to arrive. Initially it all looked like small portions, but hell was I wrong. It filled my hole and then some. All washed down with a lovely glass of plum wine (if you’ve never had it, get on it. Just lush)
It was a lovely escape from the madness and noise of L-​Square. Quiet and air conditioned. Simple, well priced food making a change from the millions of places in and surrounding china town.

This restaurant was ‘Zipangu’ in a former life. For about four years it remained my fave for cheap, cheerful, authentic and well-​made Japanese food, with friendly and polite Japanese staff. Sadly, no longer. After reading positive reviews about Akasiro I optimistically returned with some old (!?) uni friends in September. We squashed the five of us (including one rather pregnant lady) into one of the intimate ‘caves’ downstairs of our own free will and commenced salivating in anticipation. Well, the food was ok… but really not very Japanese at all — lots of Korean dishes on the much-​reduced and pricier menu. A friend who works in a nearby Japanese restaurant has since told me the management of Akasiro is no longer Japanese — perhaps Malaysian? That’s fine and all, but the all-​important gyoza were distinctly Chinese, quite disappointing dumplings with ‘tomato dipping sauce’ and the teriyaki dihes were pretty generic. The unagi was over-​priced, too small and ‘not tasty’. My tempura was good, but I won’t be returning to try it again.

I am DEFINITELY coming back to this small but perfectly formed japanese paradise.
Nestled in the small road behind the big Vue, Akasiro exudes a quiet informal charm, countered by exuberant flavours. Friendly staff make this even more of a find — but it’s too tasty to keep it a secret.
It’s one of those places where you wish you were more hungry so you could fit more in.
I had tuna rolls (tasty) agedashi tofu (delicious) and a generous salmon skewer dipped in luxurious silky teriyaki sauce (sublime).
My companion had the udon noodles in soup. topped with tempura — and this, along with my feast and some green tea, came to £25 for both of us.
See you in there

Dived into this Japanese restaurant just off the heart of Chinatown to find a surprisingly luxurious, if tiny, Japanese restaurant with some interesting new dishes and prompt service.
A nice place to go for an impromptu meal.

After a month without short-​grained rice, I had to find something in London that was Japanese or Taiwanese. The food here was very well prepared and the eel was fresh and perfect on rice. The tofu tasted perfect in the fish broth. It reminded me of all the flavors I’m used to and therefore I can say it is very good. I wish I could go back.