Scallop Sashimi
AKASAKA Japanese

AKASAKA Japanese

23 Castilian Streetshire NN1 1JS, Northampton, United Kingdom

Sushi • Curry • Asiatic • Chicken


"I wondered why this restaurant described itself on the board outside as ‘fusion’, why there were so many Korean dishes on the menu and why the serving staff have heard of Asahi beer but haven’t heard of The Asahi Shimbun, a Japanese daily newspaper that is at least 50 years old. The answer is that the Akasaka website isn’t being completely honest when it describes their Northampton branch as a Japanese restaurant. They aren’t really Japanese, although some of their menu items are clearly Japanese. Don’t let that put you off, however, as they are serving excellent food and we enjoyed our meal there very much. It cost us about £70 (inc. 10% tip) for our meal for two people including a 175ml glass of Sauvignon Blanc for my lovely wife and two 330ml bottles of Asahi Dry for me. The sushi was excellent, the edamame beans were great but we didn’t feel that the Dolsot Bibimbap (a Korean dish with loads of rice, some shredded vegetables, prawns and a fried egg on top) offered very good value for money at just under sixteen pounds. We would recommend Akasaka in Northampton and would certainly go there again, but if we want a genuinely Japanese meal, prepared and served by Japanese staff, then we will be sticking to Ginza Restaurant on Wellingborough Road in Northampton. Don’t like the way that the male members of staff at Sakura on Bridge Street speak to their female colleagues, very disrespectful, so we avoid that Japanese restaurant nowadays. Great to have a choice of three Japanese restaurants in Northampton post-pandemic, and our favourite of the three is Ginza."

Akasaka Japanese

Akasaka Japanese

Exchange House, 466 Midsummer Blvd, Milton Keynes MK9 2EA, UK, United Kingdom

Food • Sushi • Asiatic • Japanese


"Absolutely average restaurant. Dirty bamboo table mats and super dirty windows, kinda sad to look out of them. Impatient service, who under 6 minutes 5 times came back trying to pressure me to take my order. I was confused as I thought it was a restaurant not a fast food place. Silly me who used to live in Japan though the menu is just like there, with pictures. How wrong I was...So getting my phone to have a look at their website, what kinda different that in the restaurant menu card one. When I tried to ask for reconditions, I didn't get any, she just straight away took the last what I asked. The steamed algae was very nice, but my noodle soup was a big surprise, as I have no idea what's roasted (burned) pepper and massive chunks of onions doing there? It's supposed to be sea food, but instead just some burned vegetables scared with frozen octopus, mussels and mini calamari rings poured up with chicken broth. So yeah, kinda disappointing. Drink wise I asked the waitress do they have any tonic water as it isn't listed on the menu card, she looked at me like I am a weirdo. I asked for Roku gin what is my favourite. On the receipt was counted as an extra pound because Japanese. Lol, no comment. Getting the drinks, from other restaurants you get the spirit on the rocks in the glass and front of you they pouring the mixer drink from the mini bottle. Here not, just straight away together as it comes. Oh and don't bother asking without lemon, because you are getting one either way. So Akasaka restaurant did not become my favourite one. Once and last. Easily can be forgotten. Service: Dine in Meal type: Lunch Price per person: £20–30 Food: 2 Service: 3 Atmosphere: 4"

Pasha Central Asian

Pasha Central Asian

158 Camberwell Road, London I-SE5 0EE, United Kingdom

Uzbek • Asian • Coffee • Turkish


"Once inside, you can choose to sit at a regular table or in a low seating area surrounded by plush cushions, which I highly recommend. The restaurant was quite empty when we visited, with only two other patrons, yet it felt peaceful and inviting—a calming experience enhanced by the journey through the narrow corridor. We started with Turkish coffee, which tasted like a lighter version of espresso. For appetizers, we ordered icli kofte, and I have to say it was truly amazing—crispy and fresh with a perfect balance of flavors, and the taste of the lamb was exceptional. For the main course, we tried besh barmak, and it was absolutely delicious! The broth was well-balanced, and the delicate beef was served with a pasta that was reminiscent of lasagna. It was simply outstanding. We also ordered a chicken alaturka, which was good but didn’t quite measure up to the previous dish. From the grill, we had the adana shashlik, which was underwhelming. To finish, we ordered black tea served with chak chak, which complemented the tea wonderfully and left us feeling very satisfied. The portions were generous, and the flavors were harmoniously balanced. The most remarkable aspect of the restaurant was its ambiance; it felt so much like home that we ended up staying for four hours without wanting to leave. Our server was incredibly friendly and enthusiastic, happy to discuss the food and the restaurant with us. I’m already looking forward to my next visit!"

Sushiya

Sushiya

19 Dalry Road, Edinburgh, EH112BQ, EH11 2BQ, United Kingdom

Food • Sushi • Asiatic • Seafood


"So, recently, possibly the worst thing ever happened. When you hear what it is you'll know how sheltered my life has been. Also just how dramatic I can be. I developed an intolerance to latex fruits...NOOOOOOOOOOO! Ok, so it's not that bad but unfortunately avocados fall into this category. This is why, last Tuesday, in the kitschy surroundings I see in most Edinburgh sushi places, I could be found picking every last piece of avocado out of my meal with chopsticks. It was in everything except my noodles. I started with a green tea and the salad and prawn spring rolls, they were delicious, really fresh and cold in a rice paper round. Difficult to eat though! My first one burst out over the table! Luckily this warned me there was avocado in it so I was thankful I'd made such a fool of myself. For mains I had the breaded pork noodles. Honestly, I wasn't sure if it was pork or chicken which worried me slightly. But the noodles were fantastic and the broth delicious. Lucky for me, one of our party couldn't finish her tuna maki and prawn sushi rolls SCORE! I laid into them, looking like an absolute pig in the process. And then dessert, because there's always room for dessert, black sesame ice cream. Amazing. I'm partial to brown bread ice cream and the texture is very similar but with a subtle sesame taste it was the perfect way to end the meal. The drinks are a bit on the pricey side and there was no coffee. The service here was excellent, though possibly slightly over bearing. It's a small place so they go for quick turnover. The waitresses are always close at hand and keep your glasses full but they also take your plates away immediately and this means the meal is less relaxed and more hastened. As we were interviewing a potential new employee during the meal it wasn't the perfect setting and felt a bit rushed. 5 people, 3 courses, 90 minutes. The toilet is weird, I felt like I was walking up to a pedestal. Overall I enjoyed the meal but wasn't taken by the surroundings."