Vegan Japanese near Kings Cross

[robb]

Another new place to try...

http://www.itadakizen.com/
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=181815671982&ref=nf

"Europe's First Organic and Vegan Japanese Restaurant" apparently.

:D

[beanstew]

Thanks Robb. I look forward to trying that one.

[harpy]

That sounds nice, although I'm not sure about the menu that smells of fruitcake :D I like Japanese food but it can be a bit of a struggle to get them to give you something vegan in some places, can't it?

[Risker]

It's got the menu in the pictures of the facebook page btw. Looks like it could be a bit costly if you fancy filling up.

[harpy]

So it has. I see what you mean, though it's difficult to be sure what one would spend without seeing the portion sizes. Might be wise to eat first ;)

[Gwydion]

Ta Robb. Does look quite pricey but would be up for sampling.

Liking the layout!

[Sluggie]

Ooh. I love Japanese food!

[Marrers]

I'm keen to give it whirl, looks interesting. (There's a really upmarket/expensive Japanese place here in NY but my o/h doesn't want to go and I don't think it's the sort of place I could go on my own, there's 8 courses!)

[Elahiya]

it's already been reviewed:

http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/restaurants/itadaki-zen-review-61759.html

seems to be promising.

[beanstew]

Maybe a meet up there would be in order in the new year. :)

[Sluggie]

I'm getting hungry just reading the review. Must visit...

[alisont]

Never had the chance to try much Japanese food before so think Il have to try it next time Im in London (Feb half term next year!) Sounds good.

[pavotrouge]

I'm very excited about the place. Though it's a lie about it being the first vegan organic Japanese place in Europe- Munich has had one for years.
Anyway, let's go together sometime soon!

[Buddha Belly]

Oh bum. I have been past there at least 6 times since xmas as I have clients in a hostel round the corner. I could of checked it out.

[gutts]

This looks great! I'm definitely going to try this over the next few days. Thanks for the heads up. :D

[pavotrouge]

closed on Sundays, as I found out last week :/

[Gwydion]

Doh, I was wanting to go there this Sunday! Ta for the heads-up Pavo :)

[Barry]

Went there at the weekend and it was a terrible disappointment. Confusing menu, small portions given the price, and slow service. I had tofu steak and green beans with sesame seeds and it was dull, dull food. The only good part about it was the delicious organic german beer they had, which was probably one of the best beers I've ever had!

[harpy]

That's a shame. I wrote about going to that restaurant here:

http://www.veganforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=633601&highlight=itadaki#post633601

I thought the food I had was OK and some of it was very good, but I agree about the confusing menu. They probably need to "westernise" it a bit for people to know what to order. Can't remember if I tried the beer, what kind was it can you remember Barry?

[Barry]

I can't remember the actual name Harpy, but it was the only german beer on the menu, so if you go back you'll find it easy enough! It's funny how different experiences of restaurants can be isn't it? We were so disappointed that we went back to the travelodge afterwards and had chips and onion rings!

[harpy]

I'd have probably needed chips afterwards as well if I hadn't gone for the set menu - trouble is there was probably a bit too much of that for a normal appetite! I might go again when I'm feeling brave and if so I'll definitely try the beer.

[mariana]

Too bad you guys didn't have a good experience. I've been there a few times, and think it's pretty good but pricey. I live nearby and go there for lunch every once in awhile because it's less expensive at lunchtime (plus they do a student discount).

[harpy]

Perhaps you could give us your ordering recommendations then please mariana! Was a bit baffled by the a la carte menu that time I went.

[mariana]

Perhaps you could give us your ordering recommendations then please mariana! Was a bit baffled by the a la carte menu that time I went.
Well when I've been there for dinner I usually just picked a noodle dish I fancied and then asked the waiters for recommendations on what would go with it. They were very helpful. I also remember once getting kake soba with tempura for dinner, which is £7.70 and I thought was nice. It was filling enough for me but might not be enough for others. When I've gone for lunch I got a bento box, which I think was £6 or £6.50 (with student discount) and included 5 or 6 pieces of sushi, tempura, and potato salad (which was not at all what I expected but I liked it). Again it's something that's filling enough for me but might not be for other people.

[harpy]

Thanks for the suggestions, mariana, I'm fond of noodles so I might try that tactic another time. There's always the chip option afterwards ;)