Japanese

Bristol

BUDOKAN
First Floor, Clifton Down, Whiteladies Rd, BS8 2PH Tel: 0117 949 3030
31 Colston St, BS1 5AP Tel: 0117 914 1488, web: www.budokan.co.uk
Bristol’s original, independent contemporary pan-Asian bistro, serving up tasty, authentic, globally inspired dishes from Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. A commitment to quality produce - sourcing GM-free ingredients and, where possible, buying outdoor-reared, free-range meats and poultry - and the fact that this merry little ship is now being steered by local kitchen maestro Chris (one30, Bell’s Diner) Wicks give an extra incentive to delve headlong into this glorious experience at every opportunity. Menu S: fried and steamed pork and shitake mushroom dumplings with soy chilli dip; duck teriyaki envelopes (rice paper rolls filled with seared duck breast, seasoned rice, cucumber and mint, drizzled with teriyaki reduction). M: vast array of sushi; miso soup; ramen; vietnamese paper rolls; thai fish cakes; pad thai noodles; nasi goreng (wok-fried prawns, vegetables, egg and rice, with cucumber and tomato salad); laksa; satays, gorengs, side dishes and rice combos. Budokan classics: chilli-fried chicken with chilli sauce and jasmine rice; prawns, salmon and squid with thick japanese noodles and dark soy sauce; spicy stirfried beef with chilli & oyster sauce, jasmine rice; chilli tiger prawns in chilli sauce with jasmine rice. P: tempura fruit; chocolate fondant Price ALC: from £2.95/from £5/from £4. Rapid Refuel (till 7pm daily): £7.50. Budokan Feasts (6-course meal for whole table): £14.50pp (vegetarian), £17.50pp (meat) Wine list HW from £11 btl. Interesting selection of Japanese beers & sake Open: Mon-Sat 12noon-2.30pm & 5.30-11pm. Children welcome, own menu (Baby Budokan: £4 per dish for under-12s), highchairs. Disabled access at Colston St. Credit cards. Private parties catered for. Everything on menu (except soup) available to take away; home delivery service.

OBENTO
67 Baldwin St, BS1 1QZ
Tel: 0117 929 7392, web: www.obento-bristol.co.uk
From the same family who bring you Dynasty and Zen, Venue’s food reviewer enjoyed a ‘fine, filling meal of contrasting tastes and textures’ at this place, which has earned an exceedingly good reputation for healthy, flavoursome Japanese-themed menus in contemporary surroundings, at prices that belie the quality on offer. Sushi, salads, soups, sashimi, teriyakis and three types of noodle (soba, ramen and udon) abound. ‘Well prepared and well presented,’ said our man of his ‘Sakura’ banquet, ‘a thoroughly good experience.’ Menu S: chicken yakitori; salmon teriyaki. M: salmon teriyaki bento box (inc rice, pickles, salad and miso soup); beef chilli noodles. P: fruity sweet stuff Price ALC: from approx £4/from approx £7.50. SL (Tue-Fri) 2 (inc non-alcoholic drink) £6.95 (eat in or to go). SD: set menu options from approx £17pp Wine list Good range, alongside beers, lagers, etc. HW £11.90 btl Open Daily 12noon-2.45pm & 5.30-11pm. Children welcome, own set menu. Disabled access. Major credit cards. Parties welcome - call for details.

NEW
TAMPOPO
Unit SU84A, Glass House, Cabot Circus, BS1 3BX
Tel: 0117 927 7008, web: www.tampopo.co.uk
The name Tampopo (Japanese for ‘dandelion’) is taken from the title of a Japanese film that chronicles a quest for the perfect bowl of noodles. It’s a quest that continues at Tampopo today. Menu serves up some of the best street food and signature dishes from across eastern Asia, including classics like steaming noodles, slow-cooked curries and sizzling stirfries. Menu S: chicken satay; miso soup; coconut prawns. M: soup noodles with rump steak; wok-fried noodles with leek and red pepper; stirfried rice with lemongrass and coriander. P: cinnamon ice-cream; creme brulee Price ALC: from £1.50/from £4.75/from £3.25 Wine list HW £11.95 btl, £3.50 gls Open Mon-Sat 12noon-11pm, Sun 12noon-10pm. Children welcome, own menu. Disabled access (lift to food court). Major credit cards. Takeaway available. Parties welcome - call for details.

TEOHS
28-34 Lower Ashley Rd, St Agnes, BS2 9NP Tel: 0117 907 1191
Old Tobacco Factory, North St, Southville, BS3 1TF Tel: 0117 902 1122, web: www.teohs.net
See Thai, Malaysian, Singaporean & Indonesian.

NEW
YO! SUSHI
Unit SU72A, Glass Walk, Cabot Circus, BS1 3BQ
Tel: 0117 321 3161, web: www.yosushi.com
Forget waiters, the future (according to YO! Sushi) is all about conveyor belts. Food is fresh, seasonal, nutritious and prepared daily by trained chefs. With 91 dishes to choose from, the conveyor belts are always stacked with delicious offerings, so you can start eating straight away. Colour-coded pricing system means you can control how much or little you spend. Menu S: miso soup; chicken dumplings; spicy seafood. M: grilled chicken in sweet soy sauce; panfried cod; vegetable rice. P: white chocolate & toffee cake; cherry & chocolate cake Price All dishes £1.70-£5 Wine list Small and exclusive, from approx £12.50 btl. Japanese beers & sake Open Mon-Sat 12noon-11pm, Sun 12noon-10pm Children welcome, own set menu. Disabled access (lift to food court). Major credit cards. Parties welcome - call for details. Takeaway available. Gift vouchers available.

Bath

YEN SUSHI
11-12 Bartlett St, BA1 2QZ
Tel: 01225 333313, web: www.yensushi.co.uk
Make like our reviewer and take a ringside seat at the conveyor belt in this cheery but cosy, unfussy canteen. ‘It’s the hottest seat in town for the inquisitive gourmet,’ she said. ‘A lap dancing club for scoffers; tapas for the jaded.’ Expect dozens of brightly coloured saucers to flaunt their tantalising toppings right under your noses, from the familiar (California rolls, etc) to every variation on the full-on authentic makizushi theme. A smart, jolly sushi chef chops, dices and rolls everything together right before your eyes (and is happy to talk you through your choices) while the kitchen delivers hot stuff (soup, teriyaki, noodle-based dishes, etc) to order. Menu miso soup; edamame; California rolls; sushi; sashimi; teriyaki Price Dishes £1.50-£4, set menus from £5.50 Wine list Small but perfectly formed. Japanese & continental beers & lagers, plum wine & sake. HW approx £12 Open Daily 12noon-3pm & 5.30-10.30pm. Children welcome. Disabled access. Major credit cards. Group bookings - call in adv.

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