London has a lot of sushi takeaway places. There’s Istu, Samarai, Wasabi and probably a few I’m missing. They’re all just ok (Itsu is my preferred), and as I’ve mentioned before, hit the spot for a quick lunch if you don’t want to pay £25+ per head for dinner. Tsuru, however, is in a different league. Sure, it’s primarily takeaway, but the quality far surpasses any of the others I’ve been to.
I went here with a bunch of other Qypers for a sample of their menu and some lovely sake-based cocktails (apart from one with Japanese whisky) from Akashi-Tai Brewery.
We started out with some Chicken Yakatori – a slightly sweet, slightly spicy starter:
Followed shortly by some amazing Agedashi Tofu, Prawn Tempura and Gyoza Dumplings:
I’m always impressed by tempura in restaurants. I’ve tried once to make it at home. It’s difficult. I leave it to the experts. Big thumbs up to the tofu as well. It was perfect not-too-soft consistency.
The only slight disappointment for me was the Chicken Katsu Curry.
Everyone raved about this dish, but for me the curry sauce was lacking a little punch. It was still good, but probably the only thing that night I wouldn’t order again.
There was of course some sushi, which definitely beat out all of its competitors in terms of presentation, taste and quality:
And the cocktails? Gorgeous.
People really don’t order enough sake. It’s most likely because they don’t know what to order, which – in all honesty – is fair enough. However, sake cocktails are completely accessible and a fantastic introduction to the flavour of sake itself.
We tried the Kappa Saketini, a martini made with shochu and Akashi-Tai honjozo ; the Nippon-Fashioned, a take on an Old Fashioned made with a Japanese whisky and clementines; the Tokiwa Honeytini (Tokiwa shochu with Drambuie and honey; and the Ume Hot Toddy – a warm drink with Umeshu plum sake, shochu, cloves and lemon slice. My favourite had to be the Tokiwa Honeytini.
Only problem is Tsuru is way too far out of my way (South Bank behind the Tate Modern)! I’m barely ever over there, so I fear that until they open up somewhere closer, I might not make it back for a while. However, if you live/work over in that area, definitely check it out.
The rest of my photos are here.
3 Comments
22 November, 2009 at 05:28
This is what I do: panko and 7up. Can’t go wrong with that combo. Give that a try.
27 November, 2009 at 17:12
Hi Mel,
I am still writing my review, just back from Brazil this week! I enjoyed reading yours, and am really impressed by the quality of your pictures. How do you manage to get such clear close ups of your dishes? Do you use flash and what lens do you use for these shots?
Thanks.
Luiz @ The London Foodie
28 November, 2009 at 11:13
Ha, I wish it was that technical. I just use my trusty Canon Ixus 100. The macro function on it is top marks. No flash needed.