Bargain Bento at Harajuku Kitchen

those of us who work full time and not in the centre of town, a weekday lunch out is a rare treat, and this is often where the best deals can be found.

Though a well-known name to me, my only previous experience of Harajuku Kitchen was the excellent gyoza stall at Stockbridge Market, and I learn that this is where the company started out originally, before opening their award-winning restaurant in Bruntsfield in 2013.

Authenticity is very important in the growing world of sushi restaurants, and Harajuku has it in spades. Owner Kaori Simpson’s father was an international tuna trader and she grew up helping in her mother’s Japanese restaurants in Hong Kong. And if those credentials weren’t enough, the restaurant is official caterer for the Consulate General of Japan, Scottish Japan society and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Scotland.

The space is small and cosy yet somehow also manages to resonate calm – a feeling reinforced by the friendly and relaxed service. We are here to sample the Weekday Lunch Teishoku Set, priced at a very reasonable £18.00. Diners can choose two dishes from a range of options, which are served along with rice, pickle, miso soup and unlimited Genmai cha tea.

We choose the Kaiso Seaweed Salad, always a favourite; the Fluffy Potato Salad, which is cold mashed potato with Kewpie mayo, cucumber, carrots and sliced onion, surprisingly delicious; the Kara-age Chicken, crispy and super succulent fried chicken with daikon dare sauce; and Tonkatsu, Panko breaded pork cutlet with mustard and katsu-miso sesame sauce.

Greedy as ever, and remembering happy days at Stockbridge Market, we can’t resist adding the Devil Dumplings from the specials – with Naga chilli seasoned pork, Chinese leaf, lemongrass and garlic – which are a very tasty addition at £8.90. I am delighted to see that all the pork is free range and sourced from the Borders, which no doubt adds to its great flavour and juicy texture.

As the food is such good value, we feel justified in indulging in a cocktail. I choose the Spicy Yuzu Sea |&Margarita special which, like the food, is flavourful and well balanced – a real winter restorer that is also available as a mocktail. The Harajuku Kitchen lunch menu is a bargain not to be missed, but I will definitely be back to try the full menu – Apple Gyoza with Matcha Ice Cream being first on my

list!

Harajuku Kitchen - Japanese Bistro - 10 Gillespie Place, Edinburgh EH10 4HS - T: 0131 285 8182

E: reservations@harajukukitchen.co.uk

Mon-Fri: 12-2:15pm, 5-9:15pm

Sat: 12-9:45pm

Sun: 12-3:15pm, 5-9:15pm