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Londonderry

Nestled in the historic St Clare House on Minories, The Japanese Canteen offers a quick, authentic slice of Japan in the heart of London. Perfect for trend-conscious travelers and busy professionals alike, this vibrant spot combines simplicity with genuine flavors.

Discover the heart of London at The Japanese Canteen

Is The Japanese Canteen authentic Japanese food?

The reviews suggest that it offers quick, decent Japanese-style meals, especially suited for lunch hours, but it may not meet traditional Japanese culinary standards.

What dishes are recommended at The Japanese Canteen?

The hot rice bowls, especially chicken teriyaki and chilli fried rice with prawns, come highly recommended for their generous portions and satisfying flavors.

Is The Japanese Canteen suitable for dinner or just lunch?

Most reviews highlight it as a quick lunchtime spot, and it may not be the best choice for an evening meal with a more relaxed atmosphere.

What makes The Japanese Canteen stand out?

The availability of unique Japanese treats like takoyaki (octopus balls) and its quick service make it a popular choice for a satisfying, no-frills lunch in London.

Is The Japanese Canteen a good value for money?

Reviews suggest it offers good value for quick, quality Japanese meals, especially for those on a tight schedule looking for a satisfying lunch.

Europe

United Kingdom

Nestled in the heart of London at St Clare House, 30-33 Minories, The Japanese Canteen offers a vibrant and authentic slice of Japanese cuisine amidst the bustling cityscape. This casual eatery is renowned for its quick service and a menu that captures the essence of traditional Japanese flavors, making it a perfect spot for a satisfying lunch or a quick bite during a busy workday.

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I've made regular appearances at this place over the past months during the lunch hour, not out of choice mind you, but because the selection around my office is so limited.  My coworkers and I have decided to limit our choice even further by banning this place henceforth.

I've lived many years in Asia and come from Australia which has good Japanese food.  This is not Japanese food as I know it.  In fact it's not really food as I know it.  I imagine field rations in the US army taste better than this crap.  I've tried most of the items on the hot food menu, and they even smell wrong.  My chilli fried rice today literally smelled like vomit.  I didn't even know that was possible, unless, of course, it actually contained vomit.  That wouldn't surprise me; several of my coworkers have found some weird "ingredients" in their food at various times, including a piece of wool that looked like it came from a sweater!

The quality of the ingredients is also poor, in particular the meat looks like it has come out of some sort of experimental vat.  The chefs also seem to operate on the belief that the punters want as much meat as possible:  my fried rice today was 50-60% chicken which was way too much.  The restaurant's dingy interior does nothing to dispel my belief that this is nothing but an experiment by the UK government to roll out soylent green to restaurants nationwide.

Not withstanding the above, it's OK value for money which is why we kept coming back.  Never again.

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1.5 stars? Ouch!

It really isn't that bad at all.

You can't expect high end cuisine when your meal is typically ready to be collected before you've processed your card payment. What they do well is very quick, good quality lunch hour Japanese meals. I wouldn't recommend here for the evening - you can do much better with more time on your hands. But for a hot, tasty meal against the clock, you could do much worse.

I enjoyed their chicken teriyaki and the pork dumplings were as good as those you'd get in Wagamamas.

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I've popped in twice over the past couple of months, whilst working nearby.  It's quite sparse and clinical inside, but it serves it's purpose as a quick and easy lunch spot.  

The choice of sushi boxes to take away seemed to be a bit limited (and the sushi pieces quite large...), but the hot food range seems wider.  The best thing about the Japanese Canteen is that they do takoyaki (octopus balls)! And for a person still coming down from the high of a holiday in Japan, it sort of hits the spot - I've not come across another place in London (yet) that does takoyaki.  And the takoyaki here are pretty good, in my humble opinion.  

Hits the spot when you don't want a sandwich or a salad for your lunch!

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I agree with Craig, OUCH!

Japanese Canteen is a great lunch time stop. They only lose a star from me, because their sushi is a bit blah. Mine tasted like watery wasabi for some reason, even though I wasn't eating the wasabi.

But their rice bowls are delicious. The chicken teriyaki & chilli fried rice with prawns go down a treat at lunchtime! And the serving sizes are very generous.

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For lunch this place is a good choice but do not expect any special regarding the location itself. The food is tasty, basic Asian food. I would come back for a quick lunch.

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The food here is revolting, combined with awful service. Avoid.

The Japanese Canteen London: Quick, Tasty Japanese Lunch Near Minories

a quick and flavorful Japanese dining experience in londonderry

Explore the menu and experience quick, authentic Japanese flavors at The Japanese Canteen in Londonderry

Savor authentic Japanese cuisine at The Japanese Canteen in London’s historic Londonderry. Dive into flavorful dishes in a cozy, vibrant setting—reserve your table today!

The Japanese Canteen in Londonderry | Authentic Japanese Cuisine

London Borough of Londonderry

The Japanese Canteen

Located in St Clare House, London, the Japanese Canteen offers a casual Japanese dining experience.

Strengths include quick service and decent lunch options, especially for those on a tight schedule. The restaurant is praised for its generous servings of rice and quality of hot meals like chicken teriyaki and prawns with rice, making it a reliable choice for a satisfying lunch.

Potential drawbacks include inconsistent food quality, with some customers describing the dishes as unpleasant or lacking authenticity. The interior can also appear sparse and somewhat clinical, which might detract from the dining experience for some visitors.

Overall, the Japanese Canteen provides a quick and convenient option for a casual Japanese meal in London, suitable for lunch breaks. However, those seeking authentic Japanese cuisine or a more inviting ambiance might find better options elsewhere.

The Japanese Canteen London: Quick, Tasty Japanese Lunch Near Minories

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