Hare & Tortoise Putney

Don’t be fooled by the country pub-esque name: Hare & Tortoise is actually a fast-growing chain of oriental cafés, with branches dotted randomly throughout the capital. The decor may be plain & functional, but the food is quick, cheap & surprisingly good. Rather than indiscriminately hopping all over Asia, the kitchen focuses on Japan, with a few Chinese specialities thrown in for good measure: highlights include a delicate snow-crab salad, moreish pumpkin croquettes, & a gutsy dish of beef in black bean sauce. Elsewhere, look for tempura, sushi, donburi (bowls of fluffy rice topped with the likes of grilled eel & a teriyaki sauce) & noodles (stir-fried or in a steaming, full-flavoured broth). Efficient staff, lively, youthful vibes, & the absence of enforced communal dining all come in for deserved praise – the only downside is the queue.