Tokyo Diner

A great place to learn about Japanese food, Tokyo Diner is a small, three-storey building – upstairs is the nicest, with its curving window – with basic decor, smiling staff & wallet-friendly prices. There are introductions to each section of the menu & explanations of each dish. You’re warned about the fiery wasabi sauce, encouraged to slurp the soup noodles (it improves the flavour) & eat the sushi with your fingers (so you can dip the topping, not the rice, in the soy). The drinks list has to be one of the lowest-priced in London: £1.90 for an Asahi beer, £6.90 for a bottle of house wine. You’d want to tip the staff for such service, but they won’t accept it: it’s not Japanese custom.