Jin Kichi

Just above Hampstead tube station on Heath Street, this cramped little Japanese joint draws crowds of affluent locals who are happy to put up with stark wood tables & slightly erratic service, because the food is excellent & fairly priced. A grill holds centre stage in the dining room, & it delivers a full range of popular yakitori skewers. Chicken with spring onion tops the poll of favourites, but it’s also worth trying the quails’ egg version or salty-sweet salmon for a change. Sparklingly fresh fish is the mainstay of sushi rolls, nigiri & sashimi. If you need to watch the pennies, drink green tea or the very quaffable Japanese beer rather than wine.