Yoshino

Very much geared towards its regular customers, this spick-&-span, diminutive Japanese eatery down an alley near Piccadilly Circus has a cult following for its super-value set lunches. Try the Zen grilled fish bento box: grilled mackerel, tuna carpaccio, seaweed, spinach in sesame dressing, honeyed carrot, & potato salad & pickles – all for £9.80. Monthly one-plate specials revolve around curry, tempura & katsu. Yoshino is also famed for its sushi: three cuts of tuna alongside squid, swordfish, scallop, salmon roe & more besides. Small plates of agedashi tofu, edamame & tempura come under the heading ‘Japanese tapas’. Finish on a sweet note with beancurd ice cream or ginger sorbet, & drink organic green tea, Japanese beer or saké. Takeaways are big business here, & outdoor tables may appear in the coming year.