Harajuku Kitchen

Japanese·
££££
·
Bronze Award
·

SquareMeal Review of Harajuku Kitchen

Bronze Award

Traditionally, the Japanese culture follows a minimalist approach to life, and this is also true of Japanese bistro Harajuku Kitchen. The restaurant finds its home in a pared-back dining room featuring bare wooden floors, plain white walls and miniature potted plants lining the windowsill. Although the room is mostly a serene space, there are a few pops of colour from the Japanese murals on the walls, which depict Geisha girls and flowers native to the country.

Chef-patron Kaori Simpson uses family recipes which have been passed down three generations to deliver an authentic flavour of Japan. The menu offers a selection of small plates – chicken karaage, beef tataki, takoyaki octopus dough balls – as well as freshly prepared sushi, sashimi, nigiri, futomaki rolls and regularly changing specials.

From the smaller dishes, we loved the plump, tender gyoza which are made using Scottish outdoor-reared minced pork, while an alluring dish of agedashi tofu is just one of a handful of tempting vegetarian options on offer. Here, the deep-fried cubes of tofu have been spiked with notes of ginger and spring onion, allowing the inherent blandness of tofu to soak up these strong flavours and act as a vessel through which to deliver them.

Harajuku’s sushi rolls also deserve a special shout out – the Salmon California Roll was a particular highlight, comprising a tightly packed roll of fresh avocado and salmon, and dotted with neon green pods of tobiko (fish roe) which gently burst in the mouth. From the larger dishes, a main dish of katsudon (breaded pork tonkatsu cooked in sweet sauce with caramelised onion and egg with rice) was hearty and comforting, sweet and savoury, while a bowl of stir-fried yaki udon noodles with chicken boasted complex, lingering flavours.

Harajuku Kitchen is fairly priced in general, but for those watching the pennies, the set lunch and pre-theatre menus (two small dishes for £12.95) represent great value. Switched-on service and beers from Japan are further draws, making Harajuku Kitchen a welcoming venue to savour classic Japanese cooking – as well as providing the enticing option of sampling some more unusual delicacies.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - Under £30
Cuisines
Japanese
Eat at Home
Home delivery, Takeaway service
Ambience
Cool, Cosy
Food Occasions
Dinner, Lunch
Special Features
Vegan options, Vegetarian options
Perfect for
Dates
Food Hygiene Rating

FAQs

Does the restaurant serve alcohol?

Yes, the restaurant serves sake, wine and Japanese beers.

Helpful? 0

Are there vegan options?

Yes, there are vegan dishes available.

Helpful? 0

Does the restaurant deliver?

Yes, delivery is available.

Helpful? 0

Location

10 Gillespie Place, Bruntsfield , Edinburgh, EH10 4HS

0131 281 0526 0131 281 0526

Website

Opening Times

Lunch
Mon 12:00-15:00
Tue 12:00-15:00
Wed 12:00-15:00
Thu 12:00-15:00
Fri 12:00-15:00
Sat Closed
Sun 12:00-16:00
Dinner
Mon 17:00-22:30
Tue 17:00-22:30
Wed 17:00-22:30
Thu 17:00-22:30
Fri 17:00-22:30
Sat Closed
Sun 17:00-21:00
All day
Mon Closed
Tue Closed
Wed Closed
Thu Closed
Fri Closed
Sat 12:00-22:30
Sun Closed

Reviews

Share your thoughts with other diners

Write a review

Delivery or takeaway

Order takeaway from Harajuku Kitchen by calling 0131 281 0526.
Book a table

Call Harajuku Kitchen to make a booking on:

0131 281 0526 0131 281 0526

Visit their website

Sorry, you cannot spend SquareMeal vouchers here yet.

Other restaurants we like near Harajuku Kitchen

House of Gods - Bar
Edinburgh Old Town

House of Gods - Bar

Junk
Newington

Junk

Greenwoods
Edinburgh

Greenwoods

Check availability