Tokyo Kitchen takeaway: Japanese cuisine that's enjoyable but nothing special

Irish Times

7 days ago

What's on offer?
Tokyo Kitchen opened in 2018, offering Japanese
takeaway
built on traditional techniques with a modern approach. The menu covers standard fare – sushi rolls, sashimi, katsu curry, ramen and stir-fried noodles with plenty of vegetarian dishes.
Fish is supplied by Kish Fish and mostly farmed, which is typical for a Japanese takeaway. The owner also runs a second kitchen inside The Barbers Bar, offering a similar menu.
What did we order?
Fresh tuna sashimi, tuna avocado, softshell crab tempura roll, beef don, crispy tofu with kimchi sauce, and spicy vegetarian.
How was the service?
Ordering online was simple, but the delivery time couldn't be adjusted. Items were well-packed – the ramen broth was kept separate and cling-wrapped to prevent spills. The softshell crab tempura roll was missing despite being paid for. I called to request a refund and had to follow up days later to secure one.
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Was the food nice?
The strongest dishes were the cooked ones – beef don and tofu-based options – while the sushi and sashimi were the weakest. Several dishes skewed more Thai or Korean than Japanese.
The tuna sashimi was soft, unevenly cut and lacked freshness. The tuna avocado roll was slightly better but showed signs of advance prep – chewy seaweed and loose wrapping. Both were below standard.
The beef don came with beef, green onions and black sesame seeds over rice. Lightly seasoned with soy and garlic, it wasn't saucy but held up – a solid portion, improved with extra soy.
The crispy tofu with kimchi sauce came with asparagus and bamboo shoots. The tofu wasn't marinated but had good texture, and the sauce added flavour. The spicy vegetarian included stir-fried noodles with broccoli, red pepper, green beans and a tomato-based sauce. Both were solid.
The ramen used udon-style noodles, crispy tofu, asparagus and a coconut broth. The broth – closer to Thai green curry than Japanese ramen-style – was flavourful but not distinctly Japanese. Still, the dish worked.
What about the packaging?
The food arrived in a plastic outer bag with a paper bag inside. The ramen broth was wrapped in cling film. Most packaging was recyclable – except for the cling film; and the plastic bag, although common in deliveries, isn't ideal.
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What did it cost?
€63.97 for dinner for three people: fresh tuna sashimi, €15.95; tuna avocado, €12.95; beef don, €12.95; crispy tofu with kimchi sauce, €11.95; spicy vegetarian, €15.95 and service fee, €2.99. (€72.74, minus 12 per cent-off offer of €8.77, makes it €63.97).
Where does it deliver?
Delivery/collection hours: Tues-Thurs, noon-10pm; Fri-Sat, noon-12am; and Sun, 4pm-10pm.
Delivery via Flipdish, Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats, within 5km radius.
Would I order it again?
Possibly. It's nothing special, yet it's enjoyable in the way a 'moreish' Chinese takeaway is.