24 Central Road,
Leeds,
LS1 6DE
(0113) 243 9090
The ViewLeeds Review
An interesting setting for health conscious Japanese food lovers.
The Venue
Stuck down an alley behind House of Fraser and along from the Hi-fi club, you could be forgiven for not knowing that Little Tokyo exists. And when you do find it, you could also be forgiven for completely dismissing it due to the unwelcoming black windows and the display of ‘takeaway-style’ photographs of the restaurants dishes.
But, all that said, little can prepare you for when you do actually step inside. It's more stage set than restaurant, with water features, fish tanks and very bizarre looking tables and chairs which can make eating the food much more difficult than it should be.
Downstairs is prettier with some beautiful reconstructed tatami (traditional Japanese flooring) dining spaces, which do achieve their goal of creating an authentic Japanese izakaya (a traditional Japanese bar/restaurant) feel.
A lot of effort has gone into making this venue unusual and it's finished with an air of eccentricity that makes you sit up and think, but the jury is out if it augments the dining experience or not.
The People
It’s hard to put your finger on just exactly what the typical customer is at Little Tokyo. It’s not cheap if you go for the full dining experience, so there’s a feeling that most diners are here for a one-off special occasion in the evening.
The daytime sees more business diners and students flitting away their student loans. It has its die hards too, with the option of good sushi and beautiful Bento boxes the main draws.
The staff are young Japanese dressed in traditional Izakaya wear. The service is good and efficient but not overly friendly. The hand-held computer they use to take your order giving you another insight into Little Tokyo’s eccentricity.
The Food
A full range of Japanese dishes at Little Tokyo brings the punters. It promises that its food is the ‘root and spice of healthy eating’. There's certainly an abundance of healthy options, such as ramen, soba and udon noodle dishes (£7.45 upwards) as well as the beautifully presented Bento Box meals. This main dish is separated into four sections and served in an elegant lacquer box. Prices start from £12.85.
The sushi is good, maybe the best in Leeds (nigiri set is £11.85), although you're probably best steering clear of the Anglo set (rolled sushi containing cheese, ham, cooked tuna and crabstick for £8.99).
The most popular dish according to the menu is the Japanese-style curries. It's £9.25 for the chicken curry, which is also the most hearty and satisfying when it comes to filling you up.
The prices at first glance don’t seem too expensive but when you consider the portion size (the Bento boxes are particularly small for the cost), Little Tokyo can end up a very expensive night and can sometimes leave you wondering where the nearest KFC is to fill that hole.
The Drink
Standard soft drinks and a smattering of Japanese beers (£3.50) complement the food. There's nothing to write home about but Japanese beers are always delicious if you like your lager very light, crisp and fizzy. There are cocktails available which are also proudly displayed outside, and prices start from around £5.
The Last Word
Get a group together and book one of the tables downstairs in the tatami floored area and you won’t forget this experience in a hurry. Not the best value for money Japanese food in Leeds but definitely the most comprehensive and true to its motherland. Bring your credit card if you want to leave there feeling stuffed!
Little Tokyo has been reviewed by 3 users