Tosa

£40 - £50 / Japanese, Sushi, Vegetarian options

332 King St, London

Opening hours

Closed

Sunday 12:30PM-2:30PM & 6PM-10:30PM
Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 12:30PM-2:30PM & 6PM-10:30PM
Thursday 12:30PM-2:30PM & 6PM-10:30PM
Friday 12:30PM-2:30PM & 6PM-10:30PM
Saturday 12:30PM-2:30PM & 6PM-10:30PM

Authentic Skewers, Incredible Japanese Experience

On my recent culinary pilgrimage to Tosa, I was greeted by an ambiance that's more erratic than my attempts at wasabi-eating contests. This little Japanese eatery in west London seems to oscillate between hidden gem and agonizing curiosity. Tosa tantalizes with its authentic yakitori skewers, grilled passionately over charcoal with the precision of an Olympic archer, a definite high point that marries tender juiciness with an intoxicating smokiness. Their ox tongue and pork belly are particularly noteworthy, leading any self-respecting carnivore into gustatory rhapsody. Complement these delights with a pint or three of rich, malty Japanese beer, and you might briefly forget about miso soup horrors. Indeed, for those willing to brave the scales of service quality, the freshness of the sashimi might restore some faith in humanity.

Yet, what could be a noodle nirvana is marred by service that's stranger than a gaijin at a sumo wrestling match. The famously brusque elderly stewardess at Tosa could rival the icebergs on most southerly exploration routes in welcoming mannerisms. While some claim she becomes somewhat cordial when cash changes hands, it makes one ponder if the tradition of "the customer is god" tipped its cap and left for Kyoto. Despite this quagmire of hospitality, Tosa’s cuisine lifts the spirits; fresh yakitori paired marvelously with sake fuels hope that somewhere beneath those frosty service fronts lies heart and honor. My advice: settle in with a reservation, a forgiving disposition, and the exact change needed to glide through the evening seeking profundity in poultry and peace amid potential pandemonium. — Penelope Savory