Jumping Japanese

Nanakusa, Sauchiehall Street


This week brought me to Nanakusa, the popular Japanese restaurant in Sauchiehall Street.  Everytime I pass this place it is pretty busy, always a good sign in my book so Sunday night was no exception.

The menu is big, supplemented with pictures for ease of ordering and varied.  In Nanakusa you don’t have to conform to the traditional starter, main course format but you can mix up the smaller dishes, sushi, bento boxes and main dishes any way you like.  I loathe the term tapas other than in its Spanish context but you can apply the same logic to the smaller dishes , sushi and side orders.

My husband and I decided on a selection of small plates all served at the same time, it is a great way to introduce yourself to the delights of Japanese cuisine without stretching the wallet and the waistline.  Chicken gyoza were small and perfectly formed, the fried variety but light and tasty with a sensational piquant dipping sauce.  Next up, Karaage chicken which is seasoned chicken pieces fried lightly and again served with dipping sauce.  Now I will admit that I am partial to the Karaage in Wagamama which is made with juicy thigh meat but the Nanakusa one made with chicken breast is equally as good and  a hit with all.  Edamame and pak choi were a great accompaniment decently prepared.

Sushi next, Tobiko nigiri, which was beautifully presented flying fish roe on rice surrounded by nori seaweed.   I couldn’t resist a Temaki cone which comes in a cute little stand that looks so enticing as it leaves the open plan kitchen.  I opted for the soft shell crab variety, Kanikar, which arrives with a few little crab legs diving out the top as if the poor beast is making a run for it.

Now for the highlights, another soft shell crab dish, Kani Karaage, which is deep fried until delicious and crisp, tasted excellent although if there are crab fans in the party you may want to order more than one.   A surprising highlight was also a nonchalant side order of pickles, which arrived in a perky jenga style all stacked high on a plate, now although it was only made up of cucumber, carrot and daikon it was so beautifully pickled and moreish that I would insist you order it, especially given the tiny price of 75p.

 The service was speedy, friendly and efficient, the bill for the two of us with a glass of wine each was a reasonable £40.  The real lure of this restaurant is its consistency and obvious popularity, I’ve never had a bad meal here and for the money I think it’s a real winner.

Arigato!