56 Wardour Street,
Soho,
London,
W1D 4JG
0871 971 6467
Note: Calls cost 10p per min plus network extras.
The ViewLondon Review
If you’re looking for a quick bite to eat that's tasty and healthy, look no further. Nestled in the hustle and bustle of trendy Wardour Street, in the heart of Soho, is the newly re-opened Satsuma - a hip Japanese style eatery with a modern edge.
The Venue
This restaurant is pretty well known to Soho folk, and now relaunched with a new lick of paint it looks much better. Taking its name seriously, the colour scheme reflects its label and tables are arranged in separate orange pods resembling kooky space capsules. It's certainly an attractive place in which to dine, and one that feels suitably Soho - so expect somewhere that's fresh and funky, and with plenty of atmosphere.
The Atmosphere
Unlike the days of the original, the new and improved Satsuma offers diners a certain privacy and intimacy, while still maintaining the connection to embed the atmosphere. The service is quick, friendly and efficient - just as you need in a restaurant like this. There is certainly a buzz to Satsuma, drawn from the trendy yet relaxed Soho crowd that incubates from the energetic street outside.
The Food
Japanese food is by its very nature, simple. For it to work well it needs to be fresh and well prepared. Satsuma does both of these well.
The Japanese menu is broad and covers all the traditional favourites, including chicken katsu curry, bento boxes and a broad selection of sushi maki rolls. The edamame (£3.30) is a healthy-size portion of tasty and well-seasoned beans. Soft shell crab tempura and avocado roll come as six tasty, sizeable rolls. The batter is light and doesn’t dominate the sweetness of the crab, and the taste is complemented well by the avocado and white rice.
On the recommendation of the house the scallop katsu (£6.80) is a real delight of plump, round scallops dipped in katsu sauce and deep-fried. Biting into these golden nuggets you’ll have the chance to savour the katsu sauce, which oozes out deliciously. The chicken gyoza (£5.20), which comes either pan or deep fried, are ample mouthfuls of spiced ground chicken in a light dough. Dip these in soy sauce and your mouth really gets a blast of the sumptuous salty chicken.
The sirloin steak beef teriyaki (£8.20) is cooked to your specification. It’s a beautiful cut of meat marinated in teriyaki sauce, which is well balanced and not too salty. The steak is cut into strips and fanned on a salad garnish with an accompanying bed of rice. The salmon teriyaki (£7.20) consists of large fresh pieces of salmon perfectly cooked, and served with rice and spring onions. As with the beef option the sweetness of the teriyaki sauce is what really makes this dish.
For dessert there are several options of ice cream including black and white sesame or green tea, each served as a single scoop. The sesame artfully combines the nutty and smoky flavour of the sesame with the creaminess of the ice cream. There are also tempura ice cream options available too, if they float your boat.
The Drink
The wine menu covers all the main bases, with plenty of the cheaper options available by the glass. At £18, for the bottle, the South African Sauvignon Blanc is a good choice. For those looking for a non-alcoholic option the strawberry juice is a good choice.
The Last Word
In central London there are plenty of restaurants to chose from so it's important that a restaurant achieves what it sets out to. And Satsuma certainly does, ticking the boxes when it comes to quick, fresh, tasty Japanese food served in a bright and friendly atmosphere.
Satsuma has been reviewed by 6 users