FROM THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN
TO THE CITY WHERE THERE'S BARELY SOME*
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Q: What do you call 3 days of rain?
A: Bank Holiday weekend.
A: Bank Holiday weekend.
Seriously though, what are our chances of sunshine over London this Easter? The weather forecast for today, Sunday, suggests sporadic sunshine, but I'm not Bank-ing on it. Of things certain in life - or at least life in East London - the only constant we can be sure of is that the fastest way to become public enemy Number 1 is to drive down Brick Lane during the Sunday market.
So it's reassuring for this Asian transplant to know that there's at least one local joint where I can get my fix of all food Japanese. My latest favourite haunt - Japanese Canteen in Bethnal Green - is only a hop & skip away from my shop and a little bit more from home, making 'hangin' out under the railway arches on a Friday night' a world of respectability and warmth away from my raver days of yore. Here's to the comfort food we know & love in a distant & unpredictable new city so far away from the country we once called home.
JAPANESE CANTEEN
Arch 255 Paradise Row London E2 9LE
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*except for those two freak days a year in summer, when yours truly makes an air-conditioner out of a bowl of frozen carrots and a table fan.
LUNCH FOR TWO:
Mixed fish sashimi
Korean fried tofu in
korean spicy sauce,
sesame seeds,
steamed rice
& asian slaw
(vegetarian)
Pork belly hirata bun
Mixed fish sashimi
Korean fried tofu in
korean spicy sauce,
sesame seeds,
steamed rice
& asian slaw
(vegetarian)
Pork belly hirata bun
Spring rolls
(vegetarian)
(vegetarian)
Volcano roll platter:
salmon, avocado, masago,
tempura crumb &
chilli mayonnaise
approx £50 inc. service
MENU
salmon, avocado, masago,
tempura crumb &
chilli mayonnaise
approx £50 inc. service
MENU
No, that's not your sashimi coming to life - although the fish is fresh enough to - just gentle rumbling from the arches overhead.
You can always count on Korean spicy sauce to make anything, even fried tofu, looks this appetising.
The pork hirata bun is the thing dreams are made of:
perfectly juicy and crispy on the outside pork belly sandwiched between a delightfully dense bao.
Volcano roll platter: salmon, avocado, masago, tempura crumb & chilli mayonnaise.
Share if you dare - I'm glad I didn't.
Friendly tip: nothing banishes the blues on a frosty Spring evening like their steaming hot bowl of ramen.
Have you been to Japanese Canteen? What are your favourite sushi restaurants in East London?