Nanakusa
- Food served: Mon–Thu noon-2.30pm; 5–11pm; Fri/Sat noon–midnight; Sun 5–11pm
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 9
- Private dining: Up to 20 covers
- Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Gluten-free options, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access
- Music on stereo: Mainstream Western pop
- Capacity: 80
- Largest group: 70
- Open since: 2007
- Average price:
£6.95 (set lunch)
£15 (evening meal) - House wine: £12.80 per bottle
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The 2011/12 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
This review is taken from the current (2011) edition.
A cool bar area with booths in the shop front gives onto open views of a steaming, sizzling kitchen and then into a glorious hall with an arched roof punctuated by skylights. Italianate cornicing contrasts with walls of contemporary wooden walls and huge light panels which change through the colour spectrum. With funky music and diners sat at long wooden benches, the vibe is stylish, urban and relaxed. The food though betrays a seriousness and quality in a staggering selection of more than a hundred dishes. A specialist tempura chef turns out spatchcocked prawns and vegetables in perfectly bubbled-up, crumbly batter. Cute dumplings with octopus, cabbage and soy sauce filling come with mayonnaise and tonkatsu sauce – a tangy blend of apples and Japanese mustard. Creamy aubergine with sweet miso paste is topped with shredded dried bonito (a kind of mackerel) and griddled eel in a sweet soya glaze layered on onion, seaweed, egg and a mound of steamed rice. Those new to Japanese food beyond sushi might best order a bento box, a little of lots of vibrant things including curry, tempura and miso.
- High point: A destination restaurant with quality Japanese food
- Low point: Ever-changing lighting mars visual appeal of dishes
Reviews of Nanakusa (441 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow)
- 7. Steven's review, London – 25 January 2011, 12:59pmNanakusaReport
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Having eaten at some of the best Japanese restaurants in London (So, Miyama, Nobu & Cafe Japan) and having been to Japan 3 times, I have to say the food in Nanakusa is terrible. the sushi - was some of the worst I have tasted and the other dishes were either too oily or the ingredients were not fresh. If you know what good food is, then I cannot recommend this restaurant to you.
- 6. cjack, Glasgow – 18 September 2009, 1:28pm
NanakusaReport -
Lovely food, attentive and friendly service and pleasant surroundings. I thought the sushi, the tempura and the gyoza were all excellent, as were the teppan noodles. highly recommended and good value for money, blows ichiban out of the water.
- 5. Nina, Edinburgh – 24 August 2009, 2:18pm
NanakusaReport -
My friend & I had the Japanese Bento E & D. The food was totally tasteless. I have eaten in Japanese restaurants in the past (good ones) and I must say the sushis and sashimis I had then did not look or tasted at all the same than the ones at Nanakusa. The Sushis were enormous with a minuscular bit of surimi in the middle and they were all the same (no selection as mentioned on the menu). The sashimis were tasteless (without doubt, it was defrosted fish). The tempura tasted like oil. I think the fact that the food is so bad at Nanakusa has to do with the fact that only person Japanese in the place was a waitress, everyone else was Chinese including the cooks! In my opinion, this restaurant requires the expertise of a Japanese chef.
- 4. Nikki22, Glasgow – 25 July 2009, 10:00pm
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I heard Nanakusa was meant to be amazing with good japanese food so I was rather disappointed when it wasn't what I was expecting.
I had a beef noodle soup and mixed sashimi and my friend ordered a seafood fried noodles. Both dishes was exceptionally salty and the beef was overcooked. The sashimi I had did not seem very fresh. Overall it is an ordinary japanese restuarant with a nice atmosphere :)
- 3. Karen555, Glasgow – 6 May 2009, 2:19pm
NanakusaReport -
I love Nanakusa ! It offers fantastic value for money with 2 courses and 2 drinks for partner and I only coming to around £30. It offers a great selection on its extensive menu however the tempura prawns are a must ! The bento boxes are ideal for those wanting to give sushi a go,
- 2. Steph 'n' Jacq., Glasgow – 25 March 2009, 1:08pmNanakusaReport
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We had the pleasure of dining recently at Nanakusa with friends who highly recommended it .We have nothing but praise for the staff who we found friendly, attentive and genuinely enthusiastic about the food. I had the Tokyo bento box which consisted of miso soup ,sushimi , sushi and various tempuras , all fresh and really well presented . My wife had the vegetarian bento box equally varied and delicious. Good unobtrusive music ,attractive surroundings , a few beers and a couple of saki (warm) made for a really pleasant meal. Definitely going back. Ignore Ronald ,I don't think he was having a very good day :)
- 1. Ronald, Glasgow – 9 February 2009, 10:12amNanakusaReport
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I was really expecting a lot from Nanakusa, but in the end it was very average.
I had seafood noodle bowl, where all the seafood was extremely overcooked and tough. The service was also terrible; impatient and hovering waiting staff.
Not a good experience.
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