Koya Bar (Soho)

• The grilled fish was grilled with a slight browning
• The fished had been infused with seasoning and flavour throughout
• I fell in love with the super sour pickled flavour
• The pickles with the grilled fish were the perfect combination of sourness and salt
• The setting is much more casual compared to Koya
• They also have a Daily Specials board which is usually the menu that I tend to order from
• The service was a little slow to start but once we managed to order
• Despite there is no meat in that particular dish
• The noodles were soft and easy to eat
• The whole meal ended in under thirty minutes which was really ideal for a quick and simple meal but with good standard food at the same time
• Serving decent Japanese food with a focus on udon noodles
• Long queue and we were just with 2 ppl
• When word got around that Koya was closing down at the end of May
• It somehow kept getting put off inevitable when there are so many restaurants to try
• By far the best Udon I had
• The staff are friendly and helpful and whilst the Udon does take its time to get to you it is well worth the wait
• Kaiso salad which was perfect and fresh
• Japanese pickles which were delightful and one off the special menu
• We also indulged in the nameko bowl of mushroom which is cold and absolutely delicious
• We all went for the Niku (Beef) hot Udon with Hot Broth and side orders of tempura batter and poached egg which comes pretty poached in the Shell
• Make sure you have an empty stomach when coming here because it really is a hearty soup and you will want to finish all of it
• A week after they ran out of Udon as we were seating ourselves for lunch
• They have some troubles with the overhead leaking air condition
• I trust they are sorting this out
• Grilled chicken wings with burnt soy and leeks (£
• Yet the chicken wing meat was juicy and tender
• So a bit of a sticky soy sauce with a subtle sweetness
• Saba Udon (smoked mackerel with green leaves &ndash
• Salty mackerel paired up with thick silky udon noodles was amazing
• The whole bowl was brought to life
• Koya was a Japanese restaurant with an udon bar attached
• The eating scene in London is truly amazing
• Seeing as half of our party was meat eaters and the the other half vegetarian/pescetarian
• When I heard the original Koya were to close down last year I feared that there would be nowhere else in London to have authentic Japanese food besides sushi and ramen (god forbid places like Taro
• Right next door with a few more dishes besides their fantastic udon
• It sits humbly among the other eateries with their attractive and catchy signs
• A black shop front with large glass window and a one door entrance
• Sharing style it is the Koya's take on English fish and chips
• I suspect that the chips were from a sweet vegetable like plantain or sweet potato
• No vinegar or tomato sauce but served with their dipping sauce of radish and spring onions
• I thought that they were a little mean on the duck and vegetable
• It was good but the broth was a little on the oily side
• Hiya hiya zaru udon tenzaru (cold udon with cold sauce to dip with prawn and vegetable tempura) £
• I was glad that I chose the tempura to go with my noodles
• It was delightfully crispy and each bite into the batter was so satisfying
• The kind of batter that possibly every OCD foodie/chef is trying to create at home
• The assortment of vegetables were all but one slightly undercooked
• I was quite amazed that a steaming hot broth noodles was favoured equally well in the West as in Asia
• I thought it was only the kind of dish only understood by the Asians
• Sitting opposite someone who slurps their noodles is not particularly inviting
• I still have to work my way through the menu udon noodles being the main which comes with different toppings
• Not to mention that there are specials from time to time
• What seemed like a small portion of noodles turned out to be quite filling and with a small plate to share between the two of us
• Koya Bar exudes a casualness with personality and integrity
• It is not the kind of glamorous place with awkward formalities
• Hostile service and an expensive menu that makes you think twice but if I were taken on a date here
• I am glad to walk away with the date that knows and has good taste
• I was pretty sad to see Koya close down last year without even managing a final visit but since Koya Bar is still up and running
• It's safe to say the Japanese udon bar is still going well
• Waiting time average is around 20 minutes
• If you like authentic tasting udon and/or clean Japanese flavours then this is defo worth it
• Hidden away at the heart of Soho is a little piece of Japan
• Behind Koya's traditional curtain is one of London's most authentic Japanese restaurants
• I don't even know what they Japanese typically eat for breakfast but figured it was something I needed
• Grilled girolles with Onsen Tamago and nettle poached egg
• Turbot sashimi with spicy yuzu salt amazing texture
• Didn't even expect it was such a bomb
• Whatever you want to name it but their noodles are one of the best in London
• Heard that Koya Bar has one of the best udon in London
• Only ordered the Kake Udon (plain udon) with tamago as the addition
• The chili powder is quite spicy
• Duck and Waffle is one of Londons highest restaurants and runs 24hours
• The noodle itself was fresh and had a perfect texture to bite
• A great place for lunch with friends but not optimal for dinner as people sit next to each other all facing the kitchen can be difficult to chat while enjoying the food

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