A smart little diner that promises to be almost as buzzing at its central Tokyo namesake

SHIBUYA
2 Acton Street, London WC1X 9NA
020-7278-3447
King’s Cross
Mon-Fri 12.00-15.00
Mon-Sun 18.00-22.30
£10

Newly opened in April 2011 and located just ten minutes from King’s Cross, this modern diner is serving up all the classics at wallet-friendly prices. There’s tempura for just over £7, yakitori chicken skewers from the robata grill at £3.50 a time, and gyoza dumplings for under a fiver. Recommended is the sukiyakidon, a big bowl of rice smothered in grilled beef, onions and carrots in a sukiyaki sauce, delicately sweet and umami-rich, brilliant value at just £7.50. Tori katsu curry with rice is a juicy, breadcrumbed chicken breast fillet, loaded with Japanese-style curry and served with rice and salad leaves, for £7.80. As well as generously portioned comfort food, there’s sushi and sashimi, noodles soups and stir-fries, and desserts. Shibuya is lovely to look at, too, from the plum-blossom wallpaper to the red lanterned counter, and the mini barrels of sake dotted around the windowsills. Speaking of sake, there’s a good selection, including a taster set of three. All food is available for takeaway.