After a long morning exploring the British Museum, the London hunger set in. My research led me to Great Russell Street, home to a vibrant Japanese-style "anime restaurant."
Now, let’s get one thing straight: I am not an anime fan. I’ve seen a few classics, but I don’t follow the shows or the culture. I walked in purely for the food, not the fandom. Interestingly, the entire menu is inspired by anime shows; while those references were lost on me, the flavours certainly weren't.
The Drink: 9-Tailed Fox Mango (£7.95)
I started with the 9-Tailed Fox Mango, a Jasmine Green Tea base mixed with mango jam and fresh fruit bits.
- The Taste: Refreshing and well-balanced, though I would have appreciated more ice to keep it crisp.
- The Struggle: It’s served in a plastic cup with a seal you have to pierce. This proved to be a battle of wills; the paper straw kept bending against the plastic lid. For nearly £8, it felt a bit steep, but that’s the "London Tax" for you.
The Starters: Chicken Gyozas (£6.25)
We ordered a set of four chicken gyozas, and honestly, they were the highlight of the meal. They nailed the texture: juicy on the inside and perfectly crispy on the outside. My only gripe? They arrived warm rather than piping hot. Despite being on the smaller side, the flavour was great.
The Main: 7th Form: God of Thunder Ramen (£18.95)
This was only my third time ever having ramen, so I went for the "God of Thunder." It featured a rich beef and chicken broth topped with tender slices of beef.
The Verdict: The noodles were firm and not overcooked, and the broth was packed with umami. A surprising highlight was the slice of lime; as I reached the bottom of the bowl, the citrus became more intense, cutting through the richness of the broth beautifully.
Price Check: At almost £19, it’s the most expensive ramen I’ve had. While excellent, my heart still belongs to Shbu in Nottingham for the top spot.
The Dessert: Itachi Dango (£5.50)
This was... an experience. I’ve never had anything quite like it. It arrived as three colourful balls on a stick, drenched in a sweet purple sauce. The texture was the real surprise—the outer layer was almost liquid-soft, while the inside had more chewy, dough-like consistency (typical of mochi). It was weird, not too sweet, and a great way to end the meal.
The "Extras" & Atmosphere
One thing the restaurant gets exactly right is the table setup. They provide a huge variety of condiments—different oils, spices, and salts—allowing you to customise your bowl to your heart's content. The staff were attentive and friendly, and the walls are covered in characters (I even spotted some from Dragon Ball).
Final Thoughts & Cost Breakdown
Whether you're a die-hard otaku or someone who doesn't know their Goku from their Naruto, this place is worth a visit. If you love anime, you’ll be in heaven. If you don't, come for the ramen and the gyozas—the food speaks for itself.
- Drink: £7.95
- Gyozas: £6.25
- Ramen: £18.95
- Dessert: £5.50
- Total: £38.65