Harajuku Kitchen

About Harajuku Kitchen

• Food: 4

  Ambience: 5

  Service: 4

  Value: 4

  Nice little Japanese restaurant

  Visited Harajuku Kitchen on a Tuesday evening and it was really busy, which is always a good sign. Having tried their gyoza from their stall at the Stockbridge Market, I had to go to their restaurant and try more of their dishes. Had the pork gyoza, spicy tuna roll and a crispy chicken dish - all very tasty and the staff were friendly. I feel like there are better places for sushi in Edinburgh but it was still very tasty!

  Katrina Barry - dined in restaurant 31/01/2017

Japanese restaurant in Tollcross

Grown out of a street food business, Harajuku Kitchen is a simple, informal and sunny Japanese restaurant on Gillespie Place. Chef Kaori Simpson brings three generations of Japanese cooking to bear on the menu and the food is a winning mix of tradition and contemporary flavours which nod to Tokyo.

Japanese classics and modern style

The extensive sushi and sashimi options may be the most visible stars at Harajuku Kitchen but the other sections of the menu have much to recommend. The noodle soups and noodle stir fries are always popular while others prefer dishes like the teriyaki chicken; panko-breaded pork with Japanese curry or the mixed tempura.

Returning to the sushi and sashimi, the presentation is careful, colourful and appetising. The spider roll – made with soft shell crab, tempura, lettuce and avocado – has plenty of fans. Purists may prefer the tuna sashimi, sweet egg omelette nigiri or the chef’s sushi set special. If it is all too much choice, simply feast on a makunouchi bento box which is essentially a one stop greatest hits package from the menu. The popcorn flavoured green tea is fun.

Local attractions and transport links

Harajuku Kitchen is on Gillespie Place in Tollcross. There is restricted on-street parking while several, regular bus routes run past Harajuku to and from the city centre. The King’s Theatre and Cameo cinema are both within a two to three minute stroll.