– Yashin Ocean House – Extraordinary Japanese Food in South Kensington

I am telling you right now that this is going to be a rave. And not just any rave, but a big Japanese-sushi-lovin-swoon RAVE.
I am not even that much of a Japanese food lover – I like it a lot, but I never crave it, like I might do a really good spag bol, or a sexy burger… But, if anyone could change this, it’s Yashin Ocean House, a fine dining Japanese restaurant on Old Brompton Road… and with Chef Daniele Codini at the helm (formerly The Fat Duck, Robuchon Atelier, Paris) I suspected it was going to be a bit of a treat.
We were off to experience their set Express Dinner menu, which is available between 6pm-7pm and costs £24.50.
Just a short walk from either South Kensington or, Gloucester Rd tube, (sensational sushi near me!) Yashin Ocean House is very easy to get to… and once you’re inside, you’re greeted by this wonderful scene…


 

To kick off proceedings, we were presented with Umami Shots – and if you have never heard of umami before, you’d be forgiven. It is the special ‘5th taste’ – after sweet, sour, bitter and salty – and has only been recognised by the Western world fairly recently.  It all sounds a bit magical to me…  I really liked it. I have no idea how to describe it. You’re going to have to go there and try it yourself…

The meal began with a Miso Cappuccino, which was presented in a beautiful china teacup. Such an unusual way to serve miso soup –  really special. The foam on top is ginger tofu…yep. You weren’t expecting that, were you?

The soup was warming and felt like it was full of goodness. I’m certain miso soup is the Japanese equivalent of chicken soup, for fending off colds, ailments and just for general comfort… it tastes healing. And very, very delicious.
But this was just the beginning of our sushi extravaganza… next on the menu was Carpaccio of The Day…

The salmon was served beautifully with truffle ponzu jelly and few dots of tosazu jelly… it was absolutely exquisite – I have never had anything like it before… exciting, amazing, brand new flavours for Poppy…

The four pieces of sushi, chosen by the chef that day, were so, so soft and melt-in-the-mouth. This is a phrase I never thought I’d be using for sushi, but there you go. It was. Melt In The Mouth. Even the eel, which I have often found can be a bit tough and disappointing…

For the main, you can choose between salmon or monkfish – we both chose salmon as the monkfish came with fennel and it’s one of the few things neither of us are that keen on. So, I’m afraid I can’t tell you about the monkfish, however I can absolutely tell you that the salmon was absolutely jaw droppingly, staggeringly scrumptious. I thought I’d had salmon cooked to perfection before. Apparently, I hadn’t.
I have now.
The whole meal was a a taste sensation and one I recommend whole heartedly for Japanese cuisine and sushi lovers.. and sushi beginners (me.)


Dessert was a selection of chocolate amazingness, green tea deliciousness and beauty. Such pretty food… and so utterly yummy.
I wonder, could it be that I have actually discovered the best Japanese food and sushi in London…?
It’s certainly the best that I have ever tasted and I look forward to going back to experience it all over again… especially at £24.50 a head – brilliant value for a fabulous meal.
 

 
 
 
Yashin Ocean House
117 – 119 Old Brompton Road
South Kensington
London, SW7 3RN
www.yashinocean.com
 
Poppy and LM were guests of Yashin Ocean House