Restaurant Review: Zen Mondo. I visited this cute Japanese Restaurant last week. The food quality, taste and presentation were excellent. If you’re looking for a Japanese Restaurant Islington, Japanese Food on Upper Street or date night restaurants in Angel, you’ll love Zen Mondo.
“This is a cute and cosy little restaurant serving excellent Japanese food on Upper Street. It’s the perfect place for a date night supper,” Homegirl London
Zen Mondo Japanese Dinner Menu
My friend Rich, Homeboy and I popped into Zen Mondo for dinner. The food has a modern twist with sushi, sashimi and hot dishes. They only have a few vegetarian options, and most of those include tofu which unfortunately I do not like. My starter was Vegetable Gyoza in a tasty tomato miso soup. It had a few chunks of tofu which I spooned out and gave to the boys. If you like tofu, you can try a couple of dishes which include Agedashi Tofu and Silk Tofu Salad.
Vegetable Gyoza Tomato Miso Soup
Sushi Rolls with Tuna, Salmon, Avocado, Cucumber, Yellow Tail with Spring Onion and Soft Crab with Cucumber made a lovely starter. Or you can opt for one of the Sushi Hand Rolls filled with Prawn Tempura, Tuna with Spring Onion and Oak Leaves, Salmon and Avocado. Sashimi included Salmon, Tuna, Sea Bass and Marinated Mackerel. Sushi Nigiri ranged from Aubergines to Grilled Eel and Salmon Roe. If you love Sushi, lookout for the large mixed plate versions.
Sushi
For mains, you can try the Kansai Chirashi which is Sashimi on Sushi Rice. Homeboy tried the Zanmai Chirashi which looked visually stunning. It featured tuna, salmon, yellowtail, scallop, prawn, sea bream, sea bass, snow crab, marinated mackerel, grilled eel sashimi and salmon roe with shredded egg on mixed vegetable sushi rice. Homeboy said the taste was superb with quality ingredients.
Zanmai Chirashi
I love tempura, so my main just had to be the Vegetable Lover Tempura. The batter was delicate and delightful. The veg included shiitake mushroom, pumpkin, aubergines and other seasonal vegetables with Matcha green tea sea salt. The dipping sauce has fish stock, so you need to use the soy sauce instead. Other hot dishes included noodles with the thin sliced Scotch beef loin. Rich tried the Niku version which he enjoyed. Finish with the Matcha Dessert or Fruit Plate.
Vegetable Lover Tempura
The restaurant is not cheap; the prices are quite high, but the ingredients and presentation are worth it. Six pieces of Sushi Rolls are £3.70-4.70, Eight pieces of Inside Out Rolls £8-13.95, Kansai Chirashi £17.95-21 and Noodles £15.95-£16.50. Check out the theatre set menu available from 5-7.30pm. Drinks include sake, Japanese beer and teas.
Japanese Tea
Zen Mondo Restaurant Interiors
Restaurant Interior
The restaurant is charming. The décor is simple yet cosy. They have seating on the ground level with a few more tables downstairs. You will see a selection of handmade pottery on display. The hanging paper lantern shades are pretty. This place is perfect for a date night.
Zen Mondo Upper Street Information
Restaurant Exterior
To find out more, go to the Zen Mondo Website. The restaurant address is 326 Upper Street, Angel, Islington, London N1 2XQ. The nearest station is Angel. Current opening times listed are Monday to Friday lunch from 11.30 am until 2.30 pm (last orders). They are closed on Tuesdays. Dinner is 5 pm until 9.30 pm (last orders). Saturday and Sunday from 11.30 am until 9.30 pm (last orders). You can order take-out delivered by Deliveroo. Enjoy!
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. Thanks: Rich and Homeboy for dining with me.
