Pompoko

If you can eat more than £10.00 per head in Pompoko, you'll be seriously full-up!

But much the more the important thing is that, just back from Japan and wanting to eat the food of which we have become very fond, we found Pompoko to be entirely authentic in food and in style - communal eating, elbow-to-elbow.

Service is relaxed, smiling and seriously efficient - in speed and in getting things right first time. The wait between ordering and receiving six very freshly cooked dishes was about six minutes.

Fantastic choice of dishes; everyone will be happy! Interesting mix of customers, buzzy atmosphere. If you're going for lunch, arrive early to avoid disappointment or a wait for a table.
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Mike Andrews - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, October 05, 2011

I wouldn't go here if I was of a particularly nervous disposition or hadn't taken a fair bit of valium as it's tiny and really squashed, noisy and busy.

Having said that, the food is absolutely delicious, it's really good value for money, very quick service, and, as mentioned in other reviews, you can bring your own drinks in. (No limit either! Though there is a £1 a glass charge). This makes it all absolutely perfect for a birthday meal if you have poor friends, or a cheap (agreed, not first) date with an interesting and very buzzing atmosphere. Just make sure you're comfortable with the people you go with as you'll end up practically sitting in their laps, or having to crawl between their legs under the table in order to fit out to go to the toilet.

I'm definitely going to go here once I've saved up about £6, because a two course meal costs no more than that.
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Jen - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Thursday, June 09, 2011

The food at Pompoko is simple but delicious and the service is very quick. Perfect for students, also for a quick bite before a gig or a night out. I have no idea why the average price of a meal is listed as so high. A meal at Pompoko for two would cost no more than around £15. Great vegetarian options, plenty of tofu and vegetable options and nothing dull. You can bring your own drinks which makes the meal even cheaper, and is at least something different from the usual restaurant experience. No, its not somewhere for a first date (you will probably have to sit close together, and will not be waited on or provided with that sort of atmosphere!!) or a big family dinner (restaurant is very small!) but perfect for anything else, simple, good food in a relaxed atmosphere.
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Lily
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Lovely little place. We received our food in about 5 minutes when the restaurant was fully packed. Brilliant tasting food, and all at an excellent price. Loved it a lot, would highly recommend!
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, February 25, 2011

Price and Service are both literally perfect for what you get. Very very tasty food, very quickly and very cheap. Can't say better than that.

The person who said it is your usual MSG-Chinese stuff is talking nonsense, the food at Pompoko knocks spots off of any Wokmania's or similar high street chains. There are no "gloopy" sauces here.

Far better than Wagamama's, but a good alternative to Yo Sushi if you want fresh, cheap, quick and tasty food.
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Jamie
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Monday, February 14, 2011

small eatery with typical cheap chinese cooking of raw onions, rapeseed oil, sugar, vinegar, MSG, law grade tasteless rice and noodles. Always packed with students and bargain food lovers.
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Visitor - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Friday, January 28, 2011

A real gem if you're after a quick, healthy and delicious lunch or dinner. We ordered 2 main meal (a lamb and a chicken dish with rice) 2 side dishes, miso soup and 2 cans of coke and the bill was just £16.50. A very similar meal in Wagamamas would cost double and definitely no better.
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Sarah
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Friday, September 03, 2010

It's hard to find fault with this place. The restaurant is tiny but does have some outside tables. Whilst this might be seen as a fault, it actually adds to the charm and this place is special enough that I'd be happy to keep it that way. Food is very fresh, healthy and above all tasty.

Most main dishes are just over £4 and basically are a standalone meal so its a very good lunch option and inexpensive. I would say that average spend for a bigger meal would be no more than £7-£8 per person. But as you just order and pay, you can keep on ordering until you have had enough.

No alcohol is served there.
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Andy
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Sunday, May 16, 2010

Gosh, I just love this place. Never have I been so addicted to dishes in a resteraunt, thank god they're healthy! Haha.

The tofu don dishes are incredible, I would definately reccomend the sesame and the honey and ginger ones. The rice is always perfect and the service is so friendly, and despite it being a bit of a squeeze if you're a party of more than two (maybe three. Sit upstairs! It's not as hot and there's more space between tables) the atmosphere is pretty nice.

Perfect for a lunch stop while roaming town, maybe not so much for planned meals out in groups. You can take out though, which is nice!

Make sure you bring cash though, as they don't take cards.
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Ahvo
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Sunday, April 18, 2010

Tasty and cheap. Will certainly return! You can bring your own drink as well...
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AZA
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, March 30, 2010