The word ‘Jidori’ roughly translated means “from the ground“, which is clear from both menu and the look and feel – all of which have certainly been conditioned to produce an experience grown out of love.
The new Japanese yakitori restaurant is founded by Brett Redman (The man behind The Richmond in Hackney to great acclaim) and Natalie Lee-Joe whom have taken an East London swing on traditional Tokyo Jodori (chicken skewers which are traditionally grilled over open coals).
Serving up lunch, dinner, and gourmet take-outs the menu at Jidori focuses on a selection of yakitori skewers – using all parts of the chicken – served alongside inventive Japanese small plates and rice dishes.
The concept behind the look and feel was dreamt up by Lee-Joe making the space light, bright and minimal with friendly accents of the pastel colours used in the logo coming through in the furniture and crockery.
On our visit we were lucky enough to try small plates such as sesame and chilli marinated cucumber, koji fried chicken with nori salt and lemon, onsen egg and togarashi, as well as their king small plate the katsu curry scotch egg!
Following this we sampled the negima skewers which used chicken thigh and spring onions, the king oyster mushrooms, aubergine and miso butter skewers and the wing, shiso and grilled lemon skewers which were all conveniently designed to be shared by two.
As well as this we also sampled couple of the short and well balanced cocktails – one that we’d particularly recommend is the yuzu daiquiri – and a sake to finish.
Thought through right down to the last ingredient, Jidori works closely with Nama Yasai, the Lewes-based, specialist Japanese agricultural growers to supply vegetables and herbs.
Ending our feast we were treated to the one and only desert on the list; the ginger ice cream which is laced with miso caramel and decorated with twirly sweet potato crisps and sprinkled with black sesame, which was as unique and intriguing and easy on the eye as our whole visit.
89 Kingsland High Street
London
E8 2BP
Web: www.jidori.co.uk
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jidoriuk/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jidoriuk/
Facebook: www.facebook.cpm/jidoriuk/
