Itsu

Convenience and cleanliness are 5 stars and sushi 3 stars (tastes like the ones you get at the supermarket — Publix in my case so if you set the right expectations or perspective, you should be fine), and price £ on £ to ££££ scale). Excellence value for on the run meals.

Wandered right in after walking around looking for our tour bus. The staff was incredibly nice, and it didn’t look like it would ever get crowded in there.

I like Itsu. They always strike me as being nicer than they maybe need to be. I discovered this branch which has not been open that long. As Zara rightly says this area is Government-​central and subsidised canteens abound. My Department has one but the food is pants, hence my journey today for real food. I love Itsu’s sushi. It always tastes fresh and much better than Yo Sushi. The 7.99 mixed box is a delight, with big chunks of fresh fish and tasty maki rolls. Haven’t yet had it from this branch though. But this being winter I was after something hot, which really means a «Potsu» I have tried the detox miso and the noodle and egg drop soups. Both are great, but the latter is fantastic, with a runny egg and lovely soft dumplings in a lovely spicy sauce. Much better than the crap my canteen serves. One query I have is the supposed calerie contents. I find it hard to believe the egg drop potsu is under 250 calories. I doubt they would get that wrong though– would they?

I was so excited when this Itsu opened up last year in the food void that is Westminster. There aren’t that many great lunch spots within easy walk from work, probably because most people are eating in their government subsidised canteens. «Finally!» I cry. «Lunchtime soup and sushi goodness will be mine, oh yes, it will be mine».
What a fool I was in those young heady days. Yes, Itsu looks the part, spacious and clean with plenty of seats to be had on their bench tables. But on closer inspection, what is with the menu? There’s the usual sushi and salad menu of course, but someone’s been playing with the soup potsu menu and it’s gone all kaphlewy.
It looks like there’s more choice with 6 soups on offer but pahhhh they’ve taken away the classics and all the replacement soups taste horrible and unhealthy. Don’t be fooled thinking ‘egg drop savoury veg dumpling noodle soup’ is an adequate replacement for the beloved Itsu vegetable dumpling soup — no. It’s not miso based at all, why the hell is it red? Yuck, don’t get me started on the chicken curry ‘Jaipur’ soup. I appreciate they might want to trial something new but it doesn’t work. Itsu please bring back the tried and tested boring option of established favourites. (P.s This review proves that I need to go out more — to somewhere that isn’t Itsu).