You Sum It Up!: Price:
Reasonable Food:
Good Service:
Acceptable
"Being Japanese, I have very exquisite taste/opinions on food, and Bento cafe is one of my favourite because of it's affordability, good presentation of food and variety of menu available for authentic Japanese to fusion. After all these years of popularity of Japanese food culture, it's time for foreighners to explore more than sushi.
As for the staff's rudeness... well they are all Chinese people who work there and they seem to have different views on service standard to European or Japanese, so shame about it, but I still go back there as it's just worth it.
I strongly recommend their £22 per person meal set, you'd be gobsmacked by seeing the last sushi boat, it's just soooo great! I spent all my birthdays/valentines/xmas dinner there for the past 2 years with this meal set.
Big praise!"
latte 27th July
"I just wanted to agree with Debbie. The service is APPALLING and this is the reason why I am actually not going back there, even though the food is lovely and quite affordable. Living around the corner, I have been going there regularly for more than a year, but I just can't face the behaviour of their staff anymore. They are just plain rude.
You can't help but feeling like they deeply despise you in there. "
Alex 06th July
"Great food, good value Bento Boxes - shockingly bad service - the staff are so rude - I think the only one I have ever seen smiling is the chef and you always get the feeling they are saying rude things about you that you don't understand"
Debbie 06th July
"In split thoughts because I am very anti-sushi, I forcefully sat at a round-godfather-like table and was summoned the menu by my friends. Actually, the magnetic pull of me entering was Vanessa Feltz sitting nearby- I digress. The restaurant was swamped and there was barely any room for manoeuvre. Even the staff were bashing into my seat, which involuntarily aided my digestion.
But not keen on the raw entities that appeared on the menu, I scrolled down to the grilled section and my options were plentiful. The tuna and salmon dripped in teriyaki sauce and were served with soft boiled rice, everything was formidable, (without sounding French) and what better way to finish off a decent meal- bring on the sake!"
Priya, MyVillage 18th April
"I concur to what all but the first reviewer have to say. I'm not a Japanese food connoisseur , but I love the food in the Bento Cafe. The price is spot-on for the quality and the Sushi and other plates are great. I have been to other Japanese place in London and none were any better. This is obviously not a scientific and detailed analysis of Japanese food in the Capital, but I come back every time. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone, even if its not actually run by Japanese people. Who cares anyways??"
Michel 11th April
"The one (and subsequently only) time I went to this restaurant, I really wasn't bowled over by any element of it. Before my sushi had even arrived we had found fruit flies in the soy sauce bought to the table and the overall hygiene was poor.
The table I was sitting at was sticky to the touch and everything looked well past its best. To add insult to injury, there was an issue with the bill for some of the people I was eating with, who were left £10 out of pocket because of some questionable sums. Not recommended."
Jo 25th January
"I think Bento has the best sushi in town! Having been to Bento Cafe approx. 30 times since moving to London, I can say that the food is consistantly good, as I have never had anything to complain about, and the high quality is always the same.
Being a sushi lover I have done my research and tried as many places in London as I had time and money to, and there is no doubt; the sashimi is freshest and sliced the best at Bento. Their hand rolls have the crispiest seaweed wrapped around it, and the fish melts in your mouth.
Try also their deep fried pork and veggie dumplings, and their octapus sashimi with a slice of lemon! Service is efficient, whether that be when you eat inn or have delivered to your home. What can I say, Bento cafe is IT for sushi lovers!"
Helene Larsen 10th December
"I disagree with the last review. I think this place is great, food is excellent quality for a cheaper end Japanese. They serve Hijiki seawood which I love and is very difficult to get in most other Japanese retaurants. I would definitely recommend going here!!"
Shami 08th September
"Like many of the cheaper Japanese restaurants, this place is run by Koreans, and you will notice less generous cuts of fish as a result. It''s really not that great. Fine for a quick lunch, but there are plenty better if you want the real thing. "
itsumo fresh 07th September
"My favourite restaurant.
Unfailingly good food, great smiley service, reasonably priced. The spicy tuna handrolls are my favourite, or try the spider (soft-shell crab) maki for a real treat. The green tea and sesame ice cream are also awesome. I have brought a lot of people here who haven't fancied eating raw fish, but who have quickly been swayed. In any case the menu is vast and there is much more on offer than just sushi and sashimi.
They also do home delivery if you are feeling lazy."
