Jin Kichi
73 Heath Street
Hampstead
London NW3 6UG
Nearest Tube: Hampstead
4.1 Yummy stars
Price ££ Skewers/small eats/soup £2.20-£6.80; rolls/sashimi/sushi £4.50-£20; other hot dishes £7.80-£18.80 (at time of writing)
☏ (reservations) 020 7794 6158 (take away) 020 7794 7320
Assorted Sashimi at Jinkichi
Buzz Factor 4.2/5 stars
Food 4.2/5 stars
Value for money 3.9/5 stars
Eat in or Take away ☏ 020 7794 7320
This place is always packed – often with regulars. Be sure to book in advance (though bear in mind that it is shut on Mondays and Tuesdays after a Bank Holiday). By the way, the front door is a sliding door before you wreck the door by trying to push or pull it.
You are greeted by the cooking area where they grill skewers after skewers. The décor is quite simple and modest but pleasant. I prefer to sit on the ground floor level than the pretty tight space in the basement, though upstairs is often filled with the smells from the cooking area. This is compensated by the buzz and warmth in the room upstairs. Cosy atmosphere all round. Not really a place for big groups if you want to sit comfortably.
Service is totally adequate. Staff are friendly. As they are always so busy, you will need to make an effort to get the staff’s attention.
Jin Kichi is famed for its grilled skewers. We love the chicken yakitori skewers with its sweet soya sauce and many others eg shitaki mushrooms, asparagus and chicken wings.
The sushi and sashimi here is consistently fresh and skillfully presented.
The cooked food is equally good here. Do try the aubergine with sweet miso sauce, the (cold) spinach with bonito flakes and the perfectly cooked black cod and grilled mackerel. Even someone like me who was not a massive fan of mackerel has been converted….
Enjoy!
