Tenkaichi Sushi & Noodle Bar

Great sushi at reasonable prices.

Not intended to be a long sit down reasturant as you sit on benches but the food is very good with a wide selection of sushi and noodles. Definately will be going back.
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Neil
Thursday, April 03, 2008

I have been eating here since I moved to Cardiff two years ago as a student and I have never been disappointed. Unfortunately as a student I find their prices a bit steep (especially compared to London alternatives), but that’s never put me off going when I can afford it.

I think you will only be disappointed with the food if you are used to authentic Japanese cuisine, as many of the items on the menu have been ‘westernised’, but my friends and I all find them equally delicious (and more filling!)

The ‘bara chirashi’ (£8.90) as mentioned is very good – it is a bowl of sushi rice and a selection of cold toppings (fresh raw fish, egg roll, etc) served with miso soup. This is ideal if you’re not sure which sushi to try, or if you can’t decide between toppings!

If you’re going for sushi rolls then I recommend the ‘Spider maki’, ‘tempura maki’ and ‘rainbow maki’. Extremely tasty and addictive (I often visit just for these).

The bento boxes (£8.90+) have a good selection of different menu items – California sushi rolls (cucumber, crabstick, mayo), deep fried chicken dumplings, rice, salad, miso soup, and a ‘main’ such as chicken teriyaki or port cutlet. I usually have the salmon teriyaki (very sweet) which I have tried to replicate at home with varying amounts of success. There are also vegetarian options with most meal options.

My friend usually goes for the ‘spicy chicken ramen’ which is a full, soup-based meal with noodles and other vegetables. His eyes water a lot!

I have never tried the yakisoba (fried noodles) but have heard they are good.

The rice dishes are mostly accompanied by a rich egg sauce which I don’t really like – I have tried asking for it without but there’s an obvious language barrier meaning my efforts have never worked.

Speaking of the rice, this tends to vary between great and poor. Sometimes the sushi rice is sweet and sometimes it is very tasteless and chewy. The other menu items (gyoza, for example) also tend to vary, sometimes they are too overdone (but never inedible).

Service is very fast and (usually) very functional. They have new staff in at the moment who do seem able to say ‘thank you!’

I really recommend visiting to see if it suits you. The seating and décor may not be to everyone’s taste but it is a good place for a casual (and very yummy) dinner or lunch. It also helps that it is open to 11pm most nights!
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LMarie - View all reviews by this user
Wednesday, September 19, 2007

I've been dining here for years. My favourite japanese restaurant in UK! Informal setting and the food is great and definitely good value for money. Take advantage of 20% off everything on the menu between 1-2pm. 'Bara chirashi' is fresh and has a good portion! green tea or sesame ice-cream is a must.
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TH
Friday, June 29, 2007

I was really expecting this restaurant to be fabulous based on the reviews I've read on several sites, but boy was I disappointed.

First of all it's very small and about as informal as they get with wooden benches that looks like we're all having picnics.

The staff are efficient but there was some miscommunication due to the language barrier.

The salmon & tuna sushi were good but the rice used was inferior and definitely not sweet rice that should have been used.

The goyza was way too salty and not really edible nor savoury. The seaweed was bland and a bit of a rip.

The chicken yakitori was too big and too dry.

The udon soup my husband had was apparently very good with fishcake, egg, chicken and noodles.

The prices are reasonable and it's very quick which is a plus, but the quality is really average. And if you're an avid Japanese fan then this will be disappointing. Compared to London standards and those in the US it is really below average.
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Bobbi Leder
Saturday, April 15, 2006

This place is fantastic. The furnishings are a bit basic, but the food is so good and there is a wide variety of Japanese cuisine. The sushi tastes really fresh and everything is well presented. The best thing is its really good value for money, especially the bento boxes, its much cheaper than the other Japanese alternatives in Cardiff.
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Joanne Madden
Friday, November 18, 2005