Koya

Blogger's favourite Koya opened almost a year ago and having heard nothing but rapturous praise for their noodles ever since, I've been eager to visit for months. It's taken me a while due to Koya's popularity and the ever present queue to get in. One time I made it in only to find they'd run out of noodles.

Last Tuesday I made another unplanned attempt, and success at last! No queue and we swooped on a table for 2 just as a couple were leaving. So, it totally lived up to the hype and these were the best (apparently freshly foot rolled each morning) noodles I've ever had. I had the kinoko hiya-atsu, cold udon and a hot broth with mushrooms and walnut miso. At £10.80 it's not the cheapest option but the miso really elevates this beyond a token vegetarian option.


To start we shared a yasai ten mori, tempura selection, which included asparagus, mushroom and banana (!) amongst others. This too was brilliant.

I also popped an onsen tamago, poached egg, into my noodles, adding another layer of depth to the flavours in the bowl once the yolk had been speared. The noodles are lengthy so fairly tricky to manage without making an awful mess but nobody seems to mind, and everybody slurps. I also had a taste of my companions duck which was lovely and we shared a side of kinoko tsukudani, soy marinated mushrooms. We drank tap water and left feeling just the right level of fullness having parted with only £35.


I can't wait to explore more of the menu here. The room is small and social but I spotted some bar style seating in a room at the rear which overlooks the kitchen, I'll be back to try to nab one of these seats. Certainly the best noodles in town.

Koya
49 Frith Street
Soho
W1D 4SG
7.5/10