New Japanese menu at Tampopo

Tampopo, the spiritual home of noodle lovers in the North, has just launched a new, limited edition mini menu focusing solely on Japanese cuisine. It features some of the Japanese favourites on the standard menu – plus a good range of new dishes unfamiliar to the communal tables of Tampopo.

Tampopo call their starters 'small dishes' because starters don't really exist in South East Asian cuisine, and they like to be as authentic as possible. The Japanese menu is further evidence of this, with 'simplicity' and 'restraint' being the key words here. Clean, delicate flavours and few spices, allowing you to appreciate the natural tastes of the individual ingredients. Very Zen.

The small dishes on the Japanese menu include regulars such as the Gyoza Dumplings, Yakitori Skewers, Miso Soup with pickles, and Tempura vegetables. Plus a new addition of Edamame beans served with coarse sea salt or coated in sesame chilli oil. Simplicity indeed.

The mains include a host of new options. There's Teriyaki Suteki (rump steak marinated in a teriyaki sauce with two skewers of griddled leek, shiitake mushroom and green pepper),  Gomoku Yakisoba (ramen noodles wok-fried with prawns, chicken breast, red pepper, julienne carrot and bean sprouts, garnished with toasted nori), and Udon soup with king Prawn Tempura served with a Tentsuyu dipping sauce and chilli-flavoured daikon (Japanese radish).

There's also a new curry on the menu: Chicken Katsu Curry is chicken breast deep-fried in panko breadcrumb, served with a mild curry sauce, sticky rice and a sesame-scented side salad.

The  menu has a set price of just £12.95, including a small dish, a main dish and a glass of fresh lime soda or pot of green tea (making this a bit of a bargain meal out). If you want dessert too, you can pay an extra £2 and get a bowl of Green Tea-flavoured ice cream for a refreshing end to your meal.

The Japanese mini menu is only available for a limited time only, so make the most of it while it lasts.

To see the full menu and get your £12.95 Japanese menu voucher, please click here.