YAKITORI#1 | FOOD REVIEW

YAKITORI#1 ****

Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay. 029 2049 5050 / www.yakitori1.co.uk

The takeover of the Natwest Bank office in Mermaid Quay has been nothing less than a transformation. Ultra-modern seating, glass panelling in shades of bold red and grey walls with industrial lighting creates a stylised urban feel to the eating area which is now Yakatori.

Yakitori#1 (meaning fried chicken) is the latest restaurant to arrive in Cardiff Bay. The sushi, sashimi and noodle bar is brought to Cardiff by husband and wife team Meng and Cheryl Yap, whose background stems from supplying goods to a global supermarket. Having successfully opened a month ago, the interesting and varied menu lends itself to the vibrant scene. A selection of dishes was suggested so we dived into scallops with soy, sesame and crispy ginger, tempura prawn maki, cucumber and chicken teriyaki, salmon and avocado with crab stick, goma wakame, seaweed and tobiko. This was all followed by a yaki soba, wok-fried noodles with chicken, tiger prawns, beansprouts, mixed vegetables, red and green peppers, spring onions topped with fried shallots.

It sounds a lot for two people and it was – we wouldn’t normally have this much – but as we were sampling it seemed appropriate and we were advised! Not a smidge of the evil MSG in sight, all freshly prepared to order in the open kitchen and if you have aversion to prawns but fancy yaki soba, they will happily oblige. Meng is very keen to keep customers happy and provide an enjoyable evening. I couldn’t make this at home and it was a treat and thoroughly delicious.

Words and Photo: ANTONIA LEVAY