First time there with my colleagues for a dinner ! The place itself is really small and our group of 14 people had the place for ourselves ! Very comfy ! The place is owned by a Japanese family of six, all working together. This is place is not known for their sushi ( forget it, it's not the main food of Japanese food) but for their katsu ( fried food ) we ordered different dishes to share : edamame, kushikatsu, fried oysters, fishcake, pork, some greens... and of course sake ! Everything was very tasty, it reminded me Japan so much ! I totally recommend this place for enjoying nice and real Japanese food! Also it's not too pricy for London read more

This teeny tiny gem of a restaurant is absolutely fantastic. After stopping by in the afternoon, and finding they were only open in the evenings, say after 6pm, we called ahead to book a table for 2 at 7:00pm. It was a good thing we did, because the place filled up soon after we were seated. This please specializes in battered fried awesome on a stick. So do order some of these fun dishes. I also tried a bit of their sushi, and it was tasty and unfussy. But I think the highlight of the meal was trying new flavours, such as deep fried shrimp wrapped in perilla leaf. They also have a very nice sake and shochu selection. Try the red bean ice cream. Very subtle and a lovely texture with mashed beans included. Our hostess/waitress was a one woman wonder, and she made sure we loved everything. Don't be afriad to ask if you don't know what a sauce or side dish is. I learned I really like the yellow pickled radish called takuan that came with my partner's meal. and it made the hostess super happy too boot, as apparently, according to her, many younger Japanese don't like the flavour. Ah well, I know I did. read more

Mai Food - Onigiri and fried joy on a stick - Japanese Near Me - London, XGL

Chicken. Katsu. Curry. That's all you need to know, but since I'm long-winded, I'll tell you more. We took two Japanese friends here and they LOVED it. It's not hard to find decent sushi in London, but it seems really hard to find other types of good and affordable Japanese food like udon, tempura, soba noodles, and deep fried things on skewers. They even have something called "Deep fried on skewers Set Menu" which sounds like the greatest set menu ever. I like deep fried. I like skewers. Are you telling me that I can have an entire dinner of deep fried things on skewers? Uh, yes please. The place is very small, so reservations on weekends are highly advisable. read more

Yet again Londoners make the misdirected assumption that simply because a restaurant is shabby and run by the same ethnicity of the food they're purveying that it is somehow good or authentic. Let me be the first to say that Mai Food is neither good nor authentic. It is expensive, dirty, ugly, and pointless -- the sushi is awful (fish days past prime, nigiri cut along the grain and thus impossible to bite, and about 2X too much rice in the rolls). Sure, London sushi (and japanese food on the whole) sucks generally, but simply because something isn't terrible doesn't mean it is worthy of a 5* review. EPIC FAIL MEAL ! PS: I realize I only mentioned sushi but i ate across the menu and it was all drek ! read more

Loved this little gem! I ordered the uni-Don that came with miso soup and pickled daikon. Every component was very tasty, it's amazing how such as simple fish can be so rounded in terms of flavors! Also, it's definitely a large fish and will fill you up! A recommendation, the restaurant is small so call in advance to reserve a table! It's not just the food, I loved the vibe, you can really tell that Yuki-san, the chef, is enjoying his job, chatting with the customers and putting together delicious food. It's a very original Japanese place, where you can get real Japanese food, way beyond just sushi and sashimi, so be adventurous and try something new!! read more

True definition of a hole in the wall gem! We almost missed it! It's nothing great to look at but that didnt bother us. The service is excellent, just family working and cooking here. Very quick and food was tasty! Good variety of dishes to choose from! We had a nice meal, and the ladies were very friendly. Great find, thanks Yelp! read more

I love the authenticity of this place....a hole in the wall, cash only, open kitchen small Japanese restaurant run by the family. We had some fried skewers which were good and then ordered sushi. I think the secret to this place is not to order the sushi but instead to go with the specials and the other non-sushi dishes on the menu, which was what the Japanese (and we were the only non-Japanese there) were doing. I could have done without the bad Japanese pop music, but I think that lends to the authenticity. It must have been daughters' choice day on the radio. read more

I can't believe nobody has written a review for Mai Food yet. I'm hesitant to write a review since I don't want this place to become TOO popular, but it's really worthy of public praise. Essentially a hole in the wall around the corner from the Earl's Court tube station, Mai Food is a diamond in the rough. In a neighbourhood full of soul-less chain restaurants, this Japanese place stands out. My husband and I are almost always the only non-Japanese customers, and I think that speaks highly to the quality and authenticity of the food. The owners are so friendly and welcoming. There are only 4 small tables and a counter in the restaurant, and it gets busy fast. The whole operation takes place in a tiny kitchen behind the counter, and if you get a seat there, you can watch it all unfold. The place seems to specialise in tempura and kushiage (fried Japanese delights!), but the menu is extensive and there are several specials every night (the menu is written in both Japanese and English). We've had the Japanese dumplings several times, which are delicious. Their salmon teriyaki is first rate, and their noodle and soup dishes put Wagamama to shame. It's also an absolute steal, with dinner for two, including starters and edamame, usually coming in around £20. The service is usually very speedy, although the last time we went, it was a bit packed and the service wasn't as quick. However, they brought us complimentary edamame while we waited, and we hadn't even said anything about the service being somewhat slow! Honestly, I can't say enough good things about this place. read more

And I cannot believe I'm only the second to review Mai. Based on Becky's review we made our way to Kenway Road for a look in the window of Mai and Orjowan Lebanese Cuisine. I always like to peer in and get the measure of the place and unfortunately Orjowans was empty but Mai was almost full so having read the sign saying cash only we hopped and skipped round the corner to get some cash and sprinted back to nab a table seat before the hoards descended. What a wonderful place. Not big, with just few tables and seats at the counter you clearly have to arrive early to get your place in this slice of Japan in West London. We ordered pork belly with ginger and prawn tempura with a side of edamame and a plum rice ball. You have to wait a while for food but then 'dad' who cooks everything fresh works alone. But the wait is worth it. The food was excellent and the service perfect and then the matriarch of Mai appeared to keep things running smoothly as she supped on a small beer at the counter. The whole place and experience was captivating. And then the final high was when we paid. Mum took our cash, with tip, and then tried to stop us leaving without taking the change. I literally had to insist on her taking a tip and she did it with such charm I think I may have fallen in love with Mai's. Utterly wonderful. read more

Mai Food - Japanese Near Me - London, XGL

This place was great! Exactly as people described it, great food, good prices, nice staff. We sat at the counter and enjoyed watching the action. read more

Mai Food completely gets my vote. I was apprehensive at first since it doesn't look that great from the outside; Once inside the venue is less than luxurious, but you will soon find the menu and ambiance to be truly authentic. The service is really good and the food is nicely presented with a taste to match. This place not only exceeded my expectations, but I also find myself craving their food! Excellent deep fried soft-shell crab and vegetable tempura and the sake goes beautifully with the food. The ££ experience is equally as pleasant, since the prices are very reasonable and there is no need to break the bank. read more

Mai is a tiny Japanese restaurant nestled on Kenway Road, which along with adjacent Hogarth Road, appears to be the center of the Filipino community in London. I've always been curious about this neighborhood; nearby are some of London's most expensive addresses, yet this tiny area is an immigrant hotbed. Mai is across the street from two Filipino restaurants and a Lebanese restaurant. Despite its humble exterior, Mai does not disappoint. I ordered their most popular speciality, four deep-fried skewers (aspargus, soft-shell crab, eggplant with meat, and something else). The breadcrumbs were fried to perfection and the meal was not greasy at all. Probably one of the best deep-fried experiences I've had in London. It's a bit difficult to describe the deep-fried skewers, but it's definitely worth a try. Still being hungry, I went for a bowl of katsu-don (deep fried pork in a bowl of rice topped with an egg). It was pretty good, but not as nearly as good as the ones I've had in Japan. The pork was a bit too dry and the breadcrumbs weren't nearly as crisp as the skewers. Perhaps just a one-time screwup. I plan on returning to try the other items on the menu, such as the noodle soups. The interior is pretty spartan and a bit grubby, although that kind of thing doesn't bother me in the least. And it's true, a majority of the (4 tables) cliente appear to be Japanese. Go try it! read more