What is it?
The Japan Centre - otherwise known as the mecca for all things shiny and Japanese. It’s also home to a food hall and cafeteria. The setting is fairly functional. Less Harrods, more Ikea. Complete with that overwhelmed but excited I-want-one-of-everything feeling. Picture a bright basement with a Japanese supermarket (psychedelic groceries, fermented soybeans and such). Plus chiller counters (sushi, salad and so on), a dedicated fishmonger and that all-important hot deli counter.
Sit anywhere you can. At lunchtimes it’s busy by 12.30pm, so get a friend to bagsy one of the wipe-clean tables while you queue to order and pay (you’ll get one of those buzzers that goes nuts when your food is ready). It’s all served in paper and plastic, but you bet the flavours are good.
What do they sell?
Pretty much everything Japanese you can imagine. Food wise there's plenty of authentic noodle and rice dishes to eat there and then. And then there's sweets, packet ramens, lots of baked goods, sake and vegetables sat on the shelves ready and waiting to be taken home, too. Frankly, you could spend all day browsing and still leave wanting more.
Opening times:
Monday-Wednesday 10am-9.30pm; Thursday-Sunday 10am-10pm
Time Out tip:
Things can get expensive fast at the Japan Centre. So, why not check out our list of the best cheap eats to try before you go.