Pompoko has been a staple on the Brighton culinary scene since 2007, supplying the city with authentic, yet inexpensive Japanese food in unpretentious surroundings.
Their flagship restaurant near The Brighton Dome is by far one of my favourite eateries having been introduced to it by a good friend a couple of years ago. Since then, I frequent Pompoko with alarming regularity and as the venue is usually packed to the rafters with tourists and locals alike every night of the week, I have been known to sit outside when there’s no dining space and eat with my coat on. (Yes, it’s that good!)
Although I enjoy dining alfresco during freezing winter months, I was overjoyed to discover a second venue was opening on Manchester Street in Brighton and hoofed my way down there at lightning speed to try it out before the hungry herds arrived.
Pompoko 2 is just a stone’s throw away from Morrison’s, so perfect for acquiring a semi decent bottle of wine to bring with you. The corkage cost is £2.50 per person and this coupled with the great value food means a night out need not cost the earth.
In keeping with the Japanese theme the new space is tastefully decorated with Asian paraphernalia and encompasses two floors with approximately 40 covers. The upstairs is ideal for larger bookings as the tables are maneuverable and being close to many tourist attractions and bars makes it the perfect launch pad for a night out or a lunch date and some shopping.
I was pleased to see the menu is a condensed version of the original and features all of the house favorites. As a creature of habit, I opted for chicken gyoza and sweet chilli chicken don. The food never disappoints. Four tender dumplings arrived with a dipping sauce to die for accompanied by the chicken dish. This is my favourite for good reason, you receive several pieces of soft chicken thigh fillets coated in a slightly crunchy, spicy, sweet sticky sauce on a bed of sticky rice. There are tiny shreds of lettuce in the mix which add an unexpected and delectable dimension to the dish which hits the spot every single time.
FYI, I paid just £15 for the aforementioned grub with a cold can of Pepsi.
If you haven’t visited this family-friendly eatery you are missing out. As a seasoned food reviewer in the city I rate Pompoko in my top five and if it’s value for money you crave then it’s undoubtedly number one.
Open 11.30am – 10pm . Closed on Tuesdays.
