Shoku

Interesting flavours for your meal at Shoku Japanese-Peruvian restaurant situated in Media City. With dark yet a very welcoming ambience, Shoku is a really nice venue. It’s a quiet restaurant so perfect for a relaxing lunch break and you can tell the thought gone into the interesting flavours. Shoku supposedly means meal in Japanese, so where better to have a meal than at ‘meal’. On our expedition, we tried; \Salmon Teriyaki Nikkei Rice Bowl [£9] - Absolutely yummy where it had the perfectly seared crispiness on the outside with a sticky teriyaki flavour. We would have preferred some more teriyaki sauce to flavour the remaining rice \Yuca Fritters (v) [£4] - So soft and fluffy on the inside with a crispy skin. It’s not quite potato but with a slightly nutty taste. Perfect for a side \Nikkei Ramen [£10] - This was a good-sized portion, and we had a bit left-over at the end. It wasn’t what we usually expect from a ramen dish, but was not a bad thing at all. It was a nice bowl of mildly spicy tomato soup with noodles and a perfectly boiled egg. If you’re not feeling too good, this is the perfect warming, get yourself well dish. \Sushi Platter (v) - A good, decent variety of sushi On the day we went, it was a little busy and don’t think they’re used to that many people as the service was a little disorganised - nothing that a little training couldn’t help Recommended for: Teriyaki, Relaxing, Interesting One Thing: Teriyaki Salmon Price: ££ Halal: Vegetarian & Fish

Shoku serve a fusion of Peruvian and Japanese cuisine. The restaurant was stylish and had a an amazing roof of red leaves. The open kitchen allowed you to watch the sushi be made fresh in front of you. We were asked to choose a main course each and were given a seemingly random selection of fresh sides I went for the Tonkotso ramen. Picking ramen was an easy decision as it's something I'm often in the mood for. The umami pork broth was tantalisingly flavoursome, so moreish I slurped every drop. The belly pork was tender and juciy, it melted in my tongue as the cripsy skin have a crunch. Absolutely top ramen Prior to our main course, we enjoyed a selection of anticuchos and sushi. Some tables were given Bao buns which I must admit I was slightly envious of. However, I ate more than enough delicious food, I'm just a greedy git Anticuchos are skewered meat often enjoyed as street food in Peru. First we ate the Beef fillet with chimichurri and panko breadcrumbs. The steak was medium rare and very tasty. The chimichurri sauce was excellent and the panko added texture After this we were given some panko coated chicken that was served with an amazing kimchi ketchup and spring onions and sesame seeds. This was seriously good, the chicken was well seasoned and juicy I also tried the Beef fillet Nikkei Rice bowl with chimichurri. The fillet steak was cooked medium rare and served with sticky white rice. The chimichurri sauce was extremely flavoursome, it had a nice tang and fresh flavour

Overall we enjoyed although did have several issues. The square table we were seated at was very awkwardly placed, overly central and not private, considering there were many other spaces and we had reserved we would have liked to sit somewhere nicer. Food was quite good the beef bao was my favourite nicely flavoured although found the ramen to be quite bland/watery and couldn't compete with Shoryu. Salmon teriyaki also tasty but really lacking sauce so was a little dry and plain, easily rectified though. Reserved a table for well in advance of our theatre show and unfortunately on arrival had to wait i think nearly 30 minutes for the table although i don't want to be harsh as they were obviously understaffed and struggling, server (Luke i think) was very apologetic, offered complimentary drinks and was in general very pleasant so they feel they have good policies and care about guest satisfaction. Found the previous review about menu a bit rude but would agree that the sushi menu is a little confusing compared to other restaurants.

Excellent food and amazing crossover of Peruvian and Japanese cuisine. Would highly recommend this for a nice lunch or evening out. Also has a fabulous selection of sushi dishes take out for those quick lunch breaks. If your in media city Manchester then I strongly advise you try this way before wagamama and it's cheaper !!!!

An absolute hidden gem! Gorgeous interior. Warm welcome. Service was excellent. And the food takes top marks! I've had the steak twice now because it's so tasty I can't not order it. Delicious starters and the chocolate brownie was the most generous dessert I've had at a restaurant. Very reasonably priced. Totally love this place!