Koo Japanese Restaurant Ludlow Review

Address:127 Old Street, Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 1NU
Tel: 01584 878462
Website: www.koo-ook.co.uk
Described as:Japanese dishes in the traditional Japanese way
Reviewed by: Chris Kay

Have you ever fancied trying Japanese food but not wanted to travel all the way to Birmingham? Well, there’s one in our local centre of gastronomy, Ludlow. Its name is Koo.

I’ve eaten here several times over the past few years and have yet to be disappointed. The room is plainly decorated in the simple Japanese style and I find it welcoming and relaxing. I haven’t visited for some time, but my memories are still fresh.

For those unfamiliar with Japanese cuisine, you will find it quite light, with most of the ingredients familiar; chicken, beef, pork, seafood although some of the sauces will be unfamiliar. Food is always presented as an art form, looking elegant on the plate. It is usually eaten with chopsticks, since the preparation is such that no cutting is required, but a fork will be offered if requested. I like using chopsticks (if un-expertly), since this slows the pace and allows more time to savour the food. I find that the ideal accompaniment is a pot of green tea.

The traditional rice wine, sake, is offered, usually drunk warm. A word of warning; if you go on one of the evenings when sushi is served as a first course (Thursday to Saturday), this will be accompanied by a dish of soy sauce for dipping and maybe a portion of a green substance: if so, beware; this is wasabi, Japanese horseradish. It is fearsomely hot and it is usual to mix a little into the soy sauce for dipping. On no account try to eat it! Many years ago in San Francisco, before I knew better, I did just that: bad mistake!

Don’t be afraid to try something different. On my previous visits there has been a little information sheet on the table to give guidance and the staff are always willing to help. The only problem I can see is that they’ve not yet decided when to change to winter opening hours so a phone call would be needed about now.

Enjoy.

Reviewd by Chris Kay