Hoja

There’s a new kid on the crowded Upper Street block. Hoja’s cozy Islington premises keep things minimal and intimate, and the place is often packed out despite being a new player in London’s pan-Asian cuisine scene. Needless to say, reservations are advisable, and it’s not surprising that this Asian restaurant is busy all the way through to its 10pm closing time. Authentic Japanese, Thai, Chinese, Malaysian cusines, plus some fusions in between, are all represented on the menu at Hoja, and the prices are great.

Start an evening at Hoja with their tamarind chicken wings, marinated in the chef’s special tamarind sauce and fried to crispy perfectio – perfect to share and kick things off. A classic tom yam soup, packed with fragrant lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal, or the simple and delicious Hoja miso, steeping the fish of the day in miso stock, spring onion, are fantastic on cold London days. The chargrill menu offers Panang sauce chicken fillets and a rare Thai-style sirloin steak, plus grilled green asparagus accompanied by a light and sweet miso sauce. The sushi list is impressive and some of the best in Islington, featuring hosomaki, sashimi, gunkun, uramaki, and nigiri options too numerous to list. Of particular note are Hoja’s fish specials, sea bass and salmon cooked according to a variety of Asian culinary traditions. While Hoja’s Upper Street premises are compact, there’s so much foodie goodness going on inside you simply can’t pass up the chance to dine in, or takeaway.