Happy Samurai

Since yo sushi closed, finding a place in Canterbury to get well made sushi became a mission, the happy samurai takes their food to a whole new level offering not just exquisite sushi but a wide range of tasty, beautifully presented jampanese dishes. The prices are affordable and the food is delightful! Would highly reccomend!

Better go on weekdays as they are quite busy on weekends. Ramen was good although the soup was not as rich as the authentic Japanese’s, while the roasted pork was really good. As an Japanese restaurant in a Western country, Happy Samurai is above average.

One member of our party had good sushi and would recommend.

Another had a disappointing Ramen-Yakisoba.

The Chicken Bao, the bun was fluffy and sweet, the chicken filling was not exciting. Generally would not recommend.

You will be paying for a takeout container and each soy packet. Note, minimum of 5 pounds for card payment.

TLDR: Get the sushi

The seafood ramen soup is very light, but it doesn’t match my taste. Whereas the seafood like, sea bass, shrimp, and squid are tasty. Fried tofu is not the type I imagine as crispy outside but soft inside, if it is the case, it will be wonderful. Also, if the noodles can be customized, to be harder not soft as dough, it would be my type.

Food was delicious, with lots of choice. I had beef and onion bao buns and pork tonkotsu ramen. Other tables were having the sushi which looked really good, I will have to go back again to try it! The service was okay, the waitress couldn't answer some questions about the menu but was very friendly and the food came in good time. The atmosphere in the restaurant is amazing, very cozy and themed.

Outside seems nice, but inside is a disaster.

Clearly this has a Japanese name, but is not run by Japanese.

Staircase dirty, menu dirty and broken, toilets dirty, price does not reflect quality.

Ramen is tasteless, in all types and just the flavour is off. Normally Wagamama is bad, but this is worse.

Cutlery is kept in a pot that does not seem cleaned either (see pictures).
Starters seem frozen and if they are done by hand I would really question the way they do it.

I wouldn't mind paying more, but at least cook nicer food.

Avoid if you can, wagamama nextdoor is better (even though chains are not good usually).

Came back after being away in Korea, because nothing beats the amazing Ramen served here!! It's incomparable to others I've had! We ordered the tartan, tonkotsu with char sui pork, spicy karaage chicken, age tofu and the sake +avo making rolls

Popped in for lunch for a friend, has a very welcoming atmosphere just like a proper izakaya. Staff gave us the choice of normal seating or traditional seating, if we wanted the full experience.

We ordered one of the platters to share which had a bit of everything on it. Their takoyaki & karaage is especially lovely now!

I advise if possible come early or late as it can be quite busy due to its popularity.