My husband and I have recently returned from our trip to Japan and we’ve been craving authentic Japanese food. We were so happy to find this restaurant run by an elderly Japanese couple. I really enjoyed the bluefin tuna rice bowl and my husband loved his sushi set. It truly felt like we found a little piece of Japan in Watford!
What a gem! A truly authentic Japanese meal. The fresh sushi, friendly service, and the charm of a family-run business was great. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and ordered extra. One of the best sushi experiences we've had since returning from Japan. The owner gave us sweet little origami gifts to take away. Atmosphere could be improved but the delicious food makes up for it. Highly recommended!
We came here for lunch on a weekend and are now so happy to have found this gem! The owner was very friendly and accompanied to my question / request, and our food was absolutely delicious! We ordered two udon, which came in a Clay pot and were so heartwarming on a cold day. Will definitely be back to try other dishes!
A lovely little family-run Japanese restaurant, clearly run with a lot of heart. You can really taste the thought and care put into the ingredients and how the dishes are paired – nothing flashy, just simple, well-prepared food that feels genuine. Prices are very reasonable too. If I had to pick on one thing, the toilets could do with a bit of an update, but it doesn’t take away from the overall great experience.
Hanako Brings Japan to Watford When I was looking for authentic Japanese food nearby, a few restaurants came up. But Hanako immediately caught my attention. Just from the Google review photos of their sushi and sashimi, I could see the craftsmanship. The presentation looked simple and neat, not overly decorated, but refined in a way that reminded me of true Japanese style. My Japanese friend and I were so excited that we arrived before the restaurant opened. The owner kindly let us in early, which was already such a warm welcome. Inside, the atmosphere was cozy and felt just like a small restaurant in Japan. The menu was easy to understand with clear English, and allergy information was clearly shown. On top of that, the owner kindly explained some of the dishes to us as well. I ordered the nabe udon and a sashimi sushi set. My friend had the shoyu ramen. The portion sizes were quite big for us, but because everything tasted so good, we finished it all. The flavors were very authentic but also easy to enjoy for people who may not be familiar with Japanese food. If I had to describe it in Japanese, I would say it has a 優しい味, meaning a gentle and comforting taste. We had a lovely chat with the owner. She told us that the tuna sashimi is 本マグロ, which is bluefin tuna imported from Japan. That truly impressed us, and you could taste the quality. Everything felt so fresh and nourishing. What surprised me even more is that Hanako has been open for 23 years. That’s nearly the same age as me. It made me think about how Japanese food wasn’t very common in the UK back then. I can only imagine how much this restaurant has gone through over the years to continue sharing this kind of food with the community. I wrote this review to share my appreciation for the food and people at Hanako. If you’re reading the menu outside and not sure whether to go in, I really recommend you try it. This place is a hidden gem.
Food was expensive, and the wait staff was not very helpful and unable to answer simple questions about the portion size and what variety of sashimi. Best part, they made things worse by trying to make us feel bad for not paying any additional for the overpriced food
A small gem in the heart of Watford, manage by a japanese family, it really feels like being in Japan. Food is incredibly good, service is warm and nice and price is reasonable to the quality. A must!
This is a great little authentic Japanese restaurant. I would highly recommend the salmon and eel nigiri! All the fish was super fresh and tasty!
Great little sushi restaurant in this quaint town. Very good fish and the sushi rice was acceptable. Super nice family owns and operates and provides quick and attentive service. We would eat here again!
It's really hard to find good Japanese food nearby - but this was amazing!! The customer service was great, really friendly and kind. We ordered the Chicken Katsu Curry, Veg and Tofu Stir Fry,Veg Hot Pot and the Soy + Garlic Edamame beans - everything was sooo flavorful and zingy, I couldn't pick my favorite if you asked. Everything was perfect for the rainy weather! The Hot Pot was perfect for myself who had a cold :), the noodles in them were the best I have ever had, so silky and sofr. The Edamame were a great, healthy starter. The Chicken Katsu Curry was unlike anything we had tried before but we loved it. The Stir Fry was packed with flavor! Will be visiting again - can't wait to try the other dishes :)
Hanako is located at 4 Faircross House, 116 High St, Watford WD17 1BD, UK
You can contact Hanako at +44 1923 255222
You can find directions to Hanako by following this map link
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