Tucked away on the corner of Merrion Street, Oba Leeds is serving some of the best Korean and Japanese fusion dishes, with a range of vegan-friendlymeals available.
Foodies looking for a unique dining experience will be delighted to see this new restaurant popping up in the Merrion Centre. Oba has only been open a few short weeks, but the restaurant's bright presence and attentive staff give the restaurant an unrivalled homely feeling.
This hidden gem offers a warm welcome from the the moment you walk through the glass doors. The bright hues of sunflower yellow and bright blue mirror off the panelling and glass windows and match the service, always delivered with a smile, to a tee.
Their menu is vast and delicious. 70% of the items on the menu are vegan and there are even seperate menus for those meat-eater and vegetarian and vegan options.
Nothing is too much trouble for the team at Oba and their quality service shines through to the meticulous food presentation. Upon delivery, it's obvious that any palette is in for a treat.
For starters, carnivores and pescatarians alike should not miss an the opportunity to sample the Ebi Gyoza. The fried prawn dumplings come with a sweet dipping sauce and find that perfect equilibrium between crunchy and soft. Each bite brings out a new flavour and is guaranteed to exceed any expectations.
The Ebi Gyoza is served on a banana leaf, but it is the inside of these prawn dumplings that ooze fresh flavour.
The Agassi Gyoza are just as delicious. The fried vegetable dumplings are fresh and full of flavour. Complemented by a sweet dipping sauce, the vegetarian food here is given the same attention and careful presentation as any other dishes.
Staff waste no time in preparing the mains and present these dishes with the same intrinsic detail. The Japanese and Korean fusion of flavours are more prominent here, with a selection of sushi rolls, infused curries and authentic fish dishes available.
However, it is their special of the day upon The Hoot's visit, a cheese and fish corn dog, that demonstrated to us the artistic flair and creative flavours that Oba Leeds offer their guests.
The two standout main course options for a lunchtime have to be the Assorted Veggie Rolls and the classic Chicken Katsu Curry. Crispy breadcrumbs and thick katsu sauce, sticky rice and light, crisp salad: can you really name a better combination for a wet wintry afternoon meal?
All dishes also come with homemade wasabi, even the smallest amount rapidly amplify the fused flavours in each dish.
Oba Leeds is the hidden gem that the Merrion Centre has been missing and is well worth the short walk up from the shops to visit.
Regardless of your itinerary in Leeds, the food and service alike make Oba a true standout restaurant that should become a firm favourite for lovers of South-East Asian dishes.
Eats
Award-winning Sardinian restaurant Domo announces Leeds opening date
Domo will officially open the doors to its Leeds venue this summer.
Get ready for Domo Leeds, a Sardinian independent born in Sheffield that is loved by many for its delicious food, inviting atmosphere and stellar service.
Run by Raffaele Busceddu and Sarah May Elliott, Domo serves a range of traditional Sardinian specialities from homemade pasta dishes to show-stopping grills.
They've also got a banging cocktail menu full of signature serves and refreshing spritz, perfect for enjoying with friends over some delicious sharing plates.
Images: The Sheff
Domo has confirmed it will officially open the doors to its first Leeds venue on Friday June 5, so we really don't have long to wait.
Located at the iconic Tower Works development, Domo Leeds will offer a vibrant new canal-side destination, perfect for the summer months.
Alongside the main restaurant menu, there’ll be a dedicated bar food menu designed around relaxed dining and carefully crafted small plates designed to pair with the drinks offering creating a more informal way for guests to experience Sardinian flavours.
Domo co-founder, Sarah Elliott-Busceddu, said: “We’re incredibly excited to finally open the doors and welcome people into Domo Leeds. From day one, our vision has been to create a space where everyone feels welcome and somewhere that brings people together in the true spirit of Sardinian hospitality.
“Whether it’s an evening out with friends, a relaxed catch-up over drinks after work, or a big family celebration, we’ve designed Domo to feel warm, inclusive and full of life. We can’t wait for people in Leeds to experience not just the food and drinks, but the atmosphere and sense of community that sits at the heart of everything we do.”
The Sheffield institution serving the city’s favourite sandwich for over 60 years
Clementine Hall
Of course, it's the one and only Béres.
It all started back in 1961 when Hungarian butcher Sandor Béres left his home city of Budapest during the 1956 uprising against the Stalinist government.
After the government took control of his father's butchers shops, Sandor set out to establish the chain once more and so, Béres was born.
And thank god it was, as for over 60 years now their iconic pork sandwich has been fuelling the hungry people of Sheffield, and we'd go as far to say it's one of the best sarnies in the city.
Images: The Sheff
Hot roast pork, herby stuffing, crispy crackling and fruity apple sauce all crammed into a soft bap - it really doesn’t get much better than that.
But, what makes it so special? Béres claims it's all in the preparation and quality control.
Being a traditional butchers, their pork joints are traditionally roasted and cured in house to give that succulent texture and crispy crackling every single time.
They use around seven tonnes of pork and four tonnes of flour per week to feed us hungry lot, and it's no surprise when you see the queues forming outside your local Béres every lunch time.
Images: The Sheff
The very first shop was born at Wadsley Bridge where they quickly built a reputation for their sandwiches, this then allowed them to become a proper Sheffield household name after expanding rapidly through the 2000s.
They now have 14 sites across Sheffield, and each site is as good as the next. Not only are the pork sandwiches class but if you're ever faced with a hangover no matter how severe, their stacked breakfast baps are always there to save the day.
But why we love Béres most of all is the lovely staff who are always there to offer a smile and a chinwag, but what else do you expect from the people of Sheffield hey?
Sophie Smith -
7th October 2021 
