The Japanese Sando cafe always has a queue out the door for lunch, and we predict the same for their new evening offering.
When we heard that Shokupan on Wellington Street had launched a new evening menu, we simply couldn’t wait to try it out.
The family-run Japanese sando cafe is one of Leeds’ best hidden gems, which we visit time and time again.
Husband and wife team Alan and Alison took inspiration from trips around the world to bring a taste of Japan to the city.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Their flavourful sandos are already a popular lunch option, but their new evening menu brings a selection of small plates to the table - and they were nothing short of outstanding.
The menu is small but perfectly formed, featuring four small plates which are designed for sharing.
Crispy, crunchy Japanese Karaage Fried Chicken alongside Okonomiyaki Bites drenched in mayo and Tonkatsu sauce was the perfect way to kick off a brilliant meal.
The Karaage Chicken was definitely a highlight, the meat was succulent and the light batter bursting with flavour. The delicious morsels could either be dunked in a soy sauce, spring onion dip or an indulgent mayo sprinkled with chilli flakes - just delicious.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Now onto the mains, and it’s Shokupan doing what they do best - Japanese sandos and rice dishes which are already big hitters on their popular lunch menu.
The Tonkatsu Rice featured a classic breaded chicken fillet in a tangy Tonkatsu sauce, white rice, shredded cabbage, pickled red onion and pickled ginger.
The pickles were a great addition and made for the perfect forkful when combined with the zesty sauce and rich mayo.
The real showstopper though was the Curry Dip Sando, and yes it is as amazing as it sounds - a fried pork cutlet nestled in their signature shokupan loaf and served with a pot of thick curry sauce.
Dipping a sandwich into a pot of curry sauce is something everyone should experience at least once in their lives.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Shokupan serve their evening menu exclusively on Thursday and Friday evenings from 4:30 - 8:30pm. The vibe is uber chill, the interior relaxed and Alison makes you feel as though you’ve been invited round for tea as soon as you step through the door.
They operate a walk-in only police and it is currently BYOB, so if you fancy a tipple you can bob over to the supermarket down the road and grab a bottle to go with your food.
Whether for lunch or dinner we are already planning our next trip back, and so should you.
A much-loved independent restaurant in Leeds has announced it will be closing its doors.
Kuala Lumpur Cafe opened its doors in Headingley in 2019 by Bart and Hirman, who wanted to bring authentic Malaysian cooking to the city of Leeds.
Throughout the years, they'd built up a reputation for their beautiful curries and vibrant street food dishes, all of which were made using Hirman's family recipes.
So much so, that in 2024 they opened a kitchen inside White Cloth Hall in the city centre when the Grade II listed food hall first opened.
Their kitchen sadly closed a year later, but their Headingley restaurant remained open serving the students and locals with their famous beef rendang, nasi lemak and more.
Sadly, Kuala Lumpur Cafe have taken to social media to announce that they will be closing their doors for good as of this Saturday 17 October.
Their statement reads: "Thank you to all our customers and team that made Kuala Lumpur Cafe possible across the last few years. After a long consideration, we have decided that our last trading day will be Saturday 17 October.
"If you have a booking after this date, we'll be calling you over the next few days to try to move it to an earlier date before we close.
"It's been our pleasure to serve Malaysian food to the community. Best regards, KL Cafe."
Of course, in true Leeds fashion, local businesses and customers flocked to the comments to express their sadness and show their support.
One comment reads: "Such a shame. This was genuinely the best Malay food I had outside of Malaysia. Will be missed greatly", whilst another thanks the cafe for "all the delicious food over the years".
If you want to visit Kuala Lumpur Cafe one last time, then you have until this Saturday to do so. Go and wish them a proper farewell.
A Miami-inspired deli serving Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and cigars has opened in a Leeds suburb
Clementine Hall
After making a name for itself over in Leeds city centre, Alfonso's Deli 2.0 has touched down in Horsforth.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonso's Deli in Leeds' beautiful Grand Arcade serve up some of the best sandwiches in the city.
They've built up such a good reputation in fact, that they have now opened a second deli in the up-and-coming suburb of Horsforth.
Located in a prime location on New Side Road, this deli has a slightly different look to their original space, complete with a beautiful red awning and stuffed to the brim with American memorabilia.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Here you can find fresh Cuban coffee which goes wonderfully with their authentic toasted Cubano sandwiches, perfectly crafted with their house-made bread which are then pressed made-to-order.
New for Horsforth, they're now serving New York deli sandwiches on brand-new house schiacciata bread.
And the bread is as fresh as it gets, made in their own bakery downstairs alongside a selection of New York deli bakes.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Stuffed with toppings such as smoked deli meats, cold cuts, fresh cheese and whatever else you fancy.
Oh and it doesn't stop there, you can also buy a cigar if you fancy it alongside a selection of merch, hot sauces and provisions like tinned fish.
So whether you're stopping by on your way to work for a morning coffee or treating yourself to a stellar sandwich for your lunch, Alfonso's Deli is here to whisk you away to Miami for the afternoon.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
They're officially opening their doors to the public this Thursday 15 October, and we just know it's going to go down and absolute storm.
Make sure to pop down and give them a big warm welcome to the neighbourhood.
Clementine Hall -
24th August 2023 
