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.
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?
Clementine Hall -
24th August 2023 
