Aun has been serving a small menu of ‘Japanese tapas’ on Stoke Newington Church Street for nearly a decade – and now the owner has opened a second spot just round the corner. Tenma is a tiny counter restaurant with a short menu of dumplings and noodles for lunch, and a slightly bigger offering in the evening.
The site has had quite a few lives over the years, so here’s hoping this one sticks, because it’s something genuinely different for Stoke Newington.
Eat This
There are a couple of gyoza options: pork and cabbage, which come fried, and shiitake mushroom, which arrive steamed in broth. They’re joined by steamed pork shumai, and all of them are delicate with super thin skins, and are all made by hand.
The shiitake and koji broth ramen is excellent, as is the chicken wing ramen – both are rich and delicious. We also tried the stir-fried ramen noodles, though we’d steer you towards the other dishes first.
In the evening, the menu adds a wagyu moromi-miso tofu and some excellent umeboshi-pickled red chilli and cucumber.
Drink This
The drinks list is short but well chosen, with a sake of the day, umeshu and five different gins if you fancy a G&T (there’s even a matcha one). Otherwise, stick with the homemade lemonade or cold green tea.
Why Go
With the weather turning, ancient folklore says a good broth can see off a cold or flu. We’re not doctors, but we’re happy to test the theory if it means more nights slurping broth and eating good dumplings.
Key Information
Address | 1A Evering Road London N16 7QA
For more information | @tenma_gyoza
AloJapan.com