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Koo Restaurant in Ludlow serves Japanese dishes in the traditional Japanese way. Their cosy, welcoming home, accommodates this innovative restaurant on the ground floor.

Now Open Wednesdays (Bookings only) & Thursday-Saturday Evenings.

"We think you will be delightfully surprised with the flavours, the variety and the presentation of our cuisine." Mari comments " The main ingredients consist of rice, noodles, fish and shellfish, various sea and land vegetables, roots, fruits, egg, beef, pork and chicken - all prepared and served in a distinctively Japanese way - We aim to be as authentic as possible, while making our food accessible by thsoe who may not have tried it before"

Japanese food is considered to be one of the world's healthiest cuisines - it contains less dairy products than traditional Western diets; it is more varied and better balanced, low in colesterol, fat and calories, and high in fibre, which may account for Japanese life expectancy being the longest in the world!

Harden's Guide
"Artfully prepared" and "exquisitely flavoured" Japanese food has created an instant following for this new establishment, which is "small, intimate and very friendly".

What the experts say:

The Shropshire Magazine
"If awards were being given out for the restaurant serving Shropshire's freshest food, Koo might well win the Gold Medal. The eaterie, in Ludlow’s Old street, is the county’s only specialist Japanese restaurant and serves a remarkable array of freshly prepared dishes."

The Times Online
"Mari Kure's intimate Japanese restaurant is well worth seeking out for Japan’s biggest culinary export – sushi – as well as Gyoza, tempura, miso chicken, yaki niku (stir-fry beef in a fruity sauce) and unusual vegetable side dishes."

The Independent On Sunday
"This charming little Japanese might not be the first thing that comes to mind when discussing Ludlow's formidable reputation as a food destination, but it's a big hit with the locals. Popular orders are sushi, gyoza dumplings, karaage (crisp, fried chicken) and sake itame (baked salmon parcel). There are also take-away bento boxes, handy for the annual Ludlow Festival."

The Guardian Guide
"From the pristine tableware to the tenderness of the gyoza, smacks of a loving attention to detail and eagerness (discreet leaflets outline the basics of Japanese cooking, owner Mari Kure will happily elaborate) to spread the word".

Michelin
"Friendly atmosphere in a simply styled interior decorated with banners and artefacts. Good value meals from a regularly changing menu of authentic and tasty japanese dishes."

Time Out
"A Japanese restaurant in Ludlow? It seems rather odd in this historic setting, but it's a welcome arrival all the same, With decent prices and surprisingly good food on the set menus, this elegant little place seems to be doing well. Sushi and sashimi are spot on and mood for clean-tasting, healthy oriental food full of lively flavours. Try the delicious yaki sakana (poached sea bass with saké and ginger) or the equally tasty buta tomato sakana - stir fried pork with spinach and tomatoes. If you want to up the heat factor, gyu karani - spicy stir-fried beef with peppers and chilli - is a must. Dead friendly too - you may even get a visit form the resident cat and dog."

Daily Express May 2004
"Good quality Japanese food - sushi, noodles etc - at a great price. A contrast to Ludlow's gourmet places."

Telegraph Weekend September 2004
"A friendly hidden gem in the gastro Mecca of Ludlow."

Delicious Magazine September 2004
"It is a confirmation of Ludlow's gastronomic credentials that this little market town in Shropshire is also home to an elegant little Japanese restaurant, which is run by Mari Kure. Michelen star chef Shaun Hill says "Koo is a charming Japanese restaurant. Mari used to run a pub but she is obviously much more at home with authentic Japanese food."

Don't take the the journos word for it...vist their own website...www.koo-ook.co.uk

Please mention www.dinewithus.co.uk on making your enquiry