Lucky Yu
Edinburgh, Lothians
Entry
You can't miss the Barbie-pink neon sign beckoning you into this Asian-inspired street-food joint. The frontage may be tongue-in-cheek Tokyo but step inside and the interiors flip from garish to hip, pared-back urban chic – the lighting tinged bordello-blush, the walls bare stone and polished concrete. A young metropolitan crowd hogs the banquettes, canteen-style tables and low counter seating at the bar. The kitchen is fronted by Duncan Adamson, who decamped from rustic farm-to-table hot spot Gardener's Cottage and is now equally at home with Asian fusion. Plates are made for sharing, and fast, friendly service ensures that the table is soon overflowing with dishes. Unable to decide between the tempura cauliflower bao bun with spicy Korean sauce, pickled beansprouts, baby gem and umami mayonnaise or the sticky, five-spice beef brisket bao with kimchi and crispy onions, we order both. Crispy pork belly, soft and succulent, arrives topped with a crunchy chilli and peanut sauce, while a roasted and grilled aubergine with pungent miso, ginger and sesame is simply moreish. Specials are irresistible too: braised hispi cabbage with fermented black garlic and fragrant furikake seasoning has a complex earthiness, while tender flakes of grilled monkfish with edamame and wakame salad are candyfloss-light and beautifully balanced. If you still have room, there's just one dessert – perhaps a delicate miso and vanilla crème caramel with yuzu caramel and sprinkling of toasted coconut. The drinks list includes a smattering of natural wines, sakes and homemade fruity sodas, as well as carefully curated cocktails.
Dining Information:
Private dining room, Counter seating, Credit card required
53-55 Broughton Street, Edinburgh, Lothians EH1 3RJ
0131 259 7719
