Kintan in Camden

Okay in my opinion and the pictures let you think the portions are larger than what they actually are. For that price point it’s a bit disappointing.

Having done a few Japanese BBQ places before, this one certainly did not disappoint! We went for the Ninja set menu and honestly there was so much food for two people at a very reasonable price. I’d recommend the set menus to try as many different dishes as possible. Great atmosphere and friendly staff! Being a Japanese bbq place you cook the meat yourself (thought I was going to get hired on the spot with my grill expertise) which is a super fun experience if you haven’t done it before. We will defo come back :)

Food was great but they rushed us out of there. Brought bills to the table when we didn’t ask and when asked how long people are supposed to be seated for, they said 2hrs. Well then buddy, it’s been 1hr so what’s the problem? I was celebrating my mum’s birthday and ordered quite a lot. And the table was booked so yes, didn’t appreciate the poor service.

What a wonderful moment, thank you to the team.

Great Japanese restaurant. The food is excellent and cooking the food at the table creates a great atmosphere.

Accepting that we arrived at 21:35 which is late (ish), good online reviews and the fact that we were still shown to a table - a good start. Food was tasty. Loved the BBQ experience - but that's where this review goes down hill... All the staff were simply not interested and wanted to finish for the night. We ordered both food and drink in less than 2 minutes of getting the menu presented to us. But the food was literally thrown on the table, no manners, no courtesy checks, no professionalism - and as soon as a dish was finished, it was grabbed off the table as quickly as possible. At one point we asked if it was possible for a little more rice - and we were laughed at with the response; "no, the kitchen wants to close". The BBQ was even turned off before we had cooked all our food. And then a bill was given to us at 22:40 saying; "we're closed now...". Absolutely unacceptable service. A business meal that could have turned into so many more future opportunities. But no, quite simply; tasty food, completely ruined by shocking and impatient service, not worthy of one star in this district and choice. And I'd be very interested to see the response here as we were absolutely astounded by the experience we received.

The food was spot on. I didn't like how they sneak the 12.5 percent tip on the bill and then after you notice it.....tell you...oh sir it's in the small print.... They would have got a bigger tip if there wasn't one there already.

Sometimes first impressions are important - we arrived to be greeted by a sign asking us to wait to be seated by a receptionist. We waited…. and waited with the waiter by the adjacent bar ignoring us until I asked to be seated. He reluctantly fetched someone else to seat us and my son asked for some water before he ordered as he was thirsty. No water came but then the menus arrived and we asked again. Kintan offers set meals for 2 or 4 people but they cannot cater for 3 proportionately so we ordered a meal for two and some additional dishes. The waiter then switched on the tabletop grill, the food arrived and we put it on the grill but little happened as it was very not moderately warm. We questioned this, the waiter opened a vent and went away- meanwhile our hot starters arrived but the bbq stuff was not cooking. At no point did anyone show interest or concern and eventually my son asked to move to another table. At that point I walked out leaving my son and daughter who have more patience to finish their meal. I returned after 40 minutes to find them not even half way through a mass of food and by then I had no appetite. I asked to see the manager (Mariana) and requested they discount the bill by a third as I had not eaten. She declined but offered to waive the service charge which is optional. I threatened to walk out and she said my children would pay. My daughter is 12 years old and whilst my son is an adult, it was his birthday treat from me. She even made the judgemental comment that as our bags showed we had been to the Comicon at the Excel he could afford it. We were finally offered an unsatisfactory 10% discount which I accepted paying over £100 fir a good meal for two but rudeness and laziness from a poorly managed group of staff. I have lived in Tokyo, eaten in Kintan both in Japan and London and never met such abuse.

Absolutely amazing food. Cooked by yourselves on the potplate in the middlevof the table.

Food was decent but the terrible service (or pretty much lack of any service at all) made for an overall irritating experience. We were told we would have to wait 30-45 minutes since we didn’t have a reservation... Lo and behold I pulled out my phone, made a reservation for 15 minutes later, and the hostess begrudgingly sat us about 5 minutes after I showed her the newly made ressie. Upon being seated, no water. No explanation on how to cook anything, nothing. Just different people dropping off plates at different times. We had to flag someone down to ask for someone to explain optimal cooking times (“however long you want”), flag someone down to ask for water, flag someone down to ask for menus, flag someone down to ask for a burnt grill pan change... you get the gist. And it was a bit later on a Sunday night. Honestly, the waiting around and constantly trying to make eye contact with a worker to ask for things ruined the meal. Not to mention pesky fruit flies hovering around the tables.... Im not usually deterred by mediocre service if the food is good enough for a return visit, but this was bad enough that I wouldn’t go back.

Very nice Japanese Yakiniku 🥩 BBQ restaurant. Bit expensive but, some special occasions are worth it to go!!

The food was good but a bit pricey, but the egg drop soup was amazing! Now, the cocktails were good, but a bit watered down and with not a lot of alcohol. Still, quite good and tasty. If the music was not that loud, I would have considered to come back.

Me and my partner has been coming here for years. Service is great, food is amazing and overall experience is worth it !! We come here all the time for our date night when we can !!! And we love it !

The food was good. Loved the service and was very generous with their servings.

Thank you. Staff really made it a great occasion and worth a review.

Amazing staff, excellent service, food to die for will definitely return

Had a wonderful time with my wife we loved the Japanese cuisine experience, the ambience and customer service were great the set menu meat 🍖 lovers was off charts.

The barbecue was very good, although it lacked a bit of flavor even though it was not charcoal fire. Cocktails are also good. It's a little more expensive for 2 people, but it's most affordable for 3-4 people.

Great food and atmosphere. The staff are fantastic and attentive, went for a birthday treat, and even got surprised with a little cake and a 'happy birthday' song 😊

Found this place accidentally and it was so good that we returned the next day for more. Great selection of meats, sides and excellent service.

Fantastic! Barbecue is absolutely delicious and such variety of flavors. Highly recommend🔥✨

Fantastic food, amazing quality, staff excellent! attentive, friendly, obliging, perfect.

Fantastic place to come for something a bit different . Very clean and the staff extremely efficient , friendly and welcoming. Never been before. The outside doesn't do it justice. Inside.... there's many tables full of Japanese people enjoying the food. Happy hour is all day Monday, and 11.30 till 4pm Tues to Sunday. Felt the value of the food/drinks was exceptional. Mariana was a great waiter. Tip... have the bibimbap with your meal.. it's amazing.

Food was OK, grill I found far too small for 4 people.

Exceptionally good value for great food. Really well priced sets to choose from. Come here hungry! Servers are friendly and very helpful. No BBQ smell on your clothes when you leave either.

Very good! They have a lunch menu for about £13-14. I ordered the salmon teriyaki and it was banging.

Kintan Japanese BBQ offers an authentic and delicious grilling experience with high-quality meats and a vibrant atmosphere. Perfect for a casual yet satisfying meal.

Came for lunch this time and ordered the two-course set with extra Korean beef rice. The price was very reasonable and their beer was also on happy hour price. Leave with a happy and full stomach.

Kintan is my favourite Japanese BBQ spot from University era. I just realised it is Korean fusion but this mix Korean and Japanese goodness so perfectly. For example, marinated meat Japanese style but have Kimchi and lettuce. Our host today, Angelo, is very friendly and chatty. Would come back ! 💯💯

The lunch deal is an amazing value for money, lots of food for not much

I love this place, and I take friends here all the time. There's a great atmosphere, service is excellent, and the food is good for the price point. Recommend. Do book if you can as it gets busy. Also, they do a decent happy hour - check the website for timings. The Oxford Circus one isn't as good, so go to this one if you're not sure which to choose.

Nice little place for Japanese style BBQ in Holborn. The self cooked eatery was particularly great value at lunch especially when there’s a promotion. Four of us (small eaters) share three sets & found we had enough.

Loved it here! Took a client out for lunch, lovely warm greeting from all staff. Great value and a great experience. Thank you!

I love Kintan in general, this location is much better and less business than the Oxford street one. Great value and a good experience.

Not sure worth the costs .. there are far better Japanese nd Korean restaurants serving much better food

TL;DR: Kintan JBBQ Holborn offers exceptional dishes like the sweet soy kalbi, but inconsistent food quality and poor reservation management detract from the overall experience. Worth trying for the BBQ highlights, especially during Happy Hour, but be prepared for potential time constraints. Quick Ratings: Food: 4/5 - Highs of excellence, some disappointing lows Atmosphere: 3.5/5 - Lively but marred by end-of-meal rush Service: 3.5/5 - Polite staff, severely hampered by poor reservation system Overall: 3.7/5 - Great potential, but significant room for improvement Full Review: The Matsuri Course at Kintan JBBQ Holborn offers a diverse range of options, with some true standouts and a few disappointments. The meal began with comforting Miso Soups, setting the stage for the feast to come. The undisputed star of the show was the Kalbi Short Rib in sweet soy sauce. This dish was a revelation - incredibly juicy, packed with flavor, and so satisfying that it alone elevated the entire dining experience. The moment we tasted it, we could barely contain our excitement at something so tasty and juicy. Other beef options, like the Premium Skirt Steak and Miso Premium Rib Eye with ponzu sauce, were also enjoyable, offering rich umami notes. The Ebi Furai was another highlight, offering a satisfying crunch and paired with an innovative gochujang and mustard sauce that balanced sweetness, warmth, and tang beautifully. However, several dishes fell short. The Spicy Addicting Cabbage was overly oily and not refreshing. The Beef Sukiyaki Bibimbap was particularly disappointing, lacking both the characteristic crispy crust and flavor, even with added gochujang sauce. There was also a menu discrepancy with the chicken - we received bland Chicken Garlic instead of the promised Chicken Teriyaki. The meal ended on a high note with the Green Tea Tiramisu, a delightful fusion dessert that proved to be a refreshing change of pace. This light and fresh creation beautifully showcased the sweet, grassy taste and aroma that matcha is known for. The vanilla ice cream, speckled with real vanilla, complemented the matcha perfectly and added to the overall lightness of the dish. While the Graham cracker provided an interesting textural contrast, it didn't feel entirely necessary to the dessert's success. The restaurant offers a lively ambiance, with the exciting sizzle of meat on grills and enticing aromas. The cooking apparatus at each table adds to the interactive dining experience, though it's worth noting that the grill is most effective when food is placed directly in the middle of the grates, with less consistent results around the edges. Diners with long legs should be aware that the steel basin of water underneath the table can be uncomfortably warm and may cause some discomfort if bumped into. The staff, particularly our server, demonstrated admirable politeness and did their best to manage a difficult situation. However, the restaurant's flawed reservation system significantly impacted the dining experience. We were informed about 30 minutes before the end of our meal that they needed the table, creating a sense of being rushed. This approach to managing bookings – accepting reservations without a clear system for tracking table availability – is problematic and detracts from the overall experience. Kintan JBBQ Holborn offers a dining experience with notable highs and lows. The sweet soy kalbi stands out as a dish of exceptional quality that alone might justify a visit for BBQ enthusiasts. Some other BBQ items and the creative Ebi Furai also shine. However, the experience is marred by disappointing dishes and inconsistent quality across the menu. One significant highlight worth mentioning is the restaurant's Happy Hour offering. We visited during Happy Hour, which reduced the price by about £10 for two people. Notably, even though our meal extended beyond the official Happy Hour time, the restaurant honored the discounted price - a gesture that speaks well of their customer service.

Slightly pricey but the food is worth the price. The staff are friendly and restaurant has a nice atmosphere.

Kintan Japanese BBQ offers a unique and enjoyable dining experience with its interactive grill-your-own-meat concept. The quality of the ingredients is excellent, and the flavors are authentic and delicious. The staff are friendly and attentive, adding to the overall great atmosphere. Perfect for a fun night out with friends or family. Highly recommend!

Would not say it’s Japanese bbq at all. Everything salty, not worth the price, even the salad and ice-cream tasted bad.

One of the best BBQ places I've been to. Their fillet mignon is just amazing 😊

Excellent foods and service. Plus reasonble price.

The service is really bad, you need to shout every time for anything you need, and the waitor is rude. I just stayed there for less than 1 hour (I booked the table one day before) and they are kickijf me out, the meet is also not fresh, definately not come again.

Food is unreal, my favourite japanese bbq place. all the flavours of meat is so nice. the atmosphere is quite busy but looks so pretty and aesthetic (great to take some cute pics) overall the food is the best part of this place!!

Great food. We got nice surprise from staff for sisters birthday. Thanks to amazing staff, made it special ✨

Very friendly staff, tasty food, amazing service!

The quality of the ingredients used here are top notch, but the service leaves a lot to be desired. We ordered a round of drinks, a variety of meats and veggies, and some rice. We told the server we were likely to order more. Everything came out quickly, but then we never saw our server again. Somebody came by and saw the empty plates, left them, and turned our grill off. We eventually got fed up with waiting, flagged down a random server and asked for the check.

We arrived a few minutes early but were seated at our table quite quickly. We walked through the restaurant where there seemed to be a great atmosphere and taken to the downstairs seating. We were the only customers down here but just assumed they were so busy upstairs and other customers would join. Someone needs to be the first I suppose. We were handed multiple menus which were a little confusing but in the end chose to get a set meal type option. The food came pretty quickly but we weren't given much of an explanation as to what they are and what to do, apart from how long to cook them for. We had never had this type of food/been to a restaurant like this before. The server wasn't rude but just seemed miffed he had to be downstairs with the only table. Not long after he actually left with his coat and bag, so I guess he was at the end of his shift. We carried on with our meal but noted that there still wasn't anyone downstairs. The toilets were downstairs so that's the only time people came down. I didn't actually like the food. My partner said it was okay, not the best he'd had but he didn't want to waste it as it was pretty expensive for us. When our new server came to clear the table, I made a point of telling him how awkward we felt being the only customers downstairs in over the hour we had been there and we hadn't enjoyed our time there or the meal. He was very polite and could do nothing but apologise (we did tell him it wasn't his fault but we wanted to voice our upset at the whole thing). He explained there had been many cancellations. Whilst I understand this, maybe more planning into spreading guests around the whole restaurant would have been better, than sticking just us downstairs, in a very dark space. As part of the swr menu, we were still to get a dessert but by this point we just wanted to leave. We asked for the 12.5% gratuity to be taken off, as paying what we did without it was still a lot for what we got. A big disappointment!

Food is good but unfortunately service and cleanness is an issue which impacted the restaurant.

I like the salmon volcanoes most. They were full of salmon paste and there's some crispy deep fried soya bean sheet (I guess) and rice inside. Happy hour price for certain drinks and food on Sunday is a great tactic. I had 1/2 pint of Asahi although I rarely drink alcohol. 😂 I'll go and try the tuna volcanoes and more other kind of BBQ meat next time.

My daughter found this place last time in London and couldn't wait to take us there again. Food was delicious x

Great vibe and quality meat with reasonable price - it’s kinda hard to find a Japanese BBQ in London to meet those three criteria at the same time. We chose this restaurant to celebrate our friend’s birthday and asked for an extra candle to be put on top of the green-tea tiramisu (which is a must try) - but the staff went the extra mile and brought out a birthday cupcake, and sang the song as a group haha. Will definitely come back to revive the lovely memory.😊

had an excellent birthday, thank you for all the staff - got a birthday song and a free cake, it was stale but I appreciated the gesture netherheless - thank you

Great social dining experience where you grill your own food (precooked options are available too). The meat is good quality and tasty, if a little pricey for the amounts provided. Lots of different options, and the set meals give a nice variety. The biggest downside is that the tables are often too small for all the dishes, so things can feel pretty cramped!

Great bbq experience. Beef is delicious. Price is reasonable for the Kintan Course set menu

BBQ grill your own food, rib eye was very good, pork belly was good as were other assorted cuts of beef. The matcha tiramisu and vanilla ice cream rounded it off nicely.

Wish the service was good for money

Super fast service, reasonable prices and tasty food.

What a unique experience. Choose some drink (Prosecco and Sake), Choose from a large selection of meats and sides. Drink a little and then as the food arrives cook it at your leisure on the grill in the middle of the table. Knowledgeable, attentive and friendly staff was our experience, didn't need to wait too long for anything and whilst one of the more expensive places we'd eaten during our trip I didn't feel it to be overpriced at all.

Would definitely recommend to anyone to come here. Great food, great vibes and very authentic. Unbelievable. 10/10

A super atmosphere to eat and share, delicious options, an incredible experience

Long established (mostly) Japanese bbq establishment with some other pan-Asian flavours (think bulgogi, bibimbap). Has asahi lager beer on tap, usually has a happy hour or similar deal going, which is useful. The numerous set bbq packages are good value in terms of the bbq experience and quantity of food/meat. I think I had the “Ninja” set which included edamame, garlic rice, courgette/onion, miso soup, several cuts of steak, prawns and fried chicken. The griddle surfaces are regularly replaced by staff, meaning burnt bits are minimised. There was also a dessert included in the package (s’mores, which although not strictly Asian at all, are quite fun).

Lunch menu is ok. Normal menu is a little bit too expensive.

First time I went I couldn’t stop talking about Kintan, now however, quite disappointed. Meat tasted too sweet. Even if it had no miso/ sweet soy Service was great. Very cold inside.

Great value for money yakiniku in London, get busy so can be a bit of a wait. Only downside to the restaurant itself is that it is quite dark, felt clean but a little tired. Food however was amazing the beef was cut so thin and with the sauces and glazes it was so moreish!

Good experience, very expensive but the meat is pretty good, lack of vegetables

Really good food. The bbq experience is great - the food was great. Would highly recommend the garlic rice.

I have been to kintan many times and I always ordered virgin pina colada as I’m allergic to alcohol and they sent me the pina colada with alcohol in it- it was the second time this happened. I felt really unwell after the drink contains alcohol. Very disappointed. Be careful when you order the drinks.

We had to wait for service/food for ages. Had to remind them of our order several times.

We had 3 meats to bbq each and everything was good. Would recommend the harami and spicy pork. The karaage was juicy and the sauces/dips on the table were good. First time I was charged for chilli powder (1£) in a Japanese grill anywhere in the world though. The matcha ice cream was rich and tasty.

Me and my boyfriend was pre celebrating my birthday at 6 pm April 20th in the holborn restaurant. And the waiter knocked the food over on me and the oil spilled over my clothes. Though it ruined my big day, I thought I probably can clean them so I didn’t say anything. They still charged my dinner though wipe the service fee. But when I got home, the whole outfit can’t be cleaned at all. They are new and expensive. Please contact me through email as you see it.

Family barbecue. Very hearty and very fresh. Nice variety.

Great food and service, highly recommended

Excellent, first time for a bbq and I love the concept, I recommend 🤌

I had a really lovely experience here. It was my first time having Japanese bbq. The food was delicious and superb. I did not think i would ever enjoy barbecueing my own meal, but it was so fun. They did not scrimp on the portions neither. The drinks were good. The staff were friendly, attentive, and helpful. The atmosphere was great. I went on a Monday, which was happy hour. It was well worth it. I've told people about it and will defo be revisiting 😊.

Very nice food & great customer service. Will definitely be back in the future.

Fantastic Food, Clean, and lovely and helpful staff - what more could you want.

This is our second Japanese “do it yourself” experience and really enjoyed it. The food and drinks came out very quickly and would definitely return.

Very cheap and delicious for Yakiniku eaten overseas! The taste of the beef tongue was the same as in Japan and it was very delicious🫶 I made a reservation for 12 o'clock on a Saturday and it was empty for a while, but after an hour it was very busy🍖 If I miss Japanese food, I'll go again~

Absolutely loved this place. The food was good, although it's a bit hard to judge how long to cook some items like fish. There were a few beef items that were amazing though. Staff were friendly and attentive.

The food was tasty! I had no idea you had to cook it yourself which is quite a different experience. Came here with my sister and it was so fun, and fairly cheap as we came during happy hour. It was £30 something pounds for us both and the photo attached it what we got.

OK ambiance and comfort. Nice service. Poor meat quality and fairly pricey. Odd fixed type menus. eg menu for 2 with one small bowl of miso soup?? There are better table BBQ experiences in London - with Korean and Japanese.

I always visit this restaurant when I'm in London. The staff are always friendly and the food is always great. I definitely recommend going drung happy hour as the prices are lower.

Really good Japanese bbq, I would recommend it for date night just reserve before going.

It was great to experience Japanese Yakiniku style.

Amazing experience. Waiters helped in assisting our ‘chef’ experience.

Lunch time is the best time to visit. 2 types of meat is more than enough if you're sharing with someone else 2 deals (so 2 each,4 in total). Food is tasty, meat is fresh and grilling experience is nice overall. Definitely would recommend this place.

Nice cocktails and decent prices on happy hour offer, nice atmosphere. But the fish was tasteless! We ordered scallops, prawns and squid. A waste of money!

Nice cozy restaurant, all dishes were delicious, service was friendly however we had to wait long time for drinks and keep reminding our waiter for them. Definitely recommend the place 👌

The food was great, and the place was really nice. It wouldn't hurt staff to give a smile from time to time. That's why I couldn't give 5 stars.

I have been coming to Kintan for 8 years. The food is excellent, the service is fine, but it is all an excellent experience. Highly recommend checking the website for the happy hour times which are currently - 11:30-6 Tuesday-Sunday and 2100-late and All day Mondays. Happy hour gives ~50% off drinks and ~1/3 off food which makes it an absolute bargain.

This place is lots of fun and has very generous set menus. Everything was delicious and the staff were great!

Cibo semplicemente favoloso! Consiglio di prenotare e ordinare uno dei menu. Abbiamo scelto il menù per due e a fine cena eravamo davvero pieni! La qualità era ottima. Servizio veloce e cordiale.

Highly recommend. Especially for families. My son really loves helping cook the food. I like the meal deals. It can get busy so book a table.

Excellent cuts of meat and side dishes, you grill at your table. Liked the atmosphere :-)

Menu was clear, plenty of choice and the food was delicious. Service was good and the food kept on coming. Reasonably priced - we had the set menu for 4 which was just over £40 per head but there was plenty of food. Service charge was extra!

My friend brought me there for their lunch deals. Evrything was amazing and service was quick

We tried Kintan for a Japanese BBQ experience and it definitely deserves its rating of over 4 stars. We opted for the Meat Lover’s Course but swapped out pork for teriyaki chicken as we don’t eat pork. We also sampled kimchi and edamame. The marinated red meats and teriyaki chicken were delicious. The kimchi was nicely spiced. The garlic rice included in the menu made a great combo with the meat. The only item that was underwhelming was the tofu, as it lacked flavor. Overall, I highly recommend this unique and tasty experience.

It was New Year's Day, and nothing was open, so we settled at Kintan. We didn't opt for the BBQ; instead, we took it easy with the à la carte selections. The chicken karaage was delightful, and the fried noodles were exactly what we wanted. The service was welcoming and friendly. It was a nice way to start the year with our first lunch.

Receptionist was really rude and inflexible. We were 9 people and she wanted us to fit in one table. She even raised her voice at us when we said we couldn’t fit. Even before we finished eating they were rushing us out and she was already giving us the bill. We asked for still water in a bottle and they gave us tap water and charged us for it. The food is good but service is not worth it. We even heard the other table talking about how they ordered a different flavor of ice cream. They gave them a completely different flavor without asking if they were okay with it because they were out. Overall, very bad service.

Somehow the service here is abysmal - when we ask if it’s possible for some accommodation for our food intolerance, our waitress just started to give us a hostile attitude, then said she would check n come back to us but never came back. Instead just started serving food for us without letting us know if accommodation can be made so we could dine here safely. - Our order was messed up. Many things was taken down wrong and the correct items were not served until we’ve asked again a long time later. - Also never informed us of anything on the table that potentially contains food intolerance trigger until we almost finished everything. It’s a very bad dining experience given we’ve ordered 150£ worth of food. Maybe won’t return to this brunch.