NAN TEI Nottingham in Nottingham

Cosy little restaurant serving authentic Japanese food. Very tasty dishes, cooked fresh. The staff were very welcoming and accommodating. We thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience. Will definitely visit them again!

Food was amazing and so was the welcome. Staff really looked after us and left no stone unturned to give us a taste of authentic Japanese cuisine. I will definitely visit again.

Best food I’ve had in Nottingham.

Such a warm and wonderful space. Lovely and kind service ! Would recommend everyone to check it out in Nottingham that’s after a tasty authentic Japanese meal.

Amazing!! Like walking into a traditional Shokudo in Tokyo. amazing food very clean and great vibe. would definitely recommend.

This is one of those places where - in 10 years when they are an award winning restaurant - you’ll be saying.. “yeah, I went there when they were just building their reputation. “ Don’t judge them on their modest premises. The food is marvellous, their range of Japanese drinks extensive - including beers and saki - their approach is respectful (they’re Japanese!), helpful and fun. Their speciality is yakitori; we had chicken thighs and lamb, both lovely.., and that was after we’d had great gyozo and octopus balls! Eel and beef fishes followed. The food is simple, beautifully cooked and delicious. We had a great meal, exploring some interesting new dishes - and will be back again.

Great food, great service, great vibes

Highly recommend. If you want authentic Japanese skewers in Nottingham, this restaurant will not disappoint you. Try their chicken karage and crispy sesame chicken wings as well, so delicious and good to pair with beer or sake. Will be back for sure.

Delicious food and friendly service.

Top notch, delicious food at a reasonable price point. Absolutley loved it here and would highly recommend visiting to try it yourself. Will 100% be going back again in the future, hopefully multiple times over. - The service was fast and efficient. - Staff were polite, clear and helpful. - Everything we ordered was delicious and very good quality.

Seriously good food. Super welcoming and warm atmosphere. Amazing polite and helpful staff. Quick and efficient service. Great selection and variety of Japanese drinks. Will be visiting many more times in the future!

My favourite place to eat in Nottingham by a mile! Words cannot do justice to how good the food is here, and the atmosphere is always so relaxed. Staff are nothing but friendly and helpful which makes for a lovely all round experience.

Very very friendly, everything was delicious, I recommend the unagi udon, very delicious.

Great original food, at a very good price. The restaurant was very clean and the service amazing. Would go again.

Tasty food, generous portions and friendly smiles! We had a wonderful experience at Nan Tei - would go back if we’re ever in Nottingham. Each dish was freshly prepared, delicious and authentic. We ordered the nan tei salad, takoyaki, chicken karaage, tamagokayi, king prawn skewers, chicken thigh skewers and unagi don. All delicious in their own ways. My favourites were the tamagoyaki which was sweet and savoury! We also loved both the chicken dishes which were juicy and scrumptious. The unagi rice was also great and perfectly portioned. The hot green tea served in 2 pots paired perfectly with the meal. The dishes were staggered but served quickly. Thank you also for your great hospitality and welcoming service. 🥰

Had a great dinner with friends while on a brief visit to Nottingham. On a Saturday evening the restaurant was pleasantly busy. It's clearly a family business, friendly and cozy. Yakitori, dumplings, octopus balls and noodle soup were all delicious and full of flavour. Lots of traditional drinks, too. Would go back next time we are in town and recommend!

Genuinely the best Japanese place I've been to for a long time and certainly the best in Nottingham! The atmosphere was fantastic, exactly what you would expect from a mom&pop in Japan! Food was delicious and came out fast, and the service was second to none! The owners were so lovely. I will certainly be coming back here! Check it out!

Been here a couple of times and on both occasions, the only thing that's been better than the food, is the service! Having said that the food is amazing!! The lamb was a particular favourite. So good that we ended up ordering 2 additional plates of it.

Beef tongue skewers 🤌 Chashu Ramen 🤌 Great little spot for a banging bowl of ramen, Japanese beer, and some delicious skewers.

Food is OK but nothing special and the ingredients come from the freezer. Squid was disappointing, and there wasn't enough wasabi mayonnaise on the sausages to make the dish flavoursome. The dishes don't look expensive but considering the quality of the ingredients, the cooking method (grill) and the portions (small), it's not really worth it.

The service was very friendly and food was quick and food was amazing.

Tasty food and amazing service. Best gyoza I ever had and the lady serving us was lovely. Will be recommending to friends.

A very homey yakitori izakaya, where both the quality of food and the ambiance are excellent. Particularly recommended are the skewers, which are cooked to perfection with just the right seasoning. Given the quality of this restaurant, it deserves a larger clientele. A very family-style skewers and izakaya restaurant Food quality and environment are very good Among them, the skewers are especially recommended. The cookedness and seasoning are just right. The quality of this restaurant deserves more visitors

We had an amazing meal here. The staff were attentive and so friendly. A real hidden gem of a place and I couldn't recommend it more. We shall definitely be back!

Really delicious and authentic Yakiniku, I recommend the chicken wings and Takoyaki.

Fantastic food, great service, and a lovely atmosphere. You walk in here and you know the food is going to be good

I’m feeling a little emotional writing this review. We’ve just arrived home after celebrating my daughter’s birthday. We could not have chosen a better venue. If you’re interested in all the frills but no substance then this place may not be for you, however if you want good food (and I mean GOOD food), with a relaxed atmosphere, and friendly service, then you need to go here. Honestly I think we’ve now found our new favourite restaurant. Tonight was a highlight in what has been a difficult year.

Absolutely delicious, reasonable price, friendly and quick service, especially recommend the crispy wings, skewered chicken and takoyaki, we’re definitely going again to try more dishes :)

Authentic Japanese food and very friendly staff! See you soon!

Excellent food, friendly service. We got to try unique dishes that we haven't had anywhere else. The food came quickly and everything was delicious. We will be back!

Nan Tei is the little hole in the wall you should not pass up on! I've been intrigued by Nan Tei every time the bus I take into Nottingham stops right outside the restaurant. I've always thought about going in one day and finally trying some of their dishes. Today was finally that day. Upon walking into Nan Tei, you are greeted with a 'Irasshaimase!' and one of the friendliest smiles I have seen from anyone working in the restaurant business. We arrived just as they had opened so we were the only customers and no others come in during our visit. There were reservation signs on the tables, however I do not recall an option to reserve a table online, you may need to call ahead to secure a table for a large group. We were given the option of either sitting at the front counter, in view of the kitchen or near the window, we chose to be right at the front of everything. We were taken through their small but appetising menu and made our choices, these were confirmed with the staff in terms of quantity and options before being passed to the second gentleman behind the counter. The drinks are near the front counter and they have a selection of canned soft drinks and alcohol. For this visit we went with diet coke, however the Asahi and chilled glasses that were on standby in the fridge were tempting. A choice for my next visit I'm sure! We started off with some delicious gyoza and karaage which were both delicious and flavourful. The skewers also came out to us at a steady pace, allowing us to finish our previous skewers before the next ones arrived. All of the skewers were seasoned to perfection and tasted exceptional. Once we had received our Shiitake mushroom skewers, our main dishes also were served. I had chosen the Chicken Katsu Curry, whilst my partner went with the Beef Udon. The chicken was crispy and juicy with plenty of rice accompanying it. The Udon noodles were firm but in the best way and the beef just slides down your throat. During our time at Nan Tei we felt like we were back in Japan, just in any other Yakitori bar you'd choose to walk into. Handing our grilled skewers over the counter with a smile on their face that you can not help but smile back at. I'd highly recommend Nan Tei to anyone that's been intrigued like I was by simply walking past from time to time. The friendly atmosphere and delicious food makes Nan Tei a restaurant I will be recommending to many people as a spot not to miss out on. I for one will be going back in the future and making it a destination to bring friends and relatives too that are visiting Nottingham. Gochisosama Deshita, Nan Tei!

Lovely Japanese food with incredible service. I loved how you could see the chef cooking everything. The chicken wings were amazing and the Japanese sausages too. Can’t wait to go back. Real hidden gem in Notts.

Delicious food and great service

What an absolute GEM!!! Just left this little restaurant and bowled over by the super friendly service and the excellent food. We ordered agadashi tofu, sesame chicken wings, squid, lamb cutlets, edamame, gyoza, nan tei salad, prawn in chicken skin, tiger prawns, beef don and beef udon. Utterly delicious and the best Japanese food I have had outside of Japan. I don’t live near enough to pop back in on a regular basis but will DEFINITELY be coming back! Superb. Just superb!

The best Yakitori in Nottingham, the chief has been worked in 南蠻亭 (HongKong) one of the best Yakitori in HK, that’s why the taste is so good. The food is so tasty and fresh, I like the sesame chicken wing so much….no wonder that’s their best selling👍👍👍 , of course other Yakitori are also good👍. If you living in Nottingham or nearby, no need to go other place to taste the best Yakitori, just enjoy the food in Nan Tei.

Fantastic izakaya feel and food at a great price. Looking forward to our next visit.

Chicken wings (goma teba) are the best😋best authentic Japanese food we have had so far in Nottingham!

Quite the Japanese experience in Nottingham at Nan Tei! I was pleasantly surprised by this little gem, the food was amazing and authentic, the service was lovely, and the atmosphere made me feel like I had been transported back to Japan! Go visit this amazing restaurant and try their Takoyaki, chicken Karaage and the Chashu ramen! Everything delicious! 😋😋

Surprisingly authentic store with very good value for money. The menu is in Chinese which is very convenient for ordering. Worth visiting every day.

Amazing food. Lovely staff. Had a great time with my husband on a rare night out

We were fully content with our dining experience. We decided to come by for dinner after we went over the reviews others had left and it was a decision that proved to be delightful! All the meals were utterly delicious and we are sure to return here in near future. Staff are very kind, polite and accomodating. I strongly recommend Nan Tei to anyone who is keen to dine out in a superb Japanese restaurant in Nottingham.

Delightful restaurant with excellent food and service

We hadn't heard of this place but saw online when looking for somewhere new (to us) to eat. It's a real gem and a shame more people don't know about it. The staff were very friendly and welcoming with an explanation of how the menu worked. We had 4 or 5 different dishes and a couple of Japanese beers before finishing with hot sake. Service was quick and unobtrusive. The food was all delicious with the highlight being the prawns wrapped in chicken skin. We are already planning to come again and will be telling friends about it too.

Feels like being in Japan. Food quality is amazing. Menu doesn’t list vegetarian options, but they’re happy to accommodate. Best sake in town as well.

Delicious food, good prices and great service.

Great place for food with friends and family. Lots of dishes to share and really easy to order food. Staff are really nice!

The best of Japanese restaurant in Nottingham town centre.

I'd been meaning for a few years to give this place a visit and I finally got round to doing so, I really wish I did it sooner. Lovely decor and the food was delicious, the set menu was a very reasonable price too.

The food is REALLY REALLY GOOD!!! They look so nice and delicate. I love the cozy atmosphere & privacy here. It deserves to have more customers. I will definitely come back to enjoy the food. I appreciate it a lottt

Wow wow wow. I only stopped in for some small bits as it was below my hotel in the evening and I’m craving a taste of Japan before I visit next year. Quite possibly some of the best food I have ever eaten. Will stop by again if I’m ever in town. Couldn’t recommend higher. Also left my phone and came back to it exactly where I left it. Bravo

I went to this restaurant last night and I have to say I was very impressed indeed. This is one of the most authentic Japanese restaurants I have come across in a long time, I have been to Japan many times and finding a good Japanese restaurant is very hard to do in this country, that is affordable, indeed it almost felt like I was in Japan from the way I was greeted, to the way I was served and the way the food was brought out to me. Although it was a limited menu, compared to other restaurants that I have frequented in the past , where the menu  can sometimes be overwhelming , I felt it this was a good representation of Japanese cuisine , it was unhurried, it was laid back. I'm not a great fish eater,  so I had chicken dishes and I had tofu food dishes and at no point did I feel that I was missing out on not having good Japanese food. I would highly recommend this restaurant to someone who wants to be introduced to Japanese food as it was not expensive and the owner spoke very good English and so could offer guidance as to what to choose

Super worth it 👌🏼 😍 didn't took pictures of all our orders we finished it so fast 😆

This restaurant is absolutely incredible. The food was consistently delicious and perfectly cooked, the chef's always had a smile on their face which made for such lovely service. The restaurant is quite tucked away and very unassuming in its decor, but don't let that put you off, this is a gem.

This place has exceptional food and great customer service! The owner is really lovely. I always come back for the chicken yakitori and fried tofu, my absolute favorite!!

Absolutely lovely restaurant. Food was amazing, ordered the beef udon and the noodles were cooked perfectly, the broth and meat were also amazing. We ordered the 3 course set menu, the mochi ice-cream was sesame flavoured which was a great bonus! I reccomend the hot sake if you're old enough. Takoyaki was the best I've had yet, very creamy. Great atmosphere with lots of Japanese decor and music. Staff were friendly and very pleasant. Will definitely be coming back. ありがとうございました！！

What a great find. Understated, delicious, unpretentious food.

very cozy place. food was incredible, each dish got better and better as they came out. the two gentlemen who run the restaurant were very accommodating and friendly. i loved it all and will be returning. :)

Surprisingly delicious kushiyaki place for an unassuming locale on a busy road in a random city in England. Our party got all the vegetarian things on the menu (not a ton of options) and they stand up well when compared to what's served in Japan (I lived there several years). It's everyday Japanese food, not fancy, but that's delicious too. We were there after 9pm and it was quiet but hopefully this place is busy at other times. It certainly deserves to be

The gyozas are amazing! Only had a light meal with friends but it the food is excellent. Very friendly chef, highly recommended!

Fantastic food and service. Can’t fault. Go and go often.

Not Japanese run, frozen bought gyoza, small portions so expensive as a result and overall the food was very average. Wouldn’t go again or recommend.

Warm and friendly owners. My 7 year old loved it and really wants to go back. The beef udon was particularly tasty! Great quiet spot.

環境舒適, 服務態度非常之好, 食物好好味, 感恩有一個愉快的晚上。

Fascinating experience at Nan Tei, would definitely recommend the beef tongue yakitori and sesame chicken wings. Would visit again.

Very good food and genuinely friendly people.

Authentic and delicious. We always accidentally spend a lot because it's all so delicious and we end up in a food coma at home! Owner is lovely, friendly and happy to help. We love this place.

Hidden gem. Delicious food and a fantastic atmosphere.

Amazing tasty food and imported drinks, quite a small and casual place and not at all busy when we went on a Tuesday evening. The owner helped us choose our food which came when ready (not necessarily all together) and it was all incredibly tasty - gyoza, lamb chops, katsu with rice, chicken yakitori all fantastic. Will definitely visit again.

Fab small place with great prices! Starter and main for £13 and the waiter was super helpful in picking the meals and drinks. Will be going again!

Fantastic! Amazing authentic atmosphere, the owner is lovely and the food is the best Japanese food I've ever had! Will come back again soon.

What a pleasant find! I no longer live in Nottingham but happen to be here for a few days and thought I would try this place out and it turned out to be a surprise. The place is definitely good for yakitori so I urge anyone to try that before anything for your first visit, my favourites were the chicken thigh, it was done so well the juice bursts in your mouth while the skin is slightly crispy, the coating on it was a sweet soy and really complimented the chicken. Second fav was the ox tongue, it has a slight chew to it and had a great flavour. The crispy chicken wings (goma teba) was also deliciously crispy goodness and so juicy inside too! My fiancé had a teriyaki salmon and it was done perfectly, I wish the rice was slightly warmer though but that’s a tiny thing. Also one of the tiger prawns hadn’t had its black thing taken off properly so was a little off putting but I think that’s a small mistake because mine was clean. My udon was slightly over.. but taste is okay. The menu is on the smaller side but if definitely a better idea to have few items but have them done well. I highly recommend it! We ordered loads and it came to 80 in total.

This is a hidden gem- Great restaurant with amazing service! We loved everything we ordered. Really reasonably priced as well We will definitely come back

My sister treated me to this place a couple of days ago as a birthday treat. It very instantly became my favourite restaurant in Notts, and I've been to a few! A dinner that made our weeks. I had done my research on this place before so I expected to really like it, but wow the food is tasty! And the staff great. I definitely recommend trying out the Chicken Karaage and Takoyaki! The Miso Soup too. And the Beef Tongue! It's all extremely well-cooked and moreish. I love how charmingly decorated the inside is and the music they play (played one of my favourite songs - Sukiyaki by Kyu Sakamoto :), and the instant you walk in the really nice owner gives you a "irasshaimase"/welcome and it's like you are transported straight into an izakaya restaurant in Japan, along with the signature open kitchen and minimal furniture, and sound of steamy cooking. It's also similarly, very reasonably priced. It's always a hard thing to really know, but you very much get the feeling here the owners love their jobs and the authentic Japanese yakitori/ton-style food and izakaya experience, and have a lot of pride in their business and ability to offer that in this place - and there can be nothing better than that as a customer. I'm very happy I could get this experience here in Notts without the plane cost to Japan. Will definitely be back to try more delicious things when I have the money! Thank you. :) Also, on the "small" menu mentioned in other reviews - everyone should know the smaller the menu, the more heart put into each thing! And I definitely still felt spoilt enough for choice here.

I ate a beef rice. It is too salty.

Beautifully presented awesomely tasty bowl of ramen last night! Felt as close as I'm likely to get in Nottingham to an authentic Japanese eatery. Will be going back to try some of the other menu options.

A piece of Japan in Nottingham. Very welcoming people greeted us, the environment reminded us the small traditional Japanese izakaya. Not to mention the food, yummy! If you are looking for a welcoming place, without the words "Japanese" to indicate something else, where to spend a pleasant evening with the deliciuos food you would find in Japan, this is the place for you.

There really isn't anywhere else in town like this place. Family run, the food is simple but cooked well and importantly great value for money. Had the lamb rack, Goma Teba and the best Sake that I have ever tasted, Dassai 39.

Top notch Japanese. Lovely owners. Recommend the chicken wings!

This family owned Japanese restaurant is a little gem for Nottingham. Out first time here and not disappointed. Goyoza, teriyaki beef, lamb, sausages in wasabi sauce and a rice dish each with beer and Saké under £60.00. Absolutely awesome and will definitely recommend.

Amazing food. The staff were so friendly and helpful. Will be coming back again and trying something new on the menu. It was do nice to go to a family run place. Better than a chain.

Fantastic place offering amazing authentic food! Do listen to the chef when they warn you of hot food, it will be hot!

An authentic Japanese restaurant, which is owned & run by Japanese Family. The portion sizes might seem less at first, but after having them, somehow the stomach gets full pretty soon. The atmosphere is friendly & family members are more than welcome here. The family greets you I Japanese style & so is the serving. I liked the authenticity of the food & environment that they're willing to give. Foods aren't that pricy, just the right that's supposed to be.

Had 2 courses for £12.50, takoyaki (squid ink fried ball) and a beef noodle, which was a good value. Added capelin, small fish in a light batter. Fantastic decor and ambiance. The food are inspired by Japanese authenticity and cooking styles.

Best starters I had for a while!

Delicious food and nice surrounding

100% authentic, gorgeous little Japanese restaurant. We went to Nan Tei simply because there was a sign saying they had dumplings (gyoza) - we ended up having two servings of them as well as tamagoyaki and miso soup. Everything tasted absolutely delicious! The dumplings were my favourite but the soup was the perfect meal for a cold day. The owners/chefs are the sweetest people! There's an open kitchen so they cook everything right in front of you. As for prices, for all of the food we ordered it cost us only 12 pounds each -there's no extra service charge. I highly recommend this wonderful restaurant: 10/10 would visit again!

What a fantastic little restaurant. Friendly staff, good prices and delicious food.

We have to leave a review for this place! Chanced upon and boy was it good. See all the yummy pictures by others. Best tasting food! Very underrated as not in a very visible place and is a lone restaurant. But you have to visit it will be worth it 👍🏻

The food was delicious and the atmosphere authentic. Great service, lovely owner. We will be back!

Went to Nan tei to dine in. Had cheese and tofu yakitori and chicken katsu curry. The taste was good however the portion size is quite small. A nice selection of drinks. Good variety of vegan/vegetarian options.

Great little place. Friendly traditional atmosphere, lovely food and sake. Will definitely come again!

Great friendly service and the food and drink were fantastic. Would come back when I visit the city again. 乾杯🍻

We waited over 90 minutes inside the restaurant to get our food. I wouldn't be so mad if it was just slow cooking. The problem is that pork curry is spoiled, mouldy and has a strong sour smell. After just two bites, I started vomiting uncontrollably (sadly I had to act like a drunk). Whether it was an accident or not, I can't forgive any restaurant that sells spoiled food.

Nice mom and pop place. Small but delicious portions

The food is good af and the restaurant is so underrated. Price is reasonable and almost pretty cheap compared to other restaurants which they are no way near the quality of this. A simple Japanese restaurant playing some nice Japanese music run by a Hong Kong couple which they speak Japanese as well, this is definitely the place to go for if you are looking for some nice Japanese food.

Came here with my wife. it was my first ever experience of Japanese food. The restaurant was empty when we turned up which made me wonder if it was going to be nice but we went in anyway and it was fantastic!! Really friendly staff. Helpful with the menu. The Sake was delicious and the food was amazing. We stayed for quite a while and were made to feel very welcome. We had a lovely evening - Thank you very much.

Nan Tei has always been my regular spot to enjoy decent yakitori paired with beers/sakes. My personal all-time favourites: Crispy & Spicy Chicken Wings, Prawn with Chicken Skin, Mushrooms, Beef Tougue, and Chicken Heart. I highly recommend trying the signature yakitori which is beef tougue where you can enjoy the taste more by adding the chilli powder. Chicken Heart is an off menu item but you can always ask the owner to provide some options if you are feeling adventurous :) Ramen and Don are always available if you have a huge appetite. If you are new to the place and unsure about what to have, the owner Chi-san is always kind enough to recommend ;)

The food here is very very good and authentic, the chef and staff are very friendly and the prices are reasonable. It is all cooked in front of you, very much like in the restaurants in Japan. I ate here every night I was in Nottingham. I highly recommend this restaurant. I am going to work my way through the menu!

I found this gem of a Japanese restaurant on Google Maps whilst on a short visit to Nottingham. Small but perfectly formed. Traditional and extremely tasty. Must be a family run place? I wish they’d move to London but then I’d never find them.

This is a lovely authentic Japanese restaurant. The food we ordered was delicious and was good sized portions. The staff were very nice and friendly and were very accommodating to my vegetarian friend who was dining with me. The overall atmosphere was very relaxing and no small amount of charm, leaving us with a very memorable experience.