Pompoko in Brighton and Hove

delicious food, no card payment though. not so nice staff …. and really small spot outside and inside

Coming all the way from London to Brighton for a day and seeing the great reviews and how the food tasted nice made me think to have a go at having dinner here. Well 1st, the welcome is a "Hello, eat in or takeaway" instead of an actual welcome (fast-paced restaurant so understandable) and then you're given a table right away which was good, but not as friendly as it seemed what is seen online. 2nd, It is CASH ONLY as they don't really tell people until you get to the counter, which they'll send you over to the Tesco a minute around the corner unfortunately to take money out. The food which I got was the Butterfried Chicken Curry whihcch was nice with the curry sauce, the rice felt quite mushy and dry and was covered with lettuce the size of half a ruler. It's now the evening and my belly feels odd so hoping it's just nothing major but have seen people become ill/sick a day after eating this food so will see how it goes. If you like cheap quick getaway food then I guess it's worth the try.

Food was amazing ; food arrived quickly

Best price-performance Japanese kitchen in Brighton. Same quality for years. Widely preferred especially by university students.

I really didn’t want to write this review as the staff were really lovely and the atmosphere was nice, however me and my partner came here 2 days ago and my partner has suddenly came down with food poisoning and has been really unwell for the past 24 hours with really bad nausea and diarrhoea and I am also beginning to feel unwell. He had the pork kimchi don so I am not sure if it was undercooked or something to do with the pork, however I had the fried chicken curry and it was only room temperature when served and the chicken was slightly pink inside also.

Amazing atmosphere, very very kind workers and food is very well priced and amazing! i especially recommend the prawn nanban.

Great spot if you are looking for a cheap option while keeping a certain level of quality. Food is ready within 10-15 minutes while being freshly prepared. Only takes cash and the chairs and place as a whole feels quite small in regard to seating and comfortability.

This place is a proper little hidden gem. The service is amazing, so happy we found it would definitely recommend. Food is very affordable, hot fresh and super tasty.

Sensational food, far beyond what I expected.

What a great little find this place is, been busy every time we go but they always do their best to fit you in and the food is quality

I heard it's a good Japanese/Korean restaurant. Very friendly atmosphere. We are all squeezed into a very tight space. Very busy when we went at 6pm on a wet Monday night. The good was ok. The rice isn't the same as I had in Japan. It was quite wet and soggy, which I found disappointing. The pork curry was tasty though. The spare ribs were too sweet for my liking but my fellow diners thought they were very nice and tender.

A very cozy little place, delicious and authentic Japanese food at a reasonable price. Highly recommend the Tori Chilli Don, it’s popular for a reason.

Fast food, nicely priced, unpretentious but unique. Recomend the breaded pork, did not like the tea.

We are staying in Brighton for a couple of nights and were looking for something relatively cheap for tonight so we can have a fancier meal tomorrow, but still wanted something more exciting than the fast food chains. Pompoko was perfect! Such good prices! Our food arrived really quickly and was delicious. The atmosphere isn't the most amazing but is suited to what it is - a good value independent Japanese place with quality food.

We loved it. At first it is a place that does not invite us to enter, but on the recommendation of a resident there we decided to try to eat and it was a super right decision. There are more than 20 Japanese dishes that you can choose from, the ones we decided on were all very delicious and they were also served very quickly. For starters we ordered spring roll and gyozas and they were very delicious too. The plates are around £8 each. Highly recommended

Fantastic food, people are so friendly. Defo will visit again :)

Authentic, so as you are aware, you live in the UK, you're in Brighton. Great food, great price, and simple, welcoming vibes.

Absolutely amazing restaurant - fantastic food and so well priced. Very busy for take out and eat in when we were there, definitely worth a wait if you want to eat in.

CASH ONLY - Great food, simple decor & large menu.

Love this place, a guaranteed quick and delicious dinner for a reasonable price. The staff are kind too. Thank you as always!!

Food was very good. Really liked the counter paying, very relaxed, super busy vibe. It’s not fine dining and don’t even t to be waited on, but that’s part of the charm. 2:50 pp corkage for BYOB but great to bring some cans in. Cash only btw

Love the food. My favorite is the Tori Chili don. It was so delicious!🤗❤️ Looking forward to going again next time. 😉👍

Simple and no frills but amazing food. Service is always super speedy and the food is delicious. Highly recommend the Kimchi Noodle dish that is a special, when it is on.

Had the worst food here literally paid £7.50 to eat plain rice. Ordered the Tori CHilli Don, and it was so bad. The chicken smelled weird and tasted like it was cooked 10 days ago!!! I'm seriously worried I will be sick tonight. (Will keep you posted) It was also so hard and could barely bit into it. Had to use my hands to tear it apart, but as said was definitely not fresh and had sort of a dull dark colour. I am not one to write bad reviews, but this was so so bad I just had to. In fact, I wrote this as was sat in the restaurant, hoping one of them would ask why I didn't eat any of the chicken but that was wishful thinking. I definitely won't be back. What a waste, though, because there were a few people coming in for takeaway and few to eat in, so there must be some good food somewhere in that kitchen. If the ToriChillii Don - chicken in a spicy tangy sauce - is not that popular that you have to use stale chicken, take it off the menu, please.

One of my favourite places to eat at in Brighton! Very quick yummy food.

Super fast food and so well priced.

Good place for a cheap and quick meal, cash only. The location is quite convenient. Very crowded inside but the atmosphere is actually not bad. Found one meal that I like and have been sticking to it for years. It’s the kind of place you go to if you don’t want a coffee shop sandwich but also don’t feel like a proper restaurant meal.

A cheap, no frills Japanese restaurant that’s CASH only. The food is filling and reasonably tasty without tasting like it’s riddled with artificial flavours and what not. Atmosphere is a little basic, but it’s to be expected. The upstairs has a nice large window looking down below which is pleasing to sit and eat by. Decent vegan options.

Lovely Japanese food. Fast service.

This transported me back to somewhere east of Brighton. There is an authenticity in the cramped layout, hand written notes, busy menus, warm staff and prices. Sides are £3-4, mains are £6-9, desserts are £3-4. These prices will make you feel old for a short while, reminiscing about eating out 20 years back. Most importantly, the food is solid. Meat (or tofu) with rice done 40 ways. A couple of the dishes were short on sauce (honey soy tofu and chicken chilli don) and the edamame were on the tired side. However, overall a very tasty, memorable spot that I would frequent often if I lived nearby.

It is cheap, but food is not tasty

Food was so authentic and great value for money

Brighton's best hidden secret. Amazing food and great value.

Lovely service, food is always not too expensive and tasty!

I’ve been going to this place for the better part of a decade, the food has always been delicious and cheap, amazing friendly staff and fast service. Unfortunately it seems they have changed the recipe of a favourite of mine: chicken nanban don. This rice bowl used to have some of the best fried chicken I’ve ever had honest to god, but I had it recently and it has taken a serious turn. The batter to chicken ratio was terrible, thick undercooked batter surrounding slithers of rubbery chicken. I have genuinely loved this place for years, recommended it to countless people but I was very disappointed with my recent trip, I really hope that this was a one time mistake and not a change to the recipe, although my friend also had the same experience. Their other dishes are good too, but this is undoubtedly a very popular dish that has been ruined for me.

Great food, great value, no nonsense.

Not sure what the good reviews are about. Pretty awful food that I’m almost certain was microwaved (food came almost instantly and katsu breading was soggy/soft). Cash only is backwards in 2023.

Came here on my lunch break. It’s cash only, which I only realised once I was at the till. But pricing is reasonable. Was asked the door right on entry whether I was ‘eat in or take away’, which took me by surprise but I guess it was straight to the point. I was taking away during my work lunch break. I ordered the tofu chilli don and was handed my food within a few mins. Tasted really good, and was a large portion size, which means I have left overs. I will definitely be back. Would be good for a group setting, where you can order a few items and share!

Had a fantastic meal, arrived very quickly after ordering and tasted great.

Amazing affordable food and fast service. This is definitely a local favourite! This is a must try in Brighton, and so affordable, basically all dishes under £9 and under. Just keep in mind that they take cash only :) The staff are so hardworking and provide good service! My favourite was the tofu chili don so far, they do also have a chicken version if you don't like tofu but the sauce is amazing, tangy, sweet and slightly spicy! The food is so comforting. If you want to try something different to drink try the hot mugi-cha, especially during winter time🎀💓

Over crowded and please accept card👍

Big portions, affordale prices and super fast service. If you are a fan of Japanese street food!

Amazing food, lovely staff and great atmosphere. Service is fast and food is so fresh. Would definitely recommend if you are in the area!

They don't sell alchohol but, I could bring my bottle 2.5 pound per person. it's reasonable. Food was good. I will visit again if I go brighton.

Delicious and down-to-earth Japanese-inspired dishes at reasonable prices. Quick and friendly service. Don't forget to bring cash like I did!

Nice food, quick and friendly service, and the food is served quite quick too. Decent prices and good portion size.

This place is just amazing all round, highly recommended!

Always love Pompoko! Great food and value. My fave dish is their unagi don (eel with rice).

Brighton gem. Cheap, amazing food. Great vegan options and brilliant atmosphere. Love this place. Get the yubamaki starter, you won't be disappointed 🙂

We have been here a few times! We have gotten: - chicken katsu curry - pork and kimchi (my favourite) - spicy fried chicken don (tori chilli don) - gyoza - oyako don All delicious. Cash only.

After reading all the high reviews me and my girlfriend ordered the fried chicken curry and teriyaki chicken Don. The chicken tasted cheap and chewy and the curry was hardly even hot. It was not a pleasant experience and although the prices decent and service fast - we would not recommend going here or if you do be careful what you order

La comida y el servicio inmejirables. El lugar es un lugar pequeñito y muy acogedor. Importante a tener en cuenta: 1. Solo se puede pagar en metálico, pero cuentas con varios cajeros automáticos cerca. 2. No venden bebida, puedes llevarte tu propia bebida si pagas 2'5£. Lugar donde volvería para probar el resto de menú. Cuenta con postres, pequeños platos y platos individuales con bastante cantidad para una persona.

A main stay of Brighton for many years prior, and hopefully many to come. I visited here most weeks as a teen growing up, and returning after many years, the food quality is the same, service is still just as fast and the prices still incredibly reasonable for some high quality Japanese cuisine.

I have been coming to Pompoko for many years since when I used to live in Brighton. It is so affordable and the food is so tasty. You cannot go wrong! I love the Japanese atmosphere and that the menu caters for so many tastes. Highly recommend!

Great japanese food. Reasonably priced. A cools student hangout

Local favourite that has been in Brighton for years. Cash Only. Can BYO drinks for extra £2.50 a head. The starters and proteins are always cooked to perfection. Sadly of late the standard served rice has been really wet which is a huge no-no! You can order fried rice if you prefer however. The BIG problem is that this Restaurant the Stairway and Toilets, are all horribly grubby and dirty. I can only imagine it's hard to keep clean given the size of the place and the footfall, but this place hasn't had a revamp for a VERY long time. They do however do takeaway, and have friendly staff. Decision is yours...

Great food for the price. Always quick. Always busy!

There service was decent, and it was fairly busy with a okay buzz. The starters were good, particularly the gyoza. I would have expected some seasoning on the Edamame beans, it seemed like they were just steamed. The mains were fairly bland if I'm honest. I got the Pork Katsu rice bowl and it wasn't anything to shout about.. I had to put more soy sauce on myself. Also it's cash only, and we all know what the means 😂

Lovely little place to have Japanese food. Umai! Good prices and good quality.

Great place, delicious food, and kind service. They only take cash, but they compensate with great prices and good-sized portions. They don't serve alcoholic drinks; however, you can bring your own drink (for a small fee per person), and they will even provide you with glasses to enjoy it properly. I will definitely be back.

One of my favourite Brighton haunts. Great food delivered to the table promptly. The prices are great for the amount of food you receive!

The food is cheap enough but the flavours aren't that authentic, at least from what we ordered. Overall it's good value for money so if give it a solid 4.

Really good Japanese food and ridiculously cheap. Staff are super friendly and nice. Remember to bring cash!

I know hospitality in Brighton...I've worked in it , I have delivered it and I have sampled many bits of it... This place is no McDonalds, It has not many bored staff, but it has many features of a very disappointing experience , not lease the price the owners are trousering at your expense! I started by ordering Tariyaki Chicken Dom with Fried Veg Rice and a Edamame Salad side. it cost £ £20. What I recieved was 5 pieces of stringy chicken each smaller than a chicken egg and 4 cupfuls of rice stooge, two of which had half a cup of peas and half a cup of diced carrot The side " salad " consisted of a cupful of uncooked runner beans. If your an 18 year old student existing on a diet of pot noodles and baked beans then this might be acceptable BUT I am most definingly not of that demographic. The owners must be laughing all the way to ...etc etc.

Good food and cool staff and solid prices

My daughter and me popped in today, i had vegetable noodles and she had chicken in breadcrumbs curry. I love the noodles here. And my daughter enjoyed her meal. It's always busy, but it never takes too long to get your food.

The food is SO good, the Restaurant itself ist a bit smalltalk down stars but still cute

Note: It's Cash Only! Very cheap, decent taste, and quite authentic. We got the special unadon (eel on rice) and an Oyakodon (chicken & egg on rice), and a miso soup. Miso soup tasted very soybean-y than your typical one - portions of the other two were absolutely massive, which is amazing value for the price you pay.

The service was so bad we couldn’t even stay for food although the food looked amazing

The food looks ok but taste horrible. Maybe it modified and more suitable for British, but for me i want to taste some traditional Japanese food and this is the worst i tried in British.

We had a dinner for four and it was freshly made for us. It was good.

I got the sesame chicken don it was super bland and barely any sauce on it. Cash only restaurant btw. Good service

Delicious food, I got the chicken teriyaki, was so good for a good price

One of my favourite little spots in Brighton. Authentic, lively, and excellent service. Yubamaki and Chilli Don are 10/10. Bring your own booze :)

Good food, nice staff and decent prices. Recommended.

It is filling and very nice. There are many rice bowl menus and Japanese curry dishes. Sides are very nice too. I would go before and after lunch time for relaxing eating time and it gets really busy. ... although, they have upstairs seats as well. So maybe it's not that bad. This place serves almost authentic Japanese food and it is reasonably priced. Quick food.

Lovely place to have Japanese food. Like option 39, and 29. Noodle was delicious. Gyeza and spring rolls were tasty. No reservation, only walk-in option. No card, only CASH. Opens till 11pm. You need to pay when you order in the cashier. Small place with limited seating area. Lovely employee during our dinner. Bring your own drink is £2.50/per person.

I would compare it to a good takeaway in terms of quality and price due to it's low prices and above average food. It is tasty, and surprisingly filling. The food does not look like much but it certainly is plenty. It's very small inside but somehow, it adds to the atmosphere and I actually don't mind it.

Bit small and cramped however food is spectacular. I’ve been so many times. Fast, fresh, and very aesthetically plated

Poor, poor service. Walked in and saw a sign that said additional seating is upstairs. I proceeded to walk upstairs before being stopped by a taller man with graying hair who gave me a stern look before handing me a menu, telling me “I’d need it.” Ok, I thought. Seemed like he was overwhelmed by amount of people in the restaurant. I walked upstairs with my friend and it was completely empty. I sat down, waited for what seemed like forever before the waiter came upstairs to start setting the table beside me. He did not ask if I was ready to order, or if I needed water. He just walked back downstairs. Then, after another few minutes another woman walked upstairs, sat down, and he hurried up to give her her food. She was shocked at how quickly her food arrived. At that point, it became clear he was purposefully ignoring us and had no intention of serving us. My friend and I left, but they need to get rid of him. He lacks customer service skills and basic human decency.

Its Amazing I love it soooooo much 😍

Tofu with chili was literally tofu and ketchup flavoured sauce with a few chili flakes ! Miso soup only grey stock, no flavour at all. Edamame beans straight from the freezer, not even salted. Rip-off, cash only place with no service so regretting terribly that I wasted my money and got just hangrier than I was before the meal.

Great for quick eats, just remember to bring cash

I can’t recommend it enough! Food was so tasty I’ve been twice in same day. Prices reasonable and service is so quick.

Great little restaurant, tasty food, friendly staff - I will come back and give it 5-stars the moment they start accepting card payments. It's 2023 and the only time I ever get cash out is when I want a Pompoko

im sad i have to write this but i came there on the 15th of july with my family and we ordered food,the food was soso but then the next day all of us got food poisoning ive thrown up twice and my relative about 7 times i do not recommend all of my family members have been feeling sick ever since!!! we all had diarrhoea,vomiting and fever the 5 of us were so sick today and yesterday we used to come here alot but i dont know what happend i sadly don’t recommend

Rapid service and yummy food. Perfect if you want a quick bite on a budget. Make sure to bring cash as it is cash only. I recommend the takoyaki and ebi chilli don 🍤

Hugs: dei tek berre kontant, så du må ta ut pengar før du dreg hit. Ganske autentisk japansk restaurant, som er veldig street food. Difor litt enkelt og litt travel stemning. Dei serverar ikkje sushi, men mykje anna godt som er å finne i det japanske kjøkken. Eg kjøpte ein risbolle med fritert kylling i teriyakisaus, det var veldig godt! Maten var og veldig rimelig.

Amazing food for the price - found the sauce a little bit stingy last time i was there but brilliant quick meal for around a tenner, lovely staff & byob!

It is an excellent value-for-money cash-only restaurant! I loved it during my Uni years, and I was yearning for some dishes during my visit after so many years. My favorite dish, "Takoyaki," was different from what I remembered. The balls were a bit dry, and the sauce that used to be more generous was merely sprinkled. I will plan another trip to Brighton, and I hope I catch them on an off day.

Don't take card .food was hot and tasted good

Review from a visiting Asian, who is very familiar with Japanese cuisine: Ordered mixed yakisoba (fried noodles), serving size much better than donburi offered at about the same price point. The stir fried beef was a bit dry and tough, chicken was tender, prawn was good size and bite. Ribs were tender , honey glaze was slightly too much to my liking. Cash only.

It's what you would expect for the cheap prices. The puddings are nice, mochi ice cream especially. The stir fry wasn't great, came cold, but all the rice dishes are perfect considering the prices.

Went here for the first time today after friends telling me how good it is. Amazing food, decent sized portions and the staff were lovely :)

Strongly recommend this place!The price is decent and the food is really nice. Also, the staff is very friendly. The only issue I have with this place is that it’s cash only. Anyway, easy choice, 5 stars.

Good food at a good price. Cash only!

Always good. Just a lovely cosy venue with great food and unbelievable fast service.

Amazing food, really friendly staff, cheap prices. First time I have tried Pompoko and was amazed, not only was the service good and really quick but the food was very tasty. Excellent choice on the menu but the prices were reasonable as well. The place was very clean. The only 2 things to note were,it's cash only and its bring your own alcohol where there is a small charge for.

Best place for cheap tasty food in Brighton, no frills but no complaints here

sometimes the middle of the rice is mushy other than that it's pretty tasty and fast service