Authentic vegan food in Brighton isn't too hard to come by, as one of the best places in the country to be meat-free. But Japanese vegan food? That can sometimes be a push. Naturally, Japanese food celebrates the sea and its many treasures, alongside grilled meats (such as bincho or yakitori), but not all of those flavours are easy to translate into vegan cuisine. Unless you're Bonsai Plant Kitchen. This was my third visit, but was it going to be a three-time gold medal?
DesignMyNight’s Review Of Bonsai Plant Kitchen In Brighton
Bonsai Plant Kitchen is a sharing plates concept that needs to be tried at least once.
Need To Know:
- Address: 44-45 Baker Street, Brighton, BN1 4JN
- Area: Near London Road
- Cuisine/Theme: Japanese
Ambience & We Think Perfect For
- Atmosphere: It's dark, and it's moody, but it's always vibrant. The music is 'lively', but doesn't detract from your overall experience. It's meant to emulate Tokyo street food culture, and does a fantastic job of it.
- Perfect For: I've always treated this as a date night spot, but it's also always packed with friends getting in a good time, as the sharing plates concept works perfectly for bigger tables, even in the smaller space. Therefore, if you're in the business of celebrating, this is a great place to do so in Brighton.
Service & Price
- Service (Out Of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Value For Money (Out Of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Cost: £150-ish total, for 3 cocktails per person, and 5-6 sharing plates. This was our anniversary meal, so we did go all out, but BPK do great offers at the weekend and mid-week too.
Menu Highlights (5 maximum)
Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Mongolian 'Lamb' Skewers (£7.75) - Two small skewers serving up sauce-drenched vegan lamb wouldn't necessarily sound like a signature dish to most, but I've come to know BPK for this dish alone. Compact and rich flavours, one skewer per person is enough to fall in love. The beetroot pickled shallot bites through the sauce, but the smart spices along with the heat from the fire are undeniably moreish.
- Tempura Cauliflower, with Bonsai Korean Hot Sauce (£8.50) - Tempura can be tricky, and it's batter dependent, but BPK have nailed their recipe. Along with their signature sauce, and sesame, it's a great spicy breakthrough alongside other plates, and in my opinion goes perfectly with their charred/scorched rice.
- Chef's Selection Of Pickles (£4.50) - Simple, but necessary. These help cut through all of the savoury touches on the menu, but are so well-pickled I almost asked the kitchen for their vinegar brand and ratios.
Drink: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Picante Margarita (£13) - This cocktail has been a staple on the menu all three times we've visited, and it's easy to see why. Nothing to be scared of spice-wise, it packs a subtle heat, but the fresh lime cuts through the savoury notes on all dishes.
Our Overall Experience At Bonsai Plant Kitchen
DesignMyNight Review Out Of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bonsai Plant Kitchen has never let me down. It's the first vegan restaurant that I recommend in Brighton, and often the last. Even on a third visit, trying many of the same plates on rotation, it excites the palate, and their use of modern and traditional methods is celebratory, always. Making the most of premium Japanese charcoal, mixed with umami, Bonsai Plant Kitchen is the definition of delighting diners, and each morsel was made better by the last. The only letdown? I was excited to get my hands on the fan-favourite, charred cabbage with seaweed butter and pickled beetroot but it was off-menu this night. But it's okay, because my 4th booking isn't far off, and I'm sure I'll find another favourite as they continue to menu-test.
