Amid Soho’s din,
A pot is gently bubbling.
Steam slowly rises.
*
A radio plays.
Mushrooms jostle in water.
Chefs waltz like clockwork.
*
Spring showers outside.
Ginger syrup warms my lips.
Windowpanes shelter.
*
Once they knew the sea,
Now fish hang in wisps of smoke:
Koya kedgeree.
*
Five saucepans sizzle
On halos of cobalt flame.
Tokyo Olympics.
*
Into liquid broth,
The jade seaweed releases
Its ocean secrets.
*
Tranquil Koya Bar,
Its pots and pans tinkling.
Rhythms of silence.
*
Koya Bar is an unassuming Japanese noodle bar in London’s Soho. In the mornings, it’s a little oasis of calm, with just the sounds of the kitchen – the rolling boil of water in a pan, a sizzle of oil, pots clinking and clattering – in evidence. To capture this unique feel, as well as the Japanese-style of the cooking, I thought why not do a review of Koya Bar in the form of haikus. And so this piece. If you’re interested in other poetry I’ve written, feel free to check out my Masterchef poem and rhyming review of Nanban.
Koya Bar
This sounds like my kind of place.. yum!
Author
It’s a little gem, Neha!
I love this idea. Very creative and heartfelt way to describe your experience. And this place looks delicious.
Author
Thanks so much, Jenny. The haikus have been fun to create, and it’s a form that just seems to capture the spirit of the place..
Love this concept, menu and the narrative in photos!
Author
Thanks so much, Bejal!..
Interesting and looks tasty-your blog the best email link I will receive all week!
Author
Thanks Ian! Glad it helps provide some respite from those ‘outcoming appointment’ emails!..
This looks amazing. And your pictures are gorgeous!
Aaron you are so talented and so so creative!!! Love the photos too
Author
Thanks so much, Binny! That’s really kind! It’s a very photogenic place, it has to be said..
Sounds delicious!
Author
This place is such a little gem.
Love love LOVE this!!