There's stiff competition when it comes to restaurants in and around Shoreditch, thanks to a plethora of high-quality places to eat. But that didn't stop newbie UBA from turning heads upon its arrival to Great Eastern Street, brought to you by the team behind CLAP London and Sucre in Soho.

Having only just opened in April 2024, inside the luxurious Hart Hotel, this pan-Asian bar and restaurant exuded elegance without being stuffy, thanks to high ceilings, elegant red furnishings and glowing lanterns dotted around the dining area. We were sat right by the window, providing the perfect people-watching spot over this busy area, which contrasted with the peaceful vibes inside the restaurant. And though we arrived at 6pm on a Wednesday, just 30 minutes after they opened their doors for the evening service, within half an hour the place was practically full with equally eager diners.

This classy spot boasts sleek interiors.

Their extensive cocktail menu was calling to us as soon as we sat down, and I couldn't resist the Blushing Gheisha (£13). This consisted of vodka and Japanese liqueur umeshu, mixed with a sweet blend of lychee, sorrel, lemon and vanilla - served with a gorgeous purple flower on top. Equally as delicious was my friend's choice of the Shisho spritz (£13), a cucumber-flavoured concoction that tasted like a sweeter mojito, made with shochu liqueur, fruity Yuzushu and shisho syrup.

The UBA London menu was full of enticing eats from all over East Asia, ranging from sushi to dim sum. We chose two small plates to start, the first of which was miso caramel glazed aubergine (£7) - half an aubergine roasted until it was soft and tender, topped with garlic crisps, herbs and edible flowers. This was as tasty as it was beautiful, with a sticky, sweet sauce perfectly mixed into the smoky taste of the vegetable. Our second choice was the salmon ceviche tacos (£11), with some of the freshest fish around, complemented by the lime it was served with. These were also topped with a mouthwatering mix of avocado and masago roe.

The cocktails on UBA restaurant's London menu are definitely worth a try.

While you could easily make up an entire meal out of small plates here, we decided to try some of the larger dishes from their robata teppanyaki section. I decided on the Japanese mushroom and edamame yaki soba (£13.50), swimming in an onion teriyaki and green tea sauce. This salty feast was packed full of vegetables, with a nice contrast in texture between the chewy mushrooms and the firm peas among silky noodles.

My friend continued the seafood theme by ordering the crispy skin salmon belly (£16), which she literally described as 'melt-in-the-mouth'. The tender cut of fish broke apart with ease, topped with a beautifully crisp layer of skin and cooked in a chilli and brown butter ponzu sauce that had a subtle citrus flavour to it. This one was a real winner, but be warned that it doesn't come with any sides, so I'd definitely recommend ordering a small plate or two as well. We also ordered a bottle of wine with our mains: a refreshing Contarini prosecco rose (£39) with a blush pink colour and a lightly fruity taste.

Candy floss cheesecake? Sign us up.

Lastly, we sampled their dessert menu. First up was an omakase ice cream and sorbet selection (£7.50) - made up of a creamy vanilla, a rich chocolate and an intensely fruity mango sorbet. The latter was a little too sharp for me, but for real mango lovers it would be ideal, and the two scoops of ice cream were the perfect end to a flavourful meal. Our second dish was the indulgent vanilla tofu cheesecake (£9.50) that was definitely the star of the show - topped with a cloud of pink candy floss that we got to melt by pouring a sugary syrup over it.

The DesignMyNight Digest

For a spot of luxury without the sky-high price tag, UBA is a great choice - particularly for anyone living or working around the Shoreditch area, thanks to its convenient location. The interiors were immaculate and each dish was beautifully presented - especially the eye-catching tofu cheesecake with its colourful candy floss. Whether you're looking to split a selection of small plates or go for the traditional three courses, there are countless options on their vast menu, and the cocktails are definitely worth a try too.

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