Ugly Bird Japanese Restaurant

Featured reviews

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  Peter Goldsmith

  ·1 month ago

  “The Tuna Sashimi, Ramen and both the Matcha creppe and Yuzu Snow cake were incredible. Service was excellent and the whole experience was great”

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  Sue Jackson

  ·1 month ago

  “Gorgeous restaurant. VERY helpful staff, great menu, really busy- even though table booked for 17.00hrs- so booking is probably advised. Prices good, choice, excellent, portion size- just right. A really great restaurant.”

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  T S

  ·1 month ago

  “Took my man here for hid birthday meal. I must say what stunning food and service. Highly recommended 👌”

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  Si To

  ·1 month ago

  “Ugly Bird does not live up to its name. It is not ugly but with pine booths & Japanese lanterns, it is reminiscent of the cute neighbourhood Izakaya Japanese taverns seen all over Japan. And to add to that authenticity, their Japanese chef brings a bit of yakitori (grilled skewers) magic, artisanal sushi and 14hr tonkatsu ramen broth to the table - all the comfort foods often found in different establishments in Japan but here under one roof. We tried the recommended king prawn Thai style skewers (something you won't find in Japan) which were succulent, spicy and delicious. Likewise, the umami-rich tonkatsu would have been perfect except for the lack of a proper 'ajitsuke tamago' ramen egg. We did not try the beers, sake or Japanese whiskies but imagine these would make Ugly Bird a perfect place for grilled & sushi snacks with drinks with friends at the end of a long day. Highly recommend.”

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• R

  rich ashley

  ·1 month ago

  “Had my celebratory meal here! Super near portsmouth train station :) I love the chicken gizzard skewers that dauce wasnt needed. Good texture and seasoning. Prawn tempura - juicy prawn, crunchy batter, sauce could be improved Chicken gyoza - juicy flavorful filling, crunchy wrapper, good dipping sauce Unagi don - eel was tender, sauce on the sweet side, rice perfectly cooked, good portion size Mongolian beef don - beef was tender, sauce was interesting as I cant point out what seasoning was used (a bit on sweeter side too) Pork ribs bento - ribs were marinated well and was tender (again on the sweet side) Matcha crepe cake - matcha flavor was evident and it was not too overwhelming, the earthy taste of the matcha was good that it balanced out the creme Hokkaido chocolate snow cake - really good, perfect balance of flavors. The service was very quick. They have a loo. You can see the restaurant from the road. Accepts card payments.”

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  Timothy Turner

  ·2 months ago

  “The Ugly Bird has a questionable name, but the restaurant itself is insane. Walking in, it feels like walking into Japan itself. The restaurant is decorated very nicely and the music they play is also nice. One thing to add is that this Japanese restaurant uses a charcoal grill, my first time seeing this. The food came out quicky, and the avocado rolls looked nice. It is served with wasabi and goes well with soy sauce. I ordered the Teriyaki Chicken Bento Box, and it came with teriyaki chicken, 2 gyozas and some vegetables, but notably no miso soup. The teriyaki chicken that I ordered came out in 3 skewers, and was very flavourful. The gyozas were very crispy and tasted nice. I was very satisfied. 5 stars”

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• K

  Karyn Farrell

  ·2 months ago

  “From the minute you walk in, eating here is an amazing experience. The food is amazingly well prepared by a team that obviously really care about flavour and presentation, it’s very high quality and for a very reasonable price. They have plenty of drinks to choose from, both alcoholic and otherwise. The serving staff are attentive and work hard to make sure everyone feels cared for even when it’s busy. The owner is lovely, which on top of everything else makes it feel really worth supporting this business. I would highly recommend Ugly Bird to anyone and everyone.”

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• R

  Rain Low

  ·2 months ago

  “Hands down the best Japanese restaurant around. The flavours are unbelievably clean and authentic, the ingredients are top‑tier, and the chefs clearly know their craft. Every plate looks like it belongs in a magazine. Whether you’re a sushi lover, a ramen devotee, or someone who just appreciates exceptional Japanese cuisine, this spot sets the standard. Try the ugly bird platter, trust me you won’t regret it!!”

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• S

  Shaun Jackson

  ·2 months ago

  “Went to Ugly Bird expecting a bit more than we got. The Bento box was the strongest of the three decent variety and everything was fresh but the portions felt small once you factor in the price. The Godzilla roll looked and tasted the part but was heavy on sauce and mayo, which drowned out most of the actual fish. The chicken stir fry was the disappointment: perfectly edible, nothing wrong with it, but pretty bland and not something you couldn't make better at home for a fraction of the cost. Service was fine and the place has a decent atmosphere, very well decorated but would just want the food to match the aesthetics. It's not a bad meal, it's just not top-tier meal. Portsmouth has enough Japanese options that I'd try somewhere else before coming back.”

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  Flo Flo

  ·2 months ago

  “The Best Japanese Food in Portsmouth! Very authentic and incredible! Food is genuinely delicious, freshly prepared, and served with beautiful presentation. the staff are warm, kind, and attentive. Dessert is absolutely delicious and it’s perfect end to a great meal. Highly recommended and will definitely come again.”