1Dish4TheRoad
"1 Dish 4 The Road".. Fusing food writing with whatever else I find on the road – fiction, history, poetry, humour, diversity, family stories & London.

KOYA BAR in 7 Haikus

Honouring Koya Bar in Soho London with seven haiku poems

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

 

The counter at Koya Bar London at breakfast time - calm and serene.

 

Koya Bar London has the most intriguing chalkboard menu

 

Koya's version of kedgeree provides a unique twist on breakfast

 

Still life photo of teapot and chopsticks in black and white

 

Curry udon and poached egg - a unique twist on breakfast

 

An array of Japanese jugs atop the noodle bar counter

 

Bubbling pot filled with stock and mushrooms

 

Koya Bar London chefs waltz like clockwork in the kitchens

 

Chef at work making Japanese noodles behind the kitchen counter

 

Still life photo of a jug of soy sauce at Koya Bar London

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14 Comments

  1. Neha
    24th March 2019 / 9:12 am

    This sounds like my kind of place.. yum!

    Reply
    • aaron
      Author
      27th March 2019 / 6:56 am

      It’s a little gem, Neha!

      Reply
  2. jennybhatia
    24th March 2019 / 11:01 am

    I love this idea. Very creative and heartfelt way to describe your experience. And this place looks delicious.

    Reply
    • aaron
      Author
      27th March 2019 / 6:58 am

      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..

      Reply
  3. bejalgosaiBejal
    25th March 2019 / 8:07 am

    Love this concept, menu and the narrative in photos!

    Reply
    • aaron
      Author
      27th March 2019 / 6:59 am

      Thanks so much, Bejal!..

      Reply
  4. Ian Matthews
    25th March 2019 / 9:33 am

    Interesting and looks tasty-your blog the best email link I will receive all week!

    Reply
    • aaron
      Author
      27th March 2019 / 7:00 am

      Thanks Ian! Glad it helps provide some respite from those ‘outcoming appointment’ emails!..

      Reply
  5. Aimee D.
    31st March 2019 / 9:45 pm

    This looks amazing. And your pictures are gorgeous!

    Reply
  6. Binny
    13th April 2019 / 8:29 am

    Aaron you are so talented and so so creative!!! Love the photos too

    Reply
    • aaron
      Author
      13th April 2019 / 8:30 am

      Thanks so much, Binny! That’s really kind! It’s a very photogenic place, it has to be said..

      Reply
  7. Laura
    14th April 2019 / 10:32 am

    Sounds delicious!

    Reply
    • aaron
      Author
      14th April 2019 / 11:25 am

      This place is such a little gem.

      Reply
  8. Emma @ Adventures of a London Kiwi
    25th May 2019 / 2:06 am

    Love love LOVE this!!

    Reply

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