London · Asian Food and Sushi · 20 New Change, by St Paul’s · Work Dinner for Three
Our table was by the window, the blinds were open, and St Paul’s Cathedral sat on the other side of the glass for the entire dinner. Every time I looked up from a plate, the dome was right there. That is a hard view for any kitchen to compete with, and for most of the night, I would say the food kept up with it.
This was a work dinner. Two of my peers and I had been wanting to check out The Ivy Asia, it was the place all three of us agreed on, and it happened to be close to the office. Here is what we ordered, the dish I would go back for, the one I would probably skip, the thing in the men’s room that nobody warned me about, and whether I would bring the kids. The bill is at the bottom.
This article is not sponsored. Nothing was comped, and we didn’t tell the restaurant anyone was going to write about it.
A Window on St Paul’s, and a Room That Is Fun on Purpose
The Ivy Asia sits on the second floor of the One New Change mall at 20 New Change, right across from the cathedral. The room is fun and colorful, with tall ceilings and bright theming everywhere you look. Cherry blossoms hang overhead, there is gold on just about every surface, and a green glow comes up from below. This is not a quiet, serious sushi place. It is more of a fun night out, and you feel that the moment you walk in.
The view is the part I would plan around. A couple of other reviews mention that the curtains are often closed, and I can only tell you about our night, when the blinds stayed open from the first drink to the last plate. If the view matters to you, and I think it should, I would ask for a window table when you book. I can’t promise they will give you one.
The Aromatic Crispy Duck Did Not Disappoint
I am a big fan of duck, always. If it is on the menu, I am probably ordering it, so the Aromatic Half Crispy Duck was never really a question. It came to the table as a bit of a production: a bowl under a glass dome, sitting on bamboo steamer baskets, on a gold stand shaped like a bird. That is what I mean when I say some of the food here comes out as a little bit of a show, for your eyes and for your nose.
What matters more is the duck itself, and it did not disappoint. It was not dry, which is the thing that goes wrong with crispy duck more often than it should, and the seasoning and flavors were fantastic.
If you are a duck person like me, this is the reason to come. If you are not, I think it might still be the one to share with the table.
The Yellowtail That Melted
The Yellowtail Sashimi with Truffle comes out as thin slices fanned across the plate, each one with a ring of jalapeño, shavings of truffle on top and a light sauce underneath.
It melted in my mouth, and the truffle was not overpowering, which it sometimes is in dishes like this. Next to the duck, it is the dish I think about most from that night, and the first one I would order again.
Every Plate Kept Up With the One Before It
We ordered the way this kind of place wants you to, lots of plates for the middle of the table. On top of the duck and the yellowtail, that meant two rolls, the Salmon & Avocado and the Spicy Tuna, plus the Mushroom Gyoza, the Pork Belly and the Gochujang Chicken. If I am honest, each dish was just as good as the one before it, and that does not happen very often when you order this many things.
The rice in the rolls was perfectly seasoned, with a little tang and a little sweetness, and the fish was very fresh. The spicy mayo on the spicy tuna roll was real Japanese mayo, and it gave the roll a real kick.
The gyoza came in a bright sauce with greens on top, the pork belly as glazed cubes with sesame and a creamy dip, and the chicken in a red gochujang glaze with lime and pickles on the side. The pork belly was tender, and the sauce was sweet and flavorful.
If I had to skip one next time, it would probably be the chicken. I think that says more about how strong the rest of the table was than about the chicken.
The Drinks Were What You Would Hope For
I don’t have pictures of the drinks, but they deserve a mention. Between the three of us we had red wine, a glass of prosecco and a couple of drinks from the bar, and everything was well balanced, served in the correct glass and not watered down. I think that is to be expected at a place like this, and here it was.
The Samurai in the Men’s Room
Now for the part nobody warned me about. At some point I went to the men’s room, walked through the door, and there was a samurai standing at the urinal, turned toward the door, looking right at whoever comes in.
It is a mannequin, of course. I did not know that for the first second. I was not expecting it at all, and it scared me for a moment.
Looking back, it is the most Ivy Asia thing in the building. The theming does not stop at the dining room. If you are walking a kid to the restroom, I would probably give them a heads up first.
Would I Bring the Kids?
The Ivy Asia’s own FAQ says children of all ages are welcome, and you can ask for a highchair when you book. On the night we were there, I did not see many kids, so I can’t tell you how the room handles a table of little ones. Looking at the menu, though, I think kids would definitely find something delicious to eat.
Where I land is this. It is great for a date night, it is great for a work meeting, and yes, I would bring older kids. If my kids were younger, I don’t think I would bring them here. It is on the pricier side, and this is more than a let’s grab a quick dinner kind of place. The food comes out as a little bit of a show, and I think that works best with kids who are old enough to enjoy the show.
Is It Worth It? For a Certain Kind of Night, Yes
When I think of London, I don’t typically think of sushi. But this place definitely gives a lot of high end sushi restaurants a run for their money. The duck and the yellowtail are why I would go back. The room and the view make it feel like a special night, and you will be telling people about the samurai the next day.
I would go back when I want that type of experience. For a quick weeknight bite, I would pick somewhere else. For the other London sushi dinner that surprised me, read our SUSHISAMBA London review.
What Dinner for Three Cost
Here is everything on the receipt. The Aromatic Half Crispy Duck was £39.00, the Yellowtail Sashimi with Truffle £16.95, the Pork Belly £27.50, the Gochujang Chicken £13.95, the Mushroom Gyoza £10.75, the Salmon & Avocado Roll £11.95 and the Spicy Tuna Roll £12.25.
The rest was two glasses of Malbec at £30.00, a glass of prosecco at £12.00, a Devil’s Fruit at £13.50, an Emperor Highball at £12.50 and two sparkling waters at £11.00. That made a subtotal of £211.35.
A 13.5 percent discretionary service charge of £28.53 was added, and the receipt says so at the bottom. The total came to £239.88 for three of us, about £80 each.
For American readers, that service charge is how the tip usually shows up in London, already on the bill. It is a real dinner out, and I thought the food was worth it.
Where is The Ivy Asia St Paul’s, and how do you get in?
20 New Change, London EC4M 9AG, directly across from St Paul’s Cathedral. The restaurant is on the second floor of the One New Change mall, so you take the mall’s escalator or elevator up. The escalator entrance is right by the F1 racing simulator place, which is the easiest landmark to look for. Check The Ivy Asia’s own website for current hours before you go.
Are children welcome at The Ivy Asia St Paul’s?
Yes. The restaurant’s FAQ says children of all ages are welcome, and you can request a highchair when you book. I would bring older kids and teens. With younger kids, I would probably pick a more relaxed spot, mostly because of the price and the kind of night it is.
What is the dress code at The Ivy Asia St Paul’s?
Smart casual. The Ivy Asia says no tracksuits, soccer jerseys or caps, and smart sneakers are fine. The room is dressed up, so I would lean a little nicer than you think you need to.
Can you see St Paul’s Cathedral from The Ivy Asia?
From a window table, yes. We had the cathedral in view for the whole dinner, with the blinds open all evening. Other reviews say the curtains are sometimes closed, so ask for a window table when you book.
Do you need a reservation at The Ivy Asia St Paul’s?
I would book. We reserved a table for three on OpenTable. The Ivy Asia takes bookings online up to three months ahead and says walk ins are not guaranteed.
Is there a service charge at The Ivy Asia?
Yes. Our bill had a 13.5 percent discretionary service charge added automatically, and it is printed on the receipt.
Is The Ivy Asia St Paul’s worth it?
For a date night, a work dinner or a special night out with older kids, I think yes. Order the crispy duck and the yellowtail, ask for a window table, and expect about £80 a person with drinks. For a quick, easy family dinner, it is probably not the right pick.
More from London: we have written up SUSHISAMBA London, citizenM London, the Montcalm East and the United Club at Heathrow Terminal 2.
Prices come from our own itemized receipt on the night, not from a menu site or an aggregator.
