The Willoughton Wanderer

"Eating my way through life one bite at a time!"

recent posts

about

Eating my way through life one bite at a time! My Willoughton Wanderer blog tells the story of my various visits to eateries, pubs and restaurants, both good and bad, on my travels together with the occasional recipe thrown in for good measure.

The Ivy Asia, Leeds

The Dragon Set Menu: Amazing Value, Amazing Taste

Thinly sliced seared beef tataki served carpaccio-style, topped with crispy shallots, fresh spring onion, and drizzled with ponzu dressing

We had been eyeing up The Ivy Asia in Leeds for a while, and after browsing the menu online my anticipation was sky-high. I considered booking a table, but in the end we decided to take our chances and walk in—much more flexible for us on the day.

We arrived at 12:15pm and were warmly greeted by a smiling host in the downstairs foyer, who quickly escorted us upstairs to the restaurant (there’s also a lift if needed). The dining room itself is a real surprise—almost a Tardis! It stretches on and on above The Ivy on the ground floor, with its psychedelic green illuminated floor and ceilings dripping in Japanese cherry blossom, creating a stunning Asian-inspired atmosphere.

Our waiter was attentive from the start, offering still, sparkling, or tap water before taking our drinks order. We opted for a refreshing Japanese soda water and took a look at the menus. There are two options: the à la carte or the Dragon Set Menu, which offers incredible value at £19.95 for two courses. We both went for the set menu.

For starters, I chose the Seared Beef Tataki—tender and delicate like carpaccio, topped with crispy shallots, spring onion, and a punchy ponzu dressing. Absolutely delicious. My wife picked the King Oyster & Shiitake Gyoza, generously sized and served with spicy yuzu dressing, black truffle, and coriander. We decided to share both dishes, which turned out to be the perfect choice—two excellent starters rather than one!

For mains, I went with the Gochujang Chicken, served with wok-fried choi sum, ginger, and sesame, while my wife opted for the King Prawn Katsu with rendang curry sauce, coriander, and chilli. Again, we shared—and both dishes were bursting with flavour, beautifully balanced with just the right kick of spice.

Overall, The Ivy Asia Leeds really impressed us. The setting is stunning, the service attentive, and the food simply outstanding. The Dragon Set Menu is excellent value, and we left already planning our return. A definite must-visit!

Golden fried king prawn katsu served with a rich rendang curry sauce, garnished with fresh coriander and sliced red chilli
Posted in

Leave a comment