A new Japanese restaurant will be opening in Durham city later this year after signage for the store popped up in a disused unit.

According to the new signs and store front, the restaurant, Kokoro, will offer authentic and hand-prepared Japanese dishes, but also offer firm oriental favourites.

The store, which will accommodate Kokoro has sat empty on Silver Street since Hotter closed down – becoming one of several empty units on the street.

While an exact opening date hasn’t been set for Kokoro to open – many people have been asking what to expect from the Japanese food chain that already has 55 sites across the UK.

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Already, the brand has started out strongly in the Southeast of England before moving into London.

The Northeast Asia inspired restaurant serves a variety of options including hearty hot food, simple grab-and-go takeaway, and sushi selections with a focus on healthy food prepared freshly on the premises.

The Japanese restaurant chain company fared better during the pandemic in part supported by its strong food delivery sales when KOKORO Chicken Katsu Curry was voted as the most ordered items by Deliveroo in many areas including Brighton, Milton Keynes, Woking, and Chichester.

The Northern Echo: The Kokoro branch in Glasgow. Picture: KOKOROThe Kokoro branch in Glasgow. Picture: KOKORO

After spending 12 years building its brand in the outskirts of London and major towns in Southeast England, KOKORO opened its very first site in central London just last month.

However, after adding Manchester, Liverpool, and Leeds to its portfolio in the North and Glasgow in Scotland, Durham is now set to be added and here are some highlights from the menu to look forward to:

  • Chicken Katsu Curry
  • Sweet &Sour Chicken
  • Spicy Pork
  • Spicy Tofu
  • Vegetable Yakisoba
  • Salmon Teriyaki

Alongside that food option, they also do 40 types of sushi, as well as its sides, soups and starters menu, which offer plenty for vegetarians and vegans.

Despite the addition of the Durham branch of Kokoro, the chairman of the company, Rak Park, has said that more growth is on the horizon for the branch.

He said: “KOKORO is planning to open a total of 30 sites in England by early next year.

“After a decade of its streamlined and efficient operations in the southern parts of England, KOKORO is determined to be a major part of the UK’s vibrant food scene with its focus on providing authentic, healthy, and tasty food.”

So there we have it – there might be room for another Kokoro restaurant in the North East soon.

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