This Japanese restaurant is situated just opposite the Corn Exchange and stone’s throw from some of the city’s best pubs, clubs, theatre and music venues. The prime location is key, putting Pompoko –cross between a restaurant, cafe and a takeaway – in just the right place for a quick and inexpensive bite to eat before watching a play, a concert, or having a drink at a nearby bar.

Pompoko is refreshingly good value, considering the high standard of food on offer. You can eat well for less than a fiver and you’ll certainly be stuffed for a tenner. This great value is achieved by a simple economy whereby customers order their food at the counter. Owner Kohei Yasuda says: “I don’t have to pay for extra staff to wait on the tables, which means I can keep the prices down.”

Kohei, who came to Brighton from Japan ten years ago, aims to serve up simple, traditional, home-cooked Japanese food. The restaurant is Kohei’s second food venture, alongside Noodle Express, located on the Palace Pier. “Pompoko is different to many of the Japanese restaurants in Brighton,” says Kohei. “The food we do is more the kind of thing which Japanese people eat at home, such as curries, soups, noodle and rice dishes. Everything is cooked here from scratch.”

Pompoko’s interior is simple and clean, if a little stark. But the service is friendly and efficient and there is a pleasing authenticity to the place, which can be lacking at the more corporate Wagamama and Yo! Sushi.

While there is no alcohol licence, Kohei diners are welcome to bring their own booze.  Alternatively, you can do your digestive a favour and drink the healthy and surprisingly tasty Mugi cha Japanese tea.

Although not somewhere to stay for hours Pompoko is a pleasant appetiser to a night on the town.

Appetisers include spring roll, £1.80; barbecue spare ribs, £2.20; prawns breadcrumbs, £2.30; and sweetcorn soup chicken, £1.50.

Mains include prawn curry served with £4.20; oyako don (soya poached egg with £3.80; teriyaki chicken don (chicken soy sauce marinade), £3.80; buta chilli don in spicy tangy sauce) £4.20; beef stir-noodles, £4; and sesame chicken salad, £3.80.

■ Open 11.30am-10pm Mon to Thurs, 11.30am-11pm Fri and Sat, 11.30am-9pm Sun.