Fresh Fast Food Giant itsu Celebrate their First Opening in Buckinghamshire

itsu has finally landed in Milton Keynes, having celebrated the opening of their first location in Buckinghamshire last Wednesday.

The Asian-inspired, healthy fast-food restaurant brand opened inside Centre:MK in Milton Keynes at 11am on Wednesday 14th December. The healthy haven of fast, nutritious, beautiful food will offer local residents and businesses alike a delicious range of hot & cold dishes to takeaway, dine in with their friends or be delivered to local offices as a fresh meal option.

“We’re looking forward to opening our first branch in Buckinghamshire while creating new career opportunities for locals on the lead-up to Christmas. Our new location nearby to John Lewis will be the perfect stop-off for those looking for a nutritious & affordable meal to keep them feeling healthy and happy throughout the festive shopping period.”
– Neil Miller, Chief Customer Officer.

itsu’s ‘steamed not fried’ philosophy sees their menu including hot noodle and rice bowls, fresh sushi and salads as well as their signature steamed gyoza and bao buns. The majority of dishes are under 500 calories, contain wholegrains, are rich in omega 3 and cost less than £7.50. The menu will contain all the itsu classics, as well as the newest Christmas special, ‘triple chicken teriyaki’, which is packed with vitamins, fibre & nutrients.

Alongside kombucha and green tea you’ll find refillable water flasks sold at a discounted price, with a percentage of sales going to the Blue Marine Foundation. State-of-the art digital ordering screens have been designed for lightning-fast service, customisation of hot dishes and instant access to nutritional & allergen information.

Customers can dine-in on bespoke elm wood tables surrounded by fresh orchids or opt for takeaway & delivery. itsu have taken inspiration from the Apple Genius Bar and have introduced their new ‘itsu senseis’ who will be waiting front of house to greet customers and answer any questions.

Students & NHS workers receive 15% off their bill anytime and everyone is welcome to attend the daily half-price sale of sushi and salads which takes place 30 minutes before closing and helps eliminate food waste.

What Pulse Magazine thought…

itsu’s new location in the Centre:MK was as busy as you’d expect at a lunchtime in the run-up to Christmas, yet the screen-based ordering system meant there was next to no queue to order or to collect. The business was already running like clockwork just a handful of days into opening. We had popped our order in, checked the allergens and received our food all within 5 minutes of arrival and then we were ready to tuck in.

We opted for some of the itsu favourites: the itsu classic sushi box with salmon nigiri, large prawn sushi with kewpie and chives, California rolls, salmon maki and baby avocado rolls; miso soup with tofu and spring greens; hoisin duck bao buns filled with aromatic duck, hoisin sauce and vegetables and the Christmas special – the triple chicken teriyaki rice bowl with miso marinated chicken, wholegrain brown rice, a medley of greens, vegetables, fresh herbs and teriyaki sauce. Everything tasted deliciously fresh and was a world away from the usual ‘grab-and-go’ lunch options which always seem to feel somewhat processed and unhealthy. We even saved some of our chicken rice bowl to take home – but ended up finishing it off in the queue out of the car park!

If you happen to pop along to Buckinghamshire’s first branch of itsu, let Pulse Magazine know what you think!

Address: The Centre:mk, Unit 159-167, 148 Midsummer Arcade, Milton Keynes, MK9 3BA

Opening hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-8pm Sun: 11am-7pm