YO! Manchester Arndale

YO! has been long been one of the more appealing options when it comes to quick and easy dining in Manchester Arndale. With helpful, friendly staff and quick service, it’s a reliably good option for hearty, healthy Japanese-inspired food. And we’re here today to try one of the newer options, the Ongiri Katsu Krunch, which is made with, believe it or not, crushed Doritos.

It consists of a layer of shredded spicy chicken sandwiched between triangles of sushi rice and wrapped in sheets of nori. But the outside layer is a coating of Chilli Heatwave Doritos, then the whole thing is fried until crisp and placed on a bed of katsu sauce, and topped with pickled red and spring onions.

It’s great to see the major players taking steps to protect the environment, in terms of fish and promoting plant-based options

It might sound odd but it works like a charm. It’s a fine East-meets-West collaboration and the Dorito coating doesn’t overpower but rather adds a desirable crunch and a pleasing umami hit to this bite-size treat. The katsu sauce is as good as it gets for those quick on-the-go bites to eat, and the whole package is well worth it for just over a fiver.

Happily, there’s a vegetarian version too, the Spicy Shiitake Mushroom & Sushi Rice, which packs the same powerful flavour punch but this time plant-based. This is slightly cheaper at £4.95, and you’d be hard-pressed to find any real difference between the two. They both look and taste great and make for an excellent mid-day snack if you happen to be out shopping.

If you’re feeling hungry and want to add some more traditional dishes to your order, it’s worth noting that YO! sources all its fish from reputable suppliers, with the sustainability of at-risk species a top priority. As eco-friendly practices become ever more important, it’s good to see the major players taking steps to protect the environment, in terms of fish and promoting plant-based options.