HUGE queues formed in Reading for the opening of a new Itsu dine-in restaurant.

The Asian inspired restaurant chain welcomed customers through its shiny new doors in Reading Gate Retail Park on Monday, August 9.

To celebrate the launch, the first 50 people who queued received £10 worth of Itsu money to spend inside.

The store told the Chronicle how customers had 'gone crazy for gyoza' dumplings at lunchtime, running the restaurant 'dry of chicken gyozas before the haul of customers in the evening."

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The new restaurant is the first ever full dine-in concept in the UK for the Itsu chain.

Unlike every other Itsu store in the country, the full dine-in menu will be served in traditional ceramic dishes to create an authentic and sophisticated evening atmosphere.

The restaurant is ideal for date night, family dining or a meal out with friends.

Julian Metcalfe, founder of Itsu, said: “With restrictions easing, there is pent up demand for eating out and we want to offer healthy food options that aren’t expensive.

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"With meals available from £7, the new contemporary dining experience is perfect for family dining, friendship catchups and romantic dates."

The new dine in concept has an exciting new menu, with mouth-watering dishes including; warm spicy edamame, steamed and served with spicy chilli oil and rock sea salt, sharing bowls that are perfect for evening dining like ithai noodles and sushi and sashimi, plus a selection of little rice’bowls that are a children friendly size of the hot menu.