London's culinary landscape for Japanese food has undergone a significant transformation, moving past the era of subpar sushi and ostentatious establishments. While high-end omakase experiences like Sushi Kanesaka and Sushi Tetsu remain premier choices, the city now boasts a diverse range of Japanese restaurants that cater to various budgets and preferences. From the enduring elegance of Kiku Mayfair to the innovative fusion at Juno, and the comforting reliability of Eat Tokyo, London offers an abundance of authentic and exceptional Japanese dining options.
London's Premier Japanese Dining Experiences Revealed
For connoisseurs of Japanese cuisine in London, the options are now richer and more varied than ever before. Renowned establishments are redefining the city's dining scene, offering everything from exclusive, intimate sushi counters to vibrant, long-standing neighborhood favorites.
At the prestigious 45 Park Lane hotel, Sushi Kanesaka, a Michelin-starred omakase restaurant with only 13 seats, offers an immersive experience. Stepping through its traditional noren curtain, diners are transported to Kyoto. The minimalist interior, adorned with hinoki wood and intricate kumiko lattice work, sets the stage for a delicate parade of dishes. Master chef Shinji Kanesaka meticulously prepares Edomae-style omakase, utilizing locally sourced ingredients such as Cornish crab and Scottish lobster. The menu features exquisite fatty tuna nigiri with rice from Japan's Yamagata Prefecture. Priced at £420 per person, this destination promises an unparalleled journey for those seeking perfection in sushi.
A true Mayfair institution since 1978, Kiku Mayfair exudes a calm and refined atmosphere. Unlike its more flamboyant counterparts, Kiku focuses on consistent excellence and unpretentious sushi. Diners can enjoy reliably fresh fish, from classic salmon and tuna sashimi to rare delicacies like Hokkaido sea urchin. Their tempura is celebrated for its delicate, lace-like batter, and the £40 lunchtime set menu—comprising yakitori, tempura, sushi, miso soup, and dessert—is considered one of central London's finest values. The Japanese Embassy staff frequently visit, attesting to its authenticity and quality.
Opening in 2024, Sushi Kyu on Brewer Street is the brainchild of chef Takamasa Mogi. This stylish yet understated spot serves exceptional sushi to 10 patrons seated around a hinoki wood counter. Guests rave about the innovative nigiri, including smoky seared Korean turbot and Spanish tuna topped with Oscietra caviar, all served on perfectly seasoned red vinegar rice. With a lunchtime menu offering salad, seven pieces of omakase nigiri, and dessert for £51.80, and a dinner menu at £89, it provides remarkable value for its quality. A pre-theater menu is also available for those attending West End shows.
Under the guidance of former Noma sommelier Yuki Kaneko, Yuki Bar in East London stands out with its French and Nordic-influenced Japanese dishes. The dimly lit, 20-seat venue, with a disco J-pop soundtrack, encourages a choose-your-own-adventure approach to its "snacks, littles, and larges" menu. Highlights include sesame-studded oeufs mayonnaise, homemade potato crisps with sansho pepper, and grilled onigiri, alongside rotating mains like chicken hot pot and beef tataki. It's an ideal spot for groups to explore unique flavors and expertly chosen sake pairings.
Chef Takuya Watanabe, previously of the Michelin-starred Jin in Paris, brings a meticulous approach to Taku Mayfair on Albemarle Street. The 16-seat counter, crafted from pale English oak, offers a theatrical dining experience. The omakase menu, while authentic, playfully incorporates British produce such as Cornish sea bass and Orkney scallops. A standout is the impeccably balanced hand roll featuring fatty tuna and pickled radish, wrapped in crisp nori. Achieving a Michelin star within months of its 2022 opening, Taku Mayfair is a formidable presence in London's luxury sushi scene.
Sushi Tetsu, hidden behind a pristine white storefront in Clerkenwell, is a seven-person omakase experience known for being one of the city's most challenging reservations. The husband-and-wife team, Harumi and chef Toru Takahashi, cultivate a warm, convivial atmosphere. The seasonal menu emphasizes the freshest market ingredients, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth sushi and impeccable sake selections. Situated along Jerusalem Passage, this restaurant offers a charming historical backdrop to an unforgettable meal.
For those desiring high-quality sushi without the formality of omakase, Uchi Hackney provides a perfect balance. This cozy establishment in a residential Hackney area features traditional Japanese design, inviting guests to remove their shoes and don provided slippers. Starting as a delivery service in 2015, it now offers both brunch and dinner with an exceptional menu of hot favorites like grilled pork belly skewers and deep-fried tofu, complemented by fresh sushi and sake. Its intimate setting makes it an ideal choice for a romantic evening.
With over 40 years of operation and eight London outposts (plus six in Tokyo), Eat Tokyo is a beloved institution. It consistently earns high marks for its generous portions and excellent value. The extensive menu includes sushi, sashimi, nigiri, chirashi, unagi, and bento boxes. A notable recent creation is the Wagyu with black tobiko, affectionately dubbed a 'sushi taco.'
Koya Soho, a Japanese udon noodle bar that opened in 2010, has expanded to three popular London locations. Famous for its freshly made noodles and dashi, Koya also features weekly blackboard specials, which have included grilled corn with miso butter and fried white bait. The Soho location operates on a walk-in basis, serving meals from breakfast through dinner.
Chisou, with two central London locations in Mayfair and Knightsbridge, offers authentic Japanese cuisine and an impressive sake selection in a relaxed setting. Their menu features seasonally changing dishes and exceptional raw fish, with options for sushi bar seating or intimate tables. Chisou prides itself on having one of the largest sake menus, with experts on hand for pairings and special events like sake and British cheese pairing classes.
On New Quebec Street in Marylebone, Roketsu recently relaunched as a rare kappo-style dining experience in London. Chef Daisuke Hayashi, a protégé of Kyoto's three-Michelin-starred Kikunoi Honten, takes a creative approach to traditional Japanese cuisine with French influences. Signature dishes include a crisp wafer with 10-day miso-marinated foie gras, Cornish cod with nori sauce, and flame-grilled wagyu beef with yuzu oroshi. The open kitchen and hinoki wood counter create an elevated yet adventurous dining experience.
For a unique omakase adventure, Juno in Notting Hill offers a quirky twist. Hidden within Los Mochis, a popular Mexican-Japanese restaurant, this six-seat speakeasy-like space boasts a "Tokyo-meets-Tulum" decor. Here, Japanese flavors are infused with bold Mexican spices, acids, and smoke. Dishes like chutoro with fermented jalapeño and red bream with lime aioli and Oaxacan flying ant illustrate this innovative fusion. It's an ideal spot for a lively group dining experience.
A timeless classic, Roka, with its flagship outpost on Charlotte Street, remains a popular choice. Over two decades ago, Roka ignited London's obsession with robatayaki. Dishes like lamb cutlets with Korean spices and beef fillet with ginger, cooked on a binchōtan grill, still deliver a delicious smoky, umami punch. The sushi is equally impressive, featuring new-style sashimi of hamachi in a yuzu-truffle vinaigrette and classic prawn tempura maki. Roka's bustling atmosphere contrasts with the hushed sushi counters of Mayfair, solidifying its status as a true London institution.
Jin Kichi, a beloved neighborhood restaurant in Hampstead, has a dedicated following that makes securing a table a challenge. This tiny, two-floor eatery is cozy, often crowded, and wonderfully authentic. While its yakitori is a major draw, the sushi and sashimi rival the quality of the city's most expensive counters. It's a place where chefs recognize regulars, and where even celebrities like Kate Moss and Harry Styles have been known to dine.
The vibrant Japanese dining scene in London offers an incredible array of choices, from the utmost luxury to comforting local haunts. This diversity means that whether you are seeking a Michelin-starred experience or a casual, high-quality meal, London has a Japanese restaurant that will undoubtedly exceed your expectations. The city's embrace of both traditional and innovative Japanese culinary arts ensures that every dining experience is a memorable one.
