10 Of The Best Japanese Restaurants In London

Forbes

2 days ago

London is a haven for Japanese food lovers, offering everything from Michelin-starred dining experiences to cozy izakayas and late-night noodle spots. Whether you're in Soho, Mayfair, or Knightsbridge, the city serves up a diverse range of Japanese restaurants that cater to every palate and budget.
Scallops at Taku, an Omakase in Mayfair, London Taku
A visit to Taku, a 16-seat Michelin star Omakase ('I'll leave it up to the chef') restaurant in Mayfair is a special experience. Brothers Geoff and Lucas Leong, who have been bringing East Asian cuisine to London for the past four decades, are behind this innovative gem. Successful ventures have proceeded Taku including Dumplings Legend in Chinatown and Koi Kensington. They're clearly doing something right at Taku having achieved a Michelin star in just four months after opening in 2023. The Head Chef Long Ng and Head Sushi Chef John Park trained under Chef Takuya (Taku) Watanabe, the founder and Chef Patron of Jin Paris, who made history by establishing the first Omakase restaurant in Paris to receive a Michelin star. The Omakase lunch at Taku is 17 courses (£180); dinner is 22 courses (£380). Wine pairing is available at an extra cost. Blue native lobster sushi and Smoked Mackerel with tomatoes and Sambaizu Jelly were highlights on recent menus.
Rock Shrimp Tempura at Roka, London Rusne Draz
Japanese robatayaki restaurant, Roka is celebrating 20 years since it first opened on Charlotte Street and it's no surprise that it's one of London's favorite Japanese restaurants. The presentation, service and food is indeed stellar. Deservedly popular dishes include: salmon tataki with shiso yuzu chilli dressing; yellowtail maki with chives and miso aioli; grilled pork belly with hoisin and pickled apple and for dessert, peanut, vanilla and chocolate sundae with poki sticks and banana tempura.
Bar Des Prés, Mayfair Bar Des Prés
Looking more like a chic Parisian bistro than a Japanese restaurant, Bar Des Prés is probably one of the best kept secrets in London for excellent sushi. As Chef Cyril Lignac's first venture outside of Paris, the restaurant has an eclectic French/Asian menu. Sushi choices are extensive and deliciouswith newly introduced seasonal crispy maki rolls. Chef Lignac is owner and chef of Le Quinzième (1 Michelin star), Le Chardenoux , a Parisian bistro located and two pastry shops.
Jang in the Royal Exchange, the City, London Jang
East Asian restaurant Jang has a 1920s glamor with a lavish interior and views over the stunning courtyard of the Royal Exchange. Each piece of delicate nigiri, maki and sashimi is meticulously prepared. The Head chef, Dana Choi is actually Korean so she has also introduced dishes from her home country. With extensive experience in both Michelin-star and renowned Korean restaurants in London, including her most recent roles at Jinjuu with Judy Joo and as Executive Chef at Seoul Bird, Chef Choi brings a wealth of expertise to her craft. Her creations offer a contemporary twist on traditional dishes, expertly balancing textures and flavors to evoke the essence of both Korean and Japanese cuisines. 5.NIJU, Mayfair
Niju, Mayfair, London Niju
One of 2024's top London openings, NIJŪ offers guests a decadent Japanese dining experience. Under the guidance of third-generation sushi master Chef Endo Kazutoshi, NIJŪ's skilled chefs offer Japanese home-cooked dining through its Katei Ryōri concept, creating traditional Japanese dishes with the finest ingredients. finest grade Sushi, Nigiri, Sashimi, and the best selection of Wagyu and Kobe beef prepared on the Konro grill. 6.INÉ By Taku, Hampstead
Ine, Hampstead, London Ine
From the team behind Michelin-starred Taku Mayfair is the wonderful Ine Omakase restaurant in Hampstead. Ine, meaning rice in Japanese, offers premium sushi, a contemporary Japanese a la carte menu and a 15-course Omakase menu, with specialty sakes and wines. Highlights from the a la carte menu include: lobster with cauliflower and sudachi jelly; grilled Iberico pork; Wagyu beef katsu sando and grilled Yuan chicken. Available on both the omakase and a la carte menus is daily changing, fresh sashimi including Toro, Akami, Hamachi, Salmon and Saba. The chic, minimalist design complements the well-thought out menus. 7.Kioku by Endo, OWO, Whitehall
Kioku Restaurant Bar at OWO, London OWO
Chef Endo Kazutoshi's takeover of a corner of the former Old War Office (OWO), now a Raffles hotel, is one of the best aspects of this spectacular hotel. Kioku by Endo includes a cute sake bar that just launched a wonderful 'standing sushi' experience. Apparently this is a tradition that goes back to the Edo Period. The exquisite ten-course standing menu was created by Executive Chef George Gkoregias and Head Sushi Chef Shibata Takehito. Food is complemented by drinks from the Kioku Sake Bar, which has the largest sake list in the capital.
Upstairs, Chef Kazutoshi's lovely restaurant serves a menu that includes the chef's signature Nigiri and Sashimi, alongside a selection of seasonal dishes like Ox cheek agnolotti, white crab, tagliolini, brown crab miso and shiso butter and a miso kasutādo French toast. The restaurant has a wonderful outdoor terrace with great views over London and a really special private dining room in one of the rooftop turrets. 8.Sushi Kanesaka, Mayfair
at 45 Park Lane 45 Park Lane
Another Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant is Sushi Kanesaka at 45 Park Lane hotel. The intimate and traditional 13-seat Omakase restaurant by Chef, Shinji Kanesaka (of Tokyo's two Michelin starred Sushi Kanesaka) is one of London's hottest tickets so do book in advance. Accessed through a discrete doorway beside the bar this is Omakase dining at its finest. 9.Himi, Soho
Himi, Soho Himi
At Himi, husband-and-wife chef duo Tamas and Tomoko offer their homage to the drinking and dining dens of Tokyo and Osaka. Menus change seasonally and feature classic Izakaya dishes recreated with local ingredients. Expect favorites like kara-age, tempura, salads and ochazuke. Food is served Izakaya-style—designed for sharing and enjoying with your dining companions. 10.Pirana, Mayfair
Pirana, Mayfair, London Pirana
This slick Mayfair establishment has a nightclub vibe, thanks to its opulent interiors and live DJs. The party atmosphere at Pirana is just a backdrop for the main act though, an excellent Japanese/Peruvian fusion (Nikkei) menu. Menu highlights include rock shrimp tempura; spicy tuna aji panca; and sashimi that includes salmon, seabass and yellowtail.