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Forbes
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
10 Of The Best Japanese Restaurants In London
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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
She means business
Aditi Maheshwari is a freelance writer, and has been a student of Economics, Advertising, Marketing, Psychology and also of the Institute Of Company Secretaries Of India. She is a contributor to several magazines. LESS ... MORE She doesn't shout. She builds. Not with fanfare, but with fire—quiet, deliberate, relentless. In the thrum of India's crowded bazaars and the glow of laptop screens in rural co-ops, a silent revolution is scripting the next chapter of the Indian economy. It's led by women who aren't just running enterprises—they're rewriting the very grammar of growth. In 2025, as boardrooms, bylanes, and balance sheets all start to reflect her imprint, the question is no longer whether she belongs—but whether the economy can grow without her. This isn't just inclusion. This is power redefined. India's economic narrative is undergoing a transformative shift, with women-led enterprises emerging as pivotal contributors to the nation's growth. As of 2025, women own approximately 2.2 crore micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), constituting about 32% of the total MSMEs in the country. These enterprises not only bolster economic development but also play a crucial role in employment generation, providing jobs to an estimated 22 to 27 million individuals. India's entrepreneurial landscape is enriched by the contributions of pioneering women whose ventures continue to inspire and expand in 2025: Falguni Nayar (Nykaa): By 2025, Nykaa continues expanding into Tier 2 and 3 cities, redefining omnichannel retail in India and supporting thousands of women-led resellers through its affiliate ecosystem. By 2025, Nykaa continues expanding into Tier 2 and 3 cities, redefining omnichannel retail in India and supporting thousands of women-led resellers through its affiliate ecosystem. Ghazal Alagh (Mamaearth): Mamaearth's toxin-free beauty and baby care products have not only dominated the Indian market but are also witnessing increasing traction in Southeast Asia. Mamaearth's toxin-free beauty and baby care products have not only dominated the Indian market but are also witnessing increasing traction in Southeast Asia. Vineeta Singh (SUGAR Cosmetics): Singh's brand continues to redefine inclusivity in Indian beauty standards, with its Shark Tank influence seeding new women-led startups. Singh's brand continues to redefine inclusivity in Indian beauty standards, with its Shark Tank influence seeding new women-led startups. Upasana Taku (MobiKwik): Taku's fintech innovation is fostering inclusive finance for underbanked women, with MobiKwik expanding its micro-loan offerings in 2025. Taku's fintech innovation is fostering inclusive finance for underbanked women, with MobiKwik expanding its micro-loan offerings in 2025. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (Biocon): As a beacon in biotech, Shaw's focus in 2025 includes AI-powered diagnostic tools addressing women-specific health conditions. There are numerous such examples. The significance of women entrepreneurs extends beyond mere statistics. Research indicates that accelerating women's entrepreneurship could lead to the creation of over 30 million women-owned enterprises, potentially generating 150 to 170 million jobs. Such expansion is not only vital for economic diversification but also essential for achieving inclusive growth. Moreover, women-led MSMEs often exhibit higher profit margins and lower non-performing assets compared to their male counterparts, underscoring their financial prudence and resilience. New policies in 2025 are strengthening the ecosystem for women-led enterprises: Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme (SIDBI): Offers up to ₹10 lakh in financial aid, now extended to green businesses and gig-economy startups led by women. Offers up to ₹10 lakh in financial aid, now extended to green businesses and gig-economy startups led by women. Mahila E-Haat: This digital portal now includes integrated payment gateways and logistics partnerships to boost rural-to-urban market access. This digital portal now includes integrated payment gateways and logistics partnerships to boost rural-to-urban market access. Udyogini Scheme: The 2025 budget increases its coverage by 35%, especially benefiting women in Tier 3 towns and semi-rural regions. The 2025 budget increases its coverage by 35%, especially benefiting women in Tier 3 towns and semi-rural regions. Skill India for women: With new curricula on digital tax compliance, social media marketing, and AI tools, the 2025 rollouts now include startup incubation for trained women graduates. Recognizing the potential of women entrepreneurs, the Indian government has implemented several initiatives: Stand-Up India Scheme: Launched in 2016, this scheme provides bank loans ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore to women entrepreneurs for setting up greenfield enterprises in manufacturing, services, or the trading sector. Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE): This initiative offers collateral-free credit to women-led MSEs, with an 85% guarantee cover for loans up to ₹5 lakh, thereby mitigating credit risk for lenders. PM SVANidhi Yojana: As of December 2024, this scheme has provided working capital loans worth ₹5,939.7 crore to 30.6 lakh women street vendors, facilitating their economic empowerment. Despite these initiatives, access to credit remains a significant hurdle. Many women entrepreneurs are either unaware of available financial products or face challenges in meeting eligibility criteria due to lack of collateral or formal credit history. To address this, fintech companies like Kinara Capital have introduced programs such as 'HerVikas,' offering collateral-free business loans tailored for women entrepreneurs. By leveraging technology and alternative credit assessment models, these initiatives aim to bridge the financing gap and promote financial inclusion. As of 2025, Indian women entrepreneurs are spearheading growth in innovative and impactful sectors: FemTech and health innovation: Startups in reproductive health and AI-enabled diagnostics are scaling rapidly. Women-led platforms now serve over 15 million users with localized care. Startups in reproductive health and AI-enabled diagnostics are scaling rapidly. Women-led platforms now serve over 15 million users with localized care. Eco-entrepreneurship: From sustainable fashion brands like Bunavat to agri-tech innovators like Spudnik Farms, women are at the forefront of green enterprise. From sustainable fashion brands like Bunavat to agri-tech innovators like Spudnik Farms, women are at the forefront of green enterprise. Handicrafts and fair trade: Artisanal ventures like Geetanjali Crafts are empowering thousands of rural women through online marketplaces and heritage revival projects. Artisanal ventures like Geetanjali Crafts are empowering thousands of rural women through online marketplaces and heritage revival projects. Digital education & skill development: Women-founded edtech platforms are transforming skilling for rural girls and homemakers, with a sharp rise in coding bootcamps and finance literacy programs for women. Women-founded edtech platforms are transforming skilling for rural girls and homemakers, with a sharp rise in coding bootcamps and finance literacy programs for women. Hospitality and food innovation: Across India, SHG-run kitchens and cloud-based delivery models are not just providing nutrition but also economic upliftment for low-income women. Beyond financial schemes, grassroots organizations play a pivotal role in nurturing women entrepreneurs: Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA): Established in 1972, SEWA has been instrumental in organizing women workers in the informal sector, providing them with access to financial services, training, and advocacy. Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP): Founded in 1998, SSP focuses on empowering rural women through entrepreneurship in sectors like agriculture, health, and clean energy, promoting sustainable livelihoods. SmartShree initiative: A collaboration between IIM Kozhikode and Kudumbashree Mission, this project aims to support and scale 150 women-led micro-enterprises in Kerala through capacity building and mentorship. While notable gains have been made, several hurdles persist for women-led businesses: Access to capital: Despite increased funding avenues, only 27% of women-led startups receive Series A or later stage funding as of 2025. Tailored VC pipelines and women-focused accelerators are helping bridge this gap. Despite increased funding avenues, only 27% of women-led startups receive Series A or later stage funding as of 2025. Tailored VC pipelines and women-focused accelerators are helping bridge this gap. Work-life constraints: Flexible working ecosystems and access to childcare subsidies under the PM-Women@Work initiative launched in 2025 are helping more mothers remain active entrepreneurs. Flexible working ecosystems and access to childcare subsidies under the PM-Women@Work initiative launched in 2025 are helping more mothers remain active entrepreneurs. Societal expectations: Awareness campaigns like #EqualByRight run by the Ministry of Women and Child Development are changing public attitudes towards women business owners. While progress has been notable, challenges persist. Cultural norms, limited access to markets, and digital illiteracy continue to impede the growth of women-led enterprises. Addressing these requires a multifaceted approach: Enhanced financial literacy: Implementing targeted financial education programs can empower women to make informed decisions and navigate the financial ecosystem effectively. Digital inclusion: Promoting digital literacy and access to technology is crucial for women entrepreneurs to leverage online platforms for marketing, sales, and networking. Policy reforms: Continuous evaluation and refinement of existing policies, ensuring they are responsive to the unique challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, will be essential. Women-led enterprises are not just participants but are becoming architects of India's economic resurgence. By fostering an enabling environment that addresses financial, educational, and societal barriers, India can unlock the full potential of its women entrepreneurs, propelling the nation towards inclusive and sustainable growth. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Economic Times
05-05-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Fintech revolution 2.0 is expected to unfold in India in the next 10 years: MobiKwik's Upasana Taku
Founded in 2009, MobiKwik offers a range of services, including payments, digital credit and insurance products, catering to 172 million users and more than 4.5 million merchants. A new wave of companies will emerge to jumpstart the fintech revolution 2.0 in India over the next 10 years, said Upasana Taku, Co-founder of fintech major MobiKwik. India is a very large market that offers significant growth opportunities over the next 10-20 years, Taku said. 'Less than half of the population have access to digital payments, and fewer than 10% have access to credit.'Addressing these gaps will require more than simply reaching out to the existing banks, financial institutions, and fintech companies, she said. 'It is not just going to the current crop of banks, financial institutions and fintech companies that will address the gaps. A whole next level of companies is getting formed now as we speak,' she said while talking to ET Digital on the sidelines of the 14th edition of TiE Delhi-NCR's India Internet Day 2025. Founded in 2009, MobiKwik offers a range of services, including payments, digital credit, investments, and insurance products, catering to 172 million users and more than 4.5 million payments have now reached approximately 500 million Indians. Taku, citing industry reports, expects this number to double to at least 850-900 million who will be transacting digitally using apps. 'But if you see in financial services or in fintech, payments is the least common denominator. Everything else is lesser in terms of inclusion. Credit has reached less than 100 million, and the numbers are even smaller for insurance and wealth,' she emphasised that more efforts are required in this space. 'It needs to be seen if, for example, a woman sitting in Jhajjar or a small town in the northeast has access to a bank account, digital payments, credit or insurance. Currently, that is not the case.' Many small businesses don't have access to capital necessary for growth, she said. 'Whether they are online MSMEs or physical stores, life is not so easy for them. Traditional banks can only serve them once they reach a certain scale. But until they reach that scale, it's hard for them,' she explained.'If it is a physical store, we give them a QR code. If they want to collect payments via cards, then we also give them an EDC, which is a card machine. Firstly, we enable them to collect payments. Once we have enough insight into their collection data, whether it is a physical MSME or an online-based MSME, then we can also start offering them merchant loans or working capital loans,' she said, adding that working capital loans for MSMEs offer an extremely large growth opportunity. 'India is a country of more self-employed people than salaried. And the self-employed are these MSMEs.' Shravan Shetty, MD of Primus Partners India, concurred, noting that fintech solutions have increased the efficiency of MSMEs, with digital payments playing a critical role in enhancing working capital. 'They provide quick access to short-term capital, helping them grow. Besides this, innovative financial products help MSMEs better manage their businesses in terms of lending, insurance, and capital management,' he said the fintech sector has been critical in leveraging the digital public infrastructure to come up with innovative solutions, which have helped increase digital penetration. At the Global Fintech Fest 2024 in Mumbai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that 'India's UPI has become a major example of fintech in the world' and that it had enabled 27X7 banking services in every village and city in all weather conditions. Noting the changes brought in by the fintech industry in the country, the Prime Minister also said that it has not only transformed the technological front of Bharat but also made a widespread social impact by closing the gap between urban and rural India together.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Fintech revolution 2.0 is expected to unfold in India in the next 10 years: MobiKwik's Upasana Taku
A new wave of companies will emerge to jumpstart the fintech revolution 2.0 in India over the next 10 years, said Upasana Taku , Co-founder of fintech major MobiKwik . India is a very large market that offers significant growth opportunities over the next 10-20 years, Taku said. 'Less than half of the population have access to digital payments , and fewer than 10% have access to credit.' #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Inside Operation Tupac: Pakistan's secret project to burn Kashmir Who is Asim Munir, the Zia-style general shaping Pakistan's faith-driven military revival 'Looking for partners, not preachers': India's strong message for EU amid LoC tensions Addressing these gaps will require more than simply reaching out to the existing banks, financial institutions, and fintech companies, she said. 'It is not just going to the current crop of banks, financial institutions and fintech companies that will address the gaps. A whole next level of companies is getting formed now as we speak,' she said while talking to ET Digital on the sidelines of the 14th edition of TiE Delhi-NCR's India Internet Day 2025. Founded in 2009, MobiKwik offers a range of services, including payments, digital credit, investments, and insurance products, catering to 172 million users and more than 4.5 million merchants. Digital payments have now reached approximately 500 million Indians. Taku, citing industry reports, expects this number to double to at least 850-900 million who will be transacting digitally using apps. 'But if you see in financial services or in fintech, payments is the least common denominator. Everything else is lesser in terms of inclusion. Credit has reached less than 100 million, and the numbers are even smaller for insurance and wealth,' she added. Taku emphasised that more efforts are required in this space. 'It needs to be seen if, for example, a woman sitting in Jhajjar or a small town in the northeast has access to a bank account, digital payments, credit or insurance. Currently, that is not the case.' Live Events Many small businesses don't have access to capital necessary for growth, she said. 'Whether they are online MSMEs or physical stores, life is not so easy for them. Traditional banks can only serve them once they reach a certain scale. But until they reach that scale, it's hard for them,' she explained. 'If it is a physical store, we give them a QR code. If they want to collect payments via cards, then we also give them an EDC, which is a card machine. Firstly, we enable them to collect payments. Once we have enough insight into their collection data, whether it is a physical MSME or an online-based MSME, then we can also start offering them merchant loans or working capital loans,' she said, adding that working capital loans for MSMEs offer an extremely large growth opportunity. 'India is a country of more self-employed people than salaried. And the self-employed are these MSMEs.' Shravan Shetty, MD of Primus Partners India , concurred, noting that fintech solutions have increased the efficiency of MSMEs, with digital payments playing a critical role in enhancing working capital. 'They provide quick access to short-term capital, helping them grow. Besides this, innovative financial products help MSMEs better manage their businesses in terms of lending, insurance, and capital management,' he highlighted. Shetty said the fintech sector has been critical in leveraging the digital public infrastructure to come up with innovative solutions, which have helped increase digital penetration. At the Global Fintech Fest 2024 in Mumbai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that 'India's UPI has become a major example of fintech in the world' and that it had enabled 27X7 banking services in every village and city in all weather conditions. Noting the changes brought in by the fintech industry in the country, the Prime Minister also said that it has not only transformed the technological front of Bharat but also made a widespread social impact by closing the gap between urban and rural India together.
