10 Best Authentic Japanese Restaurants in London
The abundance of Japanese restaurants in London might make you question what the best choice is for you. Well, it depends on what you're looking for. Is it the most authentic Japanese restaurant experience in London? Then you've come to the right place.
What is the element that sets a Japanese dining experience apart from any other? Is it the sweaty atmosphere of an after-work izakaya, air thick with steam and smoke, an open kitchen where you witness chefs prepare ramen bowls at record speeds, or is it the lively interaction between assertive customers and gracious staff members? We’ve carefully curated the ultimate list of Japanese cuisine in London that capture the essence of Japan's vibrant food scene.
10. Jin Kichi
Food: Yakitori and sushi
Address: 73 Heath St, London NW3 6UG
Located above Hampstead High Street, Jin Kichi stands out among the crowd. With its true izakaya-style feel, the restaurant offers an immersive dining experience whether you take place at the wooden counter where the flames on the robata grill dance around your yakitori skewers, or at a table where you can admire the Sake collection that decorates the open kitchen. Regardless of your seating choice, you are put up with the task of deciding which tempura or sushi variation to order from the endless menu.
If you’re feeling adventurous, surrender yourself to the culinary journey ahead. The menu offers nothing but good life decisions. For those seeking a safe choice, the skewer sets are your go-to, featuring an array of grilled meats and vegetables, including chicken gizzard, shiitake mushrooms, and king prawns.
Be sure to make a reservation in advance, dinner spots at Jin Kichi are as sought after as an English teaching job in Japan.
Jin Kichi London
9. Koya Soho
Food: Udon
Address: 50 Frith St, London W1D 4SQ
Chef Shuko Oda’s main focus when she opened Koya Soho London was fresh udon noodles and dashi. Recognizing the lack of specialised Japanese eateries in London, other than sushi spots, she decided to introduce the thick noodles that London had yet to experience. That was over 10 years ago. Today Koya has 3 locations in London: Soho, City and Hackney. The original location in Soho gives the impression of a small Japanese udon place with mainly counter seating.
While their specialty is undeniably the fresh udon noodles, the chef and her team frequently add their own creative twists to the menu with seasonal British ingredients. Koya's temporary specials offer a unique fusion of flavours resulting in dishes like grilled lamb with sesame dipping sauce. Seat yourself at the counter of London’s number 1 udon spot and watch as chefs craft your bowl of udon noodles in a warm, savoury broth.
Koya Soho London
8. Engawa
Food: Wagyu
Address: 2 Ham Yard, London W1D 7DT
With limited seating, typical counter seats facing the chefs in the open kitchen, and a beautiful black and gold interior centrepiece, Engawa sets the mood for a fine dining experience. This place is known for its high quality Kobe beef, however it is their bento concept that qualified them for this list. While bento in Japan is a prepped meal you buy in a konbini on your way to work and not something you order at a restaurant, Engawa embraced the Japanese prepped meal concept and made it fresh.
If you’re short on budget, visit during the lunch shift and go for the Hakozenbento. This will get you a daily appetiser and a bento box that includes a seasonal dish, seasonal vegetables, sashimi, sushi, and miso soup. Your bento comes in a wooden tray-in-tray concept, an obvious wink to the different compartments in a classic prepped bento. Let’s call it an expensive merge between Teishoku and bento.
Engawa London
7. Humble Chicken
Food: Fusion
Address: 54 Frith St, London W1D 4SJ
Japanese born chef Angelo Sato gathered years of experience in different cuisines before honing his yakitori skills in Fukuoka and opening his own place in Soho. The refined bordeaux coloured interior at Humble Chicken might bring you to the chic Ginza district, rather than a Shinjuku back alley, but the essence of Japanese cuisine and its beauty in simplicity is definitely present. He started Humble Chicken as a yakitori joint with a limited menu that showcased a selection of the finest skewered delicacies accompanied by a handful of side dishes
Since 2023 chef Sato takes a different approach. With his experience in 4 different Michelin-starred cuisines among which Narisawa in Tokyo and Eleven Madison Park in New York, he decided to take a more delicate approach in his own joint, turning the yakitori approach into a Japanese fusion eight-course tasting menu. While you take a seat at the massive stone counter, you can admire the chef preparing your fusion kaiseki courses.
Humble Chicken London
6. Chisou sushi & izakaya
Food: Sashimi, sushi, tempura, noodles
Address: 22-23 Woodstock St, London W1C 2AS
In Japan, an izakaya is the hub for sharing after-work stories while getting drunk and having to speak gradually louder to surpass the volume of the neighbouring tables as the evening progresses. Chisou Sushi and Izakaya, a Japanese gem located in Mayfair, embraces this spirit. The moment you step inside, the minimalist interior decorated with bamboo screens and sake bottles hanging from the ceiling sets the scene for an evening full of delicious sharing plates and the best sake. If you fancy an after-work chat with a colleague, take a seat at the counter where you can - what did you expect by now - admire their open kitchen.
Chisou’s menu is pretty varied, from sashimi to noodles and an assortment of tempura. Our recommendation is to indulge in a selection of their small share plates combined with a grilled option like shishito yaki or tempura. Top this with the in-house sake recommendations and you’re in for a unique izakaya experience in the heart of West End. Chisou’s staff brings you the exceptionally caring service Japan is known for, as they receive praise from every single one of their customers.
Chisou sushi & izakaya London
5. Uchi
Food: Sushi and Yakitori
Address: 144 Clarence Rd, Lower Clapton, London E5 8DY
The attentive readers among you might’ve noticed that Uchi offers the exact same specialty as Jin Kichi. However, the setting couldn’t be more opposite. Uchi creates a rustic-chic zen atmosphere with sunken seating, curtains, neutral colours, slippers, and Japanese items like sake sets and bonsai trees as decoration.
The menu features a deliberately limited selection of sushi, sashimi, and nigiri, each crafted to showcase the finest quality ingredients. For those seeking bolder flavours, the restaurant also offers yakitori, salad and tempura options which you can pair with their sake recommendations. As long as you have room left, you can enjoy the desserts selection of cheesecake and ice cream. Uchi's calming ambiance in combination with their exceptional kitchen, creates a truly memorable dining experience for those seeking Japanese cuisine at its best.
Uchi London
Also read: Top 8 Japanese specialty shops in Paris
4. Kintan Oxford Circus
Food: Japanese BBQ
Address: 21 Great Castle St, London W1G 0HY
If you’ve visited Japan and didn’t take the time to experience yakiniku, Japanese BBQ, we’re sorry, but you missed out. Yakiniku is as intertwined in Japanese food culture as is ramen or sushi. Not to worry, you don’t have to book a 2nd trip to Japan to find out what yakiniku is all about, although a 2nd trip is never a bad idea. Thanks to Tomoyoshi Nishiyama you can experience an evening of yakiniku in Kintan Japanese BBQ Oxford Circus.
Kintan feels authentic in any way. From the signature square grills incorporated in the table to the wooden interior. Once you start looking at the menu, you’ll realise yakiniku is all about sharing, as they’ve put together numerous sharing course combinations for 2 or more people. You pay £ 40 p.p. for the “Samurai course”, the cheapest set on the menu. In return you receive a broad selection of quality meat like hanger steak, a variety of marinated Kalbi, Japanese sausages, chicken Teriyaki, and more. Supplemented with sides and desert. Catch up with friends while you grill your teriyaki to perfection. Also don’t hesitate to ask the staff for the recommended grill times for the different types of meat you ordered.
Kintan BBQ Oxford Circus London
3. Yakiniku Like
Food: Japanese BBQ
Address: 47 Greek St, London W1D 4EE
Another great Japanese BBQ place in London that’s coming straight for Japan is Yakiniku Like. Their Japanese branch recently opened in Soho, marking their European debut. They belong to the same group as Kintan, and are a big hit in Japan with 30 branches spread across the country. In Tokyo you’re able to isolate yourself in your personal booth while you order on your screen and don’t have to speak to anyone, a truly Japanese experience. In London you get regular table setup, no isolation booths, but nonetheless a great experience.
Yakiniku like London
2. Roji London
Food: Omakase
Address: 56B S Molton St, London W1K 5SH
Roji London is a 100% Omakase concept and the most expensive restaurant on this list. While the budget-conscious reader may draw the line at the £ 170 price tag, those who are able and fortunate enough to make a reservation can expect an extraordinary culinary adventure.
Omakase in London isn’t that hard to find, but Roji London takes it one step further. It’s you and 9 others, since the restaurant seats only 10 people. Everyone is seated at the intimate counter surrounding the husband and wife team of Tamas Naszai and Tomoko Hasegawa who serve as both chefs and hosts. With a combined culinary background that includes some of the world's finest Japanese and haute cuisine kitchens, this duo embarked on a new journey in 2022 by opening their own restaurant.Throughout the evening, you are treated to a culinary performance as you enjoy eight courses, each one crafted with precision before your very eyes. The atmosphere, hospitality and quality of Roji’s produce resembles a pure Japanese experience.
Roji London
1. Monohon
Food: Tonkotsu Ramen
Address: 102 Old St, London EC1V 9AY
We couldn’t live with ourselves if we didn’t include a ramen joint on this list. There are countless ramen restaurants scattered all over London, so why do we vouch for Monohon? Simple: character and authenticity.
It speaks volumes if a Brit feels the urge to open a ramen restaurant because his hometown lacks authentic ramen. That man’s name is Ian Wheatley. You can read his story on the Monohon website. One thing we know, his unwavering passion for the dish led him to pour his heart and soul into the venture, leaving no stone unturned in his quest for the perfect bowl.
Monohon checks all the boxes. Counter seats, cosy, fast and generous service and delicious bowls of ramen. The menu offers an array of noodle dishes including soupless options like mentaiko mazemen or maze soba. But it is the richness in flavour found in their specialty tonkotsu ramen that makes customers return. From noodles to broth, everything is made in-house. In Wheatley’s words: ‘a labour of love’, a phrase that resonates with customers from the moment they step through the door.
Monohon London
Where’s the sushi?
Ah, you noticed there’s no London sushi places on the list? Sushi is a beloved delicacy and is widely available in varying levels of quality and price point in Japan, ranging from affordable ¥200 conveyor belt sushi, all the way to refined fine dining experiences.
However, here comes the catch. The quality you find in cheap and accessible sushi places in Japan is equal to the mid-range prices in Europe. When it comes to conveyor belt sushi in London, you're more likely to pay for the experience rather than the quality. In other words, you don’t have cheap high quality sushi in Europe.
This leaves you with the high-end restaurants to satisfy your need for authentic Japanese quality and experience. We do recommend one place in London that provides this experience like no other. Sushi Tetsu in Farringdon. Chef Takahashi Toru is a true sushi master. The small restaurant only seats 7 people and exclusively accepts reservations by phone during a 3 hour weekly window. Getting a seat might be a challenge, but definitely worth a shot.
That’s it. You're all set for an incredible evening with our curated selection of the finest Japanese restaurants in London, promising an authentic and unforgettable dining experience.
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