13 places to try Japanese cuisine in London
The Japanese cuisine is one of my favourites. I am therefore very grateful that London is not short of Japanese restaurants. In this post, I revisit some of my favourite places (not necessarily restaurants) to try Japanese cuisine in London. About half of those are located in West London, where I live. At the same time, West London is home to many Japanese people too.
6 places to try Japanese cuisine in West London
1. Momo
Momo is a great sushi restaurant on Hanger Lane, in West London. It’s the closest to where I live, so I’ve been there quite a few times. I never get tired of it though. That said, I’ve only been there for dinner. I’ve always chosen the set, 4-course menu, which includes three appetisers, tempura (or yakitori or dobinmushi), sushi (or sashimi) and dessert (fruit or ice cream). This costs £35, but I usually pay a bit more, as I like having sake as well.
2. YoYo Kitchen
YoYo Kitchen is a small deli in West Acton (opposite the tube station). They sell a variety of sushi, bento and side dishes, all prepared daily on the premises. It’s not far from where I live, so I often treat myself with a bento box (and sake) from there.
3. Haku
Haku is located in Ealing, within walking distance from Ealing Broadway station. I came here for lunch and had a bento for £13. It was very filling and tasty. I also had a nigiri roll and a cup of hojicha tea. I would love to come back to also try their tea lattes (as I was too full to do so after lunch).
4. Makoto
Makoto is a great sushi restaurant in Chiswick. I’ve been there twice and I enjoyed it very much both times. It is very close to Turnham Green station. Since it is rather small, booking in advance is recommended.
5. Rokkon
Rokkon is a tiny Japanese restaurant in Chiswick (also near Turnham Green station). They only have 8 seats (4 tables), so booking in advance is highly recommended (by phone only). I went there for lunch and had the salmon teriyaki (set lunch, also including miso soup, rice and vegetables). I also shared a pot of green tea, warm sake and a bowl of rice with salmon roe and urchin. Everything was delicious and I’m looking forward to coming back. Very reasonable price (£31 per person). Last but not least, I loved the cat-themed decorations (very minimalist).
6. WA
WA is a lovely Japanese cafe/patisserie in Ealing. Its name means ‘harmony’ in Japanese and represents a concept that is considered integral to Japanese society. WA is located within walking distance from Ealing Broadway station (there are other locations too – see below). They have beautiful desserts, but also some savoury items, as well as coffee and tea. The seating space is rather limited.
6 places to try Japanese cuisine in Central London
Below are some places to try Japanese cuisine in Central London. The list is far from exhaustive and does not include many restaurants that I simply haven’t had a chance to visit yet.
If you happen to go to one of these restaurants soon, I recommend also visiting the Gagosian, at 20 Grosvenor Hill, in Mayfair. Japanese Art History à la Takashi Murakami is an exhibition of new paintings by the renowned Japanese artist. The exhibition runs until 8 March 2025 (Tuesday-Sunday, 10-6) and is free to visit.
1. Atelier
Atelier is one of my favourite sushi restaurants in Central London. I first went there for lunch, all by myself, and I paid around £60 (I had sushi as well as a dessert and a cocktail). They have such a good selection of sake and Japanese-inspired cocktails, that I simply had to go back (with friends).
2. Yazu Sushi
Yazu Sushi is a small sushi bar in Shepherd’s Market, Mayfair. They have about 10 stools, so advanced booking is recommended. That said, most customers tend to spend less than half an hour there. Some sushi plates are already prepared and you get them from the conveyor belt. Meanwhile, a chef is preparing more right next to the bar. Quite expensive, but expected. My friend and I shared 14 plates (2 pieces of sushi on each plate) and a bottle of sake. We paid about £55 per person.
3. Nazuki Garden
Nazuki Graden is a lovely Japanese restaurant on Warren Street. I went there for dinner and had a bento box, followed by mango mochi and green tea. My friend and I shared hot sake. Everything was delicious. Very good price (£30 per person). I would definitely come back.
4. Necco
Necco is a full-of-character, cat-themed Japanese restaurant in Exmouth Market. Me and my friend shared octopus balls as a starter, and sushi and donburi as mains, followed by dessert (passion fruit flavoured mochi ice cream). I also had 2 cocktails (green tea negroni and hot toddy) and a glass of sparkling sake (during the happy hour of course!). We paid £60 per person.
5. Sanjugo
Sanjugo is a great Japanese restaurant within walking distance from Angel tube station. My friends and I shared a variety of dishes, all delicious. We also shared a bottle of yuzu sake, and paid £55 per person.
6. WA
As well as the Ealing location, there are two more, both in Central London (Covent Garden and Marylebone).
2 places to try Japanese cuisine in South London
1. Temaki
Temaki is a small restaurant in Brixton, specialising in hand rolls. I loved the minimalist environment and enjoyed the food and the cocktails. I shared two small plates (a soft shell crab sando and a monkfish karaage) with my friend, and also had the 5-item set menu and 2 cocktails (a highball and a negroni) all to myself. Rather pricey (approx. £75 per person) but well worth it.
2. OKAN
OKAN is another Japanese restaurant located in Brixton Village. I have been there for lunch twice and I absolutely loved it both times. I had the Okonomiyaki, which was delicious.
Further reading
If you’d like a book about Japanese cuisine, check out Japan: The Cookbook. It has more than 400 recipes by acclaimed food writer Nancy Singleton Hachisu.
If you’d like to try other Asian cuisines in London, check out my post ‘My 10 (+1) favorite Asian restaurants in London‘.
Alex
(the Traveling Psychiatrist)