The best Japanese restaurants in London
London is home to some of the finest restaurants on the planet and, thanks to its diverse culture, you can find almost any cuisine in the world somewhere between Wembley and Woolwich. One of those cuisines, and the favourite of this writer, is sushi; the Japanese-born food of heaven that works just as well for a lunchtime pick me up as it does for a special occasion.
In the name of research and preventing anyone from having a poor meal, we've tried and tested some of the capital's best Japanese restaurants. At the luxury end of that scale, there are sushi 'masters' who have dedicated their careers to rolling a world of flavours into bitesize morsels. These include new ventures by famed chefs like Endo Kazutoshi, to Michelin-starred hotspots that you need to book months in advance. At a more accessible price point are the fusion restaurants that seamlessly meld South American or Mediterranean flavours with more traditional Japanese cuisine. Then, there are the smaller, family run businesses that churn out bento boxes to the masses at lunchtime with a startling dexterity that almost belies the quality of the food.
Decisions on who should make the list were based on a number of factors including service, atmosphere, whether or not the price point is fair and, naturally, the quality of the food. We were not exclusive in our testing and so the restaurants needn't offer only your typical nigiri, maki or sashimi. Whether you're looking for an experimental tasting menu, an omakase experience, or a date night spot, this list has you covered.
For those who want to try other cuisines, we recommend consulting our ever-changing list of the 50 best restaurants in London which has its finger on the pulse of new openings and exciting new ventures.
The best Japanese restaurants in London
1/9The Ukiyo Room at The Aubrey
With opulently dark interiors that bring a hint of speakeasy loucheness to the plush comforts of a gentleman’s club, The Aubrey offers a distinctively different setting in which to enjoy Japanese food – from bar snacks like wagyu gyoza to omakase menus for £95 or £175. Perhaps mindful of the fact that omakase is not the novel concept it once was in London, the Mandarin Oriental now offers an intimate setting in which to enjoy its version of this multi-course experience. In The Aubrey’s Ukiyo Room – paying homage to the historic Japanese art of pleasure seeking – up to eight guests sitting around the gorgeously glossy counter are guided by the chefs and the sommelier through a £175 menu with drinks pairings (£150). In keeping with the chef’s choice concept of omakase, the tasting menu will vary. On my visit, standout dishes included wagyu gunkan with caviar topped with a cured frozen egg, prawns served in three ways and a show-stopping, Mount Fuji-inspired elderflower mousse with peaches and candy floss. While ebullient head sommelier Maxim Kassir is a saké enthusiast who has developed The Aubrey’s own low-alcohol Tsuchida Junmai in collaboration with a Japanese brewery, Champagne and wine feature among the drinks pairings alongside saké. Non-drinkers are equally well catered for with some imaginative alternatives – from Wild Idol’s alcohol-free sparkling wine to Saicho Jasmine Tea. - Caroline Bullough
The Aubrey at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London, 66 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7LA
2/9INÉ By Taku, Hampstead
The team behind 1 Michelin Star Omakase, TAKU in Mayfair have gone north to the cobbled streets of Hampstead to open new Japanese restaurant, INÉ (meaning ‘rice’ in Japanese). The contemporary restaurant serves both an a la carte menu (serving delightful dishes like a wagyu beef katsu sando, a vibrant green hamachi carpaccio; and lobster sushi). But the biggest draw has to be the 8-person counter omakase served a few times per day. Here is where head sushi chef Law Kwok Meng serves up a 17-course omakase, curated by Chef Patron Takuya Watanabe, depending on what has come in fresh on the day. At £100 per head, the omakase offering is considerably more affordable than the £300 omakase dinner menu at Taku. The dishes may appear traditional at first glance but are creative and often with a delightful twist – Tal Dekel-Daks
16 Hampstead High Street, NW3 1PX
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3/9Maru
If I had limitless money, I would eat at Maru every day. A big statement perhaps, but one that anyone who has been lucky to try Maru would likely agree with. Born of the genius mind of Taiji Maruyama, a third generation sushi chef, Maru operates with the philosophy of ‘omotenashi’, meaning to wholeheartedly look after your guests. Taiji began his career in Tokyo, working at Ginza, a three Michelin starred restaurant before making his way through Barcelona and Norway.
Maru is a spectacular sushi restaurant that stands out amongst a saturated market. It offers just two seatings of eight people per night, one at 5pm and one at 7pm. The rules are strict: if you're late, you're turned away. Though I don't see how anyone on the ball enough to make it through the bun fight of booking a seat would be. The food is served omakase, meaning ‘I’ll leave it up to the chef’, and consists of a twenty course tasting menu, the service of which is just as theatrical and arresting as the food itself.
18 Shepherds Market, Mayfair, W1J 7QH
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4/9Sumi
The second coming of Endo Kazutoshi is set on a shop lined road in Notting Hill. Whilst not as upmarket as Endo at the Rotunda, the food offering here still has his signature style, just for a lower price point. The menu is well thought through with a mixture of temaki, nigiri and sashimi. However, it is more aligned with authentic Japanese cuisine than Westernised ‘California rolls’, so if you’re looking for that this probably isn’t the place for you. Sashimi is offered either completely raw or ‘aburi’ style which involves searing the fish with a naked flame to grill the outside but leave a rich and creamy middle. Whilst this was delicious, my favourite dish was the ‘Hotate Temaki’, a diced scallop, shiso flower and soy hand roll that was equally beautiful as it was delicious. The interior does look like a Muji catalogue, but we take no issue with that- it all feels rather calm and relaxed.
157 Westbourne Grove, W11 2RS
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5/9Beaverbrook Townhouse
The decision to major in Japanese food at a hotel restaurant is a brave move, but it reflects the success of the Japanese grill at the Town House’s country-estate parent in the Surrey Hills. Here in the Fuji Grill, interiors consist of gallery-wall displays of Japanese woodblock prints and deep green panelling contrasts with the foxy pink of the velvet banquettes. This being Knightsbridge, the chef’s selection of nigiri costs £46 and a sukiyaki hot pot with Kobe beef £135, but the quality of the fish in the sashimi selection we had was excellent, the tempura matched anything I have had in Tokyo and the beef tenderloin with fennel, Japanese chrysanthemum and fresh wasabi was delicately flavoured and exceptionally tender. - Caroline Bullough, Managing Editor.
115 Sloane Street, Chelsea, SW1X 9PJ
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6/9Temaki
As the name denotes ('te' means hand and ‘maki’ means roll), this buzzy new sushi bar focusses on one specific type of sushi. Whilst small plates are available too, there is a hypnotic magic in watching head chef Shaulan Steenson – previously of Michelin-starred Umu - deftly prepare the temaki in front of you. The restaurant is tiny, it can't seat more than about sixteen at a time, and the U-shaped counter puts all eyes on the creation of the food. It draws you into an experience, offering connection to the food that feels personal. The menu offers a selection of ‘set menus’ which consist of five different hand rolls, or you can opt for a ‘surprise’, leaving the chef to whip up something new and off book.
12 Market Row, Brixton, SW9 8LB
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7/9Ikeda
This old school Japanese restaurant in Mayfair has notched up the years and many loyal customers. It serves traditional dishes – such as spinach with sesame dressing or agedashi tofu, as well as sushi, noodles and tempura – from a quiet, open kitchen. There is kitchen-counter seating for those who wish to see the chefs at work, or more formal tables for a serious meal. - Blanche Vaughan, Food Editor.
30 Brook Street, Mayfair, W1K 5DJ
8/9Sushi Tetsu
This seven-seater on a Clerkenwell side street arguably serves the best sushi in town. Run by husband-and-wife team Harumi and Toru Takahashi, it is almost impossible to book. But when guests arrive at this shrine to sushi, they will find Toru expertly slivering and slicing smackingly fresh fish, visible from a counter-style bar. For the best experience, leave the menu behind and ask for ‘Omakase’ or chef’s choice. You’re in safe hands. - Blanche Vaughan, Food Editor.
12 Jerusalem Passage, Farringdon, EC1V 4JP
https://www.locaji.co.uk/greater-london/london/sushi-tetsu/338763/
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9/9Sushi Samba
The year of 2012 was a busy one for London, when Olympic fever gripped the nation. It was a golden time not just for medals but for restaurants too, as both Duck & Waffle and SushiSamba opened at the top of Heron Tower. Since then, SushiSamba has established a reputation as a buzzy, cool spot where the food is as stylish as the clientele. The food is a hybrid between Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian so expect shisito peppers, lobster taquitos and, of course, delightfully punchy maki rolls. There are some strong opinions over which site is best but we will leave that up to you to decide.
Heron Tower, Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY
35 The Market, Covent Garden, WC2E 8RF
sushisamba.com
