Whether it’s succulent sushi or spicy ramen noodles, Japanese cuisine is quite diverse. You can enjoy them in high-end luxury restaurants and even in cheap and cheerful places where you can eat your meals standing.
No matter the restaurant, Japanese food is made with a lot of commitment, skill, and attention to detail. Japanese meals not only taste delicious but also look and feel delicious.
However, you don’t need to be in Japan to enjoy their delicacy. In this article, we’ve discussed the top Japanese restaurants in London where you won’t regret dining, whether solo or with family.
Best Japanese Restaurants in London
Here are some top Japanese restaurants you can try. Some are famous for sushi, whereas others may offer you the best udon in town. Few of them even won several prestigious restaurant awards for their outstanding performance.
Koya Ko
If you love udon then this casual, counter-service-only noodle bar is a must-try place in London.
The delicious handmade noodles and dashi of Koya Ko will give you the vibe of a train station noodle bar in Japan. It comes with various unique flavours, making it difficult to decide which one to go for.
If you’re not a fan of noodles, Koya Ko still has many delicious dishes to offer. You can enjoy their considerable offerings of donburi rice bowls, fried chicken karaage, and many more. Also, they serve some of the best Japanese breakfasts that you can enjoy.
WA Cafe
WA cafe is heaven for the ones with a sweet tooth. Its gorgeous creation of yuzu cheesecakes, Mont Blancs, and matcha crepe cakes can make you feel like you’re inside a Studio Ghibli film.
You can enjoy some unusual baked dishes such as melon pan (melon bread), anpan (sweet red bean buns), and yakisoba pan (fried noodle bun) that you may not find in another restaurant.
They also have a wide variety of teas for you to sip while enjoying your dessert.
The Aubrey
Home to the UK’s only female sushi master, Miho Sato, The Aubrey is famous for its exceptionally gorgeous interior and delicious dishes
From their upgraded Chicken karaage to beautifully presented nigiri, every dish has a personal and luxurious touch.
Their secret bar set within the restaurant pushes Aubrey out of the crowd. You can enjoy cocktails made in front of you, with snacks perfectly paired to the flavour profile of each round of drinks. You surely don’t want to miss that.
Sushi Kanesaka
If you want to enjoy the most expensive omakase menu in the UK, then Sushi Kanesaka is your place. This 10-seat restaurant will provide you with a service full of care and consideration that’s worth every penny you spend.
You will enjoy chef Shinji Kanesaka’s famous Edomae sushi style, where fishes are cured to let their true flavours shine. This meal will surely leave you feeling thrilled and a little bit dazed as you leave. We recommend pairing it with matcha liqueur served with a dash of tonic.
Sushi Tetsu
Sushi Tetsu is one of the best places in London for sushi and sashimi lovers. But booking a seat here isn’t as easy as you think.
The restaurant has only seven seats, with a ban on children below 12 years old. This sushi bar is famous for its omakase style or chef’s choice. They will prepare horse mackerel, sweet omelette, and jumbo fresh shrimp under your nose, ensuring you have a pleasant experience.
Mayfair’s Umu
Umu is the perfect place for top-quality sushi and sashimi. This is where you can enjoy the true Kyoto-style kaiseki or traditional Japanese multi-course dinner.
Within a year after its opening, Umu won a restaurant award with one Michelin star. While the price of the kaiseki menu is pretty high, the restaurant ensures you have the best dining experience. However, they have a few cheaper options that you can enjoy, along with their mouthwatering desserts like matcha tiramisu.
Kanada-Ya Covent Garden
If you’re craving a bowl of creamy tonkotsu ramen, the only place we can suggest to you is Kanada-Ya Covent Garden.
Tonkotsu, or the pork bone broth ramen, is Kanada-Ya’s signature dish and is also incredibly rich and delicious. You can also find some tasty onigiris (rice balls) and curry if you want to try something other than noodles.
The place is quite affordable. In fact, their signature dishes are below £13, and the toppings for your ramen are complimentary.
Eat Tokyo Golders Green
Eat Tokyo Golders Green is a Japanese-owned chain that has quite a few branches in London. One of them is famous for “shabu shabu”, a traditional hotpot dish made of thinly sliced meat and vegetables that you can enjoy with your family.
If you love buffet, they also have an all-you-can-eat meal system, where you will have two hours to enjoy unlimited foods.
While popular for hotpots, you can also find ramen and chirashi sushi in some of their branches. If you go to their Covent Garden location, do not forget to try the hiyayakko (chilled tofu with bonito flakes), which is full of umami flavour.
Takeaway
Japanese cuisine is quite varied, and it’s tough to find everything under one roof. The abovementioned restaurants are some of the best in London and are quite famous, and most of them have become the UK’s favourite takeaway.
No matter what Japanese dish is your favourite, you can find at least one of these restaurants that will fulfil your craving.
If you want, you can also nominate one of them for the Asian Restaurant & Takeaway Awards or ARTA. It’s one of the best Asian Curry Awards in the UK that will help you promote your favourite restaurants and give them a chance to win.
