Japanese cuisine is popular around the world, and London is no exception. Whether you're looking for light and elegant sushi, a comforting bowl of hot, steamy tonkotsu or a place to indulge in an authentic izakaya experience, you'll certainly find it at one of London's Japanese restaurants. From exclusive omakase to casual eateries, here's where you should go to make the most of the city's excellent Japanese dining scene.
The best Japanese restaurants in London
Michelin-starred Japanese fare
This Michelin-starred spot is one for special occasions. The menu features refined Japanese dishes inspired by the food of Kyoto. The menu uses only the highest-quality fish line-caught from the shores of Cornwall, which is then cooked using historic techniques dating back to the Edo period.
- 14-16 Bruton Place, Mayfair
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Intimate hidden gems
Sanjugo is definitely still a bit of a hidden gem when it comes to Japanese cuisine in London. They serve the finest grade-A sashimi, as well as a range of sake and whisky. The head chef here boasted the title of head chef at Sushisamba for over 20 years. If you're a meat-eater, then the pork and ginger donburi bowl is an absolute must.
- 35 Scrutton St, Shoreditch 42 Duncan St, Islington
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High-end Japanese cuisine
Akira at Japan House is a high-end spot serving delicious Japanese dishes for lunch and dinner. You can expect to see things like bento boxes, sashimi, and noodles taking centre stage on the menu, as well as traditional Japanese drinks like sake and a range of cocktails.
- 101-111 Kensington High Street, Kensington
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A wagyu hot stone experience
A lot of people come here for the tastiest wagyu beef, which is cooked on a hot stone at 400 degrees right in front of you on the table. The menu also features a range of fish dishes, like seared butterfish with spicy truffle ponzu and melt-in-your-mouth tuna carpaccio served with a mango and jalapeno salsa.
- 9 Chapel Market, Islington
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The udon OGs
This Japanese restaurant first opened in Soho back in 2010 specialising in handmade udon noodles and dashi. Nowadays there are three London locations as well as postal kits featuring Omiyage boxes to enjoy in the comfort of your own home.
- 10-12 Bloomberg Arcade, The City/City of London 10 Broadway Market Mews, Hackney/Dalston 50 Frith Street, Soho
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Authentic with a twist
This restaurant in the heart of Soho specialises in authentic Japanese cuisine with an innovative twist. Feast on a selection of sashimi, sushi and maki, as well as the highest-quality wagyu beef. There’s also an eclectic variety of sake and wine to choose from to accompany your meal.
- 30 Argyll St, Soho
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Authentic bowls of tonkotsu
For mouthwatering bowls of steaming hot ramen, head to one of Kanada-Ya's restaurants located all around the city. They specialise in authentic tonkotsu, which is a classic bowl of ramen made with a rich pork broth.
- 35 Upper St, Islington 28 Foubert's Pl, Soho 64 St Giles High St 3 Panton St, Westminster 56-61 New Broadway, Ealing Westfield London, Ariel Way, Hammersmith and Fulham
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High-end Japanese fare
This is one of those places for special occasions. This stylish spot showcases the finest Japanese cuisine, like Nobu's iconic bento boxes, which include their miso black cod and baby tiger shrimp with three sauces. People come here to feast on delectable sushi as well as a range of refreshing cocktails
- 19 Old Park Ln, Mayfair 22 Portman Square, Marylebone 30 Willow St, Shoreditch
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Modern with a twist
This restaurant offers something slightly different - a twist on the traditional Japanese izakaya style of casual dining. The menu is packed with Japanese dishes with a contemporary twist, like chicken wings in sake, and shrimp tempura with shish and citrus mayonnaise.
- 5 Raphael St
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An iconic London hot spot
This iconic Japanese restaurant has made a name for itself as a special occasion spot specialising in Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian-inspired dishes with a menu that features contemporary, vibrant food.
- 35 The Market, Covent Garden Heron Tower, Bishopsgate, The City/City of London
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All about sushi tradition
For pretty plates of food that look like little works of art, head to one of Sticks'n'Sushi's restaurants located around the city. The menu here specialises in traditional sushi and yakitori stick from the grill, like salmon with miso aïoli, trout roe, chives daikon and lime marinade.
- 1 Crossrail Pl, Canary Wharf/Tower Hamlets 113 King's Rd, Chelsea 11 Henrietta St, Covent Garden 1 Nelson Rd, Greenwich 3 Sir Simon Milton Sq 58 Wimbledon Hill Rd, Wimbledon/Merton 40 Beak St, Soho 100 Shoreditch High St, Shoreditch Westfield London, Ariel Way, Hammersmith and Fulham
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Michelin-star ramen
Nowhere does ramen quite like Ippudo, which is probably what earned them their well-deserved Michelin star. According to founder Shigemi Kawahara, every bowl of hot Japanese soup here tells a story and is influenced not only by flavour but by books, music and creativity, too.
- Ippudo Canary Wharf, Canary Wharf/Tower Hamlets Ippudo Central Saint Giles 31A Villiers St, Covent Garden Ippudo Goodge Street, Fitzrovia
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Authentic Japanese cuisine
Chisou offers a cosy and authentic Japanese dining experience in the heart of central London where they serve a menu based on seasonality and presentation. Choose from a variety of sushi, sashimi and noodles, as well as a selection of other side dishes and sharing plates.
- 31 Beauchamp Pl, Chelsea 22 Woodstock St, Mayfair
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Ramen all around the city
This community-based ramen restaurant is located at different locations all around the city. They mainly specialise in Japanese food with a western twist, like the original tonkotsu with chashu pork belly, spring onion, bamboo, beansprouts, burnt garlic and a Clarence Court egg.
- 27-28 Old Jamaica Business Estate, Old Jamaica Road, Bermondsey 46-48 James St, Marylebone The Bower, 211 Old Street 31 Peter Street, Soho Nova Development, 9 Sir Simon Milton Sq 1A Phillimore Gardens, Kensington 35 Cranbourn St, Covent Garden
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Kobe beef specialists
Engawa is one of London’s most authentic and traditional Japanese restaurants that specialise in Kobe beef, the world’s most premium beef offered in a range of cuts. Sample the best beef in the city here, or opt for a selection of fresh sushi and sashimi.
- 2 Ham Yard, Soho
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Cook at your own table
This little Japanese restaurant in central aims to share the wonderful taste of Japanese food with whilst spreading the warmth of Japanese hospitality. It’s the first Japanese-style yakinuku (grilled meat) in the city, and every table comes with its own smokeless roaster so that guests can cook their own food in front of them.
- 34 High Holborn, Holborn 21 Great Castle St, Marylebone
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Award-winning Japanese cuisine
Come to Roka for award-winning Japanese cuisine, specifically modern robata Japanese cuisine. The setting is contemporary, sleek and stylish and the menu is filled with thoughtful Japanese dishes, like sake teriyaki salmon with sansho salt.
- 71 Aldwych, Holborn Park Pavillion, Canary Wharf/Tower Hamlets 37 Charlotte St., Fitzrovia 30 N Audley St, Mayfair
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The tonkotsu of dreams
Nowhere does a bowl of tonkotsu quite like Shoryu, it's the place to go if you just can't seem to kick that intense ramen craving. You'll find them dotted all over the city, ready to serve you up a slurpy bowl of top-notch hot Japanese soup.
- 5 Kingly St, Carnaby, Soho 35 Great Queen St, Covent Garden 33 Broadgate, The City/City of London 45 Great Eastern St, Shoreditch Shoryu Ramen Regent Street, Westminster 3 Denman St, Soho Westfield London, Hammersmith and Fulham 190 Kensington High St, Kensington Westfield Stratford City, Newham
Crystal sushi
Shiro joins Aqua Group luminaries such as Aqua Shard and Hutong in the capital, bringing its famed crystal sushi to two floors and an outdoor terrace at Broadgate Circle. The Hong Kong-based brand reinvents the classic sushi roll with a layer of flavoured jelly, carefully draped across for maximum flavour and visual impact. Other Japanese delicacies are available as well, including lunchtime bento boxes.
- 100 Broadgate, Liverpool St, The City/City of London
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Traditional dining room in Whitechapel
Come to Sushinoen for an authentic Japanese experience. Staff wear kimonos and the dining room showcases traditional design with both Western and low seating available. The à la carte dishes include sushi, sashimi, and hot food. Set lunches are also available and it's all washed down with sake and sake cocktails.
- 2 White Church Lane, Tower Hamlets
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Renowned chef's kitchen theatre
Having refreshed his solo chicken yakitori venture in Soho, chef Angelo Sato (his credentials include Trinity, Story, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and many more fine establishments) serves a multiple-course Japanese tasting menu with European inflections at Humble Chicken. Sample dishes at the 18-seater restaurant include delicacies such as miso-cured foie gras, or grilled slow-cooked short rib with lettuce. The space is designed to provide patrons with a kitchen theatre experience. A concise range of drinks is also available.
- 54 Frith Street, Soho
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Don't miss the karaage
Expanding from their original location at the Green Rooms hotel in Wood Green, Oita's cosy Japanese cooking can also be found in Soho's Chinatown. Expect a menu of various Japanese delicacies, ranging from Oita's signature chicken karaage and yakitori skewers to freshly rolled sushi and steaming bowls of ramen, with a few location-exclusive specials thrown in for good measure.
- 47 Gerrard Street, Soho/Covent Garden 13-27 Station Road, Haringey
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Renowned omakase restaurant
The Araki has only nine seats in the dining room plus a private dining room for six. This is an intimate and luxurious omakase restaurant with a crisp minimalist appearance. Sushi is served here and no menu is available - instead you get multiple indulgent courses that showcase the creativity and skills of chef Marty Lau.
- 12 New Burlington St, Mayfair
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Omakase-in-a-box
Kibako, a contemporary Japanese restaurant located in Fitzrovia, offers a menu that blends traditional techniques with modern flair. The signature kibako, expertly curated omakase-style boxes, take centre stage and give the restaurant its name. The menu features re-imagined classic dishes that combine specialist Japanese ingredients with high-quality produce from around the world. This includes hand-picked Maldon rock oysters, Kagoshima wagyu beef, and Sanpuku nori.
- 3 Windmill St, Fitzrovia
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A different take on okonomiyaki
Jeux Jeux is London's first Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki joint. This take on the popular Japanese savoury pancake is made by preparing the ingredients separately and stacking them up, unlike the Osaka approach, where the various ingredients are mixed together. This casual South Bank spot also serves Japanese street food specialities, for example katsu curry.
- 3 Belvedere Road, South Bank/Lambeth/Southwark
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Grill your own way
Yakiniku Like!! is a popular Asian chain that opened its first European branch in London. Unlike other Japanese restaurants, Yakiniku Like!! doesn't offer the usual raw delicacies or noodle dishes. Instead, it specialises in yakiniku, grilled morsels of meat you cook over a smokeless grill at your table. In addition to the entertainment value and the ability to cook your meat to your liking, you can try a variety of different cuts and sauces in one sitting this way.
- 47 Greek St, Soho
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Contemporary izakaya
All sharp lines and geometric shapes, this sleek contemporary izakaya in Embassy Gardens serves a range of Japanese small plates for dinner, from different sushi to delicacies such as mallard gyoza & sloe berry ponzu, or grilled red mullet with beans, girolles and leek miso. You can complement your meal with a carefully curated wine list or one of the Japanese spirits.
- Unit 1A, 3 Ravine Way Embassy Gardens, Vauxhall
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Vegan Japanese food
You get Japanese cuisine with a difference at Itadakizen. This is Europe's first vegan Japanese restaurant, and it has a comfortable traditional interior that gives it a nice atmosphere. At this intimate eatery, you can try lots of small dishes to share, with everything being completely plant-based. Expect the likes of sushi, gyoza, and croquettes.
- 139 King's Cross Road, Bloomsbury
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Indulge in omakase
Visit Taku for a luxury fine dining experience. This Michelin-starred restaurant specialises in upscale omakase meals, served in exclusive surroundings with only 16 seats. Chef Takuya Watanabe creates up to 20 courses per sitting, comprising high-end Japanese food prepared with the finest ingredients. The dining area is smart and sophisticated.
- 36 Albemarle Street, Mayfair
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Quick and casual
Marugame Udon has grown rapidly in London, and there are now multiple restaurants around the city. These are casual counter-service spots where you can grab a tray and watch the chefs prepare food right in front of you. Tempura and udon are the specialities here, plus there's a menu for kids.
- Kensington Arcade, High StLondon, Kensington 449 Strand, Covent Garden Units 16-17, The Balcony, Waterloo Station, Waterloo Road, South Bank/Southwark 1-4 Argyll St, Soho Upper Level, 2 Cabot Square, Canary Wharf/Tower Hamlets 03 The Avenue, Peninsula Square, Greenwich Brent Cross Shopping Centre, Brent Cross, Barnet 114 Middlesex Street, The City/City of London
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Budget-friendly eating
At Machiya, you can have an affordable Japanese meal in the heart of London. The dining space is casual, modern, and homey. It's a simple menu of small plates, curry, and donburi, catering to diners who want a quick snack as well as those looking for a bigger meal. Sake and shochu are also served.
- 5 Panton Street, Westminster
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Get the exclusive feel
Luxury restaurant Ginza St James is considered one of the capital's top places for Japanese cuisine. The space is upmarket and elegant, with private dining rooms and an exclusive feel. A Japanese take on afternoon tea is served in addition to lunch and dinner. This restaurant offers a varied range of authentic Japanese dishes.
- 15 Bury St, Westminster
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Exclusive omakase dining
At Sushi Kanesaka, you can try luxurious sushi. This restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Shinji Kanesaka has only nine counter seats and four for private dining. The space is slick and well-curated. Regarding the food, expect a luxurious omakase experience of multiple courses prepared with authentic ingredients and UK seafood.
- 45 Park Lane, Mayfair
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