It can be challenging to collate a list of the best Japanese restaurants in the capital, because Japanese cuisine itself is so varied. In the same way, different Italian cities have their own regional pasta dish, and Japanese prefectures have their own variations of ramen, soba, or udon noodles. If gyoza dumplings aren’t your thing, then dishes with a more Western influence, like omurice or tonkatsu breaded pork cutlets, might be.
The eagle-eyed among us might be able to spot an authentic Japanese restaurant in London by keeping an eye out for establishments with a sticker or a sign outside from the Nintei Nihon Restaurant Association. This is a formal accreditation from a Japanese association that serves as an endorsement for the establishment, good for if you’re in the mood for something ‘authentic’, inasmuch as a restaurant can be outside of Japan.
Like music or art, food is incredibly subjective, and some of the restaurants on this list appear here not because they are the most traditional, but because I think they celebrate some of the creativity and diversity that makes London such a great place to be. From high-end restaurants to izakaya bars and hole-in-the-wall noodle bars, we hope there’s a little something here for everyone.
If you’re looking to sate your sushi craving, then be sure to check out my ultimate guide to sushi in London here.
London's best Japanese restaurants, handpicked by us:
1. TANAKATSU
- Website: https://tanakatsu.co.uk
- Address: 10 Wakley St, London EC1V 7LT
- Japanese speciality: Katsu.
‘Japanese katsu curry sauce’ is commonly found on many menus, but is actually a misnomer - the ‘katsu’ in Japanese katsu curry actually refers to the breaded cutlet that comes with the dish, rather than the sauce. TANAKATSU is an homage to the panko breadcrumb coating - from katsu cutlet sandwiches to donburi rice bowls, this diner celebrates katsu dishes in all its different forms (including, of course, their signature curry dish).
The best way to try katsu in London, is at Tanakatsu.
2. Koya Ko
- Website: https://www.koya.co.uk/restaurant/hackney
- Address: 10-12 Broadway Market Mews, London E8 4TS
- Japanese speciality: Udon noodles.
Koya Ko on Broadway Market serves deliciously chewy, thick handmade udon noodles, but is also fantastic for a quick Japanese breakfast - miso soup, grilled fish and rice, served alongside some pickles. It’s casual and more laid back than the other outposts located in Central London, more reminiscent of ‘tachigui’ (lit. ‘standing while eating’) style noodle shops you might find in urban Japanese cities.
3. Taro
- Website: https://tarorestaurants.uk/
- Address: 2 Catford Broadway, London SE6 4SP
- Japanese speciality: Casual bento.
A sushi and noodle bar, Taro really excel at their bento box offerings - with options to suit meat lovers, vegans and pescatarians, too. There are eight locations dotted around the capital, and it has been a London staple since the late ‘90s.
4. Umu
- Website: https://www.umurestaurant.com
- Address: 14-16 Bruton Pl, London W1J 6LX
- Japanese speciality: Kaiseki.
One for a special occasion, Umu offers elegant, Kyoto-style kaiseki cuisine (multicourse seasonal Japanese food). It is a luxe experience - from the discreet entryway, sleek surroundings and impeccable service and attention to detail. It has a Michelin star, is in Mayfair, and so has the price tag you might expect, but a meal there is transformative.
5. Angelina
- Website: https://angelina.london/menu
- Address: 56 Dalston Ln, London E8 3AH
- Japanese speciality: Fusion Japanese food.
Japanese fusion cuisine often elicits a ‘marmite’-like reaction - you either love it or hate it. A blend of Japanese and Italian flavours, Angelina draws upon premium Japanese ingredients and cooking techniques in a stylish East London setting. The kaiseki seasonal set menu varies every five weeks, with a great Italian wine pairing option, too - there is a lot to like here.
Angelina is a Japanese dining spot in London that is cool, calm and collected.
6. Kanada-ya
- Website: https://www.kanada-ya.com
- Address: 12 Filmworks Walk, London W5 5FA
- Japanese speciality: Ramen.
The London franchise of a beloved Kyushu ramen bar has some of the best tonkotsu (pork bone) broth around town. Other locations can be found in Angel, Carnaby Street, Piccadilly and in Westfield (Shepherd’s Bush).
7. Eat Tokyo
- Website: https://www.eattokyo.co.uk/GoldersGreen
- Address: 14 N End Rd, London NW11 7PH
- Japanese speciality: Japanese hot dogs.
The Golders Green location of this casual London-based Japanese diner chain stands out from the rest due to its shabu shabu Japanese hotpot offering. Thinly sliced meat and vegetables are cooked in broth at the table, and served with various dipping sauces, perfect for family-style eating during the winter months. They have a large selection of bento boxes at a reasonable price point, too.
8. Aun
- Website: https://www.aun-restaurant.com
- Address: 178 Stoke Newington Church St, London N16 0JL
- Japanese speciality: A fusion of Japanese and British.
This cosy and intimate neighbourhood restaurant, located on Stoke Newington’s charming Church Street, offers a tasting menu with Japanese-inspired dishes showcasing the best seasonal British ingredients. A considered blend of Japanese flavours with British influences, Aun’s menu offers their take on ‘Japanese tapas’.
9. Mayha
- Website: https://www.mayhalondon.com
- Address: 43 Chiltern St, London W1U 6LS
- Japanese speciality: Omakase.
Mayha in Marylebone has just 11 seats and offers a delectable omakase experience (where the chef shares their vision for a meal through various courses). Another example of the culinary melting pot that is London, Mayha originally opened in Beirut, but relocated to the UK following the 2020 explosion.
10. Ginza St James
- Address: 15 Bury St, London SW1Y 6AL
- Japanese speciality: Teppanyaki.
A stone’s throw from the Ritz, Fortnum and Mason and the Wolsley, Ginza St James is a brilliant place to enjoy an extensive cocktail and sake list as well as teppanyaki iron griddle cooking which is cooked right in front of you. Their sushi selection and black cod are also particular standouts on the menu.
Top Japanese food, straight from the grill at Ginza.
11. Marugame Udon
- Website: https://marugame.co.uk
- Address: Upper Floor, The Atrium Kitchen, Cabot Place, Canary Wharf, E14 4QT
- Japanese speciality: Casual Japanese dining.
Further proof that Japanese food in London doesn’t have to break the bank, Marugame Udon has delicious udon (thick noodle) dishes starting from £4.95. Served canteen-style, another great example of ‘tachigui’ (eating on the go) food, they have a large range of tempuras to choose from, too
12. Monohon Ramen
- Website: https://monohonramen.com
- Address: 102 Old St, London EC1V 9AY
- Japanese Speciality: Ramen.
This walk-in only ramen bar in Old Street has some of the best summer ramen dishes, perfect for beating the heat, with dishes like hiyashichuka (chilled ramen salad) and a range of soupless ramen dishes that can be hard to find outside of Japan. The mentaiko mazemen, or cod roe tonkotsu broth ramen, is one to try at least once.
13. Tenshi
- Website: https://www.tenshilondon.com
- Address: 61 Upper St, London N1 0NY
- Japanese Speciality: Ostumami.
This cosy izakaya-style eatery is a great place to get authentic Japanese-style ‘otsumami’, dishes served like tapas to go with some drinks. The literal translation of ‘Izakaya’ is stay-drink-place, and has a similar atmosphere to a pub. This intimate spot serves as a nice reprieve from the collection of chain restaurants in the area.
14. “mu”
- Website: https://mu-ldn.com/menus
- Address: 432-434 Kingsland Rd, London E8 4AA
- Japanese speciality: Japanese small plates.
“mu” is the dream venue for a date night - just one stop for a fantastic bar, restaurant and live jazz music. From the team that created Brilliant Corners and Giant Steps, “mu”’s trendy, minimalist aesthetic and small plates make for a great night out.
15. Robata
- Website: https://robata.co.uk
- Address: 56 Old Compton St, London W1D 4UE
- Japanese specialist: Robata.
Go to Robata in Soho for, unsurprisingly, the robata dishes - Japanese charcoal grill cooking. Their early bird menu (£25 for 3 courses) and their bottomless prosecco brunch (£40) are incredible value for the quality of the food.
16. Tenmaru
- Website: https://www.tenmaru.co.uk
- Address: 8 Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, London N4 3JP
- Japanese speciality: Ramen.
Come to Tenmaru for the ramen, but stay for the appetisers - dishes like octopus karaage (deep fried octopus), and their selection of starter pickles and gyoza potstickers are wonderful.
17. The Aubrey
- Website: https://theaubreycollection.com/london
- Address: 66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA
- Japanese speciality: Sandos.
Located in the basement of the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Knightsbridge, The Aubrey not only boasts award-winning interiors, but a sophisticated and stylish omakase menu, robata grill items and more. Their selection of ‘sandos’ - Japanese sandwiches - is particularly noteworthy, with additions of caviar and gold leaf to round off a showstopping experience.
18. Uchi Bakery
- Website: http://uchihackney.com
- Address: 140 Clarence Rd, Lower Clapton, London E5 8DY
- Japanese speciality: Japanese baking.
By night, Uchi is a fantastic neighbourhood sushi bar, but during the day the on-trend minimalist interiors offers great place to bring your laptop to catch up on some work emails. While you’re there, you can enjoy some of the best matcha lattes around, as well as some top-quality Japanese baked goods like egg mayo sandwiches, and matcha-infused brownies and cakes.
19. Tokoton Ramen
- Website: http://tokotonramen.com
- Address: 25 Bartholomew St, London SE1 4AL
- Japanese speciality: Vegan ramen.
One to keep in mind for the vegans, as Tokoton vegan ramen and donburi (rice bowl) dishes are absolutely delicious. The cauliflower karaage (deep-fried) donburi rice bowls are a popular choice at this fun and casual establishment founded by three Japanese friends.
20. Yoshino
- Website: https://yoshino.london
- Address: 4-5 Duke of York St, London SW1Y 6LA
- Japanese Speciality: Tempura.
Possibly home to some of the most reasonably priced tasting menus in London (the ‘light’ offering comes in at £38), Yoshino has some of the best tempura dishes the capital has to offer (vegetables and seafood fried in batter).
21. Moko Made Cafe
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/mokomadecafe/?hl=en
- Address: 211 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8AN
- Japanese Speciality: Japanese desserts.
Moko Made Cafe is a little tearoom in Hoxton, and the place to get an excellent matcha latte, as well as a homemade selection of sweet desserts and pastries. The lunchtime offer, where you can get a soup, salad and onigiri rice ball for £9 is brilliant value - it is extremely cosy.
22. Engawa
- Website: https://engawa.london
- Address: 2 Ham Yard, London W1D 7DT
- Japanese Speciality: Wagyu.
Engawa in Ham Yard, Soho is known for its melt-in-the-mouth, buttery soft wagyu beef, served on a hot stone plate. If possible, try to nab a seat by the counter to take in the mastery and skill behind the way the food is prepared.
Must-try wagyu at Engawa in London.
23. Machiya
- Address: 5 Panton St, London SW1Y 4DL
- Japanese speciality: Japanese comfort food.
If you’re craving some Japanese homecooking, then Machiya is the top choice for dishes like omurice (omelette rice), pork and chicken katsu curry and donburi rice bowls. Inspired by the fare found in Japanese foodhalls, it’s worth keeping an eye out on their social media and newsletters for their frequent offers to nab a deal.
24. Nobu
- Website: https://www.nobuhotels.com/london-shoreditch/dining/nobu-shoreditch
- Address: 30 Willow St, London EC2A 4BH
- Japanese Speciality: Miso cod.
Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s influence on Japanese cuisine globally cannot be overstated - popularising the now iconic miso black cod as a dish worldwide. Their Portman Square hotel has a weekend brunch offering that includes unlimited sushi, mains and cocktails in the heart of Shoreditch for £90, perfect to treat yourself for a special occasion.
25. Chisou
- Website: https://www.chisourestaurant.com
- Address: 22-23 Woodstock St, London W1C 2AR
- Japanese Speciality: Sake and sushi.
Chisou has one of the largest sake rice wine selections in London, and in addition to excellent sushi, has a nice array of soba buckwheat noodles to enjoy. The grilled eel kabayaki is also a dish to try here if you haven’t before - a beautifully executed example of a plate of food that can be challenging to get right outside of Japan
Chisou restaurant in London, with only 10 seats for diners.
