Top 5 Best Japanese Restaurants in London

London’s Japanese restaurant scene continues to grow, so if you’re a chopstick champion and know your ramen from your nigiri, there’s many a restaurant to suit your needs. Whether you’re after rustic and authentic or contemporary cocktail chic, with panoramic views, sleek sushi counters, and centerpiece grills, we’ve got all bases covered. From Clapham to Soho via Fulham and Fitzrovia, join us on a tour of the capital’s finest purveyors of this diverse and exciting cuisine. 

1. Rock Star Sushi Bar
Collier’s Wood

Rock Star Sushi Bar

Bringing humdinger sushi south of the river, Rock Star Sushi Bar offers a spectacular array of Japanese delicacies. Chef Igor boasts 15 years of sushi restaurant experience, and alongside signature ‘Rock’n’Roll’ rolls, guests can build their own dishes: think duck, octopus & halibut, all combined with crisp fresh vegetables and pack-a-punch sauces.

2. Koji
Parsons Green

Koji

Serving up cold and hot tapas, sushi, traditional robata grill dishes, sake, and elegant cocktails, Koji ticks just about every box. Tuck into tuna tartare with caviar umami jelly, pork and ginger dumplings, and duck wasabi, whilst sipping a Singapore sling and watching the theatrical open sushi counter, and it’s quite clear they’ve got the formula spot on.

3. Aqua Kyoto
Regent Street

Aqua Kyoto

If sleek sushi counters, authentic cuisine and creative cocktails aren’t enough for you, then Aqua Kyoto has another ace up its sleeve: breathtaking views over London from its expansive roof terrace. If there’s a better place to sip on sake and nibble on nigiri you’d be hard pressed to find it.

4. Mei Ume

Tower Hill

Mei Ume

Mei Ume offers authentic yet modern Chinese and Japanese cuisine from 2 distinct kitchens. From the Japanese side of the menu, expect delicate, well-balanced sushi and sashimi, all served in an ornate but contemporary setting.

5. Shoryu
Carnaby

Shoryu

Situated in the buzzy Kingly Court off London’s Carnaby Street, Shoryu pays homage to classic Japanese décor with its pared-down sophistication. Ramen specialists, thin, straight noodles are cooked for 12 hours in seasoned pork stock and seasoned with premier spices and soy from Japan to create fragrant and aromatic dishes.
You can also find Shoryu in Shoreditch, Soho, Regent Street, Covent Garden, New Oxford Street and Liverpool Street.