There is no shortage of Japanese restaurants in the UK’s buzzing capital. Whether you are after a top tempura dining experience or you wish to try other authentic Japanese dishes like sushi and sashimi Japanese restaurants in London cater to all tastes. We’ve handpicked 5 of the best dining establishments to enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine in London.
Sushisamba
Situated on the 38th and 39th floors of the Heron Tower, Sushisamba offers magnificent views of the city and specializes in Kobe beef which is the best form of Wagyu available on the market. Some of the signature dishes here include Kobe ribeye, sea bass tempura, and the black cod miso. They also have an extensive cocktail list, as well as well a great selection of tasty desserts including assorted mochi, mazamorra, and chocolate banana cake. If the weather is nice, you can sit at one of the two lovely outdoor terraces.
Dinings
Marylebone’s Dinings is a cosy Japanese restaurant that focuses on a variety of tapas dishes. Try the style tar-tar chips that come with jalapeno mayo or order the delicious Iberian pork shabu-shabu with cho-jang sauce. The sushi rolls served with popcorn shrimp are also worth ordering. Keep in mind that Dinings is a popular Japanese joint, so make sure to book a table at least a month in advance.
Zuma
Located in Knightsbridge, Zuma restaurant boasts an elegant interior with separate areas including a kotatsu room, a sushi counter, and the main dining area. Thanks to the open kitchen, visitors will have a chance to see how their food is prepared by the talented chefs who work here at Zuma. The menu is expansive and includes dishes like seared tuna with chilli daikon, chicken wings with sake, and steak with garlic crisps and wafu sauce. Zuma also offers tasty sake-based cocktails, as well as desserts like oshibori cheesecake and chawan mushi with exotic fruit.
Kanada-Ya
Are you into ramen and pork? If the answer is yes, head out to this minimalist Japanese restaurant that offers a nice selection of savoury broth which is cooked for 18 hours and served with fresh hand-pulled noodles. Their original tankotsu ramen is definitely the signature dish here, but small plates including karaage, aburi chashu, and truffle edamame are also an excellent option. Kanada-Ya has branches in Angel, Piccadilly, and Covent Garden.
Engawa
Situated inside the Ham Yard Hotel in Soho, Engawa is a classy Japanese restaurant that serves the caviar of meat also known as Kobe Beef. Their intimate dining room can accommodate up to 29 guests for lunch and dinner and reservations can be made between 10 am and 5 pm from Monday to Sunday. A wide range of Kobe Beef cuts can be found on the menu including oyster blade steaks, fillet, sirloin, and rib-eye steaks. There is also a nice selection of sashimi and fresh sushi available at this amazing Japanese restaurant in London.
