Looking for the best Japanese restaurant in London? Well, check out this curated list of top Japanese restaurants in London that serve authentic and delicious food. Read further to know more about it.

Ah, London! The land where royalty lives. If you find yourself gallivanting through the streets of London and your taste buds are craving for a taste of authentic Japanese food, you’re in luck. London is home to many great Japanese restaurants.

Which is the best Japanese restaurant in London?

I’ve been to many Japanese restaurants in London but the best Japanese restaurant in London is Zuma because of the authentic taste, ambience as well as the service.

Zuma offers its customers a posh twist on Izakaya style dining. It’s the best Japanese restaurant in London to try out wagyu. Zuma has been dishing out some of the finest Japanese dishes since it first opened its doors. It’s no wonder that it has earned itself the title of a Michelin star restaurant. It’s quite expensive but worth it.

Japanese cuisine has found its way into the streets of London while staying true to its traditional roots. From izakaya style drinks to authentic sushi, London offers her visitors some of the best Japanese restaurants.

From high end Michelin star restaurants to quaint and cozy izakayas, the streets of London have something for every type of Japanese dish.

After a critical taste testing, we have put together this list of some of the best Japanese restaurants in Japan.

Best Japanese Restaurant in London: Quick Summary

Best Japanese Restaurant in London	Best Dishes	Location
Zuma London	Crispy squid with chilli and lime, Cherry blossom flawless chocolate cake	Knightsbridge
Sumi	Kushi katsu, Sesame seaweed salad, Wagyu striploin	Notting Hill
Roka Charlotte Street	Octopus with seaweed and ponzu dressing, Wagyu tempura maki with oscietra caviar	Fitzrovia
Dinings SW3	Sea bass sashimi with tosazu jelly and fresh truffle, Cornish spider crab and soft shell crab sushi roll with yuzu	Chelsea
Aqua Kyoto	Omakase sushi and sashimi, King crab tempuraBento boxes	Regent Street
Angelina	Chicken karaageUnagi risotto. Lardo with moromi sake and turbot	Dalston
Chotto Matte	Chu- toro tiradito, Sashimi with Nikkei dipping sauceBeef tataki with passion fruit salsa, Aubergine with miso and apricotBarriguita de chanchito	Soho
Shack-Fuyu	Kinako french toast with matcha soft serve ice cream, Prawn katsu sandosTuna tacos	Soho
Akari	Tuna tataki, Miso black cod	Islington

Best Japanese Restaurants in London

Zuma London

Best Japanese restaurant in London – Michelin Star

Zuma is one of the trendiest restaurants in London. It has been a very prominent part of Knightsbridge’s appeal for the past decade. It offers its customers a posh twist on izakaya style dining. It’s the best Japanese restaurant in London to try out wagyu.

Zuma has been dishing out some of the finest Japanese dishes since it first opened its doors. It’s no wonder that it has earned itself the title of a Michelin star restaurant.

This fancy restaurant has been attracting an elite clientele since the beginning and so it is not a shocker that it also has a pricey menu. They also serve exquisite wines, sake and out of the world cocktails. Do visit this Michelin Star Japanese Restaurant in London.

Location: Knightsbridge

Best Dishes: Crispy squid with chilli and lime

Address: 5, Raphael St, London SW7 1DL, UK

Akira

Akira is a Japanese restaurant located in South Kensington, London. It is part of Japan House London, a cultural venue that promotes Japanese arts and culture.

The restaurant has a modern and stylish interior, with a large open kitchen where you can watch the chefs prepare your food.

The menu features a wide variety of Japanese dishes, including sushi, sashimi, tempura, and grilled meats and seafood.

I had the pleasure of dining at Akira recently, and I was very impressed with the food. The sushi was fresh and flavorful, and the sashimi was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. I also enjoyed the tempura, which was light and crispy.

The service at Akira was also excellent. Our waiter was attentive and knowledgeable about the menu, and he made sure that we had a great dining experience.

Overall, I had a wonderful dining experience at Akira. The food was excellent, the service was top-notch, and the atmosphere was perfect.

I would highly recommend Akira to anyone looking for a great Japanese meal in London.

Here are some specific dishes that I recommend:

The Akira Signature Bento Box is a great way to try a variety of Japanese dishes. It includes sushi, sashimi, tempura, and grilled chicken.

The Black Cod Misoyaki is a classic Japanese dish that is cooked in a miso glaze. It is incredibly flavorful and tender.

The Wagyu Beef Sukiyaki is a rich and hearty dish that is made with thinly sliced wagyu beef, vegetables, and tofu. It is perfect for a cold winter day.

Sumi

Best Japanese restaurant in London for wagyu

From sushi master Endo Kazutoshi’s Michelin-starred White City, Sumi has made a name for itself in London. Sumi gets its name from Endo’s mother. It’s one of the best restaurants in london.

Led by head chef Yasuda Akinori who previously worked at Zuma, Sumi boasts of bringing the finest sushi to its customers.

Sumi offers its customers an authentic Japanese sensory treat. Its menu incorporates Japanese tradition and culture along with the memory of people and places who Endo draws inspiration from.

Besides the delicious food, Sumi also has beautiful decor. While it is not the most affordable restaurant, it is definitely a good option if you are looking for a place to have a fancy meal as it’s the best Japanese restaurant in London.

Location: Notting Hill

Best Dishes: Kushi katsu, Sesame seaweed salad, Wagyu striploin

Address: 157 Westbourne Grove London. W11 2RS, UK

Endo at The Rotunda

Endo at The Rotunda is a Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant located in the former BBC TV Centre in White City.

The restaurant is headed by Chef Kazutoshi Endo, who has worked at some of the top Japanese restaurants in the world, including Narisawa in Tokyo.

The menu at Endo at The Rotunda is a tasting menu of modern Japanese cuisine. The dishes are beautifully presented and use the freshest, seasonal ingredients. The menu changes regularly, but you can expect to find dishes such as seared foie gras with yuzu kosho, wagyu beef with black truffle, and Japanese wagyu beef tataki with yuzu ponzu sauce.

The wine list at Endo at The Rotunda is extensive, with a focus on Japanese wines. There is also a good selection of sake and cocktails.

The service at Endo at The Rotunda is impeccable. The staff are knowledgeable about the food and wine, and they are attentive and discreet.

Endo at The Rotunda is a luxurious and exclusive restaurant. The prices are high, but the food and service are excellent. If you are looking for a special dining experience, Endo at The Rotunda is definitely worth considering.

Roka Charlotte Street

Best Japanese restaurant in London for seafood

**Source: https://www.rokarestaurant.com/**

For a more rustic and casual vibe, make your way to Charlotte Street in Fitzrovia. Roka is known for its unique cocktails that are made with Japanese plum wine.

The restaurant has an open kitchen with a robata grill.During the summer, the glass walls of the restaurant give customers a beautiful view of the street.

This Michelin starred restaurant is definitely a must try on our list of the best Japanese restaurants in London. Roka is the best Japanese restaurant in London if you love seafood.

Location: Fitzrovia

Best Dishes: Octopus with seaweed and ponzu dressing, Wagyu tempura maki with oscietra caviar

Address: 37 Charlotte St, London W1T 1RR, UK

Evernight

Evernight is a Japanese izakaya located in Battersea, London. The restaurant is the brainchild of chefs Lynus Lim and Chase Lovecky, who have a combined experience of over 20 years in the Japanese food industry.

The menu at Evernight features a wide variety of Japanese dishes, including small plates, rice dishes, noodles, and grilled meats and seafood.

The ingredients are sourced from Japan and the UK, and the dishes are prepared using traditional Japanese cooking techniques.

The atmosphere at Evernight is relaxed and inviting. The restaurant has a dimly lit interior with exposed brick walls and wooden furniture. There is a long bar that seats up to 20 people, as well as several tables for larger groups.

The service at Evernight is attentive and friendly. The staff are knowledgeable about the menu and can make recommendations based on your preferences.

I had the opportunity to dine at Evernight recently, and I was very impressed with the food and service.

I started with the edamame, which were perfectly cooked and seasoned. I then had the grilled octopus, which was tender and flavorful.

For my main course, I had the wagyu beef tataki, which was cooked to perfection and served with a delicious ponzu sauce. I finished my meal with the matcha tiramisu, which was light and refreshing.

Overall, I had a wonderful dining experience at Evernight. The food was excellent, the service was top-notch, and the atmosphere was inviting.

I would highly recommend Evernight to anyone looking for a great Japanese meal in London.

Related: Best Japanese Restaurant In KL

Dinings SW3

Best Japanese restaurant in London for sushi

Another izakaya style restaurant on our list is Dinings SW3. A lovely blend of traditional Japanese cuisine and European culinary techniques, Dinings SW3 is headed by Chef Masaki.

Dinings SW3 is known for its fresh food. It sources its seafood from fishing boats from various parts of Europe and Japan. It serves its customers some of the most unique dishes like tar tar chips with SCottish native lobster and jalapeno mayonnaise.

If you are impressed by their cooking techniques, they also offer live cooking demo and sushi making classes that are available on booking. It’s amongst the best sushi restaurants in London.

Location: Chelsea

Best Dishes: Sea bass sashimi with tosazu jelly and fresh truffle, Cornish spider crab and soft shell crab sushi roll with yuzu

Address: Walton House, Lennox Gardens Mews, Walton Street, Chelsea London SW3 2JH, UK

Aqua Kyoto

Best Japanese restaurant in London for Omakase sushi

If you are on the lookout for some high end Japanese cuisine, Aqua Kyoto sits just off Regent Street. Do visit this best Japanese restaurant in London for their Omakase.

This restaurant lures costumes in with its romantic ambience and delicious food. You know a place is luxurious when the booth walls are padded with kimono silk. That is exactly what Aqua Kyoto has!

While dishes on its menu like the wagyu maki rolls can be quite heavy on the pocket, Aqua Kyoto also offers lunchtime bento boxes and sashimi that are more affordable. It’s an authentic Japanese restaurant that will bring back Japan’s memories.

Location: Regent Street

Best Dishes: Omakase sushi and sashimi, King crab tempura, Bento boxes

Address: 5th floor, 140 Regent Street (Entrance 30 Argyll Street), London, UK W1B 3BR

Ginza St James’s

Ginza St James’s is a Japanese restaurant located in the heart of London’s St. James’s district.

The restaurant is housed in a sleek, stone-clad space, and the interior is decorated with traditional Japanese elements such as shoji screens and tatami mats.

The menu at Ginza St James’s features a wide variety of Japanese dishes, including sushi, sashimi, tempura, teppanyaki, and robata grilled dishes. The restaurant also has a large sake list, with over 100 different varieties to choose from.

I recently had the opportunity to dine at Ginza St James’s, and I was very impressed with the food.

The sushi and sashimi were fresh and delicious, and the robata grilled dishes were cooked to perfection. I also enjoyed the sake, which was perfectly paired with my meal.

The service at Ginza St James’s was also excellent. Our waiter was knowledgeable about the menu and was happy to make recommendations. He also made sure that our glasses were always full.

Overall, I had a wonderful dining experience at Ginza St James’s. The food was excellent, the service was top-notch, and the atmosphere was elegant and sophisticated.

I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a special dining experience.

Angelina

Best Japanese restaurant in London for fusion of cuisines

Angelina shows off its multicultural vibe by serving its customers Japanese and Italian cuisines.

Angelina is known for its 4 course and 10 course omakase and kaiseki menus. Their food is unique and combines flavours that are influenced by both Japan and Italy.

They also have a great selection of wine to pair with their food. It’s the best Japanese restaurant in London for a full course meal.

Location: Dalston

Best Dishes: Chicken karaage, Unagi risotto, Lardo with moromi sake and turbot

Address: 56 Dalston Lane, Dalston E83AH

Chotto Matte

Best Japanese restaurant in London for Nikkei cuisine

best japanese resturants in london — **Source: https://chotto-matte.com/**

Chotto Matte is an entire restaurant dedicated to Nikkei cuisine. Nikkei cuisine is food which incorporates Peruvian flavours with a Japanese twist. This cuisine is not just a treat for your taste buds but also for your eyes.

Chef Jordan Sclare is responsible for the worldwide acclaim that the restaurant has for its artistic approach to the cuisine.

You can enjoy your night out by sipping on some pisco sours as you feast on Chotto Matte’s unique and delicious dishes.

Location: Soho

Best Dishes: Chu- toro tiradito, Sashimi with Nikkei dipping sauce, Beef tataki with passion fruit salsa, Aubergine with miso and apricot, Barriguita de chanchito

Address: 11-13 Frith Street London W1D 4RB

Maru

Maru is a small, intimate Japanese restaurant located in the heart of Mayfair. The restaurant has a warm and inviting atmosphere, with dark wood paneling and dim lighting. The staff is friendly and attentive, and they are knowledgeable about the menu.

The menu at Maru features traditional Japanese dishes, with a focus on fresh seafood. Some of the highlights include the sashimi, the tempura, and the sushi.

The nigiri sushi is particularly good, with the fish being perfectly fresh and the rice being perfectly cooked.

The prices at Maru are reasonable, especially considering the quality of the food. A meal for two with drinks will typically cost around £100.

Overall, Maru is an excellent choice for a Japanese meal in London. The food is delicious, the service is excellent, and the atmosphere is inviting. I highly recommend it.

Here are some additional details about my experience at Maru:

I visited Maru on a Saturday evening for dinner. The restaurant was busy but not crowded. We were seated immediately and our server was attentive and friendly.

We started with the sashimi and the tempura. Both dishes were fresh and delicious. The sashimi was perfectly sliced and the tempura was light and crispy.

For our main course, we ordered the sushi and the udon noodles. The sushi was again fresh and delicious. The udon noodles were cooked perfectly and the broth was flavorful.

We finished our meal with the matcha ice cream. The ice cream was rich and creamy and the matcha flavor was not too strong.

Shack-Fuyu

Best Japanese restaurant in London for Yoshoku cuisine

Shack-Fuyu is a part of London food group Bone Daddies. If you are on the lookout for Yoshoku cuisine, stop by Shack-Fuyu in Soho.

This Western inspired Japanese cuisine has gained much popularity over the past few years. Shack-Fuyu is famous for its Kinako French toast. So make sure you add that to your list of must try foods.

The restaurant has private booths, communal sharing tables, counter dining, and a private dining room with 16 seats. Whether you are out dining alone or on a date or with a group of s1 people, the restaurant has appropriate seating arrangements for all.

Location: Soho

Best Dishes: Kinako french toast with matcha soft serve ice cream, Prawn katsu sandos, Tuna tacos

Address: 14 Old Compton Street, Soho, 1D 4TJ

Akari

Best Japanese restaurant in London for miso dishes

Akari is another izakaya on our list. This gem of a place is tucked away in Islington.

This restaurant serves its customers some of the finest Japanese cuisine and drinks in a charming environment. Customers can have authentic Japanese experience here.

Affordable and a treat for your taste buds, food at Akari is fresh and of the best quality. It’s the best Japanese restaurant in London for affordable Japanese food.

Location: Islington

Best dishes: Tuna tataki, Miso black cod

Address: 196 Essex Road, Islington, N1 8LZ

Best Japanese Restaurants in London: FAQs

What are some popular Japanese dishes?

Some of the most common Japanese foods are:

Sushi
Sashimi
Ramen
Tempura
Matcha

What are the different types of Japanese restaurants?

There are a hundred different types of restaurants in Japan. Some of the most common ones are:

Izakaya- restaurants that serve alcohol
Kaiseki- These restaurants serve traditional Kaiseki meals which are multi-course meals.
Yakitori
Curry rice shops
Japanese fast food restaurants
Tonkatsu

What is considered rude in a Japanese restaurant?

Some important Japanese dining etiquette are:

Seating arrangements are important. If it is a formal Japanese event, guests are expected to sit in a seiza position (with your legs tucked under you).

If you want to be a little more comfortable, men can sit cross legged and women can sit with their legs tucked to one side.

Do not raise your food above your mouth while eating.
Do not rest your chopsticks on your bowl. Do not catch falling bits of food with your hand.
Use chopsticks to eat the solid food items in your soup. Then – bring the bowl to your mouth and sip the broth.
Make sure you return all your dishes to how they were at the start of the meal.
Do not over serve soy sauce.
Do not poke at your food and stab it with chopsticks.

Does London have good Japanese food?

Yes, London has some excellent Japanese food. There are restaurants serving all types of Japanese cuisine, from traditional to modern.

Here are a few of the best Japanese restaurants in London:

Sushi Kanesaka: This Michelin-starred restaurant serves the finest sushi in London. The fish is flown in daily from Japan and the rice is cooked to perfection.

Roka: This restaurant chain serves modern Japanese cuisine with a focus on grilled dishes. The robata grill is the star of the show, and the meat and seafood cooked over it is always delicious.

Koya: This small chain of restaurants serves udon and soba noodles. The noodles are made fresh daily and the broths are flavorful and complex.

Shoryu: This restaurant serves ramen, and it’s considered one of the best ramen restaurants in London. The broth is rich and flavorful, and the noodles are perfectly cooked.

Yoshihiro: This Michelin-starred restaurant serves traditional Japanese cuisine. The dishes are beautifully presented and the flavors are complex and delicious.

Japanese Restaurants in London

Hope this list- best Japanese restaurant in London helped you pick the top dine out and order in options if you’re looking to try Japanese cuisine. Cheers

Also Read:

Ava Sato

Hiya! I’m the main author of Japan Truly. I love everything Japan and love testing out Japanese products, be it skincare and makeup or gadgets! You’ll find reviews of some of the best selling Japanese products (tried and tested) right here!