MEKIKI

London Japanese Food Guide

MEKIKI

Japanese food in London, curated by Japanese Londoners.

Mekiki is an independent Japanese food guide to London — over 100 restaurants across the city.
Ramen, sushi, izakaya, omakase, wagashi and more — independently curated by Japanese Londoners.

117 restaurants in this area

Umu££££4.6

Central · Omakase, Sushi

One of London's finest kaiseki restaurants, serving traditional Kyoto cuisine with exceptional seasonal ingredients. One Michelin star.

Taka££££4.4

Central · Izakaya, Robatayaki, Sushi

Intimate omakase in the heart of Mayfair. Chef Maruyama uses classical training to create a seasonally changing menu focused on Ikejime fish from Scottish and Cornish waters.

Nanahoshi££3.6

Central · Izakaya

Formerly Jugemu, now Nanahoshi — a 20-seat izakaya in a Soho alley by chef Yuya Kikuchi. Small plates, natural wine, and a deeply Japanese atmosphere transplanted from Tokyo.

Koya (Soho)£4.3

Central · Udon

The original Koya — the restaurant that put handmade udon on London's map. Sanuki-style noodles served hot or cold, with exceptional dashi-based broths. Walk-ins only.

Koya City£4.3

Central · Udon

Koya's City outpost in the Bloomberg Arcade. The same handmade Sanuki udon and dashi broths, with a sleek space suited to the financial district crowd.

East · Udon

Koya's neighbourhood outpost in Hackney's Broadway Market. A more relaxed, local take on the same handmade udon — Ko means 'small' in Japanese.

Noren££££5

Central · Sushi, Omakase

The reimagined successor to Roji, opened in late 2025. A sake and sushi bar with a refined counter experience — intimate, seasonal, and deeply considered.

Maru££££4.8

Central · Omakase, Sushi

A tiny 10-seat Mayfair counter serving one of London's most personal omakase experiences. Chef Taiji Maruyama's sourcing is impeccable — much of the fish flown in from Japan.

Engawa£££4.2

Central · Omakase, Sushi

A hidden gem in Ham Yard specialising in Wagyu and sushi. The omakase menu offers a beautifully composed bento alongside Kobe beef — unusual and excellent.

Sushi Tetsu££££4.7

Central · Omakase, Sushi

Seven seats. Weeks-long waiting list. Arguably the most sought-after sushi counter in London — chef Toru Takahashi's edomae technique is the reason why.

Kintan££4.3

Central · Yakiniku

London's best yakiniku — Japanese-style table barbecue. High-quality cuts grilled over binchotan charcoal at your table. Order the wagyu.

Kanpai Classic£££4.8

Central · Yakiniku

A wagyu-focused yakiniku restaurant on Wardour Street in Soho. Up to 15 cuts of A5 Japanese wagyu grilled over portable charcoal cookers at the table. Part of the Kanpai Group, founded in Taiwan.

Junsei££4.4

Central · Yakitori

A yakitori-ya and listening bar in Marylebone — over 20 skewers cooked over authentic binchotan charcoal, plus wagyu seared at the table. One of London's most serious yakitori destinations.

Jin Kichi££4.6

North · Yakitori, Izakaya

A Hampstead institution that has been grilling yakitori since 1987. Tiny, warm, and completely reliable — exactly what a neighbourhood izakaya should be.

Asakusa££4.4

North · Izakaya

A raucous Camden izakaya beloved by the Japanese expat community. Order the gyoza, the karaage, and whatever the kitchen feels like making that night.

Aun££4.6

North · Izakaya

A small, inventive izakaya on Stoke Newington Church Street, open since 2017. The kitchen follows the philosophy of 'wakon yosai'. — Japanese flavours expressed through British seasonal ingredients. Tapas-style small plates in a calm, minimalist neighbourhood setting.

Zuma££££4.5

West · Izakaya, Robatayaki, Sushi

The original Knightsbridge izakaya that helped define London's upscale Japanese dining. The robata counter, the sushi bar, the sake list — all excellent.

Yashin£££4.5

West · Sushi

Kensington sushi bar known for its 'without soy sauce' philosophy — each piece is seasoned individually so condiments become optional. The omakase is superb.

Ikoi Cafe£4.8

North · Cafe, Matcha

An authentic Japanese cafe in the heart of Kings Cross serving onigiri, udon, matcha and coffee. Simple, genuine, and exactly what it says it is.

Abeno££4.7

Central · Okonomiyaki

London's original okonomiyaki specialist — Osaka-style savoury pancakes made tableside on a teppan since 1993. Simple, satisfying, and unlike anything else in the city.