THE JAPANESE.
the 7 best places to eat japanese in london whether you are in the mood for ramen, sushi, omakase, okonomiyaki
● MONOHON RAMEN
UNCOMPROMISING RAMEN LAB
Tucked away on Old Street, Monohon (meaning "the real thing" in Japanese) doesn't do compromises. Chef-owner Ian Bartlett spent years in Japan perfecting the art of house-made noodles, and it shows in every single bite. Famous for their rich, garlic-laden Abura Soba (soup-less ramen) and hyper-authentic seasonal specials, this vibrant, neon-lit joint tastes like a hidden hideaway tucked inside Shinjuku. It’s loud, raw, and fiercely independent.
NO RES
Old Street
monohonramen.com
photos from @monohonramen
THE LONDON 100 WINNER / BEST JAPANESE
● SUSHI TETSU
SEVEN SEATS, PURE MASTERY
Tucked away in Jerusalem Passage, Sushi Tetsu isn't just one of the best sushi spots in the UK, it’s London’s ultimate holy grail reservation. With an intimate seven-seat cypress counter run by husband and wife duo Toru and Harumi Takahashi, this is Edomae discipline executed to absolute perfection. From hand-grated fresh wasabi and body-temperature rice to torched o-toro that practically melts before it hits your tongue, every piece of nigiri is a masterclass in balance and technique. Quiet, focused, and utterly unforgettable, it will ruin ordinary sushi for you forever. London’s hardest ticket for a reason.
Farringdon
photos from @sushitetsuu
● COCORO
PURE HOME-COOKED JAPANESE COMFORT
Step inside Cocoro and you’ll instantly forget you’re in Central London. This authentic favourite is built on deep, soul-warming variety: think bubbling pots of sukiyaki, crispy tonkatsu, steaming bowls of udon, and insanely fresh sashimi platters. It’s unpretentious, bustling, and frequented by Tokyo expats who know real flavour. Whether you’re grabbing a swift lunchtime bento or settling in for an izakaya-style feast with plenty of cold sake, it hits the spot every single time.
Marylebone
cocororestaurant.co.uk
photos from @cocorolondon
● YUKI BAR
NATURAL WINES, RECORD SLEEVES, REGIONAL BITES
Nestled in East London, Yuki Bar seamlessly blends Japan's cherished kissa culture with a modern natural wine joint. Created by Yukiyasu Kaneko (formerly of P. Franco), this minimalist hideout pairs low-intervention wines and sake with immaculate, Japanese-inspired small plates. Think delicate sashimi, savoury seasonal pickles, and smoky skewers enjoyed against a backdrop of vinyl beats. It’s low-key, hyper-stylish, and undeniably cool.
Hackney
photos from @yukibar.london
● HUMBLE CHICKEN
OMAKASE PRECISION, ROCK’N’ROLL HEART
What started as an avant-garde yakitori joint has evolved into one of the city’s most exciting two-Michelin-starred omakase experiences. Chef Angelo Sato fuses his Japanese heritage with European fine-dining pedigree right at an intimate, theatre-like counter. Expect a tasting menu packed with theatrical flair, incredible technique, and explosive umami flavour bombs. It’s precise, personal, and utterly captivating.
● KOYA
HAND-PULLED UDON, ICONIC BROTHS
Koya is a true London institution that brought authentic, hand-pulled udon culture to the West End. Their simple, timber-lined counters are dedicated to two things: silky, chewy noodle perfection and deeply complex dashi broths. Order the Hiya-Atsu (cold noodles served with hot broth) or try the cult-favourite English Breakfast udon topped with fried egg, bacon, and shiitake mushrooms. It’s fast, deeply comforting, and effortlessly stylish.
NO RES
Soho
koya.co.uk
photos from @koyalondon
● KANADA-YA
TONKOTSU BROTH HEAVYWEIGHT
If you judge ramen by the richness and density of its broth, Kanada-Ya is your holy grail. Born in Fukuoka, their signature pork bone broth is simmered for an agonising 18 hours until it transforms into a creamy, bone-white elixir. Loaded with springy wheat noodles cooked precisely to your liking, melt-in-your-mouth chashu pork, and a soft-boiled wood-ear mushroom topping, this bowl is legendary. Expect a queue outside, but rest assured: it moves fast and pays off massively.
NO RES
Covent Garden
kanada-ya.com
photos from @kanada_ya_ldn